The Dalesman 2019

https://www.flickr.com/photos/18283...wSgEtNHINT3O3ZCAOxezANFVwP5QkLNR7S8sJdqZem8b8

35018 'British India Line' coasts towards Armathwaite

 

Ribblehead on the return:


British India Line at Ribblehead

 

Galatea sat at Hellifield just

 

45699 Cotehill, northbound; 27.08.19.

 

45699 in full noise mode at Selside Shaw and a wet Stockber .

 

45699 Galatea on the Dalesman

 

'The Dalesman' on the 27th August 2019, hauled by LMS 5XP No.45699 'Galatea' seen passing Selside.

Video Available Here

 

Galatea between a hot Selside and Selside Shaw and a wet Stockber

 

'Galatea' heading today's 'Dalesman' over the River Riddle at Helwith Bridge with Mick Kelly driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker guard



With a downpour stopping just in time, 'Galatea' works the return 'Dalesman' through Ribblehead station with David Blair driving and Frank Chippendale on
the shovel

 

45699 Galatea northbound at Far Moor on 27/8/2019

David Price - Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Nice shot David making full use of the landscape in the sunny conditions

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/48636529906/in/dateposted-public/

45699 'Galatea' at Lunds Paddock

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/48636674617/in/dateposted-public/

And then Ais Gill in some lucky light

 

The Dalesman (Eastern Route) 27 August 2019 – 45699 Galatea hauling 10+POB

It is difficult to believe that a week has passed since the last Dalesman; a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon and I saw Britannia either side of Blackburn on her way towards Copy Pit. Sunday was spent in front of the TV watching an incredible test match; the “Hero of Headingley” was reminiscent of a younger Oswald – wore glasses and batted number 11. Back to business, an uneventful drive over to Skipton where the hot and sunny weather continued but the forecast was for thundery showers in the afternoon.

Our train, hauled by 57.001 (with a 37 on the back?) arrived RT, I boarded the 2nd coach (which would become the 3rd when the support was added). We drew forward and waited in the loop for the Leeds-Carlisle to pass (RT) and we left RT. As we drew into Hellifield, Galatea and her support coach were waiting in the DGL, the diesels were quickly detached, Galatea was attached and very soon afterwards we were off (16E). I hoped this was not going to be another gentle saunter through the countryside (as it had been last week); I feared the worst. There was no urgency, no roar; Long Preston (32.4) and only 50.6 at Settle Jn SB (a max of 51.1, unusually before the SB rather than just after). Still nothing from the front, speed dropped alarmingly down to 29.6 as we plodded through Settle (15¾E) but with a couple of blasts on the hooter.

Beyond Langcliffe we were down to 20.5, then a bit of action from the front and up to 23 into Stainforth Tunnel. Galatea had woken up; 25.7 across Sheriff Brow Viaduct and 26 at Helwith Bridge, up to 32.7 at Crag Hill Farm – this was much better. We roared on, ash and cinders cascading in through the open windows as we sat and baked in the hot sun. Galatea was in fine voice as we blasted through Horton in R (27.4 & 9½E), up to 30.8 as we approached Selside cottages and we held a very noisy 28/9 past Selside and on towards Ribblehead. The easing in the gradient allowed us to improve to 31.4 through Ribblehead (6¾E), across Batty Moss and past Blea Moor SB (30 & 7¾E), we pounded along and into Blea Moor Tunnel at 29. Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor SB had taken 29m 21s and Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor Tunnel S 31m 01s. A slow start and a good finish produced a slowish overall time; enjoyable none the less.

Out of the tunnel and down to 20mph for the TSR around MP251¾ (north of Dent Head) and then gently building speed before the usual restriction through Dent station (6¼E) and on to Garsdale (53.5 & 6½E). Then with a tremendous roar and with cinders showering in through the window we reached Ais Gill summit (51.6 & 6E). We had dropped 10 mins from the start but were still running early so, an easy glide down the hill to Appleby or did the driver fancy a long ice cream break? The latter. Speed rapidly increased, brakes were soon on as we shot by Mallerstang at 58.3, into Birkett Tunnel at 60.3 and out at 63, past Kirkby Stephen SB at 61.1, Crosby Garrett at 60.1, into Helm Tunnel at 62.1 and out at 62.3, past Ormside at 61.3 (10¼E) and up to 62 across the viaduct before braking to stop in Appleby (9½E).

Time to grab an ice cream (ginger) and have a chat with crew; Mick Kelly was driving and Martyn Soames firing. The signalman at Hellifield had asked Mick if he could depart early as there was a freight behind, at this time the fire was not yet ready but off we went taking it easy until the fire had burnt through, once accomplished it was power on! (The freight appears to have been 6M31 Hexthorpe Yard to Arcow Quarry. This appears on RTT as a VAR [nothing to do with football] and the times would mean that it was certain to be held behind us!?). We left Appleby (without taking water) ¾E. Despite running in the mid to high 50s we passed Low House Xng SB (49.7 & 1¾L). A brief spurt down the hill saw us stop in platform 3 at Carlisle (1¾E). I had a walk to the front and a brief chat with @Mick45305 (NP members get everywhere) and another with a 97 year old chap from Windermere who had travelled to Carlisle to take a look at the loco. He told me he also goes to watch them fly therough Oxenholme – well done him! David Blair took over driving duties from Mick Kelly and soon the train headed north in preparation for reversing into A road. It was now 14.50 and time for food.

It was hot and sunny as I made my way to the Woodrow where there were plenty of spare tables. When I left, 45 minutes later, the sun had gone and the sky was covered in thin high cloud with a grey, yellowish hue and there was now a cool breeze blowing. I had an errand in the centre and needed to buy some water for the return journey and there was now a suggestion of drizzle in the air. I had left my rain coat on the train; this had seemed a “no brainer” but, by the minute, it was looking like a questionable decision. I headed back to the shelter of the station but thankfully the rain held off.

