LE movements, ECS and test runs 2023

45212 back to Keighley
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91911/2023-12-28/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91912/2023-12-28/detailed

 

Ex-LMS Stanier Black Five 4-6-0 No. 45212 passes through Hartford station in the fading light of 28th December 2023 while travelling from Orton Mere to its home base on the KWVR.



A Happy New Year to all,

 

It was actually travelling from the Nene Valley Railway to Keighley via Carnforth

 

I, and my post, stand corrected,

 

What struck me was that the route was so extremely indirect, including a long stretch of the (normally busy) WCML. Was no shorter route possible, or was there some reason to drop in at Carnforth?

 

Train crew route knowledge perhaps? That is for WCRC to arrange.
Also the Doncaster / Leeds / York triangle often seems to present timing challenges - witness the number of charters which end up on convoluted routes in that area instead of following the main lines which have high speed services.

Cheers, Neil

 

The KWVR like their locos chimney first uphill out of Keighley. I think this is the only way that you can approach Keighley chimney first from the west. 45mph tender first running along the busy Aire Valley is a no-no these days.

Peter

 

Why the need for a support coach? Only needs a driver and fireman to get the engine back home. My dad was a fireman, and he and his driver did it all themselves, including prepping the loco. No army of folk in a coach doing the job for them in those days.

 

And a watering column on every platform/major station? And a local steam shed nearby should anything go awry, where a fitter could be summoned in haste and usually either a replacement part or engine be provided if necessary?

 

Was there a reason for 45212’s LE Run to not use a support coach? I know when I worked with the 50 Alliance in the early days of mainline operations one was considered, it was decided there was no point as it’s primary roll would just be staff accommodation plus the faff of running around at certain locations. Was it something similar to this?

 

45212 went to Nene light engine in November. I believe currently, Riley's have two operational support coaches (Mk2s) for use with the 5's. One went to Southall with No. 44871 for the winter railtour programme, the other went to Wensleydale with No. 45407 to be used as the brake for the 'Polar Express' rake, doubling up as staff and stock storage for these runs.

 

plus, though correct me if i am wrong, have the KWVR/Bahamas society only got one operational support coach?

 

The KWVR doesn't own a 'mainline support coach'. BLS have their own support coach for 'Bahamas'.

44871 is joining 45407 on the 31st December and leaving the KWVR. Off Haworth Shed at 08:45am to collect the hired-in WCRC coach from Oxenhope.

 

Steam loco suppport crews put in a huge amount of work before, after and during any mainline run and are often volunteers... without them main line runs, would be almost impossible to run.

 

Basically not enough to go round then?
Thankyou.

 

Just been watching Railcam from Keighley Station.
Move to Carnforth is 45407 at front, 45407 support, WCRC coach, 44871 support and 44871 running tender first

45212 was in station on service train

 

Heading home for the new year.



"The Lancashire Fusilier", 31/12/23.

 

Bit of a challenge to get all three 5s together in one picture at Keighley this afternoon - this is the best that I could do

Peter