Buxton Spa Express - 29/10/23

Any timings yet for Sundays Buxton trip?

 

Nothing on RTT but RTC says 8-45 away from Preston and 9-50 up Miles Platting.

 

Tickets arrived for Sunday's Buxton Bash. 45699+8+kitchen+POB (and a diesel as advertised). Times later than planned,

Preston 10.35
Wigan NW 11.01
Man Vic 11.55

There is an optional afternoon blast up to Hindlow - diesel leads on return to Buxton. Then steam on front for return home.

Buxton 18.15
Man Vic 20.35
Wigan NW 21.07
Preston 21.31

No doubt times will pop-up on RTT shortly.

 

I'm booked on it as well and also have the details from RTC, but strangely still nothing on RTT. Neil

 

Perhaps a change of loco to the loco whose name must not be spoken aloud, nor its times made public until the day of the trip? (I very much doubt it!)

 

Galberta/Leone as far as I know.

 

Footage of 45699 in the autumn sunshine today at Euxton Churchyard, tackling the 1 in 58 at Combs Reservoir and a handheld smash and grab on the Hindlow branch just outside Harpur Hill - wasn't expecting it to be half an hour early...

 

Galatea is seen at Dove Holes and then at Bibbington Summit. The run to Hindlow Quarry departed 30 minutes early which caught out many photographers including us ! Would love to see more steam in this part of the world.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/53296398715/in/dateposted-public/

45699 seen approaching Disley this afternoon.

 

Passing Brock

 

A couple more for the mix.

Combs and Peak Dale in the dark.

 

Wonderful pics with superb lighting. Thanks also to the other contributors for their photos and videos of what looks to have been a great tour. It's just a shame that the diesel was given so much of the work to do, judging from the videos.

 

That Jubilee looked and sounded truly grand working hard in the autumn sunshine. Thanks to all who posted the photos and the video clips.

 

Can anyone who was on the train confirm how far down the Hindlow line the train went? The 2019 trip in the snow got to the junction for Briggs Sidings and I'd be interested to know how much further this one got.

 

The Buxton Spa Express 29 October 2023 – 45699 Galatea hauling 9+POB & 47.802 on the rear

Let’s get the diesel business out of the way. The tour was advertised from the outset as having a diesel in the consist; it might not have been in flashing gold and purple letters a foot high, but it was there! In my opinion it was a sensible option.

My last trip to Buxton and then up to Hindlow was on Saturday 17 March 2018, the day of the “Mini Beast from the East”. 45690 and 45407 double-headed via Chinley and Peak Forest before changing to “top & tail” mode in Buxton Up Relief Sidings for the run up to Hindlow and then back to double-heading for the return, again via Peak Forest.

Sunday’s run was very different; it was in the leaf fall season, outward on the LNWR line thro’ Furness Vale to Buxton then returning via Peak Forest. The LNWR is much steeper (1/60r) than the Peak Forest line (1/90r). (The trip was also more passenger friendly starting at 10.35 from Preston rather than 06.25 in 2018). The URS at Buxton can be accessed directly from the Peak Forest and Hindlow lines but trains arriving on the LNWR line can only access the URS by reversing out of the station. Leaf fall, very steep gradients and more convenient shunting at Buxton must make this the best solution – but I accept, not for the purists. Of course, there is a downside, a class 6 loco will never be able to haul 10 coaches plus a 47 up the steep gradients, the diesel must “take its own weight” (and probably that of a couple of the coaches).

Mrs W and I made our way to Preston, as we waited for the ECS to arrive I spotted Mick Kelly, in driving togs, waiting on the platform. A very entertaining chat revealed amongst other things that he was driving Preston to Preston with Martyn Soames firing on the outward leg and Rob Russell on the return. 45699 with the ECS arrived RT and stopped in pl6; we were in coach E, the 7th of 10.

RT we were away down the FL in lovely autumnal sunshine and 45699 singing away merrily. The day started well and then got better as we were served bacon baps (the joy of first class!) Up to 52mph at Leyland, and 60 as we passed Euxton Balshaw Lane with a min of 47 on the climb up to Coppull. A max of 63 dropping down to Wigan before stopping at Wigan NW (1E) for more passengers. Next on the menu was a muffin (Oswald had salted caramel and Mrs W had chocolate) with more tea and coffee. Away RT and along the WCML where we were held for 30s approaching Golborne Jn, then branch left and 5½E at Parkside Jn as we joined the line to Manchester. We sauntered along in the mid-40s; it was a beautiful sunny morning. 5E at Salford Central then held for 3½ mins just outside Man Vic before stopping in pl4 (1E) for more passengers.

