Scarborough Spa Express 2025

An effort of this mornings train.
https://flic.kr/p/2rpU7rv
Have sequence to make a slide show of the scene.
How long is it since we have steam over copy pit in either direction?
Cotton Mill went west bound 29th February 2020 on morning trip, evening trip went to Manchester via Rochdale.
Taken from the right side of the fence, if anyone wants to replicate this pm me and I will share the info.

 

Through Sherburn-in-Elmet on time this morning.

 

This was the only survivor of the three planned SSEs to run via Copy Pit. I spent Sunday afternoon wandering around various possible locations from which to video today's events, some old and some new. The old ones, particularly those from my childhood, were saddening to visit as once open vistas have been overgrown and views of the line totally obscured. A new one from a bridge that did not exist in steam days was possible; the metal parapets were high but not insurmountable but the traffic noise, even on a Sunday afternoon, was loud and incessant. Another location that wasn't accessible in steam days, behind what was Whitebirk Power station and is now a retail park, was possible but only using a drone. In the end it was either Rishton station or Church & Oswaldtwistle station.

The weather was an improvement on yesterday's prediction, the band of heavy rain forecast for mid morning was now to start around lunchtime and be more fragmented. Maisie ate most of her breakfast and went out, then came in and ate some more breakfast, and then went out and finally came back in as I was leaving.

The car has keyless operation; I opened the tailgate to put my bags in - no problem, I opened the drivers door - no problem, I tried to start the engine - problem! I hadn't time to faff about so resorted to the manual start procedure. It was a sunny morning and traffic was light as I headed towards Rishton. The station car park was almost empty. As I parked someone that I knew (M) got out of his car and gathered his video kit from the boot. I did likewise and then . . . I couldn't lock the car! It was, I hoped, likely to be the battery in the key fob. After a previous incident I carry a spare battery and eventually I found it and correct operation was restored. M had waited whilst I changed the battery and we chatted as we wandered onto the platform. We set up at our chosen spots and checked RTT for progress. Tangmere was running early, 23E at Mill Hill, and was now approaching Blackburn. As we waited another regular arrived (B) arrived, as Tangmere would be held in Blackburn, we passed the time before B began setting up his various cameras around the station.

Finally Tangmere was on her way, the sun was shining and it was a pleasant late summer morning - what could go wrong? In truth, not too much apart from some thin cloud drifted in and the previously full sun became pale and watery - ah well! A couple of minutes ticked by, it was reassuring to watch progress on Traksy as we would be unlikely to hear Tangmere's approach with the wind carrying the traffic noise from the nearby M65 in our direction. Tangmere appeared from the right, still on the climb out of Blackburn (1/118r). There was plenty of exhaust as she powered through Rishton Tunnel, nearing the summit there was a blast of the whistle and the regulator was closed. The train, now on a falling gradient, headed towards the station and sped past with a service train timed to follow just a few minutes later. All very enjoyable, I packed up and left the station with M, we said our farewells to B who was still collecting up his various cameras. M ensured that I could get back in the car before leaving; all was now functioning perfectly. 16C, 3L & 50mph



It's taken me a bit longer than normal to post this as I had to find a "new" replacement key fob battery and put it in the car for next time. Then I had to pump up a rear tyre that had lost pressure despite being repaired only 10 days ago (and book it in for a hopefully free repair). Finally, and most importantly, give Maisie her dinner. The rain started around noon and heavy rain is currently falling.

 

Diesel only on the return tonight, steam off at York, then to Hellifield and Carnforth

 

34067 at Copy Pit summit. It was a surprise how the vegetation growth has narrowed the field of view from the overbridge.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54748286335/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54748154918/in/photostream/

 

The Calder Valley line is the same. Almost the whole route from Manchester into Yorkshire is through a tunnel of trees and bushes.

 

45690 went eastbound in 2023 on the GB.

 

34067 Tangmere crossing Lobb Mill Viaduct Todmorden with the Scarborough Spa Express on 27/8/2025

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr
r

 

Very nice David,good to see a different location,Im sure its been noted by "Sam"

 

Thanks Henry.I think anyone might struggle to find this,the trees have shot up since I was last there !

 

I heard today one of the stewards saying that 34067 is out of gauge going westbound on the return journey back on the calder valley line he said it's one of the tunnels that it was out of gauge where is the tunnel on the return its not cleared for returning to Carnforth between Elland and Blackburn would anyone know on national preservation I was just wondering? or is it because west coast have only one steam Loco up in the north until 44871 comes back to 10A?

 

There are several tunnels between Elland and Blackburn.
I would hazard a guess, for what its worth, at Holme tunnel just after Copy Pit summit, its always been a pinch point due to the steelwork thats been inserted in an attempt to stop the earth movement.
However unless someone with facts posts here we will be left wondering, and guessing.

 

Has either of these workings left York yet? As no info on RTT after Holgate yard
Thanks

 

RTT showing tour left 62 late from Holgate. Open Train Times shows it approaching Colton North Junction. 0Z29 and 5Z29 still in and around Holgate.

 

thanks, wonder what the problem was?

 

SR BoB No.34067 'Tangmere' passes Kirkham Priory with the returning SSE this evening.

 

Living in the "Happy Valley" I've never known such lush greenery.... tons of blackberries though, by the lineside, perfectly accessible legally. Bottling season is working overtime at the moment ...

 

My pic from yesterday of 34067 at Scarborough Station platform 1 after quite a enjoyable ride out on the calder valley line what I've not done by steam since going on the ticket to ride with tornado in 2021 to Scarborough as me and my friend joined the train at Blackburn expecting the climb back along the lanky line back to Blackburn although how hot the weather was and with no rain for more than a week.
we had to make do with going to wakefield despite the spam can not been allowed back on the ascent of copy pit due to high fire risk from hall royd jct it was still memorable to do this route again on a steam train and that other passengers enjoyed their day out on the scarborough spa.

Davo 56F