16. Summer Tour-07-12.08.79

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1979 > 16. Summer Tour-07-12.08.79
A mammoth summer trip with Graham that had a bit of everything from steam to Deltics to mechanical signaling on the Midland Mainline. We traveled in the glorious orange Mini, UAM 736J, and for the first three days, we were accompanied by a teacher from school, Mr. Brush. We wild camped at various locations including Eaton Wood and Essendine on the ECML. It was a superb trip that, looking back on it now, reminds one of the incredible diversity that existed on the railways during this era.
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The Cumbrian Coast Express-07.08.79 A jaunt around the Cumbrian coast following steam in the form of The Cumbrian Coast express hauled by 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and 5690 'Leander'. Over time, I have lost the details of where we camped but my notes indicate that it may well have been near Bolton Le Sands.
A jaunt around the Cumbrian coast following steam in the form of The Cumbrian Coast express hauled by 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and 5690 'Leander'. Over time, I have lost the details of where we camped but my notes indicate that it may well have been near Bolton Le Sands.
The Cumbrian Mountain Express-08.08.79 After yesterday's dull weather, this day was a lot brighter with more sun. The purpose was to capture The Cumbrian Mountain Express that was hauled by 4472 'Flying Scotsman'. Unfortunately, the oracle that is Six Bells Junction has no information on this tour and, over the annals of time I too have lost any information that I had. It left Carnforth and I believe did a return trip to Skipton. We saw it a number of times on its journey both on the outward and the return runs.

After yesterday's dull weather, this day was a lot brighter with more sun. The purpose was to capture The Cumbrian Mountain Express that was hauled by 4472 'Flying Scotsman'. Unfortunately, the oracle that is Six Bells Junction has no information on this tour and, over the annals of time I too have lost any information that I had. It left Carnforth and I believe did a return trip to Skipton. We saw it a number of times on its journey both on the outward and the return runs.
York & the ECML-09.08.79 I am not sure where we camped the previous night but it will have been between Settle and York! We started off our day at York with a quick trip to the National Railway Museum and York yard we then got down to some Deltic action! We headed southwards from York camping at Eaton Wood just south of Retford.
I am not sure where we camped the previous night but it will have been between Settle and York! We started off our day at York with a quick trip to the National Railway Museum and York yard we then got down to some Deltic action! We headed southwards from York camping at Eaton Wood just south of Retford.
ECML, Eaton Wood to Swayfield-10.08.79 A day spent exclusively on the ECML working southwards from our camping spot at Eaton Wood to Swafield. In the evening, we camped in a farmer's field, with his permission, just next to the line at Essendine. Before the day's activities began, we dropped David at Retford station as he had to head home back to Wiltshire via London. At least he got some quality Deltic haulage to the capital and I was there to capture it!
A day spent exclusively on the ECML working southwards from our camping spot at Eaton Wood to Swafield. In the evening, we camped in a farmer's field, with his permission, just next to the line at Essendine. Before the day's activities began, we dropped David at Retford station as he had to head home back to Wiltshire via London. At least he got some quality Deltic haulage to the capital and I was there to capture it!
Essendine & MML-11.08.79 After a few hours on the ECML we headed west to the MML. The purpose was to capture some of the vintage signalling that was still in operation but that was under threat from a huge re-signalling programme. I am not sure where we camped but it would have been somewhere in the Luton area.
After a few hours on the ECML we headed west to the MML. The purpose was to capture some of the vintage signalling that was still in operation but that was under threat from a huge re-signalling programme. I am not sure where we camped but it would have been somewhere in the Luton area.
MML-12.08.79 The final day of our summer tour found Graham and I on the MML south of Luton. As it was a Sunday, things were a little quiet and there were engineering works due to the electrification programme being underway. After a morning on the Midland, we headed west for home.
The final day of our summer tour found Graham and I on the MML south of Luton. As it was a Sunday, things were a little quiet and there were engineering works due to the electrification programme being underway. After a morning on the Midland, we headed west for home.
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