Bahamas Mainline Tour: 9/2 & 16/2/19

My efforts from yesterday at Gargrave, Selside, Lazonby and Cotehill.
Off home at 05.30 and 15 hours almost continuous driving for a few pictures in challenging weather conditions (Lazonby excepted), was it worth it? Yes and good to see some familar faces in the pub at Cumwhinton

 

From the perspective of my armchair, a big YES!

 

A light-hearted look back at yesterday

Well what a day! I’m sure that others on-board will give their views of a memorable day with much more detail about locomotive performance than me, however, these are my thoughts on the day.

Having had fears about whether Bahamas would be passed fit in time for the trip allayed by witnessing its arrival at Keighley on Tuesday, it was rather a concern to see Saturday arrive with equally heavy rain, but this time backed by storm force winds of a strength quite likely to bring down power lines and trees. We therefore arrived at a very wet and windy Oxenhope with some concerns. We had actually booked window seats in the very last coach, rather hoping we would be in the front coach on the return. More of that later.

What was very apparent was that the coach was very cold, but we thought that things would improve once we set off. The train pulled out of Oxenhope on time and after a stop at Haworth, arrived in Keighley. At this point, KWVR’s Class 37 was detached and a West Coast one attached to the rear of the train. Heat soon we thought. Unfortunately not!

Next was an announcement that due to a tree falling on the line “just round the corner” our journey would be delayed, but that Network Rail staff were on the scene removing the blockage. Spirits rose again when we started to move after about 25 minutes, but we came to a halt near Utley, between Keighley and Skipton for about 10 minutes. This turned out to be the scene of the fallen tree. Fortunately, we were on the move again about 35 minutes late.

With good performance by Bahamas and a quicker than scheduled water stop at Hellifield we began to make up the lost time and after a very wet and blowy ascent to Ais Gill, descended to the next water stop at Appleby, where many of us got off to stretch legs and to see if it was warmer outside than inside the train, concluding that there wasn’t much difference. The West Coast Class 37 was supposed to have generated steam heat, but that component had failed and it seems Bahamas couldn’t provide heat either, unless those in First Class at the front can tell me otherwise.

On the move again we had a very straightforward run to Carlisle and by this time the weather was much improved with the rain having stopped. Incredibly, we arrived at Carlisle bang on time, although the timings for the trip were probably fairly forgiving.

After walking up to have a closer look at Bahamas, by this time surrounded by large crowd, we crossed the bridge to take some pictures from the other side of the station, which affords a better overall view of the train (see attached). Great! Over 2 hours for a leisurely lunch at our favourite Italian Restaurant near the station. “A table for 2 please.” Have you booked sir?” “No.” “Sorry, we have nothing until at least 2.00 pm.” Never mind, there’s a Pizza Express across the road. Same story there! Seems a lot of people eat out in Carlisle on a Saturday lunchtime.

However, we found another restaurant not far away and had a superb meal. I’d like to recommend it to you, but fear if I do, we won’t be able to get a table there next time we come to Carlisle on a steam trip!

Anyway, back to the station with about half an hour to spare, with time for a few photos and some conversations with a few familiar faces before we set off. We had rather hoped that, as we were in the last coach on the outbound trip, we would be at the front on the return, but to our slight dismay, the whole train had been turned round at Carlisle, so we were still at the back next to the Class 37.

The return journey was in much better weather, although by the time we reached Ais Gill it was almost dark, so the usual photographic vantage points were deserted, as far as I could see. Following stops at Hellifield and Skipton, we arrived back in Keighley more or less on time.

Unfortunately, there was a long wait to exit our part of the train, as the length of it precluded all coaches disembarking at once. It would appear that this was due to KWVR staff having to remove all the unused food and drink from the West Coast stock before it could depart, so we had to wait for some time before it moved forward onto Platform 3.

The last leg of the journey was on a KWVR train hauled tender first by Black 5 No. 45212 from Platform 4. This time, we made sure we were in the front seats of the front coach, as close to the engine as possible and of course, as the loco is facing downhill, we were also as close to the chimney as it’s possible to get. Well what a sound! It was fantastic and we didn’t even pause at Damems Loop on the journey up the line. After a stop at Haworth, we were soon back at Oxenhope after a truly memorable day.

It was unfortunate about the lack of heating and the fact that the train ran out of hot water for drinks before we reached Carlisle, but these issues didn’t cloud a superb day.

I’m sure that someone more technical than me who was on-board will give more detailed information, but my trusty old Garmin tells me that we hit a maximum speed of 70.5 mph, which I think occurred on the downhill stretch after Ais Gill on the return. One or two posters mentioned that, from the lineside, Bahamas never seemed to miss a beat and that was certainly our feeling on board. It looks and sounds to be in excellent condition and I look forward to seeing it in action on the KWVR and the main line for many years to come.

I would just like to thank everyone for all their efforts to make the day possible, particularly the Bahamas Locomotive Society, Tyseley Locomotive Works and all the volunteers and other staff at KWVR, not forgetting The National Lottery Fund, without whom yesterday would not have been possible, at least for some considerable time.

Finally, thanks to you hardly souls who got out to provide some excellent pictures and videos in appalling weather conditions on The Settle to Carlisle. I’ll be joining you next week!

Best wishes to all.

Richard

 

None of West Coast's 37s have heat so you would have been relying on the steam loco only.

 

Thanks for your enjoyable report, same old problems with heating. It is unusual for WCRC to turn the whole train, I always feel a little cheated when this happens, especially when at the rear. It may be that your Garmin is not as trusty as you think as the line limit is 60mph - typically speed would reach around this dropping down to Garsdale.

