THE St NICHOLAS STEAM EXPRESS 28th Nov 09

Only a few days to go, not many steam tours in the north west at the moment, so who's out for it, I believe its been fully booked for some time via Statesman Rail, Diesel from Rose Grove to Carnforth where Leander takes over for the run to York via Wennington, Settle jct, Hellifield for water etc.
surprised this hasn't been posted yet as there's not much steam up here, although there's four other tours this saturday and one on thurs and two on friday this week.

 

I 'm out for this one, as you say there is precious little steam around the hills of the north and it will be nice to see and hear a jubilee out on the mainline again. I too was surprised that there has been very little comment on this tour, hoping to see it some where on the climb up from Clapham and then somewhere after the water stop at Hellifield. I will go down to my local station at Keighley to watch her blast through in the evening on the return to Carnforth.

Its a great shame that there are no longer the Christmas steam trips on the Settle and Carlisle ( Kingfisher are greatly missed), i used to travel on the one before Christmas and go out between Christmas and the new year to see the others. I know that there is the potential of two black 5's after Christmas, but it would appear that by the timings it will be getting dark by the time they leave Appleby, i might use my dales card and have a £6 return trip to Carlisle and see them up there.

Lets hope for a nice cold sunny morning on Saturday ( like Scots Guardsman december trip to York last year) for Leander.

 

At the moment BBC weather forecast is cold & dry, whereas Metcheck suggests sleet in Skipton & Keighley. So we'll just have to take pot luck as usual, but it will be nice to be out after a few mainline steamless weeks up north.

 

Would be too much to hope for unbelievable conditions like that again. Met Office web site says cold and dry.

Steven
http://steven-crozier.fotopic.net/

 

Doesn't that usually include sunshine in winter, at least somtimes, the fingers are crossed, admittedly, this winter is rather mild and excessively wet, as it seems to have been getting over the last few years, but the BBC weather has sat and sun as sunny!, but that will no doubt change by tomorrow.

 

I too miss the Settle Carlisle Christmas steam trips. I have booked on HF Railtours December 19th trip over the S and C, double heading class 37's. At least a run through the hills even though no steam.

 

I will be out, somewhere Giggleswick/Settle Junction and then the Hellifield curve after the water stop.

Lets hope for conditions like this http://www.adriansphotos.fotopic.net/p55164163.html

There are likely to be some good reflection shots in the floods though!!

 

For those travelling who don't want to go shopping or to visit the NRM for the umpteenth time there is a Paddle Steamer Preservation Society meeting at the Railway Institute at 14.00 - just turn right out of the station and its where the old railway museum used to be

 

Take care on the roads if you are out for this one, i went to Carlisle yesterday on the service train, and there is severe flooding on some of the minor roads, the road from Hellifield to Bell Busk was impassable yesterday morning due to flooding. There was also severe delays on the line due to flooding around Gargrave, I came back by coach from Carlisle to Skipton due to cancellation of the train, though it did appear on arrival at Skipton at 6.45pm that the trains were running although with delays.It would appear from the weather forecast that further rain is due to fall overnight and into the morning, together with a touch of snow on the tops.

 

That doesn't sound too good, I was hoping to film around Hellifield after the water stop. Anyone got any updates as to the latest situation?

 

I live in Hellfield and it rained heavy again overnight, the local becks and streams are pretty full and any rain seems to cause them to burst their banks. I was on the Hellfield to Airton road this week and there was visible signs of flooding like gravel in road, branches etc and in one or two areas there were pretty large puddles across the road but I made it through, however there had been no rain that day. If it had, I wouldn't have risked them. It has been pretty bad, although not as bad as Cumbria. Yesterday there was thunder and lightening and large hailstones.

I work in Padiham (Burnley) and there have been several heavy showers throughout the day so I would expect the same the other side of Pendle Hill. If it doesn't rain heavy through, the streams go down very quickly.

 

Thanks for that info. Adrian, fingers crossed then for a dry night...but just in case, where's my wellies!!

 

my plans are the same as yours ! - great minds think alike

John

 

5690 t+t 47760 dep Carnforth 0925 on time. Shd now (1036) be at hellifield.

AN

 

Pix of Leander leaving Carnforth added here:

http://andrewstransport.fotopic.net/c1673135.html

I understand it left Hellifield about 40 late, at 1130.

AN

 

55 down leaving hellifield. Diesal assisting at Settle Junction but load is 12 plus 47

 

your pics seem to suggest the cylinder drain cocks were either left open or stuck because they were still blowing as it disappeared out of sight from carnforth, I'm not an expert, just wondering if there is a reason to do so.

 

Cold, wet, dull, half an hour late and he shut off 300 yards before he got to me..................I should have stayed in bed. LINK.

 

Lovely photo Stuart, typical isn't it Stuart? Never mind, plenty more opportunities next year

Si

 

5690 was really going for it near Colton,about 40 odd down,simply fantastic noise,vid (2 clips) now up,here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_jvJPUFzdg


You shouldn't of stayed in bed Stuart,that fot is brill' especially as you can see the driver etc,its great.
Cheers,
Mark