6201 - The Cumbrian Mountain Express - 7.8.10

Former Edge Hill based Pacific, and a favourite from my spotting days, 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' was in charge of todays 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' from Liverpool to Carlisle and return operated by The Railway Touring Company.
I had been trying for some time to get the shot of Lizzie coming up the cuttings from Lime Street but invariably she has been routed through the 'wrong' platform. Happily today, I got the shot I wanted so my early start was not in vain.

The video opens with 'Lizzie' coming through the cutting and passing through Edge Hill. The next scene is at Shap Summit where loco and her crew were putting in a fine performance. The final shot is at Birkett Common where fortuitously the very heavy rain of moments earlier had eased to light drizzle, but a few spots managed to seek out my lens as usual. The shots of the horses were at Stockbar where I had intended to film before deciding that Birkett would provide a better sunlit (ahem!) shot. As regulars will know, the S & C can provide all seasons in one day. Fine performance today from 'Lizzie' and her crew, thanks to all involved with the operation of the tour.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 6201
• princess
• elizabeth
• mainline
• preserved
• steam
• trains
• railways
• cumbrian
• mountain
• express
• stanier
• pacific
• edge
• hill
• liverpool
• shap
• summit
• birkett
• common
• railway
• touring
• company

[eggbert21]

absoloute pure magic from the princess there, would love to see her at Liverpool and Shap gr8 shots, keep them coming 5*

[acw71000]

Thanks very much, Lizzie sounding in great form on this run

[khankadet]

At last I've managed to sort out my connection with YouTube and downloaded all of this masterpiece. The Edge Hill shot is something I could only dream of getting. I think I'll be watching that a few times for sure. Lizzie seems to be going so well at the moment and that looks a very creditable speed over the top of Shap. She even looks good in the rain and the beat sounds so even. Another great video Austin. Thanks Chris

[acw71000]

Thanks very much Chris, you have a few more bites of the cherry at Edge Hill, go on give it a go, but get there early for the prime spot. I agree with you about Lizzie and the speed at the summit, looked pretty good. That sound could be heard for ages after she passed, pure magic.

[acw71000]

Definitely this one as I think apart from the slight heavy hand pulling back on the zoom I didn't make too many mistakes and was able to pan reasonably well too. 5305 wasn't bad but I wasn't in prime position for 5043

[Mikelandscaper]

@acw71000

Do you still think this to be your best shot at Edge Hill or 6233, 5305 or 5043.

[Mikelandscaper]

6201 has been having a banner of great excursions this year. I really enjoy that first shot as well.

[acw71000]

Many thanks Mark, very pleased with the shot at Edge Hill, I've made a black & white version for myself too as an Eric Treacy tribute and then brought in the colour as she passes under the bridge. I can raise the black levels so will give that a go for my edited copy. Thanks for the tip. We were very lucky at Birkett as the rain only eased moments before she came into view.

[SteamAgePictures]

Great stuff, Austin. I bet you're pleased to have "nailed" the shot at Edge Hill. That's really one to be proud of. The other two are good, too. Birket Common has loads of "atmosphere"!

One tweak you could try on the Birket shot, if your editor has the facility, is to raise the blacks (the darkest parts of the picture) slightly, which should give a little more detail to the locomotive, especially as it passes you.

[acw71000]

Thanks very much Mike, I was really pleased with the Edge Hill shot especially as there were no modern units in view.