WCME & CME 2025

https://www.railwaytouring.net/cme-12-07-25

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58209/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58210/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58213/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W28272/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W28273/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58211/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58212/2025-07-12/detailed

 

With another spell of dry weather forecast I assume that the LE move from Blackburn to Crewe will need a "minder". I wonder if that makes it likely that the trip will have a diesel tucked in behind 45212(?) instead of/in addition to the usual tailgunner, thus making the change of traction at Blackburn much quicker.

 

47815 failed on CME at Grayrigg. Pushed to Tebay by 57008 on the back, which will now run round and pilot to Carlisle. 115 late at Tebay and counting.

 

CME out of Tebay loop at 13:37. 157 late.

 

I hope that they managed to keep the A/C running for the poor passengers.

 

Seems 47815 was dumped in the siding at Tebay, leaving 57008 to go on alone to Carlisle. There's now a VSTP in the system for Tebay-Carlisle and a WCR driver at Carlisle was sent south in a taxi at lunchtime...

 

The up CME just passed Hellifield 47 late, with 47 815 on the rear, so 10A's finest must have fettled the problem. Two maroon and seven blue and grey MkIIs. Anyone want to guess the stock for tomorrow's NWCE?

 

Will be the same set.

 

Oh dear what a shame

 

Maisie was playing out. Oswald, a cricket fan, could only stand to watch so much of England's mediocre pace attack and the team's abysmal catching. With nowhere else to turn for entertainment I decided to watch the returning (whisper it quietly) diesel-hauled CME on Wilpshire Bank. Oswald Jnr had been out but returned in good time for me to head to R&W. The location was not without risk with the CME booked to pass at 16.26 and the Rochdale-Ribblehead service due to stop in the opposite platform (where I would be) at 16.21. It was easy to see that I could easily be "bowled" - unlike the Indian batsmen! Thing is it wouldn't matter as it was "only a diesel" after all.

I had a plan, not a very cunning or inventive plan; on the corresponding weekend 2 years earlier I had filmed 35018 hauling the CME. Wouldn't it be fun if I filmed today's train from exactly the same spot - well it kept me occupied/amused. A trouble-free journey to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire where I parked. RTT showed that the CME and the service train were both running late, so it was still a lottery if I'd get a clear view. Shortening the booked stop in Blackburn allowed the service train to get back on time and it duly completed its stop in R&W RT - worry over! I wasn't worried or even concerned, well maybe just a little bit, it would have been annoying to drive over only to be blocked. RTT showed the CME had passed through Clitheroe 9L and it was estimated that it would be here at 16.35.

Apart from a few waiting passengers there was only me on the station, only me daft enough to stand about with a camera and tripod, that is until shortly before 16.35 when a young guy appeared with a tripod and a DSLR with a microphone mounted on it. We chatted very briefly and then we heard an "agricultural sound". a 37? With aircons needing an ETS I wasn't expecting a 37. Sure enough the 37 nosed its way round the bend and "ploughed a furrow" towards the station. The sound filled the air, a nice toot from the driver to acknowledge my wave - thanks. The 37 eased past followed by . . . a generator car (M17105). [On Friday morning there had been a move shown on RTT from 10A to Carlisle High Wapping Sidings, as there were no other subsequent moves I guessed it must be the diesel for today's CME. The CME had been electric hauled from London all the way to Carlisle. What puzzled me was that the code was 5Z87 and not 0z87, why was there a coach/coaches involved? Answer, the 37 took along the generator car - simples!] The usual mismatch of coach liveries eased past (I hope that @Swiss Toni doesn't see them it'll have him spitting feathers (again)). 17c, 11L & 25/26mph.

Just for fun I've tagged my BIL video on the end of today's effort. I did think of playing a game of "spot the difference" but decided against it but please feel free to play your own game. Answers on a postcard or sealed-down envelope should be addressed to Mr D Smith, Box 10A, Air Brake Avenue, Carnforth, CDL 0RR [Just to start you off, for BIL's effort it was 12C, 37L & 23/24mph - but no more help from me.]

I'm off to help Maisie catch some moths, she chases them and I watch.

 

That was all rather nicely done thank you Oswald.

And re Maisie after the moths. Up until then she would have been a welcome visitor down here.

But not now I have a Jersey Tiger attached to the outside of one of my porch windows at present after flying around my garden earlier.

Not rare down here anymore, but still a really lovely moth to see and enjoy.

Bryan

 

I used to do as many of these that I could do each year, but sadly no longer. Given the choice of aircon stock or staying at home I'll choose the latter every time.

 

I understand from a steward friend it was Steve Chipperfield driving the 37. I guess he would have originally been rostered for the (non existent) steam.
Personally I have little issue with the mismatched coaching stock. Looks like most tours near the end of steam (hope history is not repeating itself).
A book I purchased recently has a picture of a down Statesman boat train in Clapham Cutting with what seems to be 3 green Bulleid coaches, a green MK1, 2 Maroon MK1's, green MK1, a blue and grey MK1 and I think a maroon GUV. As well as others in the book with a mix of green and blue grey.

