Northern Belle 2021

It mentions in this week's Railway Herald that Tornado is out of gauge at Daisyfield Junction. It doesn't mention in which direction, but that is possibly the reason it was taken off at Hellifield instead of Preston on Saturday. I'd assume the same will happen on Friday if that is the case.

 

Strange then that 60163 worked on the Hellifield - Preston link en route to Crewe in April 2010; I have a photograph of it curving through Rimington platform.

 

Tornado to Scotland.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K15780/2021-07-30/detailed

 

Could it be that the A1 had only just arrived from Bo'ness and the support crew had worked a long enough day as it was? Then on Friday the loco comes off the train at Hellifield to return overnight to Joppa prior to working to Aberdeen on Saturday. It is a busy loco.

Peter

 

Keep up, Fred - that was 'only' 11 years ago!

All main line-registered steam locos have digital profiles and these are now run over all routes, annually. That is not to say that they will be clear over all routes but it means that we now have knowledge of all and any restrictions prior to planning a job. It also means we can request investigative work by NR, if a restriction appears, such as at Daisyfield, wasn't there before. As we knew about Daisyfield (it's the former station platform - closed 1958!) we've amended the plan accordingly.

JS

 

I agree that this annual check is frustrating especially when infrastructure changes prevent locos from using routes that were previously acceptable hence forcing operators to change plans without recourse to the cause of the changes (usually Network Rail I presume). It's a pity that TOCs are not considered when infrastructure maintenance changes create problems of access but I suppose that's part of the cost of being able to operate steam traction on the main line given that companies such as WCRC have now operated main line steam for longer than British Railways.

 

Actually, you completely missed the point! It's not frustrating at all - it's very useful, now that all routes are checked annually, rather than just individual clearances made for a specific train operation and loco.

Within the gauging program, there are assumptions put in for movement of track relative to structures over time (they are far from static), although these are continuously updated by real data from the various gauging trains which run about the network. Prohibits tend to occur as a result of predicted movement, rather than reality and, given that we can review the results nationwide, we can also have early discussions with the engineers, with beneficial results.

NR are nonetheless bound by the Network Change process and cannot make changes, willy-nilly, without consultation, as the process allows for objection - and occasionally we do!

JS

 

Pardon my ignorance - but thanks for the explanation especially confirmation that it works better for both loco and tour operators.

 

60163 at a soggy Birkett Common.

 

Looking and sounding superb! I took a look at the Ribblehead web cam at lunchtime and decided to stay home for this one! Thanks for posting this for the weather whimps!

 

No shortage of the wet stuff in the fells today but a bonus of clag, LNE A1 No. 60163'Tornado' makes a wonderful sight and sound as it speeds the 'Northern Belle' through Greenholme with Mick Rawling driving, Steve Clark on the shovel and Ray Harvey Guard



Powering out of Waitby cutting No. 60163 'Tornado' with the return 'Northern Belle' with Mick Rawling and Steve Clark still doing the honours on the footplate and Ray Harvey Guard

 

Thanks John

 

A dismal day for 60163 with the N/Belle seen from Shap Wells and Aisgill.

 

Out of curiosity has Tornado still got the chime whistle as for some unknown reason it doesn’t get used

 

Yes. Was used on the Royal Duchy.

 

I much prefer the 'proper' one to the chime. Brings back memories.

 

I'd call that a nice clean exhaust, not clag.

 

Interesting looking at real-time trains for next Sunday's Northern Belle. The paths are there from Glasgow to Carlisle and a path back north from Hellifield. There's also a light movement from Hellifield to Carnforth at 60mph. But there's no times showing for the southbound run over the S&C - l wonder if Flying Scotsman is going to appear?

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91061/2021-08-08/detailed