Fellsman 2024

The day had started much as Monday and Tuesday had with persistent rain. On both days the rain had been enough to convince Diego to stay at his other home until late afternoon. Today was different and he appeared around 8am, just as I was getting ready to set out. I was the only one up and about, I went upstairs and woke Mrs W to inform her that we had a furry visitor. Diego appeared, jumped up onto the bed and made himself comfortable next to Mrs W, Diego was purring loudly and Mrs W was smiling. (This is someone who is not a morning person.) Oswald made a swift exit.

Heavy showers were forecast, possibly thundery. The sky to the north was dark and ominous, the colour of slate, whilst to the east there were patches of blue - pity we were heading northwest. It is always a tough call which route to take around this time in the morning. I had decided to go via the A666 and allow myself plenty of time, 75mins for a journey that is 20/25mins when the roads are quiet. It began to rain but traffic was moving quite well, at one point I even managed to get into 3rd gear. Approaching the M65 junction things changed. On the bridge the west bound motorway traffic was stopped and although I wanted to head east the roundabout at the junction was badly congested. It took 20mins to travel the 400yds from the A666 lights to the roundabout. After that, apart from the heavy rain, progress was ok. I arrived at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire 30 mins before the train was due.

Earlier in the year I had "pencilled in" to try the shot from the station towards the summit and this was, I think, my last chance of the year. As there was only light rain falling I decided to set up before it got worse. Mission accomplished just as the rain became heavier and heavier; the bridge beyond the summit was barely visible. I was the only person on the platform but as the minutes ticked by one or two others wandered down the ramp and collected by the shelter. A photographer joined me to share my umbrella. Despite a couple of polite requests from us there was one old guy with a grey brolly who thought it was "fun" to deliberately wave it about near the platform edge - ???!!! The rain eased and then, a couple of minutes before the train was due, stopped. Despite this the idiot kept his brolly up even though the others in the group had put theirs down.

Sir Nigel appeared from round the curve and climbed up towards the summit, a chime for the summit and over the top. The Kylchap swishing and whooshing as she dipped under the road bridge at the end of the station, then away down the hill the coaches following and the resplendent 57311 on the rear. As the exhaust cleared the sun was almost shining. 6C (but feeling cooler in the NW breeze) & 6L. Oswald was not too wet, nothing that a light spray with WD40 wouldn't fix.

I arrived home to find that Mrs W was getting ready for a "coffee-meet" in Blackburn with a few friends. Before she left she told me that Diego had eaten a couple of breakfasts before putting himself to bed - my kind of cat!

 

Nice one

 

Thanks, Idris

 

Early morning, well 7:48, at Sutton Weaver produced a strong north westerly wind rather than the hoped for sunny spell.
So the shot was taken against the light (what light ?).
Canals like the railways are becoming very overgrown and the Weaver Navigation here is no exception, the swing bridge on the main road beyond the Daniel Adamson used to be far more visible from this side.

 

Armathwaite. Just 12 degrees today. Not bad for early September.


Sir Nigel Gresley at Low Baron Wood

 

Ribblehead Viaduct , Bleamoor Aqueduct and Aisgill .

 

60007 running north with today's Fellsman, 11.09.24. Light was absolutely dire.

 

Pedant response Ralph --
While, yes , the Weaver is a river the Environment agency actually describe this section as a canal - https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB71210545
This cut appears to date from 1810 not being the original course of the river.
https://www.runcornhistsoc.org.uk/OtherRuncornCanals/OtherRuncornCanals.html
Additional trivia :- just behind where I stood to take the shot is a small boatyard, once served by a short branch or long siding from Halton station which passed under the recently revitalised Halton curve and must have been quite steep.

 

60007 seen approaching Ribblehead through to Blea Moor Aqueduct then later climbing to Aisgill Summit.

 

The showers became less frequent during the afternoon and by 6pm had stopped, the sky cleared and there was even some late afternoon sunshine. This was the last Fellsman of the year, why break with tradition? I headed over to R&W station. I arrived at the same time as young Philip and his mum, we chatted for a few minutes before I went down onto the Blackburn bound platform and they headed to the opposite one to set-up in my favoured spot at the Blackburn end. I chose a spot directly opposite, close to the action.

RTT showed that the train had left Clitheroe (3E) and was predicted to be with us at 19.08; it could easily be 5 or 6E by the time it reached us. Of more concern for those waiting on the opposite platform was the late running NT service to Clitheroe, how late would it be? Would it obstruct their view? It eventually arrived and left at 18.55 (11L) much to the relief of those waiting, anyone at Langho might not have been so lucky.

Eventually there was the distant sound of SNG and 20 secs later with a plume of white exhaust shooting high into the air she appeared. The shape of an A4 is unique and looks good from all angles but is particularly impressive when seen head on. With plenty of wonderful noise, the pacific powered up the bank, I waved to the driver (someone's got to do it) and got a wonderful wave in return - thanks. All too soon she was past and so close to the action the coaches zipped by with 57311 bringing up the rear. 10C, 6E & 30mph.

This year's Fellsmans appear to have been very well loaded and hopefully will be repeated next year, when who knows what motive power we might get. If it turns out to be Sir Nigel again then, "that'll do nicely!" Thanks to all those who were involved in providing this year's spectacle (and my trip a fortnight ago - I will be back!)

 

An Icon of steam at an Iconic location !

 

Action from yesterday with No7 seen at Ribblehead, Blea Moor, Smardale, Waitby Common and finally Wilpshire Bank ! The sound coming away from Batty Moss was rather nice !

 

Hellifield Green.

 

Two phone pictures so apologies for the quality.

 

The quality looks fine to me.

 

Thank you .

 

And me.

 

60007 is seen at Frodsham Crossing the river Weaver, Horrocksford Jn, Helwith Bridge, Lagwathby, Hellifield, Langho and Leyland

 

Excellent footage there, Nige. A delight to look at!