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Saphos: Blue Peter to Carlisle - 12/02/26; Sir Nigel Gresley - 11/03/26; Britannia - 8/04/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by dmr, Dec 15, 2025.

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  1. Brunel

    Brunel Member

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    So what has happened to 70000? Did the 20s return it back to Crewe before they aided 37409 or is she still at Oxenhope?
     
    Brunel, Apr 8, 2026 at 10:47 PM
    #221
  2. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Still at Oxenholme
     
    2857Harry, Apr 8, 2026 at 11:20 PM
    #222
  3. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Part of the furniture

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    Hammering through Leyland earlier in the day, whistle still doesn't sound right for a Brit, somewhat strangulated!
    P1090625.JPG
     
    Britfoamer, Apr 8, 2026 at 11:36 PM
    #223
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    We all know what went wrong but I think it's worth noting that everything was definitely going very much 'right' from the outset and clearly the crew of Chris Page and Jack Gresty were planning on putting on a great show.

    Leaving Crewe with 8 on for about 300 tons gross we were away quickly before catching up the Birmingham - Liverpool service that called at Winsford and Hartford, so it was only by Weaver Junction that the Brit was able to really wind up. Mid sixties through Warrington and a lovely climb to Boar's Head from Wigan only dropping 2 mph from 68 through the station. Onwards into the seventies and we were only a couple of minutes outside of even time by Farington Junction when we were brought down for the Preston approach. She sounded beautiful as the Brit bark echoed off the shed roof of the station and then onwards for water at Barton. The usual late running TPE made us five late away from the water stop when the acceleration out of the loop and away was electric - six and a half minutes to Garstang and 70 mph. The booked 25 minutes to Carnforth were reeled off in 22.5 minutes with 75 ish after Lancaster only dropping to 66 at Yealand. However, after the tsr at Milnthorpe things didn't pick up as quickly as previously and the stop at the loop signal at Oxenholme brought to a sad end a great three hours.

    Let's hope that all is well soon with Britannia once she has been recovered from Oxenholme Loop. Thanks must go to all the on-board staff especially the train manager for keeping us informed and arranging an extra stop homebound at Preston to guarantee that those travelling south of Crewe had options.
     
    Big Al, Apr 9, 2026 at 2:22 AM
    #224
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  5. GWR7812

    GWR7812 New Member

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    Last edited: Apr 9, 2026 at 11:42 AM
    GWR7812, Apr 9, 2026 at 11:36 AM
    #225
  6. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    green five, Apr 9, 2026 at 1:11 PM
    #226
  7. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    2857Harry, Apr 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
    #227
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  8. Keith Sergeant

    Keith Sergeant Member

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    Keith Sergeant, Apr 9, 2026 at 2:16 PM
    #228
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  9. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    70000 storming through Lancaster yesterday. Sadly the forecast sunny day didn’t materialise until well after she passed and in spite of audibly working hard, there was no sign of that effort at the chimney. On a brighter note, the pub on P3 was well worth a visit. :)

    [​IMG]

    2026-04-08 70000 LANCASTER by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr
     
    Spamcan81, Apr 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM
    #229
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  10. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    A tale of many problems methinks; From a traveller to Edinburgh on the day the scenario was that 37409 was sent to replace 70000 with 70000 being left in the loop at Oxenholme. 37409 continued with the outward run and left Carlisle with the return whilst 20096 / 20107 headed north to collect 70000. Unfortunately 37409 failed with low oil pressure at Tebay and the pair of 20s were re-directed to Tebay to shunt the train into the loop thus clearing the line for my train (1M91 16:11 Edinburgh - Manchester Airport) and a pair of following Pendolinos. Once they passed Tebay the pair of 20s + failed 37409 left Tebay Loop heading for Crewe.

    The irony is that had the tour been advertised as steam plus Class 37 plus Class 20 traction on different sections I suspect the train would have been filled many times over.
     
    Fred Kerr, Apr 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
    #230
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