Cathedrals Express to Carlisle

25 August 2011 - Milton Keynes Central - waiting for a Cathedrals Express to Carlisle, hauled by 86259 and postponed from May . There's consternation on the platform when Carlisle is the only destination given but it picks up at Crewe before finding 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Preston. The Britannia retreats into the station rather than running forward and when it does emerge it's hidden by a Virgin!
The run over the Settle Carlisle is in brilliant weather and I envy the massed ranks of photographers their views. At and after Appleby I find an unoccupied window and catch some brilliant Cumbrian scenery. The last few hundred metres into Carlisle are less attractive, but good railway history. 47760 does the run around honours.
There's just time to grab a glimpse of Carlisle Cathedral and the new Roman Gallery at Tullie House Museum before heading south. The good thing is the train has been turned 180 degrees so the 'music' from 70013 can be heard once again as we head up to Shap. A fast run down the other side get us to Carnforth on time, where Oliver Cromwell is replaced by Les Ross.
It's a very speedy run back down the WCML and swapping Kilsby Tunnel for the Northampton loop we're well early into MK. It then looks like a long wait for a path so I leave 'the legendary Les Ross' discussing his loco with the engineer. A great day out - although the loggers were looking for more grit from the Brit.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• train
• Cathedrals
• Express
• 86259
• Les
• Ross
• 47760
• 70013
• Oliver
• Cromwell
• steam
• railway
• MK
• Carlisle

[bkendlerA4]

Thanks Will. Your film brought back memories for me of a great run my son and I had behind Ollie from Preston to Carlisle via Ais Gill returning to Preston vis Shap. Apart from a high-speed slip just North of Shap Summit Ollie went superbly. Your vid is a like from me. Barry

[EMuksteam]

Excellent video,It look to have been a great trip .Thanks for sharing (C)

[MyMogens]

Very nice steamer in a very good video