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

'The Dalesman' on the 20th September 2022, hauled by SR MN No.35018 'British India Line'. Seen passing Settle Junction, Hugh's Crag Viaduct, Eden Valley Loop, Lambrigg Foot and Docker Viaduct.

Video Available Here

 

I had planned to book a ride on tomorrow's Dalesman but unforeseen events have prevented me from travelling (or watching). I would be especially grateful if anyone travelling can record, then post a time for the climb from Ormside to the Aisgill summit sign. I am keeping a record of all posted times for the year. [Pleases see post #63 for full details.]

Thanks in anticipation and enjoy. Remember, "Oswald needs YOUR time!"

 

A report on the Dalesman of 20th September. I joined at Preston, and the train was diesel hauled to Hellifield loop where 35018 was attached, with the support coach making 11 for around 417 tons tare and 440 gross. The weather had been wet in the morning but this cleared up by Hellifield, though still quite murky at times. However I think the rails were dry, and things improved further north and it was fine and sunny in the afternoon.

Start from Hellifield was a minute late, and once on the main line times and speeds were 4 min 2 sec to Long Preston at 35 mph; 6 m 36 s to Settle Junction. with a maximum of 57; 8 m 57 s to Settle at 46½; 12 m 19 s leaving Stainforth tunnel at 35; and a minimum of 32½ at the top of the 1-in-100 with a recovery to 39½ on the following easier section. The locomotive was then opened out somewhat and Horton was passed in 18 m 45 s at 35½ with a fall to 35 afterwards but an increase to 37½ on the slightly easier length to post 243¾ followed by 35 at Selside and speed gradually being allowed to dwindle approaching Ribblehead, passed in 26 m 58 s. There was a slowing to 20 mph for a tsr over the pointwork south of Blea Moor, passed in 30 m 18 s, and recovery saw 25 mph approaching the tunnel, but I think there was a slip inside. Afterwards, acceleration gave 43½ before braking to 29 for the slack at Dent, passed in 39 m 43 s, and time to Garsdale was 43 m 50 s at 60½ mph with a minimum of 57½ approaching Ais Gill. The restrained downhill run needs little comment other that the scheduled stop at Appleby was omitted and with a slack before Baron Wood platform 3 at Carlisle was reached in 104 m 47 s, six minutes early.

The stock was stabled in the siding opposite platform 1 as usual while the locomotive went for servicing and to turn, but everything was completed in good time for a punctual departure, again from platform 3. A measured acceleration gave 36½ mph at post 64½ at the top of the initial 1-in-131, after which times and speeds were 11 m 31 s to Wreay at 38; 14 m 54 s to Southwaite at 49; 17 m 33 s to post 59½ at the top of the 1-in-228 at 52½; 19 m 53 s to post 57½ up 1-in-164 at 51; 21 m 31 s to Plumpton at 60½, 63 on the subsequent level and 60½ at post 53½. Penrith was then passed in 25 m 59 s at 69 mph with a maximum of 72½ in the dip at Eamont. The top of the 1-in-193 at post 49 was carried at 69, and after a maximum of 70 at the bottom of the long 1-in-125, Eden Valley Junction was passed at 66 mph in 28 m 49 s and Harrisons Sidings in 35 m 44 s with a minimum of 48. Time to Shap station was 38 m 5 s with a maximum of 53½ on the brief level section and a minimum of 49 at post 38¼ the top of the climb. Passing the summit sign in 40 m 36 s, Tebay was reached in 45 m 20 s and the pathing stop in Grayrigg loop in 53 m 59 s, exactly as scheduled. Two trains overtook and the restart was five late, but things were taken cautiously at first to avoid catching the second at Oxenholme However once it was seen that the line was clear there was a quick acceleration to 68 through the station, passed in 10 m 16 s and Milnthorpe in 14 m 49 s with a maximum of 77 at the bottom of the bank. After the usual steady approach, time to the loop at Carnforth was 27 m 42 s, where British India Line was detached.

A successful tour., many thanks to West Coast and staff.

 

22nd September 2022 46115 Scots Guardsman The Dalesman - YouTube

Today's Dalesman hauled by 46115 Scots Guardsman

 

A short video from Lodge Road overbridge today on the outward leg:

 

46115 at a soggy Kirkby Stephen.

 

46115 seen from Cragg Hill Farm Crossing and a thoroughly dismal Aisgill.

