Cumbrian Mountain Express - April 12th

45 min's late from rugby; just hope things go well today still very unhappy with change of loco taking into account loco that was booked to do this run today and the reason of why we booked was use as a fill in loco on a run on weds;
o well will see what happen's ;

all the best
jane;

 

Come on Jane; you're usually VERY positive (especially when the letters GWR come into it). But Tangmere has a big challenge on today--give her some support; hope it all goes well for everyone. Pete

 

well royal pete if i had the loco i booked for i would be but now talk of oil box on back so not very happy yes i love g.w,r, loco's it just tangmere that dont do it for me but never mind it's a day out better than sitting in the bugalow all day ;
all the best
jane ;

 

Here in lies the problem. Enthusiasts book on a tour for a particular loco/route combination will be unhappy when either (or both) are substituted.


I felt the same when Bittern was substituted for 6024 last year on what just became (in steam terms) a Welsh Marches rather than the Paddington -shrewsbury and return by steam advertised when I booked it.

If promoters are going to swap locos around they should advertise from a pool including X, X1 and X2.

As Jane would not book on this tour with 'Tangmere' I would not book on the tour with a GWR loco.just as an Arsenal fan would not pay to watch Tottenham play (Other than their derby's). There needs to be a greater realisation of this within the industry because once you end up with a product you would not have bought under normal circumstances you will then look for any fault with the product and end up spreading negative comments about it.

 

Just received a text to say 10 late at Scout Green.

 

Further report to say looking and sounding good with no box on the back.

 

Arrived Carlisle about 15 down.

 

Pity Jack Swain and Bert Hooker weren't crewing her, she'd have been about 20 early.

 

well hands up she did it even if we did drop to 18 miles an hour on summit ;but well done to driver that have not ever drove her be fore a couple of slip's but soon found her feet again so well done you cant please all of us but so far today i have enjoyed it ;
all the best
jane;

 

What is there not to enjoy about a Spamcan on the main line?
Glad you're having a good time.

 

Left Carlisle pretty much on time.

 

Thats the spirit, Jane. And talking of spirits, did you find a good pub in Carlisle. Hope the weathers good for the Settle and Carlisle treat.

 

we just pulled into appley for 25 min stop as i understand it we can get off or stay on and go back into the sideings ;to let service train to go pass will take water as well ;she is running well weather getting a bit overcast but no rain as yet ;
all the best
jane;

 

Reported 10 late when it passed Kirkby Stephen but sounding spectacular according to my correspondent.

 

Hopefully we'll be treated to some video footage of this later, must be the first Spamcan over the S&C since Wells?

 

34067 ran both ways over the s&c in February 2004 piloted by 76079.

 

Ta. Knew as soon as I pressed 'Send; I'd be wrong. Mind you, it's not the same with assistance

 

Three photos of Tangmere at Greenholme and Lazonby here:

North West trains, 2012 - andrewstransport's Photos

cheers

Andrew N

 

Footage from Shap summit , Keld and Stockber of 34067 . Steve 34067 Tangmere on the Cumbrian Mountain Express 12-4-12 . - YouTube

 

Tangmere looking and sounding good from your video there Steve, looks as though she performed well up Shap with a heavy load considering she's only a class 7. Be interesting to see who was on the handle on the way out and on the return this evening as no doubt the support crew firemen were on coal in the hole duties.