Northern Belle 2024

Times show a 30 minute layover at Hellifield. I think you're looking at the Realtime column where RTT makes some assumptions that time can be saved in the path.

 

34067 running early at Woodhouse.

 

Armathwaite...


Tangmere at Armathwaite

 

Early morning sunshine gave way to rain (again) but a little after lunchtime the rain stopped and the skies brightened. The forecast was an improving one, intermittent sunshine would gradually be replaced by full sun by late afternoon. I did venture out to see some of the LSL's diesels that were running around here in the Northwest (separate post to follow). One thing I did notice was that there was still a blustery wind.

Diego had come in around 8am and appeared to have already eaten his breakfast at his "other home" but did manage a drink and a light snack before settling down on my knee for a bit of stroking. He loves it but will insist in digging his claws in and he is very warm (great in winter). Eventually he settled down upstairs and remained there until Oswald Jnr let him out around 15.30. After watching the diesels Oswald Jnr and I had our tea, Mrs W had gone out for a walk and would have hers later.

I had no special plan formulated, it would be Wilpshire (again). I left in plenty of time; there had been a couple of significant traffic hold-ups when I'd been out in the afternoon (both of which could persist) and being the NBelle there was ample slack in the path to run early from Hellifield. I arrived in plenty of time and decided to head to the north end of the Clitheroe platform, where the sun stays longest. As I walked down the ramp the guard of the Clitheroe train that had been waiting in the platform closed the doors and off it went - one less thing to worry about! There was only one person on the platform, a regular, we had a brief chat and I wandered off to prepare. A very late running (180L) class 66 light loco made its way up the bank - us next! Tangmere was on her way, 4E off Clitheroe, she was due at R&W at 18.21 allowing for the 4E and a bit "pinched" from the schedule perhaps 18.10ish.

A liitle before 18.12 came the crisp sound of the approaching Tangmere and shortly afterwards came into view. The exhaust, a textbook translucent grey, shot skywards, Tangmere sounded crisp as she worked hard up the bank, a feather at her safety valves. The patches of evening sunlight that slipped between the trackside trees shone on the loco before she reached the shadow that by now had engulfed the station. The coaches shone as, each in turn, they too were bathed in the sunlight before they slipped by and bringing up the rear 57.313 pushing but not ridiculously so. The show was over, time to pack up and go. There were only three of us on the station, the regular, me and a guy in a yellow high viz suit - why? 20C, 9E & 24mph (a realistic speed).

When I got home, Mrs W & Oswald Jnr had gone out and Diego was waiting to come in. Our next door neighbour told me that he had been waiting since Mrs W had put him out before she locked the door. I offered to let him in but he would have none of it, he walked away and sat about 5yds along the path with his back to me. About an hour later he came in with the returning Mrs W and is now sitting on her knee!?

 

Very nice Ian,wise man waiting for the sun!

 

Three shots of the kettle whilst chasing the big paraffin can event. Low Gill, and Hellifield:

 

As Tangoman didn't appear I take it he's still recovering in hospital? Regards Harold

 

Apparently, despite the use of forceps (and long-nosed pliers) they are still having difficulty removing the can. That's how we Tango people in Oswaldtwistle!!

 

Tangmere blasting through Oxenholme on the northern belle, running early again. 17/08/24.

 

34067 near Carnforth , Greengate and Birkett Common.

 

SRBB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' working the 'Northern Belle' over Docker Viaduct on the climb to Greyrigg and onwards to Carlisle with Steve Chipperfield driving, Matt Southwell on the shovel and Steve Adams Guard, the crew will also work the
return to Preston


'Tangmere' working the return 'Northern Belle' over Aisgill Viaduct towards the summit and onto Preston

 

34067 seen departing Carnforth then later from Greengate and Birkett Common.

 

After a "no show" for the returning Scarborough Spa Express Oswald was in need of a steam fix. (The SSE ran to time, but after a day of continuous rain and dark skies and with the train timed thro' Gargrave only 20mins before sunset, Oswald stayed at home.) I was engaged on taxi duties just before lunch so that ruled out today's northbound leg. The usual NB steam route almost passes my door, well Wilpshire, but these are unusual times and Tangmere was needed for tomorrow's Waverley and was coming off at Hellifield and heading to York. If steam was not going to come to Oswald then Oswald must go to the steam!

After a lot of head scratching, I settled on Kirkby Stephen or Ribblehead, both involve a drive of around 90mins each way, although Kirkby Stephen is a considerably greater distance most of it is on motorways. When the satnav showed congestion and delays around the M61/M6 junction, I steered clear of the motorways and headed for Ribblehead. As the time to leave home neared there was only me and Diego left in the house. After a hearty breakfast he had already slumbered peacefully for around five hours. I allowed myself plenty of time to waken him and get him on his way, I finally had to tempt him with a couple of small pieces of cooked chicken, his favourite.

I stopped around Helwith Bridge to check the train's progress on RTT; my phone has no service around Ribblehead. I parked up by the station to have a recce. I was planning to go on the bank at the side of the quarry road but the spot was too exposed to the gusty wind. I headed across to the sheltered northbound platform. A Leeds bound train came and went taking with it plenty of outdoor types who had been cluttering up the platform. 5L due to a speed restriction on an embankment advised the station announcement. More worryingly several outdoor types began to wander across to "my platform", a Carlisle train was due at 16.37 with Tangmere due south at 16.46. On seeing me with my camera the first few kindly moved further down the platform (without being asked), inevitably one or two didn't. It would be much better if the service train came, gathered up its passengers and left.

Of course that was never going to happen, Tangmere appeared in the distance and, with a shrill whistle, trundled onto the viaduct. At this point I could hear the rails ringing as the service train approached. How was this going to play out? Quite well actually, I had failed to appreciate the limits of the single line section, the Carlisle train was held at the signal at the south end of the Carlisle platform until Tangmere had left the section - Oswald needn't have worried. We got a couple more whistles as the NBelle approached and with the foot crossing now in view the driver opened the regulator. With a crisp exhaust note Tangmere accelerated the train down the bank. 16C & 6E. Less than a minute later the Carlisle train eased into the platform.

I was home a few minutes after six. Mrs W had spent the afternoon picking wimberry, a wearying task, but much appreciated by Oswald - mmm, wimberry pie! Diego has not returned.

 

Cracking first shot Shep and well done for waiting for the sun to appear

 

34067 at Salterwath chasing Braunton .

 

Please sir, can we have our Bulleids back.

Bryan B.

 

God yes .

 

Take them away pleeeeassse!

 

... but we'll keep the clag. Scotby...


Tangmere at Scotby

 

What even the tuned up version 35018? What Philistines you northerners are!!