 

Lovely exhaust, but looking at the weather makes me almost happy that I wasn't up to making the trip after all. Revised target 6th October Dalesman.

 

You did right not to turn out Alan, no point in rushing it until you’re 100% as there’s always another time, you could count the folk there on one hand.

 

If anyone is travelling today a time for Ormside to Aisgill would be appreciated. See post #63 for details. Thanks.

 

Yesterday the weather forecast for today was for frequent showers; thankfully it was wrong. The day dawned dry with unbroken sunshine. Most of Oswald's plans had involved a brolly - still, mustn't grumble! I decided to go to Pleasington station; even I realise that I have flogged Chapel Lane to death (and beyond). For an eastbound train then convention would be to choose the westbound platform. However, with my current run of luck (or lack of it) and with a Colne to Preston service due to stop 3 minutes before the Pendle Dalesman was scheduled, I chose the "tight" side.

The sun rose higher in the sky and lit the distant track that bisects the nearby golf course. The Pendle Dalesman had departed Preston 1L and was through Bamber Bridge 1L, the service train came and went RT. Then a succession of shrill distant whistles, followed a little later by another much nearer whistle; BIL at Chapel Lane? A cloud of exhaust appeared from around the far curve, then a loco appeared - definitely BIL! Plenty of exhaust in the cool morning air, plenty of chatter from the chimney top as 35018 hurried towards the station, the smokebox picked out by the shafts of sunlight that cut through the gaps in the trees. Through the station, close up the coaches shot past and NO diesel! 9C, 45 mph and 3L. A pleasure to see on a cool autumn morning.

 

That must have parted your hair young Whistle

 

It might have done if I had enough to part!

 

35018 at Horrocksford and Selside Shaw this morning:

 

35018 at Carnforth, Hest Bank, Hellifield, Taitlands Tunnel and Garsdale.

 

SRMN class No. 34018 'British India Line' approaching Ribblehead with the northbound 'Pendle Dalesman fron Lancaster to Carlisle



Returning 'Pendle Dalesman' meets the northbound 'Lakes Express' with much whistling and fanfare

 

35018 seen leaving Carnforth from Crag Bank with the empty stock then Hest Bank Crossing, crawling into Hellifield Station, Taitlands Tunnel then crossing Dandry Mire Viaduct and on to Risehill Tunnel.

 

Pendle Dalesman 27th September, 35018 load 11 for 417/around 435 tons. Starting from Appleby, time from post 275 to Ais Gill 24 min 40 sec, maximum 50 mph at Ormside, minimum 29.8 at Ais Gill.

 

I headed over to Wilpshire, the light was fading rapidly and by the time the train was due it would be dark, so little choice but the station with its rows of lighting columns. The temporary traffic lights and roadworks were still in place but traffic at this time was light. I settled in at the Blackburn end of Clitheroe bound platform. I had chosen to record with a pair of iphones; in my hands my camera always seems to produce a less natural result in low light. Back in Darwen we had had some light showers around 4pm but a local resident told me that hereabouts it had remained dry throughout the day.

The Rochdale bound train came and went and then the Clitheroe service that thankfully departed just before the Pendle Dalesman was due. Then in the distance came the unmistakable sound of a 3-cylinder exhaust and sounding good. Then silence, into Wilpshire Tunnel, BIL would soon be out again making even louder. The silence continued. Had BIL been further away and not yet reached the tunnel?

Then came the sound of a loco attempting to restart, slipping, a couple of exhaust beats, more slipping, more beats and so it continued until BIL finally regained her feet. Sadly, all this took place out of sight from around the distant bend - the site of the old Wilpshire station. The slow exhaust beat continued with no further slipping. Eventually the lights on BIL's buffer beam appeared in the far distance and the loco continued her measured tread up the bank. The video starts a full two and a half minutes after BIL rounded the curve. BIL plodded towards us, the driver content to let the loco make her own pace as she climbed through the station, ever so gradually accelerating. Steam from the chimney drifted gently skywards with each soft beat of the exhaust, the driving wheels "floating" on a bed of hissing steam as the sanders did their job. Under the road bridge and a flash of firelight flickered on the underside of the exhaust. The train continued up and over the summit. 10C, very slow and around 8L.

Why had BIL slipped to a stand? There was no leaf fall, there had been no rain. Walking back to the car I noticed that all the parked cars were covered with a fine haze of dew that hadn't been present 45 minutes earlier; it seems quite likely that the dew had also settled on the railhead causing adhesion difficulties.