East Lancs Steam Gala 13-15 Oct 2023

10.30 in Tottington, Bury and it's stopped raining with patches of blue! Both weather services still saying heavy rain until early afternoon. If it continues to stay dry I will venture out this afternoon.

 

Back out piloting the class 24 on the 11:30

 

Someone dropped some mainline tickets getting off train at Rammy just after lunch. On the off chance you read this , and didn't hear the announcement... speak to the staff.

 

48305 - did it survive, is it okay for tomorrow's line-up? Thanks.

 

It took the 14.30 from Bury unassisted to Rawtenstall and back...

 

Well despite the prophecies of doom & gloom, after some morning drizzle, the weather brightened up and we had blue skies and sunshine by the end of the day.

Was impressed that everything ran to time, even after the earlier problems with the 8F
The two tank locos sounded great up the gradients and over the Metrolink 'hump.'

Had a lovely chat with the stationmaster at Ramsbottom between trains.
I know the ELR has been the subject of controversy recently, but the volunteers we interacted with were friendly and helpful, and obviously care about their railway.

 

I went over to the ELR today Friday 13th October for the first day of the Autumn Steam Gala
https://tinyurl.com/rt9v3uw9

main highlight was the double heading of 45690 Leander & 34092 City of Wells back in action after rapid turnround overhaul
seen here at Ramsbottom
https://tinyurl.com/y5d5p3ez

Neil

 

I spent a couple of hours at Ramsbottom this morning as part of the ELR steam gal former L&Y Railway 11243 ‘Pug’ was doing a shunting exhibition
Highlight was the pug racing 34072 257 Squadron
https://tinyurl.com/3yv6bmzs
over 20 differing views start here, well worth the £5 donation i made, if everybody who was there did that then quite a bit of money would be raised for the wagon fleet
https://tinyurl.com/ykjbbuhw
to here, hand filling buckets of coal and passing to driver
https://tinyurl.com/yfm6pvbr

Neil

 

Saturday's contribution, mixed weather, some wonderful sunshine, some heavy bursts of rain. What is becoming obvious is the lineside vegetation closing down many vantage points and like other lines fast becoming a ride through a green tunnel.

 

I agree with you. I haven't visited the line for sometime and the state of the lineside was a surprise. For example the lineside at Irwell Vale used to be completely clear of bushes. A lot of the views from the train are becoming blocked. A group of photographers used to do lineside clearance, this is many years ago now, but they had to provide their own tools and so they stopped. It can be a very rewarding job and you don't have to be a railway fanatic to take part.

 

Shunting demonstrations with Gothenburg on Saturday

 

Sunday 15th at ELR gala.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720312004594

 

As it's 34072s last day at the ELR its out this Sunday 22nd October doing a double header with 34092 on the first trip.

https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/257-squadron-reporting-for-duty/

 

A hugely enjoyable last gala of 2023. I loved the way the event presented a portrait of North West steam over 125+ years, from the late 19th century L&Y (752) via Horwich works (Pug), grouping (Jinty), industry (32), the last days of steam (8F), post '72 mainline running (Leander), up to heritage operations (the return of Wells).

The timetable was excellent with minimal delays, and the varied goods trains and shunting gave a real atmosphere of how things used to be. All neatly crowned with Leanders fantastic final round trip of the weekend.

 

Some shots of Leander from the gala. She looks and sounds superb, much kudos and thanks to the owners and support crew, and the East Lancashire Railway of course for a great gala and providing so much enjoyment for so many.