5305 through the Pennines

This train was run by the Humberside Locomotive Preservation Group and was to be the first of a series of steam hauled tours each featuring one of a selection of locomotives mainly based in the north. Titled The Yorkshireman, the first of these was hauled by my favourite Black 5 5305. Steam haulage began at Sheffield taking in the Hope Valley route to Manchester where the train reversed before continuing to York via Standedge and Leeds. Unfortunately, this and the few subsequent trains that ran were not well supported by the enthusiast fraternity and the full series never materialized. This track begins with the departure from Sheffield and the first part of the climb at 1 in 100 to Totley Tunnel.

In a previous edition we left 5305 having departed from Sheffield and started the 1 in 100 climb to Totley Tunnel. The loco performed very well and produced some excellent sound effects climbing the gradient at around 30 mph. As this recording starts we are approaching Dore & Totley where the line to Manchester, which we are to take, leaves the Midland Main Line. A HST passes heading down the bank towards Sheffield clearing our route over the junction but the signalman isn't quite quick enough setting the road for us and our driver has to close the regulator. Speed falls from around 30 mph to half that figure before the road is set for us, the signal ahead clears and the driver can reopen the regulator. Still, in view of the sounds that 5305 makes in recovering from this check, I suppose that I can forgive the signalman his tardiness!

Checks of one sort or another seemed to be the order of the day and, in this recording, we hear the Black 5 recovering from a permanent way speed restriction just a few miles down the line at Hathersage.
With so many checks this was never going to be a run for the performance fraternity but the noise was excellent!

Not long after 5305 sounds to be going well soon after passing Edale at around 30 mph and continuing on the 1 in 100 gradient into Cowburn Tunnel where the climb through the Hope Valley ends.

After arrival in Manchester Victoria we had a break of a couple of hours while the locomotive was turned and serviced.
The very steep initial climb out of Manchester Victoria should have been the highlight of the return journey but having a Class 31 diesel as banker at the rear of the train as far as Miles Platting meant that there was very little noise to be recorded from the Black 5 until we reached Stalybridge where the climb to Diggle commences.
In this first recording we hear 5305 passing through the station where a few spectators emerged from the excellent real ale bar on the station to see us go through.

Just a few minutes later the Black 5 emerges from Stalybridge Tunnel raising the echoes as we begin to accelerate on the 1 in 125 gradient towards Diggle.

The climb was interrupted soon after by a 15 mph speed restriction just before the short Scout Tunnel. In this recording 5305 is heard emerging from the tunnel and making a fine sound as it begins to accelerate through Mossley station just beyond.

After a water stop at Leeds the Black 5 set out for the final leg of the journey from Manchester to York. Signal checks spoilt the run and, with the journey almost over, 5305 recovers from another signal check near Colton Jc.
After this run 5305 came out of service for an overhaul which lasted until the end of the year and was much missed on the summer Scarborough Spa Expresses.