GWR 7029 Clun Castle The Cumbrian Mountaineer Express 22/4/23.

We had an unscheduled stop just north of Penrith to check on a reported issue with one of the Pullman cars. Suspect a nudge from the diesel to get us underway again (only time I've noticed all day), but plenty of noisey effort over Shap and some nice fast running thereafter. Clun has performed brilliantly all day.

We've just left at Crewe, so not sure if 47 going on front or not - seemed a bit of a debate going on up front, but certainly that was Plan A, so would be suprised if it didn't run round.

Thanks for VT for a splendid day, hope there are further opportunities to sample Castle power further afield.

 

Tyseley trespasser on the S&C, GWR Castle class No. 7029 'Clun Castle' working the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' through Selside to Appleby in rather damp conditions.



With the weather improving, GWR Castle class No. 7029 'Clun Castle' seen working the return 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' through Shapbeck Gate to Tyseley

 

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7029 heads south

 

Other commitments stopped me getting up the S&C this afternoon but I managed to get out for the return...Footage of 7029 in full flight passing Beck Foot on the approach to Grayrigg Summit then whistling through Leyland an hour later, where a change of platform 3 minutes before it passed was the correct decision...

 

On a day of relentless rain we just had to make the journey from the Midlands to see 7029 over the S&C. Top shot at Lunds Paddock and the bottom shot at Armathwaite Station.

 

Another one from Fiddlers Lane, Lazonby. The busiest I've ever seen it there, which was quite impressive given the weather conditions.

Clun's trip today takes the number of individual steam locomotives to have traversed the S&C since 11/08/68 to 58.


Clun Castle returns to the Settle Carlisle

 

Observation from on board and the fantastic photos uploaded so far - lovely clean exhaust.

If anyone could advise on the crews today, that would be appreciated, only one I recognised was Alastair Meanley. Did West Coast provide more than just facilities for turning and servicing? Whoever they were handled Clun superbly.

 

A classic day in the north west weather-wise today!!

Lunds paddock:



Lazonby:



Shap village:




Richard

 

Blea Moor, Long Marton Viaduct and Great Strickland

 

Contra-jour Mon Ami

 

7029 Clun Castle seen from Arcow Quarry in very poor conditions, leaving Appleby and passing Clifton.

 

7029 at Hellifield, Selside, Lazonby and Great Strickland today

 

Recovering from a stand at Settle Junction and catching the last rays of sunshine at Euxton

 

Find it encouraging when a person takes advice on board ,well done lol

 

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Here's my footage of Clun Castle tackling the long drag at Selside near Horton in Ribblesdale. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

A challenging day yesterday with the weather and forecast but it was fantastic to see (and hear!) 7029 in the Northern Fells!


Our footage from the day is now available on Youtube:


A couple of photos below:
55 years in the making by Mark & Alan Walker, on Flickr

7029, Appleby by Mark & Alan Walker, on Flickr

7029, Great Strickland by Mark & Alan Walker, on Flickr

 

My video from yesterday.