Now for the first challenge of the day, the climb up Miles Platting bank that starts at 1/59r just beyond the end of the platform then tightens to 1/47r (around a mile in total). Away less than 1L and (in the 7th coach) up to 15 as we passed East Jn with Bromley St crossed at 15.7. Speed increased slowly and held around 16/17 as Galatea rattled the windows of the nearby dwellings, the sounds were magnificent. 16.1 at Collyhurst St and the battle was won. We eased to the right at Philips Park W Jn and continued uneventfully but enjoyably along our route towards the water stop at Denton (arr 3E).

A long walk through the train to access the short platform. 45699 was stopped by the overbridge and was already taking water from the hydrant located on the bridge. It was very pleasant strolling around in the sunshine. I had a chat with Martyn Soames who was on the footplate attempting, unsuccessfully, to prevent Galatea from repeatedly lifting her safety valves. We had a scheduled 38 min stop and it was soon time to rejoin the train.

We were off 3E and trundled down to Heaton Norris Jn where we joined the main line (RT). Along to Stockport where we stopped and collected our final group of passengers. We left 1L and now it was time for the fun to begin. Off the main line at Edgeley No1 Jn (½L & 22.7). The first 3 miles are mainly level but include short stretches of 1/128r and 1/99r. Thro’ Davenport (2½E & 21.8), Woodsmoor (5E & 28.7) and Hazel Grove (8E & 30.7).

Just beyond Hazel Grove the gradient changes from level to 1/60r and with Galatea already on the 1/60r the 47 “engaged drive”. Once the whole train was on the steep bit speed began to fall, down to 16 as we left the outskirts of Hazel Grove and 10 as we crossed the A555 – was there a problem? We slowed to a crawling pace, Galatea slipped, and we stopped. A set back of perhaps 20yds then gently away, another 100yds and a short stop and then back on the move. [All this happened around 400-500yds before the manually controlled Norbury Hollow Road Xng. Sight lines? signal slow to clear? a slow approach (without the diesel helping) and subsequent loss of adhesion when the signal cleared? or something else? I didn’t get the chance to ask.]

After our “minor difficulty” we continued up the 1/60r and nearing the top passed thro’ Middlesmoor (¾E & 20.5). Another ¼mile and into Middlewood Tunnel where we start 4½miles of generally falling gradients. Disley (1E & 31.4), New Mills Newtown (1½E & 26.4). At Furness Vale, we were held for 6½mins whilst the preceding service train cleared the section. The signal is at the far end of the platform and the long train trailed across the level crossing at the other end of the platform blocking the road traffic. 7L and we were off again, we slowed approaching Whaley Bridge (7L & 9.6), now climbing at 1/240r but the gradient soon increases with almost 5 miles of 1/60/70/58r. In the 6½ miles from Whaley Bridge to the summit the line rises by a whisker under 600 feet.

Amid magnificent scenery and spectacular views as the line curved around the hillsides, we made steady progress at around 23-25mph, Galatea singing out for everyone to hear. Chapel-en-le-frith (5½L & 26.1), Eaves Tunnel (27), Barmoor Clough Tunnel (where clearance issues prevented steam operation for several years), Dove Holes (28.1) and finally over Bibbington summit (1140ft). Once over the top it’s 2 miles downhill (1/60f) and we ended this part of our journey in pl2 at Buxton (4L). The stations along the route had plenty of spectators, other watchers and photographers waited at many and varied vantage points, and they had a belting day for it! Those wishing to take a long break in Buxton left the train whilst those remaining on board had opted for the “bash” up the Hindlow branch.

We left the station and the 47 dragged us into the URS where we were booked to have a 35 min wait. Mrs W and I began tucking into the lunch we had brought along when we set off (35E).

Out of the siding with 45699 leading, passing in front of the Signal Box and onto the single track Hindlow branch. (The branch is around 4½ miles of mainly 1/60r rising to 1267ft above sea level). A steady 5mph as we rounded the curve, then 45699 began to bark and speed gradually increased to 16/17, across the towering Dukes Drive Viaduct, past numerous allotments several with occupants breaking from their labours to wave. 2 miles in and the gradient eases to 1/330r for a mile, speed increased to 23. Back onto the 1/60r and speed dropped back to 17, we were now in the “Land of the Quarries”, the loco was eased and we slowed to 13 as we entered Hindlow Tunnel, 514yds climbing at 1/60r. As we left the tunnel, we were nearing the end of our journey, Briggs Sidings. We stopped (39E). From my position in the 7th coach, using my GPS data, I calculate that Galatea would have stopped just before the quarry road overbridge. This is almost 400yds further than 45407 reached in March 2018.

