WCME/CME 2024

Handsome Beast isn’t it? (Love those Blue backed plates as well nice one @Riley)

 

A trip to Oxenholme for me today

 

Is that Gordon saying hello to Chippy? Think it is but can't quite make him out.

 

44871 making a racket at Shap Wells and Birkett Common .

 

Shots approaching the summits of both climbs of Shap and Ais Gill. Have to agree with @sgthompson - sound from the chimney was very good at Shap Wells.


44871 at Shap Wells


Scotch Express

 

Making a fine sight and sound No. 44871 approaches Beckfoot with the northbound 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' with Steve Chipperfield driving, Cameron Overend firing and Matt Miller Guard



In typical S&C weather No. 44871 speeds towards Aisgill summit with the return leg of the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' with Steve Chipperfield driving, Fraser Birrell firing and Matt Miller Guard

 

Belter of a shot at Beck foot with the exhaust playing ball Shep .

 

44871 at Beckfoot & Waitby.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/53535267278/in/datetaken-public/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/53535404009/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

Totally agree. My days of travel on main line steam and reporting on it in my column are finished unless and until things return to normal. I don’t care what anyone says but loco performance does not include being pushed at the back by a diesel.

 

44871 seen from Scout Green through to Shap Well then later at Birkett Common.

 

The weather forecasts "agreed" that for Wilpshire sometime between 15.00 and 17.00 the cloud and/or drizzle would be replaced by light or heavy rain. The train was due at 17.20, so it should be light or heavy rain - oh, goody. Earlier in the day Mrs W had kindly agreed to come along and hold the brolly. For various reasons the first two WCMEs of the year had been delayed but not today, put a Stanier on the front (and a 57 on the back) and it was running early. Although not wishing to arrive too early and have a long wait in the rain we left home in good time and made our way down onto the platform, arriving around 16.50 with the train scheduled for 17.20 - plenty of time!

Much to my dismay my usual spot at the Blackburn end of the Clitheroe platform was already occupied (as it had been 3 weeks earlier) by a guy with a "serious" video camera. Looking across, the Blackburn end of the other platform was also occupied, I had no alternative but to set up wider and to the front of the guy with the "serious" kit. Thankfully only light rain was falling. Sunset was not due for another 25 mins, but the sun was having a day off and with all the heavy cloud the light was poor. In bad light it does help if you can keep head on. The camera was already set for "low light mode" and I was just about to change to manual and perhaps increase the shutter speed when I heard the loco in the distance and only a few seconds later saw it at the bend by the old station. There was nothing to do except to press start and hope.

The loco was making a proper noise, plenty of exhaust and moving quickly, too quickly. In seemingly no time at all she charged through the station, the coaches flashed by followed by the 57 which was not making too much noise - job already done? That was it, all over in seconds, the rain remained light, the light was rubbish and Oswald & Mrs W went home. 11C, 22E and 43mph!!! And that is why the video has a speed blur.

 

44871 at Paddy Lane overbridge and Waitby Rock Cutting (with 47805 and 47810 on the S&C Circular at Waitby):

 

44871 in the beautiful Lune Gorge with the backdrop of the Howgills. (new wooden fence erected by NR removed in PS on the down side)
44871 traversing the edge through Mallerstang towards the occupation bridge at Angrholm not far from the summit.
Fabulous sight and sound from 44871 yesterday at both locations.

 

The Angerholme shot is well thought out, no evidence that the rolling stock is Mk2.