The Fellsman Wed 2 June

The first of this seasons "Fellsman" is due to operate this coming Wednesday and timings have now been published.

LANCASTER (dep) 08:05 (arr) 20:40, PRESTON (dep) 08:35 (arr) 20:05, BAMBER BRIDGE (dep) 08:45 (arr) 19:50, BLACKBURN (dep) 09:15 (arr) 19:40, CLITHEROE (dep) 09:40 (arr) 19:10, LONG PRESTON (dep) 10:50 (arr) 17:50
APPLEBY (arr) 12:05 (dep) 16:20, CARLISLE (arr) 13:13 (dep) 15:15

Gone has the 1hr wait that was incurred at Preston on the return journey last year.

Most of last years trains were hauled by "Leander " This years pool is reported as 5690, 44932, 46115 and 48151. Anyone any idea which locomotive will be working this first train. I very much doubt it will be 44932 as so far as I am ware it is not ready.

 

Steam railway indicated a few issues back that all Fellsmans would be worked by Leander - not sure if this is still true?

 

5690 did 5 / 7 last year, with 46115 and 45231 doing one each, so it could be the preferred loco again. I don't know if that's preferred by Carnforth or the tour operator. On previous years showings, I wouldn't bet against 48151 making some appearances. I quite like the pool idea, where you're not quite sure which loco will turn out, but I suppose it's not so good if you're after a specific loco.

 

It will be interesting to see what does run. 48151 was popular for the Dalesmans, and ran on Saturday's Lakelander so it might well be that. That said, 46115 may be chosen given that it hasn't completed a railtour this year, but is fit to run. Or it might just be 5690. The pool thing from a linesider's point of view makes it interesting, but I want to book on one of these and don't want to end up with the 8F (as great an engine as it is, I've travelled behind it before and would rather go behind something I haven't experienced, such as 5690 or 46115).

 

The main reason why I won't book on Statemans Tours is the secrecy about the loco's used. OK, they use a pool, but surely they can give an idea of which loco will be used on any particular tour. They claim that Joe Public doesn't care... well I don't care about them!

 

Oh dear the old record back on the turntable.....:deadhorse:
We know it annoys you that certain tour companies will not commit to which loco from the pool is to be used until a couple of days before the tour. Live with it and don't support them, and see if they are worried.

 

It certainly doesn't seem to be affecting bookings, as most seem to be well-loaded (fully booked). I agree it would be nice if they published a 'provisional' loco list, but the problem with doing so is that if you'd booked for Leander and the 8F was turned out at the last minute then customers like yourself would then be complaining. If the operators have a decent passenger base that don't care which loco it is (and let's face it, they're all nice locos) then it makes their life much easier, as they can turn out whichever one is most convenient without fear of a passenger backlash.

 

48151 is doing the fellsman on 2nd june and was in steam this afternoon ie tuesday the 1st . Info from a very good source .

 

Makes sense, since she also did the Cumbrian Coast trip a few days ago.

 

My wife and I are up around Settle tomorrow afternoon as it happens, just wondering if anyone could suggest good viewing locations for the return leg of this trip? I don't know the topology of the area so don't know where the up/down gradients are etc. Ribblehead viaduct seems obvious but is is up or down hill on the way back?

Hoping not to kick off a debate on freeloading photography by the way... we do go on railours from time to time, and I also volunteer at a preserved railway, just hoping to see a spectacular sight as we're in that area anyway.

Many thanks! Ben.

 

Just to back this up - she was in steam at Carnforth when came through about an hour ago.

 

Ben, Ribblehead viaduct is a climb for northbound trains.
This should help:

http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/map/elmap.cfm

 

It's steeply downhill all the way from Blea Moor to Settle Jnc so the loco will mainly be drifting. However, they do usually work for a short way off Ribblehead viaduct, usually just after the viaduct round to beyond the station, but very occasionally open up before the end of the viaduct. If you want the loco working, then you're better off to go round to Dentdale, or it should work between Long Preston and Hellifield and then again away from Hellifield. (Of course, somewhere between Appleby and Ais Gill is the best place to see it if you want the loco working hard).

 

Deopends on your schedule and transport. My personal choice is the Ribble Valley and the climb from Whalley to Wilpshire Tunnel can be sampled from a variety of locations. A personal favourite is Langho where the sights and sounds are best heard - and will be for some 5 minutes but this will assume the use of car transport to get from Settle.

 

Running spot on to schedule leaving Blackburn with 8F 48151 in charge and running well.

http://john-robinson.fotopic.net/p65165237.html

John

 

shot of the fellsman climbing to Coote lane this morning in the gloom http://northwestrailphoto.fotopic.net/p65165920.html

 

Still from video at Pleasington on the outward leg, smoke was by arrangement apparently. Video now uploaded with further shots at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, Gisburn Tunnel and Helwith Bridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ2aR2TqxEw

 

Left Hellifield at 18.25 so running a little early.

 

if you'd like to hear the sound of the 8F climbing the bank leaving Lancaster this morning, check this out:=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txVUs5KZ9xA

 

My footage from Pleasington and Helwith Bridge, some of which may look familiar as I found myself in the same area as acw71000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHp3o2JstC4