The Salopian Express 2 - 13/09/18

Some times up on RTT, looks like steam to and from Carnforth loop, but routed via Whitchurch both ways. This would be a nice turn for a big green engine.

 

Had a look a few days, looks like it is now via Whitchurch, and not Chester and Wrexham.

 

Even though they have all been advertised as Steam from Crewe to Shrewsbury via Chester and Wrexham none have actually taken that route

 

Ah Dammit. It's been nice to have the abundance of Saphos stuff coming through Wrexham recently on training and tours, so I suppose I can't complain too much!!!

 

Does anyone know what is hauling this one today?

Thanks

 

45699.

 

Thanks!

 

47746 Chris Fudge hanging on the rear

 

A quick video of Galatea approaching Nantwich with The Salopian Express 2...

 

The return at Battlefield.

 

The Salopian Express 2 (13 September 2018) – 45699 Galatea hauling 10+POB+47.746 “Chris Fudge” (on the back)

I travelled on last year’s Salopian Express (22 Mar) – without my minder. I posted on here that Mrs W said she wouldn’t mind a trip to Shrewsbury but would prefer it to be after the clocks had gone forward. Lo and behold, September and only a few days before Mrs W’s birthday, thank you WCRC. I’d been wondering what to buy Mrs W – only joking, whilst I would welcome a ticket for a present, Mrs W may be a tad less enthusiastic.

We made our way to Preston, on a cool dry day, to join the good folks of Dumfries and Carlisle and Penrith and . . . you get the idea. Last year steam was advertised to and from Crewe but that changed to, “to and from Preston”; this year steam was on and off at Carnforth. However, there was to be no run up Gresford bank as the Crewe to Shrewsbury leg was via Whitchurch (in both directions). RT, Galatea steamed majestically into platform 6; there was a 30 minute booked stop so time to “settle in” and then walk to the front for a look the loco and a chat (on the footplate!) with the driver, Mick Kelly – Bob Bullock was firing.

We had seats in coach H but as there were empty seats in coach F, at the suggestion of Ron, the Train Manager we relocated so that we could both have window seats (now 4½ coaches back from the loco). It appeared that 47.746 would stay with us. The carriages were nice and toasty thanks to the ETH and the 47 would help with the stock movements at Shrewsbury (and would be insurance should 45699’s injectors malfunction – my thoughts only, and they didn’t). The 47 “only took its own weight”.

Somehow we managed to leave Preston 14L. We had a very generous allowance of 90 mins for the 51 miles to Crewe with a booked 3 min operational stop at Wigan NW. We were up to 56 at Leyland before being checked to 15 south of Euxton Jn and consequently we passed through Euxton Balshaw Lane at only 40. Mick opened Galatea up and there followed a lovely, noisy climb up to Coppull with 51 at the summit. A max of 65 towards Wigan saw us stop 10L, and we were away after only 1 min so now 8L. Speed rose to 61 at Bamfurlong Jn and 68 at Haydock Branch Jn and continued to rise with 77 at Winwick Jn (now only 3L). We shot through Warrington BQ at 73 (1L). We began to run ahead of time and we were stopped briefly approaching Weaver Jn, away again and now running in the 50s to low 60s we continued to gain on schedule and were 7E at Crewe Coal Yard. We were held for 3 mins north of the station before we crossed into platform 12 (2E). There was plenty of time for a leg stretch and for the loco to take water from the hydrant on the platform.

We left Crewe RT and on a gently, mainly falling gradient, we reached 51 in the 3 miles to Willaston, now downhill for a couple of miles to Nantwich and a chance to gain some impetus before climbing the 8 or so miles towards Whitchurch. However, we got too close to the late running Man Pic-Camarthen and all that good work was lost as we slowed to 19. Soon Galatea opened up and we passed through Nantwich at 27 (still 1E). The following 4 miles include around 3 miles of 1/97r, 1/158r and 1/184r and some easier grades; by the end of this section we were up to 32, in the brief dip to Wrenbury speed increased to 47 (3L), there follows another 4 miles averaging around 1/130r, we reached the summit at 46. The power was kept on as we sought to reduce the deficit and speed climbed to the low 60s; the sound on the 1/208r beyond Wem to Yorkton (60 & ½L) was terrific. We arrived in Shrewsbury (a shade under 33 miles in 44:01) and 2E; whilst this may not have been Gresford it was entertaining none-the-less.

