WCME/CME 2024

When we did the CMEs we used to return to Euston on the 1904 which is running on time today and at least got us home by midnight

 

Poor conditions for Tangmere seen from Shap Wells and returning in better condition through Kirkby Stephen Station.

 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/preston-20240127/

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...24-01-27/1800-2200?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
34067 & PO Brake scuttled back to Carnforth but the tour 1Z87 was still in the platform at 2127.

Not a good start for the season for WCRC or RTC.

Lets hope travel on service trains getting folks back down south has been arranged.

Cheers, Neil

 

Atrocious conditions greet SRBB No.34067 'Tangmere' as it works the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' through Salterwath on the climb to Shap and on to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Chris Holmes on the shovel and Matt Miller Guard



Trying its best to recover time No. 34067 'Tangmere' puts on a show as it speeds the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express through Kirkby Stephen Station with Mick Rawling driving, Chris Holmes firing and Matt Miller Guard on the return leg to Preston

 

Well even before it turned a wheel this was possibly the most discussed WCME ever. So Tangmere was at the head of a rake of maroon coaches, mainly Mk2fs, air-con (sealed windows), electric heating, air braked but most importantly fitted with CDL, The ORR will be happy (let's hope). Inevitably at this time of year a 47 was on the rear to provide a supply for the heating (and provide power "if" required.

The stock was late into Euston and the lateness continued throughout the day. It was going to be late by the time it reached Wilpshire, but by how much, when should Mrs W and I leave home? There seemed very little chance of it running in its path before the 17.21 from Clitheroe to Bolton (over the weekend the Rochdale Flyer was being replaced by a bus to Man Vic) but would likely follow 15 to 20 minutes behind. Ramsgreave and Wilpshire a few minutes before 6pm.

We headed over to R&W in good time, a check on RTT showed the train had already left Hellifield so we headed to the station only to find someone had already set up in "Oswald's corner" leaving little or no room to set up alongside. We could go further down the same platform (and spoil his shot) or we could go on the "narrow side"; we chose the Blackburn end of the opposite platform. It was now dark and the station lighting was a must if we were to get any sort of result. Alongside my camera, and nearer to the platform edge, I put a couple of iphones on a tripod. The train had left Clitheroe and should be with us in about 5 minutes. There were only a handful of people around the station; the end of January, running late - perfectly understandable. The weather was dry and cold with a gentle southerly breeze.

Soon came the sound of Tangmere as she approached in the distance. Then the powerful light appeared from around the curve that marks the site of the old station. She was moving quickly, very quickly. As she reached the end of the platform, the station lights illuminated the exhaust, then shining on the boiler cladding. Quickly she sped through the station and away into the night the coaches flashed past (these air-cons don't half move quickly!). Then came the 47, it was travelling so quickly and being up close I couldn't read its number, its engine was not rumbling - it was roaring! 5C, 32L & 42mph. Let's hope that today's arrangement is only an interim solution. Home for tea and for pudding a slice of Mrs W's most excellent homemade apple pie; just like Mrs Viney made (Railway Children film) although they ate their's for breakfast.



What about the footage from the phones, I hear you ask - well, the picture quality was better than the camera (it usually is in low light) but the phones were buffeted about by the turbulence - I needed a Kwell after watching it. Let's hope that the ongoing problems at Preston are resolved soon.

 

Can’t blame West Coast for anything that happened at Preston if it’s a point failure surely.

 

Finally on the move 197m late!

 

Agreed but WCRC ( and RTC ) will have to pick up the commercial fallout and should eventually recoup some of the money from Network Rail through Delay Attribution. The WCRC controller at Carnforth and the RTC Train Manager and their on call assistance will have endured a rough evening sorting out onwards travel for the tour passengers.

People won't remember the points failure, but they will remember they were on an RTC tour.

Cheers, Neil

 

As far as I can see the 1907 was the last VT service south. Too early to have expected such a delay to arrange any transfer of pax I suspect.
Now moving 197 late, hope the stations remain unlocked down south.

 

Mainline steam in 2024:

Shap wells - Not so classic train but classic weather conditions:



Gallansay:


Richard

 

I’m sure our paths crossed today at Shap Wells Richard. I was the grey haired chap in the camouflage jacket. Great captures by the way.

 

The Winter CME tour from February 29th 4 years ago encountered a similar delay away from Preston, and by the time we'd reached Stafford the line toward the Trent Valley had been closed for engineering works. We had to divert via Bescot and Birmingham Int'l, resulting in an 01.15 arrival back at Milton Keynes. Fingers crossed the line remains open for the crew and pax to get a straight run toward Nuneaton tonight.

 

Also understand due to the47 on the rear it is a slower run than the usual 100mph. Seemed to have added another minute to the delay approaoching Crewe.

 

Don, are you willing to pay the bills to repair those machines that are ‘thrashed to their limits’?

 

Looks as though the Trent Valley line is now under possession, and 1Z87 has been sat at Crewe for longer than usual.

 

Doubt it .

 

According to my friend who’s heading for Rugby the train is terminated and being bussed forward.

 

Depends what caused the points to fail .
For example if caused by a loco running through them.