Leaving Hellifield 2009
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STEAM
IN THE RIBBLE VALLEY
(includes Preston, Blackburn & East Lancs)
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Near Langho 2010 |
15 December 2011
'Underlines' are not used for links on this page - just click
THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS
Euston to Carlisle via S&C route
Thursday 25 August 2011
MATT CLARKE
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Above & Below
ex BR 7MT 4-6-2 Britannia Class "Oliver Cromwell"
approaches Aspinall's Farm, near Wilpshire, Blackburn
hauling the Cathedrals Express
on its outward journey from Euston to Carlisle via S&C
on 25 August 2011
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PETER BLEASDALE |
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Against the sunny backdrop of Whalley Nab,
ex BR 7MT 4-6-2 Britannia Class "Oliver Cromwell"
crosses Whalley Viaduct in charge of The Cathedrals Express
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With his fully loaded train, "Oliver Cromwell" rushes through Whalley Station
with the late-running Cathedrals Express
to the obvious delight of the waiting photographers.
Maybe there isn't a speed restriction over the viaduct after all?!'
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The Britannia Class locomotive, running with the 'white feather' from the safety valves,
looks in fine condition in charge of the heavily-loaded train
running from London Euston to Carlisle via Settle & Carlisle,
and returning via West Coast Mainline
( Class '86 electric locomotive between London - Preston and Carnforth- London )
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Another view of "Oliver Cromwell" rushing through Whalley Station |
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THE FELLSMAN
15 September 2011
TED BUCKLEY
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The last Fellsman of the season
makes its way purposefully up the bank past Langho station.
The train had been delayed, and did not pass until 19:07,
by which time the heavy skies were causing premature twilight to fall.
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The above photograph is one of many, which are now featured in the
new Gallery, Fellsman 2011, a complete record for varying locations in
Preston, East Lancs and the Ribble Valley.
To access, click here
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THE MERSEY MOORLANDER
PETER BLEASDALE
29 August 2011
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Stainier Class 5MT, no.45231 "The Sherwood Forester"
heads 'The Mersey Moorlander
past the wonderful floral display ( for further examples, click here )
on Clitheroe Station
en-route to Carlisle
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THE CUMBRIAN MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
27 August 2011
PETER BLEASDALE
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LMS 5MT, no.45305, hauls the returning 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'
through Clitheroe Station
en-route to Crewe
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The fireman is happy with his charge as he enjoys the evening August sunshine
whilst the Cumbrian Mountain Express
passes through Clitheroe Station
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Brush Class 47580, "County of Essex", in splendid BR blue,
assists at the rear of the The Cumbrian Mountain Express at Clitheroe
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DEAN WEAVER |
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With the attractive backdrop of Clitheroe Castle,
the Cumbrian Mountain Express, bathed in the summer evening sun,
leaving Low Moor Crossing
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THE FELLSMAN
24 August 2011
PETER BLEASDALE
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'With safety valves lifting, LMS Stainier 8F 2-8-0, no.48151,
draws into Clitheroe Station with the returning "Fellsman"
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With steam leaking from around the locomotive,
the fireman leans out to watch people alighting from the train at Clitheroe.
The passengers on platform 2 have just arrived on the service train from Manchester Victoria
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With safety valves still blowing, no.48151 makes a spirited start from Clitheroe Station
in the hope of reaching the top of Langho Bank
ahead of the next service train to Manchester Victoria,
now reversing at Horrocksford Junction
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THE MERSEY MOORLANDER
PETER BLEASDALE
22 August 2011
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The Mersey Moorlander Excursion, headed by LMS 5MT 4-6-0, no.45305
approaches Low Moor Level Crossing at Clitheroe,
en-route to Carlisle
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THE FELLSMAN
3 August 2011
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| PETER BLEASDALE |
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Stanier 'Black 5' 44932, heading The Fellsman,
bursts under Henthorn Park Bridge, with a good head of steam
to pick up at Clitheroe Station.
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'The Fellsman', steaming towards Low Moor Level Crossing,
looking in fine condition.
