Cumbrian Coast Express April 12th.

Great stuff Stephen, we were at Lindal and the noise as the Scot was climbing Dalton bank was superb

 

LMS 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' charging through Beckfoot

 

I was on the train, here is a taster photo. Rest will follow in a couple of days.

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com...-2014/35756943_GKDgnm#!i=3175470723&k=gncfbdS

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Cracking on-board video Ralph, with a stonking soundtrack!! Gordon Hodgson and Guardsman - what a combo, plus Chip of course!!

Sensible driving at the flange greasers, it certainly obviates the bent coupling rod syndrome in the event of a bad slip.

Thanks for sharing.

cheers

Alan

 

Perhaps a good alternative for the Winter CME next year while the S&C is unavailable? Would get my booking..

 

My thoughts exactly, since it uses the Winter CME path to Carlisle anyway; it would certainly make up for the use the coast hasn't had by steam since 2011 and would definitely get my booking too.

 

When was the previous southbound steam down the coast from Carlisle?

 

I think The Duke did another trip two weeks later and watered at Millom on the way to Carlisle

I do not know when the last steam excursion was from Carlisle down the West Coast, but I think if the S & C is closing then the West Coast is a superb alternative. As a south west Cumbrian resident I know that apart from Sellafield traffic, there appears to be ample pathing opportunities in both directions along the beautiful Cumbrian Coast and a superb opportunity to promote a little used line and a new experience for passengers, with a convenient path in and out for steam at Carnforth,
Tony H

 

I feel there wold be too much "in the dark" running at the time the Winter CME runs

 

I agree. On the early WCME trips it can get dark by 5.00pm( or earlier in bad weather )but you can just make it to Hellifield . The Coast trip gets back to Carnforth at 18:34.
Shap both ways with steam on at Crewe ( it has been done before so I know it works from London) would be a better option, but maybe less trips since it might not be as popular.

 

Also living in Cumbria I totally agree with the above comment. As far as the WCME's are concern with the S+C being shut next year going up and down the WCML with no real scenery to speak of would suggest to me going north up the Cumbrian coast route where the scenery is second to none with the fells to your right and the sea to your left. Returning via the WCML would be no great loss as darkness closed in. Regarding the extra time it would take getting back to London, would it be possible to put steam on at Preston to run north around the coast and run 'Les Ross' to Carlisle to do the return run back to the Smoke-just a thought.

 

The scenery you miss in the dark on the Winter CME between Hellifield and Farington Jn hardly compares with what would be missed around Morecambe Bay in the dark, seascapes, estuaries viaducts, Lakeland fells etc. I suppose going the clockwise way round may overcome this but Shap and the Lune Gorge are also scenic and provide an opportunity for the locomotive to work hard but which you would be unable to see. Don't get me wrong the itinerary as provided last Saturday was superb but it is my view it is one that needs to be done fully in the daylight,

 

Thank you Shep , I could hear 46115 for some time at Dalton as she started the climb from the junction and like you say she sounded fantastic .

 

Footage from a friend of mine .

 

I was on last Saturday's train, and 85 photos can be seen here. I took most of them on the coast line, and hope they give an idea of its scenery and history:

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com...-2014/38530293_mszhXM#!i=3183811798&k=nmtzSH8

Cheers

Andrew N