The Waverley Tours 2024

1st Waveley tour of 2024 sees 34067 at Settle Junction and near Settle .

 

Tangmere going well. Is it trying to take over City of Wells' nickname of The Volcano.
Looks like the rain that was forecast didn't materialize

 

We were lucky with the rain as we passed through it going there and coming back thankfully.

 

Doesn't sound as off beat as recently.

 

On the return at Froddle Crook, approaching Low House, after picking up following the TSR near Cotehill...


Tangmere at Froddle Crook

 

Maybe Carnforth fitters do actually know what to do as others aren’t that sure at times

 

Threatening skies overhead as SR BoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' works today's 'Waverley' railtour away from Helwith Bridge and on to Carlisle with Chris Cubitt driving and Martyn Soames on the shovel



No. 34067 'Tangmere' approaching Aisgill summit with the return leg of the 'Waverley back to York with Mick Kelly driving and Clive Gault on the shovel.

 

Worry not Steve I feel sure the 'exspurts' will have something to say

 

I’m sure they will but hey ho .

 

Thankfully, the forecast thundery showers never materialised and by the late afternoon the skies had cleared and the sun shone - too nice to stay at home. I didn't fancy the longer drive to Ais Gill (or further north) where Tangmere would be working, so settled for somewhere nearer home. The sun would be "side on" around Settle Jn/Long Preston but the loco would be coasting; heading away from Hellifield the loco would be working, but with the sun almost directly behind the eastbound train. Better a working loco than coasting one, so I headed for the road bridge just east of Hellifield.

I arrived at the bridge on Otterburn Road a little over 30 mins before the train was due. The journey was uneventful apart from two idiots strolling across the eastbound carriageway of the M65 a couple of hundred yards in front of the Wistlemobile (and several other vehicles). Two lads in their twenties, shorts, t-shirts, trainers - drink, drugs, a dare or just plain idiots?!

The sun was shining fairly low in the western sky, with the line (and train) heading due east, looking west there was plenty of glare - ah well, it was my choice, at least it wasn't raining. I was the first to arrive but was joined shortly afterwards by a photographer and over the next few minutes five other people arrived to take videos, two or three had two tripods - BUSY! Despite arriving 8E into Hellifield GL Tangmere left only 2E announced by a blast on the whistle. A couple of minutes later came a second blast on the whistle, carried towards us on the cool westerly breeze, and shortly after that the distinctive sound of an approaching steam loco. Tangmere appeared from around the bend, a silhouette against the bright background, shrouded in white exhaust and steam. She was making plenty of noise, as she drew nearer the exhaust darkened before she hissed and swished under the bridge. As she headed away the sound died quickly as the breeze carried it away; still in full view but in total silence. 14C & 2E.

There was very little traffic on the way home arriving at 19.30 to find the door was locked. As it was such a nice evening everyone had gone out for a walk. Mrs W returned a few minutes later, then we were joined by Diego who called for a quick snack before heading out again.

 

34067 seen at Settle Junction and Lodge Lane then later with the return at a deserted Birkett Common.

 

I caught a heavy shower at Birkett while waiting for the tour and being eaten by midges.

 

Nice. 'Slightly' better visibility than we had at Aisgill for 60007 the other day.

 

Looked like it was getting a hefty shove from the diesel at Birkett's

 

Yes a rather good one.

 

On Sunday evening, Oswald had a bit of an issue uploading the going-away shot. Now, resolved - "Take 2!" (very much like Take 1 with a bit more on the end).

 

I would imagine it’s so that 44871 can head light engine to York for the Waverley

 

There is a path from Carnforth to York Holgate leaving Carnforth at 1146 on Saturday, move timed at 60mph, so most likely Tangmere move