VT Shap, S&C Double-Header with 5043 and 6201 - March 10th 2012

Great shot Stuart.

 

Congratulations however to VT for taking the right decisions under the circumstances. First to accept the failure of 6201 but allow 5043 to continue south unassisted; secondly for the crews to take the opportunity of challenging the Blue Riband on what I recall is the first southbound run of a Castle over the S&C; thirdly for deciding not to risk failure on poor quality coal thereby enhancing their own reputation as careful operators of main line steam.

As a lineside observer at Ribblehead I have to admit that 5043 made a fine sight and I presume that the many passengers can't have been too dismayed at the changes to their expected programme for the day but this proves - yet again - the potential risks of continued main line steam operation and the inherent problems which may arise. But - as many would say - it's not the problems which establish reputations but the way in which they are handled.

Now what was someone saying about the potential for 100 mph running [on another thread] ?

 

Wigan North Western at 74 was good though

Peter on a grey March morning in Manchester
Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures

 

I thought we'd be in for a long wait when news of Lizzy made it to us, but the Earl appeared 20/30mins early & I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at the ease at which & the speed that The Earl was going at with the long train, it was no slower than Britannia.

My effort from the north entrance to the Blea Moor tunnel:
[video=youtube;oWOLn5ahBtQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWOLn5ahBtQ[/video]

 

It could be that had Lizzie worked back south with 5043 as planned, the Earl woulden't of had to work half as hard and consumed as much coal as it did, considering they would of had the equivelant of load 6 each on the drawbar against the solo load 11 that happened in the event, i'd say it was a valiant effort by 5043 in the circumstances, the long climbs on the S&C take a lot of sustained effort and unlike 70000 the Earl still had a good 50 miles + to do from Crewe.

 

Nunney Castle ran south in March 1994, but failed (low on steam) - around Kirkby Stephen. I remember standing in the freezing cold at Ais Gill as a 47 came to rescue it. Yesterday may well have been the first successful run!

 

You must have been out of the country when 5043 took load equivalent 14 o'wer the Midland in October 2010 and produced output figures to match Duchess of Abercorn!!
:tongue1:

Blue Riband won't be leaving the shoulders of Grierson/Kane/46229 anytime soon on account of the steam loco only slack at Helm Tunnel.

 

As ever some high quality videos of the days proceedings. It's great to be able to watch the trains from the various locations along the route.

My contribution: 10th March 2012 - 5043 6201 70000 in the Cumbrian Fells - YouTube

Phil

 

Some great video's guys!

Does anyone know who the crews were just out of interest?

 

Clun ran south in nineteen hundred and frozen to death. The infamous rag in the tender pipe incident. Unfortunately I'm old enough to have been on that as well as yesterdays wonderful run.

 

My photo of Earl of Mount Edgcumbe passing Birkett Common yesterday. DSC_1311 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

……. and, to work such magic, that October 2010 run had to be entrusted to a former 10F Rose Grove man …. albeit with a pair of 84E firemen!! Certainly produced the fireworks, 'though!!

مشاهدة المرفق 4323

 

Heres my photos from Carlisle yesterday

Carlisle March 10th - a set on Flickr

 

Cracking shot

 

Cracking videos and pictures again a couple from me at Ribblehead

David Tomlinson photography - David Tomlinson Photography

Dave

 

Troll, troll!

 

What a sound from the Castle on the way back, Ralph. That must have been singing in your ears all night. Wonderful stuff.