The Pendle Dalesman 1st April

That would make 5 turns in 2 weeks for the Scot if its on the Easter Monday Hadrian too as as been suggested.

 

I'd heard that it's to be 35018 driven by Lord Lucan.

 

I'd heard Carnforth were going to renumber SG as 46100 for the day!

 

Lineside tickle-tackle/tittle-tattle suggested Deltic 23 (55023) Shergar, the one that disappeared from Finsbury Park.

 

Surely not tickling your tackle in this weather!!

 

My inside sources (aka the voices in my head) still say 35018 but I understand that Lord Lucan is out of the country. The noble association will, however, be maintained as the loco is to be fired by Lord Sugar.

Now, Ralph if I understand you correctly [although it's more customary to say 10000 and (1000)1] you are suggesting that the train will be hauled by the pair of LMS prototype main line diesels. As these were scrapped in the late 1960s, I think it's safe to conclude that one of us is losing our grip on reality (and matron says it's not me). You ask what will I give you? Answer: a cheery wave from the window of coach E as British India Lines sails imperiously northwards towards Carlisle.

On a more serious note should it turn out to be 46115 that is allocated, I hope the alleged injector problem that hindered its climb of Shap are fully fettled - just in case I'll be taking along my big hammer and a bucket of cold water. It is my experience that most things can be sorted using a big hammer and/or a bucket of cold water - potential MPs, journalists, solicitors, bankers, cold callers etc.

 

C'mon Oswald, back to bed and nurse'll get yer pills

 

This will be load 7 plus POB so not an overly taxing load for the Scot.

 

It will be a real bonus if smaller trains like this still make an acceptable profit because it means locos are less stressed and smaller locos could be back in scope. 76084 in the future for example.

 

I'd better be on my best behaviour then, boarding at Preston coach E seat 24, hope to see you tomorrow.

 

Galatea today.

Andrew N

 

A FL 66 has derailed outside of Preston, which should delay the railtour from getting in the platform.

 

Yes 66559 had to abandon a coal wagon at the south end of Platform 4 at 01:00 this morning and Platform 1 suddenly became popular; hopefully HRM wasn't disturbed too much by the diversion as the train passed through in the early hours !

 

For the second week in a row, Galatea looks to be making mincemeat of the schedule. 32 late off Preston has become 12 early at Blea Moor and Kirkby Stephen. Part of that is due to cutting the Hellifield water stop down from 40 minutes to 20, but even so that's 24 minutes gained by the loco (and driver!). And if the rainfall radar is to be believed, that's in the face of some poor weather too. Looks like Galatea is a good'un now.

 

What is the load today?