CME 2023

Not surprised the CME was the only tour I could guarantee as a steward ending up with a few bruises at the end of the day from "bouncing" off seats, door handles etc during the 86 legs.

 

MP307 is the broken one just past the junction. Tall post only the back of the head with 7 just showing is visible these days.

 

As there was the rare opportunity to do back to back CMEs with 46115, same load, same crew, thought I'd put them together. No two runs are the same. Pity we had the diesel assistance on the January run or could have had the hat trick.

 

Tickets for Saturday have just come through with 35018 as the planned motive power. An earlier arrival back into Euston like the March trip with passengers for Nuneaton and Rugby on a coach back from Atherstone due to the stations being closed on our return.

 

That's prompted a booking... It's my 150th railtour since starting the madness in 2005, so it would be rather fitting if it's something with BFB wheels. Also require the Carlisle avoider, so quids in regardless.

 

Perfect Maroon matching stock , no diesel and 35018 going lovely on Shap.

 

On the move 25 late
Pitty for those onboard for less time in Appleby now

 

Sun, steam, Shap; the temptation proved too great and Mrs W and Oswald headed to Scout Green. (It is several years since we last travelled this far north to watch steam (SG from memory) - certainly pre-BIL). I did remember the way, not too difficult as 95% is motorway. Despite a minor hold-up on the M6 we arrived in good time. I had been puzzling which side the sun would be on - it turned out to be directly overhead.

Hedging our bets, Mrs W "drove" the camera on the east (uphill) side of the line whilst I took the west. Sadly there was a problem with Mrs W's footage and it had to be left on the cutting room floor. It was a very bright day but with little or no breeze; the most pleasant wait of the year (so far). RTT showed an early departure from Carnforth, with very few trains running on a strike day. BIL seemed to be running around 5E which would mean she would be with us just before noon. The minutes ticked by and then some smoke in the distance as she rounded the curve, not too much exhaust in the warmish air but enough to show that BIL was producing the power. The smoke darkened as some coal went on the fire, now the chattering exhaust could be heard above the drone of the motorway traffic. A shrill whistle as BIL approached the watching gallery. Louder and louder as she approached, silhouetted against a cloudless blue sky. She sped past with a crimson rake in tow - and was gone. 16C, 5E & 42mph.

Back to the car for a quick sandwich then home. Mrs W has gone for a walk and Oswald needs to be ready for Wilpshire.

 

35018 shortly after leaving Carlisle, 13.05.23.

 

35018 at Greenholme/Scout Green , Newbiggin and Crosby Garrett .

 

Good selection of your various camera locations

 

Footage of 35018 powering up the final mile to Ais Gill this afternoon.

 

A couple of shots of BIL at Greenholme/Scout Green and Langwathby:

Not my finest hour behind a camera!
Chris

 

Lambrigg Head. Literally 2 seconds away from being bowled by 4M25, the next frame had a 66 in it!

 

I thought the freight might catch somebody out after it passed me near Tebay so you did well Steve .

 

Cheers Shep , so many cameras so little time LOL

 

Enjoyed that,zooming and panning ,thats the game.

 

'British India Line' storming through Greenholme with the northbound 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' towards Shap summit and Appleby with Mick Rawling driving, Craig Todd on the shovel and Steve Adams Guard crewing north and south



A beautiful day enjoyed by the gallery today as 'British India Line' approaches Aisgill summit with the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'

 

Great result and a good slice of luck, Steve!

 

There appeared to have been an "issue" heading south over the S&C; a RT departure from Appleby, became 34L at Blea Moor and 35L from Hellifield. If it had been poor weather I might have called it a day - but a glorious late afternoon was just too tempting. Hoping for the best, I jumped in the car and headed over to Wilpshire. There is always a bit of slack in the timings from Hellifield to Horrocksford Jn and with no other trains running BIL could take full advantage. She left Clitheroe 27L - what time would she arrive at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire? Was all well? Had it been a hill climbing issue? We would soon find out.

I waited, it was the most pleasant wait of the year (so far). Unusually, there were only two of us on the station, a local man who is a regular (and always a pleasure to chat with). Before too long we heard a whistle, the talking stopped. I started my camera, BIL has a history of sneaking up on me - not this time you don't BILLY Boy, Oswald is ready! So 90 seconds after starting my camera there was the clear sound of locomotive exhaust and a few seconds later BIL appeared from around the bend (better too early than too late).

An almost colourless exhaust shot skywards from her wide chimney, the note was crisp and as even as a 3 cylinder loco can be. As she moved towards the station, shafts of sunlight slipped between the trackside trees lighting the sides of the boiler and tender and changing the colour of the coaches from maroon to flame red. In near perfect conditions BIL was applying the power, the rails rang as she moved nearer. Almost no visible exhaust as she passed through the platforms. A wave to and from the fireman - thanks. She moved past and under the bridge, the carriages slipped by, faces at the windows illuminated by the low sun, a couple of waves from the last but one coach. Power on all the way up to the summit and then she was off towards Blackburn. 19C, 25L and 28mph. Happy days!