WCME/CME 2024

Left Carnforth 50 minutes late

 

A dry day was forecast with even the chance of some sun and with steam on from Manchester - worth a trip out, thought Oswald. When first advertised I had planned to go to Horwich Parkway but the change of route (several weeks ago) ruled that out as a possible location. With the train booked on the "Slow" north of Balshaw Lane, Euxton Balshaw Lane station looked a reasonable prospect. The station has an adjacent car park (this was free until the end of 2023 and is free for 30 minutes then £1.50/day). The line is on a gently rising gradient (1/963r) and the station only has platforms on the slow lines. The next train on the Up Slow was 10 minutes after the WCME, so providing Tangmere ran RT and on the "Slow" all would be well. What could possibly go wrong?

Only a 30 minute drive, parked, tried without success to pay £1.50 via the App (just in case the train was running late) then off to the north end of the southbound platform. This involves a tedious walk up a stepped ramp to the nearby road, across the bridge, and down another long ramp. I set up my camera and tripod facing south. I had planned to record a trailing shot by attaching a camera phone to stout gate post at the end of the platform but I couldn't find my big clamp which I thought was in the car boot. Instead using a lighter clamp I attached it to one of the rails in the fence - result "wobble-vision" - hey ho! A check on RTT showed the train was running RT/2L at Wigan. The watery sunshine had vanished - the train must be due!

A few minutes later some exhaust appeared above the trees on the curve and with a low exhaust and surrounded by swirling steam Tangmere hurtled towards the station, and I do mean hurtled! The problem with high speeds is that everything is over in seconds but to see a steam locomotive from close quarters travelling at speed is an awesome spectacle. 6C but feeling colder, RT & 70mph.

 

Same again but now includes the "wobbly" trailing shot - hang on to your hats!

 

This is what happens when you're laid up at home with a broken leg and your wife goes out to take the photo's for you, lol! (Bay Horse). In fairness, it was a last minute grab shot I'm told

 

Very well composed shot for Mk2 fans, perfectly centered with both locos obscured by a tree.

 

Nothing that a bit of PhotoCHOP can’t fix. Hope you are soon back in action.

 

Passing through Lancaster.
I also waited at Carnforth and got a video of her leaving, but my microphone battery had died so that clip has no sound

 

34067 at Forton and near Holme

 

Oh dear - get well soon Steve !

 

That would be quite a challenge in PS

 

34067 reportedly removed at Hellifield, 47815 onwards.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:46700/2024-02-10/detailed

 

47 on the front on Clitheroe webcam

 

Removed to save the shunt at Preston.

 

34067 at Shap Summit ,Angerholm , and Aisgill.

 

Smardale on the return...


Tangmere at Smardale

 

Thank you . Totally agree Al although I did think Tangmere was certainly working well at the Summit even with the assistance.

 

34067 with the return CME 10.02.24.

 

Not a lot of noise from the back though, as far as I could hear

 

It's a 57, they're not particularly loud anyway.