East Lancs Railway

Few shots of 60009 on 29 May, missed the sun each time! Trains 25 mins late to start, nearer to 50 mins by end of day, usual ELR times!!

 

A day of disruption at the East Lancs on Bank Holiday Monday meant a lunch and afternoon was spent more in the pub garden than photographing trains!
Peak diesel 45108 failed at Rawtenstall on its first trip with an AVR (volt regulator) issue and after a very long delay 33109 Captain Bill Smith came to the rescue. At this point the timetable was out by more than 90 minutes and given the warmth and lack of interest in a plain grey 33, a pint of Wainwrights became the priority instead



A now very green Irwell Vale by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


A promising start for No 9 before a frustrating day by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Captain Bill to the rescue! by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Power of the A4 by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

Nice shots. I spent Sunday & Monday mornings out for 60009 & 45108's first round trips. As per above gave up on the 11.05 out of Rawtenstall as getting burnt alive in the fields at Irwell Vale.

Disappointing to note both days the first round trips running late with 60009 & neither day ran any where near on time, compounded by the 45's failure on Monday of course.

 

Some very good shots. Trust that contributions were made to the ELR for these?
Here's Mondays first trip scenario for you from someone who bought a day rover. 9.15 Bury-Rawtenstall with 60009 ready for departure at 9.15, train delayed as wheelchair passenger is brought down the platform at 9.14 3/4 to the back of an 8 coach train, delay 6 minutes. Stopped north of Bury, pilotman working because of signal cable 'removal'. delay 5 more minutes. Plenty passengers at Burrs, Ramsbottom but into Rawtenstall 11 late, and depart Rawtenstall 8 late on return. Regained some time to Heywood (arr 6 late), then back to Bury but then significant delays for rest of day because of diesel failure at Rawtenstall. However PA system in use and all passengers apologised to by staff/stewards/PA/guard.
Now my point is this. There are some usual comments from those on the lineside, but praise was being given on the trains for the up to date information being provided. Who are you there to satisfy?
The initial delay was caused by a fare paying passenger, I'm sure the East Lancs will take that into account in future and lose the day rover revenue that they had taken from the wheelchair passenger for just for the sake of a few minutes?

 

A perennial operating problem on heritage railways is the last minute passenger. Quite frequently, you'll get Mum and the children on the platform, perhaps having bought the tickets, telling the guard/station staff that her husband is just parking the car and will be along in a minute. They are also on holiday/out for a leisurely day out and don't expect to be rushed. You want Joe Public to have a good day and not criticise the railway on Facebook and everywhere else so you have to give them the time that they want, within reason. They are probably not regular passengers and are unaware of what they are going to have to do; everything from the time taken to walk from the car park to where to buy the tickets and where the toilets are. The majority of heritage railway visitors are not regular train travellers, used to the rushed environment of the big railway. It's easy to say the train has to depart on time when you're not in a position of having to please everyone.
Colonel Stephens had a good idea when his timetables said 'Trains will not depart before the following times....' That made them never late.

 

Just for the record, I am a member of the ELR. I have at no point laid any blame or made any complaint about the operating issues that happened. This is old kit, things break.
I actually know the pilotman who was working, he had a lot of issues to contend with which did all get sorted as they could. My friend and I did go up to Rawtenstall station to have a beer and food at the station, but alas found the bar was closed for "technical issues" according to the sign, so we went to another pub. I hope that is a satisfying explanation from my lineside day.

 

Just for the record, I've also in the past been a member of the ELR Preservation Society. The society and the company are two different organisations. Just because you are a member doesn't actually mean that you make much of a financial contribution. Its an absolute bargain, £20 ish per year, for which you receive 3 great magazines & three 'free' full line tickets (worth virtually £50) pa.
I much prefer to 'pay as you go', knowing that any contribution goes straight to the ELR - and its a lot more than £20 pa.

 

You are welcome to your opinions - Voltaire - " I may not agree with what you say but would defend to the death your right to say it"
I have been a member since the early days at Helmshore, my wife and I are life members now, we have made not unsubstantial donations to the survival appeals, the purchase Wells fund, we have not had members tickets for 18 months (still not available as far as I am aware). I appreciate your comments on the quality of the shots we have posted, but I don't see why I should be making any further contributions to the ELR for taking and publishing them, on the basis you are suggesting. I alone (and my wife) know how much we financially support the ELR, my conscience is clear, I don't appreciate being suggested that I am in some way "free loading" (my words, not yours). But as said, you are welcome to your opinion.

 

Shot of an early working party day at Helmshore, 7/1/71, freezing cold day. There were 4 of us there. Hard to believe it's 50 years ago!

 

60009 Union of South Africa on green timetable services, 2nd and 4th June 2021

 

I wonder whether I was one of the other 3 ( as a 13 year old and a regular at Helmshore at that time)

 

We attended several times in early days until it became obvious it was going nowhere. There was my mate Graham in his mid-teens, myself 20 years.
There was a guy who was "in charge" who slept in one of the waiting rooms, he had complete camping gear setting a tent up and a primus stove of some description. He was (guess mid-20's) and a younger guy (early teens) who I assumed he knew, but didn't stay overnight. Various others appeared at times.
Graham and I spent a lot of time fixing broken windows and making boarding to protect them from further attack from the local urchins, securing doors and some painting.
When they abandoned and moved to Castlecroft warehouse at Bury that was the start of the long haul. I was active in the RCTS Manchester Branch and we used Castlecroft for our meetings when we moved out of he YMCA and later a pub (can remember which but near to Man Vic station) in Central Manchester. Quite a few RCTS members were conscripted into the ELR.
Long time ago.

 

Anyone know the motive power for the diner this Saturday 12 June, we're on it for my birthday! Thanks

 

You have me racking my brains trying to remember who the guy with a tent and primus might be. As you say, it was a long time ago,

 

ELR has announced the fair well to 60009 on the website:
http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/2021/7/union-of-south-africa-farewell.aspx

 

80097 i believe

 

Thanks for posting that. I think I'll avoid the big finale but have a mildy boozy day behind her mid-August.

 

80097 alongside the River Irwell near Townsend Fold. 17th June 2021.

 

This Sunday was this first of the Lanky Tanky days so the Missus and good self decided to have a steamy day out!
Surprise and disappointment as 80097 was hauling the train, however, it swapped over to 51456 after the first round trip, 80097 heading for diner duties.
A few photo's for the interested.

 

Same plan I believe with future 752 days ,it does trips 2/3 after the trip 1 loco moves onto the diner .