A beautiful day today (12 June 2010) in the north - some cloud and a pleasant breeze but 70% sun and warm.
Lost the sun at Northwich this morning by 2 minutes but after a pleasant pub lunch and drive around we ended up at Chinley North Jct for the return working from Chester.  Although only a modestly proportioned 4-6-0 Black 5 No. 44871 had no difficulty with bringing
11 bogies (400 tons) up the long 1 in 90 grade past Chinley North Jct at over 30mph at 19.05 this evening.  The loco was working really hard and I had expected a volcanic exhaust so didn't try to arrange anything but clearly the loco was master of its work, the safety valves were feathering and the fireman hanging out watching the scene pass by, so you can hardly ask for more?