As good as it gets on the S & C

Steam operations on the S&C during BR days featured a northbound run one week with the southbound run taking place usually a week later. The locomotive was stabled at Upperby between those days. The normal timetable saw the northbound charter arrive at Carlisle at about 4.30pm - steam detached and onto Upperby - whilst the train returned south usually on the wcml with more 'modern' traction. For the southbound run, the roles were reversed and the steam locomotive would couple up to the train at Carlisle for a 1pm-ish departure onto the S&C. After the demise of BR 1.4.95, RES became the TOC for steam with the same S&C crews now employed by Trainsrail/EWS. During the early part of privatisation, the former BR method of steam operations remained, ie north one week, south usually a week later. I haven't the details of 2968's run in December 1996, but I am assuming, by your question, that it would have been running in the former BR steam path.

The southbound run featuring 2968 took place on the 4th January 1997. Brilliant for photographers, a locomotive making it's one and only southbound attack to Ais Gill - coupled with snow.

 

Indeed, that's how it happened, except that, due to the Christmas period, she stabled at Upperby for two weeks.

The return on 4th January was dramatic - but bloody cold!


Not my video:

 

many thanks for kind words, I think its better to display events long after they happen. The return was spectacular in a different way, but I was ill so missed it, always regretted not being able to go. The video was state of the art at the time, and not the standard of modern digital cameras, so would love a rerun (hardly likely under the mamby pamby management of today). Now what else can I dig out..........

 

Have you any footage of it with 7325? This was the begining of the highly rated 'mighty mogul' pairing that stormed the Lickey and went to Okehampton. They certainly went down a treat with those who were lucky enough to sample them.

 

afraid not, well out of my area, sorry

 

Fair enough, you can only ask! What other gems can we see from you?

 

If you go to the Fund's website www.staniermogulfund.org.uk then go to History and Mainlne, there are YouTube links for many of the thirteen main line runs, including some with 7325.

 

Nice one thank you 2968

 

What a brilliant photograph!

 

Seconded!!

Cheers

Alan

 

Thank you, gentlemen!

To be honest, it's far and away the best photo I've taken in my entire life!

 

Blimey, was the Pilgrims Progress really 17 years ago?! Excellent trip that. One of the fastest runs I've had from Plymouth to Exeter behind steam. Head out the front window, right behind the tender, the whole way back too.