If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

2020 Cumbrian Mountain Expresses

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by mike1522, Dec 31, 2019.

  1. blink bonny

    blink bonny Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    Messages:
    687
    Likes Received:
    3,233
    Location:
    northumberland
    Escaping from cloud shadow at Waitby. 45562-(41)-Waitby-Common-fbook.jpg
     
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I already see an epic narrative about the CME (10/10/20), with probably more to come, so I'll just focus my comments around a single theme - that of a 5XP trying to punch above its weight and in doing so demonstrating that there are limits to what it can do, as you might expect.

    I don't have a problem with a Jubilee being asked to hook on to a load of 12 - about 450 tons gross in this case. It will be fine on a modestly graded route. What you don't do is ask it to try and romp up a 1 in 75 on the WCML or, more to the point, run from Carnforth to Carlisle in 75 minutes. We took 87 minutes and in the process added an extra 8 or so minutes to the following Glasgow service that was already five adrift when it caught our tail. But I gather that more powerful locos were not available today and, to be fair, apart from on Shap, we kept out of everyone's way. We were also more than lucky with the weather. I just don't want to think about what might have happened on Wilpshire had it been wet.

    Anyway, given the above, our exit from Carnforth with a cold fire was good and we were over 60 by Milnthorpe but speed dropped off progressively up to Grayrigg and the initial roar was eased back approaching Oxenholme by which time we had dropped four minutes. Nevertheless, I thought the Grayrigg speed of a little under 28 was a good achievement although Shap took its toll after not really recovering across to Tebay. The rest you know.

    By contrast, the run to Appleby in 45 minutes was good with the Jubilee handling the rising grade very well and gaining five minutes. But the moment the ruling grade shifted to 1 in 100 we were back to the same problem as on the 1 in 75 up Shap. That said, a steady 17 on a 1 in 75 compares with 26 on a 1 in 100. However Wilpshire was more problematic. Luckily we hit the bottom at 47 compared with 50 at Ormside before tackling Ais Gill. The drop in speed was relentless - about 3 mph every half a mile and we were down to 11 by the summit. Luckily the summit came in time and I guess that is what clever management of pace is all about.

    To summarise, I was impressed with the way that the crew handled what they were given. It was an underpowered loco for the load and the job but, that said, if you have an interest in seeing what happens at the limits of traction, today was a good trip to be on.
     
  3. acw71000

    acw71000 Member Friend

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    Messages:
    873
    Likes Received:
    1,410
    Location:
    Liverpool
    45562 at Shap Wells, Stockber and approaching Wilpshire Tunnel
     
    and60007, PaulT, Bodorganboy and 15 others like this.
  4. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    So where are the class 8s?
     
    green five likes this.
  5. 46203

    46203 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    915
    Likes Received:
    3,762
    Location:
    S&C
    There was another service train delayed, the one following 45562 on the S&C suffered delays from the Mallerstang IB signal to Hellifield, arriving there 9 late.
     
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That surprises me as we were only 7 adrift through Ribblehead and turned into the loop at Hellifield only five down.

    One postscript to the trip. I was really impressed with the care taken by all on board staff - catering and stewards - that went far beyond what they normally would do. Hygiene was clearly a priority and with respect to many of them who are not youngsters, you got a strong sense that they were behaving that way and keeping the train clean and safe because they obviously had a personal interest in doing so themselves. I would recommend people who are uncertain about travelling by steam to consider a trip with the RTC if they are not at risk themselves. If it is manageable for the company to do so with the spacing arrangements they have in place then it is worth supporting them.

    I have to say that I felt less comfortable with travelling home through London and from London back south. The tube was tricky and SWR busy with a noticeable age profile in my carriage that was almost completely people under 40. By and large they were respectful of space but...
     
    andalfi1, Oakfield53 and green five like this.
  7. ribble

    ribble Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2007
    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2,647
    Galatea,running as 45562 Alberta leaving Appleby with the CME on 10/10/20

    David Price
    Cop Lane on Flickr 15A_0500.jpg
     
  8. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2005
    Messages:
    2,245
    Likes Received:
    3,537
    Occupation:
    Transgender toilet attendant
    Location:
    North East
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Very nice David,proving the Walker Brothers wrong once again!:)
     
    green five and ribble like this.
  9. ribble

    ribble Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2007
    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2,647
    Thanks Henry.Continuing your theme "No Regrets"going here !
     
    henrywinskill likes this.
  10. blink bonny

    blink bonny Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    Messages:
    687
    Likes Received:
    3,233
    Location:
    northumberland
    Signs of the times.

    Who was that masked man?' 45562-(29)-Shap-Wells-fbook.jpg
     
  11. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,882
    Likes Received:
    3,589
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    TBC
    Location:
    Birmingham & Arley
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Stirring stuff from Galatea yesterday, enjoyed the gruelling climb of Shap and then a great performance and soundtrack up towards Ais Gill!
     
  12. Macko

    Macko Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    Messages:
    398
    Likes Received:
    2,337
    PaulT, Britfoamer, nige757 and 20 others like this.
  13. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
  14. John Rowley

    John Rowley New Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    185
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    North Yorkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    At Ribblehead

    EOS 6D Mark II2411-2.jpg
     
  15. John Rowley

    John Rowley New Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    185
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    North Yorkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
  16. banana patch

    banana patch Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2011
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    54
    Did you have a table of 4 seats to yourself or did you have to share with someone else Al? or did you travel with a friend
     
  17. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The RTC will accommodate singles on a table for 4 on their own. I went 'posh' this time so had a table for 2 to myself. But I also had to put up with whispers from folk when they saw the GPS and note book: "What is that man doing?!"
     
    Haighie, green five, Romsey and 2 others like this.
  18. Macko

    Macko Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    Messages:
    398
    Likes Received:
    2,337
    And a final share from me, the northerly wind is sweeping in a squall over Whernside which will reach us about ninety seconds after this shot as 45562 Alberta accelerates away from Ribblehead viaduct.

    [​IMG]
    Here comes the rain again ...
    by Phoenix Images, on Flickr
     
  19. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2005
    Messages:
    2,245
    Likes Received:
    3,537
    Occupation:
    Transgender toilet attendant
    Location:
    North East
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Thats a beauty Duncan,definitely the way forward.Annie Lennox would be proud of you!
     
    green five likes this.
  20. Macko

    Macko Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    Messages:
    398
    Likes Received:
    2,337
    Haha Henry, exactly what I was thinking of! :)
     
    green five and henrywinskill like this.

Share This Page