Vintage Trains 2024

As far as I know the pig fencing as been there awhile now but it was noted that some low life had cut through the fencing to gain access to the lane, is it any wonder why farmers get so upset with photographers!!!

 

5043 seen from Scout Green through to Shap Summit then on the return just west of Penrith Station.

 

A couple of quick phone snaps of the Castle assisted by the class 47 during the brief Stafford set down stop. Plenty of onlookers out to see it.

 

Sunshine at Salterwath, precipitation at Penrith.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/53590735412/in/datetaken-public/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/53592054240/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

Climbing near Lambrigg today

 

Here's my footage of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe roaring and whistling up Shap with The Shap Mountaineer, filmed at Shap Wells. The video also features 34067 Tangmere. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

5043 near the summit at Shap running forty-seven minutes late. The return at Yanwath with the forecasted rain starting to make an appearance.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/

 

"Castle" Class 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe crossing Docker Viaduct northbound and approaching Shap Village on the return in the afternoon.............







Cheerz,

Alan

 

Lancaster "Castle".......

Castle class 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe digs his heels in on the climb out of Lancaster.


Cheerz,

Alan

 

5043 with The Shap Mountaineer from Greenholme and Bee Lane, Preston:

 

5043 on Yealand Bank and Lancaster Bank

 

An impressive performance by GWR Castle Class 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' up the 1:76 gradient at Shap yesterday

 

My first trip of the year and my first with Vintage Trains. We were blessed with the weather. After such a dreich winter it was a pleasure to wake up to a frosty blue skies morning. And as we see from the excellent photos and videos, England was looking at its best, though very watery in places. That view across to Swindale and the High Street range with Kidsty Pike on the left taken by @ragl is a classic.

I think this was the first unassisted steam run on the main line since the epic with BIL described by @1020 Shireman on October 7 last year. Not to be missed by me. How many more will there be? Perhaps hundreds, perhaps not, you never know. I am sure others will have proper logs but I thought the run itself was good. Forty mins from Carnforth loop to Shap Summit (no restriction at Oxenholme) was 2 mins less than on Oct 7 but with 2 coaches fewer and in better weather. Honours even. I thought we might get away without a stop at Penrith but no, we were looped for a late running TPE. Net time Carnforth to Carlisle around 72 mins allowing 8/9 mins for slowing and restarting from Penrith. Coming back, much the same, Carlisle to Yealand in 68 mins, then heavily checked on the approach to Carnforth. Loco seemed very sure footed.

Carlisle city was about the busiest I've seen it. Everyone had come out on the first decent day for ages. The two Spoons heaving, Tullie House closed till the summer, I ended up in that nice fish and chips cafe at the northern end of town.

The first class compartment coach was a nostalgic experience but as expected no good for milepost seekers. The PA in that coach is abysmal. Otherwise the Vintage experience was top rate and for those of you wavering about the Bristol--Plymouth--Paddington steam run I'd say go for it. The evidence from yesterday is that they will try to do what it says on the tin even in the event of unexpected, and in this case, sad difficulties.

 

Scout Green and Shap summit.

 

Taken at Scout Green.

 

5043 at Shap Wells, then leaving Carlisle amid the clutter of the overheads just as the rain started. Although I've been to Carlisle many times since, this is literally the first time I've stood on St Nicholas Bridge and looked towards the station since 1967. It's different.

 

Always great to hear the sound of a Great Western invader over Shap !

 

Barrow Mill on the return...


Earl of Mount Edgcumbe at Barrow Mill

 

5043 at Shap Wells, Airey Hill, Brock and Acton Bridge:

 

Did anyone catch the name of the Class 47 having to give the Southern locomotive some assistance over Shap, I couldn't make it out from the videos??