Embsay & Bolton Abbey - Branchline Weekend - May 4th, 5th & 6th

We are going to hold our Branchline Weekend again over the May Bank Holiday.

Trains will run every half hour from both stations.

We should (subject to the usual disclaimers) have 4 steam engines and 3 diesels out.

There will be:
- a MkI set with the LNWR Directors' Saloon attached.
- The 6-wheeled Stately Trains carriages will be joined by the L&Y Directors' Saloon most of the time.
- a parcels train
- a goods train (exact composition to be confirmed - I still have a brakevan to do more work on!)

Narrow gauge operating at Embsay
Photographic and video displays at Bolton Abbey

More details to follow shortly - tickets available online in advance now, also available on the day.

 

Looking very good Tim. will the timetable allow for a minimum of a passenger train every 60 mins or will it be 90 mins on occasions with goods/parcels sets running as well?

Many thanks

 

Yes. Two passenger sets will keep running with goods / parcels in the other path.

Just debating some timetable alterations for each day, rather than just loco allocations swapping about...

Beatrice should be out on test on Saturday after reassembly was completed on Sunday. And will feature in May...

 

Thanks Tim, positive news, really looking forward to this one as 2010 was too long ago for the last visit.

Will it be from; Norman, Beatrice, USA 65, Illingworth, 31119, D5600, D9513, 37294?

Best Regards

 

Illingworth and 37294 will not feature...

Illingworth's boiler is having all the stays rivetted as part of the ongoing second rebuild following the boiler inspector condemning the contractor's work.

37294 is nearing the end of the bodywork repairs which have seen a lot of new steel and stripping back to bare metal.

USA 65 should feature providing the valve issues are resolved - parts are away with the KESR at the moment.

As to 31119 and D5600, both are having work done and one will feature, there is an outside chance that both may...

D.2203 or rather 11103 will be involved.

So, what's the fourth steam loco??!

(I would ask for 'answers on a postcard, please', but the froth and wild speculation that accompanies such a request would no doubt be scary!!)

 

1300 its no secret!

Please can we have at least 5 Mark 1s in the main set not 4 as has been the case at some galas? It gets a bit crowded, thanks and looking forward to the event, I know a lot has been done recently trackside.

 

1300 - good one, so Norman, Beatrice, USA 65, D2203, D9513, 31119 and/or D5600

Excellent stuff. On the mk1 front, my last visit (July 2010 diesel weekend), 1 x 5 coach & 2 x 4 coach rakes of mk1s were in service).

 

NO, not as far as I know - they are being dealt with at the moment and the loco will be going to the SVR. It is in the hands of the KESR - perhaps someone from there can give more information as to current progress.

Yes, 1300 is the fourth loco and it will be based at Embsay for a while. We're looking forward to it!

Respite, Carriage-wise, there has not been a problem with capacity at our events, barring Morayshire's visit some time ago when we tried a Directors' special. We do not aim to drag loads of empty vehicles around, nor make people stand like cattle. We will not need 5MkIs + the LNWR saloon unless something really extraordinary happens! (I'd love to be proven wrong...)

 

Is there a typo error and you all mean 1800 from the NVR?

 

1300 is this loco. Not my photo.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3161/4031373369_8b60ea23e3_z.jpg

 

Another vote for longer trains please, if not necessarily for the same reason!

 

Thank you for clarifying that.

 

It does not look like that now though, now plain black with 1300 plate on cabside only, take it someones told Andy Booth, he only owns the loco like that its going

 

Damn. I knew there was something we hadn't done...

65 is being reassembled on Thursday / Friday and should have some test runs on Friday if things go smoothly.

Beatrice had a successful test run at the weekend; the slidebars were spot on from what I've been told. But unfortunately they weren't happy with the valves and so these are out for rectification. Shouldn't take too long...

 

Looking good - fingers crossed Tim

 

65 now reassembled (new valve rings) and tested successfully. Well done to all those who have spent so long one what should have been a very straightforward job! It has also seen quite a bit of repainting and was polished.

 

I'm just trying to get an idea of people's opinions on the goods services.

If we were to be able to offer a brakevan ride on the goods, would there be any takers?

I'm not saying we will or will not be able to offer this, but we are considering it and carrying out risk assessments anyway... So, please, let me know!

 

Assuming the weather's remembered it's Spring by then, sounds good!

 

No personal interest in such things, but each to their own.