The Mancunian with Bahamas - 21/10/23

Water shouldn't be a problem. Simply lower the scoop when passing through the floods

 

This must be the first time I've posted a picture before the train has reached its destination. Bahamas crosses the Beds/Bucks border at Old Linslade in desperate lighting conditions just after 8 this morning. Worth turning out as its only three miles from home. A reminder of the Birmingham 2 hour expresses of old.

 

That's a bit odd, MP 31 is on the climb to Tring Summit. You were catching up with a local train there and were probably on double yellows so no assistance should have been required. The only people who would know are those on the footplate.

 

Few minutes late leaving Stafford water stop, again no assistance from the diesel on departure, going well towards Searchlight Jc

 

Outward completed, a fine run

All to look forward to for the return this evening

 

Perhaps not the best picture...but it's not everyday a Jubilee passes the end of your street.

 

Crossing the main WCML at Norton Bridge on the new line opened in 2016 to avoid conflicting movements from the slow lines north of Stafford to Stoke having to cross the WCML fast lines.
To the best of my knowledge this is only the 4th steam hauled train over the new line, previous ones being 6233 on 26/3/22 and 70000 (twice) on 28/4/22.




I wonder if the return route will be unchanged :-

Stockport and Crewe
Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Cheadle Hulme and Wilmslow all lines are blocked. As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised to run via Styal. All stations between Manchester Piccadilly and Handforth will not be served.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

 

Just a still from a mobile phone video, but Bahamas was looking and sounding in fine form at Long Buckby this morning.

Posting for posterity, as although it is hard for me to believe, it has been almost 27 years since I last saw her as a young boy in 1997 at the Battlefield Line with Kolhapur.

 

Running via Styal, confirmed onboard

 

Up on RTT now

 

Told the last steam was 6233 back in 2004 albeit northbound into Manchester

 

Just curious - why never before? Lovely shot.

 

johnb is usually part of the Bahamas support crew.

 

Sunset at 6:00 pm turns the thinner clouds a pale yellow as the southbound train passes Wrinehill.
Although dry this afternoon Staffordshire is very much water world today .

 

45596 arrives at Castleton, gets fed and sets off back towards Manchester.