This year’s railtours seem to have started rather later than in past years when we were out in February. The first worthwhile opportunity occured on Saturday 29th March, a double header with Bahamas making its first appearance on the S & C for six years. The other tour was hauled by ….. Tangmere! Let us hope that this is not going to be WCR’s first choice locomotive for another season. We chose to head for Beanthwaite End near the Grayrigg Loops where I have had some success in the past (see blog for 2022-23). The sky was heavy cloud with sun just about breaking through in places, and a stiff breeze. Had it not been for Bahamas, we would have stayed at home!
We waited for Tangmere, and it arrived belching smoke about 45 minutes later. By this time we were cold, but at least it had not started raining, that was for later. Collecting coffee from Kirkby Stephen we headed slowly down Mallerstang where we found many already parked up waiting for both trains on the return leg. That was at least two hours before Bahamas even left Carlisle. We drove over Cowgill Head, remarking how little traffic there was, intending to head down to Dent Head only to find the road is closed just before the viaduct due to a recent landslip, possibly for two years. Nevertheless, we reached Selside well in time for Tangmere’s appearance around 4pm. Bahamas was due about an hour later. As we walked down the Pennine Bridleway, the rain started and the cloud density increased until visibility was reduced to about 100 metres. We despaired of getting any usable material, but we were not prepared to quit. We reminded ourselves it was in this weather that the line was constructed; and no money if you stopped for rain. Bahamas was on time, again unassisted, looking more like it would have done when it was in service.
The following Saturday, 5th April, Blue Peter was scheduled to haul a Saphos Trains tour up the WCML and back via the Cumbrian Coast Line. Tangmere was booked to haul a similar tour. Although neither involved the Settle and Carlisle line, we did not want to miss the opportunity to see BP. We headed for Scotchman’s Bridge in the morning and in the afternoon we drove to Arnside to watch both return over the Kent Viaduct. Unfortunately, there was a lineside fire east of Carlisle. Tangmere made it through, but Blue Peter was sadly returned to Carlisle.
Blue Peter’s arrival at Scotchman’s Bridge was rather dramatic in the midday sun.
Three weeks later Blue Peter did manage to complete the full tour and we were fortunate to catch it as it passed the saltmarsh pond adjacent to the Eric Morcambe hide at Leighton Moss in early the evening.
On 31st May Tornado made its first run on the Settle and Carlisle in four years.
There was only one opportunity to photograph Tornado on the S & C because it was booked to return on the West Coast Main Line, late in the afternoon.
Five weeks later on 6th July we had another chance. This time we drove north to Tommy Road to catch it on the way down again.
The weather was no better than before. We were on our own at this popular location, which was surprising.
As the summer progressed, there were an increasing number of cancellations due to a number of factors, including the apparent inability of West Coast Trains to put out any locomotives, and last minute switches to diesel hauled tours, apparently due to the non existent (in the rain-lashed fells) risk of lineside fires. However, on Wednesday 6th August an opportunity presented itself not to be missed. Mayflower was chosen to haul The Settle and Carlisle Fellsman down the West Coast Main Line to Carlisle and back up the S & C, on both legs. Only its second run ever on this line and the first unaccompanied by a support locomotive.
We chose Tommy Road again. This time there plenty of enthusiasts about.
I’ve not tried this before, a shot as Mayflower disappears into the the cutting on the approach to the Birkett Tunnel.
On Saturday 23rd August West Coast Railways did manage to run the Cumbrian Mountain Express. Again the first leg was on the WCML. The engagement of 45212 was a late update, so we made the effort. We thought we would take a look at Cotegill Bridge (‘Aisgill’), and were astonished to find no-one there, not a single vehicle. We speculated this was due to another cancellation, or failure, but we hung around just in case.
Contrary to expectations, 45212 arrived on time at the summit of the line. We had the place to ourselves apart from a young couple who screeched to a halt in a van, rushed out and hung over the bridge to watch it pass underneath.
Work commitments caused me to miss Britannia on 3rd September. That was followed by a couple of outings for Tangmere, the current West Coast Trains workhorse. On Saturday 27th September we were promised Clun Castle, and as always Locomotive Services/Vintage Trains delivered. As with many tours this year, the down leg was on the WCML and back up the S & C.
For the sixth occasion in a row the weather did not deliver. At this location, a mile north of the popular Scout Green, the southerly wind was biting, and we had to wait because Clun Castle was an hour late, having been obliged to halt at Grayrigg to allow the passage of two service trains. It made slow progress up the grade with no support. Not really the work it was built for.
The light on the approach to Aisgill Viaduct became worse and worse as rain approached. Clun Castle was early and took us a bit by surprise.