LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Bit drier further south, video to follow

 

I saw Sir Nigel at Penrith. Driver really played to the watchers (or so it seemed). Stopped at the end of the platform, then opened up to go through the station like a dose of salts. Was great to watch.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K04055/2024-04-10/detailed

45407 returning the WCRC stock from ELR to Carnforth?

 

and on to Southall ?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K04054/2024-04-11/detailed

 

Think this will be the Great Britain stock, the Mark 2 set went back up to Carnforth from Norwich on Sunday following the last RTC tour. 44871 is already down south to haul the train on Saturday.

 

45407 is booked to work from Southall on Saturday, so makes sense to bring it down now with the stock.

 

45407 passing Brock with 5Z47 1126 Castleton Hopwood Gf to Carnforth Steamtown 10/04/24

 

Yesterday was a foul day with brutish northwesterly winds and torrential rain. Today the wind had dropped, veered to the south and the rain was merely moderate to heavy. It was a day when I could use someone to hold a brolly, but where was Mrs W? She was out with friends for a coffee, some (plenty of) chat and a bit of retail therapy - this is not helping her attendance record!

All was not lost, I made my way to Cherry Tree station where, if no-one had already "bagged" it, there is a covered spot on the platform where it passes under Green Lane. It is not without risk, not of physical harm but of being bowled by the Preston to Colne unit. This was due to depart at 12.44 with 45407 due to pass at 12.46, it could be a close run thing or even a disaster. I left home in good time and was pleased to find that there were no other cars on the car park. With around half an hour still to go before 45407 was due I decided to make my way onto the platform and make the only available dry spot mine.

It was cool but dry as I waited. RTT showed everything running RT, the Colne-Preston came and went, the steamer should be right behind it. The Preston-Colne train arrived and stopped just as a wisp of steam could be seen in the far distance. Thankfully there were only a couple of people leaving the train and none joining it, the engine revved and away it went. The cloud of steam grew nearer, already thro' Mill Hill and approaching the foot bridge. Thankfully 45407 was moving at a gentle pace allowing the 150 to get well out of the way.

There were the occasional short bursts of sound from 5407's exhaust but it was not until she drew nearer that the crisp, even exhaust beat became continuous. There was plenty of lovely white exhaust rising from her chimney top. As the loco drew alongside, I exchanged a wave with Mick Kelly who was not driving, perhaps route conductor or traction inspector, I gestured for a whistle and got one as the train passed - thanks Mick. The train comprised just six coaches, I'd seen some of them (and ridden in one) at the recent Legends of Steam event on the ELR.

6C, RT & 25mph, no diesel and despite the rain Oswald had remained dry - what a result!

 

45407 going well through Smithy Bridge on 5Z47 Castleton - Carnforth ECS this morning.

 

I see 35028 is due some late night loaded test runs, one of them is

Chertsey [CHY]

0006
0024


Addlestone Jn

pass
0030


Weybridge [WYB]
2
pass
0033

SL
Hampton Court Jn.

So when was the last time we had steam, Addlestone Junction > Up slow Waterloo?

 

Not loaded test runs.

 

May be a jaunt to Dover on the cards as well?

Stewarts to Dover

Dover to Stewarts

 

I went over to Rochdale yesterday, Wednesday 10th April to see 45407
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier approaches a very wet Rochdale with 5Z47 1126 Castleton Hopwood Gf to Carnforth Steamtown 10th April 2024
https://tinyurl.com/4rjza8ja

Neil

 

47812 leading 45407 through Brock working 5Z42 0933 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr.

 

Well it was a dry day and I made my way over to Leyland to watch 45407 and the ECS for the forthcoming GBXVI move from Carnforth to Southall. As I waited Jeremy's "Blue Pullman" headed north thro' the station with power on and a few "parps" on the horn.

The sun was trying to show its face as I waited at the south end of platform 4, the up fast line. The contractors have disappeared and the car park is back to normal but the south end of the platform is still closed off by with temporary barriers!? I spent a few minutes chatting with one of the WCRC stewards who lives locally. "Our train" was a few minutes late leaving Carnforth, dropped another couple of minutes but was only 9L as it headed south from Preston. It would be here in 3 or 4 minutes, Oswald prepared. Then the front of a 47 appeared completely obscuring 45407 tucked in behind. Other than a bit of smoke there was nothing to indicate that 5407 was "active". Ah well, it's a free show and you have to take what you are given, but you don't have to film it from a near head-on position - so I stopped. Oswald remained dry throughout. On the plus side I had a brief chat with a regular photographer who I bump into from time to time. 16C, 7L and ?mph

The video is tongue in cheek and the voice/comment is not mine - but could have been.

 

WCR Class 47 No. 47812 leads ex-LMS Black 5 4-6-0 No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier through Hartford station at the head of the 0933 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall empty stock movement for the forthcoming Great Britain XVI rail tour .



Cheers,

 

47812 45407 and the Blue Pullman HST

 

47812 and 45407 round Queensville curve, just south of Stafford station and Trent Valley junction as they head south in readiness for the Great Britain railtour.

 

45407 on Copy Pit yesterday, bringing back happy memories of the Cotton Mill Express: