Fellsman Tours 2021

RTT showing 46100 heading today’s Fellsman - what a treat! (Don’t get too excited as usual a 47 on the back.)

 

Ex-LMS Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot at the head of Saphos Trains' Fellsman charter speeding through Hartford station on 14th July 2021.

 

When I arrived at Chapel Lane overbridge I found myself in the company of "video royalty", @nige757 and @Bodorganboy so no need for an elaborate description - watch the videos that no doubt will be posted later.

There was pleasant sunshine but the temperature was only 17C and there was a cool north westerly breeze that carried the sound in pockets from the Scot's still distant exhaust; loud then nothing, loud again but all the while getting louder. Perhaps 2 or 3L with 25/6 mph approaching the summit and with little or no help from the 47. An immaculate (LMS) loco, giving an honest performance, going well and sounding just like a Scot should - what is not to like?! Two Scots in two days - lovely stuff.

Good to meet the guys and have a brief chat and, as always, look forward to watching the videos. I missed SGT who was down on the crossing - next time maybe.

 

Lovely description but I question whether 46100 is immaculate - has it not still got the big rusty patch on the boiler in front of the dome where the paint appears to have flaked off?

 

Maybe immaculacy like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. More seriously, I didn’t see it but will try to look this evening. 46100 was certainly clean and gleaming but I doubt that will still be the case on her return.

 

It's driver's side and shows up well on this shot on Llanvihangel Bank on 3rd June .

 

Looking like a Specsavers moment!

 

It was a pleasure to finally meet you at Chapel lane and put a face to the name.

 

Yes it is Royal Scot today!

 

Bifocals?....

 

46100 on the return leg, 14.07.21

 

If I had known that you were going to be there I’d have made more of an effort instead of turning up in my dressing gown, slippers with my hair still in curlers. (I hope that no-one believes that and anyone who does know me will know just how far fetched the “hair and curlers” bit is.)

 

Low House Crossing:

Royal Scot at Low House Crossing

 

Footage of 46100 at Chapel Lane over bridge , Hoghton foot crossing, Settle Junction, Settle Cutting and finally Birkett Tunnel .

 

A pleasant surprise at Shotlock Tunnel this morning when I heard a Stanier whistle. When I left home I had no idea what was going to be on it, but I was expecting the WC.

No phone signal when I got there, so I just sat and waited, just like in the old trainspotting days.

 

Royal Scot seen at Chapel lane bridge, Hoghton foot crossing, Settle Junction, Settle cutting and Birkett Tunnel.

 

Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No. 46100 'Royal Scot' works away from Helwith Bridge with the northbound 'Fellsman' rail tour Mike Wylie driving, Robson Hewitson
on the shovel and TI Bob Hart



With a gloomy looking Wild Boar Fell in the backgound No. 46100 'Royal Scot' heads the return 'Fellsman' away from Aisgill summit back to Crewe with Phil
Murgatroyd driving, D.Ward on the shovel and TI S. Levell

 

The overbridge just beyond Wilpshire summit, some sunshine, 20C and a gentle north westerly breeze. With less than 10 minutes before the train was due I was the sole occupant, if there was to be a record of the events it was down to Oswald. I took out my lightweight tripod for my iphone, inserted the phone, set it to video camera mode, positioned the tripod on a coping stone of the bridge, framed the shot and locked the swivel. I am always wary how potentially unstable these lightweight tripods are and always(?) retain a gentle grip on the base of one of the legs. I had misplaced the gizmo used to remotely start the recording and, as I instinctively thrust both hands into my pockets in my search to find it, a sudden gust of wind toppled the ensemble and they plunged trackwards. "OH **************!!!!!!" I said to myself, several times.

Not really wanting to I looked over the bridge parapet, the phone and tripod had become separated and were lying on the ballast between the down line and the cutting side. The phone was flat on its back with its screen uppermost and, as if to taunt me, was still displaying video camera mode. "****! and double ****!"

At this point the sound of 46100 could be heard approaching and pretty soon she was powering through the station (2/3E?) and towards the summit. I crossed the bridge to take a look at the suspect boiler cladding on the driver's side - still rusty! 46100 breasted the summit and a few coach lengths beyond the regulator was closed. The coaches slid beneath the bridge followed by the 47 which sounded as though it was contributing little or nothing. Sorry for the poor description but I was somewhat distracted. I crossed back to where my phone lay some 20ft below, still showing the same screen.

Driving home I tried to formulate a plan; contact NR or give up and buy a new phone?

Mrs W was sympathetic and lent me her phone to call the NR Helpline, once I had selected the correct option it was answered very promptly (19.45) and Josh dealt with the call more professionally than I or anyone could have hoped for. He tried to contact "control" whilst I was on the line but without success but he promised to email them the details. Oswald was now a little less hopeful. At 21.00 Mrs W's phone rang, it was NR, he said he was on site and wanted to know exactly where the phone lay. I told him. He could see it. He said that access to track side was from the station. Should I drive over and meet him? No need for that he would meet me at Darwen Services on the M65 in about 30 minutes. This was getting better. At just before 21.30 he arrived and handed me the phone (still working and without a mark on it) and the tripod (broken and beyond repair - thank goodness!)

Thanks to all at NR who get 5 stars. Oswald will not be videoing near railway lines again . . . ever . . . probably!

 

I'm sure we can all relate to that!