If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

WCME & CME 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Davo, Jan 21, 2026.

Page 6 of 6
  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    24,284
    Likes Received:
    25,193
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Perhaps someone should tell the RTC that these times show the CME out via Ais Gill and back via Shap with some horrendous paths including loops on the WCML returning from Carlisle. Nothing like the advertised train that is a cut and paste of the standard route and times.
     
    Big Al, Sep 27, 2026
    #101
    Kirk Oswald and 47406 like this.
  2. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    10,124
    Likes Received:
    8,543
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It is an ECML diversion day so I suspect NR have decided Carlisle is too busy around the time the tour would normally get there.
    But agree the web page should now be updated, I have mentioned it to Kelly.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Sep 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
    #102
    47406 likes this.
  3. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    1,804
    Likes Received:
    8,406
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ESI Eng Manager (Retd)
    Location:
    NE Lancs
    Well it's been an odd last 3 months, with mainline steam severely restricted and finally banished from NR's metals. In the northwest July was the only dry month, with around a quarter of the usual rainfall, the other months saw around average levels. Hey ho, we move on with hopeful expectations of something better for 2027.

    A couple of weeks ago the steam ban was lifted and once again steam locos could move under their own power without the need for an oily minder. This "second coming" coincided with a fault with our central heating boiler, which took FOUR visits to successfully diagnose the problem and finally fit new parts; three of the visits coincided exactly with nearby mainline steam outings. By this point I was becoming a bit paranoid, surely it couldn't be just a coincidence. Finally, the boiler was fixed and thanks to an early "heads up" (thanks), it was all systems go for 48151 on the "Birthday Bash". That was until a very late change to an essential GP appointment from morning to afternoon killed it stone dead. (Far be it from me to even infer on this forum, that they may be out to get me . . . but as they probably read this, then who knows what might happen?!)

    In recent years it has become unusual to run the CME in an anticlockwise direction but that's what was happening today. Tangmere, if available, would be the loco, but where to watch? After much indecision I decided on Brownhill and the long climb climb out of Blackburn. I could foresee two problems; first, being a Saturday it could be a popular spot and second, sun was forecast, this would be almost directly behind the train. I left early to get a good spot - I needn't have worried, I was the first arrival and we reached a grand total of around six. The sun shone brightly but cloud was building. Tangmere left Preston 2L, a couple of us followed progress on Traksy until the train reached Blackburn 4L and then cleared Daisyfield Jn 6L - it was almost in sight.

    By now the sun had moved to be, as suspected, shining directly up the long straight; the ballast shimmered. After a couple of minutes the train appeared, Tangmere was producing plenty of exhaust that was slow to clear in the cool, still air. She climbed steadily, the exhaust backlit hung in the trees and silhouetted the distinctive profile of an original Bullied pacific. As Tangmere drew nearer the chatter from her chimney became louder and drowned out the incessant drone of the nearby traffic. Now onto the curve and the 1/73r gradient towards the summit, a long pull on the whistle and she was gone. Given the light, it was not the best location, but it was enjoyable none-the-less. 13C, 8L & 30mph

    I arrived home a couple of minutes after 12. Maisie appeared from under a shrub and "escorted" me directly to the kitchen where she sat expectantly by her food cupboard. I checked with Mrs W, Maisie had already had her dinner, but it didn't stop her trying to get another one from me - she's a bit of a con artist!

     
    Oswald T Wistle, Oct 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
    #103
    alts1985, acorb, nige757 and 11 others like this.
  4. 45698Mars

    45698Mars Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2024
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    583
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hellifield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    45698Mars, Oct 3, 2026 at 5:18 PM
    #104
    Mick45305, nige757, wazza588 and 4 others like this.
  5. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    1,827
    Likes Received:
    6,453
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brampton, Cumbria
    iancawthorne, Oct 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
    #105
    Ryanbux93, Shep Woolley, Mick45305 and 9 others like this.
  6. nige757

    nige757 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2018
    Messages:
    782
    Likes Received:
    5,567
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired
    Location:
    kendal
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    34067 Seen from above Selside with Pen-y-ghent as the backdrop in sunny and gusty conditions and being bowled departing Oxenholme Station.

     
    nige757, Oct 3, 2026 at 8:20 PM
    #106
    Oswald T Wistle, 30910, 45698Mars and 4 others like this.
  7. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    1,827
    Likes Received:
    6,453
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brampton, Cumbria
    iancawthorne, Oct 3, 2026 at 8:35 PM
    #107
    Oswald T Wistle, wazza588, 30910 and 6 others like this.
  8. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2007
    Messages:
    2,411
    Likes Received:
    11,834
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    CME Tangmere 1 NP.jpg

    No shortage of firewood as SR BoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' works 1Z86 'The Cumbrian Mountain Express' away from Helwith Bridge towards Horton and on to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Matt Southwell on the shovel and Matt Miller Guard. The crew will also work the return to Preston

    CME Tangmere 2NP.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 3, 2026 at 9:39 PM
    Shep Woolley, Oct 3, 2026 at 9:20 PM
    #108
    Oswald T Wistle, Mick45305, wazza588 and 9 others like this.
Page 6 of 6

Share This Page