LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2020

Is the turntable at Keighley big enough for Bahamas

 

Not without splitting. 50' turntable, 54' 9" ish wheelbase.

 

Just back from watching 45596 race up the hill to Aldershot. Blimey, the crew were in a hurry to get back up North. Pictures and videos should be up later.

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It's the turntable from Garsdale, I believe it's 50 foot but not sure. It certainly doesn't look big enough. I've certainly never seen anything Bahamas size on it. (In fact I've hardly ever seen anything on it apart from the odd stabled wagon or two!). Indeed when a Standard 5 (think it was 73156) arrived "wrong way round" (i.e. facing Keighley) for a gala a while back it wasn't turned. There may also possibly be a weight restriction?

 

Don’t think so, it’s 50ft a Jube is a tad bigger.

 

As of 0844 this morning, no trains have run on the Bentham line today.
An alternative could be to run around the support coach at Preston, tender first to Hellifield and then run around at Hellifield

 

That would deliver Bahamas chimney-first to the KWVR. Mind you, they've got until about 5pm this evening to sort something out, by which time the booked route may be open again.

 

Could they not just nip her down to the triangle at Shipley/Bingley (can never remember which one it is) to turn her? (or just turn her there on the way to Keighley if she is coming in from the east).

 

Have to say it was a wonderful tonic this morning to witness some Main Line Steam action after Seven months. I would have taken a big sniff of the steam but I had a mask on
45596 was in a real hurry when I captured her between Farnham and Aldershot earlier today. Here are a couple of my shots and a short video from the positioning move captured at Green Lane:

 

At the moment (0945) Northern is showing all trains cancelled today due to flooding in Melling Tunnel. RTT is showing 45596 as the only active move on the line today.

I don't think it would be possible to run around the POB at Shipley, at least not with other traffic around.

 

If the weather is like it is here, probably not much more than 20 miles as the crow flies its going to get worse before it gets better, its still hammering it down!

The RTT schedule suggests a reversal at Carnforth, not really sure what that achieves unless its suggesting she goes into the HS and then backs back into the platform to take the Bentham line? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55339/2020-11-03/detailed

Entirely hypothetically, is there a reason why she cannot dump the POB at Keighley and then go to Shipley to be turned, she already has a main line crew on board and the problem is with NR infrastructure so could a deal be cut on access charges?

 

The Wennington line is currently expected to re-open at 16.00; if not, this wins the prize as Plan B, with a double run-round (at Preston and then Hellifield) in order to deliver 5596 facing uphill at Keighley.

Btw, the 'reversal' noted on RTT is actually to effect access onto Steamtown for water.

JS

 

Note that there is very little work for Bahamas to do at Keighley so a Tender first arrival isnt such a big problem. Trains are not likely to exceed load 5 there ( either though lack of stock or limiting nos at stations) which the Ivatt 2 / 4f can handle and although the seasonal punters will think she is fabulous they don't really care what is on the front .

 

Lunchtime news...snow in the Dales...

 

The sun made a brief appearance for Bahamas' signal stop at Virginia Water.
Quite a number of cameras in evidence for what will probably the last mainline steam for this year (unless any of the Christmas specials run).
Stay hopeful for the 2021 steam programme.

 

45596 on the Northampton Loop .Also Stockport Loco Shed 10/09/1967.Think I prefer the non bulled up side rods and tyres, just a little to much.

 

1726 Leeds to Morecambe now shown as running throughout.

 

In somewhat less than ideal conditions for photography (although the Birmingham bound 350 did manage to get out of the way in time) and running about 15 minutes late, ex-LME Jubilee class No. 45596 Bahamas races through Hartford station while en route from Alton to Keighley on 3rd November 2020.




Cheers,

 

Dusk at Brock: