The third and fourth weeks of the SSE were originally booked for 46115 but, at the end of the Scot's first week it went back to Carnforth and was replaced by 44932, a loco that gave me some good recordings last year, however my attempt to get more recordings failed when the loco failed its fitness to run exam and was replaced by a Class 37 diesel!
After my failure to get recordings of the Black 5 the previous week, I decided to have another go on 17th August 2011 and failed to get any recordings of the Black 5 once again. Although the loco had worked the previous day's train, it had been replaced by 46115 which had arrived from Carnforth to replace it. Perhaps some things are just not meant to be.
Departing from York, on time for once, I was less than impressed to hear that the Scot had a bad blow probably coming from a stuck cylinder cock. Not what's wanted at all.

The climb from Wakefield Kirkgate to Westgate didn't provide any drama so let's move on to the climb from Westgate to Ardsley.
When I travelled behind the Scot on this route previously, while the noise on the climb to Ardsley was Ok, I wasn't all that impressed with the performance which didn't compare favourably with that produced by 45407 at the beginning of the season. This climb was very similar although perhaps the noise was a little louder!
Once again we reached the high 20s before Outwood but didn't exceed 32 mph on remaining climb. I really would have expected 46115 to be capable of much better. This recording ends approaching Outwood.
The remaining run back to York was beset with more signal stops and as a result we were late reaching the water stop at Bootham. After that, performance improved dramatically with a start to stop run from Bootham to Scarborough in 48½ minutes and a maximum speed of 74 mph after Malton. There was some good noise too but I'd given up recording by then!

Having been robbed twice of the opportunity to get recordings of 44932 working the Scarborough Spa Express I was pleased to get another chance on 23rd August 2011 although the reason for this loco's unexpected appearance was not a happy one. On the day after my ride behind 'Scots Guardsman' the previous week, the loco had failed while working the SSE with middle cylinder problems causing damage to the motion. That day's train was taken over by a diesel and 44932 was despatched to work further trains from York.
For all my previous SSE rides I had had the same driver each time but this time I had a change with Albert Seymour in charge of the Black 5 and, as you can hear in this recording made departing from York, he doesn't intend to hang about!

After 45407's excellent performances earlier in the season I'd been a little disappointed with subsequent runs on this section. Would 44932 do any better?
Well, I won't leave you in suspense - it didn't!
The start out of Westgate although gentle to begin with to avoid a slip soon began to sound as though Mr. Seymour was going for it but after reaching around 25 mph speed seemed to fall off a little before we reached the easier section at Outwood. Beyond there, once the gradient resumed, speed fell again and I'd guess the summit was passed at no more than 30 mph. Not bad I suppose for a Black 5 with such a heavy train and as for the noise, well, I certainly had no complaints on that score!
This recording is of the complete climb.

After further checks we left York a little late but 44932 sounds good echoing under the roof.
The water stop at Bootham adjacent to York District Hospital isn't far away so there's no point in rushing.

For the final week of SSEs we were told that the loco would be the BR Standard pacific 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' however the owners were not happy with the rearranged loco rosters so, for a while, it seemed unlikely but then there was a change of heart. However, there was also some work required on the loco and this caused yet more doubt as to whether the loco would be ready to move to York in time.
So, when I set off for York on Tuesday 30th August 2011 I was still unsure of what would be waiting and I had slight hopes that, if a change had been made, we'd be getting three days with my favourite Black 5 instead. These hopes were further fuelled by the sight of a Black 5 in steam outside the NRM but this proved to be 44932 ready to return to Carnforth with a couple of coaches.
Indeed it was 70013 that appeared with the stock and reversed into Platform 5 ready to go.
While waiting to depart 44932 appeared heading through the station and, as we departed very soon after, I did wonder if we might catch it up and not far from Chaloners Whin, indeed we did.
We overtook the Black 5 with its two coaches and were two or three coach lengths ahead before Ron Smith on the Black gave the reverser a couple of turns. The Black 5 on just two coaches responds by accelerating back into the lead making plenty of noise as it does so.
This recording ends not far from Colton Jc. but the parallel running continued all the way to Church Fenton. That's not something I'd expect to record again!

Two days later on 1st September 2011 I was out again for a final SSE ride for this year and, after the parallel running during my previous ride, this time the additional entertainment was provided by a diversion from the booked route. Due to an incident, probably cable theft, we were diverted to run via Leeds.
With the old SSEs running via Leeds and Harrogate I always used to enjoy passing Church Fenton at speed with the climb of Leeds Bank ahead so it was nice to get this unexpected opportunity once again.
This recording begins as we negotiate the crossover to the east of Church Fenton station which fortunately has been upgraded from the 20 mph that used to be required, so we were able to pass through the station at some speed and with the whistle open in traditional style.
The run up to Micklefield wasn't in the record breaking category and any chance of a fast run was scuppered when we found ourselves following a stopping train into Leeds but it was nice to do it again, just the same.

My last recording on board the SSE for this year was, of course, the climb from Wakefield Westgate to Ardsley during the evening run around the 'circle' and it was very enjoyable to be able to record it from the most civilised environment of a first class compartment in the leading coach. I wish I could do that more often!
It's almost as though someone somewhere arranges these things but, yet again, spectators on the opposite platform at Westgate had an arriving East Coast service to contend with as we departed.
An initial slip is soon controlled and our driver makes a very gentle start out onto the main line before getting 70013 opened up a little for the climb.
This wasn't a particularly fast climb although we must have been up to around 35 mph when we reached the top at Ardsley and, once again, I have no complaints about the noise!
Well, that's it for this year's Scarborough Spa Express which, aside from a couple of problems, appears to have gone very well with plenty of passengers hopefully having enjoyable days out riding to Scarborough. I'm looking forward to next year already!