NYMR Spring Gala - 1st to 4th and 8th to 10th May

Grosmont-Battersby is essentially the same distance as Grosmont-Pickering at 18 miles. If you add on the 6 miles from Grosmont to Whitby, doing the whole available route mileage there and back is 84 miles. Grosmont-Battersby is arguably a better line for photography and other interest than the Pickering line and has 45mph running over some stretches.
Surprised anybody said Platform 3 for trains to Battersby. That is one platform (along with Pl 4) that you can't access the EVL from. I've not been around the Railway this weekend but I can imagine that there will be a lot of very stressed and hardworking people trying to sort out all these unwanted problems and give everybody everything that has been planned. It certainly won't have been for the want of trying.

 

Important things first - when I left Grosmont just before 7:00pm this evening, the plan for was Tornado to have a test run within the next hour and, if successful, the loco should be back in action tomorrow.

To arrive at this position has meant a truly amazing effort by a great many people. As far as I could piece the story together, new plugs were manufacturer overnight at Loughborough (presumably GCR) and then driven up to Grosmont to be fitted. The loco had to be cooled in order for this to happen, then steamed back up again. Our boilersmith came back from working on another loco in Northumberland in order to do this, then had to go through to Pickering to deal with a similar problem on 45212, which was then able to work a train back to Grosmont. (45212 is now going on washout to ensure it is available for next weekend). The Shed Master has also been in at work on what were booked days off. This has been a great team effort by the NYMR and A1 Trust (and others) and perhaps the most impressive part of it has been how calmly everyone has simply got on with it.

The problem this morning with 45212 meant there was only 1 loco (75029) available at Pickering with 2 originating services - 08:00 (train to reverse at Grosmont for Battersby) and 09:00 (through train to Whitby). D6700 had been positioned at Pickering to act as Thunderbird but had brought Tornado and train back last night and hence was at Grosmont. The diesel driver who had come in early to do a shunt fired up the Class 37 but the Q6 came off shed before it was ready and so was despatched to Pickering to operate the 09:00. As trains were running out of expected sequence, the Train Staff for the Goathland to Levisham section had to be transferred by road for the Q6, but the delay was still kept to about 20 minutes. This all kept the Duty Controller rather occupied from a call from the GM about 7am onwards!

I was guard of the 09:30, which should have been Tornado but ended up being 60007 (through a varied route - don't ask!). In the hands of her long time guardian Mr Barker (32 years with the loco and still claiming to be only 28 years old!), 60007 had no problem rising to the occasion and most passengers seemed perfectly happy with the explanation of the situation and the substitution of Sir Nigel. With some very smart working, we regained time to be just 5 down at Levisham on the return but were knocked back awaiting the Super D; not that this wasn't also on the finest song in the hands of Lostock Hall's finest, John Fletcher and also making up time. Over the course of the afternoon, fine performances and tight turnrounds recovered (as well as the timetable being designed to take account that, at Galas, not everything will always go as planned) saw the lost time basically recovered. I tried my best to answer questions and keep people informed (sorry if I failed to do this in individual cases - my set had quite a lot of compartment stock on it, which made detailed explanations take longer than even our journey time!) and talking to other staff as well, I can honestly say the vast majority of passengers seemed understand the situation and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Despite all the changes and "challenges", I have know few batches of passengers who were so good humoured.

My second trip of the day was with 49395 and Mr Fletcher and we had another very entertaining run, managing to detach a coach (the spare for tomorrow) and still be waiting nearly 10 minutes for departure time from Pickering. The Super D (in the hands of Fletch) seemed to have acquired a group of followers who stuck with it all day.

