Wensleydale steam

The_Rail_WAy · 24 Jun 2018

I have been pining a trip on 'The Wensleydale' for a while now, and not during weekends/school holidays, however, I will only visit when steam is running. The loco borrowed from Llangollen 'Jennifer' has had some issues and been sent away for repairs, she has been for some time now.

Does anybody know if/when she will return or if a replacement will be sought. Would be a shame, as I, like many other enthusiasts am only prepared to visit when steam is running.

RailUK Forums

alexl92 · 25 Jun 2018

They did say on Facebook a while ago that they had a replacement lined up, but then again they promised that when the J72 failed a couple of years ago, and then when people suggested alternatives in the comments they shot them all down.

(Someone suggested that the owner of an Austerity or something similar would be willing to help out, and they said ‘it doesn’t have a big enough water capacity’ even though it could carry more than Joem.)

The most likely rumour I’ve heard is that the NELPG’s J27, currently at the NYMR, will move to Wensleydale for the summer because it will be surplus to requirements - it’s not quite powerful enough to manage the holiday loadings apparently. Makes sense to me if so as a small tender loco would be perfect for the dales - increased range without being way too powerful for what they need.

I thought I’d heard that their wartime weekend would feature two steam engines but I could be mistaken. The Q6 comes to mind, but again could be wrong. Anyone know the last time they had two kettles in operation?

The_Rail_WAy · 25 Jun 2018

Not sure when, if ever they have had 2 steam locos running, alas not many steam locos have even visited the railway. Such a shame as they are missing out on punters, they really are missing a trick. Even if they borrow the J27 it will be time before its running, securing the loco, moving it and trials are needed. By then we will be well into the summer, and I am looking at visiting out of school holiday season and not on weekends.

swanhill41 · 26 Jun 2018

This line seems to promise a lot,but seems to not come up with the goods ....Line too long and money has always been an issue....The way I see it,is line is too long for their ability to run it successfully...Also I think it can still only run one train at a time on the line..Correct me,though I believe it is only now that a passing loop is being put in at Leyburn.

The_Rail_WAy · 26 Jun 2018

Fair point made there, although I myself only prefer to visit heritage railways with substantial legnth - and steam running is a must. I believe the line has a lot going for it providing it can offer a regular steam operation, the scenery and history of North Yorkshire is superb.

BrunswickGreen · 26 Jun 2018

Reading the latest copy of NELPG News I believe the J27 will stay on the Moors running with the five coach teak train throughout the peak season.

alexl92 · 27 Jun 2018

swanhill41 said:
This line seems to promise a lot,but seems to not come up with the goods ....Line too long and money has always been an issue....The way I see it,is line is too long for their ability to run it successfully...Also I think it can still only run one train at a time on the line..Correct me,though I believe it is only now that a passing loop is being put in at Leyburn.

Agree entirely. And it seems it’s only this last year or so with their financial position becoming a little precarious that they’ve twigged that steam is important - but they don’t appear to be capable of keeping even a small locomotive in service for any length of time.

BrunswickGreen said:
Reading the latest copy of NELPG News I believe the J27 will stay on the Moors running with the five coach teak train throughout the peak season.

Sounds about right to be honest...

FWIW - I have been, at times, highly critical of the way this line is run. Please understand that I would love this line to be massively succesful - Wensleydale is one of my favourite places in the whole world and to bring a profitable heritage service to the valley would just top it off for me. But it seems like they don’t really know how to run it properly. That said, feedback on their Halloween/Santa events is usually positive, and I know their Diesel Galas go down well.

But seriously, Enthusiasts will travel to more rural places like this that they may not otherwise visit, and pay the money, if they think it’s worth it when they get there. If the operators can’t even get a semi-regular steam service running for the summer season, they’re losing out on not only these enthusiasts who would enjoy a ride behind a particular engine in scenic countryside but also the tourists who want a ‘steam train’.

TL;DR - I’m all for it but think things need to change.

