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.