Fellsman tours 2023

I’d love to think so. On the run in 1998 SNG was in blue and BP was in green however that might not be the case if they were to double head again although we shall wait and see.

 

SNG with the return Fellsman, 20.09.23.

 

Duncowfold...


Sir Nigel Gresley over the Settle Carlisle

 

60007 at a Dreadfully wet Selside Cottages in the teeth of Storm Lee and a brighter Kirkby Stephen on the return leg .

 

I had my kit packed and got up ready to go, but I went back to bed for another hour when I saw the forecast for the northbound.

 

Wise man Alan.!

 

Having decided to give the northbound run a miss this morning (Bravo Steve for going out in that), here is a shot of 60007 passing beneath the bridge at Wharton on the return.

 

Wet and wild as LNER A4 class No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' climbs away from Helwith Bridge with the northbound 'Settle and Carlisle Fellsman' from Crewe to Carlisle



'Sir Nigel Gresley' speeds away from Kirkby Stephen with the return 'Settle and Carlisle Fellsman' to Crewe

 

Today I thought I’d compile a report of the final Fellsman of the season. I’ve no idea whether I’ve over done it, under done it or got it jsut right but enjoy reading…!

Premier Dining Coach B. As usual with LSL an absolutely stunning affair. Chester to Carlisle and return with Sir Nigel Gresley at the helm and a 47 on the back. 3rd coach from the back. A right time 0740 departure from Chester, with a resounding blow on the chime whistle to signal the start of our day. A gentle trundle down to Frodsham saw us right time away from there, but we would then loose time around Warrington leaving there 7 down. Now on the WCML Gresley opened up, and I was stunned not to hear the 47. A quick ear to the window confirmed no assistance from the diesel, and Gresley doing all the work. We touched 77mph before braking for our Wigan stop.

9 down away from Wigan and onwards to Euxton Balshaw Lane, with a fairly sedate run between the two. Away from Euxton but now 12 down and a very sedate run to Farington Junction, where we were held for the late TPE, itself made late by Avanti! 14 down over Farington, but a couple made back over Lostock Hall Jn made us 12 down and we got a bit of a shift on. 10 back from SNG but could hear her going for it, no diesel assiatnce again! Jack Green was lovely with a few chimes from the whistle and as we approached Blackburn it seemed we’d make a few minutes back, but no held again and 13 down in to the station.

12 down from Blackburn, 13 late through Daisyfield and for the first time a little assiatnce from the 47 to get us going up to Wilpshire. SNG was audible the whole way up the climb, and 3/4 way to top the 47 ceased to assist. We slowed for Clitheroe and the disssl assiatnce and fast running had done the trick, pulling back 5 minutes and getting us to Clitheroe 8 down and away the same 8 late.

Water stop at Chatburn was next and the water was flowing both in to the tender and down the windows as the weather worsened. Less than ideal circumstances for a climb of the Long Drag. 2 late away from Chatburn, a nice steady run to Hellifield saw us there saw us 3 down through there and we were off. I tried to record speeds from here to give some idea of how we coped with the climb.

47.1mph through Long Preston, 60.1 through Settle Junc, 47.3 Settle, 34.1 Helwith Bridge, 37.0 Horton, 22.1 Ribblehess Station, 17.7 in the middle of the viaduct, 26.3 Blea Moor Box, 34.7 in to Blea Moor Tunnel, 51.6 out of Blea Moor, 25.2 Dent, 53.4 Garsdale, 54.1 at Ais Gill Summit - 39 Minutes 14 seconds Long Preston to Ais Gill. The diesel did its portion of the work early on, and from what I could hear remained notch 1 for most of the way up. It was horrendous conditions, the rain and cloud making sighting difficult and I’m absolutely not surprised they gave SNG a little hand.

We arrived in to Appleby 5 down for our second water stop of the day, and a chance for a leg stretch. Away from Appleby 1 Early at 1205, 2 early past Kirkby Thore and back to right time through Lazonby. A decent run down saw us at London Road 2 early and then, we waited. The southbound Avanti was a little late, this held the Northern infront of us going in and subsequently held us too. We sat for 5 minutes and began to move in to the station, with an arrival time of 1252, 4 late.

And so in to Carlisle….We made it to the pub outside the station, a considerable walk of 3 minutes! And the model railway shop too for some more O Gauge that I probably didn’t need. Bang on time at 1503 the 47 drew the stock back in to the platform, our drinks were waiting on the table and we were set for what looked like a sunny return.

A late start to the return as we were held for a freight train to pass through the station. 1528 departure, 3 late. Past Cumwhinton Gresley was incredibly audible, probably the loudest she had been all day. The 47 was doing nothing and Gresley was making great progress. Cotehill we touched 50 for the first time on the return, with a beautiful chime for the crossing and we made Low House 1 down. Lazonby passed and we had gained 2, making us 1 early through there. Gresley was doing it all. Not a peep from the diesel on the back.

Culgaith was passed 1 1/2 early and we were still having a cracking run. Kirkby Thore 2 early. Appleby 3 early and on to that famous milepost at the bottom of the climb…..

I wandered to the back of the train for the climb. I wanted to ensure we weren’t being pushed. And we weren’t. Nothing from the diesel. 60 dead on in to the climb. 50.1 in to Helm tunnel and Gresley was very loud, even from the 2nd to last coach. The claim began to take its toll but still nothing from the diesel, SNG was really attacking this. 45.4 over Crosby Viaduct, 8 minutes and 2 seconds to this point. Diesel still not doing anything. 49.8 Smardale Viaduct. 35 Exaclty at Kirkby Stephen, reached in 12 minutes Exaclty. Gresley still going well. 32.3 past Greengates, 30.7 on entrance to Birkett Tunnel. By now Gresley was really starting to feel the strain of the weight behind her, but still the 47 remained inaudible. The sound from the back no different all the way up to this point.

