Steam to Penistone ???

The following is an extract taken from the Green Express Railtours website.

“Easter Saturday 2009, and the Penistone Line sees it's first special train for 11 years! following a large engineering project by Network Rail lifting a weight restriction on large locomotives over the Springwod Viaduct over the Huddersfield Canal & River Colne near Huddersfield. This train offers the opportunity of two unique historic destinations in our day - Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford. With the route being part of a two year tram train trial in the near future. A special train is run in this window of opportunity before preparation works start, including lowering platforms on the branch line for the tramtrain”

Although personally I cannot see the logic of spending a huge sum to allegedly strengthen a viaduct only to have light weight tramtrains running across it ! this has seemingly happened and in the process possibly opening up a "window of opportunity" to run a steam hauled railtour over this scenically attractive route between Huddersfield and Barnsley which remains one of those missing links that steam has not traversed in the preservation era. It may be a case of a Sunday run if there are few paths Mon - Sat but if a Cl 47 hauled train can traverse the route so surley could a Black 5 hauled train. Whilst I appreciate there may be other gauging issues preventing this, starting a train say at Preston or Manchester and running east through the Calder Valley to Bradley Wood Jn, then Huddersfield and on through Penistone and Barnsley to Sheffield, returning via Hope Valley, would I believe provide an attractive tour. If feasible there may be scope to do one in each direction.

Is there anyone out there in the “industry” willing to pursue this idea further? or does it remain a no-go for some other reason.

 

OK

The route through Huddersfield is steam cleared - for anything - as it carries A4s and Princesses

The route from Manchester to Sheffield to Barnsley to Normanton carried 45407 last June

All that we are clearing is Huddersfield to Barnsley

I have promulgated for some time a "Summer Wine" itinerary of Man Vic - Bolton - Copy Pit - Brighouse - Huddersfield - Penistone - Sheffield - Manchester

If we can get this route axle weight and gauge cleared, then a splendid scenic and climbing route becomes a reality

How do we enthusiasts get this done - a quote from Stephen Cornish that we can club up and fund - or does the approach have to be made via a TOC?

Perhaps Mr Shuttleworth will advise

 

I'm on the 'case' tomorrow!............. :-k

 

Thanks Ian - if you need any help you know where I am

 

I wholeheartedly agree on a steam-hauled charter on the Penistone line and have been pressing the Penistone Line Partnership to consider this for some years. A few comments:

Ridership is remarkably high on this route with an hourly service in each direction.

The line passes through some of the finest rural scenery in South Yorkshire with great views and including impressive viaducts at Lockwood, Denby Dale and Penistone.

The line is single track throughout and there are passing loops only at Shepley and Penistone. This seriously limits line capacity and there is no spare path on weekdays. Even on Sundays the service has been increased from the previous four trains but paths should be available.

The limiting factor is the severe climb at around 1 in 45 almost from the platform end at Barnsley towards Dodworth. This restricted loads to 7 bogies on the Jubilee-hauled Poole-Bradford train in steam days (and there were occasions when even then 45562 or one its sisters failed to make the grade!).

Loading gauge didn't used to be a problem as 70013 and 4472 both travelled the line.

The line would appear to be an ideal choice for charter operations but it is suggested that because of gradients the charter should run south from Huddersfield (or banking assistance provided from Barnsley if northbound). 10 bogies could be taken in this direction.

This would seem an ideal opportunity to vary the Cotton Mill itinerary (or keep the Cotton Mill and this could be a variant) running eastbound along the Calder Valley to Brighouse then Bradley Jct to Huddersfield (as Cotton mill) then via Penistone to Barnsley and Sheffield and return via the Hope Valley to Manchester?

Hope this helps.

David

 

Rumour has it, that West Coast already have had a spec. for this jobby, for at least the last five years using Olton Hall, commemerating 'Woolston Grange's' epic run circa 1965....local enthusiasts may remember?

 

Thanks Ian, TBirdFrank, and DavidSLST for your positive comments. I'm not sure Olton Hall will be cleared for that route. I remember the Woolston Grange trip and seem to recall it did not arrive at Huddresfield with its cylinders in the best of condition. However surely the route is not restricted to one train and I guess there would be a better chance of getting a Black 5 over the route possibly, double heading with the standard 4 if gradients require it and axle loadings allow a double header. I'm sure Ian you could put something together with PTR still assuming of course NR would allow it. Here's hoping anyway.

 

I have pictures of the Grange on Huddersfield shed amongst my records.

There are some startling stone marks on the cylinder covers suggesting that the line is now "in gauge" having been sculpted that day! \/

We appear to have a strong team of supporters for this one - come on guys - let's make it work - but who's Foggy and Clegg? - I bagsy Compo - but not Nora!! (RIP Kathy)

 

[-o< I'm definitely up for that if it can be arranged. Nothing against Black 5's but I can see one anytime I want at Llangollen. 5972 is something different though, is rarely used on a railtour and is a much more attractive proposition in my eyes. Shame it couldn't be 6858 but can't have it all. Maybe another time..

 

Not much hope for the blinkered few eh?.... ](*,) ..., ever heard of ''hook, line and sinker''!............., seriously though, I think there may well be one or even two black locos hoping to make a deviatory C.M.E. over that line..... \/

 

All it takes is for one person to have a dream. You never know 6858 gauging exercise could still be valid! \/

 

Wouldn't it be nice to have Ollie run over the line again - like she did on 28/10/1967

I know - because I was there! - just a shame that 45562 didn't survive! and that we can't run through to Sheffield Victoria again either!

 

lil bear: I doubt David Smith --or NR for that matter!--will want his engine tearing bits out of wooden platforms between Penistone and Huddersfield, as you no doubt infer from 1965!! =D> =D>

46118

 

Tell you what - if those wooden platforms cause gauging problems do you think they would notice the midnight chanisaw massacre??

 

For those wondering what the heck we are on about, this is the "Hall" that was working an inter-regional express, something like Bournemouth-Bradford. The Hall should have come off at Nottingham Victoria but no engine was available, and presumably the same happened at Sheffield Victoria, so the crew pressed on for Bradford with the Hall, but after Penistone the Hall's cylinders started to rip the edges of sertain wooden platform edges, so it finally came off at Huddersfield, and didn't quite make the final destination!

46118

 

To run as "The Dawlish Donkey"...Dont ask!.....(But in this credit crunch time, we already have the headboard)...Man Vic / Hathersage / Sheffield / Barnsley / Huddersfield / Brighouse / Man Vic...please Mr Network Rail?...76079 & 45407....29/03/09....or alternatively...."Nora's Crinkly Stockings Stopper!!"...my favorite!!

 

found this site by accident - looking for something entirely different but if this Penistone steam trip is a definite can i book a dozen seats now pls

 

Oi Cleggy - Summer Wine Wanderer - I suggested it years ago - or should that be Smiler - sometimes known as I'll be avinyou Whitby!!