There are some days when it really doesn't seem like it will be worth getting out of bed in the morning. One such was Saturday 4th February 2012 and almost the only reason that day was the prospect of my favourite Black 5, 45305, working a train over the Settle - Carlisle line but in view of the weather forecasters prophesies of doom, actually going out seemed like a very foolish venture. However, over here in the east, as the day dawned fine and calm if very cold, I had no excuse for not joining my friend for our first recording trip of the year.
We had already decided that, as we weren't going to stay out for the return over Shap, we thought it would be worthwhile to try to get a recording before Hellifield and went to a spot near Nappa where my friend assured me that he had made a very good recording a few years ago. Well, all I can say is he must have been lucky as when 45305 passed us the regulator appeared to be firmly closed; we were probably a bit to near the stop at Hellifield.
By this time the forecast snow was falling steadily and the wind increasing but just the same, off we went to our usual spot at Selside hoping that our first attempt wasn't going to set a trend.
Arriving at Selside we set off through the snow hoping to find a little shelter from the wind behind a handy dry stone wall. Although the wind was coming from the south, almost straight up the track, we did manage to get some shelter but not from the snow which can be heard pattering round the microphone as the recording begins.
Huddled behind the wall trying to keep the circulation going and the snow off my recorder I'll admit that I was starting to wish I'd stayed in bed when, at about the expected time, I started to hear the sound of the approaching train.
One of the good things about this spot is that it gives a good view of the approaching train. That is on a good day - which this wasn't and without being able to see, I assumed that 45305 had already reached Horton-in-Ribblesdale since that is where the first sounds usually come from but then the sound stopped suddenly. Was there a slip? It was hard to tell but after a few seconds the sound resumed and after a while I began to think that perhaps I was hearing the loco from much farther away. A little later this was confirmed by the obvious sound of the loco accelerating on the level section at Helwith Bridge; the gap in the sound before was the loco passing through Stainforth Tunnel which, I might add is over 6 miles from our recording spot!
Continuing on the 1 in 100 gradient after Helwith Bridge the sound from the loco continued to grow particularly once it came into the open above Horton although we still couldn't see it through the falling snow. As it approaches, as usual, 45305 sounds to be on top form and well in command of its 11 coach train.
Before it passes a southbound service train hurries down the gradient towards Settle.
Due to the strength of the wind we didn't expect to hear very much as the train headed for Ribblehead and, once it had passed under the bridge at Selside Shaw we heard no more.
What and excellent recording to start off the year. So you see, sometimes, even when it seems complete madness, it really is worthwhile getting out of bed!
The recording here is a little shorter than my original which lasts for 12½ minutes. You'll have to wait for the 2012 lineside CD if you want to hear it all!