Cumbrian Coast Express 2024

34067 would at the helm of the Cumbrian Coast Express and is seen at Oxenholme after moving to Carlisle with support coach and a 47 . Video to follow.

 

34067 at Holmegate Farm near Bootle...


Tangmere at Holmegate Farm

 

Very smart.

 

34067 at Oxenholme, Nethertown and Dalton Bank.

 

With the wonderful Coniston Fells as a backdrop SR BoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' works the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Coast Express 1Z42 round the tight curve on the approach to Kirkby in Furness Station back to Carnforth and on to London



Heading the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Coast Express' rail tour No. 34067 'Tangmere' going well on Dalton Bank back to Carnforth and then on to London Euston

 

Brilliant photos. What are the fells on the Kirkby 0ne? I am guessing r to l Old Man, Dow Crag, Caw, ??? Stickle Pike and to the l of the loco Black Combe.

 

Beyond the coaches l-r Caw, White Pike, Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam just beyond the Old Man

 

I don't usually "do" the Cumbrian Coasts and I hadn't planned to do so today. This morning I had a job, to print two photographs, simple you might think . . . think again! The photos, that reside on Mrs W's phone had to be printed a specific size. Although Mrs W can send photos to the printer she can't specify the size, but Oswald knows how to do it using his laptop - easy, peasy! Easily sorted, Mrs W sends Oswald the photos (message or airdrop), Oswald transfers them to his laptop and prints them. All fine, except overnight Mrs W chose to update the software on her iphone and this morning it refused to allow her to send it to me (or anyone else). After various google searches and almost 2 hours later we managed to fix it (somehow).

For lunch we were joined by Diego who enjoyed a generous helping of tuna and red onion pizza (but no base, onion or cheese - just tuna). He left almost immediately and was last seen snoozing in the sun in a neighbour's garden. Mrs W and Oswald Jnr went out leaving Oswald to print the photos, when completed his time was his own.

It was now about 2.30pm and such a nice day, it seemed a shame to stay in when there was mainline steam only 50 miles away. I gathered up my bits and pieces and headed up to Arnside. I had "pencilled in" a shot of the train coming through the station, either past the signal box or under the footbridge, or even both. I parked up and wandered onto the station, with almost an hour to go there were already several photographers on the platforms and footbridge and, as expected, the sun was on the wrong side. I decided to try the viaduct instead, not my best decision.

On a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon Arnside was busy. I drove around for at least 10 minutes until I found a parking spot that I could just squeeze the car into. It was now less than half an hour until the train was due. After considering several options I made my way down the ramp and onto the sand - what a treat, I should have brought my bucket and spade. It was very pleasant waiting on the sea shore, although there were no shells for anyone, (she, he or otherwise) to sell - an ice cream would have been nice. RTT wasn't much help as the last recorded time was 3L at Ulverston, it was just a case of staring across the estuary in the hope of spotting Tangmere and the train in the tree line at the edge of the very bright sand and water.

Eventually some dark smoke appeared and Oswald tried to track it across the viaduct, I made a bit of a pig's ear of it as I struggled to see screen in the very bright light, panning as much in hope as expectation. It gets worse, yesterday I had been "playing" with the recording level for the mic and forgot to reset it, so the sound is a bit distorted. At least Tangmere whistled. Ah, well perhaps I was meant to stay at home - at least I tried. 21C, 4L & 52mph. Vote Wistle!

 

34067 seen passing through Oxenholme, 86259 with the tour passing Benson Hall Farm, 34067 rounding the corner from St Bees and passing through Nethertown towards Sellafield then climbing out of Dalton with plenty of assistance.

 

Fire risk management possibly Al ? I was driving with Nige the passenger and as we drove into Askam Tangmere appeared in front of us so a minute or so later we caught up with the train but the 47 was in full throttle mode as it headed for Barrow .

 

34067 Tangmere approaching Seascale on 1/6/2024

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

With fire risk it’s not judged on the new growth/rainfall, it’s judged on last years growth which is now completely dead and on its way out, making perfect fire lighting conditions. April/May/Early June is the absolute perfect whirlwind of dead foliage and warm enough conditions. The ground/new growth taking the moisture.

Network Rail have also been out doing a lot of weedkilling trains in the last month or so, that adds to the tinderbox issues.

I don’t think fire risk is as much of a clutch as is being made out here. I think it’s a very genuine issue.

The whole diesel on the back thing is wearing thin now. If people can’t see that it’s basically another 3.5 coaches of weight being added so it is naturally going to have to assist then there is something wrong with them. You wouldn’t push two shopping trolleys round Tesco, you’d get assistance.

And for those who say adding a generator car will be the way forward…..That still incurs some weight issues for some locos, and indeed length issues for some platforms (Although I accept this happens for a diesel too)….All of which amounts to chopping out revenue earning vehicles…..Which amounts to not running trips, or running them at higher prices.

 

Listening on the train, there was a small lineside fire reported in the Maryport area, so not surprised if a view was taken to minimise risk and gingerly take the climbs around Barrow. Overall, enjoyed it - all smoothly operated and another route to chalk up with a Bulleid on the front, along with some required track through Barrow. Also found a decent restaurant in Carlisle that I'll note for future reference.

That said, of far greater concern to me than whether or not there was diesel assistance on specific sections is the Mk2 air-con (or lack thereof) situation. I thought to myself that this would probably be the last tolerable WCRC-run tour to do before the weather gets warmer, and I'll now follow through with my plan to wait until September when temperatures are a bit cooler. Even with every possible window or internal door open, it was stuffy, to say the least.

 

Hardly a straw as neither you or I know what has been said to the crews of Tangmere or the 47 by Network Rail on the day.