Fellsman tours 2023

I’m beginning to worry about you Swiss

 

46100 accelerating away from Euxton on the return leg:

 

RTT showing 45231 & 47.828 for today’s Fellsman.

 

Yesterday it was almost lunchtime before the sun managed to chase the clouds away, today's forecast was for something similar. Mrs W volunteered to accompany me on this morning's outing. Instead of Chapel Lane we decided to go lower down the bank, by the gate of Oram's No 3 crossing. [There are several crossings of the line in the area and I have never really understood the names. To the west there is Oram's No 1 crossing - but no Oram's No 2 ". A couple of hundred yards to the east, the crossing carrying the track from Bourne's Row to Oram Road is named Gregson Lane. Whilst a little further to the east the crossing that is ON Gregson Lane is named Mintholme.]

We arrived in good time and found a couple of photographers already in situ. It was good to meet Danny again (NP member). All the passing service trains were travelling at very reduced speeds - reason unknown! 45231 was substituting for an unavailable Royal Scot.

RTT showed the train 8L at Leyland and then 11L at Bamber Bridge, just a couple of miles away. True to forecast the cloud hung about and the morning remained cool - may be some visible exhaust! And there was! Above the trees in the distance white exhaust rose into the sky and shortly afterwards 45321 rounded the curve. In keeping with the other trains speed was sedate but the exhaust beat was crisp and strong with white exhaust blasting from the chimney top. Closer and louder, a real pleasure at these speeds, plenty to watch and what a wonderful accompaniment, the barking exhaust supplemented by the occasional blast on the hooter. Slowly past, the sound from each coach bogie as it rolled by and then the idling 47. As the noise from diesel faded the sound of the hard working "Five" drifted towards us on the cool easterly breeze as she lifted the train up the final 2 miles of 1/101r to the summit. All packed up and ready to go and still the exhaust beat drifted back - wonderful.

11C but feeling cooler, around 13L and 17mph. The sun is out, Mrs W is off out, the cat's in and so am I until its time for this evening's treat, a Black 5 on Wilpshire Bank - now where did I put that leek!

 

A nice surprise when the black 5 came by me today. Long time no see. I’d been expecting the Scot.

 

Nice one. Hope you get similar sound this evening

 

45231 on the Fellsman seen at Selside

 

45231 approaching Mr Wistle's cameras at Gregson Lane & digging into the climb at Helwith Bridge.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/52957659566/in/datetaken-public/



https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/52957807214/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

No. 45231 'Sherwood Forester' approaching Stainforth Tunnel with the northbound 'Fellsman' to Carlisle



'Sherwood Forester' approaching Waitby Common with the returning 'Fellsman' rail tour to Crewe

 

45231 seen from above Helwith Bridge (by kind permission from the farmers wife) and Birkett Common.

 

Three from today's unexpected treat. I wasn't expecting the 5 until it arrived.

 

Spot on Nige and a fitting tribute to your longtime lineside friend Don .

 

Excellent sequences Nige. 5231 looking and sounding good!

 

By lunchtime the clouds had gone and the sun was shining. Mrs W joined me on the trip over to Wilpshire. After a bit of "toing and froing" we settled for me down on the platform for an approach shot and Mrs W up on the road bridge (in the sunshine) videoing the climb up to the summit. A check on RTT revealed something that I didn't want to see, the Clitheroe bound service train was running 10L at Blackburn and expected to arrive at R&W at 18.51. With a quick stop it should be away at 18.53. The Fellsman was booked to pass R&W at 18.58 but had left Clitheroe 1E - should still be ok . . . probably!

At 18.51 the service train stopped in the station, around 20 passengers got off. One decided to get back on, the guard followed him on to the train, the passenger got off but then got on again at another door - the faffing continued, the train remained stationary. Then the sound of a Stanier hooter followed by a strong, rhythmic exhaust beat. Looking along the platform, a quick glimpse of the loco as it rounded the distant curve before it vanished behind the still stationary unit. At this point Oswald panicked . . . wait and hope? swing round for a going-away shot? I tried both and then the unit set off. I moved the tripod nearer to the platform edge to improve the angle. The "Five" was blasting away. She appeared from behind the now departing service train. "Switch the camera on, you idiot!" I did and although the shot is poorly framed, I did get something. As ever I had to rely on Mrs W to do it properly - and she did!

This morning was fine but then I had my hair cut and from then on the day went downhill. Back to the entertainment, the bit I saw and more importantly heard was a real bit of "That old Black (5) Magic". 17C, 4E and 24mph. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

 

'The Fellsman' on the 7th June 2023, seen passing Ramsgreave, Settle Junction, Lazonby, Waitby, Hellifield Green and Wilpshire Bank.

Video Available Here

 

Today's Fellsman with 45231, outbound and return.

 

Lovely! That long pan past the quarry was a cracker.

 

Awesome tour for 45231

 

Diesel taking its own weight more or less. Probably makes the train 10 or 11. Perfect for a strong class 5.

Thats how 5305 Gti used to go over there in the 80s. On a perfect day 1st March 1980 we had the place to ourselves struggling to keep up with 5305 in Dads Toyota Carina through Horton and Sellside. The weather was perfect after the forecast was wrong so the majority missed out. Happy days!

 

1 March 1980 is a date etched in my mind.

4472 took the first leg to Skipton, with 5305 taking over there. I went down for what has turned out to be my only visit to Skipton to this day. Escort 1300 Sport, packed with my wife, two young boys, and supplies for the day (including nappies). As we passed Teesside on the A19, The Escort suddenly started roaring. The 4 branch exhaust manifold had split in two. Fortunately I found a garage that sent out for a replacement and after a short wait it was fitted and we pressed on. Too late for 5305's departure, but at least my 4-year-old got to see 4472 again at the station and departing light engine.He picked up a piece of ballast, which he named 'The Skipton Rock' and he kept it for years. The baby didn't care.