WCRC Scarborough Spa/Dalesman/Spirit of the Lakes/normal tours 2022

Bit late .

 

SRMN class No. 35018 'British India Line' works the 'Pendle Dalesman' northbound approaching Horton in Ribblesdale with Mick Kelly driving, Rob Russell firing and Mike McPeake Guard





Very nearly dropped the camera when the relief lifted but with steam to spare 'British India Line' approaches Garsdale with the return 'Pendle Dalesman' withDavid Blair driving, Martyn Soames firing and Steve Adams Guard

 

Must admit it’s pretty scary and loud when up close Ralph.

 

I understand that the re-scheduled run on the 28th has had to be cancelled because of NR routing issues.

 

Thanks for the time. As @30567 says 17m 40s to the summit board is likely/possible (with a 50mph last quarter). I decided to wait a few days to see if any further information emerged - it didn't. I've decided to be a tad more conservative and settle for 17m 42s (BIL+10, no stop at Appleby). This comfortably beats the year's previous best time of 18m 44s (09 Apr, BIL+12, no stop at Appleby).

 

SSE (Northern version) times now up for Thursday's run. Not picking up at Hellifield, but extra stop added at Shipley. Note no stop at Holgate on the way back. Water at Milford?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C34753/2022-07-07/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C34755/2022-07-07/detailed

 

There was already a York Dalesman scheduled for the 14th July?

 

Has anyone received tickets yet for SSE on Thursday?
Thanks Neil

 

35018 BIL on Dalesman today. Just arrived Hellifield.

 

Just left with BIL, no rear gunner, 11 on with 4 Mk1s inc. service coach behind loco. Mk 1s at rear too.

 

Arrived at Hellifield behind 37706 with D345 tucked on the rear. 37706 departed for Carnforth via Settle Junction etc. Curiously D345 departed separately for Carnforth via Clitheroe/Blackburn etc. Also on the train itself one coach was completely empty and one or two others were not full. A sign of the times perhaps? Anyway B.I.L looked splendid!

 

35018 British India Line crossing the Ribble at Sheriff Brow on 5/7/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

If neither diesel was needed to accompany the train over the S&C, it does seem odd to use two separate paths to get them home.

 

Today's "Pensioner's Picnic" was a bit of a late decision. Yesterday's weather forecast (for this morning) had been mixed, cool with maybe the odd shower. Ok to watch a train but not ok to sit outside and eat a bacon butty (an essential prerequisite for Mrs W's attendance). On the day the forecast was a little better with only a low chance of rain - the trip was on! As we walked to the car there was some light drizzle, get it over and done with now.

The train had already left Preston, but with the class 40 on the back there was no point in trying to see it on its way to Hellifield. With a clear road we would have time for the briefest look at BIL waiting at Hellifield. Thankfully traffic was light and we parked up 10 minutes before the train was due to arrive from Chester. A quick walk onto the breezy platform, where BIL was simmering away in the up loop with Mick Rawling in the driver's seat. The cab of the Bullied is "closed in" and I was unable to identify who might be firing from the three others on the footplate. Hellifield station was busy and there were plenty of photographers looking down the Blackburn line waiting to see the class 40 - wonder if they know that it's on the back!? We waited until just after 10.30 but, despite what RTT says, the train had not appeared.



With not too much time left, Helwith Bridge or Horton in Ribblesdale? Horton in R would be a bit more sheltered from the stiff north westerly. On the way there we got in a convoy behind a slow moving motor home and then a quarry wagon (headed for Horton) got baulked by oncoming traffic on the narrow bridges in Horton. As a consequence by the time we had set up at the north end of the station (same place again - sorry) the train had left Hellifield. A couple of "proper Yorkshiremen" provided a few minutes of entertainment, one asking me if I knew who it was who had been posting the videos of trains at Horton on You Tube? I owned up, "Guilty as charged!"

RTT showed 3L at Settle Jn. The train was booked here at 11.17. At 11.17 the sun was shining at 11.20 the sun went behind the clouds just as a distant whistle could be heard. The wind direction was doing us no favours, but then another whistle and finally BIL rounded the curve and whistled again for the crossing at the south end of the platforms. BIL was making all the right noises as she swept her train effortlessly through the station, a lovely grey haze above her chimney and a healthy feather at the safety valves. 38mph and 5L. Away up the hill towards Selside, pockets of exhaust sound were carried towards us on the wind and finally when the train was almost out of sight the sun shone.

The comms went a bit pear-shaped and Ralph didn't get my text until after the train had passed the station, so no wave. As we waited for our bacon butties at Slaidburn there was the briefest shower of light drizzle, then as lunch arrived so did the sun.

For those of you who are out and about watching, or travelling on RTC's "End of Southern Steam" let me assure you that southern steam (courtesy of BIL, Braunton and Tangmere) is alive and well and living here in the north.