60163 Tornado 'The Shap Mountaineer' & 34067 Tangmere 'The Cumbrian Mountain Express' 28/3/26

Yesterday Saturday 28th March i travelled on Vintage Trains 'The Shap Mountaineer behind 60163 Tornado with 11 coaches which included the water carrier & Tornado support coach, and ran without a diesel on the rear
Seen here arriving at Crewe from Birmingham
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-PpSbZKL
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-xhSZZLZ

The journey over shap saw Tornado top the summit at 42 mph, and she is seen here after arriving at Carlisle
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-S9JwWS4
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-ntjBFbM

Just 5 minutes in front of Tornado was Tangmere though with diesel assistance with RTC's 'The Cumbrian Mountain Express', we had to wait for Tangmere to be dragged out of P3 at Carlisle and i was able to get this quick photo through the open window on my coach, (at no time did the phone or my hand hang out of window)
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-FhFtQ8g

Eventually we were allowed into Carlisle station
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-qgKBtBN

47773 ran light engine from Crewe to Carlisle to carry out the various shunts and turning of the train
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-xkK9gmq

It was amazing how quickly it changed from sunny weather to heavy downpour
47773 sets off to Upperby for servicing and turning if the train in fine weather 13.56pm
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-pKwJfwS
60163 less than 1 minute after the class 47 photo a very heavy downpour lasted for about a couple of minutes 13.56pm you can see the rain!!
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-wV2FMTL

Later in the afternoon 47813 brings in 34067 Tangmere for the return trip of the Cumbrian Mountain Express over the S&C line
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-dw832W8
34067 Tangmere ready to head over the S&C line back to Preston with 'The Cumbrian Mountain Express'
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-WDpMhw4

Then it was turn for my trip back as 47773 brings in the stock & Tornado
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-n49dwhs

60163 Tornado awaits to depart over the S&C line back to Crewe & Birmingham (The 47 will run light engine to Blackburn)
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-xDdxmrr
On the approach to Aisgill we were slowed by a PW restriction of 20mph about a couple of miles from the summit, Tornado thenpowered away from this and topped Aisgill summit at 46mph, boy was she making some noise!!
Finally back at Crewe, again in a heavy downpour of rain (photos and video taken with my phone)
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/March-2026/Tornado-and-Tangmere/i-wW7ZwfN

Neil