Vintage Trains 2023

Good to see that WCRC is allowing VT to use its facilities. I think that I saw a previous path that involved a turn on the triangle at Farington/Lostock Hall followed by a tender first "sprint" up to Carnforth and on to Hellifield - much more sensible!

 

I wonder if it is something to do with access from the sidings at Appleby from the down line, particularly on what is a busy day.

 

An appetiser for tomorrow's visit of 7029 to Carlisle, although it is not booked to run into Citadel Station as it did on 30 September 1967, as pictured. A great deal of interest is being shown towards the burnt smokebox door after its run over the S&C, whilst at the other end of the train, 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley is being attached before returning the charter to Peterborough.

 

30th September 1967 was the last time I saw 7029, as it passed 55A Leeds Holbeck shed hauling that special on the last day of steam in that area. Looking forward to catching up with it tomorrow.

That's 'Kolhapur' in the right background beyond the bridge in this shot. It had just reversed off shed, and we bumped into it again shortly afterwards at Bradford Forster Square.

 

Thank you for this feedback. The reason why we didn’t send out times for today’s CME earlier was because we were still discussing them with NR’s planners and making some adjustments relating to the diesel support arrangements. RTT can tend to post times as soon as they are initially available. We do not run our trains to RTT’s timetable but to that agreed with NR as set out on our STN and we prefer to be precise with our customers; there is a balance in the timing of this of course. We have a very good relationship with NR planners and so are increasingly able to improve our approach and will continue to strive to do so. We appreciate the points about joining our trains and connecting services and we will continue to refine our planning to improve here, but these efforts will naturally be concentrated on more regular routes. For very long day out tours such as the CME two overnight stays or very early/late drives by car are unavoidable. Hence why today’s CME is likely to be a very infrequent operation (indeed 7029 last made this trip in 1967). To facilitate these spectacles everyone needs to be as flexible as they can and in the days of ability to cancel:alter hotel bookings up to 24 hours of travel, flexibility is a little improved

 

It was a rainy morning. The forecast predicted that the rain would move away to the north, but possibly too late to have cleared the southern part of the S&C before Clun Castle was due to make her long overdue return (1967). Rain or no rain, Oswald must attend. To give the rain the best chance to have cleared I decided on Settle station. I would be travelling alone, Mrs W had other equally(?) important matters to attend to; she was making a rhubarb pie for tea - mmm!

Throughout the journey light rain continued to fall, the cloud base was low and the light was grim. Nearing Settle the rain changed to drizzle. The winds of the last few days had gone, there was barely a breeze, nothing to move the clouds away. I parked on the "pay & display" on the opposite side of the road near the station (£1.10 for an hour). With less than 30 minutes before the train was due and in steady drizzle, I walked to the station. There was already a tripod at the north end of the platform and a couple of minutes later the owner appeared, I set up alongside, nearer the running lines. We tried to spot a break in the clouds, there was none. We tried to determine the direction of the wind, what very little there was, was variable but generally from the south west - straight into the camera lens.

The northbound service train came and went taking with it a large group on a trip to Carlisle. The platforms continued to fill, mainly with prospective watchers, rather than photographers. After several checks, RTT showed Clun had left the loop. The time for Settle Jn stubbornly refused to appear, perhaps being held whilst the service train cleared the section? Then a time, 4L. If Clun had been held it was a poor sort of a day to be tackling the climb from a standing start.

No time to ponder, time to get set up (with an Asda bag over the top to keep things dry - other supermarkets are available). Then in the distance the heavy, crisp exhaust beat - bag off, camera on. Out of view, in the murk and drizzle and masked by the eager crowd gathered on the platform, there was nothing to do but soak in those wonderful exhaust sounds as they grew steadily louder. Not the slightest hesitation, sure-footed, ever louder. Then a glimpse of exhaust, more exhaust billowing into the cool, damp air. A smokebox came into view, steady progress, then under the footbridge moving effortlessly through the platforms. The driver leaning on his widow ledge, a wave (thanks). The carriages rolled past, the class 47 not doing much/anything? The train continued up the hill, the exhaust beat steady as it moved away into the distance. 7C, 9L & 24mph.

On the journey home the rain petered out and by Clitheroe the sun was shining. Seen a Castle on the S&C and rhubarb pie for tea - can life get any better?

 

So far apart from a bit of a shove round the tight curve at Upperby the 47 hasn't pushed at all.

 

Anyone know whether the 47 is coming on at Crewe ? I Can confirm that there was nothing from the rear at Selside. Just a hardworking Castle which was handicapped all the way in regards to Settle jct check and the slacks at Settle and Horton.

 

A challenging day yesterday with the weather and forecast but it was fantastic to see (and hear!) 7029 in the Northern Fells!

(EDIT I hadn't seen the other thread, mods please feel free to delete this post)

Our footage from the day is now available on Youtube:

 

Here's my footage of Clun Castle tackling the long drag at Selside near Horton in Ribblesdale. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

In dull and damp conditions, 7029 makes an impressive start up the Long Drag from Settle Junction.

 

7029 barking its way through the rain.

 

Here is 7029 at Lancaster on the return, and at Apperley Junction on 30 September 1967. Plus some of it under overhaul at Tyseley in 2011:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-West-trains-2023/i-V2jLPcV

For something completely different see my front page:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/

Use the search bar to find other early photos of 7029, at Chester and Leeds in 1967, and Birmingham in 1977.

Andrew N

 

7029 standing in for 5043 on this weekends trip to Llandudno.

 

RMT strike announced for the 13th May, day of the double castles to Hereford and then down the Welsh Marches and to Oxford and back to Birmingham.

I wonder if this will get postponed due to staffing issues at stations? Had hoped to see this!

 

The line through Oxford is closed until June, so the tour definitely won’t be going on that route!

 

Meanwhile the VT website still has the tour getting home via Didcot and Oxford.

 

I believe the issue that caused the cancellation of the Lickey trips was that Worcester Shrub Hill is managed by West Midlands Trains and their RMT staff were on strike on the day so the station was closed.

However, the Marches tour should only need Birmingham New St, Wolverhampton and Hereford to be open.
Birmingham New St is managed by Network Rail and Hereford is managed by Transport for Wales, both of whom are not currently in dispute with the unions, so fingers crossed, there shouldn't be the same issue.
Wolverhampton is run by West Midlands Trains, but as such a major station, I'd expect it to be open for whatever limited service CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast operate.

The biggest issue will be the return leg, because as well as the Oxford closure, I believe the line at Cheltenham is also shut for engineering work that day, so coming back from Newport that way may not be possible.

This is all speculation of course, pending a full update from VT, but I'm keeping fingers crossed that they're able to figure something out, they really have had a hard time of it with the strikes and viaduct closure!

 

13th May trip now postponed until 10th June.

Andrew