Cumbrian Mountain Express 2022

Yes hence my questions I don’t want to pay £115 to hear a strumming duff all day ,but happy to if near Galatea .

 

The competition is showing up with their 0500 from Eastleigh. So that may account for the use of P4 to depart.

 

So is one of the last bastions of pure steam about to fall?

 

I do hope not!

 

From a You Tube search it appears to be Sierra Leone/Galatea - Load 11 (Standard Class at the front) + Class 47.

 

The WCME in Jan 2019 that started from Man Vic kept the diesel throughout the day. (And weren't we lucky that it was there after 45690 suffered electronic gremlins at Bolton and the 47 was put on the front until Hellifield where the problem was sorted and the 47 went to the back.) I suspect that with short daylight hours the problem is how to deal with 47 that takes the ECS from Carnforth to Brewery Jn (loop) - there are precious few hidey holes around Man Vic if the 47 is detached before the trip starts. Detaching on the chord before Lostock Hall Jn (then running it up to Preston for reattachment on the return leg) all takes time and delays the return. Added to which the ETH is more effective than steam heating and with all the windows open for good ventilation - as recommended by HM Gov, it makes sense. Do not despair none of the other CMEs in 2019 "took the diesel".

 

On the S&C 47804 was letting the Jubilee do the work thankfully.

 

It was just coming light and a bit on the chilly side as I left Wistle Towers; the birds were singing in the trees and a distant owl hooted to signal the end of his (or her) shift. It might be 2022, a Happy New Year to you, but I saw no reason not to go to Chapel Lane and watch the first steam of the year. I arrived early enough to grab the last parking spot near the bridge. A check on RTT showed that the train was running a few minutes late. It was soon time for Oswald to be about it. I was the only person on the bridge but there was a gang by the foot crossing. The thermometer in the car showed 5C but with a gentle, cold breeze from the west it felt cooler; the forecast was "feels like 2C" - and it did. After a week of near dry conditions and with no overnight frost or dew the trackside vegetation looked lifeless.

The breeze from the west soon brought the first of several blasts from the Stanier hooter as the train drew nearer and then the sound of the exhaust, crisp and sharp becoming louder. a whistle for the lads (and lasses) on the occupation bridge, then steam over the trees and the Jub burst under the bridge, working hard, a lovely white exhaust, a whistle for the sign then all too quickly under the bridge and disappearing in a cloud of steam. The diesel on the back was working but most of the effort appeared to be coming from the front. 5L and around 35/6 mph.

As for the make up of the train, "I can recall no conversations that may, or may not, have referred directly, or indirectly. to the likely motive power but I can confirm that the (NON) party of Number 10 staff travelling in Premier Class are on a fact finding mission to determine if the north really does need levelling-up (so not a jolly) and that their trip has been appropriately funded."

 

If levelling up means the removal of the Long Drag, Ais Gill and Wilpshire then no thanks.

 

No, provided nothing unavoidable happens on the day, I have it on very good authority that next week's CME will not have any diesel involvement.

 

The mixed-up Green Jubilee at Selside Shaw with the WCME on 22/1/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Despite been in coach J with my mate it sounded like the Jube was doing the lions share of the climb up through Gisburn and the long drag ,I hope anyone in premier dining or 1st class could tell like wise by the exhaust off 45627 galbertaleone once again I hope any photters or passengers today are enjoying themselves watching R.T.C. 1st C.M.E. of 2022, heres my pic of 45699 Davo 56F

 

I'd heard they were going to sort out that cabside number to match the name while it was in Carnforth after last season. Obviously not.

 

As noted below

 

My thanks must go to @Gladiator 5076 for highlighting the departure from Carlisle Platform 4.

Lunds and Citadel today...


Green Jubilee at Lunds


Jubilee at Carlisle Citadel Platform No.4

 

From your Carlisle image I see the complete train was turned on the Upperby triangle then.

 

Making a wonderful sight and sound No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' works the first of this seaons 'Cumbrian Mountain Expresses' through Dent Station with Mick
Rawling driving, Craig Todd firing and Matt Miller Guard



With darkness descending 'Sierra Leone' works the return 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' towards Grayrigg with Steve Chipperfield driving, Martyn Soames
firing and Roly Parker Guard.
I did come across a lens case marked 'YONGNU' at this location and would be glad to get it back to its owner