53. A Cumbrian caper-20-22.06.24

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2024 > 53. A Cumbrian caper-20-22.06.24

I said in my introduction to the year that Andy and I hoped to resurrect our annual 'summer trip' that we have not undertaken since before COVID. This year, after some aborted attempts, we managed it! We decided to revisit the superb and scenic Cumbrian coast route but, this time, taking our time rather than rushing as we did on our last visit back in 2013. Andy was keen to capture the mechanical signalling and boxes as his newfound, if a little belated, interest in the subject meant that he took few photographs during our previous visit. We stayed two nights, one in Carlisle and the second in Barrow-in-Furness travelling in my MG EV with charging being completely non-problematic and making for a very cheap six hundred miles of motoring; who said EVs are no good?
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1. Merseyside & Carlisle-20.06.24 A straightforward drive from home in Northamptonshire to Liverpool South Parkway station enabled free parking for the day and for us to access the Merseyrail network. We had pre-purchased a couple of Day Saver tickets that permitted unlimited travel on the network from after 09.30. At just over £10 for the pair of us it represents superb value and we certainly maxed out our travel on the tickets! As well as travelling on some new Class 777 units we also bagged some Class 507s in what will be their final couple of months of operation. After our day out we travelled north to Carlisle whilst listening to England performing unconvincingly in their Euros Group match against Denmark drawing 1-1 as well as a ten-minute car charging stop at the superb Tebay services.

A straightforward drive from home in Northamptonshire to Liverpool South Parkway station enabled free parking for the day and for us to access the Merseyrail network. We had pre-purchased a couple of Day Saver tickets that permitted unlimited travel on the network from after 09.30. At just over £10 for the pair of us it represents superb value and we certainly maxed out our travel on the tickets! As well as travelling on some new Class 777 units we also bagged some Class 507s in what will be their final couple of months of operation. After our day out we travelled north to Carlisle whilst listening to England performing unconvincingly in their Euros Group match against Denmark drawing 1-1 as well as a ten-minute car charging stop at the superb Tebay services.
2. The Cumbrian Coast-21.06.24 After getting off to a great start following a hearty Morrison's breakfast Andy and me started making our way along the Cumbrian Coast in sunshine. However, a strong and somewhat chilly northwesterly wind brought a lot of cloud in off the sea with most of the day being rather overcast. We made our way all the way along the coast as far as Barrow-in-Furness almost repeating our 2013 trip but taking our time on this occasion. A great way to spend the longest day of the year!

After getting off to a great start following a hearty Morrison's breakfast Andy and me started making our way along the Cumbrian Coast in sunshine. However, a strong and somewhat chilly northwesterly wind brought a lot of cloud in off the sea with most of the day being rather overcast. We made our way all the way along the coast as far as Barrow-in-Furness almost repeating our 2013 trip but taking our time on this occasion. A great way to spend the longest day of the year!
3. Southern Lakes, the CME & some fill-ins-22.06.24 Following some overnight rain the day dawned much brighter and a little warmer. Breakfast at Tesco this time before heading off through the Southern Lakes. We had planned to capture the steam-hauled section of The Cumbrian Mountain Express but had some logistical problems that prevented us from getting to the spot we wanted to reach. After a pause at the fascinating rail centre at Carnforth, we headed south stopping off for a couple of shots in the Wigan area. The journey back to Northamptonshire was uneventful getting home at around 19.00.

Following some overnight rain the day dawned much brighter and a little warmer. Breakfast at Tesco this time before heading off through the Southern Lakes. We had planned to capture the steam-hauled section of The Cumbrian Mountain Express but had some logistical problems that prevented us from getting to the spot we wanted to reach. After a pause at the fascinating rail centre at Carnforth, we headed south stopping off for a couple of shots in the Wigan area. The journey back to Northamptonshire was uneventful getting home at around 19.00.
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