Flying Scotsman to Carlisle: 4th, 14th, 18th and 21st December.

There is a very noticeable sound once per revolution of the driving wheels. If that isn't a louder exhaust beat, what is it?

 

Watershed Mill, Settle.
"Flying Scotsman", 04/12/19.

 

Nappa.

 

With Flying Scotsman unexpectedly running 13 minutes early, I only just made it to this vantage point to grab a hurried shot of her passing remote Blea Moor.
Certainly not the composition I had in mind and not my finest hour photographically, but at least a useful bit of exercise!

 

Scotsman to the Citadel 4 December 2019

For four years I have been keenly anticipating No 60103 Flying Scotsman on the traditional winter Manchester to Carlisle return tour, and finally, thanks to Rileys and WCRC, here it is! Sadly the less-than-full train warranted only 9 coaches + POB but we were glad of the warmth provided by the diesel on the rear, and were assured it would not be working except in extremis.

The reasons for our 34 minute late departure were unclear, but after the Bolton pickup we started working down the arrears with 49 mph at Lostock, 55 at Horwich Parkway and 69 through Chorley before our short trundle along the WCML. From Bamber Bridge we slogged steadily up to Hoghton in the 30s, then after Blackburn we fairly blasted up from Daisyfield Junction, passing Ramsgreave and Wilpshire at 34 and continuing to accelerate over the top. We were at 48 out of the tunnel and 54 through Whalley but down to 30 through Clitheroe before our water stop at Chatburn, due to the continued absence of access to the loop at Hellifield. The sun was shining on the beautiful Ribble Valley countryside.

We left Chatburn right on time and were through Hellifield at 22, Long Preston at 49 and were braking at 59 before Settle Junction to avoid infringing the line speed. We passed Settle at 49 and were doing 38 out of Stainforth Tunnel and 41 at Helwith Bridge. There was a brief acceleration to 45 on the level stretch but we were back down to 39 at Horton in Ribblesdale but five minutes early. We were doing 36 at Selside and 31 at Salt Lake then around 30 all the way up to Blea Moor Tunnel. We shot out at 49 and up to 51 at Dent Head but then the running was more restrained until Garsdale, passed 11 minutes early at 15.

We made it back to 47 at Ais Gill then rattled down Mallerstang at around line speed, slowing briefly through Kirkby Stephen at 54 but then on and on through both Appleby and Langwathby with no water stop and reaching Carlisle 52 minutes early. An exhilarating run, with no reason to suspect that the diesel had been needed to contribute.

By the time of our return, the weather had become cloudy and a little wet, but we set off gently but competently up the WCML. We reached 43 at Wreay, 52 at Southwaite and 57 just after Calthwaite. We sailed past the planned pathing stop at Plumpton and reached 63 after Long Ashes, and again 63 through Penrith. We were looped instead at Eden Valley Junction, where late running expresses caught us up. My attention lapsed for a while as we went up the rest of the climb but as soon as we were over Shap Summit we fairly rollicked down the hill, 50 at Shap Wells and 72 at Scout Green being the only printable figures until we reached the Lune Gorge. Just past Low Gill we appeared to catch adverse signals and wondered whether we would be looped at Grayrigg. This fear proved groundless and by Docker we were back up to 70, followed by 73 at Kendal Parks and 67 through Oxenholme. The pace remained similar until the outskirts of Carnforth, where we were held interminably for conflicting traffic before we could cross to the loop.

Here Flying Scotsman left us for a short stay at Steamtown and was replaced by a growler which took us back to Manchester Victoria. An iconic locomotive, a warm train, mostly fine and some sunny weather and some lively running – what’s not to like?

20 pictures are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p643660735

Peter on a sunny but windy December afternoon in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

The trip on the 18th is now going out via Shap and returns over the S & C due to "planning restrictions", reported on the West Coast web site.

 

Schedules uploaded 11/12/2019
Manchester Victoria - Carlisle & return
18/12/2019
60103
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10585/2019-12-18/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10590/2019-12-18/detailed
Carlisle ECS
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10587/2019-12-18/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10588/2019-12-18/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10589/2019-12-18/detailed

Cheers, Neil

 

Not bad at all Peter!

 

Could someone please confirm on what days FS will be working through Oxenholme and Carnforth (and which way) on the remaining trains?

I would normally check myself but I am staying in a hotel at the mo with only a phone so trying to find out is difficult. A friend has asked about taking her lad to see?

Ta in advance.

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

Running through Oxenholme this evening, around 4.30? And it will be running through Oxenholme again on Wednesday at 10.30.

 

Oxenholme 1703
Off at Carnforth 15 mins later

 

Thanks I will pass it on.

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

Appears to have been held approaching Settle Jn until the late running 1M53 Leeds to Carlisle cleared Blea Moor - problem with intermediate signalling at Horton?

 

Lazonby...


Flying Scotsman near Lazonby

 

Mmmm . . . 12 on with no assistance needed for "steam heating". Impressive.

 

Does anyone know whether FS will be hauling the train all the way north (i.e. all the way Victoria-Carlisle) with the route being reversed? Or will they attach at Carnforth instead? I live in Lancaster, so it would be nice to see her do a pass through on Wednesday...

Just noticed the Real Time Trains info suggests that they will be attaching at Carnforth given the higher weight, runaround and slower speed in the loop...

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk