LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

One way..


and then t'other



SR Bob class No. 34067 'Tangmere' working through Starricks Farm after a run out and back to Hellifield with Mick Kelly driving and Martyn Soames on the shovel

 

14th August 2025 34067 57010 Loco Test Run

34067 at Bentham and Giggleswick on test run

 

What are the odds of NR doing any vegetation work. Very bad luck.

 

I received a tip-off that Tangmere would be making a test run today; and it was correct - thanks! The only thing stopping me from heading out was that I had an appointment for a hair cut - don't laugh, some bits do grow albeit slowly. In fact slowly enough to enable me to reschedule the appointment to a (much) later date; some things are just more important than haircuts. I would have enough time to make the longer journey to Bentham or Clapham, but decided to stick with the easier (and nearer) options of Long Preston for the outbound leg and Giggleswick for the return.

Traffic was light but there were two hold-ups, some temporary lights and a slow moving tractor on the A59; between them they added over 10 minutes to a 50 minute journey. I parked up and checked RTT, Tangmere had left Carnforth (5L) and was now somewhere between there and Settle Jn. This is a very long section, RTT does not report - an information black hole. There was no option but go to the station and wait. The clouds broke and sun shone (and on the right side), Oswald had forgotten to bring his hat - oh dear. Not to worry after about 10 minutes of unbroken sunshine the clouds regrouped and that was how it stayed for the next couple of hours.

The rails began ringing and a few seconds later Tangmere appeared, running tender first. Mick Kelly was leaning on the cab window, we exchanged waves - thanks! Tangmere headed off in the direction of Hellifield for a bit of running round, and drinks for the crew(?) on what was a warm day. 21C & 14L. Oswald packed up and headed back to the car for the short drive to Giggleswick.

As I parked on Gigglewick station car park, I spotted a motorbike with Welsh dragons decorating its panniers. I collected my sandwich and drink and headed to the station where I found Idris (@Bodorganboy) sitting in the shelter. We chatted as I ate my sandwich; plenty of railway topics and inevitably memories of Giggleswick bank back in the 1980s - happy days! As Idris was filming from the top end of the platform I collected my bits and pieces and headed down towards the crossing at the other end of the platform.

Regular checks on RTT showed that Tangmere was still in the loop at Hellifield (a bacon butty to go with the drink?). Idris was the first to spot the departure (8L) and called down to me, we were in business. After a few minutes Tangmere appeared at the end of the long straight, no more that a pin prick surrounded by a grey haze with a hint of white (feather at the safety valves). Slowly the loco grew larger, some sounds from the chimney, nearer now and a whistle for the crossing and louder still as Tangmere climbed through the station. Off up the bank she went, with a crispness to her exhaust note, and away into the distance. 22C & 7L.

Hopefully Tangmere will "pass the test" and be available for some of the forthcoming steam trips. No doubt the Ex-Spurts on all things Bulleid will pronounce judgement on Tangmere's exhaust note/beat.

Maisie has become friends with Dennis, a large ginger cat who lives in the next road; whenever they meet they touch noses and seem relaxed in each other's company. On several occasions Maisie has brought home a moth or butterfly, usually with a bit of flutter (but not much) left in them. This lunchtime, whilst I was out, she appeared carrying a dead bird and despite Oswald Jnr's attempts to persuade her otherwise she insisted in bringing it into the house. Not too unremarkable, I hear you say, but at the same time as Maisie was arriving at our front door, Dennis was heading towards his house also carrying a bird. Coincidence or teamwork?