Wensleydale Railway Matters

Fragonset is a heritage livery now and was carried by 715 when based there.

 

Firstly, well done with your purchase, and getting her started. 47s have always been my favourite diesel.
She still retained her buffer beam crib rails and full-depth cabsides when in ScotRail and NSE livery, she did too when initially in RES livery (which I think would make a nice change).

My only shot of her as 47 714. My other shots of her are as 47 511.

 

I know many are pushing for Anglia to stay but as I've said elsewhere, in my view the shade of turquoise means that its a livery which very quickly looks aged/dated/faded. On a heritage railway that's conscious of its image, that's not ideal - so I'm sure there are better options.

 

Thanks for the support and sharing your picture if it was my choice I wouldn’t mind seeing 714 in RES livery

It’s a fair point having to repaint regularly isn’t very economical

 

47 update

Our Operations team have been busy working on 47714. They took the loco out around Leeming Bar and to Bedale, as part of on-going tests. The team did light engine and ETH (electric train heating) tests Monday; both were successful! We have a few more tests still to run and then 714 should be ready soon to take up ‘Thunderbird’ duties during THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides this year!


Once the Christmas season is over, the team will then begin focusing on bodywork repairs and painting.



Picture credit Oliver Kirkby

 

I saw a photo of it tagged onto the rear of the 33 saying it had had to be rescued - was there a minor issue on one of the test runs or had the photographer got the wrong end of the stick?

 

I’ve not been down to get this weeks gossip so I don’t know any details unfortunately. If we are talking about the same post it was suggested a “loss of air” which I’m going to assume means a loss of pressure which meant the brakes couldn’t be released after changing ends for the return run to Leeming from the ‘north pole’ as it was on a polar service. I would imagine the crew did what was required to get the service moving before getting on with some fault finding.

Dave

 

Apparently the 47 was out on the back of Polar services on Friday - this bodes well. They've done a great job to get it ready so quick.

 

Mince pie specials announced

December 28th and 29th

For two-days only, travel back in time by steam locomotive and blow those post-Christmas cobwebs away! Enjoy a festive journey between Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn and a complimentary mince pie and hot drink served on board!

Black Five steam locomotive No. 45212 will be operating two-days of steam services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn on 28 and 29 December 2024.

You have a choice of three trips per day to choose from and can depart from Leeming Bar, Bedale or Leyburn stations (with a request stop at Finghall station).

Leeming Bar departures: 10:00, 12:20 and 14:40

Bedale departures: 10:10, 12:20 and 14:50

Leyburn departures: 11:20, 13:40 and 16:00

All tickets are Rovers, so travel on any service from any station on the day.

December 30th

Diesel fans, end the year in style with a trip behind 47714! This will be the first time that the loco has operated a public service on our railway, since our purchase earlier this year!

Enjoy a festive journey between Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn and a complimentary mince pie and hot drink served on board!

You have a choice of three trips per day to choose from and can depart from Leeming Bar, Bedale or Leyburn stations (with a request stop at Finghall station).

Leeming Bar departures: 10:00, 12:20 and 14:40

Bedale departures: 10:10, 12:30 and 14:50

Leyburn departures: 11:20, 13:40 and 16:00

All tickets are Rovers, so travel on any service from any station on the day.

 

“45212 left the railway Tuesday morning after a successful Christmas season operating THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides. The locomotive performed wonderfully and is a real credit to its owners The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the amazing operating and support crew from Riley & Son E Ltd Locomotive Engineers.”

While I didn’t partake in polar express I did take the opportunity to have a ride behind 47714 on the mince pie special.





WL4 was on shunt release duty for the day

 

I look forward to the day when Wensleydale once again has a resident (or long-term loan) permanently on the line.

 

A resident what Alex?

 

Ah - a resident, operational steam locomotive!

 

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, for the last few Mondays our main task has been swapping out worn 3oft bullhead will newer 60ft lengths replacing sleepers and damaged chairs as we go 24 pairs of new rails to go in.



Dave

 

Another Monday some more rail replacement we were blessed with some very nice weather and managed to get another 6 60ft lengths in and a closure rail to keep the line open for traffic. We’ve got another 3 Mondays worth of work left all being well.

 

Not updated in a while so I’ve give a quick rundown of what i know.

The rerailling at traffic light bridge was completed on 7th of April Twenty-seven pairs of rails over 22 chains of line replaced manually in thirteen days. Lots of lessons on the way, some frustrations but a deserved feeling of accomplishment.



The next task in conjunction with the fencing team was to work on newton le willows cricket club UWC this involved new pedestrian and road gates and widening of the deck.



A few more tasks have taken place in the newton le willows area. 2 rails were suffering with VLS so they were replaced in a day.

In between these tasks we have been doing joint servicing most Wednesdays.

Also 47714 has been outshopped in RES livery revealed on our recent model railway weekend.


Photo credit - Oliver Kirby

David

 

47714 looks fantastic and it's a great choice of livery. Someone at Wensleydale is a) a fan of the 90s and b) very clever in choosing liveries that are unique in preservation!

 

If you want your chance to see 714 in action in its new livery come to our diesel gala next weekend.

 

I attended the Gala on Saturday here’s a few pictures

 

Out of interest, how much would a 122 be able to haul if needed?

As much as I’m tempted to ask which long unseen 90s livery is upcoming for the Class 33 to continue the trend, I do hope it stays in blue. Not only is it the best livery on a 33, but also there’s no point in having a more or less unique rake of blue & grey Mk2s and no traction to match!

Also, in a photo I saw in the last few days, it looked like 37250’s paintwork is starting to fade already. I presume it was just the lighting?