Winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses 2014

Thanks for the report there Rhys. Hope the 30 mins late into Carlisle didn't hold up any following services.

 

Yes Rhys, I can confirm it was horrible .

 

The southbound run over the S&C was much brighter, performance-wise at least, with 45699 reaching 41 by Howe & Co's, and 60 through Long Meg before the Culgaith slack. A bright recovery took us onto Appleby, and following a short water stop, Galatea was barking away nicely again. The 20 mph slack on the approach to Helm Tunnel is still in force, but she recovered well through Griseburn and Stockber, and by Crosby Garrett was up to 53. The resumption of the 1:100 from Smardale saw speed drop off and with the weather in Mallerstang being at its worst, she plodded on admirably, passing the summit at 25 mph. Wilpshire was taken confidently, 27 at Langho and 22 at Wilpshire. Here's an onboard video of the last mile to Ais Gill:

 

Some great sound effects in that video Linesider. I ended up sitting down for the run over the S&C as I really didn't fancy standing at a window in the downpour that was occurring but even from 6 carriages back Galatea was clearly audible. Up Wilpshire bank the sound was tremendous. I forgot to add, anyone on the future trips you won't be able to get off at Appleby on the return leg as they are doing some fairly substantial resurfacing work where the platform crosses the road under the station.

 

Thanks Rhys. Yes, fairly horrible conditions out there and just about tolerable on the western side of the train; the other side was akin to putting your head in a washing machine!
David

 

Now the trips are Saturday rather than in the week there is no need to get off really as there is no shunt involved to get out the path of a service train. Miss out on a quick visit to The Midland Hotel next door, however!

 

This is true. I was thinking more in terms of taking pictures/seeing the loco on the return leg. Although if the weathers anything like what it was on Saturday then its probably just as well we stayed on!

 

Thanks Ralph. Yes the firebox glow is always a bonus, especially when it's so dark. Something of a dichotomy hanging out of the window with meals and wine passing on one side of you and rain, howling wind and 3 cylinder roar on the other. I know which I prefer

 

Another video from onboard last Saturday's train - this one starts in the Lune Gorge then skips forward to Scout Green where speed falls off to just 13 mph, before she rallies, passing the summit at around 19.

 

Fabulous!!

 

Yes, all Jubs are equal but some are going to be more equal than others, as with all steam locos. Makes you wonder how Bahamas will fare in due course. Virtually an LMS version of a Double chimney Castle and we all know how they can perform.

 

When did Bahamas get the double chimney ?, the thought occurs if it made much difference, why were others not similarly treated as per the Castles.

 

1961 - apparently successful but by then there was no further funding being provided to modify steam on BR, and this was to prove to be the very last experiment aimed at improving performance. more here ........... http://ingrowlocomuseum.com/?page_id=27

 

Thanks, that is quite late in the day so explains why.

 

All surviving Jubs may be equal but there were two which were built with Royal Scot type boilers and rated 7P: 45735 Comet and 45736 Planet if my memory serves.

Peter in Manchester

 

Excellent footage from Linesider of the climb up Shap, there was some high speed running downhill after the summit, mid 70's showing on the gps presumably in an effort to regain some lost time