Northern Belle 2022

Tangmere had plenty of steam to spare as it started blowing off at Salterwath but the diesel was giving it some.

 

Totally correct Al sadly.

 

Not likely to bother anyone onboard as I doubt there are any enthusiasts on it with most happy to have the “show pony” at the front even if it’s not doing a lot.

 

Going nicely.

 

34067 & NB seen on the return leg on 30.07.22 - yet more rain...

 

34067 at Shap Wells and Birkett Tunnel.

 

Weather grim at Greenholme but SR BoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' puts on a show as it works today's 'Northern Belle' towards Shap and on to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Martyn Soames firing and Roly Parker Guard both north and south



Making for a nice sight and sound 'Tangmere' works the return 'Northern Belle' through a rather damp Dent Station

 

34067 seen from Shap Wells and Birkett Tunnel.

 

It was inevitable that it would rain today, and it did; steady rain in the morning gave way to persistent drizzle in the afternoon. Then just after I left home it stopped; the wipers juddered across the windscreen. Typical, I had decided to travel light with just a couple of iphones, my old tripod and an umbrella; no camera or microphone what an idiot I am! Then it came on to rain again, maybe a sensible decision after all.

I parked up near Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, a check on RTT - 5E off Hellifield. It was pathed to run behind the Chirk bound log train but this had been cancelled so presumably our train would be given the road at Horrocksford Jn (and could be early). The drizzle had stopped and I began to set up in my favourite spot. There was only one other person on the station; a guy with a video camera and tripod who was halfway down the platform. He decided that he would come and join me. We chatted away he was a retired driver from Longsight; from firing on steam, through diesels, electrics and finally retired when driving Voyagers.

It began to rain again, brollies up, 10E off Clitheroe and, with the diesel on the back, should pick up another few minutes on the climb. Then in the drizzle Tangmere appeared, heavy grey exhaust spewed from her wide chimney and hung in the damp, humid air between the trees. She was chattering merrily and approaching quickly, a wave from the footplate as she shot by. The coaches whizzed past followed by the 47 snarling along as it pushed and jostled its way up the hill. Off towards the summit, the train shrouded in exhaust, looking more like October than July. 14E & 41mph.

There were only three of us on the station with two more on the road bridge. If this is "Show Pony Steam" then the "Pony" put on quite a Show. A short distance into my drive home the drizzle stopped and it has remained dry since!! When I arrived home, Mrs W and Oswald Jnr were already back from football (in July?) - won!

[Apologies for the wonky camera angle on the going away shot; Oswald+clamp+brolly was asking for trouble.]

 

Please don't complain about the weather. We're performing rain dances in the south of the country for a drop of rain . <BJ>

 

Just wash the car, that'll guarantee a downpour!

 

Excellent Nige, in spite of the weather. Tangmere was certainly doing its bit!

 

Does any other train have such a variety of coaches (BR MkI, MkII and MkIII, some pretend-Pullmans and one real Pullman)?

 

Thanks David, was well assisted on Shap which was to be expected but in command at Birkett and sounding great with it.

 

Apologies if I've missed it elsewhere, but this points to the nationwide steam ban having been amended now. Clearly local/regional rain makes things fine in those locations but what is the status of the ban? Here in Surrey we are dry, dry, dry and desperate for rain, along with many other southern and eastern areas.

 

Elsewhere the verdict is that it never was a nationwide ban. The Grosmont to Whitby has operated as has the Jacobite. It remains to be seen whether the WCR trains on Tue and Thu run unassisted but I would say conditions in the north are more favourable for steam than at any time in May and June. Zonal restrictions make a lot more sense than national.

 

Fluid seems to be the correct word.
Saphos Kingswear trip yesterday had diesel behind steam with a diesel also on the back.
I understand from a post on a different thread Royal Duchy today had Duchess on the front, diesel on the back.

 

I agree, and I always thought a UK ban was unrealistic. Down here in north Surrey we haven't had much more than a shower since about March - it's drier than I've ever known before. The long-range forecast also says staying dry and warm in the SE so things are looking dire (speaking also as a gardener).

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63360/2022-08-17/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63364/2022-08-17/detailed

Tangmere on the Northern Belle today?