Pennine Moors Explorer Sat 08/12/18

andalfi1 · 12 Dec 2018

Oswald T Wistle a spus: ↑

The Pennine Moors (Christmas) Explorer 08 December 2018 (continued)

In my report, I rather skirted over the climb to Copy Pit, “the icing on the cake”; the info I gave was correct (to the best of my abilities) but lacking in detail. Analysis of the GPS data had its complications. GPS recorders do not work in tunnels (2 tunnels totalling 663 yards on a climb that is less than 4½ miles). GPS recorders work best when they can “see” a lot of sky and hence as many satellites as possible; I had an aisle seat on the SW side of the train and was “closed in” by the steep hillside on right side. Because of the poor reception my GPS recorder had “travelled some distance”, aka “dither” even before leaving Manchester Road Station. I was 10 coaches back from the tender – approx 0.12 miles. There are significant gradient changes in relatively short distances along the climb. All these factors meant that I had to scratch my head a bit – yes, yes, splinters in fingers!

So here goes. Shortly beyond the platform end at Manchester Road the gradient kicks in at 1/71r, after ¾mile, at Townley Crossing, we were up to 15 mph. This gradient continues for a further ¼ mile by which time Britannia had heaved the train up to almost 19. At this point the gradient eases to 1/185r and in less than ¼ mile we accelerated to a little over 26 as we entered Townley Tunnel – hasn’t it gone quiet! The tunnel is 398 yards long and we left at 125.8 mph (well that’s what the data said). However, after discounting a couple of rogue points, speed was around 32 just beyond the eastern portal of the tunnel.

No 70000 took full advantage of the 1/185r which continues for a little under half a mile beyond the tunnel; we were within a smidge of 34 before the gradient “rears up” to 1/68r. We now had approx 1¾ miles where the 1/68r continues without relief; speed ebbed away and on the top part of this section we were slogging along at 20/21. There follows the merest easing to 1/70r but in ¼ mile 20.3 became 22 as we entered Holme Tunnel (265 yds). Now less than ½ mile to go to the summit and just about accelerating. As I and my trusty(ish) GPS recorder approached the summit (at the back of the 10th coach, remember) the train had speeded up to 27 and by the time I passed the summit we were up to 30. The change from climbing at 1/70r to descending at 1/77f can produce this rapid change in speed as more and more of the train’s weight “topples over” the summit. Compensating for my position in the 10th coach I assess that, at the summit, the loco would have been travelling at 23.

The average speed from Townley Crossing to Townley Tunnel W (in) was a little under 19, whilst that for the “Tunnel Sandwich”, Townley Tunnel W to Holme Tunnel E was 26. A thoroughly competent climb from a “fresh out of the box loco”, with a crew who would be relatively unfamiliar with the loco and with steam over this route and on a day when the rain became incessant (Accrington Stanley’s match was abandoned after 73 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch). Well done to those on the footplate.

(Note to Oswald: if seated on this side again shift your lazy self and give the GPS half a chance!)
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Excellent as usual David, the pictures were wonderful...

Where's Mazeppa? · 12 Dec 2018

Oswald T Wistle a spus: ↑

The Pennine Moors (Christmas) Explorer 08 December 2018 (continued)

In my report, I rather skirted over the climb to Copy Pit, “the icing on the cake”; the info I gave was correct (to the best of my abilities) but lacking in detail. Analysis of the GPS data had its complications.............
Click to expand...

As a "Detail Junkie", just want to say how much I enjoyed this Technical Appendix. Definitely the "Fix" of the day!!!

Oswald T Wistle · 18 Dec 2018

andalfi1 a spus: ↑

Excellent as usual David, the pictures were wonderful...
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Thanks Andy. My favourite was the one in Townley Tunnel where I left the lens cap on. I have some photos from Copy Pit from the early days of preserved steam but they are in the un-catalogued part of the Twistle Archive (big cardboard box). I did find this taken at nearby Burnley Central on 12 March 1981, the day before the naming of "Lancashire Witch"

Oswald T Wistle · 18 Dec 2018

Where's Mazeppa? a spus: ↑

As a "Detail Junkie", just want to say how much I enjoyed this Technical Appendix. Definitely the "Fix" of the day!!!
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Thanks Mr Maz, much appreciated - there's nowt wrong wi' a bit o' detail.

andalfi1 · 18 Dec 2018

Oswald T Wistle a spus: ↑

Thanks Andy. My favourite was the one in Townley Tunnel where I left the lens cap on. I have some photos from Copy Pit from the early days of preserved steam but they are in the un-catalogued part of the Twistle Archive (big cardboard box). I did find this taken at nearby Burnley Central on 12 March 1981, the day before the naming of "Lancashire Witch" Vezi atașament 40766
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Must have been an impressive umbilical to get it there...

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Pennine Moors Explorer Sat 08/12/18

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