CME 2023

The Crosby G shots a belter Shep as using both walls instead of one was very inspiring .

 

Yes but Graham will have the actual time

 

The CME must be about the tightest steam schedule there is, at least as far as Preston on the way back. To run in front of the stopper, you have to be 15 mins in front of it at Clitheroe which means leaving Hellifield no more than 10 late, say 1645. Given everything that can happen--late start at Carlisle, poor rail conditions up Ais Gill, conflict with the Carlisle-Leeds unit at Hellifield etc-- that's demanding. But there is at least 30-40 mins slack in the Preston to London schedule.

 

Superb shots.....

 

'The Cumbrian Mountain Express' hauled by SR No.35018 'British India Line' on the 5th August, seen at Birkbeck Viaduct, Greenholme and Smardale.

Video Available Here

 

It had rained on and off for most of the day. Mrs W and Oswald Jnr had gone to the football (first match of the season) so if a brolly holder was needed it was going to be me.

Despite BIL losing some time whilst heading south it might just be recoverable for an on-time departure from Clitheroe; I left home in good time - just in case. When I got to Wilpshire there was no phone signal. There are some locations on Whalley road near to the station that never seem to have a signal, but where I was parked wasn't one of them. As it was not raining I walked down onto the station platform where there is always 4G - but this time there wasn't! This was going to be a bit like the "good old days" when you had a time and just waited.

I decided to gather up my kit and get ready (whilst it remained dry). Not long afterwards it began to rain; carrier bag over the camera and brolly up. On the good news side, the phone network was back, on the bad news side BIL had not long left Hellifield. I wandered along the platform for a chat with a couple of regulars and later went into the shelter and a break from holding the brolly. A few checks on RTT finally confirmed that the Rochdale service train was going to run before the CME - it was going to be a bit of a wait. I passed the news on to the others who were waiting patiently in the rain.

BIL left Clitheroe, the east and westbound service trains stopped in the station at the same time and then were gone. As soon as the Rochdale train cleared Daisyfield Jn, the CME could leave Whalley (where it was probably waiting). Brolly up and back to the camera and tripod. I hoped BIL wouldn't quietly sneak up on me as had happened previously. With perhaps less than 5 minutes before the train was due I removed the bag and readied the camera.

I needn't have worried about a silent approach, BIL was making a bit of a racket (for BIL) and with sound levels rising she appeared at the bend. The exhaust was shooting high into the sky. With only the lightest of breezes the exhaust hung in the trees, the sound grew louder, crisp, regular and an ever increasing hiss from the steam sanders. Progress was imperious, a powerful loco doing what she was designed to do. She moved without a hint of a slip or hesitation on rails made wet by the incessant rain. She powered by, Oswald's wave was returned by a couple of the crew on the footplate. As BIL passed under the road bridge the sound dropped dramatically, shielded by the bridge and carried away from the station by the northerly breeze. The 11 maroon carriages glided by (and no diesel).

12C (but feeling cooler in the rain and breeze), 37L & 23/24mph.

Thanks to all those involved in providing this evening's free floorshow for the 5 of us who waited in the rain on Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station - it was worth the wait! Mrs W's team won! (Next outing, Tuesday - Pendle Dalesman.)

 

35018 seen from Salterwath and Waitby Rock Cutting area.

 

Enjoyed that Simon,nice zoom back at Greenholme and a different take from other side at Smardale,good to see

 

67 mins 32.1 secs

 

Not even close. Shap Climbing Summit 31.7

 

The enigma that is 35018. Ran like a Class 8 for a while. Barebones Outward: Yealand topped at 37; Milnethorpe 66.4; Oxenholme 57; Grayrigg 42.6; Tebay 74.5; Scout Green 46.5; Shap Climbing Summit 31.7.
Barebones Return: Mp300, nr Low House: 32.7; Carlisle-Appleby 47m 33s; 'Blue Riband' 30m 11.9s, 29.3 mph; Appleby to Hellifield Loop: 1 hr 11m; Wilpshire: R&W mp13 1/4 23.1.

 

Thanks. A respectable time

 

38m 12.4s

 

Decided yesterday as it was a good run as far as Shap Summit I'd record as many mileposts as I could down the bank into Carlisle as well. The undergrowth loved the rain in July. Amazing how tall some of the grass and ferns were, almost obscuring the posts, even the very big ones for the mile or so after mp30. Missed a few 'cos of that. Haven't done a full check but they look OK. Good outward. Will do the return later. It turned into a typical CME. Good morning; not so good afternoon.

On the outward we were middle of Coach 9.

 

I’ve seen a friend’s shot of the Duchess of Sutherland emerging from the north portal of Blea Moor Tunnel on the 5th August 2017 Ian, the CME headboard had a red background.

 

Red in 2013 as well.

 

'Union of South Africa' - a sadly missed loco. <BJ>

 

This is that day

 

Put the return timings into spreadsheet. Full Carlisle to Preston this time. Curious running in many places. Did as on the outward and timed all the mileposts I saw. Might have an odd gorse bush in there somewhere! They look OK.