3. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express-22.02.14

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2014 > 11. Trip to London-20-23.02.14 > 3. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express-22.02.14

An early morning walk from our hotel in Covent Garden to Euston in order to see the departure of The Cumbrian Mountain Express. It was interesting to see it at its start point as more usually I go out from home to see it passing through Northamptonshire.

Click here to search The Archive Files

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

57313, Southall-London Euston ECS (5Z86) & 90039, SR 23.40 Glasgow & Edinburgh-London Euston sleeper (1M11), London Euston station
In the darkness and gloom of an early morning inside Euston station, I needed to find something to rest the camera on in order to avoid motion blur from a long exposure of 1/6th second at f5 hence the low angle. At the far eastern side of Euston are platforms one and two. PLatform one is one of two platforms that can accommodate the sleeper services due to their length. 90039 has arrived with the 1M11 Lowland sleeper from Glasgow and Edinburgh that joins in the middle of the night at Carstairs Junction. To the left 57313 with its oversized cabside number has just arrived with the 5Z86 empty stock working from Southall that will be used for The Cumbrian Mountain Express charter.
Keywords: 57313 Southall-London Euston ECS 5Z86 90039 23.40 Glasgow & Edinburgh-London Euston sleeper 1M11 London Euston station

86259, outward leg of The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, 07.09 London Euston-Carlisle (1Z86), Euston London station
With various crew members going about their business preparing The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express charter as it stands in Euston's platform two. With the stock having been dragged in from West Coast Rail's Southall depot 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' made the short journey from Willesden depot. The train will soon leave at 07.09 as the 1Z86 to Carlisle with Black 5 46115 'Scots Guardsman' tasking over the train from Carnforth.
Keywords: 86259 The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 07.09 London Euston-Carlisle 1Z86 Euston London station Les Ross Peter Pan

From the end of platform 1 & 2, London Euston station
With the sun yet to rise Euston is still bathed in artificial lighting as seen from the very end of platforms two and three. As well as the usual fare of Virgin Pendolinos to the right the Lowland sleeper has arrived at platform one and 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' waits to leave with the 1Z86 07.09 charter to Carlisle, The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express'. I really like the atmosphere evoked by the very early morning lighting giving a very chilly feel to this late February morning.
Keywords: From the end of platform 1 2 London Euston station

350233, LM 07.05 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (2Y06), London Euston station
The 07.05 London Midland service to Birmingham New Street gets smartly away from Euston worked by 350233. This train will take about two hours to reach its destination going via Northampton.
Keywords: 350233 07.05 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 2Y06 London Euston station London Midland Desiro

86259, outward leg of The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, 07.09 London Euston-Carlisle (1Z86), London Euston station
Just a couple of minutes late (according to the camera's time code) The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express charter gets away from Euston lead by 86259 'Les Ross/ Peter Pan'. According to records taken on the day, the train ran to time throughout the outward and return legs. Notice the enthusiasts indulging in some window leaning from the front coach taking in the joys of some vintage AC electric haulage!
Keywords: 86259 The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 07.09 London Euston-Carlisle 1Z86 London Euston station Railway Touring Company RTC Les Ross Peter Pan

57313, London Euston-Wembly LE, London Euston station
Within just two minutes of the charter leaving Euston for Carlisle, 57313 has made its way up platform two at Euston ready to make its way to Wembley yard for stabling during the day. The crew were a little premature as the loco. was halted just beyond where I am standing under a red starter signal until the signalman could give it permission to continue its short journey. Notice the rear of the Lowland Caledonian Sleeper train in platform one that had arrived considerably earlier in the morning. I cannot help feel that 57313 (formally 47371) does not look quite so smart in this teal livery as it did when it was one of Virgin's dedicated Thunderbirds.
Keywords: 57313 London Euston-Wembly LE London Euston station light engine

90028, SR 21.43 Aberdeen, 20.44 Inverness & 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper (1M16), London Euston station
The 1M16 Highland Sleeper arrives at Euston after its overnight journey from Scotland. The 21.43 Aberdeen, 20.44 Inverness and 19.50 Fort William sleeper is a complicated train with all three portions having to come together in order for all portions to make it to the capital on time. On this bright winter's morning, 90028 brings the ensemble into its destination with the passengers hopefully awake and ready to disembark from their cabins.
Keywords: 90028 21.43 Aberdeen 20.44 Inverness 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper 1M16 London Euston station Caledonian Sleeper Highland Sleeper

90036, 07.33 Wembly Yard-London Euston LE for ECS sleeper (0M11), London Euston station
90036 drifts slowly into Euston station's platform one having made the short journey from Wembley Yard as the 0M11 light engine move. It will soon attach to the rear of the Lowland Sleeper and tow the stack back to Wembley for cleaning and servicing. Being a Saturday morning means that the stock will not be working the coming night but that it will need to be prepared for Sunday's down 1S24 or 1S25 sleeper.
Keywords: 90036 07.33 Wembly-London Euston LE ECS sleeper 0M11 London Euston station DB Light Engine

90028, SR 21.43 Aberdeen, 20.44 Inverness & 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper (1M16), London Euston station
90028 rests on the blocks at London Euston having recently arrived with the 1M16 Highland Sleeper. In the coming year or so the ageing Mk. III sleeper coaches will be withdrawn in favour of new stock that has been ordered that will offer a new level of comfort and facilities for travellers. It's a strange thing, but I made a journey to York back in 1980 to photograph the steam heated Mk. 1 sleepers stock before its withdrawal and here we are again with their predecessors now facing the chop some thirty-five years later, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29831158604/x55019-20-05-aberdeen-london-king Andy and I have vowed that we will use the Mk. III sleeper before the new stock arrives; we will see!
Keywords: 90028 21.43 Aberdeen 20.44 Inverness 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper 1M16 London Euston station Caledonian Sleeper Highland Sleeper

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.