Saphos 2025

I fear that might be it for pure steam until we get a decent drop of rain!

 

Yawn

 

So have they sacked the whole coast off and it'll just go back via Shap?

 

Im waiting for answer to that exact question. It would make a good element of sense.

 

I'd imagine so. Coast line is shut between Sellafield and St Bees/Whitehaven.

 

I had two possible locations in mind, Oxenholme and Greenholme. Oxenholme would be better for the sun, was less exposed to the easterly wind and was closer to home allowing me to be back in time for our afternoon visitors. On the other hand, going to Greenholme would allow be to compare Blue Peter's performance with that of Bahamas a week earlier. Going to Greenholme (again) might expose me to "Henry's Hammer" aka the "Wrath of Winskill" and make me a target for unmerciful criticism (jibes?) for daring to go to the same spot on more than one occasion. I chose Oxenholme.

The sun had persuaded people to venture out of their homes and the roads were busier than last week. As I drove through Endmoor the verges were awash with golden daffodils, "fluttering and dancing in the breeze" - I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before! Plenty of spaces on the car park - not surprised at £5.50 for 24 hours (weekend). I mooched down to the station and to the north end of the up platform. The "sun was out, the sky was blue, not a cloud to spoil the view" - stop it, Oswald! It was remarkably well sheltered from the blustery east wind - so far so good.

There were already a few people waiting for the steam, I was joined by another guy, who I've met several times, doing video and a couple of photographers. Progress towards us was going to plan, service trains had come and gone and there really should be nothing "to spoil the view!" The minutes ticked by, Blue Peter was rapidly approaching, time to switch the cameras on, microphones on. Time for Oswald to stand back and watch the events unfold.

Some white exhaust rounded the curve, a chime whistle and before long 60532 headed through the station. Difficult to make out any detail in the dark shadows of the station buildings, then as she drew nearer she emerged from the shadows and into strong sunlight and she looked splendid, her blue paintwork gleaming as she swept round the curve and away to the north. 12C, 2L & 48mph and NO diesel!



Next it was Tangmere (tbc, possibly tomorrow but "with added Maisie notes")

 

It’s back at Carlisle in P1. 0Z33 has appeared but not sure if that’s the A2 going for water or the 37 running round

 

Water top up for the A2, I think, before she takes the train back, presumably via Shap.

 

I believe D213 is on its way to Carlisle on 0Z34 to rescue the train

 

I wonder, then, if BP will be left at Carlisle for tonight?

What a damn shame for all concerned

Mark

 

A welcome return to Shap for 60532 Blue Peter after 24 years this coming June, seen from a windy Scout Green and a little further up.

 

Making a fine sight and sound LNER A2 class 4-6-2 No. 60532 'Blue Peter' heads 1Z31 'The Lakelander' speeds through Hincaster towards Oxenholme and onwards to Carlisle

 

I knew that east wind would be a nuisance, but I wasn't expecting the amount of visible exhaust that they were pushing out today. The A2 was pushing it out further than the BoB. No surprise there.

 

You'll have to use your imagination on this one:



Richard

 

The A2 on its second railtour was a massive draw and thus another trip up north was on the cards, particularly with a NB due around the same time. The jackpot would've been the A1 on the NB, but hey ho, the A2 was enough to bring me up north again, moreso when it was confirmed it would go solo. Blue Peter seen at Lancaster & Penrith (just 5 minutes before Tangmere passed), before going very slowly through Wigton having been signal checked, where the Class 37 erupted into life, quite an entertaining watch!

 

Blue Peter and support coach ran from Carlisle to Crewe (5Z34) via Lancaster up passenger loop for water.

Andania took the Lakelander from Carlisle to Llandudno (without 37409).

Andrew N

 

Certainly a chaotic day yesterday, as 60532 'Blue Peter' makes her first run up Shap since 2001, before the return journey of The Lakelander via the Cumbrian Coast was thwarted by lineside fires.