3rd April 1993

Flying Scotsman Services
The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Locos Used 47820 & steam: 46201 'Princess Elizabeth'
Stock Used Load 12

Route :

Loco Route
47820 Rugby - Coventry - Birmingham New Street - Wolverhampton - Stafford - Stoke on Trent - Stockport - Manchester Victoria - Bolton - Euxton Jn - (via WCML) - Carlisle
46201 Carlisle - Petteril Bridge Jn - (via S&C) - Settle Jn - Hellifield - Clitheroe - Blackburn
47820 Blackburn - Farington Jn - Euxton Jn - Bolton - Manchester - Stockport - Stafford - Birmingham New Street - Rugby

Notes :
(1) Alex Cunningham comments : Driver Paul Kane on his first trip following 38 years on the shovel! Ascent from Appleby to Ais Gill 27 minutes start to pass, slightly down on schedule but nonetheless a creditable performance.  Some wheelslip on the 1 in 82 Wilpshire Bank from Whalley Arches, topped the bank at about 15mph and reached Blackburn 20 minutes late.  No loco or crew available to take train forward.  Sat for over 2 hours in Blackburn goods yard before continuing behind 47820 (one crew delivered loco another crew arrived later on a pacer to drive it out again).  Arrived Stockport 8pm on a wet Saturday night into a running battle among wild lager louts.  Somebody smashed a window in the ticket office and somebody else stole a coat off the back of another passenger then the group dived onto a Manchester bound train. I realised I would make an appalling witness.  Which of the group smashed the window?; who stole the coat?; I don't know, it all happened so quickly.  Returned to Preston on a 150 then back to Carlisle behind class 87 "Iron Duke", load 9.

Sources : Alex Cunningham (joined at Carlisle, left at Stockport) & Dave Lodwick

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