Dalesman 2023

45699 seen digging in on the long Drag from Sheriff Brow with permission from the landowner then roaring through Kirkby Stephen Station and yard plus a shot from inside the Shed by kind permission from the owners.

 

Great videos, photos and reports from outside the train. How did it look from inside? Well, it may have been hazy/cloudy but it was still a 26 degree day, so I was just hoping for an unassisted run. Wishes granted as we pulled rather gently away from the rear 47 and out on to the line. The Jubilee plus 12 meant it was an interesting exercise in engine management, no records threatened today! The service train was 10L which could have caused problems if the stone train had been running, but it wasn't. So away we went 3E. The Cubitt/Southwell strategy was to start with a full water tank, steady as she goes up the hill, then time the train the rest of the way. And so it proved, most of the climb taken at around 25, 32' 51'' from Settle Jct to Blea Moor box (12L on the unrealistic WTT), the forty miles from Ais Gill to Low House Crossing run in 44 mins, no water stop at Langwathby, no significant delays at Petteril Bridge so 4mins of recovery gained there, so we arrived Carlisle 3E. Job done.

Carlisle was a sauna ( never thought I would be saying that, but 99% humidity is what it is). Back to the platform to find Messrs Kelly and Soames with two firing assistants ready to go. The southbound schedule is tougher (a) because the Jubilee would have to stop for water at Appleby, (b) because there is twice the amount of climbing to be done when time will be lost on the climbs (c) there is no recovery time in the schedule. Starting 3L from Carlisle (but 2 regained by Petteril Bridge), the first climb up to Eden Brows was accomplished in the high 20s dropping 5mins to Armathwaite. Then a very good run to Kirkby Thore, 16 miles in 18 mins before ice creams all round at Appleby, reached on time in 47' 23'' and an on time departure. We made a swift departure to Ormside (5' 38'' to MP275, speed around 50) and then took the climb mainly at 30 with accelerations to the high 30s at Smardale and Mallerstang, I made it 28 at the summit. With that load, 29' 00'' for the Blue Riband section was I thought as good as it gets. 9L from Garsdale onwards, all you can do without breaking speed limits is maintain that down to Settle. So inevitably we were behind the Morecambe to Leeds unit at the junction. actual time to Settle Station 64' 26'' from Appleby, net time to Hellifield say 72 mins, so two hours running time from Carlisle. A good well managed run in the circumstances. There is a lot to do at Hellifield to attach the two diesels in between service trains but we were ready to go only 3L and on time at Leeds.

I heard a lot of complimentary remarks on the train, and met a very nice steward whose second post pandemic run this was. He is on the FS run on the Waverley on Sunday so best of luck with that.

Edit-- having looked up @iancawthorne Settle Carlisle steam Blue Riband site this afternoon, I stand by my remark that 29 mins for a Jubilee with 12 is about as good as it gets. Take a bow Mick, Martyn and helpers.

 

Simmering in the loop behind Hellifield station is 45562 "Alberta"



Or it could be "Sierra Leone" (Chris Cubitt in the driver's seat)



Who could be responsible for creating this confusion?



On a more serious note, I assume that the on board announcements about not putting anything out of the windows were just as clear and unequivocal as they had been on Tuesday. It still didn't stop the arrogant, selfish idiot at the back of the second coach (my video) from sticking a camera phone out of the window.

 

There will always be one numpty who will spoil it for everybody else young Whistle a fact of life I’m afraid. Obviously a member of ‘Sod you I’ve got my shot brigade’

 

Yes, assuming the TM both days was Bob, the announcements were as you say, and the stewarding was unobtrusive but effective at my end of the train. I suspect they are not relishing the regulation task on Sunday with the added FS factor to contend with.

 

Love the shot through the arch, although I suspect or "Canadian Correspondent" would have something to say about the roof of that coach.

 

On a hot and hazy evening the mixed up Jubilee formerly known as Galatea approaches Ribblehead station with the returning Dalesman of 7/9/2023

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Yes Al we could do with some Ronan Keatings on here!

 

WYSNAA works for me but not often preached enough

 

45699 with 37685 assisting seen from Arcow Quarry in wet and windy conditions.

 

Well done for braving the conditions Nige .

 

My wife has just said that it's 'very atmospheric'.

Not looking great for tomorrow morning either.

 

As young Whistle recommends Nige a quick squirt of WD40 prevents rust breaking out, a great effort considering the conditions

 

The morning was sunny but with a chance of showers around lunchtime. Mrs W agreed to accompany me to . . . destination as yet unspecified. However, first stop was to be Hellifield to see what might be waiting in the loop. Having parked we made our way onto a sunny but cool platform to find Scots Guardsman waiting in the loop - that'll do nicely. The WCRC gang were seated at a table on the platform which held the scant remnants of a well-consumed breakfast. Just a brief chat and off we went. On the way back to the car we came across the "station car park cat" - a large ginger and white tom, friendly and well-worth a stroke.

We headed north, still in pleasant sunshine. Was it to be Horton in Ribblesdale (plenty going for it but I've flogged it to death) or Ribblehead, I was still undecided. As we approached the turn off to H in R station I made an executive decision - Ribblehead. (Ribblehead is where the wind always blows, the sun seldom shines and it never rains - I wish!) As we headed north the sun disappeared behind ever more threatening clouds - oh dear! We parked on the station car park and had a quick recce, the wind was blowing, the sun wasn't shining but at least it wasn't raining.

Back to the car where we ate our sandwiches then into the tea room for a warm brew. My network provider has "no coverage" around the station and RTT was therefore unavailable. From memory 12.35 at H in R and say just under 10 mins to Ribblehead so 12.45, 12.40 to be on the safe side. As we finished our tea the first few raindrops blew against the window. It was 12.30 and time to make a move - just as the rain began to fall! The outline of Whernside was barely visible in the cloud and rain, yet to the south it was still bright - Oswald had not chosen wisely!

I went to the car to gather up the camera, tripod and umbrella and then went back because I forgotten the umbrella. Mrs W held the brolly whilst I got ready. The minutes ticked by 12.40 came and went, 12.45, 12.50 and the rain eased. The noise of a far-off plane raised false hopes but then some white exhaust drifted into view from behind the trees and shortly afterwards SG appeared from around the distant curve. With a 30 mph speed limit progress was steady, then a whistle for the station crossing. As SG drew nearer the watchers who were waiting at the back of the platform moved forward one by one, each clutching a camera phone and each leaning further out than the one in front; it was like a modern day Busby Berkeley routine. The train passed and the watchers moved back. Once over the points SG opened up and as she disappeared into the distance there was a series of whistles, some short and some long and mournful. 10C, 13L & 24 mph. At this point the rain became heavier and we grabbed our stuff and hurried back to the shelter of the car. WD40 time when we get home.

 

46115 in fine voice at Waitby Common on the return leg.

 

Given your comment about the rain, I'm glad I stayed down at Settle where it remained dry.
I almost came unstuck when the Carlisle to Leeds came into the going away shot as the late running SG was approaching from the south

 

So under the 100 mins both ways Hellifield to Carlisle. The timings on RTT are a bit scanty southbound but that looks a really good day.

 

46115 at Hellifield and Settle

 

46115 Scots Guardsman crossing Ribblehead Viaduct on 'The Dalesman' 20th Sept 2023