Winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses 2014

A quote that needs to be shared
" what's wrong with a 57 anyway " sheff, WCME, today.

 

Chuck him off the train.

 

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Sounds like he's been at t'ale again!

Tell Ralph & Belle1 to sort 'im out Lol!!

 

Storming at Scoutgreen, Ambling over Aisgill

 

Great sight and sound at Salterwath this morning and slogging up to Ais Gill summit this afternoon. Looked like the crew had to take great care to nurse her over the top - well done and thanks to all. Video wont be up till Monday when we finally get home.

 

It exists.

 

Now if he was on about one of these 57s…………….
http://www.worldrailfans.info/Articles/Europe/GermanSteamImages/Wurttemberg/57-301.jpg

 

The other star of the tour 86259 seen here at Rugby not so long ago. Looking forward to my trip next week
Click to enlarge

 

Nice.

 

FFS !!!!!!!!! Misquote of the day - he clearly works for the Daily Snail. ADB968008 said that diesel followers don't like 57's, to which I replied "what's wrong with them, why are they worse than any other box?" And to think I left him the last bottle of ale, AND took the top off for him, as I was the only one bright enough to bring a bottle opener. Mind you, it was a McEwan's

 

Going well on a wild and windy day on the climb to Salterwath.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/12703780983/

on the return at Crosby Garrett

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/12706211023/

 

Here is my footage from Wilpshire

 

reply to Spamcan's #409. System isn't including quote for some reason ?
Possibly you had inside knowledge on who is who and what beer they drink ?
Good to finally see what Ralph looks like, though his recent temporary Avatar was a clue,

 

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story

Fast journey back into London, arrived a good 10 minutes early nice end to the day.
Saw the proud owner taking a picture of his loco at Euston.

All round good day it was a tale of 2 engines.. it stormed up shap, and in the last mile even opened up a bit more and accelerated over the summit all round excellent performance.
The other way was a real struggle 20s-30s slogging slowly all the way back losing time as it went low as 19mph at one point… Ralphw can maybe share his memory map from the day so we can compare performances.

No complaints, no real delays and good all round trip, I do hope they find a nice alternative routing for 2015 (S&C closed for repairs).. maybe 86 to Stockport, round denton, new curve at Todmorden, Copy Pit, Blackburn, Preston, Carnforth, Hellifield, Blackburn, Sough, Manchester, Miles Platting, Denton & Stockport perhaps ???

Its clear theres been a lot of work on drainage taking place on the S&C, and thats an understatement miles of embankment has been graded and filled with stones/casing etc.. though there was also several parts where the beer bottles started sliding towards the window..whilst on a straight !

 

Had a great day yesterday meeting up with the lads after my recent absence from being involved in anything preservation related. A good selection of beer and good banter throughout the day and a good run over Shap. I left the tour at Blackburn to return home and whilst waiting at Wigan for my last connection I got a phone call reminding me I was supposed to be meeting up with a few mates for a fiftieth at 7pm and where was I??? So in the front door at 8pm and out again 15 mins later... Though I was back home before 11...

Thanks to RTC and WCR for a good trip all round.

Also thanks to those who stood in the wind and rain and have shared their lineside photos and videos of the tour.

2 out of 4 on the quiz Ian, Ralph had the Old Brewery Oatmeal and Old Empire for myself

 

Great report, almost as good as being there,

 

Yes indeed a very good day. 46115 was quite superb on Shap passing Scout Green at 36.2 and after speed falling to 32.1 at MP 36 and to 30.7 at MP 37 we actually accelerated to 32.1 at the top of the 1 in 75 at MP 37.25 and to 34.1 at what used to be taken as the summit. Top drawer for a class 7 on 465 tons. Dropped a couple of minutes overall despite some good 75 mph running down to Carlisle but this is a very tight schedule better suited to class 8 haulage.

Yes Ais Gill was a bit of a pain but the climb is now plagued by temp RS and the weather was awful, unlike Shap where it was good, though damp. I thought the climb to Wilpshire was also good lower down but a bit of a slog towards the top.

86.259 completes a great package by RTC and we certainly chose the right day even if it was a very long one

Don

 

Despite the awful conditions LMS 7P Class 4-6-0 Scots Guardsman makes a fine sight as it heads towards Shap

 

Cracking shot Shep in less than ideal conditions .