Northern Belle 2023

Tangmere was again absent from today's train, but an interesting substitute had been arranged D345 aka 40.145. I had decided that this was worth a look as in days gone by class 40 diesels regularly worked up Wilpshire Bank. As usual, the weather forecasts were as different as chalk and cheese; BBC said an afternoon of sunshine and showers whilst the Met Office opined, dry. In Darwen, apart from a couple of the briefest flurries of light drizzle, it was dry (1 nil to the Met Office).

Over to Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, on the way there was some watery sunshine. As I headed the last couple of miles the sky darkened, ominous clouds gathered - surely not again! I parked up as it began to rain. RTT showed that the train had left Hellifield and was heading for Horrocksford Jn, there was a sizeable gap between service trains and the NB could run early, so no point hiding in the car. As I walked to the station the rain was falling but reassuringly no harder. Onto the platform, the rain continued, still no time at Clitheroe. The rain began to fall harder, time for a brolly (BBC equalise, 1-1). Holding the brolly in one hand and my phone in the other I checked and rechecked RTT for a sign that the train had left Clitheroe. There was no such sign. It was now teeming down and with no Mrs W to hold the brolly I was trying to work out the best way to hold the brolly and get my camera and microphone onto the tripod. As I continued to ponder the rain eased enough to discard the brolly and sort out the camera. The sky brightened and the rain stopped - yes!

A few more people wandered down onto the platform. Still no RTT time for Clitheroe, but sometimes it "appears" later. A distant toot from a diesel horn, then the sound of a big diesel engine working hard, the class 40 was not too far away. Then into sight from around the distant bend, a heavy fug above her roof, thundering towards the station, a good blast on the horn before she reached the platforms. The sound grew louder and louder, seemingly shaking and rattling everything in its path. Young Philip gestured to the driver for another toot - and got one. D345 looked immaculate and sounded spot on. The coaches sailed by and 57.313 pushed away on the back. 15C (12C after the rain), 5E & 26mph. It's not steam but it'll do (for now).

 

Not normally photographing anything other than steam but that headboard is a cracker and can't wait to see it adorning the
smokebox of 'Tangmere'

 

Whistler D345 seen from Salterwath and Birkett Common.

 

A special traction package ending with a rare outing for Mons Meg on the Preston - Coventry leg

 

Does anyone know if this will be steam on 27/5? Is Tangmere repaired or what will be on it ?

Thanks

Steven

 

from ukrail group
Northern Belle have just informed guests that 34067 Tangmere has "a 'valve' fault" which is unlikely to be fixed before Saturday. If it is still lame, it will be replaced by D345.

 

I know it's not steam, but does anyone know if the 40 will be on all day tomorrow or just the 'steam' bit ?

Steven

 

Afternoon paths to and from 10A to Hellifield suggest the class 40 is covering the steam section only.

 

That's what I've seen posted elsewhere.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Last year D345 had to run from Hellifield to Carnforth via Blackburn and Preston as it was out of gauge. Has that restriction now been lifted?

 

It wasn't out of gauge - clearances had only been assessed using a composite profile (basically longest, widest, tallest diesels), which was developed for locomotive classes no longer contained within the Sectional Appendix and resulted in prohibits. It has since been cleared throughout for a specific Cl.40 profile.

JS

 

Posted on WNXXforum.

"Northern Belle Update for Saturday.
Due to a points failure at Carnforth
the train will now run to Preston
where 145 will be attached and work
throughout back to Newcastle via Leeds & York.

Quote CFPS"

I assume that means Preston - Shap - Appleby - Leeds - York - Newcastle. Nice little run out.

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Thanks for info

 

That is what is now showing on RTT:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55373/2023-05-27/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55367/2023-05-27/detailed
What was the originally intended route? Even with (persumably) a longer run up and down the WCML, it is still managing several hours at Appleby.

 

Reversal at Carnforth then 40 off at Hellifield.

 

D345 at Oxenholme .

 

Todays Northern Belle with D345

 

Picture from my phone.

 

D345 seen from Paddy Lane Bridge with some strange interference.