LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

The weather appears to have returned to what we used to call normal, with cooler temperatures and rain most days. On Monday heavy rain kept both Mrs W and Maisie indoors, Maisie slept for the most part whilst Mrs W started a jigsaw. During a brief break in the rain Maisie ventured outside only to return a few minutes later when the rain restarted. She decided to "help" Mrs W and jumped up onto the table; helping meant leaving wet paw prints all over the partly completed jigsaw, flicking pieces from the box and finally lying down on the jigsaw. Maisie is a very helpful cat!

I hadn't planned to go and watch Blue Peter's test run but the morning was sunny and forecast to be dry, so I decided to give it a go, after all what could possibly go wrong?! Other commitments meant that I could only watch the northbound leg, 10.05 at Leyland. I needed to allow a little extra time as the local schools reopened on Monday and traffic would be heavier. All went swimmingly well until I neared Leyland and found that my preferred route was closed for major roadworks!! I drove past and waited for the satnav to come up with a workaround, after a couple of "if safe make a U turn" it came up with the brilliant suggestion of going all the way round a roundabout and heading back towards the closed road. I had a general idea of an alternative route so carried on, eventually the satnav caught up and we were back in business and arrived at Leyland station about 10-15 minutes later than we might have done. There were just a couple of empty spots on the station car park. I paid my £1 and headed onto the platform.

On this 4 track section of the WCML there was no guarantee which line 60532 would use; the fast (thro' platform 3) appeared likely (wishful thinking by Oswald?). Platform 4 was on the wide side and the sunny side but the view did risk being blocked. The potential blockers came and went including a stopper, all was looking good - until . . . Until at Balshaw Lane the train was switched onto the "slow" meaning it would pass thro' platform 1 on the far side of the station. Almost all of the waiting photographers went "up and over" the bridge to the island platform (2/3). Oswald, who doesn't do fast, decided to remain in situ on platform 4 and hope that he could cobble something together and that there would be no blockers. I readjusted the camera but didn't have any time to think through/rehearse a shot as in the distance Blue Peter appeared - it would have to be "make it up as you go along!"

Blue Peter and her motley assortment of coaches approached on the slow line, tootling along nicely in the mid-morning sunshine. She ducked behind the shrubs just beyond the end of the platforms, a whistle for the watchers, her blue paintwork shining brightly, past the well cared for floral planters, under the footbridge and away to the north. Ah well, one for the record. 15C & 3E

 

Nice "forest" NR are cultivating there north of the station.

 

Your video reminds me (vaguely!) of happy days spotting in the 1950s. We would be hanging about somewhere north of KX with a good view of the fasts, and then someone would sing out, "Wot's that bloody streak doing on the goods?", and there she would be dawdling along with a few scruffy vans. We'd get a few glimpses through the gaps between the station buildings, and she'd be gone.

 

The view across the island platform actually makes an interesting change. It's just a pity that the vegetation concealed so much of the going away part.

 

A2 60532 Blue Peter at Lostock Hall junc with 5Z31 Crewe - Preston test run on 2/9/2025
Not just Leyland growing it's own forest !

David

 

When I came into Swanage on the last train this afternoon the 34028 was coupled to the front of the 33. Not sure if that is for tomorrow or testing this evening.

 

The "forests" at Leyland and Lostock Hall indicate just how overgrown NR have allowed its network to become. Imagine what could happen if the grass caught fire and then the trees . . .

 

I'd assume it's under going more testing at Swanage this evening but if it isn't and Eddystone is leading the 33 tomorrow I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

Hope you had your sandwiches with you (I liked Primula cheese on mine) and a bottle of warm, fizz(less) pop to wash them down, all carried in your duffel bag - happy days.

 

It is a change, but not my first choice with two lines between that could be occupied by stopping trains. A friend who produces excellent videos using a hand held smart phone has filmed in the opposite direction (a train heading south on the fast filmed from platform 1) where the field of view appeared greater.

 

I'd hoped that the reason for today's test run might emerge. In the absence of some facts here is a bit of gossip, a few weeks/months ago I heard that at higher speeds Blue Peter could be a bit of a rough rider. I understand that this was not untypical of the class. Perhaps some fine tuning has taken place and this was to test the results, or it was something completely different!

 

I'd heard the same, and that the loco had been restricted to 60/65mph until it was cured. The trip to Toton last year for tyre turning was part of the attempt to solve the issue.

 

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2261880

 

Some of us up north preferred a Jubbly and a fruit pie - bought from the station buffet !

 

Good grief, it’s a long time since I heard that name’Jubbly’
I remember the days !!

Neil Up North!!

 

WCRC 37.706 5Z47 Carnforth to Tyseley. Dep Carnforth 08:21 with two coaches

Realtime Trains | 5Z47 0744 Carnforth Steamtown to Tyseley Steam Trust | 03/09/2025

Thanks to Andrew Naylor. <BJ>

 

34028 is leading the consist to Southall today, just seen it on the Swanage Webcams at the front with the 33 behind it.

 

The delights of a FROZEN Jubbly, they seemed to last forevever. According to google, Jubbly was first manufactured in the midlands; a northern drink with roots in the north west is Vimto, invented by a Blackburn man in Manchester and produced in Chorley. Oswald (also up North).

 

As a child my grandad put me off drinking Vimto, when he pointed out that the name was an anagram of Vomit!!

 

Some of us 'Darn Sarf' also liked frozen Orange Jubblys and Lyon's individual fruit pies packed in our duffel bags! Where have all the years gone?