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

46115 leaving Carnforth , Forton, Brownhill, Gisburn , Settle Junction, Settle and Stockber .

 

Scots Guardsman at Burrow Bridge, Hoghton, Horrocksford and Selside this morning:

 

46115 seen leaving Carnforth with the stock then from Cleverley Bank Lane, Brownhill, Gisburn, Settle Junction, Lodge Lane and Stockber.

 

Surely that location you mean at Langcliffe is from a public footpath Shep.

 

What used to be a public footpath now fenced off

 

The Pendle Dalesman 23 August 2022 – 46115 Scots Guardsman hauling 10+POB

With some rain in the forecast Oswald had decided that it was a good time for another adventure. The Pendle Dalesman ticked all the boxes. It only remained to decided where to board, Preston or Blackburn. Blackburn offered a later start and an earlier finish, 20 less miles to drive, parking is £10 cheaper, whereas Preston offers an additional 24 miles of steam haulage. So, Preston it is!

The train starts at Lancaster and heads south on the WCML before stopping at Preston to pick up passengers. Unusually it stops in platform 2 (very sensible as platform 2 is on the “Slow” side of the station allowing a run down the up slow line in readiness for turning off at Farington Curve Jn without the need to cross other lines).

46115 trundled her way to a stop at the head of 11 coaches (and no diesel – yes!) Mrs W and I had a table at the front of coach H (the 4th behind the loco) and off we went (RT). Mick Rawling was driving and Martyn Soames firing as we headed south on what was a cloudy day but with some watery sunshine. Off at the Jn and up and over the WCML before accelerating through Lostock Hall (34.5mph & 1L). SG was working hard as we hit the bottom of Hoghton Bank (4 miles of 1/100r), through Bamber Bridge at 43.2 and the noise from the exhaust burst in through the open toplight bringing with it a decent helping of fine cinders – the day had started well! Inevitably gravity fought back and we were down to 31 at Hoghton Xing and a minimum of 27.2 at the summit. The exhaust beat quickened noticeably as we headed towards Pleasington (47.9 & RT), up to a max of 52.7 before Cherry Tree (50.7 & 1E) then easing in readiness for our stop in Blackburn (pl 2) to pick up more passengers.

Away (RT) and into the smoky tunnel (lovely), then left at Daisyfield Jn, over the Xing before climbing towards Wilpshire. Just after we passed under the dual carriageway at Brownhill (1/162r) we reached 34 before the final stretch of 1/73r pulled us back to 29.9 at the summit. As we dropped down the bank speed quickly increased to 36.5 through Ramsgreave & Wilpshire (3¼L). We carried on down the hill with speeds in the low to mid 40s and then on towards Clitheroe for our final pickup (arr. 3¼E and left ½L). On the gentle meander through the beautiful Ribble Valley in increasing sunshine we spotted deer, rabbits, pheasants and several photographers. We were held for 2 minutes outside Hellifield before running into the DGL for water (3¾E).

The weather was dull and dry, and would probably remain so, although possible showers were forecast, and clouds were covering the tops of the high, distant hills. Almost 3L we were off, speed built quickly as SG was set to her work. Up to 36.4 at Long Preston (4¾L). 46115 was starting to roar as she outpaced the cars on the nearby A65, an incessant growl from the front as cinders swirled in through the fully open toplight. We sped past Settle Jn SB (58.1 & 3¼L), up to a max of 59.1 before we crossed over the A65 and charged our way towards Settle.

What a spectacle for those waiting on the platforms at Settle station as we blasted through at 48.9 (2½L). Still noisy, still forging up the hill but the hill was fighting back. 40.9 into Stainforth Tunnel, down to 36.5 as we crossed the Ribble at Sheriff Brow and down to a min of 32.1 at Helwith Bridge where fortunately the gradient eases. Gathering herself SG accelerated past a stone train sitting in the quarry branch and up to a max of 37.1 at Crag Hill Farm. Back onto the 1/100r speed fell back again 32.6 & 2L at Horton in R where all the usual suspects were waiting. The slight easing in gradient saw us back up to 34.1 but then comes the last slog up the 1/100r. Speed fell back as the loco battled hard and we settled to a steady (but still noisy) 30/31 up through Selside and beyond, before easing for Ribblehead and Batty Moss Viaduct.