I should perhaps explain just how much we were "sweating the assets" (to use a horrible modern term) today. Every serviceable coach bar 1 (the specialist Disabled Saloon) was in traffic and carrying passengers. We had 6 coach sets in use. With 2 sets on the Esk Valley, we had to make up an extra set from the spare brake, 2 Mark 1s that had been added to the teak set for yesterday (with Tornado) and go back on for tomorrow, 2 more Mark 1s off the Whitby Maroon set and the spare Blue/Grey SK from Pickering - and then it all had to go back where they were found! By the time I left, this set was split and coaches either back on the sets they are needed on for tomorrow or positioned to be added to them when the set stables tonight. This involved the staff at Grosmont especially but on all trains being constantly on the ball and having a long day to ensure the extra set was formed, used and put back for tomorrow. There was an intensive service form 08:00 at Pickering this morning for over 12 hours.

With 45212 not available from Pickering, the Duty Controller had first to ensure all trains had motive power, then re-write loco and crew diagrams for the rest of today and make the necessary amendments for tomorrow. As this was done whilst the service was getting underway and running, there wasn't the opportunity to produce amended sheets for distribution to passengers. A great many of us had a long day today, from the Duty Controller, Signalmen, guards, footplate crews and shunters drivers (a fine job done at Grosmont by John, whilst Gerry was called out at Pickering to shunt the Q6's stock and save valuable minutes this morning) to Station Staff who where still there to deal with trains when I left. There would be the odd "dropped ball" (the only one I really heard about was the first Battersby being assumed to have fully loaded in Platform 2 and not stopping again in Platform 1 to attempt to regain some lost time - delays in the branch are recorded even if we delay only ourselves!) but there has been an amazing effort needed from a surprisingly small number of people (many of whom were there yesterday and will be back tomorrow) in operating and engineering grades to ensure that the entire service ran today and I don't think we have (so far) lost a train all weekend. I can honestly say that in 25 seasons on the Moors, I have had few more enjoyable days and I felt very proud of the way the team buckled down to dealing the problems with (generally) good humour and a cheerful approach.

From initial results, today is the busiest Sunday every recorded on the NYMR and the third best day ever (after the second Gala Saturday and Wartime Saturday, both last year), with the weekend on course to match or break the Wartime Weekend 2008 record. Many thanks to everyone who has come along, been so understanding and seems to have enjoyed themselves, and to all those who have made it possible in any way shape or form.

Back into action tomorrow – and then there is the rest of the week and next weekend!

(NP member Malc introduced himself (sorry I didn't get chance for a longer chat, Malc) and I think I spotted another NP member and faithful dog at Grosmont. I am on the 10:30 from Grosmont tomorrow, so please introduce yourself if you are about (I am the rather too large guard with thinning hair and probably rather a lot of oiler on me and certainly my "Hi-Vis" coat!)

Steven Hogg

 

Thanks for a very detailed explanation of todays events. Being involved, I understand only too well the problems and the human effort that goes in to overcome them but there are many on here and elsewhere who think that running a heritage railway is easy and can't see why the NYMR can't publish a loco roster weeks in advance and stick to it.

 

Well said Steven. It has been a very hard weekend, for everyone, but many thanks to the people who helped fix 45212 and 60163. Any news on how the test run went?

Also, I have been asked, why isnt 53809 out?

 

Well today I took my first visit to the NYMR. After struggling for over 3 hours to get to Pickering the end result was a treat. I was just in time for the 2pm train to Grosmont, 60007 looked excellent... the platforms were packed, it looked like the event was a great success. What was to follow though I could not have predicted.
After we had left the station 60007 made a lot of noise in climbing up to Levisham and Newtondale Halt, I did not sit down for more than a minute as the engine kept on performing! It was a star and lived up to all my expectations about this locomotive. I recently was told that A4's were 'quiet' yet how it was driven today proved that person totally wrong. There were plenty of enthusiasts stood on the Moors to watch this fine locomotive work through the countryside. 60007 is my favourite loco of the day even though I had a brief chance to look at 60163 as the trains passed on the journey. The A1 looked fantastic with plenty of interest around the engine and it's first visit to the Moors, however, the sheer fantastic performance out did the A1 in my opinion, others may disagree, yet it is my preference. I would also like to thank the station staff at Goathland where I both ended the first journey and commenced the journey back to Pickering, they were very informative about which locomotives they were expecting to pull the next service ect. The train back to Pickering was hauled by 6619 which again did not dissapoint! It amazed me how such a small locomotive can handle 8?? coaches on the gradients that are from Goathland to Pickering. The way that the two locomotive I had for haulage today were driven was superb. I hope that I can return to the Moors soon to look at the other half of the line from Goathland to Whitby as if it is as exciting/superb as the trip I had today then I am sure that it is thoroughly enjoyable. Again, I would like to thank the loco crews today for the great performances of the locomotives: 6619, Super D, Sir Nigel Gresely, Tornado and 73050 as they all looked great and sounded excellent. This line is a great example to the rest of preservation movement