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THE FELLSMAN
3 August 2011
DEAN WEAVER
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The Fellsman, hauled by LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 no 44932,
passing Horrocksford Junction
on Wednesday 3 August 2011
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THE FELLSMAN
20 July 2011
DEAN WEAVER |
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| The Fellsman, hauled by
LMS Royal Scot Class 4-6-0, no 46115 "Scots Guardsman"
passing Horrocksford Junction
on Wednesday 20 July 2011
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THE FELLSMAN
25 August 2010
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GRAHAM DUDLEY |
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5690, "Leander", approaching Ramsgreave & Wilpshire
on 25 August 2010
See Gallery 22
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THE CHRISTMAS FELLSMAN
27 November 2010
BRIAN HAWORTH |
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On a cold November morning, Jubilee 5690, Leander, hurries down Langho Bank in charge of 1Z70,
a Lancaster / Preston / Blackburn / Hellifield / Settle / Carlisle / Shap / Carnforth / Hellifield / Blackburn / Lancaster circular
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THE FELLSMAN
15 September 2010
TED BUCKLEY
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Above and below:
"Leander" at Langho
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RIBBLE VALLEY STEAM BONANZA!
August 2010
TED BUCKLEY
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Way back in 1968, the steam locomotive had become 'maschina non grata', and was fast disappearing from the tracks of the modern, forward-looking, snappily-titled British Rail.
By August of that year, the last steam locomotives to run in regular service had carried out their final duties, and the last rights were performed on 11 August 1968 when the "Fifteen Guinea Special" was run.
The Ribble Valley Line was very much involved both in the final duties and the last rights.
Wind the clock forward 42 years to August 2010.
The world has changed dramatically in that time, with the all-pervading Web, Pod-casts, and Apps, the stuff of science fiction back in 1968. And yet...... in August 2010, from the vantage-point of my favourite station on the Ribble Valley Line, Langho, I have been able to photograph no less than FIVE different steam locomotives on regular passenger services, storming hard up the 4-mile 1 in 84 gradient towards Blackburn, and all from classes originating on the former London Midland & Scottish Railway Company, A Jub, a Scot, a Princess, a Semi, and, for good measure, an 8F.
This was made possible by the scheduling of two regular weekly steam-hauled excursions over the RV Line - on Wednesdays, The Fellsman, an out-and-back trip to Carlisle from Lancaster, via Preston, Blackburn, and Clitheroe, and, on Saturdays, a returning Cumbrian Mountain Express, outwards from either Liverpool or Crewe to Carlisle via the WCML, and return, via the S&C and RVL.
A steam bonanza indeed, and really quite astonishing, considering the relative steam scarcity on the RV Line just three or so years ago. And what else has graced the RV Line this year, already? A Black 5, a Brit, the unique Duke of Gloucester, and, most astonishingly of all, a brand new A1 LNER Pacific! If I could have gone back to those dark days of 1968, and told them that all this would happen in 42 years' time.
Ted Buckley
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THE SCOT - 46115, "Scots Guardsman", darkens the evening sky
as she powers up the bank on Wednesday 11 August at 19:19,
with the returning Fellsman.
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THE JUB : "Leander" storms up the bank on Wednesday 25 August 2010 at 19:06, also with the returning Fellsman to Preston and Lancaster.
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THE 8F, 48151, now called "Gauge O Guild", storms through Langho on Wednesday 18 August at 19:08 with the returning Fellsman, cylinder cocks in full flow.
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THE PRINCESS - (4)6201 "Princess Elizabeth" approaches Langho's up platform
on Saturday 7 August at 17:39 with 1Z39 Carlisle-Liverpool.
Some of the many photographers watch from the down platform. Weed-killer train required!
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THE SEMI - (4)6233 "Duchess of Sutherland"
uses her power to ease relatively easily through Langho
on Saturday 28 August at 17:33, with 1Z23 Carlisle-Crewe.
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Above :
Photos, Narrative & Captions by Ted Buckley
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The Border Raider
Thursday 24 June 2010
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TED BUCKLEY
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On Thursday 24 June 2010, Tornado made a welcome return to Preston whilst working 1Z23, "The Border Raider", from Crewe to Carlisle, outwards via the WCML, and return via the S&C and RVL.
