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

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Steamie Boxes, Nov 23, 2019.

  1. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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

    Swiss Toni Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Dec 6, 2019
  3. RogueCloud

    RogueCloud New Member

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  4. Fulwood Flyer

    Fulwood Flyer New Member

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    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!
    BLEA MOOR FINV4.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2019
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  5. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    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
     
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Title amended to take in the remainder of the FS hauled runs this month.
     
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  7. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Anyone on this Saturday's trip.
     
  8. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    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.
     
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  9. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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  10. DWH 2848

    DWH 2848 New Member

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    Not bad at all Peter!
     
  11. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    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
     
  12. Steamie Boxes

    Steamie Boxes Member

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

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    Oxenholme 1703
    Off at Carnforth 15 mins later
     
  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    47 left at Lostock junction so FS now running solo, 11 early away from Blackburn.
     
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  15. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thanks I will pass it on.

    Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk
     
  16. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    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?
     
  17. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Yes we were held there but even after a steady run, missing the Langwathby water stop meant that we were early into Carlisle. Just leaving the Eden Valley loop, plenty of noise from up front. :).
     
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  18. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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  19. Kylchap

    Kylchap Member

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

    EarlHarper New Member

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    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
     

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