Tuesday, 26 January 2016

The Elusive Flying Scotsman

It's been quite a while since I last posted on my blog. The start of a new year gives me the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Nowadays through the summer there is almost no steam on the main line in Yorkshire. A few years ago through the summer months there were four trains each week heading to Scarborough but now following troubles with line side fires we're lucky to get a couple all summer.

There's some newly restored locomotives to look out for, including 46100 Royal Scot and of course the world famous 60103 Flying Scotsman.
I contemplated making the trip over the Pennines to see Flying Scotsman undergoing trials on the East Lancashire Railway but never made it unlike hundreds of other enthusiasts. I did have a plan to see Flying Scotsman hauling its inaugural main line tour over the Settle and Carlisle to Carlisle returning via Shap. Unfortunately, due to braking issues with 60103, Ian Riley's two Black Fives 44871 & 45407 stood in.
We'd decided on one of our more favoured photographic locations but with time running short before the first Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express was due we came across a small masonry arch bridge  that was closed due to flood damage. This blocked our way and so we had to very quickly find a alternayove location and make the most of it.
That was it , just a few seconds and the train was in and out of view. Time to check out my video and see if I'd got any usable footage.

I've noticed that the next Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express scheduled to be hauled by Flying Scotsman is now the 06 February, replacing 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, assuming suitable repairs and a main line test run has been completed. However, should Flying Scotsman not be available then the Duchess will be on standby to take charge of the train.



For me that first photo of the newly restored 60103 Flying Scotsman remains elusive.





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