Winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses 2014

According to UK Steam 44871 no longer figures on the 25.1.14, now 45407+TBA, interesting speculation for a substitute?

 

The current plan is B1 61264 see http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/rtc-2014.133774/page-6

 

Excellent news. Hope all goes well for the B1 guys on the test runs and beyond. Be a welcome sight back on the main line.

 

A 6Ft and a 6Ft 2 combo will make for an interesting 'Soundscape'

 

They could have been paired since, but the only time I've seen them was at Carlisle with the Jacobite ECS returning to Carnforth on 15th October 2004... (45407 was running as 44996)

 

Just been reading RTC's description of the CME route on the 25th, and after Blackburn the described route is via Sough whilst the route on UKSteam times is via Lostock Hall. Are engineering works the reason for the route change?

 

This has happened regularly for the last few years with this train. Each year I have looked forward to the Sough route and each year we have gone back onto the WCML. It seems that the Sough route is just too difficult to schedule these days.

Peter on a cold damp Manchester evening
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Ok, ta

 

What are the prospects of 61264 being added to the pool for the feb/march series? Assuming all goes well before then.

 

I'm guessing this is a general thread for the 2014 season rather than the tour on the 25th alone? I think these are the timings for the first of the trips from Euston on the 1st Feb:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50686/2014/02/01/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50685/2014/02/01/advanced

They look relatively similar to both 2012 and 2013 bar a few minutes here and there.

 

Really 9 Days until 61264+45407 Power out of Manchester Victoria with the Winter Cumbrian Express.
Also really looking forward to seeing Galatea, Oliver Cromwell and Scots Guardsman during the series from London w/86259. Good times are here.

 

According to The Railroad Herald 70013 shall doing the WCME On February 15th and 22nd. 45699 or 46115 shall power the rest of the series.

 

Good for me as well as I am on the 1st March and would have liked a different loco to last year.

 

My e-ticket for 25 January has just arrived:

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express : Saturday, 25 January 2014​

Manchester Victoria, Bolton and Preston to Carlisle and returning via Blackburn.​

​

We have great pleasure in confirming we shall be steam hauled throughout by​

Black 5's 44407 and B1 Class No 61264.​

When I was a spotter, No 44407 was, I am sure, listed in my Combined Volume as a Duck Six (LMS 4F 0-6-0). They used to go a long way on holiday specials, but double heading a B1 over Shap and Ais Gill? A thought to conjure with!

Peter, in Manchester on a January evening
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

 

Ditto regarding loco's for the season, I'm about to book the 1st Feb trip and need haulage behind the two Carnforth stable mates.

 

Any reports of 45699 having been through the paint shop since its most recent public appearance?

 

I'm booked on the 8th, Galatea would get my vote (last I saw it was 20 years ago dumped on the SVR). Although last time I did Shap with 46115 it set a new record for an 11 coach load. My previous run behind the Scot was up the Highland mainline which was pretty darn good as well! Just need to order some snow rather than this relentless rain...

 

It can be in Mr Blobby livery of pink with purple spots for all I care, I will be sat behind it listening to it demolish the northern fells! Personally I quite like it in red, it reminds me of one of my first experiences of mainline steam of seeing 46229 flying through Leominster at over 70mph in the mid 90's, it's a lovely livery and a good 'What if..'. But lets not spoil a good thread so far with a livery debate!!