2020 Cumbrian Mountain Expresses

What a day that was with 46100! I distinctly remember cinders the size of peppercorns pinging my head as we roared through Penrith, already thinking by that point that something rather special was developing. The speed recorded through there would have been impressive had we run undisturbed from Carlisle, but from a stop at Plumpton was simply astonishing.

And just when we thought that the real fun was over for the day, the passage through Lancaster will always stand as one of my all time favourite mainline steam moments. 65mph with a roar so loud that even Leander, Galatea and Scots Guardsman haven’t managed to out-roar, all complete with a lovely sunset.

 

Probably my favourite memory of 46100 to date was when it got away from Plumpton Loop on that day...


Royal Scot at Plumpton

 

Yes I was on that too, the noise was remarkable and the cinders sounded like hailstones on the carriage roof - the acceleration was astonishing. I have rarely heard a steam locomotive worked like that and it put Royal Scots in a different light for me!

 

46115's run to Inverness with (I think) 11 on must be up there with the best - another run I had the privilege to be on.

 

Even time from Plumpton over Shap to Burton and Holme that day IIRC. Good luck for tomorrow, autumn is not far off its peak for colours.

 

Seen a post on Facebook stating Alberta is in steam at 10A and is now hauling tomorrow's train?

 

I was on that train as well and I can tell you that it had 1o (9 SRPS carriages + support coach) on it not 11. One of my best experiences of mainline steam along with the run with N0 9 (which also had 10 on it) on the same route 3 years earlier. In my humble opinion the highland mainline is under rated in terms of scenery and is up there with the S&C in terms of the great lines to travel on by steam train although the West Highland line is probably the best steam rail journey in the world not just Britain.

 

Sounds like fun, I'm sure it will be well handled, looking forward to it !

 

Blackburn Clitheroe line currently closed due to flooding.

May well compromise both of today's tours..........

 

Might of receded by then but not ideal. Shap both ways then.

 

I guess depends how bad it is & if inspections etc are required.

Could well be steam Carnforth-Carlisle-Carnforth all on WCML as you say.......

 

Oldham Video Productions captured the pass through Lancaster:


Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

 

Well the 1023 Clitheroe to Rochdale has reached Blackburn without losing any time since departing 15L so good chance it won't be closed. Northern website says disruption until 1100. We will soon see if the LS turns right at Farington as scheduled......which it did.

 

I take it that there's no 47 lurking near the rear of the train ? 12 coaches ?

 

LS tour heading towards Blackburn.