WCR 2024 Railtours

Thanks, and thanks for asking about Diego.

The Tailsman (08 August 2024) - Diego hauling a tubby, tabby tummy (A cat's eye view)

I came in for a snack and a stroke about an hour before they were due to set off, then asked to go back out - that'll teach 'em a lesson. It may not have been my best decision, but Oswald Jnr works from home and let me back in about 10am. I found a comfortable spot for a light snooze of about six hours before heading back to my "other home" for my tea - somehow I appeared to have missed my lunch. I returned around 6pm for yet another swift nap, waking and leaving a little after 9pm, they were still not back - but who cares, certainly not me as I'm a cat.

 

I believe Tuesdays Pendle Dalesman is cancelled.

Not sure if Thursdays regular Dalesman will run, anyone any the wiser?

 

Thanks Ralph.

 

Thursdays York Dalesman is running as I have received my ticket
Neil

 

You'd better hope that the diesel driver doesn't recognise you!

 

And the day had started so well, Diego arrived shortly after I opened the curtains, he was licking his lips after obviously just eaten a hearty breakfast at his other home. That did not stop him heading to the kitchen looking for more. The supermarket delivery was on time and quickly packed away. After completing my other chores I was ready to head to Hellifield to check out if it was to be Tangmere on today's Dalesman - we live in hope!

The sky was overcast and there was a stiff northerly blowing, both would need to be factored in when making a final choice of location. The car park was quiet. Up on the platform was equally quiet, just the odd hardy soul braving the wind - Hellifield station is an exposed spot. Chris Cubitt had found himself a sheltered table and we had a brief chat, Chris was to be the driver on the outward leg (I didn't get the fireman's name). I took a few phone pics then returned to the car to decide on a location. I finally chose Horton in Ribblesdale, maybe for one last video before the the footbridge is installed (and it is a sheltered spot).

Approaching Langcliffe the Gypsum train headed south - one potential "obstacle" out of the way. The weather was strange, the sun was shining but the hills to the north were shrouded in mist and the finest of drizzle was being blown south by the wind; it was never enough to require the attention of the wipers. The low cloud was glowing with the sun as though a rainbow was trying to form - but it never did! The conditions persisted. It was pleasant enough at Horton in R, sunny, a blustery wind and with the finest of fine drizzle. I decided to use only one camera (bad decision), I set up near the north end of the platform. Two guys arrived with lots of cameras and two tripods and were a little crest fallen to find me already in situ, I offered to move a little further south and a little wider (bad decision) to allow them to go behind me and nearer to the platform edge.

A check on RTT showed that Tangmere had left Hellifield (5E) and had passed Settle Jn (5E) and was predicted to pass thro Horton in R at 12:32. Mm, the NT service from Carlisle (a potential blocker) was running late and was due to stop in the station at 12:32. There was no easy fix, relocate to the south end and sod's law says the NT will leave just as Tangmere is approaching, switching to a trailing shot was no longer an option because of the guys standing behind me. Oswald just had to hope, surely Tangmere could be relied upon to drop a few minutes on the climb (even with a diesel on the back).

The service train had left Ribblehead and was now predicted to be here at 12:34 - Come on Chris, give it some welly! (or none at all!). Looking north the service train appeared at the top of the long straight, Come on Tangmere, just enough time. The service train drew nearer, then a whistle and Tangmere appeared leaning to the curve - Come on! As was always destined to happen just as Tangmere headed into the platform so did the service train and the result was a total eclipse! There was some smoke as Tangmere passed and some more when the tailgunner followed. 17C & 3E (how often does the Dalesman ever run early?!!) and the NT (6L). Oswald was not a happy bunny as he sulked back to the car, his bottom lip trailing on the platform. Ah well, another of the joys of taking pictures on stations but we live to fight another day.



After a morning snooze Diego ate a light lunch, went out for half an hour then returned for his afternoon nap and has just left heading for his other home (16:25) - what a life!

 

A good reason for having Traksy maps up on your phone so you know what’s coming on the other line!

 

I had a similar experience at Lancaster years ago. I was halfway down P3 waiting for Leander to head south after a run over Shap.
As it reached the end of the platform a Pendolino slipped into P3 blocking everything except for thr sight of the smoke coming out of the chimney

 

Dalesman going to be diverted due to tree down on Skipton to Leeds line, line closed till tomorrow
Passengers for Keighley and Shipley hopefully get a replacement bus at Skipton
Leeds and York passengers we will go back to Hellifield then go via Blackburn, Copy Pit and Calder Valley line to Leeds

 

Not much good on the S&C thought John. Traksy only covers the modern signalled railway. It doesn't work for conventional absolute block areas of which there are still a few here up north

Peter

 

Unfortunately John, I did know but had reached the point where there was little I could do but hope, another 20 seconds delay for the NT and I would have got away with it. It happens, but hopefully not too often.

 

A few years ago a large group of us had gathered at Oldfield Park, Bath awaiting a steam charter. As the sight of steam appeared the dreaded sound of a heavy freight train could be heard approaching from behind. It was too late to move but the driver of the freight train could see why so many people had gathered and slowed to a crawl. The steam tour passed and a few seconds later the freight train accelerated through the station. We were all very grateful to the driver that we gave him a good wave while others gave a round of applause. Happy days . <BJ>

 

Thanks Peter, I know some lines aren’t covered but didn’t know why

 

It’s just bad luck, happened to me a few times, including what would have been my only shot of a steam hauled Bournemouth Belle!

 

5th September 2024 34067 Tangmere The Dalesman (youtube.com)

Latest Dalesman at Stainforth

 

Traksy doesn’t work on the S&C .

 

34067 seen from Sheriff Brow with a severe wind blowing from the northeast and by kind permission from the farm then on the return from a grim deserted Aisgill with an even stronger wind blowing.

 

Wind swept conditions out and about today as SRBB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' approaches Shotlock Tunnel with the northybound 'Dalesman' rail tour to Carlisle with Chris Cubitt driving, Matt Southwell on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard



More wind and gloomy conditions as 'Tangmere' works away from Aisgill summit with the return leg of today's 'Dalesman' 1Z44 with David Blair driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard