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North Yorkshire Moors Railway - Recordings from 2010
Saturday 27th March
The start of the 2010 season on the Grosmont to Goathland section, with the
opening of the re-built Bridge 30, just north of Darnholme.
By 8:45am the gallery of photographers was in position at the south end of
Bridge 30, where a banner was being strung out across the track. Several
photographers on the hillside to the east of the line as well.
The Bridge 30 Opening Special, 09:00 from
Grosmont, was slated as being double-headed steam.
In the event, Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 76079 and Sulzer Class 24 D5061 did the
honours, with much whistling and hooting.
Bridge 30 was well and truly opened. 1:55, 2.2MB
As you would expect, the new Bridge 30 has
its own very smooth sound, distinctly different from that of its
forebear.
Bridge inspection shuttle services were timetabled from Goathland, consisting of
D5061 and GWR Inspection Saloon W80974.
Here is D5061 starting back to Goathland
with the first shuttle. The second shuttle didn't go to plan: after a lengthy
delay at Bridge 30, the shuttle ran down the line to Grosmont causing a service
train to be cancelled.
The first Pickering-bound service train
over Bridge 30 was the 10:30 from Grosmont, again headed by 76079 with 7 on.
This proved to be a bit of a struggle.
As the train comes into earshot there is a powerful
echo from the cliff face on the west of the line, opposite the recording
position. I've not heard this echo so strongly before - perhaps caused by
a combination of the exact microphone position and absence of leaves on the
trees? 6:17, 7.2MB.
Later in the day, SR Schools Class 4-4-0
30926, "Repton" handled the Moorlander dining train. On the 15:00 return
journey from Pickering its 3 cylinder beat is heard passing Platelayers Cottages,
Yorfalls, at the start of the climb through Newtondale. 2:39, 3.0MB.
The 16:00 service from Pickering was headed by LNWR G2 Class 'Super D' 0-8-0
No 49395. As it re-starts from Levisham,
the local hunt ride down the forest road before heading up the hill to
Newton-on-Rawcliffe, past the recording position. 3:02, 3.5MB.
Spring Steam Gala. Friday 30th April to Monday 3rd May
Friday 30th May - recordings from around the line
The first train up the bank from Grosmont was timetabled for LMS 'Black 5'
4-6-0 44871. In the event, sister loco 45407 did the honours. In this cut,
45407 climbs from Beck Hole towards
Bridge 30 and then on past Darnholm towards Goathland. 2:07, 2.4MB
An hour later 44871 passed the same spot
at the head of the 10:30 from Grosmont. 3:06, 3.6MB
Off to Levisham to catch 44871 restarting
from the station with the 12:00 from Pickering. Sound echoes around the hillside
to a background of spring birdsong. As the train fades into the distance, the
whistle sounds for the footpath crossing at The Grange. 3:27, 4.0MB
The next down train from Levisham was worked by Southern Region Schools Class
4-4-0 No 30926 "Repton". On the restart,
an alarmingly loud knocking sound can be heard from the loco: a developing
mechanical failure? An aircraft passes over head as the sound fades away.
3:56, 4.5MB
Further north, on the entrance to Newtondale,
45407 passes Plate Layers Cottages at Yorfalls, slipping briefly before it
attacks the gradient to Skelton Tower. 2:56, 3.4MB
Back in Levisham, 45407 arrives then 30926
departs. 45407 worked the 15:30 from Grosmont in place of the timetabled
53809. After 45407 runs into the station, signals are set before 30926 leaves
for Grosmont with the 16:00 from Pickering. This recording was made from the
east of the line. The knocking from the motion sounds less distinct from this
side. 4:51, 5.6MB
Back into the forest once more to hear with the 17:00 from Pickering. The loco is first heard passing
Yorfalls in the distance; the exhaust beats hardens on the gradient to Skelton
Tower with slipping as the reverse curves are approached. Aircraft turn up
overhead (again!). The sound gains an echoing quality as the gorge below the
Tower is rounded and more slipping occurs as the sound fades.
5.42, 6.5MB
Visiting engine Great Northern Railway Class N2 0-6-2T No
1744 departs from Levisham with the 18:10
departure from Pickering. The station crossing alarm develops a fault and
warbles away to itself; the signal drops back 'on' as the sound fades away.
1:49, 2.1MB
A still evening. Perfect conditons for recording the Pullman dining train, 19:35
off Grosmont behind 44871.
