WCME/CME 2024

Thanks very much David, very kind and much appreciated. Looking forward to this Saturday’s WCME (plus the not so small matter of 5043..!)

 

These have appeared on the banking at Shap summit so I suspect they are checking for movement?

 

ECS was late arriving from Southall by the looks of it. 86 was on time approaching but had to wait until the stock was there.

 

34067 flew up Shap with 47815 on the rear giving assistance, load 11 with a Blue & Grey mk2 on the rear, Tangmere has a wreath on today as well

 

White smoke for a change at Oxenholme

 

34067 and 5043 today

 

34067 on Shap .

 

My thoughts are with the lad who was taken ill at Shap Wells this morning and had to be carried to an ambulance by Mountain Rescue. Wishing him good health.

 

Does anyone know who the wreath is for?

 

About to top Shap summit, SR BoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' heads todays 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' onwards to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Craig Todd on the shovel and Steve Adams Guard

 

Craig Todd was driving on the return journey. Mick Rawling as inspector and an unidentified fireman.

 

Docker - Sun but only just!




Wharton Dykes - no sun by a long way.....




Richard

 

It has been a busy couple of days for old Oswald. Yesterday was spent at the East Lancs Railway riding behind, Sir Nigel Gresley, Britannia and Leander - very enjoyable. This morning was a jaunt up to Greenholme to watch the Castle and Tangmere battle Shap. This afternoon, it was back to business and a ride over to Wilpshire to watch Tangmere (and a 47) zoom up the bank. Unlike yesterday and this morning, Mrs W accompanied me on the final jolly of the weekend.

The light rain of mid afternoon had abated but it was dull and dismal as we headed over to R&W. Down onto the Clitheroe end of Clitheroe bound platform. The train had left Clitheroe 12E and was predicted to reach us around 17.08. Without a diesel on the back there is little or no chance of gaining time on the climb from Whalley but with a diesel, how early do you want to be?

The wind was stronger than this morning and was blowing from the SW and would carry the sound of the approaching train directly away from the station. With Tangmere being such a "quiet engine" she appeared around the bend without warning and was halfway towards the platforms before any sound could be heard. Having said that, she laid down a nice smoky exhaust trail that lingered after she had gone and she did look a picture. The train hurried thro' the station with 47.815 Great Western helping. 9C (but feeling colder in the freshening breeze), 15E & 37mph. A memorable and enjoyable couple of days, thanks to all involved in providing the entertainment.

(One point worthy of note, yesterday WCRC ran a Northern Belle trip, albeit diesel top and tail, to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It appears that the Northern Belle stock has been CDLd - well done WCRC!)



And one I prepared earlier (see VT thread)

 

Here's my footage of 34067 Tangmere roaring and whistling up Shap with The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, filmed at Shap Wells. The video also features 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Today's CME with 34067 at a briefly sunlit Docker Viaduct and later in the afternoon, dashing thro' a very overcast Lazonby.........






Cheerz,

Alan

 

34067 seen from Scout Green through to Shap Summit.

 

Big mistake today. Got to Shap Wells for the first time since this time last year, and I took the traditional route, up along the footpath, past the monument and through the woods.

Good news was that they'd moved the big fallen tree from Storm Arwen that was almost blocking the way out to the wood last year, when I snapped a few well chosen branches and managed to get under it.

Bad news was that it's been replaced by a multitude of felled trees, stacked two or three deep along the boundary fence, almost end to end. Took some negotiating with backpack & tripod, slipping, sliding & climbing. Then there was still the clear fell to cross. I was knackered by the time I got to the spot.

More good news, though. When I got home a green beret had been delivered to our house by express courier, with a note saying that as a result of my morning's endeavours, I've been accepted into the Royal Marines.