Scots Guardsman 46115

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Another nice picture from Dave Rodgers who says.......

Date: Jul 20, 2010 12:19 AM
Subject: Todays SSE empty stock

After its rather disappointing failure last Saturday (which was rectified in a matter of hours enabling it to work the train back from Manchester to Carnforth) Rebuilt Royal Scot 4-6-0 No. 46115 Scots Guardsman was today again called out for duty.
 
Apparently there are gauging issues in the Wakefield area for the chosen loco for the Scarborough Spa Express which was to have been Hall No. 5972 and Black 4 No. 45407 was also unavailable.  In view of the heavy demand on mainline steam locos in July and August, the recent spate of unrelated failures has not helped matters, leaving West Coast Railways with little choice but to use their flagship loco today. 
As the Scarborough Spa Express starts tomorrow Scots Guardsman had to bring the empty stock this afternoon from Carnforth via Leeds to York.
 
The 12-coach all-maroon train (no back-up diesel) is seen storming through Garforth, east of Leeds, running in the mid-60's between 2 non-stop expresses that are only 11 minutes apart, calling for some very swift running on the climb out of Leeds.  Fireman Pete Hanson has kindly obliged with some smoke.  Having waited patiently for over one hour (not knowing the time it was due) most of the time in sun or bright light the train came in the dullest conditions!
 
Garforth station is normally very busy and the platforms were quite bustling only minutes before but fortunately the Scot's passage was during a lull between stopping trains.  The footbridge in the background has recently been Grade II listed as it is the last North Eastern Railway wrought and cast iron type on the network, built in 1900.
 
Due to the lack of alternative power No. 46115 will haul this weeks Scarborough Spa Express and presumably also the York - Carlisle 'Waverley' trip next Sunday with Black 5 No. 45407 pencilled in for next weeks trips.  Rather ironically this photo will be the only opportunity of photographing the Scarborough Spa Express on the Leeds - Church Fenton (-York) mainline as the trains for the 2010 season have been re-routed via Castleford and Wakefield.
 
Anyone for a trip?