15th January 2000

Hertfordshire Rail Tours
The Wensleydale

Route :

Source : David Clark
(joined/left train at Peterborough)

Tour review and timings (by David Clark) :

This was my first train trip of the new millennium. We arrived at Peterborough In plenty of time for the tour and to see what was going on in and around the station. During our stay there was a period where we saw two freights in five minutes with 58005 and 60059 "Swinden Dalesman" both heading down the Ely line. Why didn't we have that 60 loco for out last tour we asked ourselves?!? As the last tour I went on was to Swinden Quarry, but this tour again by Hertfordshire Railtours was to the Redmire branch or "Wensleydale".

Gen from Brush 4 quoted locos were 86417 to take us to York and 47749 "Atlantic College" from York. Sure enough just before 10am 86417 turned up with the green Mark 1 RCS set. The 86 was required so that wasn't a bad start to the day.

Departure from Peterborough was spirited, and as we passed the depot 66001, 66049, 58025, 58029 and 58047 were noted. Having seen 58005 earlier in the day I wondered to my self why are they getting rid of these 58s. If the rumours are true they will not survive 2000.

We had a non stop run to Doncaster and as we approached it was clear that there were a number of coal trains in the area. On Doncaster Carr was noted 66047, 66143, 56089, 37714, 37203, 58012 and 58027. In and around the Doncaster areas was 56071 (Light Engine), 56051 on coal and 56114 again on coal.

The 86 flew through Doncaster and as we approached Holgate Bridge in York 66113 was waiting as the second loco along the branch. Arrival at York was at 11.13 (2 early). We left the train to see both the 86 and 66 and to wait for the 47 to arrive. Sure enough it was 47749 "Atlantic College".

As we waited 66062 headed south with coal while 56051, which was previously seen at Doncaster headed North on the avoiding line.

Departure from York was at 11.41 and as we passed the wagon works there were a number of EWS flat wagons which were for their container business and some steel coil wagons in and around the area. The journey up to Northallerton was steady. Again we passed 56051 and we also saw 66038 and 66504. Arrival at Castle Hills Jct was at 12.16 (3 late).

Departure came within 2 and as we headed on to the branch we realised it was going to be one long crawl. The scenery in parts was beautiful, and the stations along the line which were turned in to houses also looked good.

It became clear as we went further down the line that there was plenty of snow on the hills around us. The countryside looked peaceful and it was really amusing seeing the sheep run away from the train. It was clear that many people had come out to photo the train. Bedale and Leyburn seemed to be the biggest towns passed with again big crowds in attendance. Arrival at Redmire was at 13.53 (30 mins early). At Redmire we were able to see from the train the MOD area and the former station. Departure was at 14.09 and on the way back somebody in one of the houses on the line side had put up a barrier declaring that people should stop videoing as it was private property!!!

On the return I noted how big Leeming air base looked from the train. Arrival back at Castle Hills Jct was at 15.41. Negotiations took place between the various parties for a path as we were some 45 minutes early. During the 9 minutes break 66101 was seen on a southbound intermodal. Gen reports suggested it could have been the Mossend - Wembley train diverted as a result of Settle and Carlisle diversions.

We departed Castle Hills Jct and were soon in our stride. Just after Tollerton we were switched to the slow tracks to allow a couple of trams to overtake us. Arrival at York was 43 early. During the break at York we found Collectors Corner and had a look at the items on show. Toton and Stewarts Lane depot plaques were available at £220 while a Frodingham shed 36C was available at £90.

We boarded the train and we departed on time. It was clear that the driver was not going to slow down unless we had to. During the journey south there was very little brake applications and speeds were high all the way back to Peterborough. At Peterborough the locos hadn't changed, although 58005 had returned from East Anglia.

The train arrived at 19.55 and we left feeling again that it had been quite a good tour. One criticism not of the company but the atmosphere is a lot better where there are link minded people. Some of the people were just out for the day out and this was seen when one of the participants was dressed in a suit and bow tie and only seated in second class.

Arrival back at Scunthorpe was around 10pm having got stopped at Collingham Level Crossing to allow 56117 on an engineers train to go towards Lincoln.

Verdict: Nice route, nice heating in the train (it was like a sauna!!) and I am getting to think that sheds are rateable traction!

Route, Distances and Timing's (Booked & Actual)

Key;
a : arrival time
d : departure time
L : loco change
r : reversal of direction
/ : passing time

All distances, in miles and chains (M & C), are taken from the timing sheet given out on the train. No attempt has been made to verify the mileages given.

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