LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

46115 going home today !.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K37914/2025-07-07/detailed

Looks like it'll have a minder north of Stafford.
0Z59 Carnforth to Stafford https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:93956/2025-07-07/detailed

 

Transfers between Carnforth amd Southall are routine, but they normally take the WCML all the way to Willesden and then run via Acton Wells. Why might this one be going a much longer way round via Bicester and Didcot? Route learning for a steam driver perhaps?

 

Could perhaps be route learning for upcoming steam charters, but I would also imagine it’s so the A1 is facing the right way to head into London for the ECS the next morning

 

Can anyone tell me what was going through Keignley Eastbound on saturday afternoon, i heard it but didnt see it - 60163 ?

 

It was tornado saw it come through at keighley whilst at the heritage railway. However it was behind the 47 but it did do a long blast of the whistle through the station

 

Stourbridge Junction again, in rather better light than Friday. Thankfully the late running Kidderminster-bound unit waited a few seconds and avoided bowling us.

 

46115 at Penkridge Station heading for the rendezvous with it's minder at Stafford.

 

West Coast Railways class 37 No. 37706 leads ex-LMS Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No. 46115 Scots Guardsman and its support coach through Hartford station while en route to Carnforth on Monday 7th July 2025.



I would have been much happier if the diesel had been on the rear!

Cheers

 

Scots guardsman passing Brock with 37706 on the front 07/07/25.

 

Yet more rain yesterday evening - Network Rail please note. Despite it being dark and raining steadily we had a struggle to get Maisie to come back indoors; she eventually appeared around 10.15 and was decidedly wet. She finished off what was left of her tea, zoomed round like a hooligan and then threw up on the dining room carpet. After that she settled down, had a wash and went to sleep.

I was undecided about today's return run with SG; LEs and ECS moves are low priority and planned times can be wildly out. It appeared certain that a diesel would be involved, but would it be front or back? It was a dry day with some sunshine, plenty of cloud and with a stiff breeze from the northwest that was both cool and blustery. The path on RTT showed times but had no information on the planned line. For what it was worth, OTT did show the lines, with SG pathed on the slow north from Balshaw Lane. I decided to go to Euxton Balshaw Lane, this was a gamble as there is no shot should SG head up the fast line.

Before leaving home I checked RTT and found that 46115 had already left Crewe (22E). There was no longer enough time to comfortably reach Euxton Balshaw Lane so a change of plan and it was off to Leyland. Thankfully traffic was light and, suspecting that the car park would be full, I found a space on an adjacent street. A check on RTT showed SG between Warrington and Wigan and now 15E - timewise this could go either way depending on traffic around Wigan. I gathered up my camera and tripod and headed to the station; the station car park was more than half empty, never mind saved myself a pound. The centre island, platforms 2 & 3, seemed to be the best bet with a good view of both the slow and fast lines.

I got ready, but not too ready in case I needed to move. SG was through Wigan 26E. I checked progress on Traksy, section by section, SG approached Balshaw Lane, fast or slow - it was fast! It was at this point that Oswald made a bad decision; I could stay where I was, on the tight side, on the right side for the sun and with no chance of a blocker or I could move across to the other side. Of course, idiot that I am, I chose to move to platform 4. Now Oswald is not the quickest of movers, but is even slower when carrying an open tripod, up the steps I went, purposefully along the walkway and carefully down the other steps (bad knee). I plonked my tripod down, levelled it and stuck the camera and mic on top and pointed it south. At this point the 37 was bearing down on the station, I pressed record and hoped that the camera settings would be somewhere near. 37706 gave a toot for those waiting on the platforms, less than a dozen, and Oswald waved as it drew nearer. The 37, 46115 and the support coach passed in a flash and it was time to pack up and go. Oh no, in my rush I hadn't switched on the mic - idiot! 19C & around 30E.

I was back home only a couple of minutes later than 46115 had been due to pass thro' Leyland. A quick look at the nineteen seconds of silent video showed the camera settings had been far from ideal. Chalk it down to experience, Oswald and move on! I managed to rescue a frame from the video that at least showed I was there. Time for a brew and a sit down, but not in my favourite armchair, Maisie has pinched it.

 

7th July 2025 37706 46115 Loco Move

37706 and 46115 at Hampson Lane Ellel

 

3Z16 0200 Carnforth Steamtown to Glasgow Central, 60163 Tornado & 3 class 57's & Northern Belle Ecs
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57971/2025-07-10/detailed

 

There are now paths on RTT to get Tornado from Edinburgh to Southall via York tonight/tomorrow.

 

Seems to be a trend to have not one but two boxes on a steam charter these days. Way things are going Steam charters will consist of a kettle being propelled by a HST set ...

 

Perhaps it’s to do with how operations are going to work surrounding the train. The train is not fully hauled by 60163, and for part of its moves it needs T&T 57s so that accounts for 2 of the 3. The third will be to assist Tornado in the LE move to Southall no doubt

 

So, Tornado is currently hauling the Northern Belle set with herself at the front, a Class 57 on the rear.

Today is not the only Northern Belle stock run in Scotland this week however, with advertised trips tomorrow and this weekend. That requires two 57's, T&T due to use of Glasgow Central station plus usual operating procedure of the Belle. That accounts for two of the three 57's that moved North today, and indeed they split from the rake just North of Motherwell to continue to Joppa for overnight stabling.

The third 57, I imagine, will be used to pilot the A1 this evening, from Joppa to York NRM. This is a path that sees the A1 leave at 2250, an overnight run to York after today's marathon trip for the A1 is unlikely to be carried out with just engine and POB.

 

45212 moving from Hellifield to Chester tonight vs back to 10A, presumably so she can be out of the BLACK affected area to work at least part of Sunday's NWCE.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:94897/2025-07-10/detailed

 

Despite the fact Chester is still in the Black area! Sneaky