WCME & CME 2025

https://www.railwaytouring.net/cme-12-07-25

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58209/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58210/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58213/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W28272/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W28273/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58211/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58212/2025-07-12/detailed

 

With another spell of dry weather forecast I assume that the LE move from Blackburn to Crewe will need a "minder". I wonder if that makes it likely that the trip will have a diesel tucked in behind 45212(?) instead of/in addition to the usual tailgunner, thus making the change of traction at Blackburn much quicker.

 

47815 failed on CME at Grayrigg. Pushed to Tebay by 57008 on the back, which will now run round and pilot to Carlisle. 115 late at Tebay and counting.

 

CME out of Tebay loop at 13:37. 157 late.

 

I hope that they managed to keep the A/C running for the poor passengers.

 

Seems 47815 was dumped in the siding at Tebay, leaving 57008 to go on alone to Carlisle. There's now a VSTP in the system for Tebay-Carlisle and a WCR driver at Carlisle was sent south in a taxi at lunchtime...

 

The up CME just passed Hellifield 47 late, with 47 815 on the rear, so 10A's finest must have fettled the problem. Two maroon and seven blue and grey MkIIs. Anyone want to guess the stock for tomorrow's NWCE?

 

Will be the same set.

 

Oh dear what a shame

 

Maisie was playing out. Oswald, a cricket fan, could only stand to watch so much of England's mediocre pace attack and the team's abysmal catching. With nowhere else to turn for entertainment I decided to watch the returning (whisper it quietly) diesel-hauled CME on Wilpshire Bank. Oswald Jnr had been out but returned in good time for me to head to R&W. The location was not without risk with the CME booked to pass at 16.26 and the Rochdale-Ribblehead service due to stop in the opposite platform (where I would be) at 16.21. It was easy to see that I could easily be "bowled" - unlike the Indian batsmen! Thing is it wouldn't matter as it was "only a diesel" after all.

I had a plan, not a very cunning or inventive plan; on the corresponding weekend 2 years earlier I had filmed 35018 hauling the CME. Wouldn't it be fun if I filmed today's train from exactly the same spot - well it kept me occupied/amused. A trouble-free journey to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire where I parked. RTT showed that the CME and the service train were both running late, so it was still a lottery if I'd get a clear view. Shortening the booked stop in Blackburn allowed the service train to get back on time and it duly completed its stop in R&W RT - worry over! I wasn't worried or even concerned, well maybe just a little bit, it would have been annoying to drive over only to be blocked. RTT showed the CME had passed through Clitheroe 9L and it was estimated that it would be here at 16.35.

Apart from a few waiting passengers there was only me on the station, only me daft enough to stand about with a camera and tripod, that is until shortly before 16.35 when a young guy appeared with a tripod and a DSLR with a microphone mounted on it. We chatted very briefly and then we heard an "agricultural sound". a 37? With aircons needing an ETS I wasn't expecting a 37. Sure enough the 37 nosed its way round the bend and "ploughed a furrow" towards the station. The sound filled the air, a nice toot from the driver to acknowledge my wave - thanks. The 37 eased past followed by . . . a generator car (M17105). [On Friday morning there had been a move shown on RTT from 10A to Carlisle High Wapping Sidings, as there were no other subsequent moves I guessed it must be the diesel for today's CME. The CME had been electric hauled from London all the way to Carlisle. What puzzled me was that the code was 5Z87 and not 0z87, why was there a coach/coaches involved? Answer, the 37 took along the generator car - simples!] The usual mismatch of coach liveries eased past (I hope that @Swiss Toni doesn't see them it'll have him spitting feathers (again)). 17c, 11L & 25/26mph.

Just for fun I've tagged my BIL video on the end of today's effort. I did think of playing a game of "spot the difference" but decided against it but please feel free to play your own game. Answers on a postcard or sealed-down envelope should be addressed to Mr D Smith, Box 10A, Air Brake Avenue, Carnforth, CDL 0RR [Just to start you off, for BIL's effort it was 12C, 37L & 23/24mph - but no more help from me.]

I'm off to help Maisie catch some moths, she chases them and I watch.

 

That was all rather nicely done thank you Oswald.

And re Maisie after the moths. Up until then she would have been a welcome visitor down here.

But not now I have a Jersey Tiger attached to the outside of one of my porch windows at present after flying around my garden earlier.

Not rare down here anymore, but still a really lovely moth to see and enjoy.

Bryan

 

I used to do as many of these that I could do each year, but sadly no longer. Given the choice of aircon stock or staying at home I'll choose the latter every time.

 

I understand from a steward friend it was Steve Chipperfield driving the 37. I guess he would have originally been rostered for the (non existent) steam.
Personally I have little issue with the mismatched coaching stock. Looks like most tours near the end of steam (hope history is not repeating itself).
A book I purchased recently has a picture of a down Statesman boat train in Clapham Cutting with what seems to be 3 green Bulleid coaches, a green MK1, 2 Maroon MK1's, green MK1, a blue and grey MK1 and I think a maroon GUV. As well as others in the book with a mix of green and blue grey.

 

You are right, towards the end the Southern also had some maroon Gresley Buffet Coaches

 

UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Worldwide Rail Holidays

The Cumbrian Mountain Express (formerly The Cumbrian Coast Express)

"From Preston we will be steam hauled by LMS Stanier Class Black 5 No. 45212" - not sure if accurate or if it will be 34067?

Realtime Trains | 1Z40 0757 Crewe to Carlisle | 23/08/2025 - steam on at Preston

Realtime Trains | 5Z41 0835 Carnforth Steamtown to Preston | 23/08/2025

Realtime Trains | 1Z41 1651 Carlisle to Crewe | 23/08/2025 - steam off at Carnforth

Realtime Trains | 5Z42 1837 Carnforth South Jn to Carnforth Steamtown | 23/08/2025

 

So I always made sure I had sarnies and a drink with me!

Bryan