The Cumbrian Mountain Express 22/04/17.

Yealand 35; MP13 65; MP 24 1/4 39: Looped at Grayrigg.

 

yes wrong decision but at that stage the omens weren't good

 

A tough call to make I agree.

 

All change again,local NR manager has refused access to Upperby curve so we are going into Carlisle after all. Presumably will be well late departing.

 

I've heard, from a friend sitting on a Euston-Carlisle pendolino currently being held at Oxenholme, that a lineside fire has been reported by a driver on the M6 somewhere north of there.

 

Oh dear. Can't he be overruled?

 

They have done well, it's been very wet up here this week.

 

There was some speculation that the reporter of the incident might have seen the exhaust of the steam loco and mistaken it for a lineside fire. However, until NR has investigated the incident, nothing is moving.

 

On the London. Reported lineside fire at Tebay. Power switched off for short time for Fire Service to put fire out. Might have been a real fire.

 

Looked as it was going to be a cracking climb of Shap. Tebay 70; mp34 54; slip just after MP 34 3/4, dropped from 46 to 43, then went bit pear shaped; mp36 34; 36 1/4 32; 1/2 30; 3/4 28; mp37 27; 1/4 25ish. Slipped just after.

 

I have seen the fire in the Lune gorge also the Fire Brigade

 

To be fair, there were multiple issues that conspired to give people the impression that bailing was a sensible option. All too often in the past, the carry on regardless approach has meant manor issues later on. That said, all credit for turning this around. Only negative comment would be a lack of communication for those travelling to make a truly informed decision.

 

I did say to Don that it was a tough call to make and with what's transpired since, he may yet have made the right call. Time will tell.

 

Here, here.

 

On train it appeared the decision not to allow the train around the Upperby Curve was made very late. Genuinely believe TM knew nothing of it nor did he have any idea of the return times. We like many others had to bail due to this uncertainty. These things happen.

 

1Z87 dep Carlisle 1625 towards Settle. Following 1618 service train to Leeds. Gen from Railcam. AN

 

We made right choice. Left Carlisle 91 late at 1623. We'd have had no chance of making the last Cardiff.

Ah, hindsight, the only 'true' science - could have made it with 2 mins to spare. Who'd have thought it? Not us. Still too tight for it to have been a 'comfortable' journey. No regrets. We're booked on the 13th and 20th May and hopefully 46115 will do one or both.

 

In the circumstances only 91L off Carlisle is a very good effort so further credit to WC.