West Yorkshireman Sat 31/5/25

Nice to see Bradford back on the steam map for mere mortals not just for the Northern Belle.

 

Who's operating this please?

Can't see anything on Saphos, Vintage, Wcrc, UKR, Pathfinder or RTC website

 

https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/the-west-yorkshireman/

 

Which means
1) Their requested loco will be unavailable
2) WCRC are fitting a pump to 46115
3 WCRC are fitting CDL to some Mk1's

Maybe that is also the descending order of likelihood

 

The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company Limited

 

From the provisional pick up times of Skipton 0930 and Settle 1045 I suspect the steam will come on at Hellifield.

 

Though you would also want to take water at Hellifield

 

Tangmere or a Black 5 with a rake of coffins will be the only choice for this whatever the blurb says

 

Well I could think of 3 other alternatives, all of which I admit would be highly unlikely, but even so.
Clan Line (bit far north may need a passport)
Tornado (would it be finished by then?)
Eddystone (the least likely of all, but stranger things have happened.)

 

Clearly says Steam from Bradford on the Webpage

 

I hope it is steam from Bradford, I just have my doubts.

 

Oh ye of little faith.

 

I'm an A1 covenantor, what do you expect....

 

Well they dragged Tangmere on the rear from Carnforth to Bradford for a Northern Belle didn’t they so no reason why not with this special

 

I can't disagree with your assessment of the likelihood of what could happen with option 1) being odds-on favourite.

Option 2) - I suspect that David Smith, for some reason, is dead set against fitting an air pump to 46115 or any other of his locos. There have been numerous opportunities as various locos have been overhauled and, despite the flexibility of having more locos capable of operating air-braked stock, no modifications have taken place. In the last 12 months the need for more locos capable of operating (CDL compliant) air-braked stock has become ever more pressing with IR's locos clocking up large mileages as they reposition to cover trips throughout the country.

Option 3) - Perhaps more likely than option 2)? But nothing seems to have changed! I suspect WCRC continue to believe that there is no need for CDL and that their proposed operating procedure, whatever that might be, covers all the bases. It may be, however, that "the penny has finally dropped" and even though they would be loathe to admit it those at 10A finally realise that the ORR holds all the aces and why throw more money at doomed legal challenges. I doubt that WCRC would approach the ORR to agree a program for fitting CDL and seek an exemption - "I'll not go cap in hand to them ****s". More likely 10A just fits CDL and, when finished, runs the stock. If it were to happen the first thing we are likely to find out is when maroon Mk1s appear on a trip.

I do accept that this could be wishful thinking on Oswald's part, but what a day it would be if on 31st May 46115 was to be at the head of a rake of vacuum-braked, CDL-fitted, maroon Mk1s. Whatever the loco and stock it would be a rare Saturday northbound run over the S&C.