‘MERCHANT’ SHIP-SHAPE FOR SHAP

It was a tough assignment, featuring adverse gradients and speed restrictions, but No. 35018 proved it is back on form – and clearly has more to give…

Details have reached me from my colleague Alastair Wood of a most impressive performance by British India Line on May 12 with a ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’, on which the ‘Merchant Navy’ had an 11-coach train grossing 430 tons. The log is set out in Table 1. The West Coast crew were Steve Chipperfield and Chris Holmes. On its way from Euston the Class 86 electric-hauled train had been severely delayed by cattle on the line. Although some time was regained, the advantage was nullified by having to wait for a path out of Carnforth. Eventually, No. 35018 got away 63 mins late in perfect weather conditions with little wind, and it was soon apparent that the crew meant business. The awkward climb at 1-in-134 to Milepost 9½ was cleared at 39mph, and 69mph was attained on the level stretch before Milnthorpe. Speed fell only marginally below 60mph before Oxenholme and Grayrigg was topped at 51½mph on the 1-in-106. David Pawson calculates the average power output between Mileposts 13 and 26 (effectively Milnthorpe to Grayrigg) at an average 2,130ihp and 1,790edbhp, while the top half of the climb, from Milepost 20 to Milepost 26, produced an increase to 2,210ihp/1,900edbhp. It was unfortunate that a 60mph temporary speed restriction before Low Gill somewhat hampered acceleration along the Lune Gorge, but a creditable maximum of 73mph was achieved before the rising gradients resume before Tebay.