The Dalesman 2019

Galatea seen at Helwith Bridge and a very blustery Greengate.

 

03/09/2019 - LMS Stanier Jubilee - 45699 "Galatea" returning from Carlisle with "The Dalesman" at Helwith Bridge

 

The Dalesman (Eastern Route) 03 September 2019 – 45699 Galatea hauling 9+POB

The clock struck 9.30 as the short, slim woman entered the Day Lounge of the Jeremy Corbyn Home for the Moderately Bewildered; she made her way towards the dishevelled individual who was seated by the window staring out blankly beyond the carefully manicured lawns. “Do you know what day it is?” Matron asked the man. The man was unresponsive, failing even to acknowledge her presence. “It’s Tuesday” she continued, with those words a brief smile flickered across his face as he sprang from the chair, gathered the bag that had lain alongside and snatched the car keys from the nearby table. Oswald headed for the door, his car and the short drive to Skipton. That is exactly how my day started or my name is not Oswald T Wistle.

At Skipton the train, headed by 57.001 with 47.851 on the rear arrived 3E. We drew forward into the loop and waited whilst the NT Leeds-Carlisle passed. We left 2½E and made our way to Hellifield and stopped in the platform line 2E. As had been the case last week, 6M31 (Doncaster Decoy-Arcow Quarry) was behind us and was shown on RTT to overtake us at Hellifield by running through the DGL. The diesels were detached, Galatea and her support coach, that had been waiting in the DGL drew forward and were attached to the front. I was in the 3rd coach and had moved to have a table to myself. Mick Rawling was driving and Bob Bullock firing; we left 6¼E. There was no sign of 6M31. The weather was grey with rain forecast.

Galatea seemed more comfortable with 10 rather than the usual 11 coaches. By Long Preston we were up to 38.5 and we passed Settle Jn SB (6E & 58.8), a max of 59.4 was reached shortly afterwards. There was a lovely roar as we headed for Settle (6¼E & 47.5). As we approached Stainforth Tunnel it began to drizzle; into the Tunnel at 34.5 and out into the damp cuttings where speed fell back to a min of 30. We were up to 31.3 at Helwith Bridge (5½E) and speed recovered to 37.3 on the level section. As we approached Horton in R (33.6 & 4½E) the drizzle became heavier; the platforms were wet and the drizzle was obscuring the windows on the west side of the train. Speed fell back to 31.8 but, on the brief easing of the gradient, rallied to 34.1. We passed the rows of cottages before Selside at 32.5 and on past the hamlet at 31. We battled up the hill and under the road bridge at 29.7 with a min of 29.3 just beyond. Approaching Ribblehead the gradient eases to 1/176r and we accelerated, passing through the station at 32.9 (2½E). It was decidedly autumnal as we crossed the viaduct in steady drizzle with the hill tops obscured by low cloud. We were 3½E as we passed Blea Moor SB and continued to slog up the hill at a shade over 30 and into the tunnel. Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor SB had taken 23m 48s and Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor Tunnel S 25m 27s.

There was no improvement in the weather as we passed the TSR at Dent Head and on through Dent station (1½E). We sped through Garsdale (54.1 & 1¾E) and up to 58.5 across Dandry Mire. We cruised up to Ais Gill summit (48.2 & 1E). As we dropped down the hill the weather brightened; still raining as we entered Birkett Tunnel but dry by Kirkby Stephen and some blue sky at Crosby Garrett. As we approached Ormside (63 & 5E) the sun was shining. We slowed and stopped in Appleby (4E). It was sunny, so ice cream time (Blackcurrant). I had a chat with Mick Rawling who said that the rail conditions had been tricky, even with the sanders on he could “hear the loco creaking as she threatened to slip”. This was an excellent climb in the circumstances and a fine illustration of the skill of the enginemen.

We left RT and ran around 1E all the way. There was a lovely sound from the front as we climbed the 1/165r towards Baron Wood Tunnels, a brief shower around Howe & Co SB (57.4 & 1¼E) and then we were held for 2¾ min at Petteril Br Jn (2¼L). We stopped in platform 3 at Carlisle (1½L). I waited on the station as Galatea now manned by Chris Cubitt and Martyn Soames drew the ECS north and then propelled it into A road. Then off to the Woodrow for some food. I followed this with my habitual mooch around the city centre; the weather remained dry as the clouds scudded by in the stiff westerly wind. I returned to the station around 20 minutes before departure and just as Galatea was heading south from A road before propelling the train back into platform 3. I took my seat in the 9th coach.

Chris Cubitt had us off to the south RT (assisted by Martyn Soames on the shovel) and we gently made our way past Petteril Br Jn. The power was gradually applied and just under 1¼ miles from Carlisle we hit the foot of 3 miles of 1/132r at 20.4, another ¾ mile and we passed under the M6 at 24.9 and nearing the top we passed Cumwhinton at 30.7 maintaining the speed to the summit. Next is ¾ mile of level track and speed built to 40 and onto another 3 miles of 1/132r. As we started this section of the climb we passed Howe & Co SB (40.5 & 1½L). Speed fell back and we reached the summit at 32.5 before dropping down to Low House Xng (43.2 & 2¼L). We continued down the hill to Drybeck Viaduct (54.7) before climbing up to Armathwaite (51.4 & 2L). We dropped down again to Armathwaite Viaduct (59.1) and then onto 2 miles of 1/220/132r; into Armathwaite Tunnel at 56.3 and out of Baron Wood No1 Tunnel at 53 with 52 at the summit. We took full advantage of the falling gradient and shot through Lazonby (¾L), again we made excellent use of the falling grade before we climbed up from Long Meg and through Little Salkeld (57.2). The grade reduced us to 50.7 at Langwathby but we were now RT. The good work continued and we were 2E at Culgaith SB (58) and still 2E at Kirkby Thore SB (51.6) and 3E at Long Marton (55.3). We stopped at Appleby 3¼E; the time from Carlisle was 44m 34s. As we travelled north the clouds had become heavier and the roads were wet although I was not aware that it rained on us. I remained on the train, ½ a coach length short of the north end of the platform.

