WCME & CME 2025

Some great pictures today, but that top one is a stand-out for me: a simple composition but so dramatic!

 

A few clips of SR BoB No.34067 hauling today's 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express', seen climbing Shap and passing Crosby Garrett.

Video available here

 

One from Salterwath...

Tangmere at Salterwath by Ian Cawthorne, on Flickr

 

Very nice Ian,good to see a variation on the usual shots there.

 

My first railtour since 1999 (HRT Clan Line to Stratford on Avon). Steam on this line has been on my list all those years. Also my first ride over the S & C since 1989 when BR put special locos on, on that occasion a 56. Les Ross was superbly turned out and gave a spirited run to Carnforth. What appears to have changed since those days is the sheer volume of traffic over all the lines so it was frustrating to have to wait behind service trains into all the WCML stops (and indeed behind a Tesco one out of Preston). Tangmere performed superbly, I expect someone will come along soon to point out that the 57 did some pushing.
The MkIIs seem so dated now, but still a comfortable ride.

I have a probably stupid question but are the MkIIs VB'd?

Thanks RTC! the programme was very informative especially the lineside notes and profiles.

 

Excellent footage as usual Nige!

 

The unsung hero of the WCME/CME, Les Ross's prerserved class 86, which always unceremoniously hauls the non steam legs, slows to a stop for a signal check at Stafford on the 22nd February WCME.

 

Thank you David, that’s much appreciated.

 

Thanks for your report and glad you enjoyed your trip over the S&C.
The coaches are air braked only and you have (inadvertently!) touched on a far bigger topic of discussion which is spoken about at length elsewhere on this forum!
I won't restart the debate here, but suffice to say that the air braked stock is as it stands all that is allowed to be used and is in turn limiting the motive power that can be used by the operator, as the majority of the Carnforth based fleet is Vac only.

 

I know all about the CDL issue but how did the train brake? the 57, a translator coach or is Tangmere air braked?

 

Tangmere is air braked. When/if you get chance have a look at the smokebox end and you will see (and hear) the pump.

 

Thanks, how many others are in the Carnforth pool?

 

Not to divert too far, but just to forestall any confusion on @Zoomeg's part: There is no ban on vac-braked locos hauling vac-braked stock provided other requirements (such as CDL) are satisfied, but AFAIK the only main-line TOC currently operating in that mode is Vintage Trains. All the other TOCs are using air braking, including WCRC, who are severely constrained by having few suitably fitted steam locos available. VAC braking remains in use on heritage lines.

Have I got that right? What about NYMR's Whitby trains?

 

6201 (which is under overhaul).
Otherwise Carnforth are reliant on Ian Riley's Black 5s.

44932, 35018, 46115 and 45699 are I believe all 'in ticket' at Carnforth but are vac only - so can not be used on the CDL fitted stock which is air braked only.
Either the Vac stock needs fitting with CDL or the locos with air brakes - neither seems to be likely at the moment.

 

The Whitby trains are vac. NYMR have an exemption subject to certain rules ( discussed in a thread on RailUK Forum).

 

Thanks for the replies, so have WCR implemented a complete stop on all non CDL stock including the Jacobite? I thought they were given a notice period to comply.

 

No the ORR have prohibited WCR from using Non-CDL stock on the mainline, because WCR did not comply by fitting CDL to that stock.

As such now only CDL stock can be used, and that means it’s all Air Braked MK2 stuff.