The Dalesman 2025

60163 seen crossing Ribblehead Viaduct in between showers.

 

Despite the wet weather A1 class No. 60163 'Tornado' puts on a fine show leaving Helwith Bridge with the inaugural 'Dalesman' for 2025 with Mick Kelly driving, Craig Todd on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard



With a moody Whernside as a backdrop a lucky splash of sunshine catches No. 60163 'Tornado' as it trundles through Ribblehead with the return leg of 'The Dalesman' to Hellifield and onwards to York with Chris Cubitt driving,
Matt Southwell on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

60163 on the return leg climbing to Aisgill Summit.

 

Good to see you again today, Nige.

 

Not always managing to dodge the showers at Ais Gill.

 

You too Alan and nice to catch up.

 

Bye 'ell, I enjoyed that, thanks for posting it. In fact, thanks to all who went out to photo/video The Dalesman, for an old man with dodgy mobility it's great to see.

 

60163 Tornado with the Dalesman of 5/6/2025.It had been held at the distant to allow a unit from Morecambe across the junction so was having to work here from a standing start

David

 

My pleasure Victor, glad you enjoyed watching.

 

45212 climbing out of Settle with the second Dalesman of the summer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54645675343/in/photostream/

 

LMS 45212 with today's Dalesman seen from Selside Shaw with 47815 smoking on the rear.

 

Yesterday morning was wet following some overnight showers but last night was dry. The early morning was grey, misty and with no wind; the humidity had increased significantly. The decks had been cleared Oswald was out for a watch, you never know if we will ever be allowed to run steam again here in the north west. A quick check on RTT to ensure that the train had left York and that something (hopefully 45212 and a minder had left 10A); all appeared in order.
First stop Hellifield. On the way I paid particular attention to grass verges and the adjoining fields, everything was green, there was nothing that looked remotely flammable. If there is something making the railways in the north west particularly combustible then it is of Network Rail's own making (or it's made up!).

I parked on WCRC car park and ambled along to the station, coat not needed. I expected to see the loco and coach in the up loop, but it was empty. In the other loop was the support coach, 57008 was in the adjacent siding, "dead", but making the occasional clicking sounds as something cooled; 45212 was nowhere to be seen. After a minute or so the loco emerged from the Blackburn line and ran through the station before reversing into the down loop and coupling up to the coach. Another couple of minutes and 45212 reversed down the Blackburn line, clearing the loop for the main train. Oswald left and headed to Horton in R.

The mist was lifting and the sun was making brief, weak appearances. At Horton in R station there were spaces on the car park - yes! As it was such a nice day I gathered up my bits and pieces and walked the very short distance to the platform. The addition of the lifts and footbridge has not enhanced the looks of the period station, but it's not as bad as it might have been. I was ready soon as there was a stone train due heading north from Arcow Quarry to Blea Moor loop, and there was the potential problem, the Dalesman was due to follow it, closely, possibly too closely.

A toot from the horn of the 60 announced the approach of the quarry train, the 60 heaved its heavy load slowly up the hill and away north, turning the signal to red. The quarry train had started 1E and cleared into the loop at Blea Moor 1E. The Dalesman left Hellifield RT and passed Settle Jn 4L - not rushing. As it approached Horton in R 45212 was was chugging gently along (1E) in anticipation of the red signal(?) - and it was not disappointed. Having made up time on the lower part of the climb, with no doubt hefty rear end assistance, it had got too close to the train in front and had to stop.

Travelling at such a slow speed allowed for a longer look and it was a pleasure to watch one of Stanier's finest in action, albeit gentle action. When the quarry train was safely tucked up in the loop, the signal flicked to green and 45212 eased her train on its merry way. I zoomed in for a closer look but on a warm day got plenty of shimmer, it's the thought that counts. Was the Dalesman timed too close to the stone train or was the climb a little too fast? Who cares, it made for a more interesting day. 20C, humid and getting warmer.

Yesterday Maisie caught a mouse, I say caught in its broadest sense. Maisie had eaten her breakfast, left her usual 10% for later, and gone out to hunt in the long grass across the road. Mrs W spotted her chasing a mouse up and down the road, Maisie was in charge tapping the poor creature this way and that directing its desperate attempts to escape. A motorist had to stop as Maisie was in the middle of the road, seeing the car she promptly picked the mouse up in her mouth and hid under a parked car. We tired of waiting for her to emerge and a few minutes later the car drove off, no Maisie and no mouse. Not long afterwards Maisie returned, still no sign of the mouse and no signs of her having eaten it. She went straight to the kitchen and finished her breakfast. What happened to the mouse is anyone's guess.

 

Getting up to speed having been held at Horton, Class 5 No. 45212 approaches the hamlet of Selside with the northbound 'Dalesman' 1Z41 towards Ribblehead and onwards to Carlisle with David Blair driving, Craig Todd on the shovel and Matt Miller Guard



Having missed out the water stop at Appleby, Black 5 No. 45212 running thirty six early approaches Aisgill summit with the return 'Dalesman' 1Z42 back to Hellifield and onwards to York with David Blair driving, Matt Southwell on the shovel and Steve Adams Guard

 

Great video Oswald T wistle despite how warm the weather has been luckily this one has paid off for todays York Carlisle ret Dalesman tour both for the passengers on board and W.C.R.

 

The last wagon of the stone train was swaying very noticeably. What might have been causing that?

 

Many of the wagons appear to develop a sway around the same point on the track, perhaps wagons nearer to the front have their movement damped by the load on their rear coupling. Others may have a better explanation.

 

A few phone pics from yesterday at Hellifield,


Backing onto the support coach.


WCRC driver David Blair enjoying the view


Waiting to reverse down the Blackburn line before the main train arrives in the DGL

 

With sun looking unlikely it seemed a good time to take a shot of the new layout at Horton from the expensive footbridge.Needless to say the sun did appear !
Another unpaid appearance in Oswald's film

David
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Unpaid but not unappreciated

 

'The Dalesman' hauled by LMS 5MT No.45212, seen entering Blea Moor Tunnel, Angerholme and Ais Gill Viaduct.

Video Available Here