Fellsman tours 2023

Any updates on what is hauling the 1st Fellsman this Wednesday.

 

Royal Scot seems to get most of Saphos's northern trips so that seems most likely. Wouldn't mind seen Britannia given a run over the S&C though.

 

D1935 was doing a fair bit of pushing when 46100 passed Lunds 19 down.

 

Same at Blea Moor Alan but running under yellow’s.

 

Passing Jack Green this morning.........

 

"And now for something completely different!" My usual haunt for the morning Fellsman would be Chapel Lane at Hoghton, but not today. After checking the weather forecasts, "mainly cloudy with perhaps some limited sun", I decided to go to Brownhill for the climb away from the Blackburn stop. I wanted cloud as on a sunny day the sun is on the "wrong side". It was still cloudy when I left home, but the clouds were breaking a little. After arriving, with 30 mins to go, it was still more cloudy than sunny. As the minutes ticked by the cloud dispersed and we had wall to wall sunshine. It was now too late for Plan B.

46100 appeared, plenty of exhaust on what was a still and cool morning. A good strong exhaust beat. The sound grew louder and louder, crisp, purposeful - lovely. A wave to and from someone on the footplate - thanks. The loco blasted past and away towards the summit, the smart looking carriages followed and then the class 47 (D1935), seemingly contributing little or nothing to climb. 11C and a gentle but cool breeze, 4L & 33mph.

Next stop either Settle station or Horton in Ribblesdale station, yet to be decided depending on time and traffic. There were no holdups and Horton in R was in easy reach, so Horton it was. When I arrived there were already 2 or 3 regulars in residence (including Idris). After setting up it became apparent that something was amiss. 46100 had departed the Chatburn water stop RT but then "had gone missing". It appeared that 46100 was held before Hellifield to allow the late NT service from Leeds to Carlisle to retain its path in front of the Fellsman. Leaving Hellifield 14L, 46100 was held again before Settle Jn to allow the service train to clear the section. 46100 passed Settle Jn 21L. On the plus side, the southbound cement train, that could have "got in the way" at Horton had long gone.

It was pleasant waiting in the warm sunshine but as we waited the clouds gathered and finally the sun was gone. Not long after came the sound of a distant Stanier hooter, then a heavy exhaust beat and Royal Scot appeared, approaching quickly, very quickly. A grey exhaust shot from her chimney but was swept backwards above the carriages. A wonderful cacophony of sound as the loco hammered past, the carriages trailing in her wake. Then came the 47, although there was plenty of chuff-chuff (sorry, chuff-chuff-chuff - 3 cylinders) from the front there was plenty of brum-brum from the rear. Still spectacular though. 12C, 20L and 54mph (and I thought it was uphill). It didn't take long for the train to disappear into the distance. (There was to be a going-away shot but Oswald was a bit too enthusiastic with the zoom.)

 

46100 with the return Fellsman 17.05.23.

 

Footage of 46100 at Blea Moor and Waitby Rock cutting.

 

N0. 46100 'Royal Scot' working todays 'Fellsman' through Langcliffe northbound to Carlisle (the sun came out as the last coach passed)



'Royal Scot' working the return 'Fellsman' over Aisgill viaduct



Heading for the summit

 

46100 seen from Ribblehead Station through to Blea Moor and Waitby Rock Cutting.

 

Cumwhinton on the return.


Royal Scot at Cumwhinton

 

D1935 was certainly doing some work through Lunds this morning, maybe trying to pull back some time, but on the return the Scot was definitely doing its stuff.

 

This morning may have been something different, but this evening Oswald reverted to type, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire - the place of my dreams. Mrs W was available and we headed over. The afternoon had been sunny and I planned to film from the bridge beyond the summit, but now it had become dull and overcast, the light in the deep cutting would be flat.

Reluctantly I opted for the station platform (not too reluctantly). We were at the Blackburn end of the Clitheroe platform. The Fellsman was due through at 18.58, at around 18.50 a station announcement said that the delayed NT service to Clitheroe would be arriving soon. A check on RTT suggested that it would arrive at 18.53 and depart 18.55; RS had left Clitheroe RT and with a diesel on the back could potentially arrive early and pass behind the stationary unit - surely not! The service train rolled into the station, the guard leaning from his window told those waiting that he would "get it out the way as quickly as he could." 20+ passengers left the train but it was off down the hill in double-quick time. Thank you Mr Guard.

A couple of minutes later the Scot could be heard, then she appeared. The look and sound of the exhaust suggested there was plenty of hard work coming from the loco. It was a pleasure just to watch and listen to a powerful locomotive drag a heavy load up and over the summit (and may I never tire of witnessing it). What the 47's contribution might or might not have been at any point on the climb we will probably never know. 14C, 1L & 23mph.

 

'The Fellsman' hauled by LMS 7P No.46100 'Royal Scot' on the 17th May 2023. Seen passing Jack Green, Helwith Bridge and Low Frith.

Video Available Here

 

On the approach to Blea Moor Tunnel and then on the return through Angrholm.

 

Plenty of good old-fashioned clag on the climb at Birkett yesterday. I was surprised to be the only one there, apart from a guy from Ohio who is over here on holiday videoing our railways.

 

Plenty of that northbound, but it was taking it easy on the return.

 

46100 Royal Scot at Horton in Ribblesdale 17thnMay 2023

 

Two shots from a pretty dull day, Helwith Bridge for the outbound,
"The Fellsman", 17/05/23.

and then Garsdale for the return, however by this time the Woolley weather front had moved in!
"The Fellsman", 17/05/23.

Anyone who has visited Garsdale must have seen these sweeties, they brightened up my day...............I luv em!
The Garsdale donkeys, 17/05/23.