LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Off to find the Belle, Black 5 No. 44871 works north away from Ribblehead Station and on to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Fraser Birrell firing.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U14655/2024-05-29/detailed

I believe this is 40013 returning to Crewe from Barrow Hill. It will be working the diesel section of Saturday's English Riviera Express tour.

 

If reports on WNXXforum are correct, D213 might be joined by another 16-wheeled loco on the move from Barrow Hill to Crewe.

Edit - 45118 + D213 + 37409. Peak leading.

 

Path for Britannia going down to Robertsbridge on Friday morning.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U14896/2024-05-31/detailed

 

5M50 10A to Hellifield GL has been activated this morning. Anyone know what’s running?

 

98767

 

Thanks

 

98767 is Tangmere.

She is booked around the Coast on Saturday assuming the freight train has been put back on the rails by then...

Andrew

 

Neil, I think the Black 5 is 98567.

 

Cheers, well we live in hope 44767 will steam again in the future

 

Would you decry a white-van-man the opportunity of making an honest living from lemon curd and footless tights…?!

 

34067 ran tender first to Hellifield with support coach

 

Tangmere on test

 

30th May 2024 34067 Tangmere Engine Test (youtube.com)


Tangmere on Test

 

The weather in Wistleland was cool showery BUT the early afternoon forecast for Hellifield was dry with the chance of some sun. The only problem was that I had a delivery due for the afternoon, Mrs W kindly volunteered to stay in - what can I say?! I stayed at home until RTT showed that Tangmere had left Carnforth, I had no chance of seeing the outbound run but could "take a look" at Hellifield before going elsewhere to video the return.

I remembered to avoid the temporary lights at Whalley (well done, Oswald!) and was soon zooming along the A59 near Clitheroe. Suddenly the traffic slowed as it approached a layby on the right where there were a couple painted caravans parked and several black and white "hosses" tucking in to the grass verge. This was not the reason for the slowing, the reason was that an associate of the travellers had "parked" his large 4x4 and even larger caravan on the left side of the road and was wandering across the road presumably to have a chat. This is a busy 60mph road with no parking!! Once clear, it was a trouble free journey to Hellifield. I arrived to find that the gates to the WCRC car park were closed. Luckily there were a couple of spaces on the road.

Onto the platform to find that Tangmere was already in the Down Loop and coupled to the Carnforth end of its support coach. Very unusually (for a test run) it was smokebox-first for the return. A notice on the cafe door announced that it was closed today, but open again tomorrow - presumably this was the reason that the car park was closed. It would have been slim pickings as there were only about a dozen people on the platforms. I couldn't identify who was on the footplate. I took a couple photos on my phone then headed off. Despite the intermittent sun there was a brisk northerly breeze that made it feel a little cooler than it actually was.

I couldn't decide between Long Preston or Giggleswick, finally I chose Giggleswick as it offers a longer shot and may be a bit more sheltered. When I parked on the station car park I noticed a familiar motorbike. I wandered onto the platform to find Idris (@Bodorganboy), sitting on a form, I joined him and we passed a few minutes recollecting steam in the eighties.

Idris headed off further up the bank and I headed over to the far platform, the sunny (but narrow) side. Oswald was ready. It had mostly been sunny for the last half hour with clouds scudding along on the breeze (from behind). A check on RTT showed that Tangmere had left Hellifield Loop 4E and was 4E at Settle Jn. Soon she came into view at the end of the long straight, the sun slipped behind a bank of cloud. With no discernable sound Tangmere approached up the 1/100r, working nicely before she was eased for the 40mph speed limit thro' the station. A whistle for the crossing, a wave from the driver - thanks and once clear of the station the regulator was opened and Tangmere chattered her way up the bank - the breeze now carrying the sound towards the station. Two minutes after the train had gone the sun reappeared. 17C & 3L. Much better than waiting in for the Amazon man.

I arrived home at 15.22 (exactly the same time that Tangmere reached 10A - spooky!) Mrs W went out to watch some woodpeckers who have a nest nearby, the Amazon man arrived at 16.10 - perfect! (Diego spent most of the day here before going "home" for his tea, but has recently returned.)

 

as in Saphos 2024 re B1 :- Looks like today's casualty returning to Bishops Lydeard tomorrow (slowly - timed at 33mph) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:77803/2024-05-31/detailed


update 31/5 -- picture in Saphos thread

 

A couple of phone pics taken yesterday at Hellifield






Despite having a case of "Woodpecker's Neck" from staring up a tree for hour after hour Mrs W has gone out to repeat the process. I might have joined her but I've been left to tend to Diego's needs - when he eventually wakes up.

I want to make it clear that I have no plans to raise VAT but, if elected, I do intend to withdraw the requirement to fit CDL to heritage carriages and to allow people to stick their heads out of open windows. "Vote Wistle and put the fun back!"

 

Free WD40 if required?

 

I want to know how you get Diego to go back home. Our visitor just moved in permanently (we had no say) a few years back.