Fellsman 2024

The weather forecasts were, as they often are, unhelpful, sunny or cloudy with a low/high chance of showers but both agreed that it would be cool with a stiff westerly breeze. I considered the usual locations but as I had not watched the A4 climb towards Brownhill I settled for there. It is less than ideal in the morning if the sun is out as it is on the "wrong" side.

A few minutes before I was due to leave I opened the curtains to find that Diego was already waiting less than patiently on the window sill. I opened the door and he headed straight to the kitchen for a drink and something to eat, once satisfied his usual custom is to sit on my knee for a few minutes and be stroked - much purring! Today I did not sit down so he followed me around, waiting until I did sit - but I didn't. Thankfully Mrs W appeared and he switched allegiances - so much for loyalty.

When I parked, a youngish guy with camera and tripod was already there, he chose a spot down the bank on the fence line. I stayed in my favoured location up on the tarmac of the pavement. Once ready we chatted briefly, he had already seen the train at Runcorn. (From the post on NP it appears that this was @black5, nice to meet you Lee.) Although RTT showed the train was 10E at Mill Hill it must have been held at B'burn Bolton Jn and was 1L into Blackburn to pick up passengers. It left Blackburn 3L. It had remained cloudy for much of the time that I had been waiting with only very brief sunny intervals as the clouds scudded along in the westerly wind. With the train due imminently the clouds parted and the sun shone. A glimpse skywards showed that the next clouds were some way away - ah well, mustn't grumble!

Some white exhaust drifted across from behind the distant trees and a couple of minutes later came the first glimpse of the distinctive shape of the A4. It seemed to take an age to approach on the long straight, plenty of white exhaust which at times was swept away to the east by the wind. Just as the exhaust was carried away so was the sound until the first feint but distinctive swish of the Kylchap could be discerned. The sound grew louder, Sir Nigel was definitely working hard up the 1/162r gradient. As 60007 drew nearer I gestured to the driver for a blast on the whistle and got one - thanks, very much appreciated. I love the sound of a chime whistle and full marks to whoever chose to position the whistle in front of the chimney so that the steam divides - magic. The carriages passed and so did the diesel on the back which was "doing nothing"; a load of 15+ for Sir Nigel.

As I was packing up it clouded over and some fine rain began to fall. By the time I got back to the car, 20 yards away, it was raining and by the time I got in the car it was raining hard. Lucky Oswald! (Note for Shep: the WD40 remained in its holster.) 9C, around 9L & 35mph.

In the rain the temperature dropped to 7C - flamin' June!! As I have been "absent from my post" for several days recently I was unable to chase the train up the S&C. I hope to be out this evening for the return.

 

Very unsettled weather today, but the cooler temperatures (13 degrees maximum this afternoon) were very welcome for photographic interests.

Scotby Shield on the return...


Sir Nigel Gresley at Scotby Shield

 

60007 heads north with the 05.06.24 Fellsman - no sun, but an absolute downpour had just ended,,,


Return working - still no sun...

 

Jack Green, Hellifield and Angerholme.

As usual, just iPhone grabs, whilst out with the camera

 

No you’re not mistaken you can see the fence below in the going away shot. In full view of the signalman and publishing it on YouTube! Some people really shouldn’t be let out alone.

 

Sunshine and showers on the S&C today as A4 class No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' works today's 1Z46 'The Fellsman' through Selside towards Ribblehead and on to Carlisle



With a moody Wild Boar as a backdrop A4 class No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' works away from Lunds Viaduct on the approach to Moorcock Tunnel with the return leg of 'The Fellsman' to Crewe

 

60007 seen this morning from Sheriff Brow with kind permission from the farmer and Birkett Common on the return this afternoon.

 

The camera really didn’t want to play ball today at the other locations, but Helwith came out alright

 

Excellent sequences Nige!

 

I got most of my jobs done and so was free to see the return working. (Jobs done, or not there was little doubt that I would be turning out.) Diego went home in a huff when he saw what we were having for tea, pizza. We were forgiven as he returned and is now asleep upstairs.

The wind had strengthened throughout the day and had to be factored in to my chosen location. It was always going to be somewhere on Wilpshire Bank, I had thought of the bridge on the Blackburn side of the summit but even with sun, at this time in the evening the cutting is a dull place and it would be windy on the bridge. R&W station? ("Not again!", I hear you cry). I share your despair, but yes. This time the Clitheroe end of the down platform, sheltered from the worst of the wind with the evening sunlight filtering through the trackside trees. I had to arrive early as it could be a popular choice. I travelled alone, Mrs W had been out most of the day, socialising and later watching her woodpeckers and now she had some jobs to do.

Down onto the platform and my chosen spot was free so I wandered down and readied myself. RTT showed Sir Nigel had left Hellifield but had yet to arrive in Clitheroe. The late running Rochdale to Clitheroe service train came and went, at least that was out of the way. Another check on RTT showed our train had left Clitheroe 1E, the preceding Rochdale Flier was long gone, so it was all systems go. The train was booked to have a 15 min wait at Daisyfield Jn, not the most scenic of spots and certainly not an incentive to try to gain time.

It was just a matter of waiting, the wind swished the leaves on the trees, a sound not dissimilar to the sound of an A4's exhaust. Sir Nigel was scheduled to pass thro' the station at 19.06. 19.06 arrived, 19.07 . . at 19.10 a copious cloud of white exhaust was swept into view from around the distant bend. The A4 appeared, white exhaust shooting skywards before being swept to the right by the wind. As the 3 cylinder swish from the loco chimney grew louder it exceeded the noise from the leaves in the trees until it became the only noise that you could hear, and what a noise it was. 60007 passed by, a wave from the fireman taking a well-earned break from his duties. The A4 hissed and swished her way through the platforms and on towards the summit, the coaches trailed obediently behind and finally the 47. 12C, 5L & 25mph. Very enjoyable, but no chime whistle! (Diego has now left the building.)

 

Lazonby northbound:



Hellifield Green on the return:



https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/

 

Footage of 60007 crossing the WCML at Norton heading for Chester against the slowly setting sun this evening, along with a shot of D213 in the same place but in much worse conditions half an hour earlier.

 

Stunning. Two places I had planned to go today and have both a miss

 

Very nice. Good to see you today.

 

On the return in blustery conditions at Birkett.

Not had time to do any other edits yet, and I'm shagged out after a long, but very enjoyable shift.

 

Trying to find some much needed protection from the wind blowing in from the west the A4 is seen on the approach to Birkett Tunnel. Fabulous sound from 60007 on the approach.

 

It's the correct and indeed, the only format for YT 'shorts' though. Also, max. 1080p.

 

YT should be jointly charged, with the added charge of encouraging an offence.

 

Langho foot crossing yesterday evening.........

 

Helsby just before 9pm, lit from light reflected off white cloud above.