6201, The Waverley, 01.04.10

Yes, she's gone to Thornton.

 

What lack of passenegers? The train was over haldf full when it left Liverpool and completely full from Preston. Those who chose to cancel missed an unlikely to be repeated day, deep snow, blue skies, a roasting hot train and a good performance from "Lizzie".

 

Ralph is right, you would have to think long and hard about leaving your car near Lime Street, the early start would mean that public transport would be a bit scarce. Much better to join at Preston and still have your wheels rather than pander to someone's desire to see faces at windows going through Edge Hill. Not exaclty scenic is it that bit?

 

Probably under the circumstances it would have been better to start the whole thing off at Preston rather than Liverpool. My comment was based on the YouTube vid that looked like a lot of empty seats. I'm really pleased the tour filled up at Preston making it viable. Joe Public who cancelled probably saw 06.40 and thought "no way" then cancelled. I would bet that if the revised tour has said 09.30 Preston there would have been less impact. Still it freed up capacity for others at preston.

 

Doesn't seem to be a problem when Fellsman and Welsh Mountaineer are on adjacent platforms at the same time on a Wednesday in July and August... Fellsman picking up from Lancaster and WM starting... Preston is a busy station, but no more or less than Lime Street or Wigan

 

What a fantastic run from Lizzie yesterday - truly excellent. The last time I saw Lizzie on Shap and Beattock on the same day was in 2006, and remains one of my standout mainline moments, and this is right up there with it. Who'd expect snow and sun in April? Only Tom Fool.... Running about 15 down on Shap (not Lizzie's fault i understand), this lateness was maintained but not extended until I last saw the train (departing Abbington).


Lizzie + 12 up Beattock takes some beating, and she slogged slowly towards the summit, with a Voyager very close behind. Video to follow.

 

What a fantastic location and a great photo!

 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=319503&nseq=2

6201 just South of Carstairs on Thursday

 

Nice pic Jack. With the westerly wind and the timings it was running to, I was in half a mind to head for Float or Pettinain, but thought Lizzie probably wouldn't have steam on down the hill. Good to see she had enough out the pot to give the shot some life, also good to see you're still alive, as we don't hear much from you on scot-rail these days

 

I was on this tour, and 34 photos can now be viewed here:

http://andrewstransport.fotopic.net/c1832965.html

Cheers

AN

 

Thanks alts 1985, first time i had been there myself.

 

My video from Thursday now up at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAF7SfMdXlY

6201 Princess Elizabeth hammers over Shap and Beattock with the RTC's Waverley special from Liverpool to Edinburgh on April 1st. Lizzie is seen nearing Shap Summit; tearing through the lowland (but still generally uphill) section south of Lockerbie; 2.3 miles from Beattock Summit (a summit reached by 10 miles of 1:75/80); and departing from the loop at Abington following a pathing stop. Super engine, super weather, super day.

 

Absolutely superb coverage. Lovely weather conditions and the usual fine form from 'Lizzie' made for some top notch footage.

 

I was on this tour and I can only say it was superb in every way! (only just woken up after doing the Royal Duchy tour, it's been a hectic few days!) I was 7 coaches back but could hear Lizzie clear as a bell when she was trying. The climbs of Shap & Beattock were superb, very much like it would have been back in the day.

We dropped some time outside Oxenholme - were I'd hoped for a specacular passage - because there had been a "fight" on the train in front and it was waiting for the police to attend! You couldn't make it up.....Anyway after the looping at Grayrigg we away in fine form. There was a bit of a stagger aroung the Edinburgh suburban line but otherwise trouble free. My thanks to everyone who put this tour together; how long, I wonder, will it be before I can do Liverpool - Edinburgh with steam again?

AK.

 

Thanks Ralph - a superb day for Mainline steam.

Thanks very much - really appreciate your comments. The day will be well remembered.

 

fantastic video linesider, just watched it myself particularly the film from north of the border is great stuff.

 

Some great pics and vids already posted of a cracking run by crew and loco. Here's my contribution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64gh3u7ezao