The Railways of Yorkshire
2013
The year 2013 began with a good helping of snow,this coupled with a major ECML diversion between York and Doncaster meant that the line between Shaftholme Junction,Milford and Colton Junction was the place to be,not only was there a number of diverted passenger trains,but a good helping of freight made the bitterly cold temperatures that bit more bearable.
As spring approached Class 56's were once again working from Thoresby,something unthinkable following their demise with EWS in 2004. The trains originated at Thoresby and ran to Butterwell,near Morpeth before working back to Kellingley Colliery followed by Thoresby. I made the journey on an early morning in March to Slade Hooton on the old South Yorkshire Joint line and was rewarded with one of my best Class 56 images as 56311 rounded the curve with the empties,heading for York Holgate (Initially) with 6Z22.
The Tin Bath railtour operated by Railway Touring Company also managed to traverse the climb of Copy Pit in the Westbound direction in mid March,and while the weather was poor,the stirring sight over the summit was anything but,something that I will remember for a long time,to date my only visit to Copy Pit itself.
A Class 31 made a now rare appearance on the Wakefield-Knottingley line in late March,with snow still on the ground(!),sadly this was in fact the last time I witnessed a "ped" on the former L&Y route,in daylight,but at least they went out in style with BR Blue 31106 doing the honours.
On April Fools Day 37607 and 37409 made an appearance with the returning "Easter Highlander",which was en route from Dumbarton Central to Exeter,a very long journey indeed,I witnessed the train powering through Warmfield,and past the site of the former Goosehill Junction.
On 3rd April EX LMS 8F No.48151 worked "The Yorkshire Coast Express" to Scarborough,which ran in glorious conditions,allowing the classic shot at Kirkham Abbey to be utilised to maximum effect,especially as the crew put on some "special effects"!
37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' made a rare appearance on 10th July working a ballast train from Guide Bridge to Doncaster,the heavily laden train was seen at Featherstone,where I virtualy got bowled out by a Grand Central 180,the 37 slogging it's way up the 1 in 150 gradient.
45699 'Galatea' made it's first appearance in the area following overhaul on 18th May as it worked a rake of ECS from Carnforth to Kings Lynn.
A glorious summer would follow,allowing for a great deal of photography,including 'Bittern' making it's historic 90mph run on the ECML on 29th June,which I witnessed at full speed passing Balne,and quite a sight it was too!
Unfortunately a partial steam ban came into place in late summer as the heatwave continued,bringing about the sight (and sound!) of WCRC Class 47's drowning out the respective steam locos!
55002 'The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' hauled it's first full length train on the mainline for over 30 years on 2nd August,and it was pictured at Burton Salmon.
All in all 2013 was a good year,the last great year for steam around York perhaps,as the fire risk worsened in 2014,combined with the lack of notable "Scarborough Spa Express" trains in 2015 meant that little in the way of steam could be witnessed around the area. Happily in 2016 this trend has been changed by the return of 60103 'Flying Scotsman' and the closure of the S&C,whether we will see steam in any great amount from York in 2017 though is another matter.
As spring approached Class 56's were once again working from Thoresby,something unthinkable following their demise with EWS in 2004. The trains originated at Thoresby and ran to Butterwell,near Morpeth before working back to Kellingley Colliery followed by Thoresby. I made the journey on an early morning in March to Slade Hooton on the old South Yorkshire Joint line and was rewarded with one of my best Class 56 images as 56311 rounded the curve with the empties,heading for York Holgate (Initially) with 6Z22.
The Tin Bath railtour operated by Railway Touring Company also managed to traverse the climb of Copy Pit in the Westbound direction in mid March,and while the weather was poor,the stirring sight over the summit was anything but,something that I will remember for a long time,to date my only visit to Copy Pit itself.
A Class 31 made a now rare appearance on the Wakefield-Knottingley line in late March,with snow still on the ground(!),sadly this was in fact the last time I witnessed a "ped" on the former L&Y route,in daylight,but at least they went out in style with BR Blue 31106 doing the honours.
On April Fools Day 37607 and 37409 made an appearance with the returning "Easter Highlander",which was en route from Dumbarton Central to Exeter,a very long journey indeed,I witnessed the train powering through Warmfield,and past the site of the former Goosehill Junction.
On 3rd April EX LMS 8F No.48151 worked "The Yorkshire Coast Express" to Scarborough,which ran in glorious conditions,allowing the classic shot at Kirkham Abbey to be utilised to maximum effect,especially as the crew put on some "special effects"!
37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' made a rare appearance on 10th July working a ballast train from Guide Bridge to Doncaster,the heavily laden train was seen at Featherstone,where I virtualy got bowled out by a Grand Central 180,the 37 slogging it's way up the 1 in 150 gradient.
45699 'Galatea' made it's first appearance in the area following overhaul on 18th May as it worked a rake of ECS from Carnforth to Kings Lynn.
A glorious summer would follow,allowing for a great deal of photography,including 'Bittern' making it's historic 90mph run on the ECML on 29th June,which I witnessed at full speed passing Balne,and quite a sight it was too!
Unfortunately a partial steam ban came into place in late summer as the heatwave continued,bringing about the sight (and sound!) of WCRC Class 47's drowning out the respective steam locos!
55002 'The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' hauled it's first full length train on the mainline for over 30 years on 2nd August,and it was pictured at Burton Salmon.
All in all 2013 was a good year,the last great year for steam around York perhaps,as the fire risk worsened in 2014,combined with the lack of notable "Scarborough Spa Express" trains in 2015 meant that little in the way of steam could be witnessed around the area. Happily in 2016 this trend has been changed by the return of 60103 'Flying Scotsman' and the closure of the S&C,whether we will see steam in any great amount from York in 2017 though is another matter.