Fellsman 2024

just gone past Carnforth now

 

Passing Brock

 

cracking shot

 

It's certainly moist out there. The Met Office have quoted Carlisle as being the wettest place in Britain yesterday.

Wednesday 22 May 2024
Extremes for United Kingdom
Highest rainfall Carlisle 65.6 mm

Severe flood warnings with more heavy rain to come - BBC News

I'm surprised that the train has been allowed to continue so far north. 60007 sat in Greyrigg loop at present. <BJ>

 

Departed Grayrigg thirteen early

 

No other passenger trains between Preston and Carlisle. The rail authorities must have a high opinion of Saphos and it's operations. <BJ>

 

Good to see that 6E97 from Newbiggin to Tees has passed Helwith Bridge on time at 1144.

 

Looks like the S&C is open as the southbound Gypsum train has passed Blea Moor and the NT Clitheroe-Ribblehead-Blackburn is on its way back south. The top end looks ok as the Carlisle-Newcastle services are running. The Clitheroe services are running, so if nothing changes SNG should be able to return as planned. In Darwen the heavy rain stopped around 10am and has been replaced by drizzle.

 

Not sure about TPE, but most Avanti services crew change at Preston. So nothing coming south means no drivers to take services back north.
For some strange reason (that is beyond me) apparently drivers are not keen to help management out currently with "out of plan" operations.

 

The plan for both Avanti and TPE seems to be throwing the towel in north of Preston whenever anything remotely difficult happens (said from bitter experience of being dumped at Preston with no onward options available many times during my commuting into Manchester from the north days!)

 

As at 1410hrs, National Rail reporting passenger services on S&C returning to normal.

 

60007 confirmed as returning over the S&C.

 

60007 at Lancaster

 

60007 at Oxenholme, Shap Wells and Stockber.Apologies for the bad edit in the 2nd to last shot at Stockber.

 

With a fortunate break in the weather, LNER A4 No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' puts on the style as it works 'The Settle & Carlisle Fellsman' through Hincaster and onto Carlisle



Getting underway from Grayrigg loop



Approaching Ais Gill summit

 

Very good Shep ! Brave man today that got you the results as I think the weather scared most folk off but the West end girls persevered .

 

60007 seen at Scout Green and approaching Langwathby.

 

High Scales and Angrholm with The Fellsman

 

An A4 over Shap is something special, so plans were made, Thursday's supermarket delivery was changed to Friday. Possible locations were considered and a decision made. Oswald was prepared, then came Wednesday and into Thursday with 30 hours of incessant heavy rain. As Oswald's departure time drew nearer the heavy rain continued, the forecast for further north was a bit more encouraging, light rain. Then came news of flooding, disrupted services, it was unclear if Carlisle would be "open for business". Although I had packed my WD40, I didn't fancy a drive up the M6 in what promised to be atrocious conditions only to find that the train wasn't coming or worse still had already gone. At this point Diego jumped on my knee and made himself comfortable - decision made and Oswald's name would once again be added to the pages of the "Register of Soft Lads".

With hindsight I could have gone, the line remained open, the train ran and the weather was not as bad as forecast - ah well! Back in Wistleland, by 10am the heavy rain had eased but was replaced by continuous light rain/drizzle, this continued throughout the day (and is still falling). Despite this I was determined to watch the return. Curry for tea, then over to Ramsgreave and Wilpshire. I decided against my usual spot on the platform as a Clitheroe bound service was due to stop only 4 minutes before No7 was due to pass through the station. Added to which, despite the weather the A4 was likely to be popular with the camera phone fraternity who lean out and obstruct views. I decided avoid both potential problems by opting for the road bridge at the end of the platforms. Mrs W had agreed to accompany me to hold the brolly. We waited in the car until RTT showed that Sir Nigel had left Clitheroe then headed for the bridge, we could have waited longer as I had failed to factor in that Sir Nigel would be held before Whalley until the Rochdale Flier cleared the section (about 10 mins).

I was grateful for the brolly as the drizzle drifted across from left to right on a light westerly breeze. Eventually, though the murk, the A4 appeared from around the bend showing plenty of white exhaust. The colour of the loco and carriages was drained by the mediocre light and bands of drizzle. The hiss/snarl from the Kylchap grew louder as the loco approached, through the platforms and the glorious sound rose to a crescendo as she disappeared under the bridge. As the train headed on towards the summit it was obscured by the huge volume of exhaust that hung in the deep cutting. 10C, 9L & 31mph. A creditable effort especially in the conditions, there was noise from the diesel but no way of knowing what its contribution was. The only criticism - no blast on the chime whistle! Well done to all involved but such a shame that the 65th anniversary train didn't get some better weather.