LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

I would have thought that, if they could be moved by rail from Carnforth to Hull, they could have been moved by rail from East Grinstead to Hull.

 

Someone on a local Facebook gossip page suggested that a steam loco was at Haywards Heath station today at some point, but a quick look on RTT hasn't brought up anything (apart from a couple of freight movements) and it can't have been the movement that brought 34059 back to the Bluebell as that returned yesterday and would presumably have come a different route.

Anyone got any further info or just a mistake on the group members part?

Edit: I think it might have been a mistake on the posters part, as they just mentioned hearing a whistle which might have been related to the nearby High Weald Steam Show.

 

What’s happened to 71000 ?.

 

Still needs fettling.

 

As far as I know it was having a few bits sorted in Crewe after it returned from the SVR. I think it was due in the paint shop a week Monday.

 

Latest bulletin on 71000 out, will put on 71000 thread

 

RTT showing 'cancelled due to a problem with a steam locomotive (ME).' today (Tue 17/6)

 

Today's loaded test run cancelled but still on for tomorrow fingers crossed.

 

Flying Scotsman and support coach have arrived safely at the WSR from Didcot. [BJ]

 

Friday. 20/6. 5Z21 10:17 Crewe HL to Bishops Lydeard via Bescot and Kidderminster.

Realtime Trains | 5Z21 1017 Crewe H.S. to Bishops Lydeard | 20/06/2025

Diesel + steam + support coach. [BJ]

 

5029 'Nunney Castle' + 37.521. Departed Crewe stn 09:15 <BJ>

Realtime Trains | 5Z31 0840 Crewe H.S. to Preston | 18/06/2025
Realtime Trains | 5Z32 1130 Preston to Crewe H.S. | 18/06/2025

 

Nunney castle at Preston

 

More of a loaded test run for 37 521 than for the Castle. Passing Farington Curve Junction on the Up Fast, with the 37 doing all the work, 5Z32 11:30 Preston to Crewe HS.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54598103785/in/photostream/

 

It was probably best not to set fire to half of Lancashire. The loaded run will have given LSL the test results that they required. [BJ]

 

Today was the only one of the scheduled days for Nunney Castle's test run(s) that I could make it, and it appeared that today was to be the day (and possibly tomorrow). NR's current Fire Risk status in the NW is red and I did wonder if LSL might cancel as the loco wouldn't get a hard workout, but it would get more some miles under its belt. All looked to be running as planned when today's path was activated and Nunney's name appeared on RTT - what a lucky old Oswald I am!

We had some light overnight rain and the roads were wet, it appears that the rain was very localised and would do nothing to alleviate the current issues; drought and fire risk. I have noticed that Natural England's current Fire Risk Index for the NW is low/moderate, whilst most of the rest of England is high/very high, this is in marked contrast to NR's status - just an observation, not a criticism.

On a sunny day the WCML, running north-south, is not the best for light/shadows in the late morning/lunchtime, but hey ho! However, it might not even be sunny as some patchy cloud gathered, fingers crossed for cloud - did I really say that?! Maisie had eaten her breakfast and was already out and about on her feline duties, hiding under bushes and stalking birds for the most part. Mrs W was also up and about on her human duties, drinking coffee and doing online puzzles. I loaded up the car and headed for Leyland. The A666 was its usual congested mess, so earlier than usual I did a detour and along the "wibbly-wobbly way", no not to see Auntie Jean and Willie Wombat, but a so called "rat run" that has more speed bumps than . . . whatever has a lot of speed bumps?!

I made good time and arrived at Leyland station only to find that the car park was full, I found a spot not too far away (and saved myself a pound). The train was due on the fast line (platform 3) and I would usually head to the north end of platform 4 where the sun would be on the right side (the cloud had already thinned) and there is a long view through the platforms. However, last time I was there a few stragglers wandered into shot and being a "rare" loco it might get busy so I went towards the south end.

Once I was ready I watched as various trains came and went. I was glad to see Coatbridge-Daventry head south, if 5029 had crossed with that Oswald would have been well and truly bowled (with all three stumps out of the ground). A few minutes passed and the Glasgow-Manchester Airport hurtled past, that should be the potential "blockers" gone. 90 seconds later Nunney Castle appeared in the shadowy distance, just trundling along. The signal at the north end of the platform was red (for some reason), Nunney nudged nearer and the signal flicked to amber. The driver opened the regulator and we were treated to a few seconds of crisp bark as 5029 accelerated the train. I was on the "wrong" side to gesture for a whistle, but so too is the driver on GWR locos, and a got a short "peep" - thanks. The train headed thro' the station (slowly) and away to the north (still slowly), 3 locomotives and 4 coaches - what is the world coming to? 17C & 1L.

Back to the car and idle some time away, I'd brought a book with me but even with the windows open it was too warm to settle with the sun shining through the windscreen; I read a chapter, had a drink of water and ate my Frusli bar then faffed about until it was time to return to the station.

The return working is usually along the fast line but today RTT showed it down the slow line. I opted for the centre island, platforms 2&3, which covered both bases. A clue came when the Blackpool N to Manchester airport service was switched from platform 4 to 2, leaving the fast line clear; the driver was none too pleased (putting it very mildly) at the time it took for passengers to change platforms and board the train. RTT showed that Nunney was indeed running on the fast. I moved across a few yards and was quickly ready. It was a tale of two tractors as the 37s grumbled by with Nunney Castle just along for the ride. 20C & 2E. A very unusual visitor, well worth a look but we need plenty of rain then we can have some proper steam.

 

A good report Oswald but, just to correct you, the driver was not on the "wrong" side. He was on exactly the correct side!

 

Sorry, I forgot “Swindon Rules ok!”

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/54598108809/in/dateposted-public/

5029 at Keckwick this morning

 

As Oswald commented earlier, after Tuesday's cancellation I was pleased, even amazed, to see today's schedule activated and Nunney Castle to be hauling the train. Given the prevailing high temperatures and projected lack of rain a postponement seemed on the cards.
Anyway the drive from Shropshire up the A49 is well trodden ground for me and I was well in time to join a few others at the southernmost of the two footbridges south of Acton Bridge for the northbound trip. The clouds were playing with us but 5029 obliged emitting a little steam, LSL's set for the test run colourful as ever.
The southbound trip was due to stop at Warrington for pathing, but would it ?. In the rising temperature the walk to Dutton Locks seemed endless but I had decided one possibility was the view down the River Weaver past the Horse Bridge. Watching the Castle's progress I didn't see anything following closely down the WCML and it was no surprise to see it pass WBQ (though why platform 1 ?, gauging ?) After 15 minutes the sound of a class 37 announced the arrival of the train, with 5029 still leading though making an exhaust free crossing of the viaduct.
Cue another warm walk back to the car !

Round 2 tomorrow, I doubt it for me - too much on the to do list.

 

Quite right Young Whistle