Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

46115 at Smardale curve just as the sun went in .

 

Working the 'The Dalesman' towards Ribblehead No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' with Chris Cubitt driving, Martyn Soames firing and Rolly Parker Guard



A lone Christmas tree awaits decoration as No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' speeds over Denthead Viaduct with the return leg of 'The Dalesman' to York with David
Blair driving, Steve Clark firing and Roly Parker Guard

 

46115 crossing Ribblehead Viaduct & passing Low Baron Wood.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/51420100611/in/datetaken-public/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/51419361017/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

46115 seen crossing Ribblehead Viaduct and then on the return from Aisgill in full sunshine.

 

Very nice Nige...esp. the Ribblehead sequence. I wish they'd fix that leak!!

 

Thanks David, the wind was a bit severe but the blimp did it’s job ok, seems to be a recurring issue that one

 

A bit late, but here's my shot of 46115 passing Garsdale on Thursday:



https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/

 

Is the Pendle Dalesman running tomorrow (7th), or has it been pulled? It's not on WC website (the 21st trip is) or on Railtour Info 2021, but it is still on Railway Herald. I'm fancying a trip out tomorrow, but I don't want to go all that way for fish and chips and no train.

 

Cancelled I believe.

 

Not showing on Railtour site either.
RTT shows Runs as Required on timings

 

Thanks Steve. Saved a trip.

 

In the last few days I have regrettably had to cancel my only booking to travel behind steam in 2021. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic together with my medication regime has placed travelling (and lots of other activities) out of bounds.

I would like to place on record my thanks to West Coast Railway Company who have been understanding and accommodating in allowing me to cancel bookings during the last 18 months. My thanks to them for continuing to operate mainline steam and for letting me watch from the trackside – try stopping me! I wish them well in these difficult times.

I will be back!

 

46115 Scots Guardsman passing Selside on the outward leg.


After hibernating most of the summer to avoid the lurgy I wanted to catch Scots Guardsman on at least one Dalesman so, ignoring the weather warnings, I went to Selside to capture Guardsman on the penultimate Dalesman of the season. She did not disappoint and not only was there no rain but I had Selside to myself.
I'd like to thank all the kind folk (too many to name) who have braved the conditions and kindly shared their work which has given me regular "semi" steam fixes and, hopefully, kept me sane.

 

It was dull and light rain was falling as I left Wistle Towers to make my way to Hellifield for the last "Chester Dalesman" of the season. The forecast was iffy with a good chance of heavy rain moving in later in the morning. On any other Tuesday I might have stayed at home but @RalphW had promised me at least one wave from the train; plans had been made and commitments must be honoured.

The rain persisted and the skies darkened as I passed Clitheroe but then the rain slowly petered out and by the time I parked the car at Hellifield it was dry and the sky looked far less threatening. Mid September and the temperature had crept up 14C, there was a cool light breeze from the east - certainly not an Indian Summer. Time for a wander around the station - spot that loco! As I walked through the underpass a swallow flew in front of me effortlessly looping from side to side.

Scots Guardsman was standing in the up loop already attached to the north end of her support coach, wisps of steam drifted from the cylinder draincocks and from one of the safety valves. SG looked otherwise free from steam, had the leak from the front on the fireman's side been cured or did it not show when the regulator was closed? After a couple of minutes one of the safety valve started to lift and its companion began to show signs of joining in. The fireman, Rob Russell, climbed up onto the footplate and put the injector on, in a matter of seconds SG had "calmed down". Rob hosed down the footplate and put a round on the fire. The rest of the support crew returned from their breakfast; a few more gallons were squeezed into the tender and the pipe was removed. I managed to have a chat with Rob who confirmed that he was firing to Carlisle and David Blair was driving and the load would be 13.

I left around 10.20 to make my way up to Horton in Ribblesdale station to await the fun. There were already several cars on the car park so I snaffled down my Nutri-Grain Raisin Bake (other snack bars are available - but none are as scrumptious) and made my way onto the platform. There was already someone set up at the north end of the up platform so I chose a spot forward of him and further from lines than I would have preferred. As the minutes passed a small group congregated in the same area (7 of us) this left the platform otherwise clear.

Someone confirmed that SG had left Hellifield 3L and was 3L at Settle Jn. She was timetabled to arrive at 11.17; it was more likely going to be 11.20 or a little later. At 11.17 the sound of a 3 cylinder loco could be heard in the distance, slowly the sound grew louder and over 4 minutes later SG came into view, plenty of dark exhaust shot from her double chimney, the exhaust note heavier than a Jubilee. Today the sound was corrupted by the noise of steam blowing from around the cylinder area on the fireman's side of the loco. The "blow" keeping time with the rhythm of the exhaust - the leak had not been cured. [Previously, a "well-connected?" line sider told me that the leak is from the "problem" middle cylinder - the symptoms do fit, but time may tell.]

46115 whistled for the crossing then on through the platform, moving at a fair speed and with seeming ease she lifted her 13 coach train up the 1/100 gradient. As SG approached, I waved and Rob Russell returned the wave (1), halfway down the train a wave from one of the stewards, who I recognised but can't recall his name (2), a wave from the last toplight of the 13th coach (3) and finally a wave followed by a thumbs up from @RalphW at the last droplight (4). SG thundered off into the distance and the "still" photographers started to chatter, spoiling the wonderful sounds that continued long after the train had gone. 5L, 33 mph and 4 waves - thanks Ralph and thanks to all the gang at WCRC.

 

46115 at Horton Curve, Horton Cutting, Kitchenhill and Little Strickland.

 

Cloudy conditions as No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' working 'The Dalesman' (1Z52) through Langcliffe with David Blair driving, Rob Russell on the shovel and
Mike McPeake Guard



Much improved weather conditions as Royal Scot class No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' speeds away from Tebay with the return leg of 'The Dalesman' with David
Blair driving, Steve Clark firing and Mike McPeake Guard

 

46115 seen at Horton Curve and Cutting, Kitchenhill and Little Strickland.

 

If you look around 4.00 - 4.31 on NIGE757's video the leak clearly emanates from the middle cylinder. Wasn't there a problem with the packing on that cylinder a couple of years back ?

 

The video starts with a distant whistle as SG passes Steve and Nige in Horton cutting who then pass the train into my care (Fools!). Another whistle for the foot crossing at the south end of the platform before, despite a hefty steam leak 46115 makes a lovely sound as she passes through the platforms at 33 mph. As the last coach approaches the camera (48s) @RalphW gives the "thumbs up" for a game of . . . "Spot the Wave". To make it easier the train passes again, all you have to do is count "Oswald's Waves", so pencils and paper at the ready . . . GO! [Clue the answer is between 3 and 5]



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