The time from Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor SB was a solid but unremarkable 23m 57s with 25m 57s to Blea Moor Tunnel. By Dent we were 6¼L and we hastened onwards, Garsdale (57.9 & 6L), across Dandry Mire at 60.1 and on past the summit board at Ais Gill (56.1 & 5¼L). We sped down the hill but attempts to win back dropped time were thwarted when we were stopped outside Appleby station for 2 mins. There appeared to be nothing in front of us but NR staff were working on the track by the SB? The Langwathby water stop was missed and our 9½L became 2½E and with an unchecked run we stopped in pl 3 at Carlisle 4E.

As we had plenty of time, we took the obligatory wander to the front to admire the loco and thank the crew for their efforts. Now with David Blair driving, unusually the shunt of the ECS into A road started by propelling south, much to the bemusement of those on the footplate. We strolled down to the park by the castle and ate our food sitting on a park bench – has it come to this already?! A bit more strolling about until it was time to head back to the station. SG & POB were now coupled to the south end of stock and waiting in A road for the signal to shunt across to pl 3 in readiness for departure.

Back on board we were now at the rear of the 9th coach, still with a noisy loco at the front I was hopeful of a good soundtrack. It was pleasantly warm, sunny but a tad humid. Rob Russell was now firing. RT we headed south and SG was soon into her stride, 21 at Petteril Bridge Jn rose to 30.2 as we passed under the M6. Onto 3 miles of 1/132r and speed rose to 34.9 past Cumwhinton, then some level track. 44.7 at Howe & Co SB and back onto 1/132r where speed held to a min of 41 at the minor summit. Down past Low House Box (51.6 & 2¼E), up to 61 across Drybeck Viaduct before falling back to 57.7 at Armathwaite. Dropping down again and just nudging 64 in the dip, taking 61.1 into Armathwaite Tunnel, climbing in and out of the tunnels, bursts of sound with cinders ricocheting off the tunnel roofs and onto the table (and me). 56.3 out of Barons Wood No2 and hammering on towards the summit.

The fast running continued as we swept down the hill then up towards Lazonby, down again and across Long Meg Viaduct where there was more water in the Eden than 5 weeks ago and two men were working on several large nets stretched out in the river. Up the hill towards Langwathby (59 & 4½E), we pressed on, Culgaith (61.6 & 6E), past Kirkby Thore SB (57.4 & 6¼E) and finally Long Marton (61 & 7E) before we began slowing. A good day just got even better, we were having an ice cream stop at Appleby. As the train stopped in the station Mrs W was already a couple of coaches forward and heading for the ice cream stall. Carlisle to Appleby (start to stop) in an excellent and entertaining 40m 27s.

Mrs W returned with two tubs of Blackcurrant ice cream – mmm, lovely! Now for another treat (we hope). We were away 5½E and it took us (in coach 9) just under a minute to pass MP277¼ on the platform. So, from a standing start just how much speed could SG muster before we started the gruelling climb? We reached a max of 54.6 as we crossed Ormside Viaduct and 54.3 past MP275, the start of the Blue Riband section. With SG shouting away we were into Helm Tunnel at 45.7 and out at 42.7 but down to 37.6 as we approached Griseburn Viaduct where the gradient eases.

Off the viaduct at 39.4 and, taking full advantage of the easing, we were up to 52.5 at Smardale but then it’s back onto the 1/100r, for almost 9 miles with only a couple of short respites – onwards and upwards! By Kirkby Stephen we were down to 36.4, the first of the easings took us briefly back up to 38.4. This was short lived as speed fell back to 32.7 into Birkett Tunnel and 31.2 out; the cinders rattled through the window. Now we were onto the 1/330r at Mallerstang, speed recovered well and up to 41.9 at Sycamore Tree Farm, now less than 3 miles to the summit. Angerholme 36.7, across Ais Gill Viaduct at 35.4 under the road bridge at 33.9 followed by a minimum of 33.1 then up to 37.3 at the Summit Board (6¾E). MP275 to the “Board” 22m 49s, 11 up and no diesel!

“Along the top and down the other side” was accomplished with a minimum of fuss and with all the usual speeds in all the usual places. This culminated in us stopping in the loop at Hellifield 8½E for a scheduled stop of around an hour. We had a good chat with @RalphW who was a steward “down the posh end” and with Martyn Soames. On WCRC trips where he is fireman Martyn unfailingly walks the length of the train chatting to any/all passengers, he engenders the feelgood factor associated with steam hauled trains – a terrific ambassador!

