Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

Since Wednesday it has been rain every single day; sometimes persistent and other times short torrential bursts but rain, rain, rain and more rain. Today was a better forecast but with perhaps a heavy shower around 09.00 - the train was due around 09.00! My usual spot at Chapel Lane, it was dull but with occasional sunshine and a gentle westerly breeze. The temperature was 0nly 15C but feeling warmer in the sun - maybe a chance of visible exhaust.

@sgthompson had posted that it was Sierra Leone with 13 coaches (thanks Steve). It was perhaps a case of "beggars can't be choosers" or the loco allocation was done by Ming the Merciless! This was going to be a big ask up Hoghton bank (and an even bigger one up Wilpshire this evening). Anyway the departure from Preston was RT and still only 1L at Bamber Bridge after the tricky climb up off the WCML at Farington Curve Jn. It was sunny but the sky to the west was dark and there was a rainbow - again! With the breeze from the west the sound of Sierra Leone's exhaust could be heard a full 4 minutes before she eventually arrived. As the sound grew louder the late running Colne-Preston came and went (in full sun).

The sound of the exhaust came nearer, a slow heavy blast as the loco laboured up the last few hundred yards of the 4 miles of 1/100r. Still sun but the first few drops of rain began to fall as 45627 appeared beneath the distant occupation bridge. SL blasted away, white exhaust from her chimney shot skywards as she slogged onward and upward - it was almost cruel, but not quite. There was a wisp of steam around the safety valves, still sunny but the rain was becoming heavier. She passed under Chapel Lane bridge and was slowly followed by the coaches; I counted them, one by one, and definitely 13. Now down wind the sound of the exhaust quickly faded as she headed off towards Pleasington. On that side of the bridge the sun was still shining, lighting the exhaust and glinting on the wet roofs of the carriages. As might be expected around 4L and around 19 mph at the summit.

The rain was now much heavier as I made my way back to the car. I had to wait as the the bins were emptied and the refuse wagon blocked the road. Despite the rain another NP member walked across to introduce himself, we have corresponded several times and it is always good to put a face to a name.

 

I had intended coming across for today's run, but a badly swollen knee and resultant lack of sleep until 06.00 this morning put paid to that plan. A pity, because it looks as if there may be sparks flying.

Fingers crossed for a second shot on Thursday.

 

Despite rain beginning to fall 45627 blasts away as she faultlessly lifts her 13 coach train the last few yards towards the summit of Hoghton bank.

 

45627 at Hoghton Bottoms and Selside

 

My film of 45627 Sierra Leone from this morning

 

I thought they might have taken the opportunity while it was at Carnforth after returning from its York stint to bring the cabsides into line with the rest of its identity. Clearly not.

 

45627 at Lancaster, Brownhill, Gisburn, Horton Curve/Cutting and Aisgill .

 

Today's 5X - 10.08.21

 

I think that maybe it went back to Carnforth to have some maintenance done and perhaps it was not possible to carry out both tasks simultaneously. If you are patient you may find it happens when the window of opportunity presents itself. I can imagine that life at Carnforth is a bit busy these days and there were probably other priorities.

Peter

 

Armathwaite and Ais Gill. With a few gypsy caravans dodged in between. The noise at the summit was something else and with thirteen on, she was digging in with no signs of weakness. A locomotive clearly running at her absolute best.


A green Jubilee at Low baron Wood


Green Jubilee over the roof of England

 

I imagine so. I was told by somebody a few weeks ago after it came out in hybrid guise that it was going to keep 45562 cabside until its return to Carnforth at the end of the Scarborough season in mid September. With its replacement at York by 35018 I thought that maybe they'd finish that job earlier than anticipated. Other priorities and work schedules prevail.

 

Jubilee class No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' working today's 'Pendle Dalesman' through Selside with Mick Rawling driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Matt Miller Guard



Even with Bob Green stood next to me still got done for sun as No 45627 'Sierra Leone' works the return 'Pendle Dalesman' towards Aisgill summit with
Mick Kelly driving, Rob Russell on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

Must have been his doppelgänger. The only explanation.

 

No Shep has his own cloud that follows him especially at Aisgill

 

45699 / 45562 / 45627 makes its way through Bamber Bridge with its 13 coach trainset unlucky for some but .... ?

 

The Masquerading Jubilee was seen leaving Lancaster, at Brownhill, Gisburn, Horton Curve, Horton Cutting, from above Aisgill Viaduct and crossing the Viaduct.