Galatea was at the south end of the stock on A road; David Blair and Frank Chippendale were on the footplate; I exchanged a brief word with a very, very clean Martyn Soames who was smiling from a window in the support coach. Soon the train was away south before reversing into platform 3. I took my seat in the 10th coach. After more w(h)istles than you would find at Oswald’s Family Christmas Party we were off (1L). David carefully guided Galatea south and once clear of Petteril Bridge the power was gradually applied. A few light streaks of rain appeared on the windows, would it continue? By Howe & Co SB it was raining more steadily and for the rest of the climb if it wasn’t raining then it had just stopped and everything was damp/wet; rail conditions were not likely to be conducive to a fast climb.

2 miles from Carlisle and we were climbing the 1/132r, under the M6 at 28, speed increased to 29 but suddenly fell back to 27 around Scotby; a slip?, hard to tell 10 coaches back. Power was soon back on and we battled up to 30.6 at top of the 1/132. Speed improved on the short level and we began the next 3 miles of 1/132r, passing Howe & Co SB at 41(1¾L) but gradually fell back to 33.8 at the summit. Now downhill and across Low House Xng (44 & 2½L) down to the low point at Drybeck Viaduct (54.4) and up to Armathwaite (51.7 & 2¼L) down again to the dip across Armathwaite Viaduct (57.8) and into Armathwaite Tunnel at 56. This section of 1/220r is very much to the liking of Jubs and we roared in and out of the tunnels leaving Baron Wood No1 at 52 with a min of 48.8 at the summit. Down the 1/165f and we gathered some speed to attack the short climb to Lazonby where we shot through the station only 1L. We dropped down towards Long Meg and past the site of the SB (61), then the wonderful Jubilee roar as we hammered up the 1/264/132r towards Langwathby; 57.3 past Little Salkeld and 50.6 at Langwathby (½L). Jubilees make a wonderful noise but above 50 something magical seems to happen that raises the hairs on the back of your neck. David urged Galatea on; Culgaith SB (58 & 1½E), Kirkby Thore (52.5 & 1½E) and Long Marton (56 & 2½E). We stopped in Appleby 1½E, it was raining steadily. Carlisle to Appleby had taken 45m 23s, good given the conditions.

Rain, 10 coaches back and beyond the platform I stayed in my seat; it was reported that Galatea did not take water. We were away 1¼E, and, in poor conditions, striving for some speed to take onto the 1/100r. We managed only 48.4 across Ormside Viaduct and this had already fallen to 45.3 past Ormside (2½E). Half way up the 3½ miles of 1/100r and into Helm Tunnel at 33 and out at 30 with a minimum of 26.2 before the gradient eases at Griseburn Viaduct (28.3). On the easier gradients we regained speed, Crosby Garrett (41 & ½E) and building to a max of 49.4 just before Smardale Viaduct. There follows 5 miles of 1/100r broken only by ¼ mile of 1/264r just south of Kirkby Stephen. Galatea was blasting away as she battled towards Kirkby Stephen, past the SB (33.3 & ¼L) up to 35.1 on the easing and into Birkett Tunnel at 28.2 and out into sunshine at 27.2. For a little less than a mile the gradient eases to 1/330r; we recovered to 34.2 at Mallerstang (1½L) with a max of 37.9 (between Shoregill and Sycamore Tree Farm) – but still 3 miles to the summit board. Angerholme was passed at 30.2 but speed was being gradually eroded by the gradient, under the road bridge at 28 with a min of 27.4 around MP260. Way back in the 10th coach I passed the summit board at 32.4 (3¼L). MP277¼ to Ais Gill Summit Board 31m 31s. (32m 48s from Appleby start).

We dropped down the hill and were 5¼L at Garsdale, the clouds were hanging on the hill tops. The TSR near Dent Head lost us more time and we were 8¾L at Blea Moor SB. Some quick running pegged this back to 6L at Settle Jn SB and 5½L at Long Preston, the usual slow run into Hellifield saw us stop 8L. Galatea was detached and 57.001 went on the front with 37.706 on the rear. We left a few minutes late and were 7L into Skipton; a deficit that I could not change; arriving home at 20.37.

It was a year, to the day, since I travelled behind Galatea on the Dalesman (with the same load). The circumstances of both legs of this year’s run make any comparisons meaningless. My thanks to all who planned and operated today’s trip – very enjoyable, again!

A bit of information, last week BIL had been scheduled to haul the returning Dalesman back to Leeds with the 47 on the rear and, after reversing at Leeds, stay on the back to York. NR stopped this at the last minute because . . . ? 46115 is ready to go but is being held back for the Lune River Trust trip.

 

@Oswald T Wistle 's gpx data is now added to the S&C web site here:
https://settlecarlislesteam.co.uk/2019/27th-august-2019-the-dalesman

An interesting comparison is against the already mentioned 4 years to the day previous, which for the data the web site holds is 45699's best Appleby to Ais Gill effort:
https://settlecarlislesteam.co.uk/2019/27th-august-2019-the-dalesman?compare=,1187#data

Comparison to 28th August 2018 (1 year and a day different this time) for 45699's best Settle Jct to Blea Moor effort:
https://settlecarlislesteam.co.uk/2019/27th-august-2019-the-dalesman?compare=,1123#data

The filters recently added for comparing data on the graphs is hopefully useful.

 

Thanks Henry

 

Doesn't seem much traffic on here today for the Dalesman - so here is the proof, just for the record.

 

Armathwaite...


Galatea at Armathwaite

 

45699 at a blustery Helwith Bridge and near Kirkby Stephen .

 

Very nice Ian...a great location. I like the silver birch tree too..

 

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