‘Fellsman’ 2019.

The Fellsman 29 May 2019 – 70000 Britannia hauling 9+Gen+POB (a bit more)

Northbound over the S&C, we passed through Lazonby & Kirkoswald at 59.8, after a short downhill we climbed up the 1/165r to the summit before Baron Wood No1 Tunnel, topped at 53.6. There follows over 2 miles of falling gradients (1/220f) through Baron Wood No1 & No2 Tunnels and then Armathwaite Tunnel; we entered No1 at 59.8 and passed MP 297 (just beyond the exit of Armathwaite Tunnel and around where the gradient changes to 1/176f) at 57.4. On the ¼ mile of 1/176f (to the bottom of the dip at Armathwaite Viaduct) speed was reduced to 52.8. Speed fell further as we climbed the ¾ mile 1/220r to Armathwaite station, passed at only 38.2 – I wondered if there was a TSR. The next mile is 1/132f to Drybeck Viaduct (46.9) then ½ mile of 1/132r to Low House Crossing SB (46.8). On first inspection the gradient profile and initial speed suggests that this is a section of line that could be run at, or around, line speed (with maybe a cheeky bit extra in the dips).

Credit must go to a couple of experienced railwaymen who filled another gap in my knowledge of “all things railway”, thank you. The explanation is as follows; just beyond the northern end of the platforms at Armathwaite is the treadle that alerts the signalman at Low House Crossing of the approach of a northbound train. Before the train can pass over the crossing the signalman must operate his barriers and clear his signals; the driver wants to “see” a clear distant to avoid having to slow/stop/restart the train. The signalman has the time it takes for the train to travel around a mile (60 seconds at 60mph, 80 seconds at 45 mph); if the driver slows then he reduces the chances of being checked – makes sense! We were running around 4E, so it makes perfect sense.

The position of the treadle is chosen for normal service trains which stop in Armathwaite Station and thus are travelling much more slowly between the station and the crossing. Positioning the treadle further south would allow “through trains” to run faster but would mean that the barriers would be closed whilst service trains were stopped in the station; much to the annoyance of road traffic.

Other than when there had been a genuine TSR around Armathwaite I wasn’t aware of this “slowing” on previous runs so I took a look at the data (there was a variety of locos and loads, running both early and late); for each location I have shown the typical speed followed by the speed for the Fellsman in brackets. MP297, 54-58 (57.4); Armathwaite Viaduct, 51-57 (52.8); Armathwaite Station, 45-50 (38.2); Drybeck Viaduct, 50-53 (46.9); Low House Crossing, 44-50 (46.8). So the slowing always takes place; I hadn’t seen it – until now – but I’m glad that I did.

 

Excellent explanation. That's a superb example of why good route knowledge is of primary importance to efficient running.

 

I've been witness to a fair share of northbounds on the approach to Armathwaite Station and despite being uphill there is generally little power on compared to northbound away from Lazonby Station into Baron Wood. The only exceptions I've ever noticed have really been the loco's limited to 50mph, ie the K4 and 8F.

A few examples going off visible exhaust from the chimney (not exactly scientific, but serves the purpose):

8F with plenty of power on:

The White Rose Moorlander

45699 with nothing more than a touch on:

The first Fellsman of 2018

46233 showing similar effort:

Duchess of Armathwaite

70000 the other week, doing a bit more than the previous two:

A new chapter for The Fellsman

Ok, the 8F was in March and the other were all Summer months, but being witness to all four, the 8F was audibly and visually being worked harder than the other three.

 

Interesting stuff from Oswald and Ian.I have been there a couple of times,here's one from June 2012 which rather goes against Ian's conclusions !

David

 

I am on this tomorrow as nobody as mentioned it I thought I would start a thread.

 

34046 or 70000?

 

70000. 9 plus diesel

 

Thanks Henry.

I've unexpectedly come into some free time for tomorrow, so I think I'll brave the weather forecast and have a look.

 

Unless it's changed paths show the diesel running light to Carlisle to take carriages out of the station for a drink and act as a manned thunderbird for anything unlikely arising.

 

The Fellsman behind No. 70000 Britannia heading north past Acton Bridge at 08:00 this morning.



Cheers,

 

A beautiful sight, particularly without the Saphos headboard.

Peter on a damp Manchester morning
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

The Royal Scot headboard has been added en route again.

 

Any headlamps or are they missing again?

 

The same as the photo at Acton Bridge posted further up the thread for the lamps.

 

With 'Ruswarp' looking on 'Britannia' fairly flies through Garsdale northbound with today's 'Fellsman'



For those on NP who may not be familiar with the story of Graham Nuttall and 'Ruswarp'

 

Footage of 70000 at Hoghton Level crossing, Selside and the return at Aisgill .

 

Just love the headboard......I know the engine is different, but memories of the Royal Scot ( with Duchess )...just brilliant....and quite emotional

 

Howe & Co. northbound and Armathwaite on the return...


Britannia at Howe & Co. Sidings


Britannia at Armathwaite

 

Spot on Ian , getting overgrown at Howe & Co now .

 

It certainly is getting overgrown. Somewhere in the foreground are the rails of the siding that used to be the down loop.