Northern Belle 2021

Contrary to expectations Saturday morning started dull and with patchy drizzle. By late morning the sky had cleared and during the afternoon there were sunny intervals; a fine day to watch a steam hauled train. Mrs W and Oswald Jnr had gone to the football and I was free to do as I pleased. A look at RTT showed that with the service trains running hourly there was scope for the Northern Belle to leave Clitheroe early; I made my way to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station with plenty of time to spare. As the minutes ticked by a few regulars arrived and took up their chosen positions further down the platform.

A further check of RTT showed that Tornado had passed through Clitheroe 8E - so not long to wait. As I waited a middle-aged couple wandered down the ramp and headed in my direction, I was relieved when they stopped short of me and "out of shot" to my left. Tornado could be heard approaching and then she swept into view from around the curve. [At this point the man took out his phone and stepped across to his right - thanks for that, but hey ho it's all about personal freedom as Boris constantly reminds us.] The light on the buffer beam was intense and reflected on the (dry as a bone) railhead, the "gleam" sweeping rapidly nearer. The exhaust was white and lifting well. Tornado sounded as though she was doing her fair share of the work; underlying the more usual exhaust beat was the characteristic Kylchap hiss. Tornado was approaching quickly, I raised my arm in readiness for a wave to the fireman but the lady from the couple stepped forward and intercepted what would have been my wave!!

With a whoosh and a hiss Tornado swept under the bridge and headed towards the summit, the carriages fairly whizzing past and were followed by the 47. The 8E at Clitheroe had become 13E and 30/31 mph through the station. The rails were dry and unlike home where leaf fall is now well underway in the lower lying countryside it has yet to start; no sanders.

Unlike some locomotives, Tornado has developed a reputation, not as a locomotive that can, but as one that does! A good way to spend a pleasant autumnal afternoon; a bright sky, 14C and the air feeling cool and dry. Now that Tornado is gauged for the route I eagerly await an unassisted climb; dry summer day please.

Mrs W and Oswald Jnr had not arrived back from football (a 2-0 HT lead had been frittered away to become 2-2 at FT). I was first in, discounting next doors cat, Diego who sneaked in for a warm, he was followed five minutes later by the "fans". Happy days!

 

Diego...no pics?...such initiative by the puss...

 

60163 at Salterwath and Kirkby Stephen .

 

Yet another dismal say in Cumbria as A1 class No. 60163 'Tornado' works today's 'Northern Belle' through Greenholme and on to Carlisle with Peter Kirk driving
and Phil Akester firing through to Hellifield.



The return over Arten Gill Viaduct in yet more gloomy conditions

 

Nice to see WCRC's Class 86 out on the first leg

 

60163 seen in dismal conditions at Salterwath then on the return at Kirkby Stephen Station.

 

Superb Shep , you always seem to get the shots that the lesser spotted photter might not try .

 

I'm tempted to ask Steve why people wear coloured tops whilst photographing on stations or overbridges notably Helwith Bridge and Aisgill?

 

Can’t legislate for the odd folk I suppose Shep plus it’s a bit like folk who wear hi vis tops and think they are ok to trespass

 

Because they’re allowed to...?!

James

 

In my place of work we have no restrictions on how people "dress" and Im pretty sure the same applies at stations on the Settle & Carlisle Railway I dont think the fashion police attend overbridges on the railway

 

What winter tops have people got? At least it wasn't a hi-vis.

 

Evening James, I assume you do video so imagine the scenario you are set up wherever and somebody turns up late ( as they always do ) and walks into your view or worse still blocking your shot in a Bright Red coat so from what your saying that wouldn’t bother you as they can wear what they want . Not being critical just an observation

 

Steve,Im pleased it wasn't Joseph that turned up.

 

Anybody have an idea about the advertised Northern Belle on the 21st of this month showing steam haulage starting at Manchester and picking up at Huddersfield?

 

I believe it's diesel now, it seems to have changed from a festive steam special to just festive special

 

Yes, I had my doubts about the 'steam' run from Victoria to Folkestone on the 17th, when RTT showed it planned for 95mph!

 

Do you mean coloured or hi-vis? If the former, there are obviously no restrictions; if the latter, they are discouraged in railway circles but not illegal/forbidden. I'm sure some hikers or cyclists, for example, might appear wearing hi-vis with no intention of trying to trespass or confuse train drivers.