LE movements, ECS and test runs 2022

Hope-Under-Dinmore this morning.

 

(8) 28th April 2022 456900 45699 gb day 7 - YouTube

Footage of 45699 and 45690 near Oubeck Goods Loop

 

Thursday 24th and 45212 LE, tender first from Keighley to Carnforth - well someone had to watch it.

So off to Giggleswick station armed with lunch, a cheese filled hot cross bun. As I drove past Settle Jn there were three NR vans parked by the SB.

45212 was booked to leave Hellifield at 13.56. A Morecambe train was booked to leave at 13.12 (and was running 4L). [Settle Jn to Carnforth is one long signal section; nothing can enter the section at Settle Jn until the preceding train has left the section at Carnforth, and this takes around 40 minutes. Approaching Hellifield 45212 was running 22E and with a booked 25 minute wait in the loop without the stop it would have had just enough time to run in front of the service train.

After waiting and checking it became obvious that 45212 had been held and would follow in its booked slot - 40ish minutes behind the service train. The service train came and went and the four of us, split equally between the platforms, chatted away. The booked time came and went and still 45212 stayed at Hellifield. We speculated, a problem with the loco, or perhaps the points? It was now around 14.30, if 45212 didn't leave in the next 10-15 minutes then it would have to follow the next Morecambe train (or not run at all!). Another 15 minutes passed and there was no sign of any action. I decided to pack up and drive to Hellifield, if 45212 wouldn't come to Oswald then Oswald must go . . .

At Hellifield 45212 sat gently simmering in the loop, a crew of 4 in hi-viz waistcoats sat on a pile of ballast near the fence bordering access road to WCRC's car park. I wandered onto the platform and the crew returned to the footplate. The driver, Chris Cubitt, was having a phone conversation. The Morecambe bound service train arrived and departed (at the same time as the Morecambe-Leeds). At least another 40 minutes wait. I spoke to Chris who said that NR had had a problem "on the branch" but it was now fixed and they would be following the Morecambe train. (Perhaps the reason for the NR vans at Settle Jn?). Chris also confirmed that he would be driving Bahamas back to Keighley later in the evening. I decided to give up and go home - the joys of watching LE moves!



I can't help feeling that somehow I may have precipitated the day's problems, I had LANCASHIRE cheese on my hot cross bun - in Yorkshire!!

 

Seems strange to see a LE move without a POB in tow. Do I spy that 45212 has gained a top bracket now so no more strange headboard placements?

 

Yes I nipped out to see the working at my local station, Cononley. I had not checked the usual sources but the movement was in the same path as Bahamas the previous day so I allowed myself reasonable time, but not too early, or so I thought! As I drove merrily along towards the station something white and fluffy appeared over the drystone wall to my right, followed by a large black shape moving at pace. "Oh gosh" I said! I managed to get a bit clearer view a little further along and some not very good dashcam footage "for the record". Yes indeed, LE moves, God bless 'em!

 

This mornings Jacobite stock move 47245 + 8 mk2s + 45212 seen at a frosty Scout Green.

 

45212 + support reported to have been left in the siding at Carstairs

 

The shackle should NEVER be stowed on the drawhook

 

Can I ask why please?

 

When coupling to another vehicle, if the shackle of that vehicle is added to the loco hook with a shackle already resting there, the load on the hook is placed higher up the hook and the drawhook is liable to fracture as it is not so designed

 

Thank you

 

Tender away south on a lorry, Support coach + Smokebox remain at Carstairs C.E.

 

Hotbox. Tender back at Heywood for repairs.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K24937/2022-05-06/detailed

45212 ?

 

At Carstairs at least there would have been somewhere to park it reasonably out of the way. What do you do at Crianlarich?