Some Recent Main Line Steam

Main Line K1

Back in the 80's and early 90's I was travelling on main line steam tours almost every weekend.
Nowadays, what with the lack of facilities for on train sound recording and difficulties such as 'diners at the front', diesel pilots to say nothing of the cost, I rarely travel.
However, on 8th June 2003 I was tempted out of retirement to travel behind the the K1 2-6-0 62005 which was booked to work a train from Middlesborough to Carlisle before continuing over Shap to Carnforth from where the loco was to go to Fort William in the company of 61264 for a summer working trains to Mallaig.
Even this train involved a diesel. We had a Class 47 tied on at the back to act as a barrier vehicle, to shunt the stock at Carlisle and, no doubt, as insurance. We were told that the Class 47 would not be providing assistance but you can never be sure!
In this on-train recording the K1 is heard joining the East Coast Main Line at Darlington and accelerating past the station.

Probably the best recording of the day was this one made as 62005 departs from a rather wet photostop at Haltwhistle.

6233 Out and About

A recording of a 'Semi' on Shap was something that had to be attempted when, on 14th June 2003, 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' worked a 13 coach train from Crewe to Carlisle and back.
I had considerable problems trying to minimize the 'hum' induced on my recording by the high voltage overhead wires a situation not helped by the train arriving early before I was really ready for it!
Despite my problems 6233 sounds to be having no difficulty what so ever on the 1 in 75 gradient in this recording made at Shap Wells.

Copy Pit saw a steam hauled train once again on 29th June 2003 when LMS Pacific 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' worked the VSOE Northern Belle from Preston to Crewe.
These trains often have a Class 47 diesel on the rear to provide assistance if required but on this occasion no diesel was in evidence and the Pacific is coping well with it's 12 coach load passing Holme on the 1 in 68 gradient to Copy Pit summit.

Blea Moor

As the weather forecast on 12th July 2003 promised plenty of sun and a light breeze I decided to take my self off to Blea Moor for a chance of recording the LMS Pacific 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' working a northbound Cumbrian Mountain Express.
The part about sun was right, there was plenty of that but the 'light' breeze was more like gale force!
Still, I was able to find a fairly sheltered spot and was delighted with the recording that I got of this fine loco recovering from the speed restriction over Ribblehead Viaduct and accelerating it's 13 coach train on the 1 in 100 gradient past Blea Moor Signal Box.

2nd August 2003 saw me back at Blea Moor, this time for a recording of the LNER A4 Pacific 60009 'Union of South Africa' working a train from Blackpool to Carlisle before returning to Preston via Shap.
This part of the journey was Carlisle Loco Inspector Gordon Hodgson's last run with steam before retirement.
Sadly the run up the Long Drag suffered from a signal check at Settle Jc., a further stop soon after followed by another one at Blea Moor to be warned of trespassers on the line ahead.
In this recording the A4 is heard restarting from the check and accelerating on the 1 in 100 gradient towards Blea Moor Tunnel.

Scarborough Spa Express

Like last summer the West Coast Railway Company ran steam hauled trains on three week days twice day between Scarborough & York.
For the Scarborough Spa Express on 6th August 2003 instead of one of Mr. Smith's locomotives motive power was the NRM's LNER V2 2-6-2 60800 'Green Arrow'. Earlier in the year the NRM had had the loan of a brake coach to use as a support vehicle for the V2 and rather than pay for the hire they offered the use of the V2 for a week.
The V2 is heard in this recording crossing the River Ouse soon after departing from York with the afternoon departure for Scarborough.

The last WCRC Scarborough Spa Express ran on Thursday 28th August.
Last year passenger loadings, especially at the start of the season were very disappointing. This year the trains seem to have done better with many trains well filled so, hopefully, they will be back next year.
In this recording LMS 8F 2-8-0 48151 is heard with the last departure of the season leaving York for Scarborough.