Sat 15th March, The Cumbrian Ranger.

Bittern Romps Over Ais Gill !!

 

Many thanks for the reports Peter and Ralph, much appreciated.

 

Nice footage. If I'd have come across that snake though, I would have s*** myself!

 

I was talking to him when looking for a spot ! Bit naughty though.

 

There was three of them, until the other two wiggled away. Adder's i believe.

 

good on board action Ralph, Bittern sounded heavenly ! No Ais gill footage ?

 

Plenty of the buggers on Kelling Heath next to the North Norfolk, nearly had an argument with one more than a couple of times when looking for phot spots.

 

LOL!!! That's me presenting my best feature to the photographer !!

 

You had a argument with a couple of Snake's or Photographers ??

 

It's amazing that around 10 years ago, when the Pendo's were introduced, there was much talk of no paths for steam on Shap

 

Edit: The video took me in at first, and I asked "what stops the same method from being used to achieve the desired increase in capacity of lines north from London, which is the main justification for HS2?" I am leaving that question here as it prompted some subsequent postings about amounts of traffic, but I am deleting the rest of my original post, now that I have managed to perceive the join between the two video clips.

 

Both at different times

 

All but Glasgow/Edinburgh traffic has branched off the WCML by Shap!, add in the Manchesters, Liverpools and Birminghams further down is where the issue is.

 

A grey area for this one Ralph; I have used this location for photography (and been criticised for it !!) but my understanding from other locations with similar constructs is that as long as you stay behind the brickwork (and under the bridge) it is acceptable to be positioned there. The presence of the brick support provides the separation between embankment and trackside and access by the footpath from the wall adjacent to the bridge is used by many. Many of we "old-timers" are more familiar with this as the footpath to the (now demolished) signal box but sufficient people still use it as an observation / photography point that it rarely causes comment except from this who wish to "stir it" regarding line side access.

 

Howzabout Carlisle traffics and Cumbrian Coast traffic routed by Carlisle. In truth - apart from the scheduled freight traffic - the route sees 3 passenger trains per hour each way during daylight hours Virgin Euston - Glasgow; Virgin Euston - Birmingham - Glasgow or Edinburgh and TransPenine Manchester Airport - Edinburgh or Glasgow alternating with the Virgin Birmingham routed service.