RTC Cumbrian Mountain Express Jul-Sep 2011

Thanks Ralph , I was looking for you at Shap but you must have been on the other side . Regards Steve

 

.....

 

Managed to get out tonight for the return seemed to be on time at Blackrod a credit to its owners looked great

http://davidtomlinsonphotography.weebly.com/steam-railways.html

Dave

 

Hi Mick , nice to be talking to you today and no problems from me. Steve

 

went to Houghton bank to catch her climbing, two shots at http://www.northwestrailphoto.co.uk...album=lastup&cat=0&pid=1004#top_display_media

 

Some shots from Today -
A Lucky patch of light at Morecambe South Jc - http://philmetcalfe.zenfolio.com/p268550676/h33cc248f#h33cc248f
A Even luckier couple of seconds of light at Burton - http://philmetcalfe.zenfolio.com/p268550676/h33cc248f#h3f0ea48c
Back to Normal at Billington - http://philmetcalfe.zenfolio.com/p268550676/h33cc248f#h389945d5
Passing Hoghton - http://philmetcalfe.zenfolio.com/p268550676/h33cc248f#h38ec7138

 

Nice shots Phil,good to see you got the sun.I did the southbound at Armathwaite in my usual conditions
Cheers Henry

 

Thanks Henry, its always nice when the patch of light occasionally comes at the right time!!

 

The diesel seemed to be idling at the start of the climb at billington

2 piccys of 45305 here - http://www.steamingnorth.com/displayimage.php?album=36&pid=4146#top_display_media

John

 

Will post my photos tomorrow. Was up at Scout Green today, sheltering under a tree for ages - but 45305 was in fine form, before seeing the return accelerate through Ribblehead station.

 

The diesel didn't sound like it was doing any work leaving either Hellifield or Clitheroe, or passing Euxton. 45305 seemed to be in fine form yesterday. The safety valves even lifted just before Ais Gill summit!

 

I was on the Cumbrian Mountain Express yesterday and the Black 5 peformed exceptionally well throughout the day. The 47 joined us at Hellifield, we were told to provide assistance up the remaining inclines. I was sitting in the end of the 2nd coach to the rear and only heard the 47 being used once or twice.

We arrived back in Crewe some 40 minutes late due to signalling problems in the Manchester area.

Well done to RTC and West Coast Railways for a brilliant day.

Pic of 45305 at Crewe here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/65305921@N05/6088731890/in/photostream

 

Here are my three photos of 45305 from yesterday. The weather didn't play ball in the morning but I was a bit lucky with sunshine in the afternoon (although I had hoped to be at Birkett or Ais Gill but was too overcast so headed South.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/

 

Don't worry David, I'll post my photo from Ais Gill later and show you what you missed. Rain, mainly! It wasn't until nearly Ribblehead that the rain stopped. Surprisingly, that was the only time I got wet all day.

 

Cheers. I drove past Ais Gill and thought: "Nah!" Definitely glad I went down to Ribblehead.

 

Atmospheric is the best way to describe it! Until about 5 minutes before the train was due, there was rain in the valley, and around Lunds viaduct, but where I was stood was dry.

 

Great shot, nice to see a view that emphasises the magnitude of the landscape. Very lonely!

 

And in contrasting conditions, leaving Hellfield...

 

Oooooo... I looked out and saw the weather and decided against taking a trip over to Hellifield for the same shot. What a mistake :O

Two very nice shots you have =].