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Northern Belle 2023

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Oswald T Wistle, Jan 4, 2023.

  1. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Tangmere was again absent from today's train, but an interesting substitute had been arranged D345 aka 40.145. I had decided that this was worth a look as in days gone by class 40 diesels regularly worked up Wilpshire Bank. As usual, the weather forecasts were as different as chalk and cheese; BBC said an afternoon of sunshine and showers whilst the Met Office opined, dry. In Darwen, apart from a couple of the briefest flurries of light drizzle, it was dry (1 nil to the Met Office).

    Over to Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, on the way there was some watery sunshine. As I headed the last couple of miles the sky darkened, ominous clouds gathered - surely not again! I parked up as it began to rain. RTT showed that the train had left Hellifield and was heading for Horrocksford Jn, there was a sizeable gap between service trains and the NB could run early, so no point hiding in the car. As I walked to the station the rain was falling but reassuringly no harder. Onto the platform, the rain continued, still no time at Clitheroe. The rain began to fall harder, time for a brolly (BBC equalise, 1-1). Holding the brolly in one hand and my phone in the other I checked and rechecked RTT for a sign that the train had left Clitheroe. There was no such sign. It was now teeming down and with no Mrs W to hold the brolly I was trying to work out the best way to hold the brolly and get my camera and microphone onto the tripod. As I continued to ponder the rain eased enough to discard the brolly and sort out the camera. The sky brightened and the rain stopped - yes!

    A few more people wandered down onto the platform. Still no RTT time for Clitheroe, but sometimes it "appears" later. A distant toot from a diesel horn, then the sound of a big diesel engine working hard, the class 40 was not too far away. Then into sight from around the distant bend, a heavy fug above her roof, thundering towards the station, a good blast on the horn before she reached the platforms. The sound grew louder and louder, seemingly shaking and rattling everything in its path. Young Philip gestured to the driver for another toot - and got one. D345 looked immaculate and sounded spot on. The coaches sailed by and 57.313 pushed away on the back. 15C (12C after the rain), 5E & 26mph. It's not steam but it'll do (for now).

     
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  2. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Well-Known Member Friend

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    Not normally photographing anything other than steam but that headboard is a cracker and can't wait to see it adorning the
    smokebox of 'Tangmere'
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2023
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  3. nige757

    nige757 Member

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    Whistler D345 seen from Salterwath and Birkett Common.


     
  4. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    A special traction package ending with a rare outing for Mons Meg on the Preston - Coventry leg

    86401-01b.JPG
     
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  5. stevenjcrozier

    stevenjcrozier New Member

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    Does anyone know if this will be steam on 27/5? Is Tangmere repaired or what will be on it ?

    Thanks

    Steven
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2023
  6. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    from ukrail group
    Northern Belle have just informed guests that 34067 Tangmere has "a 'valve' fault" which is unlikely to be fixed before Saturday. If it is still lame, it will be replaced by D345.
     
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    When did an original light pacific not have a valve fault?! ;)
     
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  8. stevenjcrozier

    stevenjcrozier New Member

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    I know it's not steam, but does anyone know if the 40 will be on all day tomorrow or just the 'steam' bit ?

    Steven
     
  9. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Afternoon paths to and from 10A to Hellifield suggest the class 40 is covering the steam section only.
     
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  10. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    That's what I've seen posted elsewhere.

    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
  11. Bodorganboy

    Bodorganboy Member

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    Last year D345 had to run from Hellifield to Carnforth via Blackburn and Preston as it was out of gauge. Has that restriction now been lifted?
     
  12. J Shuttleworth

    J Shuttleworth Member

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    It wasn't out of gauge - clearances had only been assessed using a composite profile (basically longest, widest, tallest diesels), which was developed for locomotive classes no longer contained within the Sectional Appendix and resulted in prohibits. It has since been cleared throughout for a specific Cl.40 profile.

    JS
     
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  13. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Posted on WNXXforum.

    "Northern Belle Update for Saturday.
    Due to a points failure at Carnforth
    the train will now run to Preston
    where 145 will be attached and work
    throughout back to Newcastle via Leeds & York.

    Quote CFPS"

    I assume that means Preston - Shap - Appleby - Leeds - York - Newcastle. Nice little run out.

    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
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  14. Bodorganboy

    Bodorganboy Member

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    Thanks for info
     
  15. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    That is what is now showing on RTT:
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55373/2023-05-27/detailed
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55367/2023-05-27/detailed
    What was the originally intended route? Even with (persumably) a longer run up and down the WCML, it is still managing several hours at Appleby.
     
  16. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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  17. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    D345 at Oxenholme .

     
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  18. Bodorganboy

    Bodorganboy Member

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    Todays Northern Belle with D345
     
  19. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    Picture from my phone. IMG_3225.jpeg
     
  20. nige757

    nige757 Member

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    D345 seen from Paddy Lane Bridge with some strange interference.


     

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