LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Followers of the postings re the Scarborough Spa will have seen the reference to the Southall to Carnforth path today. Indeed 44871 has yet again returned north. Here passing Acton Bridge after being held on the down slow to allow a following Pendolino to pass.

Normally on a day with temperatures in the high 20s a loco and coach movement wouldn't have much draw but then it occurred to me that in just 4 days time it will be 56 years since BR gave up on standard gauge steam traction with only the 15 guinea special left to run, 44871 was as we all know one of the Black 5s that saw steam out on the network; and thanks to Ian Riley we can still see her hard at work today. And indeed thanks to all who have, since 72, and still do keep steam alive on the network, it's been quite an experience, long may it go on !

 

Isn’t there a limited mileage per annum?

 

I Had heard Ian likes to keep the milage under a certain limit, mostly to do with examinations etc, as he has a limited time span each year to do them, but if yours are the only mainstream engines, I would guess that goes out of the window, The telling factors will be how long they are both out in January for maintenance,
I find it baffling that West Coast have to date not air fitted any other members of their fleet nor , unless they are doing it very quietly, been fitting out their MK1 fleet with CDL,
If either of the Black 5's go down, that only leaves Tangmere, I think the crunch point will be in February, if the fives need a longer period out, and there is no engine, that can operate the air braked stock, It should become clear then, what west coasts plans are long term, if it does not fit CDL to its vac braked stock, , or duel fit some of its steam fleet, it won't have much of the tour market, because organisers will start to look elsewhere, or offer something else,

 

Isn't there an agreed limit when it comes to insurance? I'm sure I read this somewhere, but couldn't tell you where!
We already knew the Riley 5s were probably the best maintained locos anywhere, but this year is probably testing that point a little too well.
I too am very surprised that 46115 & /or 35018 haven't been air braked, surely would have paid for itself in saved hire fees for 44871 alone in a few months, never mind having a static fleet of mainline certified locos, but business sense seems to be a secondary consideration in the last year or so at Carnforth.

 

I'm surprised that said non-airbraked popular locomotives haven't been hired out to preserved lines during the hiatus. They could still travel mainline to lines with a connection and would be popular with enthusiasts. And with the general public subject to local publicity.

 

Well 35018 visited Swanage, has anyone else asked? Agree they would be a big attraction.

 

Difficult to define big attraction nowadays on the Pres lines. Big engines don’t work very hard, seemed less attractive to many. I think if anything you’d want 46115 or 45699, but I also think Mr Smith would be less inclined to lend out his prize locos. 44932 I can’t see that being too attractive, as it is just another Black 5. But who knows?!

 

Thanks, I'd forgotten 35018, presumably supplied on request for the Bulleid event.
Scots Guardsman in particular would be a big attraction for me and would well fit a Stanier or LMS/LMR big engine gala alongside a Jube and Black 5.
I see no reason not to lend out prize locos whilst they are grounded for West Coast Rail use and their operational tickets are running down?

 

46115 would be a draw just on rarity value alone. 35018 proved similar at Swanage, given it's limited visits down south it was the first time many had seen it.

 

It might be worth noting that 44932 was the first Horwich-built member of the class thus making it an historically important locomotive - more important IMHO than any locomotive being part of the 1T57 experience which seems to fixate some people.

 

47848 crossing the A6 at Carnforth, on the little north western line with 5Z51 0940 Carnforth Steamtown to York Holgate Siding (Flhh) 03/08/24.

 

Carnforth has loaned out several locos to the Mid Norfolk Railway in recent years, which all arrived and departed by rail. Including on one occasion in a triple header consist, with a Jubilee, Scot, and an eight freight which I filmed at Grantham.

 

Was that the same rake as used on the Scarborough Spa?

 

It's ok I have my answer.

 

I filmed the return working twice.
Triple Headed Steam, 48151, 45699, 46115, 2nd June 2014:

 

After watching the CME both ways through Long Preston it was only a few minutes drive to Airton Road, Hellifield to see 44871 & POB head over to York in readiness for the next day's Waverley. Currently 44871 is the only available steam loco for WCRC trains in England and is exceedingly busy. I was the second (and the last) to arrive at a sunny but extremely blustery Airton road bridge. The first, a photographer, had seen the train at Ribblehead where he reported the conditions to be overcast and very windy.

After taking water and with a change of headboard 44871 was booked to leave Hellifield GL at 17.15. A couple of minutes early came a blast from the hooter, followed quickly by another, she was on her way, another blast and shortly afterwards she appeared. There might only have been one coach in tow but she was working well and the crisp, even note of the exhaust was delightful as she approached. All too soon it was over, time to pack up and head home. 18C & 2E.

When I arrived Mrs W was back from her afternoon walk and so was Diego; the samosas we were having for tea were not to his liking so he left. Mrs W went out again, hunting for barn owls. She returned as dusk was gathering having seen two and a deer. How fortunate we are to live so close to varied wildlife and rugged countryside. And how fortunate we are to have Ian Riley's Black Fives.

 

I believe that she's running to Southall tomorrow - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U21060/2024-08-05/detailed

I'll be watching from Huntingdon .

 

RTT path now showing as cancelled, perhaps linked to reported cancellation of Wednesday’s Kentish Belle leaving 44871 available for the Dalesman on Thursday.

 

Could well be, Sir.