Saphos 2025

Just a follow up about Wednesday's trip. It was extremely remiss of me not to specifically mention the locomotive, Sir Nigel Gresley; it looked splendid and I understand performed well throughout the day. My thanks to all at the "Trust" who work hard to keep this magnificent machine running on the mainline. I don't think 60007 has any more booked trips in the north west this year, so looking forward to seeing it in 2026.

It may have been on the "wrong" line but the memory of sitting in a first class mk1 coach with the A4 on the front, on a sunny evening and a grey haze trailing back down the full length of the train as we sped down Beattock at 75mph will stay with me forever.

 

Signallers do weird things!

 

My video from yesterday, outward at Parsons Tunnel and then the return at Torre.

So good to have 5029 back!

 

Here's my footage of 5029 Nunney Castle putting in a very good display on yesterday's English Riviera Express. I filmed at Whiteball Summit, Goodrington Sands, Kingswear and Tiverton Parkway. I hope you enjoy it.

 

https://www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk/mob-news.shtml

60007 now booked for 13th August Carlisle - Edinburgh - rtn (tour starts from York).

https://saphostrains.com/journey/edinburgh-summer-explorer-13-08-2025/

 

Does anyone know which steam engine will be hauling the English Riviera Express to Kingswear tomorrow?

 

5029 Nunney Castle today, with 57311 on t'other end.

 

When is 71000 going to appear seems to have gone very quiet.

 

Soon...

 

Light loaded test runs should start this coming Monday and finish on Tuesday. The Duke should run on the standard Crewe to Chester run, twice. Full loaded test run on the circuit pencilled in for the 18th and the members trip should follow a day later.

That's the plan according to the email.

 

Now at Fairwater Yard. Nunney coming off now. Not much chance for her to stretch her legs this time, as we were stuck behind a stopper for ages. Slow crawl along the sea wall. Oh well, c'est la vie.

 

Is there any word on what is planned to work the Fellsman this week? Thanks

 

LSG on Facebook confirmed 61306

 

A visit to the Helsby timewarp in glorious morning light and an unusual chill in the air after weeks of warm weather.
The railhead shine on the line to Ellesmere Port suggests some recent use more than the sparse passenger service; the going away shot was something of an afterthought.

Back in the 60s B1s did come this way, sometimes with summer Saturday excursions from Yorkshire, but I can't recall whether 61306 has been over this line in preservation, anybody know ?

 

Sorry for poor video, phone slipped and my fingers appeared
61306 Mayflower departing Hellifield some 50 minutes late
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2025/August-2025/-1/i-XttBP88/A

 

After being "starved of steam" in the last few weeks, now it's steam twice in two days, making 5 locos in total and I'm not complaining! The weather forecast for today was lighter winds, with sunshine, patchy cloud and no rain. Thankfully more rain is forecast for tomorrow, we don't want to go "Back to Black". I had been granted a full day pass, this would allow me to watch the train leaving Blackburn and again on the S&C. However, being the first nice day of the week I could see that Mrs W would rather be out and about than on Maisie duties. I opted to see the train just once, get home mid morning and bank a bit of goodwill for another day.

In the morning, the climb from Blackburn towards Brownhill is best viewed on a cloudy day as the sun is on the "wrong" side. So I decided on somewhere around Wilpshire summit, either from the road bridge at the end of R&W station or from the platform. I headed over, parked up and made my way to the bridge. Luckily the sun was shining but still early(ish) in the morning (09.35) it wasn't high in the sky; large trackside trees cast shadows over much of the cutting with just a few sunny patches. This would probably be ok for the photographers who had already gathered at the platform end and could choose their spot. I opted for the far end of platform.

The Clitheroe-Rochdale came and went. The late running and already truncated Man Vic-Clitheroe train arrived in the opposite platform (10L). For no apparent reason it hung about and eventually left 12L. This would possibly impact on the Fellsman which was already in Blackburn station. But no, it left RT and through Daisyfield Jn. The Clitheroe bound service must have cleared the splitter signal at Langho allowing the Fellsman to enter the (split) section.

Clouds scudded across the landscape but it remained predominantly sunny. There was a distant whistle, a pause and eventually another whistle, then the odd rhythmic burst of a locomotive exhaust. The exhaust beat came louder, some white exhaust billowed skywards as 61306 climbed the steep curve towards the summit. Clearly in view, working hard, the exhaust beat slowed as the weight of the whole train was on the steepest part of the climb (1/73). It was great to hear, the loco reached the summit and still it blasted away. More and more of the train toppled over the summit and onto falling gradients, the exhaust beat quickened. As the driver approached the road bridge he closed the regulator, allowing the train to coast down the bank. Under the bridge with a cheeky whistle. What a picture the engine, and then the carriages made as they passed through a patch of sunlight near the end of the platforms. Around 3 weeks ago Mrs W and I had tried to book on this train only to discover that there was only one seat available in first class; as it passed every seat looked to be occupied. 16C, 6L & 26mph through the station.

 

61306 with today's down Fellsman at Whalley and Horton in Ribblesdale.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54702638552/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54703466181/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54703466031/in/photostream/

 

Very nice. Put me very much in mind of B1's (and others) including 61306 slogging up the banks out of Bradford Exchange many moons ago. She was not green or named back then of course but the spectacle was equally thrilling to behold!

 

6th August 2025 61306 Mayflower with 57311 on rear Fellsman

61306 powers through Horton in Ribblesdale

 

Sounded absolutely spot on, back then the locos would still have been fairly new, must have been great to see and hear them on a daily basis.