Northern Belle 2021

Nice shot. I love the way the pipe has changed the headboard to "A Team". Very apt for a superb loco, crew, and all who support her. I thought the A1's were a long gone memory for me of Leeds Central 1960 something, but every time I see Tornado it all comes flooding back.

 

60163 at Salterwath and Aisgill Summit .

 

Worth mentioning that Tornado was apparently a last minute replacement for 6201, having run overnight from Bo'ness to Carnforth arr 0126 this morn. AN

 

Total change in the weather today as No. 60163 'Tornado' works the 'Northern Belle' north through Hincaster with Mick Rawling driving, Steve Clark on the
shovel and Roly Parker Guard.
Well done to all concerned for making it possible to get the engine from Boness to Carnforth over night to head the Belle instead of 'Princess Elixabeth'



Marginally brighter conditions as LNE A1 class 4-6-2 No. 60163 'Tornado' makes a fine sight as it works the return 'Northern Belle' through Kirkby Stephen
with Mick Rawling driving, Steve Clark on the shovel and Ray Harvey Guard

 

60163 with the Northern Belle at Salterwath and Aisgill Summit, massive credit to WCRC and the A1 trust for making this possible.

 

Carlisle bound with the Northern Belle, 24.07.21.

 

Tornado at Cumwhinton

 

Like that Ian , is that before the old station?

 

No doubt, a beautiful looking engine; and to think they were running up and down the ECML for years with hardly anyone watching them. Well, I was BUT in a train spotting mode in the early 60's !!!!!

 

Cheers Steve, yep that's the one.

 

We had signed up to go hiking around Settle with some friends for the day but I managed to drag them onto Hellifield station for a good look at the beast, cup of tea from 24H and everyone was impressed!

 

According to footplate crew off FS when discussing the substitution earlier, something burst when firing it up and it cleared the shed in 10A. His words not ours, so read into that as you will, no doubt the official reply will appear a some point, even with 10A's reluctance to comment on running matters. As usual wait and see!

 

According to Railway Herald:

“Northern Belle has confirmed that a crack has been found in the boiler backplate of LMS 'Princess Royal' Class No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth which has removed it from traffic. It is not known at present whether No. 6201 will be available for its next booked working on August 6th”.

 

Idly wondering: why get 60163 to rush down from Scotland? Were none of the other Carnforth locos in a position to cover?

 

Northern Belle is Air Braked stock, all other Carnforth locos are vac only. Happy to be corrected though

 

No, sounds sensible. I assumed others were on washout/elsewhere (I can't recall if 35018 is still down south, for instance) but this makes sense.

 

Also the prestige Northern Belle needs a prestigious steam locomotive at the front IMHO - and preferably one with a name. There are few 7P / 8P locomotives free at the moment hence the call to Bo'ness for 60163. It will be interesting to see what West Coast can arrange for future Northern Belle workings in the short term IF 6201 becomes unavailable.

 

There's a nice Princess Coronation sat in a shed in Derbyshire at the moment. Although does WCR still get to use it even though they have a contract with LSL?

 

According to the A1 Trust F/B page Tornado is doing this Fridays Northern Belle. Going to be a long day for the support crew as it's doing an Aberdonian on Saturday

Dave B