Fellsman Tours 2021

Video from Langho and Golborne this evening

 

34046 Braunton seen passing Arcow Quarry and Birkett Common.

 

34046 looking marvellous in the evening sunshine as she slowed for the stop at Leyland.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/51206200215/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

Great to see 'Braunton' tackling the hills today. Seen today at Wilpshire Summit, Helwith Bridge, Ais Gill Summit and exiting Wilpshire Tunnel.

Video Available Here

 

In a very lucky patch of light 34046 Braunton works through Gallansay on 26/5/2021

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

The returning Fellsman was scheduled to depart Clitheroe at 18.43, 18 mins after the preceding Rochdale service and 27 mins before the next Rochdale service that was scheduled for 19.10. The sections are long and good timekeeping would be paramount. The weather was dry (and had been since lunchtime) but conditions remained dull.

I chose to go to the road bridge overlooking Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station. As with this morning there were relatively few observers; 3 on the bridge and 7 split between the platforms. It seemed to me that there was little chance that Braunton would be lifting the train (11 + class 47 ie the equivalent of 14+ coaches) up the 1/86r without a little help; especially as good timekeeping was required.

RTT showed a 1E departure from Clitheroe, two minutes later the Rochdale bound service cleared Daisyfield junction - so about 15 minutes to wait (providing that all was well). As the time approached a Bullied whistle sounded and shortly afterwards the busy chattering of Braunton's exhaust; working hard, getting louder, round the curve and into view. A fine spectacle, the exhaust getting louder and louder, making good progress. It was not so slow to make me think that it might be all Braunton's own work or so fast that I thought that there may be more push than pull. As she passed under the bridge (1E) her paintwork showed all the signs of an honest day's endeavour. The carriages slipped by and then the 47, working but not hammering away, no plume but definitely a harder edge to the exhaust than had been the case in the morning. The train headed away and over the very pronounced summit; no plateau, changing from 1/86r to 1/73f, and then curved away left and out of view. The exhaust lingered in the cutting and then was gone.

My first encounters with Braunton in and around Blackburn are more than favourable. I find LSL's use of a tailgunner perfectly understandable and the footplate crews put on a good show, maybe not for the purist timers but it will certainly do for me. Oswald was still smiling (My wave!) as he headed home just in time for Coronation Street.

 

One going north at Low House Crossing yesterday:


Braunton on the Fellsman

 

That’s a new shot opened up Ian with all the trees chopped

 

The Fellsman at sunset on Dutton Viaduct yesterday.

 

Ais Gill, 26 May 21

 

34046 Braunton at Jack Green , Clitheroe and Settle Junction.

 

34046 Northbound with 07.07.21 Fellsman.

 

SRWC class No.34046 'Braunton' works away from Lazonby with the northbound 'Fellsman' with Phil Murgatroyd driving, Michael Proudfoot on the shovel
and TI Mark Dale



Approaching Low House Signal Box, SRWC class No. 34046 'Braunton' works the return 'Fellsman' south with Mike Wylie driving, Jack Gresty on the shovel
and Bob Hart TI

 

Photos either side of Armathwaite...


Braunton at Froddle Crook


Braunton at Armathwaite

 

'The Fellsman' hauled by SR WC No.34046 'Braunton', seen today at Jack Green, Wilpshire Summit, Langcliffe, Lazonby, Armathwaite, Greengates and finally at Wilpshire.

Video Available Here

 

You've got to hand it to Mr H....he does set the standards high with the turn out of his stable of locos and trains.

 

Fellsman, football or both? Both were easily possible, so a drive to the overbridge beyond Wilpshire summit.

A warm (19C), sunny evening but now past the summer solstice the sun quickly retreated from the deep cutting. A whistle into the tunnel followed shortly afterwards by the sound of Braunton working hard. She came into view and surprisingly the exhaust was clearly visible as it headed skywards - good lift. Through the station and some firing as the exhaust turned almost black, the firing continued - lovely exhaust. A few coach lengths beyond the summit the regulator was closed and heavy black smoke spewed from the chimney in folded ripples. As Braunton passed under the bridge the smoke was swept upwards - it tasted wonderful.

RT and around 23/24mph at the summit. The diesel passed with some noise but "not a lot"; probably not pushing as, Braunton had been working hard, the speed was was not excessive and by this point the whole train was over the summit. A great spectacle, lovely sound and the smell and taste of the exhaust alone were well worth the trip. My thanks to all those on the footplate.

It was eerily quiet as I drove home, arriving in plenty of time for the match; Mrs W had saved my seat. I see that Boris was at Wembley with his customary sartorial elegance (replica football shirt with a suit!?) I wonder if he would have known had someone provided him a non-England shirt.

 

Taken from alongside the foot crossing on Wilpshire Bank,34046 Braunton works the Fellsman south on July 7th.

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

What's the best way to find out the intended motive power for these tours?