The Settle & Carlisle

[voyagerdude220]

Hi all,

Today, i went from Preston to Glasgow Central, via the S&C, to get some required mileage over the S&C line, and also between Carstairs, and Glasgow Central.

I was booked on the 11:00 from Preston to Glasgow, returning on the same 9-car set- The 16:10 Glasgow to Birmingham N St.

When I got onto Preston's platform 4, after arriving on a 153+158 combo, at aproximately 10:35-10:40, I spotted Scott from VT, who informed me that he was a TM on the train, and that it was a double set, as booked.

153328 & 158903-Platform 1-10:32 Preston to Blackpool North.
390041- Platform 3- 10:47 Preston to Euston.
390027- Platform 5- Perhaps the 11:47 to Euston?

As the train arrived in Preston, I ran down towards the very front FC carriage (south end) and found only 4 or 5 people there.

Departure from Preston was dead on time, with full throttle running away from stops, from both drivers on the way up.

185107- Platform 4C- 11:00- next Manchester service.

I was very pleased that the driver slowed down a bit as we travelled over certain areas, over the S&C, and also the surprisingly nice Whalley Viaduct.

We were delayed for aproximately 10-15 minutes at Settle Junction, for the 2x156's on a Leeds to Carlisle, to clear the block section.

Like i just said, the train went at a reasonable pace, and slowed down in places along the way, including some TSR's.

57310- Kirkby Stephen T/B

57 "Firefly"- First southbound drag from Carlisle to Preston- 11:05 ex Carlisle /14:47 Preston

57311 Parker- Carlisle T/B at 13:55- I assume it took the 15:11 ex Carlisle to Preston. 390046- 14:06 Carlisle to Edinburgh.

66409 20302 66158 66237? Carlisle Kings Moor at 14:00

After the Carlisle driver change, we picked up speed along the WCML, but came to a stop between Carlisle and Lockerbie for a few moments. The driver got out, and we were away with a straight green, but the driver didn't rev up as normal or go quite fast- something was up. I would see black smoke in the distance, where the line curves right (northbound) towards the north.

It turned out it was just by the line, and I don't know why the delay happened, although we were just before a small gate crossing.

Arrival into Glasgow was 2 or so minutes late.

I had a walk around the main concourse, and the low level station, after buying £4 BOGOF AA batteries from WH Smiths.

334019 15:37 Glasgow to Dalmuir
322485 departed Glasgow HL at 15:20

90034 90036- Glasgow Polmadie at 16:15, along with 390046? The 390 driver had his head popped out of the s/b end cab. 08222 was there at 15:15 on the way north. I could see the 90 sets actually inside the depot on the way north, so they must have been moved outside between 15:15 and 16:15.


Carlisle- 221101 "Louis Bleriot" & 220030 "Devon Voyager"- 07:30 Penzance to Glasgow Central via the "Slow and Clapped out." - I hadn't actually heard of that nickname until today.

I had a great time with Adrian on the return leg- The TM who was with 221107 on both the way to Glasgow, and away from Glasgow. He was very friendly, and let me borrow his track diagram book for the North of Englands/Midlands, which included the S&C, Carlisle Manchester, Liverpool, Rochdale, Birmingham, Leamington etc , so i could follow the diagram, as the Voyagers pleasently travelled towards Birmingham.

I was also joined by a very nice Irish woman, who wanted to "look after me" on the train, and was interested in my hobby.

All in all, it was a great time, 78/10 to Virgin and Northern- All trains ran dead on time through out today, maybe a maximum of 3 minutes late at one point which i didn't really notice at all.

I've been on trains between 10:00 and 20:00 with an hour in Glasgow, yet it went extremely quickly, it was very cheap, and is a source of great mileage!

 

[devon_metro]

I spotted Stuart from VT, who informed me that he was a TM on the train, and that it was a double set, as booked.

Isn't he the one who "pours cuppa after cuppa..."

 

[voyagerdude220]

Isn't he the one who "pours cuppa after cuppa..."

I wasn't with Stuart alot, apart from on the platform before the train came in at Preston, and a few mins after i arrived again at Glasgow for the return leg.

I did actually notice him eating some BK, does that count, but i don't blame them for getting food from the station.

 

[leshuttle]

I just managed to get this shot yesterday as it got me by surprise. It must have been the 15:11 off Carlisle-London. Also noticed a couple of Voyager double-sets earlier on when visiting Settle.

 

[voyagerdude220]

A gentleman in my carriage said that he was doing the 11:00 from Preston to Carlisle (yesterday), and the 15:11 back to Preston.

I may do this myself one day, as I didn't have the option of a Pendo one way, and a Voyager the other, but time will tell.

Next trip: (in just over a week)- Preston to Reading (2 seperate Voyagers), and a good old HST bash between Reading and Somerset via Weston-Super-Mare. (Returning 2 days after, via the WCML with a change at Bristol and Birmingham)

mmm.. I wonder how many miles I'm doing over Easter? I've done at least 40-50 today, with a return Manchester trip.

 

[Aureol]

From your reference to the driver slowing down on certain parts of the S&C, I believe that the Ribblehead Viaduct has a permenant speed restriction of 20mph, as well as a very lengthy TSR in place on the North side of Ais Gill. Plus, the linespeed of the whole S&C is 60mph.
Well, at least, the TSR was in place last time I went down there, stood very bored in the vestibule of a Mk1 stuck between the 6233 Sales trolley (which I had to look after) and the wall, but next to a door , just to extend the brag, I was working on the 'The Dalesman' tour hauled by 6233 for Kingfisher.

 

[voyagerdude220]

From your reference to the driver slowing down on certain parts of the S&C, I believe that the Ribblehead Viaduct has a permenant speed restriction of 20mph, as well as a very lengthy TSR in place on the North side of Ais Gill. Plus, the linespeed of the whole S&C is 60mph.
Well, at least, the TSR was in place last time I went down there, stood very bored in the vestibule of a Mk1 stuck between the 6233 Sales trolley (which I had to look after) and the wall, but next to a door , just to extend the brag, I was working on the 'The Dalesman' tour hauled by 6233 for Kingfisher.

Well when i was on a Pendo, talking to 2 people who had been over the line before me at the time, they said that the driver slows the train down (referring to Northern) when they get to some of the best parts of the line, so you can take photographs over it- The PSR will probably be why.