CME 2023

Shap Wells...


Scots Guardsman at Shap Wells

 

Water stops or the lack of time at them?

The amount of assistance increased noticeably after Hellifield which could either be the need to get to Clitheroe on time despite leaving late or any of the above reasons.

Andrew

 

46115 at Shap Wells , green over bridge , Shap Summit and Stockber .

 

Near the summit, WCME 28.01.23.

 

Why the aggression? @1020 Shireman just pointed out it was a disappointment. I agree. Some people booked on this in the hope and reasonable expectation that there would not be a diesel on the back and there was, no doubt for one of the reasons that @Big Al has posted. These things happen, but for some it's still a disappointment and it's a valid point of view.

 

Shap Wells:



Richard

 

Mrs W and Oswald Jnr went off to the football (draw) leaving me and Diego (a neighbour's cat) to pass the afternoon as we thought fit. I got the steam mop out and cleaned the kitchen floor and Diego curled up and slept until it was time for me to set off (for Wilpshire Bank) and for him to leave.

From lunchtime the day had become murky; mist/very fine drizzle came and went and then returned. I could understand why WCRC had added a diesel to the consist; the weather was forecast to continue much the same and Wilpshire was likely to be a nightmare. Undaunted (or foolish) I headed over to Ramsgreave & W station. I wandered down onto the damp platform. For the moment it was not drizzling and the mist had lifted slightly but the rails looked damp under the station lights. There was someone already set up at Blackburn end of the Clitheroe platform so I went to the other end, perhaps a low level trailing shot? The glow from the fire flickering on the exhaust, and mist swirling under the station lights - you know the sort of thing.

A check on RTT showed SG was 5L at Clitheroe so should be about 15 minutes to go, Oswald had better be about it. Dusk was over it was now dark and light drizzle had begun to fall. I strained my ears for sounds of the approaching train - there were none. Then there was a light shining from around the distant curve before SG appeared, still no sound. The loco hurried towards the station and still no sound, only a token exhaust slipped furtively from the double chimney then lay gently over the carriages. As 46115 reached the station her hooter spluttered into life, the train sped by up the hill, the 47 pushed merrily away and her red tail lights receded into the distance.

I saw almost as much steam mopping the floor (but then I use full regulator and a long stroke - Ming the Merciless!) I've seen plenty of memorable climbs by SG so we can forgive her one forgettable display (but only one!) I usually use i-phones to video in low light but today I decided to try my camera. A bad idea nothing remotely watchable. The 5L at Clitheroe had become RT, no wind, drizzle and 5C. Nothing to show save for a damp (cover your ears, Diego) "dead cat".

This is what Diego made of it

 

View attachment 74412

Climbing Shap in fine style near Salterwath in murky conditions. Please note taken behind a fence.

 

Not going quite so well. We are currently blocking the up and down fast lines and up slow line at Stafford with the brakes stuck on.

 

Problem solved and we are on our way again.

 

lol you've done it again Simon LOL

 

Unfortunately with no repeat of last weeks weather 'Scots Guardsman' heads the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' through Greenholme with the second 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' to Carlisle with Mick Kelly driving, Clive Goult on the
shovel and Roly Parker Guard



Approaching Aisgill summit 'Scots Guardsman' heads the return 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' south with Mick Kelly driving, Clive Goult firing and Roly Parker Guard

 

46115 seen climbing out of Greenholme cutting through to Shap Summit Footbridge and Stockber.

 

Finding a patch of sunlight near Cotehill:



https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/

 

Oh no! I don't believe it! So I have lol

 

'The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' hauled by LMS 7P No.46115 'Scots Guardsman' seen passing Shap Wells and Ais Gill Summit, taken on the 28th January 2023.

Video Available Here

 

46115 at Greenholme and Waitby Rock Cutting with a cameo of the S&C Circular crossing Waitby Common:

 

Could not water at Hellifield as pipe was frozen so assistance was required to preserve what water was left in tender also had to get in front of Clitheroe starter

 

Looking at the videos posted, 46115 was certainly working hard on Shap and the S&C and sounded fantastic, so water issues at Hellifield make sense. Diesel little or no involvement beforehand other than providing ETH (dare I mention it). Perhaps West Coast had advance notice of potential issues at Hellifield.

Looking forward to my trip on the 11th, any clues on motive power?