Scarborough Spa Express

Leaving Malton, (ten minutes later full sun....doh!)


"The Inter City Scarborough Spa Express", 01/08/24.

 

i can confirm all that Ralph has stated today as i was on the SSE
The offending class 802 finally left Scarborough in the path that should have been for the SSE at 16:15, which finally left P1 open for 44871 to run into and then reverse back to the turntable for turning at 16:23, and finally arriving back at Scarborough at 17:21 connecting up with the carriages and departing at 17:30
I see as a footnote that it was a right time arrival back at Carnforth after a 75 minute delay leaving Scarborough

 

44871 seen from the top of Giggleswick Bank as the light fades and running back to time, may I say a big thank you to Ralph who kept us all informed throughout the afternoon as things developed as it certainly helped me decide whether to turn out for the return or not.

 

My thanks to Ralph and the others for the information that helped me decide if I should sally forth. After heavy overnight rain the morning had brightened and we had a grand day. The evening was graced by a cloudless blue sky and uninterrupted sunshine, at least the light would last. The question was when should I leave home, whilst not quite as challenging as "how long is a piece of string?" it all depended on how late the train was going to be. Around 60L after the water stop at Church Fenton much depended on the path around Leeds. At Gargrave, my chosen destination, it could be anything from an hour late to just a few minutes. I left home in good time, better to arrive an hour early than a minute late.

Traffic was light and I parked on the station car park. A check on RTT showed that 44871 was now only 17L as it headed west away from Leeds. That would do nicely, the Carlisle-Leeds (if running to time) would have departed leaving the eastbound, the wide side & the sunny side platform obstruction free. As it was such a pleasant evening I gathered up my stuff and wandered onto the platform, I was the first one there and chose the west end. The sun was illuminating the other platform and the face of the over bridge with rich evening light, the only thing missing was the train. I was joined on the platform by three others (a watcher, a videographer and a photographer) we all arranged ourselves appropriately and chatted. Two or three locals wandered onto the platform, an elderly lady in a (bright) white jacket unwittingly stood directly in shot. She was joined by a guy who stood even further in shot. I politely asked them if they could move a little more to the side, which they kindly did - thank you.

The 17L became 28L away from Skipton, the sun which had been bathing the station in glorious golden light was dropping in the sky, only a single beam slipped between the trees and lit corner of the road bridge and the stairs down to the platform. As I was beginning to think that sun would have gone before the train arrived 44871 appeared from around the bend and sped towards the station. Translucent grey smoke shot from her chimney, a feather of steam at her safety valves and a cacophony of sound of ever increasing volume as she hammered up the 1/165r towards the station. The beam of golden sunlight briefly lit her smokebox door, then her firebox and cab and then she was past, a couple of maroon coaches, then blues and greys, the green light from the signal reflecting on their sides, another maroon and finally 47.848. The train sped off into the distance, a terrific spectacle. 19C, 29L & 54mph. Thanks to all at WCRC for sticking at it, today and this year. Let's hope things change for the better - soon!

By the time I arrived home it was almost dark, the car's headlights picked out a tubby, tabby mooching about at the start of his night's activities, he strolled over for a quick stroke then turned his back and went about his nocturnal duties.

 

Didnt realise you were into ballet Ralph,just didnt see that,lol

 

Bit of a unique photo of 44871 reversing out of Seamer station after all passengers had to leave the train and board a following Northern 3 car class 170, talk about sardine cans!!
https://railway-photography.smugmug...pa-Express-Thursday-1st-August-2024/i-GR9XHpq

 

No more SSE till 29th August?

 

15th August is still available to book.

 

only shows 29th when I tried to book last night, same today

 

Only in standard class. The other classes are available, so I assume that means standard class is fully booked.

 

A couple of clips from the 'Scarborough Spa Express' on the 1st August featuring LMS 5MT No.44871, seen at Little Fenton and Skipton.

Video Available Here

 

It looked very empty today.

 

It didn't look like many waiting to get on when I was there.

 

Castleford, phone shot, Mr Soames looking out.