Crewe to York Private Charter: 3/6/24

In recent years it's happened quite regularly. I recall one of 44871's Christmas trips was turned there during the return leg of the tour last year. 45596 has also been turned there (think it was during the Covid years), on the return leg of a tour.

 

Thanks, Simon. I must pay more attention in class!

 

60163 went that way on the Ribblehead Rambler when avoiding Leeds on the way back to Hull in 2021.

 

A few shots from today's private charter, seen crossing Saddleworth Viaduct, passing Diggle and Gauxholme.

Video Available Here

 

48151 and 35018 returned to Carnforth that way on the 6th April 2019 Wensleydale Railway charter, after having run topped and tailed to Gascoigne Wood from Northallerton.

 

Should I try to watch the returning train at Todmorden or Walsden? I had failed on April 17 when I got stuck in a traffic jam leaving the M65 - even more reason to go today (and to allow more time). An early meal was the key, Diego was not impressed by our choice of food (chorizo and beans in a spicy tomato and onion sauce), he took the huff and left. As I loaded up the car, I spotted him waiting to get in his "other home", where perhaps the food would be more to his liking. Besides an early getaway I decided to avoid the M65 and go via Bacup (and also to avoid the more direct Grane Road with its severe delays earlier in the day). I travelled along Haslingden Old Road that runs on the high ground at southern side of Oswaldtwistle - what finer route could there be? A trouble free journey saw me arrive at Walsden 30 mins before the train was due.

Where to stand? No problems with the sun (there was none), the wide side is the best side (I know that there are only two sides, but better doesn't sound as good). There were trains scheduled to pass in the opposite direction with at least one stopper, though none timed to "clash" with Braunton - but when did times come into it on railways! Add in that the platforms can get busy with watchers. I gathered up my stuff and headed over the footbridge in the direction of the far (wide side) platform. There was no-one there, "so what about from the footbridge?", said Oswald. I agreed (Oswald and I often think alike, I've known him for years, we went to different schools together - but I digress.) I had brought my lighter tripod along but now needed my taller one, back to the car then back up the steps (I'm sure that there were more than last time). As I readied myself a regular (photographer) laboured up the steps, as we chatted we were joined by a local lad, perhaps aged about 13 and keen as mustard. He used to have his own YouTube channel until he was banned?! Did I have a channel? I had to give him details. Did I post on Tik Tok? I explained that I was over 70 and maybe it was not the thing for older people.

Eventually RTT showed that the train had passed Hall Royd Jn (RT), not long to wait. It was still only the three of us on the bridge and now one on each platform. Eventually the sound of a 3 cylinder locomotive working up the grade (1/182r), Braunton approached, grey exhaust turning white in the cool air, a feather at the safety valves, under the bridge and a short distance then into Winterbutlee Tunnel with a whistle. All over for another day, 14C, 1L & 36mph - the diesel appeared to be doing nothing.

Home via Copy Pit and Rose Grove, two names that will be forever associated with the last days of BR steam. We had been forgiven, Diego was asleep upstairs. Mrs W was watching Springwatch on TV then she changed channel to watch the football when a Blackburn lad (and a player for her team until he was sold a few months ago) came on for his first cap for England. What a day!