Buxton Spa Express - 29/10/23

Buxton Spa Express ECS through Lancaster on its way to Preston

 

I was fortunate enough to be on both trains and on each trip the intended "stop point" was Briggs sidings. On 17 March 2018 (in the snow) with 45407 at the head of 10 coaches and with 45690 banking we stopped shortly after leaving Hindlow Tunnel. On Sunday with 45699 leading 10 coaches and with 47.802 on the back we ran further. In 2018 I was at the back of the 9th coach and in 2023 the middle of the 7th. Looking at my GPS data and taking into account my position on each train I have marked the location of the front of both locomotives. The RH point corresponds to 45699 and the LH point 45407.

 

Oswald, you are quite correct - the intended limit on both trains was always the Stop board, at Briggs Ground Frame, which is effectively the NR limit; the Pathfinder trip the summer went beyond that to the road crossing in Dowlow sidings, but that is private infrastructure and access is always more complicated. In March 2018, when we came out of Hindlow tunnel, the snow was by then covering the railhead, so we decided jointly with the NR MoM not to go any further.

For completeness, the only other post-68 steam on the branch was 48151 in November 1995, which spent the night in Hindlow quarry, prior to running shuttles between Buxton and Guide Bridge. The ecs ran up in the dark and came back early on the Sunday morning.

Btw, the person who got out of the car at Buxton URS was me. Having encouraged the crew to go early to Hindlow (in order to give the passengers more time in Buxton - although that may be a moot point!), I was a little surprised to find the Class 1 still waiting to go into the station. The RHTT was, of course, the reason. Buxton can be a nightmare for planning, as many freight paths exist, between the quarries, but then aren't used on the day - nothing actually ran for whole time we were in the area, on Sunday.

As a final point, the 2018 train was quite different, apart from being double-headed steam, in that the Midland route via Peak Forest was the only access to Buxton and the ecs had a lengthy and time-consuming turning move (mostly in a blizzard!) to Chinley and back. Following bridge renewal at Whaley Bridge, the 'Wessie' route is also available, which precludes the need to turn.

JS

 

Thanks for the additional information, sorry I didn’t recognise you - my specs aren’t what they used to be, or it could be my eyes. Thanks for an excellent trip, well planned and well executed (and the pork pies were delicious).

 

Buxton Spa Express climbing to Miles Platting

And leaving Stockport...................

 

Thanks Oswald, that's helpful. I was on the 2018 trip but suffering from insomnia and so my recollections of the day are hazy! I do remember myself and other members of this parish being thrown out of a pub after I fell asleep...

 

Indeed. I was clearly in the pub with the wrong kind of company! I remember us walking through the blizzard.

 

Rather late, my shots from Combs and Dukes Drive:





https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/

 

I have just taken another look at all the stunning photographs and videos on what was a beautiful autumn day - thanks for posting. Just a couple of phone pics from me.



Lunchtime water stop at a sunny Denton and Galatea is about to lift her safety valves. Martyn Soames (fireman) on the footplate also takes on water. Rob Russell (fireman for the return leg) can be seen holding the platform hand rail near the rear of the tender. Mick Kelly (driver) in the hi viz waistcoat is on the extreme left of the pic facing away from the train.



Preston station - journey's end. Rob Russell leans from the cab window as the ECS waits for the green to head back to 10A. Who made all those dirty footprints?!

I took a look at the numbers for the climbs to Bibbington and Hindlow.

On the upper part of the 1/58r towards Bibbington summit speed was around 28mph. This would require approx. 1900edhp - well beyond the capabilities of a Jubilee.

The climb to Hindlow is more interesting; it starts with 2 miles at 1/62r, followed by a mile of 1/330r and finishing with 1.5 miles at 1/60r. Once clear of Buxton SB the speed on the lower section (eg Dukes Drive viaduct) was 17.5mph, requiring 1150edhp. Speed on the middle section was around 23mph and required a modest 375edhp. On the upper section (before slowing for the stop) speed settled around 17mph, again requiring 1150edhp. On the short climb all the power could have come from the Jubilee without any assistance from the 47. But did it, we need to ask the driver, and when I next have the chance, I will.