6201, Cumbrian Mountain Express, 01.08.09

THE CUMBRIAN MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
Liverpool-Carlisle
46201: Liverpool-Shap-Carlisle-Settle-Wigan-Liverpool

Anybody out for this one? Not much short of a year ago, I thought I might have seen the last of Lizzie on the mainline, so it'll be good to see her back on Shap and Ais Gill in one day. She seemed in good form on the drag in May, so finger's crossed for another fine performance.

 

I'm probably just going to Edge Hill I think for a pre-breakfast shot !!

 

Running late, passed through Edge Hill about 7:50.
Short video shot here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7W_J2v-TW8

 

Thanks for posting up Austin, I was going to go to Garswood but overslept #-o Lizzy sounds in fine form there, I will probably go out for the return this evening.

Neil.

 

6201 dep Carnforth 1030 as rain stopped. Pic later.

Cheers

AN

 

"W63"

........

 

anyone else apart from me think that edge hill looked an absolute disgrace ,weeds,grass and that's just on the platforms,thetrack didn't look too good either.
there we are my daily rant.

 

You should have been on the Scarborough Flyer yesterday branches and vegitation hitting the train on the route from York to Scarborough. Total neglect needs some serious slashing back.
Brian

 

I was told last week that Network Rail were to do some overnight flailing - or they may have to foot the bill for repainting a well known set of coaches that are up there three times a week!

They make users of the railway under their control jump through hoops - they should also provide a railway fit for use!

 

Here, here.
On the 5th July trip with Tangmere there were places west of Salisbury where vegetation was striking the carriages. This cannot be safe. One day a window will break surely.

 

6201 left Appleby some ten minutes early in brilliant sunshine!!

 

Thanks for the info, I think I will nip to Garswood.

Thanks again, Neil.

 

Three pix from this morning added here:

http://andrewstransport.fotopic.net/c1673135_1.html

Cheers

AN

 

Don't you just love it when they explode out of a bridge/tunnel like that? Makes you smile to watch it. Thanks.

Is this really August? Had a nightmare of a day - absolutely drenched waiting between Preston and Carnforth and then nearly blown off my feet on the climb to Shap (with the wind taking all the sound away to boot). Still it's up at:

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=lldk_ ... ture=email

Another goods train for the chaps at Scout Green I notice! Just got away with it again.

Too cold and wet to stay out for the return sadly.

Chris

 

I got to see her at Garswood, no stills as I caught the camera strap on the video tripod as I went to get a shot and also got a nice jump on the video #-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqVU9fei3aw

Last time I saw Lizzy was at Garswood last year, 23rd of August. She sounded great and it was lovely to see her again after the doubts about the future of Lizzy on the mainline. Well done in getting her back out again =D> =D> =D>

Neil.

 

Just had a look at my vid from the day when we met Ralph, 7th July 2007... Time flys, just over 2 years ago!

Nice video as usual Chris and thanks for sharing, next time I am out for something climbing Shap I think I will try a location such as that for a longer shot.

Neil.

 

Excellent contributions from everyone - thanks for sharing all.

I'll put my video up later, but just to report that 6201 ran to time all day - indeed as 46203 says, she was 10 minutes early off Appleby, maintaining this earliness to Ais Gill (where a few would no doubt be sweating about a service train which was due to go the other way). Great performances all day - mastered Grayrigg and Ais Gill at around 40 and 35 mph respectively I'd say; Anyone know the speed over Shap? A credit to those that keep her running, and mainline steam more generally.

 

34.2 mph at Shap Summit. No signal check at Lancaster so straight through at 74.5 mph. Penrith passed at 72 mph. Excellent north bound driving by Albert Seymour. Despite leaving Liverpool 14 minutes down, due to late arrival of stock, we were 7 minutes early in Carlisle. Everyone on board highly delighted with a great run on the west coast main line. On the return we were as much as 15 minutes ahead of schedule at times due to super quick water stop at Appleby. We were back more on schedule after a water stop at Blackburn but still managed to reach Liverpool a few minutes early.