STEVIEBOY1 · 28 Jun 2018

swanhill41 said:
This line seems to promise a lot,but seems to not come up with the goods ....Line too long and money has always been an issue....The way I see it,is line is too long for their ability to run it successfully...Also I think it can still only run one train at a time on the line..Correct me,though I believe it is only now that a passing loop is being put in at Leyburn.

I think when I was on the line last year we did pass another train at Leyburn.

Worf · 28 Jun 2018

The passing loop is at Constable Burton (no station or facilities here), although another is being added at Leyburn. Very surprised if they survive much longer in their present form.

Crawley Ben · 28 Jun 2018

I believe the ex National Railway Museum boss Steve Davies is involved with the railway now in some form or another so *maybe* he might be able to help turn the railways fortunes around?

Cheers

Ben

plannerman · 8 Jul 2018

I ran along Wensleydale yesterday and crossed the line in several places - there was lots of military activity at Redmire yard, army lads working round the tank loading ramp and a few vans around. Is it still used for military purposes, or were they just training for something? Also there is stock stabled on the road bridge at the very end of the line, looks like coaches under tarpaulins - does anyone know what they are?

alexl92 · 10 Jul 2018

plannerman said:
I ran along Wensleydale yesterday and crossed the line in several places - there was lots of military activity at Redmire yard, army lads working round the tank loading ramp and a few vans around. Is it still used for military purposes, or were they just training for something? Also there is stock stabled on the road bridge at the very end of the line, looks like coaches under tarpaulins - does anyone know what they are?

I believe the MOD do still use the line for transporting equipment to Catterick?

As for your last question, see here:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/stored-stock-at-redmire-wensleydale-rly.159679/

47434 · 16 Jul 2018

Just read on Facebook that the railway is expecting a main line visitor this weekend in conjunction with the 1940's event at Leyburn

They posted last week that the J27 is booked for August.

theblackwatch · 16 Jul 2018

47434 said:
Just read on Facebook that the railway is expecting a main line visitor this weekend in conjunction with the 1940's event at Leyburn

Yes, WCRC are supplying a steam loco for the event. Very rare for this firm to supply a loco to a heritage line so a bit of a 'coup' - they only previous occasion I can remember this occurring was for an event at the Mid Norfolk Railway.

47434 · 16 Jul 2018

alexl92 said:
Agree entirely. And it seems it’s only this last year or so with their financial position becoming a little precarious that they’ve twigged that steam is important - but they don’t appear to be capable of keeping even a small locomotive in service for any length of time.

Sounds about right to be honest...

FWIW - I have been, at times, highly critical of the way this line is run. Please understand that I would love this line to be massively succesful - Wensleydale is one of my favourite places in the whole world and to bring a profitable heritage service to the valley would just top it off for me. But it seems like they don’t really know how to run it properly. That said, feedback on their Halloween/Santa events is usually positive, and I know their Diesel Galas go down well.

But seriously, Enthusiasts will travel to more rural places like this that they may not otherwise visit, and pay the money, if they think it’s worth it when they get there. If the operators can’t even get a semi-regular steam service running for the summer season, they’re losing out on not only these enthusiasts who would enjoy a ride behind a particular engine in scenic countryside but also the tourists who want a ‘steam train’.

TL;DR - I’m all for it but think things need to change.

So how would you run it differently then?

The_Rail_WAy · 16 Jul 2018

As confirmed in an earlier post No. 65894 will be running 2 services per day on the line during August so I will definitely have to take advantage of that, a good acquisition for the railway and an upgrade on the previous small locos that ran the line. News of a visiting loco for the 40's weekend is also good news and its a shame I cant make it - I can only speculate at a possible black 5?

Good to see them focusing on getting steam loco's in, that's what they need to do to get the punters in, I personally, cant wait to visit!

Worf · 16 Jul 2018

theblackwatch said:
Yes, WCRC are supplying a steam loco for the event. Very rare for this firm to supply a loco to a heritage line so a bit of a 'coup' - they only previous occasion I can remember this occurring was for an event at the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Not really that surprising, seeing Smith now owns Aysgarth Station. The start of something more fundamental ???

theblackwatch · 16 Jul 2018

Worf said:
Not really that surprising, seeing Smith now owns Aysgarth Station. The start of something more fundamental ???

