Caledonian, Sat 6th October.

Yes i am on this ralph! Not seen any timings yet! Any ideas anybody?

 

Some times here


http://www.prclt.co.uk/New_Tours.html

 

Me too, Ralph, boarding at Preston. Should be a good day!

Peter in Manchester, where we have just had a glimpse of sunlight
Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures | All my photos

 

Rather disappointed with the northbound timings - 08.41 from Carlisle arriving Stirling 12.18. 2 years ago we had a path from Carlisle at 09.12 non stop to Abington loop for the water stop. It doesnt look as though this will happen this time. Does anyone know why the later path from Carlisle appears not to be available?

 

At a guess -

(1) train frequency between Carlisle - Carstairs (1 Pendelino + 1 x TPE + 1 Voyager per hour
(2) Freight services around Glasgow
(3) Cross Country services between Edinburgh - Glasgow
(4) Local services around Motherwell.

In fairness 3hrs 37 mins isn't bad time when one considers that in steam days Glasgow - Carlisle was usually around 2 hours and even in 1970 the Carlisle - Perth postal took 4 hours for the through journey with a light load of some 4 vans, thus the time allotted for a Pacific with load 12 plus a water stop seems a fair schedule.

 

29.6mph including water stops. In fairness??

 

Have to agree!

Looks to be doing a hell of a lot for a return steam charter on the northern bit of the WCML in the same day.

I've seen and had slower timings on various occasions for diesel charters on the Northern legs of the WCML and am surprised the timings for that tour did not come out worse seeing what it is down to do overall in the same day. Return times looked OK too. Unless you ran overnight in the bigger gaps between freights you could barely expect much better. Sounds like a decent blast on steam in one go and hope it goes well on the day. I am sure Ralph will fill me in a few weeks.

 

Are you travelling, have you travelled on a charter in the last few years, have you any suggestions as to how average speeds could be improved on routes like this one? If not then your comment does not carry much weight.

 

Lockerbie - Carstairs appears to be non-stop in both directions so hopefully this will facilitate two good blasts up Beattock.

 

Good to have you in the posh seats this time Ralph - you'll enjoy the meals I'm sure.

I am same coach, seat 12 back, and looking forward to a noisy ride!

Peter in a glimpse of sun on a Manchester morning
Zenfolio | Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures | All my photos

 

Footage of 46233 with support coach at Scout Green on the way to Carlisle ( 5-28am ) , Todhills and climbing towards Beattock summit . Steve LMS 46233 powers over Beattock on The Caledonian 6/10/12. - YouTube

 

Great suff as always Steve.

A few of my shots from today:

46233 after reversing at Greenhill Upper.

46233 Greenhill 061012

Passing Greenfoot in decent light.

46233 Greenfoot 061012

And finally at Wandel where the sun played ball for once.

46233 Wandel 061012

Steven

 

Very nice Steven, especially the last one.

 

Love the last one Steven

 

Superb......

 

Many thanks guys

Steven

 

Stunning...well done