On leaving Birkett tunnel, we slowed to 18.1, and at that point I had assumed there would be a telling nudge from the rear. Gresley still working very hard but still the 47 wasn’t used to bring us a bit of speed back. Instesd Gresley carried on by herself and at Angerholme, we were back to 35.2 when it did. Gresley still working nicely and just as loud as she had been all the way. 32.9 at Angerholme, 32.5 Ais Gill Viaduct and finally 31.7 over the top, a time of 24 minutes and 15 seconds. Nothing world beating, but very little help from the back.

A fairly smooth run down with Ribblehead reached 5 early. Another smooth run down to Settle and our water stop was reached 4 early. Away from Settle 1 Early, Settle Junc 2 early and we passed Hellifield 3 to the good, following the briefest pause in the station. We left Hellifield very slow and came to a stand not long after the junction, where we stood for 30 minutes at the signal. This was awaiting our new driver, who was on a late incoming service train.

32 late at our Chatburn water stop, but with a rapid 7 minute stop we were away just 12 down. Away from Clitheroe 10 down, and as we came over Whaley Viaduct we were 8 down. I would have timed Wilpshire a bit more accurately but suffice to say the cheese board was more important! Anyway 1854 and a 1/2 off the viaduct and 1908 and a 1/2 over the top of the bank. 14 minutes to complete the climb and no diesel assiatnce audible!

11 down away from Blackburn, we’d made all the time up as we approached Farington, but of course nothing ever is that simple and we were held, followed by a meander over the junction. I made the time over the junction as 19:43, 5 down. 7 down from Euxton, and SNG built up speed. 68.1 the max attaine before the brakes came in for Wigan. 6 down off Wigan and Gresley soon got in to her stride. As with much of the rest of the day the diesel remained silent and Gresley got us up to speed. 70.5mph this time before the brakes came in for Warrington. We left Warrington 7 down and headed for Frodsham where I would leave the trip to get my connection home. Arrival was at 2047, 5 down. A brief moment stood on the platform to listen as SNG made her way out of the station and on to Chester.

A wonderful day all round, celebrating my mums 60th!

A word on Saphos - Staff 10/10, Service 10/10, Food 10/10, Inteiror 10/10, Toilets 10/10. The whole day was spot on. You couldn’t have found fault with anything.

A word on SNG - Superb. Immaculately turned out and performed impeccably. A real credit or the SNGLT and LSL.

 

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley seen at Selside Cottages in horrendous condition then later in the day in much improved condition passing through Kirkby Stephen Station and yard.

 

That second photos a cracker, love how you’ve got Elvis framed.

 

Nice write up Harry, and glad to hear you gave Mike at C&M a bit of trade too. Cracking little shop that.

 

Superb account Harry.

 

Thanks for the report Harry. I was in the field south of Hellifield having earlier seen the train arrive at Settle. Everyone was wondering what was going on, some speculation that 60007 was being taken off to head to Grosmont before someone found out they were waiting for the relief driver. Glad to hear it was not his fault the train was held up! May post my pictures later, don't have my computer with me at present.

 

I must admit having been on Britannia’s train when it failed a few weeks back, I was worried I was cursed! But thankfully not.

 

60007 passing Lazonby after the skies had cleared & returning through Kirkby Stephen.





Phil

 

The forecast was correct (for once) and the heavy rain stopped around lunchtime, the sun shone throughout much of the afternoon. The return train was due in the Blackburn area around 19.00, in mid September, even on a sunny day, most of the light would have gone - at least it wasn't raining! Oswald was travelling alone, Mrs W had gone to football (don't ask). I headed to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station; loco working hard, easy parking and access and station lighting (if required). The downside was that with a "rare loco" it might be busy.

I was the first on the station so straight to my favourite spot and got myself ready. RTT had not updated beyond Settle Jn (2E) but eventually showed the train leaving Hellifield 29L - what happened there then and how would that impact on its onward timings? Then things improved, 12L after the Chatburn water stop and 10L leaving Clitheroe. [Thanks to @2857Harry for his explanation - I would never have guessed that].

By this time the Clitheroe bound train had come and gone as had the earlier Rochdale train - the lady driver opening the window on my side to ask what was coming. I told her, "Nice", she replied. More people had wandered down onto the platform, the station lights had come on and we waited. I chatted to a someone I'd met before, he'd spent the day chasing and photographing, this was his last stop before returning home to Harrogate.

It was now impossible to see to the far bend as more people had shuffled nearer to the edge of the platform for a better view down the line. Then SNG appeared, working hard, looking and sounding spot on. As she reached the platforms young Philip gestured a request for a blast on the chime whistle and someone on the the footplate obliged. The shape of the A4 is superb and the masterstroke is the whistle position where, when sounded, the steam splits either side of the chimney. Just a bit too dark to see the true colour of the gleaming paintwork. As she passed by and under the road bridge there was just the briefest flash of fire glow in the exhaust (not dark enough, yet). The immaculate coaches followed up the hill and then the 47 doing little or nothing. 14C (feels like 11C), 10L & 24mph. Thanks to all involved and come back soon. For all the armchair experts, this was definitely not a "Show Pony Express."

 

Is it my eyesight - or an optical illusion - that the cab side numbers on the offside are not even / level ?

 

I'm "inclined" to agree with you Fred.