 

Not sure what the problem is with 53809 or timescale/likelihood of running next weekend - I will try and find out and post the info.

Many thanks for the knd words conireland - and I am pleased that your first visit to the Moors was so enjoyable and hopefully won't be your last! 60007 was on The Moorlander part Pullman diner set this afternoon - 8 coaches long but rather heavier! I think 60007 was once again in the hands of her chief minder Mr Barker today - he certainly had her on fine song yesterday. 6619 was on 7 Mark 1s - I am not sure who was driving this afternoon but she certainly can "sing" in the right hands. Ironcially, that train was booked for 49395 but the swap was undertaken due to doubts as to how 6619 would cope with the Goods train, which 49395 stayed on.

Generally, things stayed much closer to the plan today! 6619 worked back from Pickering this morning in place of 45212 (pulled for washout yesterday - see earlier post), meaning that by Levisham, I had seen only one train not with its booked loco - yesterday, there was barely which did have its booked loco. The first Goods had to be cancelled as yesterday's changes meant one of the crews also due on today was still out of hours, so we were a crew down and loss of the goods and a double-header later in the day saved a crew.

Today wasn't as busy as the previous two days but still very good and Goathland actually had its best day yet of the event. We also seemed to never stray more than 5 to 10 minutes from time, mainly nearer 5 and I actually left Pickering on time on both occasions. 75029 was my loco for two full length trips (Grosmont - Pickering - Whitby - Pickering - Whitby - Grosmont), and had been rumoured not to be steaming too well but we had no problems today and even sneaked up on the Goathland Signalman this afternoon, so he barely had chance to clear the home - 75029 also had no problems with the near stop on the 1 in 49. I think quite a few people were completing the 24 miles today, going down to Whitby on the 13:35 arrival and coming straight back out.

The only real problem I experienced today was a technical difficulty with the catering trolley on my set. Apologies for the lack of a service on the 10:30 from Grosmont, but the trolley had managed to wedge itself between the inward opening door of its store cupboard and a shelf in the small store constructed in what was the gangway between the first and second class compartments of a CK. This is why Carriage & Wagon could be seen on ladders attempting to open the sealed former door into this gangway on the non-platform side (naturally) of the train at Pickering. This was quickly and successfully achieved and the trolley was able to enter service!

Tornado seemed to be going down very well on the Teaks again today and had well loaded trains. Most trains had good numbers but probably just a bit more comfortable than yesterday - I was never more than about 6 people over seating capacity, which with many at droplights actually meant spare seats.

Tornado is running trains through the week and the we are back to the Gala from Friday for next weekend.

 

Thanks to everyone who was there - the highlight for me had to be running Levisham to Goathland in 76079 ("Carry on Clagging") - the engine sounded really well, working hard all the way up the gradient - although this was closely followed by running all the way down Grosmont-Pickering in the front Teak Coach!

An excellent event, hopefully I can get to the line more often in the future!

R.

 

With 53809, I don't know but I'm guessing that it really isn't fit for NYMR traffic. That was its problem in previous years. 75029 has had serious steaming problems this season but the shed staff have apparently found and solved the problem so, fingers crossed, it will be back to its old self now. The feedback I'm getting seems to indicate this.
Tornado is doing a photo charter tomorrow morning and, according to the great plan, (which could well change!) will be on the 11.00am out of Pickering which, fortunately or unfortunately, will have me on it. Anybody from here feel welcome to come and introduce yourself.