 

You are right, towards the end the Southern also had some maroon Gresley Buffet Coaches

 

UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Worldwide Rail Holidays

The Cumbrian Mountain Express (formerly The Cumbrian Coast Express)

"From Preston we will be steam hauled by LMS Stanier Class Black 5 No. 45212" - not sure if accurate or if it will be 34067?

Realtime Trains | 1Z40 0757 Crewe to Carlisle | 23/08/2025 - steam on at Preston

Realtime Trains | 5Z41 0835 Carnforth Steamtown to Preston | 23/08/2025

Realtime Trains | 1Z41 1651 Carlisle to Crewe | 23/08/2025 - steam off at Carnforth

Realtime Trains | 5Z42 1837 Carnforth South Jn to Carnforth Steamtown | 23/08/2025

 

So I always made sure I had sarnies and a drink with me!

Bryan

 

45212 on the CME (ex CCE) at Brownhills and then passing Horton #1 field. There didn't seem to be many photters out for this today.
The Class 57 on the rear was doing most of the work (fire risk) but hopefully the rain that is forecast Tuesday onwards will improve the situation.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54739125016/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54739358874/in/photostream/

 

Another cloudy but dry day was forecast. Unusually today's CME was making an anticlockwise trip, with steam on at Preston then via Blackburn, Hellifield and north over the S&C. Return was to be south on the WCML to Carnforth, where steam would be replaced by diesel. The train was scheduled to pass through Blackburn at 11.23. There was a road closure on my usual route to Brownhill/Wilpshire, where the train climbs away from Blackburn. Instead, I decided to go to watch the climb up Hoghton Bank. I would go to Chapel Lane at Hoghton; in previous years a very regular spot.

Before I could leave I had a couple of jobs; some of the shrubs in the front garden were looking a bit thirsty. I had purposely left them as Maisie uses them to shelter from the strong afternoon sun, and no-one wants a cat with a dirty white tummy caused by lying in wet soil. I checked under the shrubs, no Maisie so I emptied the contents of the watering can. I went to refill it and returned to find Maisie was now watching from the garden path, second shrub watered. I refilled the can and as I was emptying its contents under the next shrub there was loud meow and a small black and white cat shot from underneath, gave me a "witherer" and disappeared underneath the car. Oh dear, will I be forgiven? Food usually does the trick, and it did!

An uneventful drive to Chapel Lane, passing along the M65 the orange windsocks hung loosely, there was not a breath of wind. Parking has never been great and more recently the locals have taken to putting cones in road alongside the pavement on the widest part of the road. I parked a couple of hundred yards before the bridge, somewhere where I would not be obstructing the road on a bend; others are often less fussy. It was still some time before the train was due but as it was a pleasant morning, I gathered up my bits and pieces and headed to the bridge. There was already a young man waiting, as I readied myself we chatted. He had travelled from Crewe, by public transport, to video the train. He had caught the bus from Preston to the end of the road where he had a half mile walk to the bridge. Presumably having travelled to Preston by train and then walked to the bus station. That is dedication.

A couple of service trains came and went. Three locals wandered up to watch the spectacle; they had enjoyed seeing Mayflower a couple of weeks earlier. The train left Preston and we monitored progress on Traksy, then there was a blast of a Stanier hooter for one of the crossings. We waited and then came the lovely sound of a black 5 working hard, a crisp and perfectly even beat. The sound grew louder, 45212 burst from under the occupation bridge, a blue-grey haze shooting up from the chimney, a blast on the hooter for the approaching foot crossing. She hurried towards us, the sharp exhaust note filled the air then under the bridge and off towards the nearby summit. 57314 growled as it passed by, "here to help" and it was, but 45212 sounded as though she didn't need too much help. Once the weight of the train was over the summit the exhaust beat quickened as it headed towards the golf course bridge. 18C, around 2E & 35mph.

After the train had passed the young people on the left of the foot crossing opened the gate and walked across. The two photographers on the right had no need to open the gate as they had been standing "wrong side" throughout - idiots!



One of the advantages of seeing the train at Hoghton was that I was home in time to have my lunch/dinner before watching Mrs W's team on Sky (12.30 kick off). They were away against Hull and won 3-0, Mrs W was very pleased!

 

45212 heads north for Carlisle at Lazonby - 23 August 2025.

 

KWVR's Class 5 No. 45212 puts on a fine sight as it works today's 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' 1Z40 towards Selside Cottages below a moody Pen-y-Ghent Fell and onwards to Carlisle with Craig Todd driving and Matt Southwell on the shovel. The same crew will work the return working back to Carnforth



Getting underway after being looped at Eden Valley No. 45212 heads 1Z41 the return leg of 'The Cumbrian Mountain Express' back to Carnforth and onwards to Crewe