LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2019

Hmm, not having heard of TRACKSY, I was at Grange for the 8F, on return to Lancaster, people were asking station staff for next train to Leeds, they were told to get a Manchester Airport train and change at ??? cos it was bus from Hellifield to Skipton, which is flooded they were informed, which would take longer.
I assume the water level must have dropped for 35018 to have been given the RA, albeit, around 4 hours late.
what was also strange, the train I got back to Lancaster was supposed to go to Preston, but terminated at Lancaster, and sent on to Barrow, although the electronic sign said the next train was going to Morecambe, not an easy job for station staff.

 

its on its way back now, will be quite late.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54941/2019/03/18/advanced

 

35018 north of Ely at Little Downham around 12:00 today. A nice birthday treat as she heads home with the Nigel Dobbing headboard still equipped.

 

My take on it is that they were given the road from Carnforth at 1000, one hour late. The 0819 from Leeds arrived at Carnforth at 1010. Between then and the unit's scheduled return at 1058, control must have decided conditions were too bad for the unit to risk it. Fortunately the special just squeaked through to Hellifield. Then yes, the water level either side of Skipton dropped in the afternoon and traffic resumed, though not on the Little North Western. Copy Pit stayed open all day on Sat, so I expect the Leeds people were routed via Preston. A long journey if you were going from Lancaster to Skipton though!

The water level at York and Naburn Lock only peaked 24 hours later.

That's an interesting route back. Do steam locos often go from Burton to Lichfield

 

I'm pretty sure this is a regular route from the East Midlands to Crewe and the north.

Personally speaking, I wish they would turn right at North Staffs junction and proceed via Uttoxeter and Stoke, but assume either paths are trickier on parts of that route or maybe gauging is a problem.

Having said that, Tornado is booked that way sometime later this year, on a trip that should have happened soon after it's failure...

 

At March - in sunshine!

 

Looking back, the reason that WCRC wouldnt accept Tornado was the use of a non approved company to skim the cylinder liners ? ... in the mean time have those liners been reskimmed/replaced by someone else ...a WCRC approved contractor maybe.

 

The sun went in just as it was approaching Fradley (between Alrewas and Lichfield)

 

Looks like 60009 is to move from the ELR to the NRM on the 25th then from the NRM to the NYMR on the 26th:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10807/2019/03/25/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10755/2019/03/26/advanced

 

Thanks for posting that...long way round to York!

 

Flying Scotsman positioning move from York to Southall



John

 

Looks like it may be the last steam movement over the damaged bridge at Castleton on the Esk Valley line.
As the new bridge is due to be installed over the last weekend in March.
Should keep a few bodies happy on Mothers Day after a shortened night shift due to the hour change sunday morning.
Or make the day shift guys happy to miss out on going out with relatives.

 

How long will that take N.R. to install the new bridge deck. Is it a steel plate bridge the one in question that a bin wagon struck last year on the Esk valley line.

 

The whole area is a managed flood plain

 

A video of 35018 and ECS en route to Carnforth earlier today...

 

A little further on approaching Cranberry.

 

That depends on how much damage there is to the stonework. They will have to remove the old bridge beams and bearings and make good the stone abutment walls before installing the new bearings. Then they will need to allow some hours for the mortar to cure under the pre cast bearings before lowering the new bridge section into place. Allowing for removing and reinstating the track, 52 hours is reasonable, including 10% contingency for equipment failures.

Cheers, Neil

 

I see BIL made it back to Carnforth ok last night. She's clocked up a fair few miles over the past 2/3 days! After a tentative start, this MN has emerged as a star performer for 10A. All credit to Mr Smith and his team at WCRC!

 

Scotsman on the move and 50 early meaning I’ve missed it through Maidenhead...

 

And now 11 late at Reading after a lengthy wait in Sonning Bridge loop. Ggrrr