Part 2
Its Gala Time! !!
Now i must confess, I've been looking forward to this since, I saw the date and the guest locos being added to the roster. My hunch of the 20's guesting from LSL being duds 20096 and 20107, were confirmed but it didnt put me off. Then telling the other half, the slightly bad news about the 20s, I'm met by, well that's fine by me because I need them for haulage I apologised for beiing selfish. Then 56006 not being fit enough was a bit of a downer too but the owners are probably more disappointed, as they will no doubt be pulling out cash they could probably use elsewhere to fix it. Sadly that's twice its had to pulled on my visits, not that I need one, it just gives me an excuse to return again to come and get it.
On reading the allocations, I was disappointed to see D5054 being only available on Brake Van rides on the Thursday, it's not the end of the world but the 24 now falls into the same bracket as 56006. All that aside, I still couldnt wait to ride behind some classic traction. 37703, 40145, and 60046 would be the red penners and 68031 was an all round winner no less.
The alarm goes off at 6am and I'm up and out of bed, the other half looks at me from her slumber, with a look that just echoes, Are you for F#$!$@g Real
Looking for house points I put the kettle on and make us a coffee, forgetting she has tea when she gets up. Oh well, sorry love I forgot seems to be enough, to calm the rather groggy waters. I then disappear outside for a ciggy. Sadly the coffee is ruined by them putrid UHT milk cartons. After weve both showered packed the bags, we head down for Breakfast and a decent cuppa. I ask the reception if it's ok to leave the car here, till around 7pm tonight, despite checking out and the reply was, Yeah no problem, which saves time looking for somewhere to park. The breakfast was beautiful and we were full to the gunnels. Just after 8, we ordered a taxi and we're off.
Around 8.15 I'm stood outside the ELR awaiting a certain Mr Train, who's joining us today. Not long after he comes into view and we all walk down onto the Platform to be greeted by Jock Rail beastie 47765. As is the norm when I'm within touching distance of a 47, I plant a kiss on it.
What a way to start proceedings. Ever the professional, Mr Train, has devised a plan to get almost everything in and that's the plan for the day. Clever lad is Mr Train.
To say 47765 gave a spirited display up to Ransbottom, was slightly under egging it. She was in fine form and I was loving every minute of some tremendous 47 thrash and the noise through Sommerseat Tunnel, was just the job to blow away any early morning cob webs.
Sadly we have to bail at Ramsbottom but the next on offer, is no less a mean machine D345. One of my biggest regrets was not being old enough to regularly have the chance to see a lot of 40s, nevermind travel behind them. By the time o was upwardly mobile on the rails, the 40s were safly being withdrawn at an alarming rate. Only D200, 40013 and 40015 were the only ones I had on the mainline. If you haven't read Mr xots, fantastic, back in the day thread, I urge you all too. Some of the guys travails are eye watering, their tales of riding the 40s, gives me, mega move envy. I firmly believe the Deltics, 37s and 40s, in no particular order, they must be the top 3 of the most popular locos ever introduced in the UK. However I digress.
As expected
D345 has a mega crowd on board but what a noise it made up to Rawtenstall. Some Classic EE thrash was a good way to follow on from 47765. The little trick to vacate to the back coach, allowed us to get prime seats/windows for the trip back down to Ramsbottom. Again D345 didnt disappoint, however folk have cottoned on to this little trick now. However it was time to bail D345 at Ramsbottom.
The next move involved D8096 or 20096 in old money double headed with D9531. We got a seat mid train and even from where we sat, the Chopper and Teddy combo provided some rather relentless thrash all the way to Rawtenstall. That must've been quite a fantastic listen at the drop light window. At Rawtenstall Mr Train and I got off to get a pic of the 20 and readily agreed that was some performance by those driving the locos. The journey back downhill was almost as good when the driver got the chance to pull back the power handle. Not a bad start to this
Gala so far.
Back at Bolton Street theres more EE fun awaiting us. 50015 may need a new coat and new knickers cos the one shes wearing may look clapped out but by, they must be cosy, cos she certainly retains her charm and can excite when it matters. Anyhow who's gonna pay for her new clobber. No sooner had we left Bolton street when she excited all aboard, when she opened her throat and let rip, more classic EE Type noise, the thrash up to and through Sommerseat Tunnel, areverberated round the walls and in through the windows, leading to all 3 of us to purse our lips in admiration. It was a shame to leave her at Ramsbottom but I gave her an admiring pat and thanked her as I walked past. Aye, you've still got it pet.
It was over the bridge and onto another one of guests. I had this wee beasty at the KWVR and she was popular there and judging by today, her popularity hasnt waned any. Albeit downhill it was another fine performance by the McRat. 26007 looks quite stunning in the red stripe rail freight grey livery. Those glorious sulzer tones strumming like hell in the Lancashire sun and its Jock Rail compatriot 47765 on the tail. Takes you back to Waverley in the mid to late 80s. Haymarket leaps or a trip to the Kingdom of Fife with a little sulzer and about 5 coaches at the droplight. Ah the memories.
Now for the red pen event of the day and 60046. Now I'm not hater of the Tugs, this DCR Liveried tug looks aesthetically pleasing. It was required and a massive bonus for me. Those at the ELR do a magnificent job, getting locos like this to the Gala. Yes there is a but sadly, having had 60100 a while back st the SVR Diesel Gala. I have to say I was disappointed then and expressed my concerns to Mr Train about that time I was behind 60100. Sadly
60046 merely confirmed my fears. The run from Bolton Street to Rawtenstall was far from exciting noise wise. I may sound ungrateful, trust me I'm not. I'm extremely grateful for the chance to ride behind it but noise wise, was like riding behind a big coffee preculator.
It didnt detract from what so far has been a great day. The other half and I were gonna go up and down with it but we bailed at Ramsbottom with Mr Train. I'm glad we did too.
Off we trooped across the bridge at Ramsbottom to await our next steeds. 33109 and 26007 duly arrived. Mr Train kindly offered me the droplight while he got the next window along in the compartment coach. Hes tall enough to stick his head out of those ones? I'm not. I did ask if he was sure but he insisted. The other half took a seat in a compartment with a couple. I did offer them ear plugs but I think they just survived without them for the trip to Rawtenstall. The 33/26 combo were superb, the highlight of the day for me. Yes better than the 47 and the 20/D9531 combo too. What a racket they made and a stark contrast to what we'd bailed off. It was pure bliss, getting whatever crap was coming out the exhausts in my face and what hair that vaguely hangs round the top of my head these days. A Diesel Galas not a Gala unless you go home stinking of Diesel fumes. What a stonking performance they put on. Sadly it was over too quickly, do Mr Train and I belted out the door to get a quick shot of the locos before everyone trundled down to do so themselves.
Afterwards we trundled down the platform to get a shot with the 26 leading, only I'd forgot there was a Wagon on t'other end. If you like wagons then I dont have a problem. This my third time af the ELR and I've managed to stay clear of it, till now.
Shameless plug of said video:
45s or not those people looking after 45108 your doing a cracking job. You can tell it's a real labour of love. So for those of you who do love a wagon. There you go. I returned to the very back coach and probably grumbled about it all the way back to Ramsbottom.
