LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

Last weeks email from the A1st stated a movement to Shrewsbury was on the cards this week prior to ETCS testing. If anyone spots any times on RTT for these test before me please post them, so I can set my alarm clock, an A1 pacific at Newtown is sufficiently rare to get me out of bed!!

 

45407 heads for Carnforth from Castleton after overhaul.

 

Its back at Sutton Br Jn at 0450 on monday morning, the outbound movement not yet posted.

 

Tornado heading south from Carnforth tomorrow 3rd April?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U49517/2025-04-03/detailed

Cheers,

 

Ralph,
I will be at Hartford station today. For trains heading south I usually stand at the southern end of the down platform.
Cheers,

 

Tornado passing Brock with 5Z63 1040 Carnforth Steamtown to Coleham Lmd 03/04/25.

 

60163 Tornado heads for Shrewsbury

 

With all the tweeting...it sounds like ideal Maisie bird watching territory...

 

60163 Tornado passing through Hartford station whilst en route from Carnforth to Shrewsbury for further testing.



Also good to meet @RalphW at the station today.

Cheers,

 

Well, I was wrong-footed by the "cancelled service" that appeared on RTT for yesterday's 45407 move from the ELR to 10A and by the time I found out that it was running, it was too late! Today I was ready and headed over to Leyland in good time, arriving 35 mins before the train was due. Once again the car park was full but there was a space on the road only a short distance away - that's a pound saved!

As there often is, there was a decision to be made; narrow side, where the sun would be lighting my side of the loco or, the wide side, a better angle but with the loco in shadow (and a northbound train due within 3 mins of Tornado). I chose the narrow side and wandered down to the south end of platform 4. There was already some people across the fast lines at the south end of platform 3, someone with a video camera on a tripod stood next to a photographer. As time passed they were joined by one or two others.

Once the Manchester Airport train had collected its passengers I was the only occupant of platform 4. Had I made the correct choice? I could nip across the tracks and save all that climbing steps to get up and over the lines - I could, and whilst I may act daft, I'm not a complete idiot, so I stayed where I am allowed to be. We've seen one piece of idiotic behaviour this week, and that is more than enough.

Tornado had already passed Preston (6E) and was heading our way and with nothing in front of it. I watched progress on Traksy. It's so much easier on main lines when Traksy is available rather than on lines where it isn't and the train can "disappear" for long periods of time. It was past Farington Jn and would be "almost upon us", time to start the camera.

An announcement warned us that the approaching train did not stop at the station - I knew that! Some 40 seconds later the sun caught the smokebox of the approaching loco, not much in the way of noise (although climbing it is a gentle gradient with a "train" that comprised just one coach isn't too taxing for a big un). There was little or no visible exhaust but it was a warmish day. Tornado moved swiftly thro' the station, I gestured for a whistle and got one - thanks. It's always better with a whistle or even a Wistle! In the twinkling of an eye Tornado had gone, but now operating out of 10A we should be seeing much more of her in the months to come. 15C and feeling pleasant out of the fresh easterly breeze, 8E & (very approximately) 60mph.

(Maisie now goes out on her own and returns regularly in time for her next meal or just for a cat treat. She stalks birds, both real and imaginary, has climbed a tree a couple of times, explores and sits in sunny spots. She was out most of the morning and following her lunch she went to her bed for a nap an 90 mins later is still sleeping. Just like a cat should be.)

 

In cat land they think we are stupid watching steam trains.... they're probably right too ...

 

The warm spring afternoon in Shropshire reached 20C and promised little chance of exhaust as 60163 passed Yorton and headed toward Shrewsbury just after 2pm.




Is Tornado the first steam loco stabled at Coleham since the shed closed ?

 

"Just like summer, only better........."

I'm still recovering from the monumental soaking I received courtesy of Ais Gill last Saturday............

Anyway, in wonderful "summery" weather, here is 60163 at Hadnall this afternoon on the last few miles to it's temporary home at Shrewsbury.



Cheerz,

Alan

 

Ouch...Nat King Cole ...."who" ? some might ask on here... unique voice though...

 

One for our Yorkshire President and First Lady methinks.... Dewsbury rocking...