The Waverley Tours 2023

60103 being heavily assisted passing Arcow Quarry.

 

A very brief shot of FS passing Helwith Bridge heading North (got soaked doing Tangmere so scuttled off home to dry out!):

 

still white, well it was at Keighley heading North this morning

 

I like the one on the left Peter

 

Sigh! Its a tough job Alan, but someone has to do it.

Peter

 

Thanks in advance

Will this Sundays 'The Waverley' with 60103 be running in the same time path as the 19th November run please

Neil

 

https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U66416&d=2023-12-10

 

thanks

 

Usually I avoid watching "Scotsman" hauled trains - too many people about. With no steam around these parts until the WCMEs I decided to take a chance. Rain was forecast but maybe not until 10.00, FS was due through Gargrave at 09.40 - that would do nicely. I needed some fuel for the car which involved a bit of a detour, so I left home a few minutes earlier. As I went to put my stuff in the car Diego, a neighbour's cat, decided that he would come in for breakfast. Despite my best efforts he could not be persuaded to leave, well that's what I told Mrs W when I wakened her to tell her that I was off out and "the cat" was in - surprisingly she took the news with good humour.

With the car topped up I headed over to Gargrave, at 08.30 on a Sunday morning the M65 was almost deserted as was the rest of my route. I parked on the station car park just before 09.00, with over 40 mins until the train was due. A check on RTT showed that it was 30L leaving York - b*gger!, this had been reduced to 16L at Leeds - at least it was coming down. At this point heavy rain began to fall. I decided that the Fates were against me and I should pack up and go home - not that I had unpacked. The rain eased a little, RTT showed the train was now only 13L. I was here so I might as well stay. A few minutes before the train was due, the rain stopped. I gathered up my bits and pieces and headed to the platform. There was no eastbound trains scheduled so Oswald could "take a walk on the wide side". The light was dire, the sky dull and overcast with the odd drop of rain in the air. One or two people wandered onto the platforms, perhaps 8 or 9 in total.

The distant sound of an aircraft made it impossible to hear an approaching train. The aircraft noise faded and was replaced by the unmistakable sound of a steam locomotive. Less than a minute later FS rounded the curve and headed towards the station. Although there was plenty of exhaust, there was little lift from the chimney and not much sound. She was moving at speed and rushed through the station, the coaches flashed by and on the rear was "Santa's Little Helper" - pushing away. 5C, 14L and 52mph. I packed up and headed back to the car, I'd just got inside it began to rain heavily - lucky old Oswald!

Lunch eaten (lamb stew) and Mrs W has gone out as has Oswald Jnr so it's just me and Diego and he's gone to sleep.

 

60103 with twelve on assisted by 47804 at Selside Cottages.

 

60103 with the return leg seen from the top end and bottom end of Kirkby Stephen old goods yard, unfortunately it goes out of focus on a couple of occasions.

 

She sounds more like a V2 than an A3!

 

Very much inspired by another photographer (as a few of us have been!) No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' passes through Garsdale station on the return leg./

 

Superb dedication Nige although the famous FS sounds a tad off beat sadly.

 

Winston Link or Heiron? Fabulous either way.

 

I suspect Karl will be referring to my good friend Gordon Edgar who captured 60103 passing through Garsdale on 18th December 2019.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/49240365472/

 

I've thought that the engine doesn't sound right for a while. Checking my videos from the 1980s to present day it definitely sounds offbeat

 

Are you sure that it was "on beat" in your 1980s videos as it very often wasn't back then. Indeed what is your definition of "sounding right" in relation to three cylinder Gresley locos? They all become somewhat syncopated as their mileage racks up and 60103 has been a busy loco this year. To me it sounds far more "normal" now than it did earlier in the year after the worn LHS cylinder liner was replaced back in August. Anyway enjoy it while you can because after this week it retires to Shildon to face an uncertain future.

Peter