Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

Tangmere bringing the Great Britain XVII stock into Carnforth to begin the fourth day.

 

Footage of 34067 crossing the Leven viaduct this morning.

 

I see Workington has been reached, fingers crossed West Cumbria is not ablaze!

 

29th Aril 2025 34067 Day 4 GB XVII


34067 heads the GB XVII away from Carnforth and up the Cumbrian Coast

 

I had intended to watch 45212 head north yesterday, sadly that was not to be. This year's GB was only making a brief visit to the NW and so today was my only opportunity. Tangmere was the booked loco but I did have some concerns if it would be available. Following the much publicised and discussed lineside fires, 34067 has stayed "at home" and missed heading two NBelle steam specials. I speculated why that might be and came up with 3 possible reasons; Tangmere was under some sort of embargo by NR and/or WC, Tangmere was undergoing some repairs/modifications to its spark arrestors or ashpan and finally, Tangmere had missed the NBelle turns in readiness for the GB. So I asked the question and very quickly @2857Harry confirmed that Tangmere would be running (Thanks Harry) - one of the benefits of NP.

I decided to go to Arnside where the train was due at 09.55. On a good day the 52 mile journey can be made in 65 mins but it would be "rush hour", I left at 07.50 - better safe than sorry. Maisie had her breakfast earlier than usual and went out to hunt whatever might be about at that time, she returned around 07.30 for a nap. As I left she followed me to the door, gave me a friendly head-but and then went back to her nap (it started my day with a smile). I was correct to allow more time, the journey took 85 mins, the main culprit being heavy traffic on the M65.

When I arrived at Arnside (09.15) the village was still asleep, plenty of parking places and plenty of possible spots from where to video. As the pier was deserted, a very rare event, I decided that I would go to the very end (and no, not throw myself in! Don't be nasty to Oswald). It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining and there was no breeze. I readied myself and took off my coat - yes, in April - what is the world coming to? Answers on a postcard to Mr D Trump, c/o Greenland.

I was joined by a photographer who lived in Maryport and had a lunchtime appointment near Wigan and had broken his journey for an unexpected opportunity. A few checks on RTT showed that something (Tangmere? and the stock and a diesel?) had left Steamtown. The train was due out of Carnforth at 09.44, it was not until 7 mins later that RTT updated, by then the train would almost be upon us. By now half a dozen others had joined us, they were older, well-mannered people who were careful to keep out of shot and quiet - much appreciated.

A whistle for the signal box at the nearby station and then she arrived, plenty of black smoke drifted back from her chimney. Tangmere trundled along and the carriages rumbled and grumbled behind, the quietness only returning when tail-end diesel finally rolled off the viaduct. The train curved to the left and headed along the bank of the estuary towards Grange-over-Sands. Very much as expected with an "amber" fire risk in place, the steamer being worked very gently and not too much effort from the back - but thoroughly enjoyable. 17C (and feeling warmer) & RT.

The journey home took 65 mins and the temperature had increased to 21C. I arrived a few minutes after Maisie had finished off her cat milk but it didn't stop her trying to conn another helping from me

 

No idea about the rights and wrongs of Twerton fire (or Newton St. Loe according to the videographer) Al other than the two YouTube videos.

 

Very nice that Maisie has shown, by the head butts, that she has now accepted you have the right to live in Oswald Towers. As for a second helping of milk; I don't think it is done as a con, most cats don't credit us humans with the ability to remember back to when we last fed the furry bundles.

Oh, hang on Tangmere. Yes, very nice. Presumably a speed restriction over the long bridge? Or perhaps full and 40% could have been used causing half of of Tangmere's fire to be ejected into the sea. At those settings the North Sea! (wink)

Bryan

 

North Sea????

 

Aaah, you obviously were not on board the evening John 'Boy' Gaffney aka the New Cross Lip, thrashed the living daylights (and much of the fire) out of unrebuilt Bulleid 34102 'Lapford' to reach 100 mph near Fleet.

It has been said that some of the 'rockets' it launched are still to return to earth.

Bryan

 

34067 Tangmere tnt 47832 seen from Arnside through to Kent's Bank followed by the late movement of 60163 Tornado piloted by 37685 passing Benson Hall Farm.