96. The Cumbrian Coast Express-26.09.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 96. The Cumbrian Coast Express-26.09.20

A very bright but cold September morning got me out to see the passing of 'The Cumbrian Coast Express' hauled by an old friend 86259. Due to the impact of COVID-19 there has been a dearth of railtours passing on the WCML near to my home so this made a change.

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390153, VT 07.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H09, 4L), Milton Crossing
With the sun in a tricky position in the early morning at this time of year, I had very limited opportunities to photograph trains on my local WCML. As a result, I decided to go for pan shots taken from a recently ploughed field near to Milton Crossing between Roade and Blisworth. When taking pan shots I have learnt by trial and error over the years to position myself a lot closer to the subject than I initially think is right. So I stand where I think is right and then go some distance closer and hope for a 'trial' train to pass to check my positioning. I have also learnt that using a very slow shutter speed is not always needed and that it can induce an unwanted level of blur in not only the background but also the subject. This image used 1/250th second that is usually about right. 390153 is seen at the rear of the 07.20 Euston to Manchester 1H09 service.
Keywords: 390153 07.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H09 Milton Crossing

86259, outward leg of The Cumbrian Coast Express, 07.12 London Euston-Carlisle (1Z86, RT), Milton Crossing
As it usually does, 86259 'Peter Pan/Les Ross' looks superb, ably helped by the bright autumnal sunshine at Milton Crossing just north of Roade cutting. It is seen heading north leading the outward leg of 'The Cumbrian Coast Express' that left Euston at 07.12 and arriving at the right time at Carlisle. From there, ex-Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 35018 'British India Line' took the train around the glorious Cumbrian Coast line.
Keywords: 86259 The Cumbrian Coast Express 07.12 London Euston-Carlisle 1Z86 Milton Crossing Les Ross Peter Pan

390039, VT 07.04 Wolverhampton-London Euston (1B05, RT), Milton Crossing
The rear power car of 390039 'Lady Godiva' heads south past Milton Crossing between Blisworth and Roade working the 07.04 Wolverhampton to Euston. After being the norm for some time now, these plain white Pendolinos are now being rebranded into Avanti West Coast's house colours. I have said it before and will repeat myself that it's so noticeable in this livery, for want of a better phrase, how small the windows are on the Pendolino fleet - just compare with the flank of an early Mk.I or Mk.II coach.
Keywords: 390039 07.04 Wolverhampton-London Euston 1B05 Milton Crossing Avanti West Coast Pendolino Lady Godiva

Images 1-3 of 3 displayed.