Train of Hope, 1st October 2011.

Hello Ralph
its really good to get so much posative feedback as we had never dont this before and as you well know I am clueless in the field of "steam". I must thank you for all the work and help you did. You know whats on offer if and when we do another! perhaps I already have another helper to be part of the team. We was so lucky to be able to run as there was talks of firerisks.
My peception of enthusiasts has changed. On this tour people seemed to want to let everyone else have a look/listen. It was a pleasure to be on.
The weather at times was really hot on those coaches but not one complaint. I did not see a child moaning. Everyone was totally perfect.
I would of course like to thank everyone but special thanks and thankyous goes to all the Gravy Train Staff. The food and service was impeccable and people know I have very high standards, this service went beyond and I take my hat off to you all. These guys do this regular and to keep those smiles and standard of food is exceptional.
I would like to thank Network Rail and WCRC for providing Track Access and the Scots Guardsman for FREE . Thank you to the owners of the 47 for providing there engine for free something we knew nothing about please get in contact so I can send you a thank you letter and know who you are! 6115 performed brilliant, I know nothing about steam locos but it did seem to get some speed at times and the smell was wonderful.
Alan from Flying Ads did us proud and I think he did a superb job joing us and staying with us even getting us next to the motorway so some fantastic advertising and promoting for CLIC Sargent.
The Mayor and Mayoress looked the business and and I must thank them for attending. As after all it is a regular thing for Carlisle Station.
The piper and his daughter for staying longer than requested due to points failure, hopefully I returned the favour by getting some superb photographs courtesy of Paul Bigland and David Haines.
The stewards that all worked for free and worked constantly. People purchased the Hi-Viz vests for the charity they looked that good! Thank you to the member off here that originally bought these for us.
There are too many to mention as the donations were massive, We have now gone over £35,000 and hoping to reach over £40,000 for christmas.
Thank you all.

 

ADB968008, PM sent.

 

Well done to the five Virgin Drivers John Young, Gary Nuthall , Alan Moss, Steve Griffin and Jamie Chadwick for organising such a brilliant and worthwhile event.


Well done chaps!



JIM

 

Jim
please thank your Dad as well. I was brought to tears as the engine came to a halt iin platform 12 at Crewe, the Headboard was fantastic and I think it just shows , raising £1100 on the day!
thank you.

 

46115 AT Salterwath and Birkett

Henry

 

Hi
We am overwhelmed at the amount of photos and positive feedback we are getting. Love that second photograph
I have started a file and keeping all these pics,
thank you

 

Here is the link to Stephengthompsons excellent footage of the tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19MLz1S3l84

 

Two cracking photos Henry and great to see you again at Birkitt . Steve

 

Thanks for this link Phil as with me being daft with computers I could not get the link up . Cheers mate , Steve

 

We have linked your fantastic video footage on our website,
i hope that is ok
John

 

Thanks Steve, yours up to your usual high standard
H

 

. No problem John , hope you had a great day and what a worthy cause so well done for all the hard work to make this tour happen . Regards Steve

 

Glimpses of 46115 on the Train of Hope 1 October 2011

Here are some glimpses, in words and pictures, of LMS Rebuilt Scot No 46115 Scots Guardsman heading the Train of Hope, a fundraiser for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent. It was organised by a group of Virgin drivers at Longsight, Manchester, whose magnificent efforts have already raised at least £35,000.

The day did not start well, because way after the planned departure time, there was no sign of the loco and stock arriving at Crewe from Carnforth. Apparently the diesel hauling the ensemble had failed a few miles short of Crewe. Eventually it was agreed for the Scot to push it the last few miles, through the centre road at Crewe to dump it, before pulling back into Platform 12 to take water and pick up passengers.

Eventually we were away 66 minutes down, but a lively run, reaching the mid 70s, saw us away from Warrington only 50 down. After the Wigan stop we again reached the mid 70s through Euxton and Leyland, and there was another fast run after Preston until the Morecambe junctions. At the Carnforth water stop we took another diesel on the rear, and it was clear from our speeds up the climbs to Grayrigg and Shap (well above 50) that we were being assisted to help make up time. Our arrival in Carlisle was only 24 minutes late.

The Scot was smartly off the train and away through the station for servicing, again limiting photographic opportunities to a minimum. We left 33 minutes late to commence our return over the top to Settle, and it was clear once more that the diesel was assisting with all the climbing. This time we were in the third coach from the steamer, and the syncopated roar of the three-cylinder engine was experienced in full surround sound, with different sounds coming through each of the many open windows, according to the lie of the land outside. With or without assistance, it was a magnificent charge in the fifties right up Mallerstang, with the scenery looking grand in the sunshine of our brief Indian summer. A short stop on Ribblehead viaduct, followed by a sharp pull away made a fitting finale as we ran down to Hellifield, arriving on time. Here the Scot left us to return to Carnforth and we continued with another diesel.

A day of many highlights and only a few disappointments, and a magnificent result for the indefatigable Virgin fundraising team - well done!

See 10 photographs at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p441674922

Peter, on a damp grey afternoon in Manchester - where did that Indian summer go?
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com
Tip: Select Slideshow to see pictures at full screen size

 

Hi all

What can i say, a well run trip well worth the money and some. What a better way to spend a weekend, a big thank you to all the organizers, a big pat on the back and i hope allot of money was raised!!
It was a hairs stick up on arms moment with the train coming in at Crewe with the band playing.
We boarded the train to find our seats admiring the table display of flowers and cozy atmosphere.
The food was to dye for i couldn't pick up on anything a great menu.
you see when i go on tours with glyn (admin) railway outings etc i do take it in myself to let him get on with his hobbie and chats and he lets me get on with mine. mine is ...... Railway viaducts, countryside and Train Catering etc ,
on this train i was in my element The catering staff sure knew there job so a big thank you to them they were very professional. I had a few head out window moments when going over bridges and the views were lush.
I took a piccy of the hogwarts logo for my residents i work with (adults with learning disability's) and they would love that the bagpiper playing us off was a good touch at Carlisle .
You can count me in if you do another one. Many thanx

Ally xx

 

Hello
i am getting over whelmed
what a fantastic write up and this is Oh so similar
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p441674922/h2e3d8455#h22c9e506
excellent
thank you

 

This link is from Paul Bigland, who is one of the designated official photographers recording yesterday's trip, he is compiling the Image collection and is keen to hear from other photographers willing to share their images, with proceeds going to Clic Sargent.

http://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p260897935


(ps if u know where to look you may even spot some of us from here).

 

Hi
thanks I asked if we could do these as cheap as possible in the hopes you may buy more than 1

 

Moving on,
some great news today , the tanker company that provided the water Duncan Hill Ltd have pledge to donate thier services for free and also the Stratfrod 47 group for doing the same.
this makes our goal of reaching £40,000 for CLIC Sargent a lot easier

thank you all
John