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Cumbrian Coast Express April 12th.

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by RalphW, Mar 22, 2014.

  1. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Well-Known Member Friend

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    Great stuff Stephen, we were at Lindal and the noise as the Scot was climbing Dalton bank was superb
     
  2. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Well-Known Member Friend

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    Cumbrian Coast 1a.jpg

    LMS 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' charging through Beckfoot
     
  3. wcmlbls1846

    wcmlbls1846 Well-Known Member

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  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Just wanted to clear this up, after viewing my video, I think both occassions were a deliberate shutting of the regulator at points where there are flange greasers to avoid losing traction.

     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2014
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  5. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

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    Cracking on-board video Ralph, with a stonking soundtrack!! Gordon Hodgson and Guardsman - what a combo, plus Chip of course!!

    Sensible driving at the flange greasers, it certainly obviates the bent coupling rod syndrome in the event of a bad slip.

    Thanks for sharing.

    cheers

    Alan
     
  6. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Perhaps a good alternative for the Winter CME next year while the S&C is unavailable? Would get my booking..
     
  7. GBoreham

    GBoreham Member

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    My thoughts exactly, since it uses the Winter CME path to Carlisle anyway; it would certainly make up for the use the coast hasn't had by steam since 2011 and would definitely get my booking too.
     
  8. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    When was the previous southbound steam down the coast from Carlisle?
     
  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    The only problem is that the return is an hour later getting back to Euston, that really could do with improving somehow.


    Wasn't that the Duke of Gloucester doing the return the same way as the outward run when Shap was closed with the Pendolino derailment at Docker on Friday 23rd Feb 2007?
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2014
  10. dopeyt

    dopeyt New Member

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    I think The Duke did another trip two weeks later and watered at Millom on the way to Carlisle

    I do not know when the last steam excursion was from Carlisle down the West Coast, but I think if the S & C is closing then the West Coast is a superb alternative. As a south west Cumbrian resident I know that apart from Sellafield traffic, there appears to be ample pathing opportunities in both directions along the beautiful Cumbrian Coast and a superb opportunity to promote a little used line and a new experience for passengers, with a convenient path in and out for steam at Carnforth,
    Tony H
     
  11. 6:05 special

    6:05 special Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    I feel there wold be too much "in the dark" running at the time the Winter CME runs
     
  12. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    I agree. On the early WCME trips it can get dark by 5.00pm( or earlier in bad weather )but you can just make it to Hellifield . The Coast trip gets back to Carnforth at 18:34.
    Shap both ways with steam on at Crewe ( it has been done before so I know it works from London) would be a better option, but maybe less trips since it might not be as popular.
     
  13. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Well now that the initial euphoria has died down, what a great trip, Scots Guardsman at her best, the poor weather over Shap replaced by blue sky and sun as we wound round the coast, and Gordon taking every advantage to recover the time lost with the late start from Carlisle, so despite the fairly flat route, plenty of noise for the standard class passengers. Well done all concerned, the West Coast crew, RTC and someone at NR letting us run ahead of the Pendolino that was steadily catching us, but in the end did not, according to RTT, get delayed any more that it already was.
     
  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just so. There is a turn of phrase used by teachers about giving positive messages to children. "Catch them being good" - because it's far easier (and more negative) to spot when they are not!. So in that spirit, I agree with the sentiments about Saturday. A good itinerary and an improvement on the original 'clockwise' plan, a rare bit of common sense by NR that was then rewarded by the crew and SG with some impressive performances, plus the usual on-board attention and service. Yes, 'good' all round!
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2014
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  15. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Well-Known Member Friend

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    Also living in Cumbria I totally agree with the above comment. As far as the WCME's are concern with the S+C being shut next year going up and down the WCML with no real scenery to speak of would suggest to me going north up the Cumbrian coast route where the scenery is second to none with the fells to your right and the sea to your left. Returning via the WCML would be no great loss as darkness closed in. Regarding the extra time it would take getting back to London, would it be possible to put steam on at Preston to run north around the coast and run 'Les Ross' to Carlisle to do the return run back to the Smoke-just a thought.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2014
  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm sure that the options here will not be lost on the RTC. The advantage of going anticlockwise is that you get to have lunch at lunchtime in Carlisle and the whole day is better balanced. If you were to go around the coast first then you don't get to Carlisle till after 3 pm and that's quite a long time for those who get on south of Crewe. As for the "travelling behind steam in the dark" point, on Saturday SG came off at the same time as she would have on the WCME at Farington Curve, so I don't see the problem. Anyway, Carnforth to Carnforth is surely more convenient and efficient for West Coast and the crews.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2014
  17. 6:05 special

    6:05 special Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    The scenery you miss in the dark on the Winter CME between Hellifield and Farington Jn hardly compares with what would be missed around Morecambe Bay in the dark, seascapes, estuaries viaducts, Lakeland fells etc. I suppose going the clockwise way round may overcome this but Shap and the Lune Gorge are also scenic and provide an opportunity for the locomotive to work hard but which you would be unable to see. Don't get me wrong the itinerary as provided last Saturday was superb but it is my view it is one that needs to be done fully in the daylight,
     
  18. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    Thank you Shep , I could hear 46115 for some time at Dalton as she started the climb from the junction and like you say she sounded fantastic .
     
  19. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    Footage from a friend of mine .



     
  20. wcmlbls1846

    wcmlbls1846 Well-Known Member

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    Big Dave and oddsocks like this.

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