CME - 2019

Yes Scott you're right WCRC diesels look pretty dull

 

Drove two and a half hours, got there, heard the news, saw this, then departed.

Better luck next week I hope.

 

Not often when steam fails that you would rather have a 37 on the front other than a quiet 47

 

Another from Dillicar today, nice to meet you chaps today. Massive shame everything didn't come together......

 

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 23 February 2019 – 47.826 hauling 10

This trip was booked some time ago in the hope that it might be BIL; BIL was confirmed in the letter accompanying the tickets. The morning dawned dry and sunny with a forecast of similar for the day.

I gave Oswald Jnr a lift to Preston station (going to Glasgow). A few minutes after we arrived, Les Ross stopped with the WCME in platform 3 and I boarded coach F, four from the front. We were off and duly arrived in Carnforth loop where it was very sunny. With the agreement of the other passengers at the table, I attempted to open the toplight – jammed, and BIL has such a quiet exhaust. It mattered not, a few minutes later Les (Train Manager) announced that BIL had been failed as both injectors were not working. All had been well at the FTR exam but this morning both injectors failed and despite the fitting staffs’ best efforts BIL could not be turned out onto the main line. Ah, well! I saw Mr Shireman who was also philosophical; these things happen.

10A whistled up a diesel, 47.826 with Steve Chipperfield driving (Steve was the booked driver for 35018). 7L we were off, a short unscheduled stop at Oxenholme but the 47 made short shrift of the schedule and we arrived in Carlisle 4E.

On the return, Les announced that the driver had been asked to run at scheduled speed to allow passengers to view the scenery (the 47 would be capable of running considerably faster). 2E into Appleby and time for a blackcurrant ice cream, we were away again RT. We continued to run to schedule passing Settle Jn SB 4E. We didn’t need to water at Hellifield, so after a short stop in the platform we left 17E. Would we be held at Horrocksford Jn? No! Through Clitheroe 25E, Whalley 29E, Langho 30½E, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire 34E. Whalley to Ramsgreave & W took 6m 28s compared to 5m 44s for the B1+MN (with 1 more coach) 3 weeks earlier .

We were held at Daisyfield Jn, then through Blackburn 30E and eventually stopped in Preston 39E. I arrived home at 18.06 the exact time we had been booked to arrive at Preston.

My thanks to all who planned and operated this trip; it wasn’t how any of us would have wanted it to be – but these things happen. WCRC provided substitute motive power at very short notice. NR allowed us to run ahead of time and arrive back early (at least into Preston). The weather was perfect, the scenery was stunning (as always), lunch at the Woodrow was lunch at the Woodrow . . . The three ladies from Blackpool with whom I shared a table were good company. So, I’ve just marked it down to experience and moved on; no witch hunt required, no-one’s fault. I have no doubt that any underlying problem will be identified and remedied.

Les said that RTC would be contacting all the passengers on Sunday via e mail/letter with an explanation.

Things improved considerably when I got home – the tickets had arrived for next Sunday’s Auld Reekie. Tornado is back, probably, possibly, allegedly . . . we must wait and see (fingers crossed).

 

Yes that’s how we viewed it. My first 47 over Shap since 1967. A good day out in superb weather, beautiful scenery and good company in the ‘gricer’s’ coach at the front. Just a big shame about BIL. The charter was held at Preston until booked time of 1840 so I was glad we had booked advance tickets on the 1902 Pendo to Euston (1st class was cheapest as it happens) and though it left late it was right time Euston and we got home two hours earlier than if we had stayed on the charter. Still a 21 hour day though.

 

Both injectors Al. Dirty water?

 

Both, as you know I was impressed with the 86 and I must be one of the few people who like seeing (and hearing) 47/57,s 'doing their stuff'

 

Nah, crystal clear spring water in t'north. Only the best for our locos.

 

Interestingly they may have cleared the injector(s) a little too late to risk running BIL. Looking toward the coaling tower as we left the loop there was steam lifting from a safety valve.

 

Good luck trying to get information out of 10A. And WHY do we need to know? nothing can be achieved by informing a few enthusiasts on an internet forum the exact nature of the failure. I'm an enthusiast, it's been reported......injector failure. I'm happy to let the loco engineers rectify the problem

 

I got the impression that BIL was a good steamer, the valves got plenty of work when it ran behind Mayflower, it was blowing in Carnforth loop before we started, I think it blew around Shap and it frightened one or two young children in Citadel station when it kicked off.

 

A word of caution if being openly critical of the staff at 10A, but does anyone remember the internet troll who had a pop at them a few years ago. He disappeared in mysterious circumstances, you remember, it was about the same time that WCRC were restoring a tender for one of the Bulleids. Police looked into it but were baffled. I fear that I may have said to much . . . where's the delete button? . . . who's that at the front door wearing a high vis vest? . . . . . .

 

Sorry but I was simply asking the question. Or is that not allowed now?

 

And given the history of class members who have suffered similarly, it was a good question.