LSL - The Chairman's train: 16/04/25 on, plus 10/10/25

Chairman's train has gone into the goods loop at Carnforth - hope there's not a problem.

 

Good to see 71000 back in action in the north west and too tempting to miss. The day's arrangements were re-arranged and Oswald was free for the afternoon/early evening. The weather was "full dull", in fact as I left home light drizzle was blowing about in the light, but cool breeze. Thankfully by the time I neared Leyland it had stopped, but the it remained dull. There were plenty of spaces on the station car park, so I parked up and checked progress on RTT - all good!

Around 25 minutes before 71000 was due (on the fast line) I made my way to the north end of platform 4, the opposite platform. There was a southbound Pendolino due to head south on the fast at the same time as 71000 was timed to head north, as the "Pendo" would be travelling at speed I decided it was a risk worth taking. What I had not factored in was that the Blackpool N to Man Airport, which stops in platform 4, was running progressively later and later. For a couple of minutes it looked like there could be an issue - but, thankfully, there wasn't. The Airport train stopped and then headed south and we waited for 71000.

It wasn't long before "he" appeared in the distance and was moving at speed. Looking magnificent and carrying the Royal Scot headboard "the Duke" flew through the station, the coaches gleamed and in a few seconds it was all over. My wave failed to get a blast from the chime whistle, wrong side for the driver, maybe later. 14C, 3L and 73mph and what a treat.

When I got home Maisie ignored me and has spent the afternoon sleeping on the landing. She has been a busy girl this week and brought home a vole on Tuesday - whatever next?!

 

Maybe popping in to offer Mr Smith some advice on central door locking for carriages

 

Bolton le sands railcam picked up a possible wheel flat sound, no idea if it was loco or stock. That's what Ive heard

 

Passing Brock with more than usual number of gricers on the bridge

 

Disappointing. Hopefully one item of stock they can shunt out of the way and resume

 

Train has been cancelled at Carnforth with reason on RTT saying problem with steam locomotive

 

RTT now showing service cancelled due to a problem with a steam locomotive. Very sad for all involved.

 

Diesel on way from Hellifield

 

It has failed I do hope there is not too much wrong, but 37 on the way.

 

I did hear a mechanical knock ?

 

So did I, it was so slow in comparison to the loco’s speed that I thought that it might be the compressor?

 

Watching progress on RTT it was obvious 71000 was losing ground on the preceding Liverpool train, I did wonder if the extended time at Hartford was ominous but it seemed OK crossing Dutton Viaduct. I wonder if there was evidence of something faulty why they pressed on beyond Warrington.
Hope the failure is nothing too serious.

 

That would fit in with the knock interval... anyhow that makes two of us and I'm not going senile ..yet..

 

Or asking Mr Smith whether he had a steam loco they can borrow as their’s is broken?

 

I listened again as I wondered what the strange noise was when Oswald posted the video earlier definitely something off

 

That sounds like a rod clunking - inside big end gone?

 

71000 group on Facebook

 

A poppet valve ?