 

After a cautious northbound run possibly due to conditions, the return leg saw the Jubilee working harder and it seemed to be running unaided given the speed at Stockber. Well worth the long trip again and hopefully there's plenty more to come from Jube this year.

 

Noticing the deeper sound of the exhaust on 45596. I like the jubilee class in general. Quality work done by the Bahamas locomotive society, Tyseley and all involved in returning 45596 to mainline work!

 

LMarsh1987.....After a cautious northbound run possibly due to conditions, the return leg saw the Jubilee working harder and it seemed to be running unaided given the speed at Stockber. Well worth the long trip again and hopefully there's plenty more to come from Jube this year.

Lovely footage Liam well up to your high standard a joy to watch thanks Simon.

 

Ahh John even I didnt do a Winskill yesterday

 

Great stuff Shep!

 

Gordon was at Carlisle and on the footplate. Does he miss all this? You bet he does!

 

Thanks Simon, much appreciated.

 

Gordon provided me with so many fantastic moments on many a video I had the pleasure of filming when he had the regulator in his hands and is a true gentleman to boot so good to see he is still enjoying the steam buzz .

 

Had a word with him yesterday. He seemed to think two were enough!

Peter on a cold winter's evening in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Bahamas relaunches on the S&C 9 February 2018

A special day, strong on personal reminiscences. The first phase of my passion for railways was kindled by the Jubilees on the Midland main line through Sheffield in the 1950s, including Leander and Galatea. The second phase was triggered by the appearance of the newly restored Bahamas at Dinting Railway Centre in 1970. That second phase persists until the present day, so it follows that the long awaited reappearance of Bahamas on the main line was not to be missed.

There was a fear that Storm Erik would abort the trip, as a tree blew down onto the overhead wires just outside Keighley. However it was Bahamas to the rescue as its footplate and support crew assisted the solo NR employee to clear the line.

So we were 33 late away from Skipton where I boarded, but still only ambled up the Aire valley through Gargrave at around 40 to the water stop at Hellifield. Still 24 late, we got away much more smartly, hearing satisfying chatter from the double chimney in the second of ten coaches, with a 37 on the end. We reached 40 at Long Preston and flew through Settle Junction at 58, but started to lose speed as soon as we hit the 1 in 100, dropping to 42 at Settle, 39 at Langcliffe and 29 as we entered Stainforth tunnel on a damp morning. We recovered to 33 at Helwith Bridge and blasted to 39 along the level stretch but the gradient then took its toll again and we were down again to 35 through Horton, 31 at Selside, and 29 at Selside Shaw, well before having to acknowledge the Ribblehead restriction. We plugged away at the same sort of speed to enter Blea Moor tunnel at 30, but flew out at 52 and along the head of Dentdale, hitting 57 before the station slowing. Still in the high fifties across the tops, we were over Ais Gill at 57, then we rattled down briskly, either side of 60, right down to Appleby, reached only 14 late.

On our way again, only eight minutes down, we ran briskly up to 55 at Long Marton, 58 at Kirkby Thore and thereafter at 60-ish all the way to Cumwhinton, where we started blowing off! Finally slowing down after Scotby, we were into Carlisle on time after an exhilarating downhill run.

The whole train was turned at Carlisle so those in posh class were still enjoying the sound from the second coach. Only the punters at the back with the growler just behind could evaluate how much it had contributed to the northbound run, but its role on the return became unmistakeable. We set off steadily, passing Low House and Lazonby on time, the latter at 59. We hit 62 at Eden Lacy and were still on time at Culgaith, doing 59. Bright running continued almost to Appleby, also on time. Leaving a little early, we reached 50 at Ormside viaduct then speed fell to 36 as we entered Helm tunnel and 25 at Griseburn. We recovered to 35 at Crosby Garrett but speed fell again to 27 through Kirkby Stephen and 24 on entering Birkett Tunnel and 22 as we came out. Then suddenly we sprouted wings: 28 at Shoregill and up to 36 at Angerholme, maintained right to the summit at Ais Gill. Speeds after that ceased to mean anything, though it was nice to hit 62 again at Settle Junction, and that could have been Bahamas’ own work. After the water stop at Hellifield, we were back at Skipton on time. It had been great to be behind Bahamas again, and hopefully we shall soon be allowed a true test of what she can do. You can’t beat a Jubilee with the right colour scheme!

26 pictures are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p328687497

Peter on a cold February evening in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

David,

Having seen Peter's detailed report on timings, it would appear that you are correct and the speed reading I gave for the Garmin was not accurate. It's strange because in the past it has always agreed with satnavs belonging to other passengers nearby, particularly on the Newcastle - York 90 mph Bittern Trip a few years ago, where there were several nearby. The reading did seem rather high, but it is difficult to judge speed in the dark. I know that the batteries were getting low, so whether this caused some kind of quirk I'm not sure.

Anyway, thanks again for pointing this out and apologies for the apparent error and giving inaccurate information.

Richard

 

No apologies necessary. It may be that low batteries and poor reception produced the false reading, there are spots where reception is compromised. For this reason I use values taken from Garmin’s stored data where any strange values can hopefully be spotted and ignored. Like you I find that in most situations GPS recorders produce very similar results.

 

Sometimes when signal is difficult you can get a 'spike' in speed as the equipment readjusts. The handset will register this as a maximum speed even if the actual speed is a few mph lower - frustrating if you are not paying close enough attention to know whether it's inaccurate or not! Overall though, my old Garmin still does the job pretty well though and suits my needs as an interested amateur, rather than a professional timer.

 

45596 talking to the heavens, having been given the road for the S&C approaching Petteril Bridge Junction. A nice little spot off London Road, worth a tear in the jeans sitting on a rusty fence to grab this shot!

 

That location is a new one on me and I thought I knew them all after all these years!