LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

Funnily enough Holbeck was a shed where we were never refused entry. A polite request at the office as you entered was always given the nod, with "just be careful by the pits" advice. Copley Hill was a flat "no", but sometimes managed a bunk via the rear, Neville Hill, forget it. Farnley Junction was usually ok.

 

35018, 46115, 44932 and 45699(45627) and 5 Mk1's just left Derby and no diesel with them.

Cropped screenshots from Railcam:

Dave B

 

March was like that in the late 70s: the only additional request was to put your head around the door when you left. The one time I visited Norwich with my father and brother (about the same time) we got a guided tour, sanctioned by someone we later learned was the boss of Eastern Region!

 

Passing Milford.
Sad to consider all these fine machines have little to look forward to on the main line.

 

There surely must be a plan - there's these plus the 8F, 2 other Black Fives, another Jubilee then John Bunches Rebuilt WC and Standard 5 . WCRC has a better spread of motive power and more stock and experience than any other player in the market

 

Fabulous picture: thanks for sharing it with us.

 

There were other WC movements to Butterley at around the same time !

 

5Z33 Derby Litchurch Lane - Carnforth Steamtown in the system for tomorrow (Wed 6th), via Lichfield. 60mph path.

37516, 57314 and 86401 all still at Derby waiting to come home - but not sure what would make it a Class 5 working.

5Z34 to Strawberry Hill (presumably 33012 plus 3417 et al) and 5Z35 to Tyseley (45596) also in the system tomorrow.

 

Rare as rocking horse XXXX !

 

Not to far to go though ,J52s at 37A Ardsley ,I photo'd 68848 there on 25/03/1956. J50 also photo'd at 66a Polmadie .68958 on 17/08/1958..It was one of five consecutive numbered J50 transferred from 65A Eastfield at that time.

 

Excellent stuff! Thanks for sharing it here

 

No pics from me today - won't try to compete with quadruple-headed steam!

Following yesterday's convoy, 0Q46 Litchurch Lane to Kidderminster was just 50049 and 50033. 5Z31 on 7th August 2025 has appeared, presumably the remaining class 50(s) plus 40106 and the class 108 units?

 

Of course, some J50s and J52s moved back and forth between North and South, but when I was standing on a Hornsey or Wood Green platform I had no idea which. One time celebrity 68846 which I saw at Noel Park, spent its life around Doncaster but ended up London.

 

You should have joined the hole in the wall gang !

Bob.

 

Passed me at Kirkstall going very slowly; either they were down to burning dirt and this weekends’ mucky underwear, or it might be something to do with that ‘8F clonk’ I heard from the consist.

 

The WCR "Cavalcade of Steam" passing Gargrave :-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54702140468/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54702266470/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54701937071/in/photostream/

and climbing Giggleswick Bank :-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54701104677/in/photostream/

 

5th August 2025 35018 46115 45627 44932 Loco Move Rail 200

The Quartet are seen at Wennington

 

This was one of those steam events that must not be missed with FOUR steam locomotives hauling 5 maroon mk1 coaches, vacuum braked, no CDL (as none was necessary) and not a diesel in sight.

Yesterday saw Storm Floris pass through, 4 hours of heavy rain and strong winds that persisted throughout the day. Today the winds were even stronger carrying with them a rash of short and heavy showers. The forecast was for the showers to gradually die out during the afternoon. Oswald made his plans based on before and after the Hellifield water stop. All the usual provisos about ease of parking, not too far to walk, locos working etc. Specific for today, somewhere sheltered from the wind would be good and ideally, with 4 locos on the front, a wide field of view. I couldn't think of anywhere that met all the criteria so settled on Gargrave station and, depending on the strength of the wind and available time, either Giggleswick station or Long Preston station.

I allowed myself plenty of time as part of my usual route has a road closure/diversion and I am driving at a more considered pace following my recent attendance on a "Speed Awareness" course. [A mobile camera on a motorway over bridge.] A few showers on the way but when I arrived the sun had broken through. A few checks on RTT showed that everything was in order. There was a youngish guy at the end of the platform, he had already set up his tripod, I stood alongside. He was clued up and repeatedly checking Traksy for progress , possible conflicts and delays and providing regular updates - saved me a job. Everything was fine until "our train" was held outside Skipton waiting for a Bradford service train to leave to allow the steam to run through platform 3. A shower blew past with only a light sprinkling of rain and a few minutes later the sun was shining and the "multi-steam" was on its way. Then it came into view, it was shifting, under the road bridge came BIL with SG close behind, the Jub was pressing hard and the black 5 trailing ever so slightly. All the locos looked splendid and magnificent, the maroon coaches gleamed as they shot past. All gone too quickly in a tremendous burst of sound and colour. 17C, 18L & 56mph.

A quick pack up and into the car and heading west. It had been windy, but Giggleswick with its exposed position would be windier. As I drove I remained undecided, Giggleswick or Long Preston? A queue of traffic formed behind a slow moving HGV, there was no prospect of anyone overtaking it. The minutes ticked by and, by default, the decision was made, Long Preston. I parked on the car park and headed for the far platform; the tight side, the sunny side and with some shelter from the wind. I set up as close to the fence as possible to give the widest possible view; it wasn't wide at all, but would have to do!

A few checks on RTT and with the last check RTT finally showed a time for departing Hellifield GL. It should only be a couple of minutes now, and it was. Some steam appeared from under the distant road bridge and BIL led the merry troupe towards the station. Through the station platforms, I gestured for a whistle and got one - thanks, the locos shot past, paintwork showing their true colours, green, green, green and finally black. No red loco but at least some lovely maroon coaches. [Apologies for the camera shake as the tripod got a bit buffeted with all the turbulence created by the locos.] 17C, 10L & 36mph

A magnificent spectacle that we are unlikely ever to see again - but we can always hope. My thanks to all at WCRC who made this happen.

 

Returning from Railfest 200 at Derby and making a wonderful sight, SRMN class No. 35018 'British India Line' pilots No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman', No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' and No. 44932 towards Clapham and back to Carnforth