Indeed - a benefit that probably wouldn't have occurred otherwise, despite so many vocal people having been against it...

Worf · 16 Jul 2018

Including many who foresee it becoming Smiths own railway (including me!)

unslet · 18 Jul 2018

Just released on the Wensleydale Railway Facebook page regarding this weekend's 1940s event.
Confirmation received 35018 British India Line will be our guest engine.

theblackwatch · 18 Jul 2018

unslet said:
Just released on the Wensleydale Railway Facebook page regarding this weekend's 1940s event.
Confirmation received 35018 British India Line will be our guest engine.

Fantastic, I hope the event is a major success for the line.

Crawley Ben · 18 Jul 2018

unslet said:
Just released on the Wensleydale Railway Facebook page regarding this weekend's 1940s event.
Confirmation received 35018 British India Line will be our guest engine.

Great news for the railway. Hope the event is well supported and enjoyed by all.

Cheers

Ben

The_Rail_WAy · 19 Jul 2018

unslet said:
Just released on the Wensleydale Railway Facebook page regarding this weekend's 1940s event.
Confirmation received 35018 British India Line will be our guest engine.

What a fantastic loco to serve the railway - absolutely gutted I will miss this. Nevertheless, fantastic news!

theageofthetra · 19 Jul 2018

Are they running any special shuttle buses to/from Northallerton for this event- there are only 4 regular buses a day on Sunday

STEVIEBOY1 · 20 Jul 2018

Do Trains still run into the newish platform at Northallerton (West)?

E759 · 20 Jul 2018

Following recent notes of positivity here, I've just booked some reasonable GCR/LNER Advances for 21st August to attend this interesting sounding railway. I'd be quite content with a Teddy Bear - D9523 I assume; the Teddy Bear at the ELR DG showed some awesome acceleration! Quite what the other service motive power will be remains a mystery but that's ok to me. The 121 would be great! Kettles+MK 1 are a bit common to be honest

Note the timetable on the website shows trains running between Leeming Bar and Redmire. A shame but there you go, especially as the bus connections and frequency are not great. Has Uber reached Northallerton yet?

theblackwatch · 20 Jul 2018

The Wensleydale doesn't currently run to Northallerton - it hasn't done so for 2-3 years.

theageofthetra · 21 Jul 2018

Does anyone local got any reliable cab firms that won't rip.me off for the journey back from Leeming Bar- Northallerton on Sun evening? Should be ok with the bus getting there.

Ianigsy · 22 Jul 2018

theageofthetra said:
Does anyone local got any reliable cab firms that won't rip.me off for the journey back from Leeming Bar- Northallerton on Sun evening? Should be ok with the bus getting there.

And there we have one of the main reasons why the Wensleydale struggles. After finding that 35018 was running, I looked into the practicalities of getting there- in theory the 875 Dales Bus from Wakefield and Leeds connects into the 857 at Bainbridge and should allow two and a half hours at Redmire or two at Leyburn. Except that this wouldn't allow anything more than the shortest of one way trips because of the timetable. Going to Northallerton doesn't help, because unbelievably by the time the first 856 arrives at Leeming Bar at 1257, three of the day's four round trips had already departed!

They need somebody with a marketing brain because they could coin it in by offering a round trip meeting the Dales Bus.

E759 · 22 Jul 2018

I'm going mid week in August and the 73 Bus from Northallerton arrives Leeming Bar 9 minutes after the 10:45 to Redmire has departed thus giving a wait of one hour and 51 minutes until the next train... However, all non-rail connected heritage railways pose similar problems to Wensleydale. My trip to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway was almost a brief affair due to late running TPEx and late running 840 Bus. The day was only saved by a Taxi from Malton.

The best transport integration I've come across in 2018 is the Isle of Wight Steam Railway - train connects to boat, boat connects to Underground and Underground connects to Steam - followed by the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway - train connects to bus, bus connects to boat, boat connects to steam. So there you have it, if a heritage railway requires a boat then you're good to go!

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