There were panoramic views across the valley, the vast workings at Tunstead in the distance indicating our route home. There was a junior football match taking place on the nearby pitches (surely the highest pitches in England). Someone came from the rear of the train, walking in the ballast, to collect the token from Mick and take it to the cab of the diesel. (In 2018, this was a challenging feat involving a trudge through deep snow and did not meet with the universal approval of all those involved.) 13 minutes later with the diesel now leading we set off on our journey back down the branch. We stopped in the URS at 15.36 (34E). Les announced that it was hoped that we could return to the station early to allow passengers to alight, but that this was dependent on the signaller.

It was not to be, we waited as the train from Man Pic, came (15.46) and went (15.55). Still, we waited. At 16.08 a car drew up alongside the train. Its driver donned a NR orange jacket, and opened the gate at the side of the track!?? A couple of minutes later the rhtt appeared from the Furness Vale direction and ran towards the station (arr 16.15 in pl2), reversed and left at 16.17 before reversing again into what RTT shows as pl1 but was the centre road (HS) at 16.26. Presumably the NR MOM was needed to clip the points. At 16.21 (4E) we left the URS and Galatea took us back into pl2 (8E).

It was now dark, and our train was not due to leave until 18.15. Having been “fed and watered” there was little else to do but take a stroll around Buxton. Thankfully it was a calm, dry evening; we gazed into shop windows to see “what we could have bought”. We admired the architecture of this splendid market town and that was it; Buxton on a dark Sunday evening “had been done” in a little under an hour. We wandered back to the station in time to watch the rhtt train leave. Next, the Man Pic service train arrived and then departed. 5 minutes later 45699 hauled the ECS back into pl2 and we were soon back on board and ready for our return journey.

At 18.15 (RT) the 47 dragged us from the station and into the URS. With Galatea now leading we left the URS and passed behind the signal box on the line towards Peak Forest. On falling gradients speed settled around 25-30mph before slowing for the sharp LH curve at the site of the former triangular junction to Millers Dale. From here the line climbs at 1/90r. Now running in the high-20s we passed by the eerily lit quarry buildings and sidings; the vastness of the undertaking is better appreciated in daylight. Although we had a booked stop at Great Rocks Jn SB, we passed at 4mph (15E), presumably surrendering our token whilst still on the move. Climbing at 1/90r speed increased to 26 at the summit (982ft) and once over the top we plunged almost immediately into the long Dove Holes Tunnel. Although now on a falling gradient (1/90f) we began to slow and were held on the viaduct approaching Chinley N Jn for 9 mins; the pitfalls of running early.

It gave us time to finish our afternoon offering of cheese and crackers and an excellent mini pork pie (Oswald accepted the offer of a second one). Then a scone with jam and butter all washed down with tea or coffee. Across the Jn (RT) and thro Chinley (RT). No exceptional speeds were needed as we headed down the hill to rejoin the main line at Edgeley Jn No1 (1L). Roads and platforms were wet after some light rain. Following a stop at Stockport to allow passengers to alight we made our way to Denton (RT) for our final water stop.

We left Denton (4E) and less than 25 mins later stopped in Man Vic pl3 to allow more passengers to leave. Off again RT, we made our way out of the city centre; Eccles (RT & 47.9), Patricroft (RT & 49.9), speed settled in the mid-50s before slowing as we approached Parkside Jn. Dawdling along we waited for two eastbound trains to pass before we got the signal to cross onto the chord to the WCML. 3L at Lowton Jn increased to 4¼L at Golborne Jn (passed at 17). Just time to reach the fastest speed of the day (so far) 67mph approaching Bamfurlong Jn before slowing for our stop at Wigan NW (arr 6L and dep 5½L).

Could we round the day off with a memorable assault of Boars Head? Not really, speeds of up to 60 mph on the climb indicated a major contribution from the 47. An uneventful run followed, and we stopped in pl5 at Preston (6½L). Just time to check out the loco and watch the ECS leave for Carnforth with David Blair now in the driver’s seat; light rain was now falling.

Well, the trip did just what it said on the tin and the weather couldn’t have been better. My thanks to everyone involved in planning and operating the trip and special thanks to the catering staff who looked after us so well. It’s been several years since we last did an RTC trip and it was good to see all the familiar faces of the stewards, especially “West Brom Tom”. He entertained us with a tale of his 1960 bank holiday weekend bash to Carlisle, Edinburgh and all the steam sheds in between returning behind a Duchess via a circuitous nighttime diversionary route to Birmingham. It was also good to meet up with @RalphW who joined the train at Buxton for the trip to Hindlow. All in all, a grand day out!