LE movements, ECS and test runs 2022

Admittedly it was when they were using WCR as TOC, but both on the Castle over Shap and the tour with 5043 up and down the S&C a diesel pilot was attached at Crewe with the steam staying on, in the case of the first tour considering whilst the diesel was attaching they also coaled 5043 from the POB on the platform at Crewe I am not sure how much work the diesel actually did Crewe - Tyseley.

 

Taken a few minutes before RalphW's image above, LMS Stanier Duchess class 4-6-2 No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland speeds through Hartford station on 11th March 2022 during a positioning move from Tyseley to Hellifield.



Cheers,

 

Heading for Crewe this lunchtime.

 

6233 ambles past Gregson Lane enroute for Hellifield.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/51932529885/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

Cracking shot. Is that taken from Hatton Mill? It looks vaguely familiar.

 

It is Rob.

 

"And you think you've had a bad day!" Early afternoon and Oswald left "The Towers" to make his way to Chapel Lane to see the Duchess. There are three sets of traffic lights and about six Pelican crossings on the couple of miles of the A666 to the M65 junction; through each set of traffic lights on green - hurray, but stopped at every Pelican - boo! I arrived at the motorway junction still with time in hand, as I went to turn onto the westbound carriage way I found that the slip road was blocked off by the Highways Agency working near the entrance. Plan B - join the eastbound carriageway to the next junction, round the roundabout and back down the westbound. As I was travelling east, I saw queuing traffic (not) heading west and that was being funneled off at the Darwen junction. Plan C - come off at the next junction and, with probably just enough time left, head over to Hoghton using the B roads. As I turned onto the B road traffic in the distance was queueing. Plan D - turn round in the industrial estate, re-trace my route but then turn off towards Blackburn and skirt through the west side of town; if I hadn't enough time to reach Hoghton, I could almost certainly reach Pleasington or Cherry Tree. Again the traffic was slow moving. At this point reality set in and I realised that I was not going to make it. Plan E - head off to the north and see the Duchess after her pathing stop in Blackburn, a quick right and I was on the ring road.

Next I had to decide on a likely spot. By now it was beginning to rain. The bridge at Brownhill is the obvious choice but at this time of day the traffic noise would be bad. Then I hit upon the crossing at Daisyfield, not the best spot for viewing being on a tight, visually restricted curve but at least it would be quiet. How best to get there? Sat nav. I needed the name of the street, after a couple of minutes I managed to dredge up, Moss Street - correct, and just 5 minutes away. So along here and make a right turn in 200 yards - stupid woman! there is no right turn. (In the sat nav lady's defence I must say that this is a new stretch of road - post my car's sat nav). I knew the general direction so headed that way, the sat nav screen showed that I was travelling "off road" - still, as Doc Brown said, "Where we're going we don't need roads!" [Forty years ago I worked in and around Blackburn and knew all the short cuts around here - but a lot changes in forty years.] "Turn left onto Clinton Street" said the sat nav lady. No, not the Clinton Street in the Leonard Cohen song - I wasn't that lost, in fact I now knew where I was. One more turn and I was on Moss Street and there was the crossing and the box. I parked up around 50 yards away and collected my thoughts.

I had a quick recce; it'll do - just! There was still rain falling and a fresh wind from the south. I had almost 30 minutes to wait, so back to the car. As I waited the rain grew steadier. RTT showed that the Duchess had arrived safely at Blackburn and was waiting for her turn. Just after 14.30 the crossing keeper came out and closed the gates to road traffic and around 3 mins later the Man Vic-Clitheroe train passed - so it would be a good while before the Duchess could pass, or so I thought. The gates remained in position, constant monitoring of RTT showed that the Duchess had been given the road.

A quick walk to the gates in increasingly steady rain with the wind in my face. After only a couple of minutes the "Big Girl" peeped round the corner and chuffed slowly towards us (well me and about 4 cars waiting patiently). A good whistle for the box (and me) and she crossed the road and headed off towards the next signal. Big, red and beautiful! "A Coronation!" offered the driver of the Ford Mustang waiting at the head of the queue, indeed she is! Back to the car to wipe the rain from my glasses and then join the queue of waiting cars. The gates remained closed for several more minutes to allow the passage of the Clitheroe-Rochdale train. At around 14.50 the gates were opened; Moss Street is not a major thoroughfare. Around 4E, speed - who cares. The video, taken on a hand held phone as seen through rain streaked glasses, is a poor record of the events, but hey ho there's always next time (possibly tomorrow).

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64212/2022-03-30/detailed
Jacobite ECS

 

Early start on Shap for Steve and Nige.

 

A bit of entertainment for anyone waiting for their train at Queen St low level. Anyone know why it's routed that way rather than via Springburn?

 

Loco & PO brake positioning trip Bury to Carnforth
29/3/2022
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64211/2022-03-29/detailed

Cheers, Neil

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64210/2022-03-29/detailed

Looks like 45212 to carnforth aswell?

 

44871 Bury to Carnforth 23rd March, 45407 Bury to Carnforth 29th March, 45212 follows a month later with the pm stock

 

"The Tartan Army".....

 

Hi Ralph, hope you are well?, yes, all moves with a diesel pilot as far as Craigandoran where
the steam locos lead the consist, diesel loco on the back

 

44871 and support coaches getting ready for the 'High Road' to Scotland, as they leave Preston on their way to Carnforth today(23/3)

 

Anyone know what the 10.40 Southhall to Castleton Hop is tomorrow,(Friday )usual time at Rugby allowed if for a steamer.Nothing in or out at Castleford until the Mancunion Sat ,14.00in 15.24 out.

 

FS?