Scarborough Spa Express 2023

No not that one,must have been somebody else's shot lol.

 

Working on the National network daily means I’ve about as much faith as next weeks Jacobite passengers have a chance of a train running!

 

Indeed we were only about 10 late when we were stopped on the approach to Seamer as Plat 1 at Scarborough was occupied by the 13.48 train to York. Scarborough station seemed rather occupied by cancelled trains at the time.

Peter

 

As @RalphW says - Oh Ye of little faith

Peter

 

I realise that its in the wrong thread,but lets have some positive thoughts towards the Jacobite.From what I've heard from the Fort its been sorely missed.

 

After many years of marriage Mrs W finally decided that I was responsible enough to be allowed to go all the way to Yorkshire without her "keeping an eye on me", either that or she simply couldn't be "arsed" to tag along. In bright evening sunshine I set off for Gargrave. The sun slowly disappeared and by Burnley the sky was threatening (isn't it always in Burnley?). It did look darker in the east and passing through the border town of Earby a few heavy spots of rain began to fall, but quickly stopped. I parked on the station car park at Gargrave and checked out some possible locations. The east bound platform was the obvious spot but on the last Scarborough Spa photographers on this platform were almost "bowled" by a Leeds bound train that stopped in the station. I decided on the west end of the west bound platform despite there being no chance of a going away shot. Back to the car and wait.

The train was running late, as were most westbound services on the line. The sky was becoming darker, it could blow over - except there was no wind. The heavy clouds were directly overhead, to the west there was even some limp sunshine. Some very light rain began to fall, with around 25 minutes before the train was due I decided it would be easier to set up and in the dry than wait for the rain to get heavier - and so, that is what I did. The rain stopped - good plan (I thought) and then it started, gentle at first then becoming progressively heavier. Brolly up! Multiple checks on RTT did not persuade the train get here any sooner, quite the opposite in fact. The 7L departure from Kirkstall loop became 26L away from Skipton as it followed the late running Leeds-Lancaster service. (This train stopped in Gargrave (20L) and the driver opened his window to ask what loco had been waiting in the loop and confirmed that was right behind him.) The station lights were on and there was no sign of the rain stopping. Because of the rain falling on the brolly and despite it being the noisiest of locos it was almost impossible to hear if the train was approaching.

With very little warning she appeared at the distant curve, someone yelled, Oswald nudged the camera - b*gger! - too late now, SL was storming towards us (well me). She roared past, I turned the camera and pointed it at nothing (for there was nothing to see) but at least the mic would pick up that lovely Jubilee chimney music as she hurried away up the hill. 18C dropping to 15c in the rain, 26L & 34mph. Well done to all involved in the day's events especially the outbound journey. I hope no-one took a video of an arthritic old chap trying to pack up whilst holding a brolly and attempting without success to keep dry. Eventually I got back to the car, wetter than I had hoped.

Large puddles had formed on the road, it was gloomy but not quite dark. By Earby the rain eased, a few miles further and it stopped but the roads were wet. By Rose Grove (remember the name?) the M65 was dry and when I got home Mrs W, my absentee brolly holder in chief, confirmed that it hadn't rained at all. Mrs W was multitasking; playing on her I pad, whilst watching an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey that she had found on an obscure satellite channel AND drinking a glass of wine. Oswald dried off, had a brew and some supper and went to bed.

(The video is not even average but it is the best that Oswald could do in the circumstances - probably!)

 

Nowt wrong with it OTW. Loved the sound. Not ear shattering as we had for a lot of Sunday down south. Interesting week for the Jubilee. Sunday in damp and miserable Cornwall; LE move in not much better weather up the Marches on Monday; and now a run to not sunny Scarborough on Thursday. What does it think it is, a Black 5???

 

I thought the cobweb was rather an "arty" addition to the going away shot.

 

You love to hate West Coast don’t you.

 

Sorry I forgot opinions aren’t allowed anymore without somebody being upset.

 

Tbf what I actually hate more is the fact that those here with the obvious WCR connections just have to be better than anyone else. My time on both the big railway with various TOCs and the heritage side has normally been under the general one big railway family banner, but that doesn’t seem to apply to a couple of those above!

 

Didn’t say I was upset and I’m not, I’m just making an observation.
You are perfectly entitled and welcome to your opinion. Your post immediately after makes reference to your experience and being part of a family etc… but recently on here you have used this forum as a place to bash WCR when they probably haven’t done anything to harm or annoy you, which doesn’t seem very railway family to me…

 

Over the years I’ve had plenty of poor expriences with them sadly. However, I do still believe that with the right improvements they’d be the best charter operator out there. I absolutely love the fact the don’t have a diesel on the back when they can avoid it, makes it a proper trip and actually makes the steam loco do the job.

On this thread all I said was “I’d be surprised if it runs”, which was in no way a dig at WCR, but with the situation unfolding elsewhere on the route I would have been surprised at the time I posted that comment if it had gone. As it happened the route became clear relatively quick in comparison to some of these line blocks. The fact that a number of hours later good old Ralph decided to say I had little faith makes it sound like I was digging at WCR but as usual he’s taken it out of context.

 

You seemed like a pleasant, friendly chap when I saw you on episode 4 of "Britain's Most Luxurious Train Journeys", so I'm sure you're not deliberately trying to wind people up. It's the problem with online forums or social media - people don't always come across at their best, like they do on the telly.

 

I generally am pleasent and friendly. I just can’t be doing with belligerent people like two of those commenting above! That’s my pet hate in lift when people feel themselves so superior to talk down to others and that’s when I’ll bite back.

That was a very good day out that on the Snowdonia job. Then again it was LSL so we shouldn’t expect anything less.

 

You are perfectly entitled to your opinions, as anyone is, but you have also made several sweeping statements, with no real basis of fact, and they are probably best left for the mess-room, as you will doubtless otherwise be picked-on.

No one is asking you to be cheerleader for WCR (although I would obviously prefer it!), but you have no idea what went on behind the scenes to recover the situation yesterday. Likewise, a glib comment about The Jacobite for a cheap smirk, doesn't help, either.

As I frequently do to others on these forums, I would advise you to keep your own counsel and think before you post - and I've been in this game an awful lot longer than you.

JS

 

Nope wasn’t implying that. Just suggesting that if the line block carried on as it was looking at the time I would have been surprised if it had run. But as it happened it got resolved relatively quickly, in comparison to some of these things.

 

All I know(and all I need to know)about the Jacobite situation is that it affects the passengers,crews etc.I have a few friends in the area and their feedback is that the train is much missed.Hopefully be running again soon.