A couple of minutes early we left Hellifield and headed (very) slowly towards Clitheroe, the time allowed is more than generous. Despite David’s best efforts we still had a wait at Horrocksford Jn before being allowed into Clitheroe station to set down passengers. We left a little under a minute late and made our way towards Whalley hoping that the 19.10 Rochdale train would have cleared Daisyfield. We came to a stop some distance before the signal hoping that it would change. It did not. We edged closer but stopped again. Eventually the signal cleared and we were off, with a roar from the front we reached 22.4 through the station (5L) and held the same speed across the Arches. The decibels increased and we began to accelerate up the bank. The noise was fantastic, up to 27.9 at Langho (5L) and still the power kept coming, up to a max of 29.3 before falling slightly as we (in coach 9) entered Wilpshire Tunnel at 28.5 and down to 25.4 as we left. Finally through Ramsgreave & Wilpshire (27.6 & 4L). The time for the 4½ miles between the stations was 10m 07s.

The run back to Preston was regulation but still enjoyable in the rapidly fading light and remarkable only that we ran into pl 4 without being checked. Good to see Ralph again and my thanks to all involved in organising and delivering the day’s entertainment – a grand day out!

 

Fantastic write up, always a pleasure to read for those of us who cannot get out or travel.

Martyn certainly is a fantastic ambassador, not just a Fireman, support crew and great teacher but also a showman at heart! Not bad for a grumpy Yorkshireman I suppose!



Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

I believe the footpath has been rerouted some distance away from the railway in relation to redevelopment of the lime works as industrial units.

 

46115 at Baron Wood & Hellifield.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/52306481166/in/datetaken-public/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/52306481371/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

There is a new footpath but it is only feet away from the original ,separated by a very substantial fence,at the back of the re-development

 

Correct

 

I'm pleased that you enjoyed reading my account of the day's events. It does take a bit of time to gather all the info together then type it up and your kind remarks make it all the more worthwhile - thank you.

As you say Martyn is a great character and I hope that WCRC realise what a key player they have. Martyn and Rob Russell appear to have shared almost all the midweek (and many of the weekend) firing turns in the NW during the spring and summer and still find time to "entertain the punters". Shortly after arrival at Carlisle Martyn tucks into a well-earned pie whilst chatting to, and amusing, the passengers gathered on the platform, he is aided and abetted by Rob Russell.

 

Tuesday's time over the "Blue Riband section" was 22m 49s (46115 + 11). Of the times posted for the year it was the 7th fastest overall. Considering only "pure steam" runs (no diesel) it was the 5th fastest, the 2nd fastest starting from Appleby and the fastest with a load of more than 9 coaches. [On 02 Aug the Pendle Dalesman, (35018 + 9) starting from Appleby recorded a time of 21m 20s].

 

Scots Guardsman at Starricks Farm

 

46115 approaching Clapham , Clapham and leaving Hellifield.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman passing Armitstead with the Scarborough Spa Express of 1/9/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

46115 seen approaching Clapham Station then climbing to the curve and departing Hellifield.

 

Went to Woodlesford and York today to see 46115 Scots Guardsman with the last of 3 Scarborough Spa Express's this year 1st September 2022
46115 Scots Guardsman at Woodlesford
https://tinyurl.com/4jp6spxt
and at York
https://tinyurl.com/3zbu3fdr
Neil

 

'Nige757'
Hello!
Thank You for sharing your excellent video showing 'Scots Guardsman' working 'The Scarborough Spa Express' this morning. It was good to meet you and have a brief chat in a beautiful location, especially as I can now re-live the spectacle I watched whilst you recorded it for everyone to enjoy. I probably spend more time satisfying my interest in railways by following 'What's Going On' on 'National Preservation' than going out to watch or travel on the real thing - So ' Thank You' to you (Nige757) / Steve Thompson / Idris and Eric and to all the others who take the trouble to let us all see 'What has been going on'.
As I'm especially interested in the performance of the locomotives, particularly on the climbs over Shap and on 'The Midland', Many Thanks too to 'Mick45305', 'Oswald T Whistle' and all the others who record and take the trouble to post details of train running - and a special 'Thank You' to 'Bill2' for the detailed description of 35018's marvellous run on the 'CME' from Carnforth to Carlisle on Saturday 27.08.2022 - what would CJA or O S Nock have thought?
Best Wishes from Tony - from Morecambe (who sometimes realises it didn't all end in September 1964!)