The outward working was recorded at
Darnholm, on the flat ground beside the river. This is an extract from a longer
take, beginning as the loco approaches the Darnholm overbridge. The sound echoes
from the bridge before 44871 passes with the heavy 8 coach train and climbs
onwards to Goathland station. 4:26, 5.1MB
The return working was recorded in
Newtondale opposite Skelton Tower. The stillness of the night was quite unnerving,
with absolute silence before the train - no owls or distant livestock to be
heard. Again, this is an extract from a longer take beginning as the train
climbs the gradient from Yorfalls. The echoing around the hills muffles the
exhaust beats until Skelton Tower is rounded. Unusually, the sound carries
back well from the north. Brief episodes of slipping on the increasing
gradient are heard before the sound eventially fades. 5:30, 6.3MB
Saturday 1st May.
Things didn't quite go as planned. The 08:30 working from Grosmont behind 1744
was cancelled, as was its return working at 10:00 from Pickering. 76079
worked the first shuttle from Pickering to Levisham but with only the GN saloon
in tow there was little sound to record, unfortunately. On the plus side, I
finally managed to get a good recording of a train leaving Levisham towards the
south. Despite many attempts I've never quite managed to capture the moment
when the regulator is opened to achieve line speed on the exit of the loop...
until now.
LNER A4 Pacific Class 60019 "Bittern"
departs from Levisham towards Pickering with the 10:30 from Grosmont. After the
start, speed is kept low until the train is out of the station loop before
accelerating away, gradually picking up the synchopated 3 cylinder beat.
After the 60019 has passed, 45407 leaves towards Grosmont
with the 11:00 from Pickering and the sound carries back in the breeze.
A nearby signal drops 'on' as the recording ends. 3:30, 4.0MB
The mid afternoon shuttle working from Pickering was abandoned. Instead,
BR Standard 4MT Class 2-6-0 76079
worked the 15:00 from Pickering, with 60019 at the rear.
The pairing is heard departing from Levisham. 2:31, 2.9MB
South of Kidstye Farm, 1744 takes the 17:00
from Pickering through the forest towards Newtondale Halt. 1;45, 2.0MB
The Pullman dining train was worked from Grosmont by
60019. In this recording, the train climbs
from Esk Valley to Green End and on towards Beck Hole. 2:39, 3.0MB
By now, a strong, cold, northerly wind was getting up so the return Pullman was
recorded from the comfort of the Up platform waiting shelter at Levisham.
60019 arrives quietly from Pickering and
after a brief stand in the station restarts for Grosmont. The loco air brake
pump can be heard working. Signals clatter back on and the crossing gate is
raised. (This recording has been heavily edited to reduce its length).
3:42, 4.2MB
Sunday 1st May. Esk Valley line departures to Battersby?
That was Plan A. But with a strong north wind blowing, Plan B was to grab
recordings from whatever shelter I could find.
Standing in Grosmont station, 45407 runs
light engine into the mouth of Grosmont tunnel on the running line. Sound echoes
from the tunnel portal and village buildings. As the loco reverses back into
the station, the air brake pump can be heard clearly. Diesel shunter 08850
follows along from the shed. 3:27. 4.0MB
Departures from Grosmont at 09:40. 08850
rumbles away in the background as 60019 whistles then departs with the 09:30 to
Pickering. As it does so, 45407 leaves Grosmont with the 09:40 to
Battersby Junction. Flanges squeal against the check rail on the tight curve out
of the station on the Esk Valley line. 3:09, 3.6MB
30926 passing Esk Valley with the 10:30
from Grosmont. No knocking sound from the motion on this recording, but the loco
was failed later in the day. 3:00, 3.5MB
44871 departs from Grosmont with the
11:21 service to Glaisdale and Battersby Junction. (What fun it was editing out
the car alarm sounding in the Ironworks from this track). 2:03, 2.4MB
Just over an hour later 60019 left Grosmont
for Battersby. Trees creak in the wind as recording conditions verge on the
impossible. Time to go for a ride! 2:19, 2.65MB
Monday 2nd May. And still the north wind blows
The plan was to record workings on gradient between Grosmont and Goathland.
Not a hope. The only escape from the wind was to shelter deep in the forest
and I found the perfect spot in the valley directly opposite and below Skelton
Tower. Whilst out of the wind, sounds carried back unusually well from further
north in Newtondale. For a change of scene, some tracks were recorded at
Levisham (again!)
Light rain is falling as 76079 climbs
towards Skelton Tower with the 09:00 from Pickering. The cylinder drain cocks are
opened as the train approaches. The loco is on the verge of slipping on the
curves below Skelton Tower. 3:08, 3.6MB.
