The Cumbrian Mountains Express passes over Ribblehead Viaduct hauled by Merchant Navy Class Steam Engine 35018 ‘British India Line’ – 22nd May 2021. Courtesy of Tony Johnson.
With COVID restrictions scheduled to be lifted, we decided to take a punt on this tour running, and booked a 4 + 2 table to travel with 4 friends.
The 07.10 start from Euston meant an overnight stay nearby – Euston concourse was surprisingly busy at 06.30 – mainly due to a points failure at Acton which was causing cancellations already. A text from our friends in Watford confirmed they were being forced to head to Milton Keynes to pick the train up - as the first Watford Junction to Euston service of the day had been cancelled.
Problems started as soon as we noticed there was no train on platform 16 – the ECS being due in at 06.35. 07.00 came and there was an announcement that the train was being delayed. Not great when the promise of hot food and drink on the train meant we had skipped breakfast!
Further announcements informed us that the train was still in Wembley yard and the locomotive had failed. Staff were trying to repair the engine – but in reality, a driver had been sent to Southall to collect another engine.
Following the last tour failure – all eyes were on me!
It was gone 09.00 when West Coast Railways Diesel Class 47, 47 746 rolled in, dragging (presumably) failed Diesel Class 33, 33 207 ‘Jim Martin’ with it.
Diesel Class 47, 47 746 and Class 33, 33 207 ‘Jim Martin’ arrive in Euston station with the ECS for The Cumbrian Mountains Express – 22nd May 2021
The West Coast Railways stock provided looked like a bit of a mismatch, different liveries and some coaches looked recently repainted whilst others looked a bit tatty. Blue Electric Class 86, 86259 ‘Les Ross/ Peter Pan’ quickly reversed onto the stock as we took our seats in Coach A. The coach was reasonable inside – looked like some extra wooden screens had been added – if a little roughly.
Departure was at 09.26 just over 2 hours late. Breakfast was served just after the Milton Keynes stop, and we hurried down the WCML towards Preston our last pick-up point.
Electric Class 86, 86259 ‘Les Ross/ Peter Pan’ rushes north past Lower Standish with The Cumbrian Mountains Express – 22nd May 2021. Courtesy of S Roebuck.
As we headed further north past Lancaster, we had good views of Morecambe Bay, the Lake District and a little further up the fantastic Tebay gorge where the railway and the M6 Motorway run side by side.
Tebay Gorge – photographer unknown.
En-route a decision to pick up the Steam engine at Carlisle and omit the stop at Carnforth was made, and we rolled into Carlisle at 13.50 just over an hour and ten minutes late.
Unfortunately, the late running had eaten into our time in Carlisle, and to enable us to keep our booked path over the Settle & Carlisle line – departure was scheduled for 14.25hrs. After spending nearly 5 hours on the train this didn’t go down well with our party as we walked out of the station for a break of just 40 minutes. The trip was always going to be a long day – but the planned stop of nearly two hours in Carlisle was going to be a welcome break for the non-rail enthusiasts amongst us, and a good opportunity to stretch the legs.
Merchant Navy Class Steam Engine 35018 ‘British India Line’ was waiting in the centre road and was quickly attached to the rear of the coaches.
Merchant Navy Class Steam Engine 35018 ‘British India Line’ at Carlisle Station – 22nd May 2021.
We left Carlisle at 14.34hrs, 12 minutes late – passing A1 Steam Engine 60163 ‘Tornado’ as we headed south on the Settle & Carlisle line. It would follow us down the S&C later in the day. The weather had picked up and the sun was shining. The scenery was quite stunning, there were lots of walkers and photographers out and it brought back memories of the many walks and visits I’d had to this part of the world when I was younger.
A quick water stop at Appelby (15.30hrs), and we continued through Garsdale, Ribblehead, Horton in Ribblesdale and into Settle. We then headed for Hellifield and another water stop (16.40 – 17.05hrs).
Merchant Navy Class Steam Engine 35018 ‘British India Line’ taking on water at Hellifield station - 22nd May 2021. Courtesy of M Hemmingway.
Dinner was served and as we departed Hellifield and we settled down to a fantastic 4 course feast which was served at the table.
We headed west again passing through Gisburn, Chatburn and Clitheroe – surprisingly picturesque before Blackburn and back into Preston where Electric Class 86 86259 ‘Les Ross/ Peter Pan’ was waiting to pick us up.
Leaving Preston at 19.08 we had a fast run back up to London Euston – bar a hold up just outside Watford Junction for no apparent reason. Arrival in Euston was at 22.36hrs – 7 minutes late.
It was a long day and the reduced break in Carlisle was unfortunate. The hospitality on board was once again great, with good quality food, drinks and service.
Overall, not as enjoyable as the last two charter trains - but the scenery was spectacular and the company was great. I have to say that British India Line made short work of all the gradients on the S&C – even more impressive considering she was hauling 13 coaches – very impressive driving/ firing skills.
Next time something a bit shorter journey wise perhaps……..
SR Bullied 35018 ‘British India Line’ passes Birkett Common on the S&C line with the ‘The Cumbrian Mountain Express’ – 22nd May 2021 – Courtesy of UKSteam700
