Ribble Steam Railway Steam Gala - 6 & 7 February 2010

The Ribble Steam Railway has a 4-loco lineup for its February 6 & 7 steam gala.

Headlining the event will be the Furness Railway Trust's GWR 0-6-2T 5643 (also appearing on a special freight charter on the Friday - see separate post) and 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST 'Cumbria'.

Also appearing are the Ribble's own 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST Walkden, and Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 'John Howe'.

Most trains will be double-headed and all will be topped and tailed, and an intensive 45-minute all passenger timetable will be in operation, as follows:

11:00 Top: 5643 Tail: Cumbria
11:45 Top: Cumbria + 5643 Tail: Walkden
12:30 Top: Cumbria + 5643 Tail: Walkden
13:15 Top: 5643 Tail: Walkden + John Howe
14:00 Top: John Howe + 5643 Tail: Cumbria
14:45 Top: John Howe + Walkden Tail: Cumbria
15:30 Top: Cumbria Tail: 5643
16:15 Top: Walkden + Cumbria Tail: 5643

Normal admission rates apply!

 

Might have to make a first visit to Ribble! No chance of John Howe getting a solo run though? Seeing as it's likely to be the only thing that'd make some decent noise!

... Well it was worth asking!

 

Same here, haven't been to the Ribble line yet but seeing as I'm in Preston that weekend I should go and have a little look I think!

 

Far far too many double headers. Considering the maximum line speed and gradient (or lack thereof on both parts), the locos can't 'work hard' anyway, so 'overpowering' EVERY run bar the 11:00 and 15:30 seems a very strange policy. Surely the rule of 'quality over quanitity' comes into play here?

With the amount of runs on offer - it's easy to do a few double headers and a few solo runs - it's just a shame that that isn't happening.

 

I agree with the previous comments but in defence of the Ribble guys, John Howe regularly works on it own during normal operating days so there has bee ample opportunity to travel behind it. I did earlier this year. I think if you want noise and action, Ribble isn't the place to go but if you want a different industrial location and a fantastic industrial loco museum then it's very good.

 

With regard to the 'double heading' decision, it may seem 'over the top' but it adds something that you don't otherwise see on the line. As for a lack of noise, don't be fooled! Some of the photos on my previous post show the previous gala, where double-headers were employed (and were a great hit with enthusiasts and photographers). In particular, I remember the shot of the double-headed 'Austerities' on the bridge purely for the sound they made as they were opened up - absolutely awesome!

Bear in mind that all services are only double-headed in one direction, so noise will always be applicable for half the run!

As for a lack of gradients, that's not the case. There are some quite steep sections and, though none of them are very long, the low speeds and sharp curves throughout the line ensure that the engines do work. The trains are 'topped and tailed' to enable a 45-minute timetable to be employed, reducing the number of propelling and run-round moves.

I think those that come along will be surprised by the amount of work that's required of the locos on this little line.

 

No worries Andrew - some quite good reasons there!

I've had a few good trips to the Ribble (mainly for the diesel fleet) over the years and might put in an appearence should some loud industrial fun be on the menu.

 

For those who still wonder if the double-headers really will make a noise, I've uploaded a short video of last September's gala, featuring double-heading with 'Walkden', 'Cumbria' and 'John Howe' to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otkPrS6fPW8

 

the answer would appear to be "not really" then? Given that the only shot in the film that really qualifies as loud is the run with johnhowe powering and the j94 doing nothing?

 

So you missed the footage of the two 'Austerities' leaving the swing bridge then? Bearing in mind the video was shot from over a hundred metres away with a camcorder with only a pretty basic mic, it should give an impression of the sound they made. Considering the use of only a three-coach train on the day the video was taken, which is less than will be used at the February gala, I think it was loud enough! Sorry we don't have access to the 1-in-29 up to the station...

 

bumping this thread up !

Nice photoshoot this evening at the sheds and sidings.
Hope to make it back again tomorrow for the action
Uploaded a couple of piccys to my site from tonights action but lots more to follow

http://john-robinson.fotopic.net/c1811916.html

well organised
John

 

Brilliant pics John - I especially like the shot of the two Austerities on shed; very atmospheric, absolutely oozing in industrial atmosphere. The sky colour is pretty special too!


http://john-robinson.fotopic.net/p63195498.html

 

thxs phil - lots more to put up ( and better in my view) - but you ll have to wait - just about to set off back to catch the action on the line


Cheers John

 

I'd like to say thanks to Andrew and the rest of the team at the Ribble Steam Railway for all their hard work on the 5643 charter yesterday, it was a long day, but well worth it! Thankfully I didn't have far to go home, but I slept well last night!

A few of my efforts from the day, more to come when I finish processing them all:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theviewfromthenorth/sets/72157623359693998/

 

Some cracking photos there guys!

Thanks to all those who cam e and supported us on the two charter events yesterday; I think I can safely say that everyone who came got value for money! My thanks also go to the Furness Railway Trust guys that made it all possible, together with many of the RSR staff who put in some long hours!

I think today's Steam Gala, repeated tomorrow, should finally have put to bed the theory that double-headed trains on oour line don't make any noise!

 

Some more pics from last yesterdays Night shoot at http://philmetcalfe.fotopic.net/p63195792.html

Again thanks to Andrew and the crews for there effort.

 

It was an excellent day yesterday with plenty of PM sunshine, and well worth the trip up from London, and quite an easy walk from Preston Station.
A couple of questions: - How far short of Fishergate Tunnel does the railway run.?
There are plenty of recent photos on the internet (Flikr especially) showing Fishergate Tunnel with the track still in situ, although the rubbish hurled over garden fences is rapidly building up (shades of Imberhorne tip on the Bluebell), who actually owns the tunnel?

 

Freight trains still run through Fishergate Tunnel onto the railway.

 

you would have walked over the tunnel as you walked down fishergate, it passes under the road at the first set of traffic lights on the way down, on the left is a new looking building, was a bank I think, on the right is a newish fence, peering through the cracks reveals the line complete with rubbish, the tunnel ends under the road on the right at the lights, it then runs behind the car dealer at the bottom on the right by the lights. when I arrived in preston 1988, there were no barriers and a guy with a red flag had to stop the traffic, the trains were stopped I cant remeber when. there was a Fina petrol depot as well as the bitumen distribution depot, the FINA depot was dismantled and the area decontaminated, the trains to the bitumen depot have been recomenced and a lighted barrier put in, I believe there are two trains a week now.
no idea who owns the tunnel.

 

Glad I went back now on saturday morning to catch the action.
Strangest sight was to see "John Howe" leading / dragging 5643 & train out of the station -it seemed to be doing most of the work
Another good day out
pictures now up at http://john-robinson.fotopic.net/c1811916.html

cheers John