The 10:00 service from Pickering was formed by the Gresley teak carriage set
hauled by 1744. This is the pass round the
foot of Skelton Tower. 1:46, 2.0MB.
Still below Skelton Tower, rain had begun by the time that
44871 approached with the 13:00 to Whitby.
The sound carries back in the northerly wind. 1:48, 2.1MB
The last track from Skelton Tower is again
44871, but this time with the 16:00 to Whitby. 2:15, 2.6MB.
Down into Levisham station for a recording of
60019 departing with the 14:00 from Pickering; again the sound carries back
well from the north. 2:11, 2.5MB.
The demonstration frieght working into Levisham was timetabled to be operated by
53809, which was not available. Sulzer Class 24 diesel-electric D5061
deputised in its place. On this track D5061
propels the rake of freight wagons into the new Down siding. 1:33, 1.8MB
With D5061 idling in the Down siding,
45407 starts away from Levisham with the 15:00 from Pickering. 1:32, 1.8MB
Finally, D5061 takes the freight stock back
to Goathland as the 17:45 from Pickering, heard restarting from Levisham.
2:09, 2.5MB
With grateful thanks to all concerned for keeping the show on
the road in such difficult circumstances.
And a special thank you to the staff of the Levisham tea hut.
Monday 2nd August.
A day recording in Northdale, on the final part
of the climb up Newtondale from Levisham to the Summit at Fen Bog.
With no pressure to capture recordings from a special event, the idea was to
find a couple of new locations which can be used in the future.
I've tried recording in upper Newtondale in the past but the results have been
slightly disappointing. With luck, some new locations will be a bit better.
The first spot was on the east of the line, high on the hillside just south of
Carter's House ruin.
The first recording on these pages of BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 92214,
visiting the NYMR for the summer. 92214
rounds the curve from Northdale straight onto the incline past Carter's House
on its way towards Fen Bog with the 09:00 from Pickering. 2:14, 2.6MB.
The next working up the bank was the
10:00 from Pickering with NER Q6 0-8-0 63395 in charge. As 63395 comes off
the curve from Northdale straight, the regulator is opened. The sound becomes
positively volcanic, echoing from the surrounding hillsides. 2:10, 2.5MB
A move of location further north and even higher up the hillside for the next
two recordings.
A bit more wind here. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0
76079 climbs towards Fen Bog with the 11:00 from Pickering. The train
consisted of 6 Gresley carriages and one BR Mk1. 1:27, 1.7MB
Still in this spot, 92214 passes with the
12:00 from Pickering, making up time lost waiting in Levisham. 1:21, 1.6MB.
Another move. This time to the west of the line, below the south end of
Northdale Scar but still high up. This spot was out of the wind and gave a
panoramic view of the line. A nice sheltered spot to snooze in the sunshine
between trains - which explains why I stayed there for the rest of the afternoon.
63395 climbs towards Fen Bog with the 14:00
from Pickering. This location is well towards the top of the climb; 63395
slows a little on 1 in 54 gradient. 1:53, 2.2MB.
76079, with the 14:00 from Pickering. Not an
aircraft to be heard, which makes a change for the NYMR on a weekday.
2:45, 3.2MB.
92214's third working up the bank with the
15:00 from Pickering. 1:43, 2.0MB
So, all 3 locos in service recorded from the same spot. Time for a move?
Maybe, but I wasn't about to risk my first recording of
Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 45428 "Eric Treacy"
since its overhaul was completed. 45428 was sent out on the 14:30 from Grosmont,
returning from Pickering at 16:00 and working through to Whitby.
1:55, 2.2MB
With 45428 past, it was time for a move towards Grosmont to get a recording
of the return working from Whitby at 18:00, leaving Grosmont at 18:30. With
evening calm approaching, I revisited a spot on the west side of the Murk Esk
valley, over 0.6 km from the lineside. A previous attempt from this spot in
2005 was thoroughly ruined by overhead light aircraft on a Sunday morning.
Would I be lucky this time?
Sulzer Class 2 Bo-Bo diesel D7628
(Beyer Peacock, 1965) can be heard climbing from Esk Valley cottages, under the
overbridges at Green End, through a speed restriction and onwards around
Beck Hole curve towards Darnholm. 4:44, 5.4MB
OK it's not steam - but I can't wait to record an evening Pullman from here:
it should be audible for almost all of the Grosmont - Goathland section.
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