The Citadel: 10/11/18

Just a couple more points. I’ve now had a chance to look at all the photos and videos that have been posted and they are a superb collection, thanks to all. The S&C weather gods were kind (for November) and they are a great record of the day; it looks from the outside what it felt like on the inside – quick and noisy. The weather leaving Carlisle was less favourable but Steve and Nige soldiered on, even in the near dark at Shap, thanks. Their footage at Barrow Mill illustrates my second point, just look at the rate at which the exhaust on the lead loco darkens and then clears as each shovel of coal is placed on the fire; every 3-4 seconds. All the images appear to show both locos with a feather at the safety valves and no needless blowing off. These young firemen are fit and know how to fire a Stanier Black 5 – the future is looking good, especially as one of them, Matt Earnshaw was recently passed as a driver on the Jacobite and I understand will be looking to learn other routes.

Last point, since my last trip from Bolton, the open car park next to the station has been built on. I parked on the Octagon car park, a well lit, multi-storey around five minutes walk from the station much of which is under cover if going via the Interchange building. I’ve saved the best news until last – it’s FREE at weekends.

 

I'm not sure that would be possible southbound, but I managed seven shots of 850 northbound on 27th November 1982 - six between Settle and Ribblehead, and a bonus one at Lunds after the Garsdale water stop. Unfortunately it was quantity at the expense of quality, though, as the only shot that includes the full train is the going away on Ribblehead viaduct!

 

Steam Railway reported this as the fifth fastest time (in preservation?) recorded between Settle Jct and Blea Moor.

60009 28th April 1984 I understand is the record.

What were 2nd 3rd and 4th?

 

I think another fast run could be august 20th in 2016, i joined at man picc wi a C.47 and 46115 from preston the C.M.E. round back on the furnace line south out o carlisle Cos the S.a.C. was shut But up shap to carlisle north 70mph plus non stop through to carlisle after 10A water stop and b4 10A Speeds of 70mph plus.

 

Don't forget they also took water at Garsdale in those days

 

Up to 1954 until the westermost end of the wensleydale line joinded the S.A.C. Line and was midland as far as hawes jct, up to garsdale probably very busy wi local traffic goin on off the wensleydale line taking water at garsdale. And thus aplace to see various mid and N.E. locos also

 

Anyone found any other times with load 9? Didn't start steam bashing until Autumn 1984 and can't think of any lightweight trains to compare with.

 

I guess @Where's Mazeppa? is your man. It probably needs a magic formula to adjust for the load. But also the restriction at the viaduct has varied over time.

I had a quick look at Brian Basterfield's website and found the following

4498 with 10 coaches on 1/10/67 Settle Jct to Blea Moor box 15' 55 54 at Ribblehead Stn, 49 at BM box

4498 with 10 coaches on 28/11/81 Settle Jct to Blea Moor box 18' 06 25 restriction across viaduct

46229 with 14 coaches on 29/10/83 Settle Jct to Blea Moor box 17'37 43 over the viaduct. BB's best time in the Preservation era. That seems like a phenomenal performance.

 

I don't have the Steam Railway article to hand, but I think it mentioned 4498 and 60532 as two others with times in the top 4.

Do you have a link to that web site please?

 

A quick google brought up www.railperf.org.uk/index/links

 

This is the one. Brian was a good friend of mine who unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago.

http://locoperformance.tripod.com/

 

That's the one @Where's Mazeppa? is a member of.