The year will be well remembered as one of the best yet, with an extensive programme of steam throughout the Northwest, very little fire risk, and as a consequence, a distinct lack of diesels within train consists (but let's not get into that debate...!)

The latest in our popular series starts on a beautiful January day, with 45690 Leander working out-and-back over Shap due to the on-going closure of the Settle & Carlisle line north of Appleby. Ahead of the re-opening special at the end of March with 60103 Flying Scotsman, we extensively feature 60163 Tornado working the 'Plandampf' service-trains in mid-February between Skipton and Appleby.

 

We also extensively feature Scots Guardsman's work prior to withdrawal in August for major overhaul, on the Settle & Carlisle, Shap, Beattock and the Cumbrian Coast route. Other highlights include the return of 35018 British India Line, alongside memorable performances from the Duchess, Galatea, Leander and 48151. We also had time to capture 60009 Union of South Africa on test around the Carnforth Circle, following repairs.

 

All in all, a great year - and at over 3 hours long - best served in chunks!

 

DEFINITIVE DETAILS OF FEATURED LOCOMOTIVES, RAILTOURS & LOCATIONS

45690 Leander

Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, 21 January 2017
Locations: Claughton, Garstang & Catterall, the Lune Gorge (from on high), Scout Green, Low Hurst (2), and the Lune Gorge.

46115 Scots Guardsman

Winter Cumbrian Coast Express, 28 January 2017
Locations: Shap Summit, Workington, Braystones, Eskmeals Viaduct, Dalton Tunnel.

 

60163 Tornado

Settle & Carlisle Plandampf, 14-16 February 2017
Locations:

Morning, southbound: Outhgill, Ais Gill, Leaving Garsdale (various angles)

Morning, northbound: Selside, Lodge Hall, Blea Moor, Rise Hill Tunnel, Shotlock Tunnel, Ais Gill.

Afternoon, southbound: Smardale viaduct, Kirkby Stephen, Bullgill, Birkett Tunnel, Pendragon Castle, Ais Gill.

Afternoon, northbound: Langcliffe, Horton, Ribblehead, Blea Moor, Dent, Garsdale.

 

45690 Galatea

Cumbrian Coast Express, 4 March 2017
Locations: Dillicar, Scout Green, Leaving Carlisle, Dalston, Arnside, Middlebarrow.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman

The Mid-Day Scot, 11 March 2017
Locations: Hampson Green, Galgate, Scout Green, Shap Wells, Nr. Greskine (2), Leaving Beattock Summit, Elvanfoot.

 

45699 Galatea

Cumbrian Coast Express, 25 March 2017
Locations: Lowgill, Lune Gorge, Leaving Carlisle, Approaching Dalston (2), Arnside.

 

60103 Flying Scotsman

Settle & Carlisle Re-Opening Special, 31 March 2017
Locations: Oakworth (KWVR), Gargrave (2), Selside, Rise Hill, EdenBrows (2), Kirkby Stephen, Bullgill, Keighley (including a shot of WD 90733 leaving with the last leg of the journey on the KWVR).

 

60009 Union of South Africa

Mainline Test Run, 26 April 2017
Locations: Approaching Clapham, Billington, Pleasington, Brock.

 

60163 Tornado

The North Briton, 29 April 2017
Locations: Selside (2), How Mill, Naworth.

 

46233 Duchess of Sutherland

The Great Britain X, 4 May 2017
Locations: Crawford, Elvanfoot, Gretna Green, Low Hurst, Wreay, Approaching Shap (2) + 45690 Galatea the following day at Sliverdale.

 

35018 British India Line

Light Test Runs, May-June 2017
Locations: Bentham, Long Preston, Wennington, Bentham, Long Preston, Hellifield, Giggleswick Bank (3).

Loaded Test Run, 6 July 2017

Locations: Bentham, Langho, Barton & Broughton Loop, Barton.

 

60103 Flying Scotsman

The Waverley, July-August 2017
Locations: Selside, Ribblehead-Blea Moor, Garsdale, Waitby Cutting, Birkett Common, Mallerstang, Ais Gill, Shotlock Tunnel.

 

46233 Duchess of Sutherland

Cumbrian Mountain Express, July-August 2017
Locations: Chatburn, Swanside Viaduct, Selside Shaw, Lodge Hall, Ribblehead Station, Yanwath, Harrison's Siding, Shap Summit, Lancaster, Brock, Barton.

 

45690 Leander

Cumbrian Mountain Express, 15 July 2017
Locations: Shap Summit, Howe & Co. Sidings, Ais Gill Viaduct.

The Fellsman, 23 August 2017
Locations: Stirk House, Gisburn Tunnel, Helwith Bridge, Helwith-Horton, Stockber, Crosby Garrett, Whalley Arches, Langho, Hoghton Tower.

48151 8F

Dalesman and Fellsman trains, June-August 2017
Locations: Eden Brows, Angerholme, Ais Gill Summit, Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, Wilpshire Summit, Garstang and Catterall.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman

Cumbrian Mountain Express, Dalesman and Fellsman Trains, April-August 2017
Locations: Borrowbridge Viaduct, Tebay, Pleasington, Chatburn, Settle, Horton, Selside, Shotlock Tunnel, White Birch, Ais Gill, Smardale, Greengate, Pendragon Castle, Mallerstang, Hazel Gill, Shoregill (2), Angerholme-Ais Gill, Ais Gill Summit (2), Garsdale (panoramic), Blea Moor Tunnel, Wilpshire Tunnel, Pleasington, Scorton, Bay Horse, Melling Viaduct (light engine), returning to Carnforth 10A (light engine).

 

60163 Tornado

The Border Raider, 16 September 2017
Locations: Scout Green, Shap Summit, Pendragon Castle, Ais Gill Summit.

 

Three Engines In One Day: 30 September

35018 British India Line

Lune Rivers Trust, 30 September 2017
Locations: Mewith, Approaching Clapham (slipping to a stand and recovering following hand-sanding), Kettlesbeck, Hellifield.

45690 Leander

Cumbrian Coast Express
Locations: Scout Green, App. Shap Summit, Dalston (2).

45699 Galatea

Lune Rivers Trust
Locations: Returning with 13 on, Gargrave (2), Giggleswick, Giggleswick Summit.

 

45690 Leander

The Cumbrian Express
Locations: Stainforth, Horton, Wetheral Shield, Howe & Co.

 

45699 Galatea

Carnforth WCRC Private Charter to the site of Royston Shed
Locations: Holme Chapel, Copy Pit Summit (from on high), Kitson Wood Tunnel, Bamber Bridge, Barton, Garstang and Catterall (at speed!).