RTC 2024

Black 5 No. 44871 works today's 'Hadrian' 1Z37 northbound over the River Ribble at Little Viaduct towards Helwith Bridge and onwards to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Matt Southwell on the shovel and Mike Mcpeake Guard

 

The day dawned damp and drizzly but if the BBC Weather App was to be believed there would be temperatures of 404C and winds of 12,497mph, oh wait! that was Wednesday. Today's forecast was for a dry and bright interlude from mid-morning to mid-afternoon - we shall see! I packed my WD40 (just in case). Diego appeared first thing, Mrs W fed him, I fed him and finally Oswald Jnr fed him. At last satiated, for now, he wandered off upstairs for a snooze.

It was drizzling when I left home and headed towards one of several possible locations on the lower part of the S&C; the final choice would depend on the weather and how my knee felt. The traffic lights at Clayton le Moors had been replaced by 4-way temporary ones, I got through ok heading from the M65 junction towards Whalley but there must have been almost a mile of queueing traffic coming from the Whalley direction. (Note to Oswald, "Return via a different route!"). The drizzle persisted past Clitheroe and through Gisburn but finally, nearing the Hellifield turn off, it stopped and the sky to the north and west was much brighter. I stopped on the station car park at Long Preston. It was about 30 mins before the train was due, a check on RTT showed that it had safely arrived at Hellifield loop, so far so good. I collected my bits and pieces and made my way along to the road bridge that spans the station platforms.

It is not a bad location as the train is accelerating away from Hellifield, but from the bridge the station lights can be a bit intrusive. The lead diesel was scheduled to be detached, run to Settle Jn, cross over then head back towards Hellifield and on to York (for duties later in the day). It didn't happen. From time to time a short blast on a Stanier hooter marked the various shunt moves that were taking place. Another toot on the hooter and 44871 was heading our way. White exhaust silhouetted the distant roofs as the line curves towards us. The quiet exhaust sounds cranked up a couple of notches as 44871 emerged from under the road bridge. The exhaust beat quickened as the Black Five accelerated towards us. I waved to the driver and got a splendid blast on the hooter - thanks. Under the road bridge in a blanket of white exhaust, I headed across to the other side, plenty of lovely exhaust and a feather at the safety valves as 44871 headed off towards the challenge that lay ahead. The maroon rake followed (all but one was maroon) and finally 2 diesels on the rear. A change of plan, a failure . . . who knows? 7C (and feeling cool), 7L & 36mph.

Oswald remembered to return home by another route and arrived a few minutes after noon, the sun was shining and Diego was outside. Time for a bit of lunch and a brew. A little after 2pm Diego came back in and a few minutes later it began to rain - how does he know? A good day; seen a Black Five and didn't get rained on and now my furry friend has returned.

 

With Penyghent as backdrop 44871 works the northbound Hadrian on 12/10/2024

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Sandy Lane, Great Corby shortly after leaving Carlisle...


44871 at Sandy Lane

 

44871 How Mill 12.10.24.

 

Looking at RTT, it looks like 44871 may have come off at York rather than Milford Loop?

 

It did.

 

Return working seen drifting down from Haydon Bridge:



Approaching Croxdale viaduct:



Richard

 

Many thanks

 

Are there two diesels on the back there? What's the rationale for that? Seems excessive.

 

See post 582 above. Not explained but described.

 

Just noticed 45212 planned for the Peaks Express according to todays 'bulletin' email from RTC

 

Support crew changing light covers and oiling the Black 5 after arrival at Bristol Temple Meads last night.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/54082375438/in/album-72177720321393414

 

I hope everyone remembered to change their clocks, for anyone needing a time check its currently 10.03 GMT (on Tuesday). All this clock business has upset Diego. His normal morning routine is, he appears (usually between 8 and 8.30), I let him in, he has a drink of milk and one or more breakfasts then sits on my knee for a snooze. This morning he arrived late and I was getting ready to head out, he had a drink but (as he had been fed?) left his biscuits. He then followed me around waiting for me to sit down. The final straw came when I put my coat on, he gave me a "black look" and headed out. (Whilst I was out he returned and fell asleep on the Sunday paper preventing Mrs W from starting her crossword).

After some overnight rain it was a lovely morning, the sun was shining and there was only the gentlest of breezes. I set off on the short journey to Leyland and arrived in quick time to park on a near empty car park. After paying my £1 I made my way onto the platform (up fast line), there were several people waiting for the late running Manchester train. It eventually arrived leaving only a couple of people who were presumably waiting for the steam. Several people were waiting on the opposite platform including 4 or 5 serious photographers. 45212 was due off Preston at 09.45 and thro' Leyland 09.51 (and a half). RTT confirmed that our train had departed RT, I followed progress on Traksy, but still managed to be surprised by 45212's appearance in the distance (what an idiot that Oswald is!).

It was a spirited performance from a loco on her home ground (Lostock Hall on the buffer beam), plenty of grey exhaust shot from the chimney, the sounds were magnificent, the sun shone and there was even a lingering smell of smoke. 45212 stormed past, maroon (well all but one) coaches followed in her wake and 47746 on the rear was having to apply power just to keep up - well that's my story. A pleasure to witness, if only all locos could be Black Fives, well apart from Duchesses and Princesses and Royal Scots and A4s and Brits and . . . 9C, 2L & 52mph.

 

LMS Black Five 45212 passing through Edale earlier today

 

45212 with 'The Peaks Express' today - Hathersage, braking after catching up with the 35 minute late running stopping train, Hasland, working away from Chesterfield set down and Dronfield in front a very large crowd.

 

The Peaks Express Preston - Carnforth stock move passed Lancaster in reverse formation tonight, with 47746 leading and 45212 on the rear.

Did it run like this all the way from Derby?

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-West-trains-2024/i-rJtKzx4

Andrew N

 

Doubt it. Denton to Ashton Moss likely still shut after the recent derailment. It was probably steam to Guide Bridge, then diesel back from there.

 

45212 crossing New Mills viaduct with the Peaks Express:



and climbing towards Buxworth:



Two more from the same vantage point at https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/My-pictures/Recent-additions/Recent-additions-October-2024