A stroll along to Montgomery’s Tower (Wetherspoons) – Curry Thursday! Mrs W had spotted that it was a VAT-free day, so 2 Lamb Rogan Josh and 2 drinks for £12.51. We walked down to the river then back up to the town. When I visited (alone) last year Mrs W had tasked me with bringing back some fruit Shrewsbury biscuits, try as I might, and I did, I failed. This year we hadn’t walked 50 yards when Mrs W pointed to a sign in a cafe window, “Darwin’s Shrewsbury biscuits sold here.” Nothing was said; nothing needed to be said – we didn’t buy any that, of course, was not really the point. We had a good walk around in what is a very nice town before finally succumbing to the temptation of an ice cream. Mrs W had rhubarb and custard and I had toffee and fudge – deep breath, Victor . . . single scoop £2.25 each.

Back to the station and 47.746 drew the ECS into platform 4. Mick Kelly was driving* but Pete Hanson was now firing. We were off RT. After a (very) short downhill the loco is faced with around a mile of 1/124r, a short level at Harlescott then 2 miles of 1/117r. With plenty of noise (from the front) we reached Harlescott crossing at 37 and this fell back to 35 at the summit. We continued to run hard, gaining time easily topping the summit beyond Whitchurch at 59. Fast through Wrenbury (9E), 51 through Nantwich (13E) and finally stopping back in Crewe (17E). The run had taken 41:01. *(I had seen Mick Kelly on the footplate at Shrewsbury but it is possible that Steve Chipperfield drove the whole of the return leg).

It was coats on as we strolled up to the front; the day was now getting cooler and it seemed a wise decision to retain the ETH for what was going to be a very late finish for some. Again the loco was watered from the platform hydrant. Steve Chipperfield drove from Crewe (and possibly Shrewsbury). Although ready we left 3L but didn’t have much chance to reduce the deficit as we were stopped for 5 mins before Winsford Jn to allow a late running Liverpool train to pass. We passed through Winsford at 41 making plenty of noise but 13L, Galatea was kept hard at work and we sped through Weaver Jn at 75 (under 7L), Warrington BQ (69 & 6L). By Winwick Jn we were down to 3L and by Haydock Branch Jn were RT. We were checked slightly but still doing 61 south of Bamfurlong Jn. We had a booked operational stop at Wigan NW but as we approached it was obvious that this was not required. We hammered through the platform at 56 with Galatea roaring away, full chat. We were in the eighth coach but, by heck, it was very loud. We dropped to 47 at the top of the 2 miles of 1/104r but then accelerated as the gradient eases and reached the summit at 56 – tremendous and worth every penny of the entrance money. By Euxton Balshaw Lane we were running 10E, this increased to 11E at Leyland. All this exuberance comes at a price and we were held north of Leyland then again south of Preston as we waited to cross to platform 6. We finally stopped 5L.

I had a brief chat with the driver who said that he was disappointed to be checked south of Wigan as he had wanted to give it a real go up Boars Head – this is what we like to hear!

On the face of it not the most attractive trip but it did provide some entertaining running and four hours in sunny Shrewsbury – well worth a visit. Our thanks to all those who planned and operated the trip in such a professional and friendly way.

On the return journey at around 18.30, whilst waiting at Crewe we were eating our tea (it is tea in the North), I took from the the bag a packet of Shrewsbury biscuits that I had bought at Asda earlier in the week and kept hidden. Mrs W smiled.

Back home before 21.00 and now for a holiday before our next trip – retirement can be so tiring.

 

As always an interesting review of the trip. And glad you enjoyed your trip into Shropshire.

You can see whose hand was on the regulator. There was no hanging about through Yorton (5E), though interestingly RTT was reporting the train 5E five minutes before it got there.

 

Very tasty that Scott,lovely light,what a difference a bit of sun makes!

 

Thanks for that - The truth is out there! 51 through Yorton. There were plenty of people out, watching, waving and photographing on what was a lovely sunny evening, Shropshire was looking good - now, if it had been raining

 

Plenty nice pubs in Shrewsbury, Wetherspoons is not the only choice, the castle and a great museum to visit.

There was some warmth in the light Henry, the length of the shadow tells how close Autumn is though.