Steam Dreams, Settle and Carlisle - 09/04/22

Not seen a thread for this tour operated by Steam Dreams named the Settle & Carlisle so apologies in advance if there is one . 35018 will be hot on the heals of the Lakelander tour with 34046 Braunton being around 15 minutes in front.

 

I am sure OVB would be impressed to see two of his finest in Carlisle in 2022

 

Just wondering if the 15 minute gap will be close enough for both locos to be seen together at any point on the climb.

 

Like I mentioned in my set up post Ralph for this tour hopefully we will see BIL chasing Braunton up the big hill

 

Would he recognise them? If he did, he would surely be puzzled what had happened to them

 

Why not? He lived to 1970. Or do you mean so clean?

 

erm, the rebuilds were running around long before OVS passed away so any puzzlement would have happened at the time of rebuilding.

 

BIL 8 mins early ex Carnforth!

 

Going to get interesting when Braunton is let out relatively cold from a standing start at Grayrigg with an up to speed warmed up BIL biting at her heels.

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Another instance of two steam trains in sight on the climb ?

 

Payback for last time, when Britannia was held up on Shap by a West Coast train (hauled by Galatea?).

I was on the Brit hauled service and we could see the smoke from the loco ahead. Something I never thought I'd see on the mainline in the 21st century! Made up for the disappointment of a crawl up Shap.

 

No repeat today, though it was nine minutes between the pair at Salterwath. A great spectacle.

 

Fair enough!

 

Well, if RTT is anywhere near right, that looks an exciting climb to Ais Gill.

 

35018 at Shap Wells , Kirkby Stephen and Wharton Dikes.

 

Went to Carlisle today to see the 2 Bulleid pacifics working separate Rail Tours

Added a few phone pics Camera photos tomorrow

1st to arrive was 34046 Braunton
10 minutes later
35018 British India Line arrives at Carlisle with Steam Dreams Settle & Carlisle charter
https://tinyurl.com/4ybdyktf
seen later stabled at Preston
86259 Peter Pan at Preston waiting for the Steam Dreams charter to arrive later
https://tinyurl.com/mrxkrrwb

Neil

 

After this morning's tasty morsel of steam (Braunton+POB thro' Leyland) I was ready for some "Big Steam". Mrs W and Oswald Jnr had gone to the football and I had the afternoon to myself, that is, until Diego (a neighbour's cat) jumped up onto the window sill and cried to come in. Once inside he quickly settled on my knee and managed a doze or seven until it was time for both of us leave.

Ramsgreave and Wilpshire (again). The late running Clitheroe bound unit came and went - no problems there. It was generally sunny but with some cloud scudding across the sky on a fresh and cold westerly wind (7C but feeling cooler). Our train was thro' Clitheroe 5E and with less than 10 minutes before it was due there were only 7 people in and around the station. A shrill whistle in the distance, then silence (Wilpshire Tunnel?). Sounds from BIL were barely discernable above the general background noise; even when exhaust began to drift from around the curve. BIL came into view, still only a gentle swishing sound but growing steadily louder as she grew nearer. There was plenty of white exhaust issuing from her wide chimney and a healthy feather at the safety valves. As she passed Rob Russell (fireman) was leaning on the cab window sill, his work almost over. The carriages whisked by in the dappled sunlight and then the train was gone. It all seemed so effortless, 12 coaches, 1/86r, 30mph and 10E.



A Eurythmics' song seemed to sum it up nicely, "Steam Dreams are made of this, Who am I to disagree?"

Regarding the day overall, my thanks (as a freeloader) to all involved in making these trips possible and especially to NR for allowing 2 steam trips into Carlisle on a busy day and managing the situation. All mainline steam is good steam and the two locos appear to have performed very well and put on a good show. Maybe, just maybe, two Scots or a Duchess chasing a Scot up Shap would have been that teeny bit more authentic. Definitely no criticism of the SR locos - just a thought, but I am more than happy with what was on offer.