26. The return of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'-22.05.21

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2021 > 26. The return of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'-22.05.21

Following the relaxation of some of the COVID pandemic restrictions at the start of the week, a programme (if a little limited) of charters got underway this Saturday. One applauded by many was to restart the highly popular 'Cumbrian Mountain/Coast Express' that always seems to be heavily booked. I got out to see the train pass locally to home in Northamptonshire but was disappointed to see it running nearly two hours late following a problem with the stock before it had even left its Acton base.

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Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

86259, outward leg of the Cumbrian Mountain Express, 07.10 London Euston-Carlisle (1Z86), Victoria bridge
86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' makes a most welcome return to the charter market after the COVID pandemic regulations have been eased by the government. It is seen here passing Victoria bridge in Northamptonshire just north of Hanslope Junction leading the outward leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. Unfortunately, at the time the photograph was taken it was running almost exactly two hours late following a problem with the stock before it had even left its Acton base. However, all credit to those involved with pragmatic decision making meaning that the charter ran but with some amendments. The main one being that 86259 led the train all the way to Carlisle rather than the steam taking over at Carnforth. This will no doubt have disappointed those gathering to capture 35018 'British India Line' toiling up Shap but at least they will have had a second chance as it led the train southbound over the S & C later in the afternoon.
Keywords: 86259 Cumbrian Mountain Express, 07.10 London Euston-Carlisle 1Z86 Victoria bridge Les Ross Peter Pan AL6

66784, 08.00 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe N (4L29, 4L), Ashton Road bridge
66784 'Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 50th Anniversary 1968-2018' leads the 4L29 08.00 Birch Coppice to Felixstowe past Roade. This freight working can be routed one of two ways either using the WCML as seen here or via the former Midland route to Peterborough via Leicester.
Keywords: 66784 08.00 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe N 4L29 Ashton Road bridge Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 50th Anniversary 1968-2018

66770, 09.30 Wembley-Bescot Up Engineers (0Z66, 28E), Ashton Road bridge
A quick glance at this photograph appears to show 66770 towing a Class 350 unit! However, the unfortunate timing actually shows a London NorthWestern Class 350 Desiro heading north on the down slow passing the GBRf light engine. 66770 was working the 0Z66 09.30 Wembley Yard to Bescot.
Keywords: 66770 09.30 Wembley-Bescot Up Engineers 0Z66 Ashton Road bridge

66418, 08.25 Crewe Basford Hall-Felixstowe North (4L93, 6E), Ashton Road bridge
The second up Freightliner within ten minutes gave me no time to get to another location so the same view as the last but one photograph will have to suffice. Int its revised Freightliner livery 66418 'Patriot-In Memory of Fallen Railway Employees' leads the 08.25 Crewe Basford Hall to Felixstowe North past Roade about to pass under Ashton Road bridge. It's interesting to note how the colour of the stone that was placed on the embankment following stabilisation work earlier in the year has begun to mellow. It started off almost white but is now yellowing as the weathering process takes place.
Keywords: 66418 08.25 Crewe Basford Hall-Felixstowe North 4L93 Ashton Road bridge Freightliner Patriot-In Memory of Fallen Railway Employees

66713, 11.33 Bletchley Cemex-Pengam Reception (4Z04, 11L), site of Roade station
66713 'Forest City' leads the 4Z04 11.33 Bletchley to Pengam empty CEMEX aggregates working. This GBRf operated flow has used this route heading north on the WCML as far as Birmingham to then head south to Wales again via the Midland route on a number of Saturdays away from its more usual direct route heading south from Bletchley.
Keywords: 66713 11.33 Bletchley Cemex-Pengam Reception 4Z04 site of Roade station GBRf Forest City

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.