Flying Scotsman & Lady of Legend ELR March/April

I see 2999 Lady of Legend is visiting the ELR alongside 60103 Flying Scotsman in March and later in April
https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/ride-with-the-lady-of-legend/

Neil

 

Timetable now available:

https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ride-Behind-Scotsman-TT-V3.pdf

Observations for which way the loco's face greatly appreciated.

 

From comments read elsewhere (Facebook I believe it was), FS is facing Rawtenstall this time.

 

Correct

 

Anyone confirm the Lady of Legend has arrived and which way she's pointing, can't find anything posted anywhere?
Thanks in anticipation.

 

Both facing north.

Each day of the event there is also shunting demonstrations at the yard in front of Bury Transport Museum (Sentinel Ann doing the honours this weekend)

 

All FS trains this weekend sold out, extremely limited (around 140 seats) for the following week. That would make around 11200 passengers over the 25 trains on FS alone. 4 sold out diners as well as 4 sold out static footplate days.
On the day or advance on Lady of Legend & DMU.
FS also used yesterday on 3 International Womens Day specials in conjunction with the NRM, featuring all female crews. Excellent coverage on BBC North West.

 

A Scotsman and a Lady on the ELR 11 March 2023

The East Lancashire Railway have launched their 2023 season with an fantastic double bill. The undoubted star is No 60103 Flying Scotsman, beginning its centenary year with 25 trips over two weekends from Bury to Rawtenstall and back.

The other star is a recreated GWR Saint class 4-6-0 No 2999 Lady of Legend, visiting from Didcot Railway Centre.

All the seats on the Flying Scotsman special had been sold but the Lady was heading the normal steam service from Bury to Rawtenstall on a sunny early Spring morning

15 photos are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p956051664

Peter on a cold March evening in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

My contribution for Saturday 11 March, started nice and sunny, come 4.00pm the snow flurries had set in, time to go home and watch France trounce England. Of the Lady train, never more than a third full all day by our estimation.

 

deleted

 

A couple taken on Sunday ,Brooksbottom Viaduct and Irwell Vale.

 

I went over to Ramsbottom on the ELR today to get some photos of 60103 Flying Scotsman & 2999 Lady of Legend
https://tinyurl.com/kepm7hb8
https://tinyurl.com/39tdp26j

Neil

 

Some footage of LNER A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' kickstarting her centenary year, running at the East Lancashire Railway

 

Just to prove "it's grim up north" a couple from today's visit - concentrating on 2999

 

2999 withdrawn with a broken spring
Diesel substitution for Sunday

 

We took some Friends to Ramsbottom on Friday, John had grown up in Doncaster and a keen spotter during the late 50's to the end of steam, lucky lad! However he had never seen Scotsman in steam, copped it being towed dead into the Plant, so chance to see it in action. Few shots of 60103 and 2999>

 

I went over to ELR yesterday Saturday 18th March 2023
3 locos in steam

60103 Flying Scotsman, at Bury and Rawtenstall
https://tinyurl.com/kszbh8vy

2999 Lady of Legend at Bury, belting it down with rain. (sadly a broken spring has stopped the loco working on Sunday 19th March)
https://tinyurl.com/bdksa2r3
&
11243 L&YR 'Pug'
https://tinyurl.com/3kb8arp5

Neil

 

Scotsman again on the ELR 18 March 2023

I am back at the ELR, this time with a ticket for the special Flying Scotsman run to Rawtenstall and back. This is the first of five today and they are all fully booked. Over the five days of running, well over 10,000 will have travelled - good news for steam preservation in general and the ELR and NRM in particular.

I have taken hundreds of pictures of scores of engines from the south end of Rawtenstall station, but as I look at Scotsman I reflect on its 100 year life. Record breaker, world traveller, millionaire bankrupter, beautifully restored in Bury, still working hard for its living, a true national treasure.

I am reminded of the Stone Roses song played before every match at Old Trafford: "this is the one, this is the one, THIS IS THE ONE!"

10 photos are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p865403282

Peter on a grey Mothering Sunday afternoon in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

All 25 trains over the 5 running days were sold out carrying over 11,050 passengers, together with 4 sold out diners, and 5 days of sold out static footplate, together with a special volunteers train and 3 trains on International Women's Day.
The appearance of 'Lady of Legend' (alongside Flying Scotsman) also provided several very full service trains, with repair of spring that forced its non-appearance today to be effected this week.