Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

As this was the last Pendle Dalesman of the season, I decided that, despite the 37 on the back, I would head out for a watch albeit in probable darkness. I was having a mug of tea and checking RTT when I saw that BIL had left Hellifield 41E, probably trying to get out at Horrocksford Jn before the service train rather than use the allotted path. No time to finish my brew, into the car and hare over to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire. I needn't have bothered, the cunning plan came to naught and the train ran to the planned path.

Oswald had to kill an hour waiting on the platform. The youths were gathered on the far platform and provided some entertainment that is if you like rap music and non-stop foul language. The highlight was when one of them who had decided that doing wheelies on his bike on a railway station platform was the best thing in the world almost went off the edge and onto the track. The station lights came on as darkness descended, the Rochdale train came and went and so did the youths.

The Clitheroe bound train arrived and stopped, decanted a few passengers and set off. It had only just left the platform when steam appeared at the distant bend; the noise from the unit had drowned out all sound of BIL's approach. There was a healthy swish of exhaust, the lights on the rear of the departing unit left long red streaks on the sides of the rapidly approaching coaches. BIL was in the platforms, one by one the station lights illuminated the top of the exhaust as the loco passed beneath, a warm orange glow from the footplate, lights from the coach windows, brighter in first class, as the carriages rushed by and last the grumbling 37 - then all gone and near silence. The train had seemingly flashed past, its speed accentuated by the darkness. 30 mph and 1E. Something atmospheric about steam at night, maybe not pure steam this time but a spectacle none the less.

 

It certainly is...should be entered for some award if that's possible.

 

In with both feet again Ralph thinking before speaking me thinks

 

A difficult day for loco and crew but rescued in the end for the passengers.
Here's my view from the sidelines at Bee Lane, Horrocksford, Hayber and Helwith Bridge:

Thanks to Steve (and Nige?) for stopping with an update on the situation just after Gisburn.

 

Not surprised they struggled as there was noticeably much more dew yesterday morning compared with preceding days/months, first proper autumnal morning we have had.

Sad to see the normal carping (although we do seem to have finally moved on from 'its because WCR crews don't know how to handle her, never happens with DBC crews and Clan Line', so that's progress of sorts I suppose), the crew deserve much credit for getting the train moving again after the stall and then adapting to the changing circumstances like the professional railwaymen they are.

Cannot comment upon the feelings of passengers, albeit considering the catchment area which I suspect makes up much of the travelling population, they will be aware of the pleasures of Carlisle and I cannot imagine that spending a couple of hours there is high on the list of attractions for the tour.

 

I see more of people on here complaining about each others' postings than anyone complaining about the tour itself. It didn't go to plan, there was much less time at Carlisle than there should have been, and that is surely cause for some regret; but no worse than that. It did get there, the passengers did have some time there, and it returned more or less on time. So who's actually complaining, and what is there to complain about?

 

So given the experiences of yesterday, what will be taking the front end of tomorrow's Dalesman? Anybody know yet?

 

On the early part of the outbound run the railhead condition was problematic, an extremely heavy overnight dew had left all things smooth and cold coated with a film of water. It is a testament to the skill of Mick Rawling that BIL "kept her feet" as she climbed the 1/101 gradient to Hoghton summit with her heavy 13 coach train; progress was slow but sure-footed. As BIL approached Chapel Lane the sun tried to peak through the thin early morning cloud and as the train headed off towards Blackburn it succeeded in bathing the tops of the coaches and the exhaust with a gentle diffuse autumnal light.



Did you spot the wave and thumbs up from Ralph?

 

I guess one reason is that if they had let the train go at say 1130 and then the unit at 1147, the unit would have been between the train and the diesel if something had gone wrong going up the hill let's say at Stainforth which can be a tricky section in autumn conditions. So caution ruled.

The Dalesman was the first train over the Horrocksford to Hellifield section yesterday.

 

Supposedly 35018

 

Thanks Steve. I might save a tank of petrol (well half a tank, anyway). I was hoping for the Jube yesterday and went on spec.

 

Send me a PM and we can swap phone numbers re updates .

 

Thanks. Done.

 

It was Tuesday evening and Oswald was loitering in a dark corner of the down platform at Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station. The rails were, to use a Barry Humphries expression, "as dry as a dead dingo's donger." This is a brief summary of what actually(?) happened as the returning Pendle Dalesman swept through the station and towards the summit . . .

"Despite Mr Kelly's best efforts, by the time that the train had reached the station the naughty diesel had caught up and was beginning to push!"

What? You don't believe me! Probably wise not to.



I suppose that it could have been coupled to the rear.

 

35018 with 37668 giving plenty of assistance passing Arcow Quarry and a lonely Birkett Common.

 

I always consider less time in Carlisle a bonus ,not a regret .In fact the best tours to Carlisle use the avoider at Upperby .