Pathfinder - Chester Chuffer - 15/12/18

Timings now out for this.

Out: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54852/2018/12/15/advanced
Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54853/2018/12/15/advanced

Currently booked as 34046 between Bescot Yard and Chester both ways. With this being a DBC job, it could be a rare opportunity to see an LSL loco running without diesel assistance.

I'll be on this so hopefully it'll be a fitting trip to end the year with!

 

So will I. Sadly, the route is no longer quite as exciting as originally advertised (Cannock line has gone walkies!), but a day out behind a Bulleid is always time well-spent. Might even get to see Chester this year, rather than just the interior of a pub.

 

Hope to tick off the bullied for haulage at some point in 2019 but wanna see her as 34052 before she reverts to her own identity.

 

You really must check your spelling when mentioning CME’s - Bulleid .

 

The letter and ticket from Pathfinder came today. Unfortunately, the letter confirms that there will be a diesel on the back throughout in order to provide assistance up the hills if required.

 

Just discovered the spelling mistake now.

 

Raises the question of who is actually crewing the steam leg, particularly as DBC don't usually resort to shovage. Haven't yet seen how many carriages are on the trip, but the addition of a diesel already sounds too much for Gresford. Just another reason why I'll think twice about using Pathfinder again with their premium prices.

 

34046 has its minder behind the tender, in the form of a 67 (didn’t catch its number).

 

The bloody awful sound of an idling skip in prospect for most of the day. Premium price well-spent on this one.

 

An increase of 14mph in the half mile from Bushbury Jc. Says it all really.

 

Incidentally, I understand LSL crew members are on the locomotive, probably as owner's rep, so all in all a strange mix.

 

Only gone and used a bright orange one too! Thankfully 90% covered in drifting smoke passing Beeston. Would be interesting to know the speed past the foot of the castle too if anyone can inform? Was going at quite the pace!

 

How many carriages behind today???

 

12 including the support vehicle.

Brief video of it through Stafford here...

 

Thanks. Didn't look as if the Generator Car was in the consist. Diesel there for ETH?

 

Yes, 12 and no genny. Can't really say what has been doing what today. Certainly seemed to assist a fair bit down the WCML as far as Crewe. Not so sure about Crewe to Chester - I'd like to think it was left to its own devices on that section. Gresford saw some turns on the handle as expected, but the run from Wrexham to Shrewsbury seemed subdued compared with 70000 two weeks ago. There's some nice Bulleid chatter on the climb to Telford, so I think it's been left to do the climb without assistance. Speed 23 entering Oakengates tunnel, but then again, that would be in preparation for the stop at Telford.

 

Today's weather in these parts has been wet and windy, fortunately it seemed to lighten a little around 6pm when the Chuffer passed through Wellington, but not everyone on the platform was there to watch.
Note the time on the station clock, at six o clock there should have been a West Midlands working in both platforms, both were cancelled 'due to an issue with train crew' which I think translated to staff shortage.
For the second time in a few weeks a steam hauled working was pathed through the platform although the through roads don't look unused, anyone know why ?

 

A few photos I took yesterday. Not the best, but it was bitingly cold and so I just grabbed some quick shots when I could.