 

Couple of updates for next weekend.

30926 is looking increasingly unlikely as the superheater elements are yet to be delivered. 53809's main problem is a front end knock, which is being investigated. Test run planned for tomorrow or Thursday.

With 60007 not making it on to the branch on Sunday gone, there is a change of plan for Sunday coming. 60007 will work the 09:40 Grosmont to Battersby and return, with 60163 working the 12:50 to Battersby and return. 60163 will, therefore, have time for an additional Grosmont to Pickering return trip at 09:30 from Grosmont, 11:05 ex Pickering.

there is a DMU connection from Pickering for the 09:40 departing at 08:00.

With the amendment, it will be possible to travel Pickering (11:05) to Grosmont to Battersby to Grosmont to Pickering with 60163 throughout - over 70 miles in one more of less continuous journey (with short lunch break at Grosmont, although refreshments should be available to Battersby too).

 

The counter point here is actually how SMALL (300 or so) the number of people actively involved on the NYMR is, and just what it takes to resource an event like this, on top of a day - in - day- out service!

 

Great weekend on the moors, have uploaded my pictures here: http://yorkylad.fotopic.net/c1690827.html

Looking forward to Friday already and hoping to see the Black Fives getting a few turns over the weekend.

 

I've uploaded my photos from a very enjoyable Monday http://william.fotopic.net/c1693232.html
Sorry about the marks. The one on the right appeared in the morning and I cannot remove it.

 

I'm going up on Saturday. Really looking forward to it. Lets hope that 45212 & 45407 get together for a run. [-o<

 

Well theres no planned movement for them together in the loco diagrams, although if its anything like last weekend, then anything could happen.

 

I'm glad I didn't go last week. Too much chaos to go really. The efforts of the NYMR team have to be admired though. It was brilliant news when "Tornado" was fixed and also for 45212. Should 53809 be ready for the weekend?

 

There was a rumour that 53809 would be tried out between Grosmont and Goathland either today or tomorrow to initially see if it could pull its tender all the way without stopping. If that was successful, it might be tried out double heading on a train. Still a long way to go before its a fit and proper loco, though.
Tornado is up and running and has been since Monday. It's out tomorrow if you want to avoid the crowds.

 

Don't think there's much chance of 45212 and 45407 double heading either - isn't 45407 supposed to be in Wales that weekend?

Edit: Oops, I'm a week out of date, so perhaps there is a chance - but why the obsession with double heading? With one loco you get a good run up the bank, with two its tame. The best double headed combinations on the NYMr were with two smaller engines - the best I can remember was Lambton No. 5 and 69023 with seven or eight on - both engines working flat out!

 

Would just like to say hope all the troubles etc. of last weekend are behind you & you have a good one this coming weekend, like our gala's sometimes, the slightest thing will throw the timetable out! I'm sure it'll be a record breaker! Well done to all at the Moors.

 

Thanks for the info about 53809, she has run on the line trouble free in previous years.

I just think that Black Fives double heading are absolutely awesome. I went on 45407 & 45231 over the central wales line a couple of years ago and the noise over Sugarloaf was out of this world. They were working flat out with full regulator and flew over the summit. \/ I like double heading as long as its authentic.

Although I do admit that single headers over Goathland Bank are spectacular and enjoyable.

I hope everything works well for the NYMR over the weekend and I wish them good luck.

I will be filming around Darnholm or depending on the weather Goathland or Grosmont.

 

Thanks for all the kind and supportive comments about the NYMR gala. Fingers crossed, most of what is planned will happen. As for 53809, I'll take issue with your comment that it has run trouble free in previous years. The loco has never been up to regular NYMR running. Both its mechanical reliability and steaming ability have been questionable. Having said that, I do hope that all this is in the past and that it is a reliable and regular performer this year.