72. The Cumbrian Mountain Express with a difference-07.10.23

A last-minute change of plan due to weather-related issues meant that I was able to get out and see the more local Cumbrian Mountain Express. I had intended to drive west and see LSL's HST working The Highland Pullman but that was cancelled due to extreme weather warnings in Scotland that precipitated ScotRail closing virtually the entire network. Initially, I thought that this was a little of an overreaction but in the event there were some serious problems affecting both roads and the rail networks so the call was probably correct. This disappointment was partially made up by 86259, which usually hauls the CME being substituted by one of WCR's 57s. Whilst Scotland and the north experienced terrible weather this day was sunny and unseasonably warm in the south!