Scotsman over the S&C Sat 27th Nov, Sat 18th Dec and Thurs 23rd Dec.

Thanks Jeremy, my mate Nige was with the 1st camera and I set up his next to me on the footbridge .The hardest part was getting from Kendal to Shap as the A6 was closed over Shap due to fallen trees as was Grayrigg road so thankfully a back road to the M6 at Sedbergh was not blocked.

 

Thanks John, just about thawed out yes as the wind chill was savage but at least we had some shelter on the bridge and down in the dip .

 

And how long before you get more comments about a the diesel ruining the photos by being behind the engine?
If the rules allow the placing of a diesel at the rear as backup then so be it.

It's a No Win situation that does not bother me either way, as I am not a photographer.

 

21st December 2019 over the S&C was load 13.

 

And there was I thinking I had unmasked Superman!

 

Thanks. Just watched video footage which proves this.

 

60103 on the Flying Scotsman railtour seen near Shap Summit with 13 on and 47815 coughing on the rear

 

In spite of the rear end assistance, Scotsman sounded in good form. Nice bit of filming.

 

Thank you it’s much appreciated

 

Looked a bit thin up there Nige, both Steve and yourself deserve the plaudits

 

‘‘Twas a bit chilly but no pain no gain Shep

 

Cuttings the word I would use Shep

 

Chilly? Pah! Positively tropical compared to Norhern China in mid January.

 

True but as Max Boyce said I was there !

 

(Another) brilliant piece of filming in adverse conditions Nige! Congratulations and well done to Steve and yourself!

 

Thanks David, we appreciate your comment.

 

I presume those complaining were linesiders who had to wait in the cold and wind or armchair warriors snug within the warmth of their computer room !

I went to Long Preston this morning to catch the Carnforth - Skipton leg - only to find out it had been cancelled due to weather conditions; no passenger services ran over the S&C and my journey by car from Southport was delayed by many incidents of trees falling across the road and local volunteers cutting the wreckage up for dispersal. I was advised that FS was operating direct via Shap to Carlisle but - given the departure time from Carnforth and passing time at Greenholme - I felt it unwise to risk chasing given that strong winds were still blowing and nearby heights were covered in snow. Whilst passengers on the train did not get their advertised journey, all credit to WCRC for arranging (at very short notice) an alternative schedule that provided haulage by the advertised traction - especially through a county where deaths had occurred due to weather conditions.

 

As a point of (minor) interest in those circumstances when the diesel is at the rear end of the train does the driver sit in the front cab, travel forwards and watch the back of the coach just in front of him all day or do they sit in the back cab, travel backwards and watch the track disappearing behind them?

BTW Great videos Steve & Nige

 

IIRC the rear end loco has a driver in the front cab and communication between the driver of both steam and diesel alerts the diesel driver when assistance is required; note that WCRC has great experience of such workings and I believe that rules have been formulated in the appropriate safety cases.