The Waverley Tours 2023

We've recently entered the 56th year since BR's infamous ban on steam. Thankfully, it didn't last. Last weekend saw steam operations covering if not the entire breadth of the network certainly a significant part of its length.

Saturday saw black 5s in Western Scotland, Tangmere over Shap and Sir Nigel Gresley visiting the "English Riviera". Sunday again saw black 5s in action on the Jacobite, Scots Guardsman charging the banks of the South West, Clun Castle gracing the Midlands and a Jubilee out and back over the S&C. The Jubilee, Galatea/Sierra Leone/Alberta, if only a small part in body but certainly a large part in spirit, recalled the final years of BR steam when the real Alberta was a regular performer on the S&C.

Mid week saw the "breadth" of coverage increased with Leander running out of Shoeburyness and Britannia putting on a wonderful show in the South East before coming to an abrupt end. (Well done to LSL for the speedy and efficient way in which 70000's incident was dealt with and top marks for customer care. I hope that the Brit can be repaired swiftly and hope to see her back running in the NW soon.) Add in the associated LE moves and it has been a busy old week for steam - long may it continue.

 

60103 this morning near Church Fenton, soon to be ruined by overhead electrification!

"The Waverley", 10/09/23.

 

60103 at Selside Cottages .

 

Today on the S&C which featured heavy rain, thunder, and lightning - in addition to 60103 heading north towards Carlisle with the Waverley, 10.09.23...

 

Barkston Ash, Salt Lake Cottages & Birkett Common on an incredibly dull day

 

A bit of a contrast to the heatwave of the past week, 60103 still drew a few small crowds at Lazonby:


Flying Scotsman at Lazonby

On the return, she was crawling through Cumwhinton Station, struggling to keep her feet on the wet rail:


Flying Scotsman at Cumwhinton

So much that I had ample time to drive a few miles south and get a second photo at Froddle Crook:


Flying Scotsman at Froddle Crook

 

Gamble paid off Ian .

 

With a moody Pen-y-Ghent as a backdrop LNER A3 class No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' works the northbound 'Waverley' towards the hamlet of Selside and on to Carlisle with Chris Cubitt driving, Andy Simpkins firing and Peter James Guard



With thunder rattling around Whernside and with steam to spare No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' drifts over Ribblehead Viaduct with the return leg of 'The Waverley' from Carlisle to York with Mick Kelly driving, Matt Durkan firing and Peter James
Guard to Hellifield and Matt Miller to York, two iconic engineering feats in one location wonderful stuff.

 

60103 seen from above Selside Cottages and on the return from Birkett Common.

 

Diesel pushing like mad today at Helwith Bridge sadly.

 

Given the railhead conditions there was really no option but to use the diesel in that fashion. No complaints that I'm aware of from the paying passengers on board.

Peter

 

It wasn't a criticism Peter just an observation .

 

60103 at Craghill Farm Crossing .

 

Due to late running bus i was on going to Keighley i was only able to get going away photos of 60103 Flying Scotsman at Keighley today with 'The Waverley'
https://railway-photography.smugmug...er-2023/Keighley-19th-November-2023/i-6rP4qQm

Neil

 

Scotsman came to a stand around Howe and Co sidings for a few minutes. Didn't take to long to restart with a helping hand from the diesel.

 

Good to see the cab roof back to black, brave soul in that weather.

 

I hadn’t noticed that the cab was back to normal so thanks for pointing that out. The weather wasn’t as bad as forecast thankfully.

 

It was definitely still white as it passed under me at Church Fenton this morning. I think it's dirty / with the awful weather that's made it look darker in Steve's video.

 

An interesting meet at a soggy Hellifield this morning

Peter

 

60103 with the return Waverley, 19.11.23.