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.
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.
