Pathfinder 2023

With the moody Coniston Fells in the background SRMN class 38014 'British India Line' drifts down to Park South Signal Box with the return leg of 'The Cumbrian Coastal Express' with Mick Rawling driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Steve
Adams Guard later to stall on Dalton Bank

 

Always, this time of year at Dalton.

 

Indeed, and I haven't heard the rhtt trains at night yet so not sure if they have been round (seen pictures at the top end but not further south).

 

Yes, they have been running. The circuit and times have changed I think. Not even sure it works, I can remember jetting down to Windermere and then slipping all the way back with a pair of 37s. ‍♂️

 

Nothing seems to be showing up on rtt from an admittedly cursory look between Tuesday and Friday last week? Albeit that may be rtt rather than what's happening on the ground?

 

Ulverston around 2am DN and 4am Up.

 

Well that was a long day…

Dalton was just unfortunate after what turned out to be a lovely day! What storm? And a first for a merchant all the way around the coast?

Coming to a stand on a rail greaser left us with no chance, the diesels duly dispatched. But what shouldn’t be overlooked, but very easily done when the train continues to move, is the effort behind the scenes to ensure the train does continue moving. Onward travel requiring protected paths, possession push backs and alternative transport for some. By no means easy when the operation continues to move. The collective effort of those at WCR and NR should be praised.

 

35018 between Mirehouse Junction and St Bees about 20 minutes down. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenglass/53274406216

 

I was a passenger and thought the team handled it very well, we were kept informed and stewards went around to check where everybody was getting off.

(out of interest, anyone know if 35018 was powering after the push, sounded like it at some points?)

 

Thanks Niall, a pleasure to hear.

Yes 35018 was working all the way to Carnforth. Just needed a nudge off the greaser.

 

No complaints from me either about how it was all handled. Excellent service from the stewards. I wonder how much less disruptive it would have been if NR had kept the Dalton signal box open on Saturdays. Could we have reversed back into the freight section and kept the running line open? I know one service train was cancelled and at least one other was heavily delayed, so it did cause some disruption.

Anyway, looking forward to my next trip with Pathfinder. To Salisbury on 25th November with 40145.

 

Not my video but shows 35018 stuck at Dalton.

 

33207 'Jim Martin' and sister engine pass Ford Bridge, south of Leominster, this morning on today's Eastleigh to Chester trip. There was a 47 on the back too. Brings back memories of when 33s from Eastleigh were regulars on the Marches Line passenger services.

 

That was the intention behind the run!

 

Not a ‘pure diesel’ trip if there was a ‘box on the back’

 

A great idea! Not checked up but I think they were Eastleigh based back then and working elaborate diagrams linking Cardiff with Hampshire and with Crewe etc. Also, I recall a very exciting journey one evening leaving Crewe about 10 late but right time by Leominster.

 

They also used to work up to Manchester Piccadilly too, as an EE Type 3 bloke I shouldn’t say this but they really are rather useful machines, those in charge of the Southern when they ordered them were absolutely bang on the money with what they wanted and received way back in the 1950’s.