Wisely, with rain now flecking the carriage windows, we left Appleby 3½E and set about gaining some speed; we reached a max of 49.3 just after leaving Ormside Viaduct; in the ½ mile to Ormside (4E) this had been reduced to 45.8. We battled up the 3½ miles of 1/100r towards Griseburn; into Helm Tunnel at 32.6 and out at 27.8 with a minimum of 24.9 approaching Griseburn, where the gradient eases to 1/166r. Across the viaduct at 27.5 and we accelerated towards Crosby Garrett (38.4 & 1½E) and up to 45.4 before the effects of the next section of 1/100r began to be felt. Across Smardale Viaduct (44) and with just over 2 miles to Kirkby Stephen (31 & ¼E), on the brief easing we were up to 33 but this gain was quickly lost; we entered Birkett Tunnel at 28.4 and out at 28.1 with a min of 27.7 before the gradient next eases. Now on 1/330r we passed Mallerstang (34.8 & 1L) and improved to 37.8 before Sycamore Tree Farm. In poor conditions how would we fare on the final stretch of 1/100r? By Angerholme speed had fallen to 28.7 and down to 25.6 under the road bridge; there was a minimum of 25.3 around MP260 and I passed Ais Gill Summit Board 3L & 30.5 (9th coach). From the start at Appleby the climb to the summit board had taken 33m 38s, and from passing MP277.25 (Appleby platform) 32m 39s. So around a minute slower than last week and with one coach less, but in the conditions still a good climb spoilt only by the west wind carrying the sound away before it could reach the open windows in the 9th coach.

We were 5L at Garsdale (56.5) and the effects of the TSR at Dent Head increased this to 7L at Blea Moor SB. South of Ribblehead the rain stopped and by Settle Jn there was some blue sky but we were 5¼L; 7½L when we stopped in Hellifield UGL. Galatea was detached and crossed over to the DGL to run round its coach. 57.001, that had been waiting at Hellifield, came on to the front and 47.851, that had been waiting at Settle Jn SB, followed us into the loop and was coupled to the rear. We left 8L and arrived in Skipton 7L. Despite having to make a short detour in Colne (2 car shunt blocking the road) I was home for 20.34 (4L). Matron (sorry Mrs W) was doing a jigsaw.

My thanks to all involved in planning and operating the trip, friendly and professional as always. The sad news is that next week is the last Dalesman of the season (I should probably “do it” – only teasing, I’ve already got my ticket). It was nice to meet Tom, a gentleman who I have seen on just about every WCRC trip; we had a brief chat about GPS recorders. Another source informed me that, barring any problems, Galatea will be on Sunday’s Merchant of Avon.

 

A couple of shots from this week's Dalesman, as Galatea powers over Dandry Mire viaduct in rather bleak weather
and with the Fireman taking a short break, passing the appropriately named Midland Hotel at Lazonby on the return working.

 

Couple of crackers Peter,good to see some different locations on the S&C.

 

Thanks Henry, appreciated.

 

The Scot looks brilliant again over Ribblehead...plenty of clag and steam to spare. Well done WCRC (courtesy of railcams)

 

46115 with the Dalesman on 10.09.19; both taken at Drybeck Viaduct.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman on the final Dalesman of 2019

 

46115 at Birkett .

 

Lazonby and Scotby Shield...


Scots Guardsman at Lazonby


Scots Guardsman at Scotby Shield

 

Scots Guardsman is seen at Selside and a very blustery Birkett Common.

 

A young horse obviously not aware of what is happening behind it as 'Scots Guardsman' speeds through Selside with the northbound 'Dalesman' with Mick Kelly
driving Martyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker guard. The horse soon bolted to the other end of the field!!!!



Making a superb sight and sound 'Scots Guardsman' speeds towards Aisgil summit with Steve Chipperfield driving, Rob Russell firing and Roly Parker guard with the
return leg of #The Dalesman'

 

Superb Shep , up close the order of the day without a doubt

 

An excellent angle on Aisgill Shep.

 

Out and about again taking in the beautiful countryside eh !! Imagine when steam was a regular site up the S & C; unfortunately the first time I went north was behind a Peak ( in howling wind and rain ) but enjoyed plenty of steam since even though I live south. Great videos....even the cows play 'chicken' ?

 

Wonderful to hear the roar again. 46115 heading north at Lunds & on the return at Cumwhinton & Waitby.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/48713569917/in/datetaken-public/


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Phil

 

Thundering north towards Selside at Far Moor.


A lucky burst of sun for the return at Ribblehead.

 

Think 46115 is going to have a better ticket this time around. Yes

 

Thanks Pete , can’t beat the scenery on the S&C.