LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

Wednesday 5th Feb - 5Z52 Keighley - Carnforth
Thursday 6th Feb - 5V42 Carnforth - Southall (VAR schedule for 60mph).

45212 moving to Southall for the RTC tour to York on Saturday 15th?

 

45212 heading for Carnforth, seen at Wennington

 

Black five 45212 and support coach passing Brock working 5V42 1115 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr 06/02/25.

 

45212 seen at Forton as it heads for Southall

 

45212 breezes through Hartford station en-route to Southall on 6th February 2025.



Cheers,

 

There had been a hard overnight frost. There was neither a cloud in the sky nor the hint of a breeze, just the day for a bit of mainline steam - I hoped. There was a booked move from 10A to Southall, timed for a max of 60mph. The word had it that it was to be 45212, having moved from the K&WVR yesterday. With moves like this, you often don't know what will turn up until "you see it with your own eyes", which can often be too late (diesel on front, no steam at all or even, move cancelled). Still, worth the punt of a jaunt over to Leyland.

Mrs W was on cat duties (aka Maisie watch). Maisie, our new rescue cat, is always hungry and on the look out for anything that might be edible. For a small cat she can certainly eat, she gets 3 meals a day breakfast (07.00), dinner (13.00) and supper (19.00) with quantities in line with/exceeding the rescue centre instructions. She would willingly eat and eat and eat, perhaps stemming from her time as a stray - we'll get there, we hope. She does get the odd cat treat as a reward for good behaviour, hers not ours!

With the train due thro' Leyland at 12.29 I allowed myself plenty of time and left at 11.30. The journey along the A666 to the M65 junction can take from a little over 5 minutes to almost forever, today it took 12 minutes. The car park at Leyland station was full with not a single space to be had, so off to a nearby side street where there was just the odd space or two. As I walked via the car park to the station platform a couple of cars were being "ticketed" for parking in disabled spaces without displaying a blue badge.

The sun had "crossed over" and was now shining from the far platform (just). With 30 minutes still to go before 45212 was due and the sun heading further round I made my way over to platform 3. Good news, the contractors have completed their work to extend the southern end of all four platforms and they are now in use. Platform 3 was on the "wide side" and benefitted from the sun but was not without risk. 45212 was due to head south on the up fast only half a minute after the Manchester Airport to Windermere headed north on the down fast - surely not!

A lady wearing an East Lancs Railway badge walked down and stood alongside, we chatted and were joined by a regular photographer who we both knew. Several trains came and went including the Windermere bound train (5E) - whew! Then it was our turn, it was all you could ask for from a light engine move, a whistle, plenty of exhaust and moving at speed on a cool (6C), calm day and only 4L. Nice to see LOSTOCK HALL proudly displayed on 45212's bright and shiny buffer beam.

When I arrived home, a few minutes after 1pm, Maisie was sitting on the window sill looking out, I waved but not a flicker, she must not have recognised me with my hat on. Maisie had already eaten but was stalking Oswald Jnr for a share of his lunch - greedy Maisie!

 

To add to the days pictures of 45212 heading south. Passing the flood plain of the Trent north of Colwich Junction still in nice light despite the efforts of gathering clouds.
Can't add any cat news but I hope the geese were suitably impressed !
Not the planned picture but contractors were at work rejuvenating the old carriage road entrance to Shugborough which I was told will become the main car entrance. A shame as today would have been ideal to photograph it in sun, sadly I predict palisade where there currently isn't.

 

Look, you can't just post about your cat and not provide a photo.

 

There is a photo here: https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/cat-matters.1424568/#post-2912346


Dave B

 

I was not aware of this thread, thank you.

 

Will 45212 be the likely loco for this run on the 15th?.

1Z12 0738 London Kings Cross to York
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U42537/2025-02-15/detailed

 

It will most definitely be 45212. Nothing else there which is why it did the move to Southall above.

 

Thank you Aaron, that'll be my first sighting of her through Huntingdon .

 

2 x Class 33s + stock for Saturday's Pathfinder Verney Venturer from Bristol?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U39545/2025-02-14/detailed

 

A class 47 + 2 Class 33s on all blue grey rolling stock.

Dave B

 

Thanks, but it's running late and I have an appointment with the dentist this afternoon! I know what I'd rather do, but...

 

Two-thirty?

 

Out of curiosity to see what stock was turned out, I did.
Steel Heath south of Whitchurch 4 degrees, easterly wind and very dull. It would have been nicer had the 33s been on the front.

 

Seen earlier at Winwick; one linesider expected the 47 to be on the rear hence the disappointment in the actual combination

 

45212 returning to Carnforth today.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U42545/2025-02-16/detailed

Dave B