Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

You'll remember I mentioned a trip to Carnforth on 31st May 1968 on my schoolfriend's scooter when we called in at Kendal on the way and photographed 45209 on the sidings next to the Scottish & Newcastle brewery. The stop finished up with us being offered a footplate trip from Burneside to Windermere and back. Here are a couple of shots from that day. 45209 at Kendal and being turned at Windermere, with the Manchester United supporting fireman on the left, the driver in the middle and I think the other fellow was the yard foreman or something of the sort. 45209 was withdrawn 4 weeks after these photos, in the week ending 29th June.

 

Superb

 

Northern's 2H90 1318 Leeds - Carlisle and the return 2H95 1829 from Carlisle were both cancelled north of Skipton. AN

 

Bit odd that as NR posted that the incident was closed at 1356. 2H90 was in Skipton Station and due to depart for Carlisle at 1357.

 

not according to realtime trains they both ran

 

Look again - not north of Skipton. AN

 

i have now looked again on the right day this time and you are indeed correct my apologies

 

Cloudy, dry but cool (16C) at Hellifield with a light northerly breeze. When I arrived SG was already coupled to the north end of its support coach and taking water in the up loop. The WC "gang" were sitting around a couple of tables on the platform by the side of the cafe and enjoying a brew. I had a brief chat with a couple of them as they joined the gathering. After a few minutes, the party began to break up as, in ones and twos, they made their way along the platform, down the ramp, across the running line and then back towards SG. The tender was topped up and the pipe removed. With Mick Rawling driving and Martyn Soames firing, SG propelled her coach down the Blackburn line just as the Dalesman train, top and tailed with 47s drew into the down loop.

Time to leave for the short drive up to Helwith Bridge. I parked by the bottom of the quarry road and walked up the road to the bridge, intending to cross under the line and watch from my usual spot at "Billy No Mates Corner". Thwarted! There was a small truck and mini digger blocking the track and a couple of guys working. All was not lost, I retreated to the west side of the line and watched from there. A quick check on RTT showed RT at Settle Jn and now less than 10 minutes to go. The cloud had broken, the sun was shining and it felt warmer than the 18C displayed in the car a few minutes earlier.

The unmistakable sound of SG could be heard in the distance, growing louder, she burst into view, working hard, light coloured exhaust shooting upwards. As she reached the overbridge I proffered a wave and the driver waved back, YES! (Thanks Mick.) The exhaust beat quickened as the train ran onto the level section and became louder as the breeze carried the sound towards me; it was not the ear bleeding. paint stripping roar that SG emits when pushed towards her limit but even so an absolute pleasure to listen to. I rushed(!?) under the bridge to the other side of the line in time to watch SG curve away and into the cutting towards Horton in R; out of sight but still well within earshot.

From the WC personnel on the platform at Hellifield I suggest that for your afternoon entertainment you may get; Mr Mick Kelly on the regulator, Mr Rob Russell on the shovel with Mr Roly Parker on the whistle. Now with that team I don't think it will go to penalties and the return should be worth a watch (and a listen). Enjoy - I did.

 

46115 in fine form especially the return over Shap and she is seen at Bleamoor Aqueduct , Bleamoor Tunnel , Great Strickland and finally Little Strickland.

 

Royal Scot class No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' makes a fine sight and sound as it works 'The Dalesman' through Dent Station with Mick Rawling driving, Martyn
Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard



With a moody Howgill backdrop No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' approaches Grayrigg with the return 'Dalesman' with Mick Kelly driving, Rob Russell on the
shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

46115 Scots Guardsman at Bessie Ghyll with the Chester Dalesman of 13/7/2021

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Very good David. Spotted the Lowther estate van in the gateway so I wondered if he’d spoken to you about going into the woods.

 

Many thanks Stephen,will text you later

 

46115 seen on Blea Moor from above the Tunnel Portal and the Aqueduct, Great Strickland and Little Strickland, a special thanks to the footplate crews for there dedication and skill for working in this heat.

 

Next Tuesday's southbound Pendle Dalesman is scheduled to cross with Tornado hauling the northbound Viking Venturer, but where?

(From RTT)
Pendle Dalesman: Settle Jn 17.18 / Hellifield UGL 17.26-18.33
Viking Venturer: Hellifield DGL 16.38-17.18 / Settle Jn 17.24

If both trains, together with all other services around and about, are running to time (a big IF?) then somewhere between Long Preston and Settle Jn. But what if they were to cross quite near Settle Jn with the Pendle Dalesman barrelling down the hill at line speed and Tornado, also at line speed, giving it plenty for the climb. This would give a closing speed of 120mph and what a sight that would be!! However, of course, they may cross in the loops at Hellifield.

 

Railcam diagrams don't work so well on the s and c.

 

Fair enough