She was due to arrive in Preston at 11:02, take water, and depart at 12:01. When I arrived at around 11:30, it was apparent that the train had only recently arrived, as the loco was still attached to her train in platform 5, whereas she should have moved over to platform 7 where the water supply was located.
I noted that the carriages bore old-style roof boards, red with white lettering, bearing the legend "The Royal Scot" - a nice touch.
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Above:
Her front end contrasts with Class 185, unit 185101, on a local southbound service in platform 6.
Below:
Over in platform 7, Tornado takes water, lit by the bright sunshine through the station's glass roof canopy.
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Reunited with her train, Tornado subjects onlookers to the apparently customary shower of high-pressure steam accompanied by an ear-splitting roar. Not a pleasent experience for those in close proximity when she sounds off without warning.
Tornado then awaits the road as the departure time passes.
The water replenishment has been carried out efficiently, and in well under the scheduled time, but as she was not quite ready at the appointed time, it is decided to await the scheduled departure of a northbound Voyager at 12:17 before she is given the all-clear.
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Just three minutes after the Voyager, she is off, under Fishergate Bridge, and away, shattering the peace and tranquillity of the bridge's resident pigeon, seen at the top centre of the photo, being propelled at high speed by the tornado!
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Whilst over on platform 7, the fireman was interviewed by reporter Nigel Sharples
for a feature on internet TV station 'Lancashire One'.
A link to this TV feature, worth viewing, is provided at the end of this gallery
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Later in the day in the Ribble Valley:
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The train, code 1Z24, was due to pass Clitheroe at 18:21 and arrive in Blackburn at 18:43 for a 4-minute operational stop. I reckoned that would give a Langho passing time of around 18:35 , and positioned myself at the foot crossing around a half-mile south of the station accordingly.
The appointed time came and went with no Tornado, just a warm summer's evening, and at 18:51 unit 150272 headed south on a local service. I thought she would follow the local, but at 19:15, to my surprise, Freightliner class 66, number 66510, headed south, grinding slowly up the bank on 19 huge coal hoppers. And I mean slowly!
So I thought that that would be it until after the next local, but, I'd reckoned without our new intermediate block signals, for just over 20 minutes after the 66 had finally heaved its load out of sight around the bend, Tornado appeared.
Unlike her first appearence, in April, when I had been privileged to ride behind her on her first Ribble Valley Line trip, and on maybe the fastest steam ascent of Langho bank I've ever witnessed, this time the loco was being worked harder and running slower. My guess is that she had been held at the new Whalley block-post awaiting the freight to clear Daisyfield.
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Despite the slower ascent, she was being fired efficiently, and there was little trace of smoke as the 13-coach load was pulled smartly up the bank.
It was just a shame for those on board that Tornado had been forced to follow this freight all the way from Carlisle, although I was given to understand that there was almost a full hour between the two trains earlier in the run at Kirkby Stephen. Doubtless the scheduled arrival time in London at 22:50 was not kept.
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To view non-steam photos taken on this date and at this location by Ted, click here
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Return to the Start of this feature
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DUNCAN HOLDEN
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Above & Below
Passing Brownhill, one hour late, viewed close to a bridge spanning the track, and just about to surmount the summit of the challenging Wilpshire/Langho bank.
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To see the TV interview at Preston, click here
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The Fellsman etc.
To view photos taken at Brownhill, and posted on Duncan Holden's own website
" STEAM ENGINES AROUND WILPSHIRE, BROWNHILL & THE RIBBLE VALLEY "
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CUMBRIAN COAST TORNADO
Crewe - Preston - Barrow - Carlisle - S&C - Blackburn - Crewe
14 April 2010
Click below to access the Gallery
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It is to be hoped that further additions to this gallery will be made but, due to the various commitments of photographers, notably at this time of the year, not all Steam Rail Tours will necessarily be featured.
Additional photographs are featured in RVRNews 92 - Summer 2010 - now being distributed to RVR Members
and due to be on sale at selected outlets, as detailed in Gallery 1
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