5. The Cumbrian Mountain Express-21.08.80

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1980 > 14. East of England Summer Tour-17-22.08.80 > 5. The Cumbrian Mountain Express-21.08.80

After a foul and very wet night under canvas next to the line between Saxilby and Gainsborough, the day dawned bright and sunny. We set off for North Yorkshire in search of steam in the form of The Cumbrian Mountain Express. Off course, by the time we got to Ais Gill it had completely clouded over but some really interesting shenanigans involving 5690 'Leander' and a failed freight train made up for that!

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Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.

Snaith West signal box (Mid, date not known)
In the early morning sunshine, Snaith West signal box is seen standing at the western end of the small station next to the level crossing. The box is unmistakably Midland in origin but its date of construction alludes me and the great worldwide web alike - unless anybody can elighten me! In the next couple of years or so after this photgraph was taken, the line from Drax Branch Junction to Goole was singled by BR with the track seen here lifted and the platform removed an arrangement that remains today.
Keywords: Snaith West signal box Midland

5690, wrong line LE to assist failed freight at Garsdale, Ais Gill SD773979
In the pre-internet days getting news when out waiting for trains was all but impossible. It was a case of waiting about for hours in the hope that what you went to see would turn up! This was the case here at Angrholme just south Ais Gill on the fabled Settle and Carlisle route. Graham and I had driven many miles to capture one of BR's Cumbrian Mountain Express charters so decided to stick it out after the train had not turned up an hour after it should have passed. Eventually, we were surprised to hear and then see 5690 'Leander' running light engine and wrong line. A little bemused by this movement we hung about for a little longer and after about forty-five minutes 5690 returned north again running tender first and right line. It transpired that the steam locomotive had been sent south to assist a failed freight hauled by 40179 into a refuge siding at Garsdale station.
Keywords: 5690 Leander wrong line LE to assist failed freight at Garsdale, Ais Gill SD773979

5690, down LE after assisting failed freight at Garsdale, Ais Gill SD773979
After assisting an up failed freight near to Garsdale station 5690 'Leander' returns light engine tender first north back to its own train that was abandoned at Kirkby Stephen. 40179 had come to a halt on the approach to Garsdale and with noting ales available control amazingly authorised 5690 to run wrong line to south to get past the stricken train and then haul it to Garsadale into a siding. I stand to be corrected but could this have been the first steam-hauled freight train since 1968 if in slightly odd circumstances?
Keywords: 5690 down LE after assisting failed freight at Garsdale Ais Gill SD773979 Leander

40011, down freight, Ais Gill, SD773979
In rather dull and dismal conditions, 40011 leads a classic mixed freight northwards on the descent from Ais Gill summit passing Angreholme. Just look at the incredible collection of wagons behind the brake van. It is trains such as this that were disappearing from our railways at this time but that I took precious few photographs of. As D211 'Mauritania' the locomotive entered service in May 1959 (twenty-one years prior to this photgraph being taken) but had just six weeks left in service being withdrawn early in October 1980. I photgraphed 40011 during its last visit to Crewe Works, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/26146599604/x47182-40011-crewe-works
Keywords: 40011 down freight Ais Gill, SD773979

5690, outward leg of Cumbrian Mountain Express, Ais Gill SD773979
Having done its duty by rescuing a failed freight (hauled by 40179) consequentially now running very late 5690 'Leander' charges up the northern side of the Long Drag approaching Ais Gill summit near the hamlet of Angrholm. It is leading the outward leg of the BR organised Cumbrian Mountain Express. Leander's job will have been made more tricky by it having to make a standing start some five miles north of this location on the rising 1:100 gradient, the dark exhaust evidence of this; the recording is quite dramatic too at..... https://youtu.be/DZCJjc--QqM
Keywords: 5690 outward leg of Cumbrian Mountain Express Ais Gill SD773979

5690, outward leg of The Cumbrian Mountain Express, Garsdale
After rushing from our previous spot north of Ais Gill summit we reached Garsadle just in time to capture 5690 'Leander' leaving after a shortened water and photo stop. It was shortened due to it being running very late after the locomotive was detached to rescue a freight a little earlier in the afternoon. After being absent earlier the sun has now come out but this has put me the wrong side of the train spoiling the image somewhat! At least the tape recording made is a little better. This can be enjoyed at ...... https://youtu.be/LLqHkENmPkA
Keywords: 5690 outward leg of The Cumbrian Mountain Express Garsdale Leander

40175, down freight & 40179 (failed having been rescued by 5690), up freight, Garsdale station
At Garsdale station high up on the Settle and Carlisle railway 40179 has just arrived with a down freight that appears to be a china clay working composed of the five-plank wagons rather than those with the hoods. I suspect that it was heading to Ayr for use in the paper mill. Notice 40179 at the head of an up freight in the loop at the far end of the station with the loco. having disgraced itself earlier by failing and having to be rescued by 5690 'Leander'.
Keywords: 40175, down freight & 40179 (failed having been rescued by 5690), up freight, Garsdale station

Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.