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

There was a trespasser on the viaduct near Winsford apparently, happened about 12:15. NR and BTP had to be summoned to remove them.
I was on a northbound Avanti from Crewe towards Blackpool North shortly after the incident occurred and we were held just north of Crewe for an hour, before eventually being sent back south.
The train was then diverted via Manchester, but I decided to abandon my trip, as it sounded like the WCML was going to be in chaos for the rest of the afternoon!

 

I'm trying to work out how to put this tactfully.
Some operators ( and this applies to franchise operators and freight operators as well as charter TOC's) are more "risk sensitive" than others when planning special traffic movements.
On areas that their planners and controllers know well, sometimes chances will be taken. If Network Rail validate the timings, then all well and good. If the timings don't work for junction margins or headways, NR will ask for the timing to be revised, or just do it themselves. If things then go awry, it is a NR delay, not the train operator unless the problem is in the TOC remit like loco, stock or passengers.

Often there are gaps to run FL instead of SL but it's the crossing movements which are often the problem. The speed differential between the service trains and steam workings are not too bad at say Surbiton or Stoats Nest Jn, but very difficult with a higher speed difference and long signal sections at Didcot East Jn or Ledburn Jn.

Cheers, Neil

 

35018 blasting through Appleby about 35 mins late, and cruising Keld some 10 mins early.

 

11 no diesel.

 

Good news. That's a day out for me in a few minutes.

 

Good to see that the no diesel requirement extends beyond the NW and through to Scarborough.

 

Footage of 46115 at Midland Shed and Starrick's Farm .

 

46115 seen climbing out of Carnforth from Midland Shed and passing Starrick's Farm.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman leaving Hellifield with the Scarborough Spa Express on 4/8/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

In and out at Seamer.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman at York yesterday





46115 awaits departure time at Scarborough yesterday

 

I decided to buy myself an extra 30 minutes of daylight by heading over to Gargrave rather than Giggleswick (which is after the Hellifield water stop). It was a pleasant drive on what was a sunny summer's evening. I was first on the platform and much to the consternation of "the next man" who set up alongside me; he proceeded to give me a running commentary of his intentions, I was to be placed in charge of one of his cameras whilst he went to the other platform. I wasn't too impressed, the tripod had a wonky leg and kept collapsing - he was up and down like the proverbial "f**t in a bottle"! Eventually he cleared off to the road bridge much to the relief of the other 3 or 4 photographers who had joined us.

With 20 minutes still to go the low sun shone brightly on the face of road bridge giving it a warm honey coloured glow. The train's progress was monitored on RTT; running RT, but as the minutes ticked by the sun slipped ever lower and the shadows began to creep across the bridge. Away from the Skipton stop RT, shadows lengthening - would any sunlight remain? The stiff and cool northwesterly breeze came directly from behind and would carry the sound of the approaching train away from rather than towards the station.

Then a sound and she appeared from around the distant curve, rushing onwards, working hard up the 1/165r, shining in the few remaining patches of sunlight. The exhaust darkening as coal was placed on the fire, the odd glint of sun and SG burst under the arch of the road bridge, a gleam from the smokebox door. Then she rushed past, a finger of sunshine ran down the carriage sides followed by the reflected green of the nearby signal. The noise from the train grew fainter and the watchers headed home, then the sound was replaced by the glorious roar of the Scot working away up the bank. The breeze now carrying the sound towards us and so the 3 cylinder chimney music continued for the next couple of minutes, then it was time to head home. 2E, 48mph and 14C but feeling cooler.

 

Nicely caught there 'Oswald': I too have encountered the gentleman in question on several occasions, he certainly swings around like the wind on a squally day!

 

Sounds like a friend of ours in Mr Brass , always last minute

 

I did mean to mention the exceptional value that these trips afford; 275 miles of steam haulage through green and verdant northern countryside, accompanied by helpful, charming and knowledgeable stewards (a bit of crawling never does any harm) all the way to Scarbados for an afternoon of fish, chips, ice cream and fun. All this for the unbelievably modest standard fare of only £85 (food and fun not included). Book now for the final trip (01 Sept). Oswald was not paid to say this (but could be open to offers!)

 

I take it you will be on it ?.

 

No plans - yet!?