4498 SNG Crewe - S&C - Carlisle - Shap - Crewe Private members charter 21/05/22

Away from Crewe spot on time. Load 10 + blue class 47. Mk.1s at the rear.

Good luck to all concerned. <BJ>

 

LNER A4 class Pacific No. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley races through Hartford station on Saturday 21st May 2022 on its way from Crewe to Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle route at the head of a private charter for the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust.



Cheers

 

“Gresley” makes an impressive departure on the Fast Line out of Crewe.


At least at this early stage, the diesel at the rear appeared relatively inactive.


Hopefully when the BR blue is applied a uniform rake of carmine and creams will be available.


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Boars Head, north of Wigan.

 

Held for few minutes just before Hellifield then again just before Long Preston

 

I was wondering why she was slow past Settle Jct, looking and sounding well regardless.

 

Preferably all Mk.1 too.

 

Up early (but not as early as some - @sgthompson posted at 4.34AM!, thanks for the info). The early morning was sunny but soon morphed into thin high cloud. I left home in good time and headed over to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire. "Has old Oswald lost the plot?" I hear you ask, "Surely in the morning he goes to Hoghton." Well, being Saturday morning traffic is not a problem and Wilpshire becomes an option.

I parked up, checked RTT - running RT or a little early. I had decided on the road bridge at the Blackburn end of the station. Wilpshire summit is a couple of hundred yards beyond in the Blackburn direction; the final stretch climbs at 1/73. [I had been undecided, a potentially better head on shot is from the Clitheroe platform but could be spoiled by "leaners-out" who can gather on the platform whilst the road bridge is subject to more traffic noise.] By the time the train was due there were three of us with video cameras, a solitary photographer and a couple of watchers. There were several people on the bridge on the Blackburn side of the summit and quite a few more, with kids, on the platforms.

There was a very distant chime whistle, then a bit of a wait before a barely discernable 3 cylinder beat, then a wait before SNG eased round the curve and under the distant bridge. The exhaust grew louder as the loco came ever nearer, that instantly recognisable head-on profile, lovely white exhaust, the distinctive sound from the Kylchap exhaust. The loco was over the summit and the coaches followed, in a cloud of steam SNG swept under the bridge. The exhaust cleared quickly in the cool westerly breeze (13C). SNG headed north, down the bank and on towards her encounter with the S&C and Oswald headed home. 1L and 30 mph.

It has been too long since we've had an A4 out on the main line and many years since SNG last took on the challenge of the S&C. [Running as 60007 - 01 Nov 2008, running as 4498 - 16 July 1994 (settlecarlislesteam.co.uk)]. SNG looked good in black for what is reputedly going to be the only main line outing in this livery. I must admit to preferring Garter Blue, but with a physique like that, SNG will look good in anything. I hope that all those on board have a great day and my thanks for contributing to Sir Nigel's return.



(The camera/microphone is still a work in progress, so I've included the phone footage which has better distant sound).

 

Thanks Ralph, I’ll have a play.

 

Diabolical over Shap, being pushed most of the way, very little effort from the A4 !

 

Fire risk perhaps?

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Hopefully, very disappointing. Thankfully it was in full sun. I'd of hate to of been in that last coach.

 

Straight through Carnforth, obviously got plenty of water left from earlier. Preston water stop ?

 

Ground is very wet.


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We are watering at Preston. Hydrant on the platform, but poor pressure. Maybe politics why not Carnforth?

 

Who knows, can say we have had a lot of rain in Cumbria this week.

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Or maybe because the CME is currently a very long way away from where it should be, sitting in P6 at Preston. Surely better for the punters to be able to see the loco rather than stuck in a loop.