Dalesman 2023

46115 seen from just below Selside Shaw and Crosby Garrett.

 

That was nice on the viaduct in full sun Nige.

 

I see Hank,Bruce,Tony and Jet are making an appearance at Crosby Garret

 

Didn’t go for the Shadows went for The Steampacket.

 

Can see you as a bit of a foot tapper Id swap Hank for Julie any day of the week

 

The forecast for today was for heavy rain, and so it turned out.

The ECS had been late arriving at York resulting in the train leaving York 77L. At this point I decided not to bother. As the morning wore on the rain lessened and the forecast for lunchtime improved. A check on RTT showed the train only 25L at Kirkstall Forge. If I got my skates on I could be at Long Preston in time even if the train was "back on time" - well possibly!

Mrs W had gone out on an errand, so off I went with fingers crossed for no hold ups on the way. The scheduled passing time for Long Preston was 12.22, my sat nav estimated my arrival as 12.18. (The sat nav has proved very reliable in its predictions, usually not much can be gained but it is always easy to drop a few minutes). I drove as fast as I could (staying within the speed limits, officer) and arrived at 12.13 - well done, Oswald! A check on RTT showed 30L at Gargrave then nothing else. There was only the odd spot or two of rain, so having "arrived" I made my way onto the platform, got ready and hoped for the best.

After a few minutes, at 12.26 to be precise, there was a distant blast from a Stanier hooter. RTT now showed times for Hellifield loop (12.01 arr and 12.26 dep). Well done to all involved in the quick loco change. A few people had made their way onto the station (6 or 7). Only a couple of minutes passed before some dark exhaust appeared behind the distant road bridge, then the Jub came into view, a heavy exhaust shooting from her chimney. As she drew nearer, the brisk SW breeze swept it away to the left - lovely. She burst under the near bridge, that carries Station Rd over the station, and charged through the platforms gathering speed for the arduous climb that awaited her. 13C, 9L & 36mph.

(47.804 was on the rear but at this point was not pushing. The 10 coaches are well within the capabilities of a Jubilee. Perhaps in the leaf fall season and with rain forecast, WCRC wanted to be seen to be acting very responsibly. What this may mean for Saturday's CME, when dry weather is forecast, is anyone's guess.)

 

I'm guessing they Leeds incident was 185109 catching fire for the second time in 4 days.

 

Working over a swollen River Ribble at Helwith Bridge in very wet conditions, Jubilee class No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' heads the final 'Dalesman' for this year north to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Rob Russell firing and Roly Parker Guard



With no let up in the rain and darkness quickly approaching No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' heads the return 'Dalesman' through Ribblehead Station back to Hellifield with Mick Kelly driving, Marrtyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

Really like the Ribblehead shot. Full of atmosphere in what looks like very difficult light.

 

I agree I like of a lot of your images, and I realise everybody has different tastes, but that to me is the best ever. Having watched the train pass on the webcam this is a far more powerful statement.

 

I discovered from the "Steam Dreams" thread that I'm not the only person who still uses film:-

However, much as I still enjoy doing my own developing and printing, there is no doubt that a digital camera can come up trumps in difficult conditions when my trusty old Pentax would not be able to capture any remotely decent image. I absolutely agree that....

 

A couple of stunning shots. Well done, "Mr Rusty!"

 

Cheers Young Whistle