Northern Belle 2024

After a dry morning the clouds gathered and around noon light rain began to fall, the forecast was optimistic and by mid afternoon the rain had stopped and the sun began to break through. Diego slept through lunch and finally awoke around 4pm, after a six hour nap, and went "home" for his tea. Mrs W went out for a walk promising to be back in time to accompany me on a "steamy adventure". I continued watching the cricket on tv. Mrs W returned in good time, I gathered up the usual stuff and I turned off the tv with Jamie Smith having scored an excellent 95 and in sight of his maiden test match hundred. Once in the car I turned on the radio only to find that in the intervening 2 minutes he had been dismissed without adding to his score. We set off for Wilpshire.

RTT showed that Tangmere had left Hellifield at 17.30 (1E); with a generous booking to Horrocksford Jn, nothing in front and a diesel on the back she could be 20E at Ramsgreave (booked time 18.22). We headed to the station where there were several people waiting for the Clitheroe train. We set up a camera at the Blackburn end of the Clitheroe platform aka "Oswald's Corner", Mrs W was in charge. I went back onto the road bridge and set up the other camera directly above Mrs W. The Clitheroe train arrived and departed (20L) - just as well Tangmere wasn't very early or Mrs W would have been cross! An old mate of mine arrived, just watching, and we chatted as we waited.

Then a shrill whistle in the distance, around 90 seconds later came the sound of the approaching Tangmere and making plenty of noise. Around the corner, translucent blue-grey exhaust lifting nicely from the wide chimney and with more than a hint of steam from around her safety valves. She was working well, the sound becoming harsher as she reached the platforms, a nice long whistle as she ran through the station and under the bridge and away to the summit. 18C, RT & 26mph. Judging by today's performance it appears that Thursday's test run had been successful.

 

Lovely story and footage as usual, thanks for posting.

Except that walking out on a man just 5 runs short of his maiden test century had now seen Wisden change the record that will forever be carved in English Willow:

J.Smith run out O.T Whistle 95

Bryan B

 

On Saturday evening a guy, wandered down from the far end of the platform and commented to Mrs W that he had decided to move as other people might get in the way of his "shot". He stood to Mrs W's left, safely out of frame, or was he?



Mrs W was not happy. It could have been worse . . . he could have been wearing bright clothing. "Video bombed by Tango Man!"

 

Young whistle you can guarantee that on the bridges at Aisgill and Helwith Bridge that some fashionista will turn up normally last minute dressed in red/yellow jacket without fail, thank goodness for PS

 

A good reason for avoiding station platforms unless you are up by the ramp.

 

At least he was holding his phone in landscape

 

A still of the final frame posted at stations along the line with the caption 'Beware of the Clown' could be an idea.

 

Agreed, I don't think it was deliberate just totally oblivious to the possibility.

 

Well it won't be me, my usual garb is black, grey or dark blue (and I keep my WD40 under wraps in case the can glints in the sun - LOL!)

 

Good advice John and it also avoids being "bowled". I must admit to be being addicted to Wilpshire Bank (4 miles of fun) but there are surprisingly few good vantage points for video. The last mile has the station, 3 over bridges (the one nearest to the tunnel is not a good spot for video), the embankment adjacent to the underpass (too precarious for me) and "over the fence" on the estate built on the old goods yard (not a good spot). In several years filming at R&W this is only the third occasion that someone has wandered into shot. It just goes with the territory!

 

"Take that man's name Wilson"

 

I think it may be age related, people under 40? only do portrait!

 

Don't tell him Pike.

 

Or perhaps a "NOT WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE" poster.

 

A pike, now there's an idea for discouraging those who "intrude" - "They don't like it up 'em!"

 

Captain Mainwaring (right of the Reverend and holding the black baton) would have stood for none of that nonsense @Oswald T Wistle

I was on the 14.45 Walmington-on-Sea (aka Eridge) to Tunbridge Wells West before departure behind 34072.

The stern look on Mainwaring's face was because he was about to order me not to continue leaning out of the window when the train was due to leave.

Bryan B

 

Is tomorrow's train steam or diesel hauled, RTT appears to suggest no stop on the way back at Hellifield? Thanks

 

Timed at 60mph from Carnforth to Carlisle, which suggests steam