The Witch Way 3rd Oct Steam/Diesel

Its already done that bit too Harold, on Mr Cornish's retirement special. More likely that It has not been gauged on the Oldham loop, and that NR don't want the hassle of checking it for the sake of one last trip. 45407 last went round the loop in June.

Craig

 

I would have thought we'd have all learned by now that just because a loco will fit around a route on a Friday, it doesn't mean it will still fit on the following Monday if Network Rail or their contractors have been digging the track up over the weekend.

Anway, as you say it's 46115 has already done MOST of the route - but it still needs to be in gauge for the bits it hasn't done (i.e. the Oldham Loop).

 

THE OLDHAM LOOP ... or what's left of it!

.......

 

In fact Network Rail have been doing spot re-sleepering, but why would you spend money on the Loop when it is going to be handed over to another body? Closing the Loop completely is fairly daft really, they could have done it in two sections and maintained a service for the folk of Shaw who will now have to bus it.

Lordy

 

........

 

What also worries me is that folk in the Oldham and Shaw area will now head for the Calder Valley services from Rochdale, Castleton and Mills Hill into Manchester which are stuffed in the mornings already, combined with the leaf-fall season it could be chaos.

Lordy

 

Witch Way

Just out of interest, how many coaches on this tour?, and what is the maximum for a Black 5 up Miles Platting & copy pit?
Will the diesel be on the back for the whole tour?

 

Has anybody got the tickets yet?

 

I haven't - so emailed them - booking acknowledged and coach reservation sent back by return.

Turn up with the email - job done!

 

If your tickets do not arrive Friday, either drop us an email and we'll email you the details of your seat allocation etc, alternatively all coach stewards will have a master passenger list on the day, with details of passenger booked and location sitting. So you can just turn up on the day and ask a coach steward to direct you.
For any undecided, we do still have space available for the Full Day, or respective legs, Cotton Mill / Oldham Loop Steam trips, with pay on the day being accepted.
The postal strikes in various sorting offices has really played havoc with the distribution of tickets for this tour, apologies to those affected.
Thanks,
James...
Spitfire Railtours

 

Anyone know the timings for this just checked uk steam not up there yet ,having to work first thing so hoping to get to copy pit in the afternoon depending on times

Dave

 

Witch Way

HEBDENBDG PASS 13:44
HALLROYDJ PASS 13:52
COPY PIT PASS 14:09
GANNOW JN PASS 14:20
ACCRINGTN PASS 14:32


Neil

 

Thanks for that Neil

Dave

 

i rang the office this morning and they said tickets had been sent on monday but the postal strike has been a problem,so gave me the coach and seat number and said be at preston for 10-15

 

Looking at the times on uksteam I see there is no time or a water stop between Manchester and Blackburn. They look more like timings for a diesel hauled or diesel pushing steam tour.
I cant ever remember the Cotton mills not stopping for water between these two points.
Will be interesting to see what unfolds.
Regards,
John.

 

The Witch Way (Steam Photos)

Hi All

45231 The Sherwood Forester hauling the Witch Way on time through Deighton @ 13:14 today
Pics here
http://www.huddersfieldsrailways.photos.gb.com/p61347814.html
http://www.huddersfieldsrailways.photos.gb.com/p61347818.html
http://www.huddersfieldsrailways.photos.gb.com/p61347816.html

Full lot (Not for RB etc)
http://www.huddersfieldsrailways.photos.gb.com/c1763441.html

Neil

 

Reported passing Sowerby Bridge at 14:00 without a diesel.
Regards,
john

 

Video from yesterday now uploaded to YouTube;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ZR5vpaQbs

Here's a still at Darwen

 

Thanks to every body involved in yesterdays tour i had a very good day out (preston to preston) i hope Spitfire consider doing more steam tours