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UK Mainline steam

My favourite shots from the UK mainline. (Latest first)
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46233 tears through Lancaster at the head of the up 'Royal Scot' on Saturday 9th June 2012. The north end of platform 3 was one of my favourite spots to watch trains as a kid. Although taken in very gloomy conditions ... this shot takes me back to a time of anoraks, combined volumes and a seat on the valve wheel of the water column close by!
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46233 tears through Lancaster at the head of the up 'Royal Scot' on Saturday 9th June 2012. The north end of platform 3 was one of my favourite spots to watch trains as a kid. Although taken in very gloomy conditions ... this shot takes me back to a time of anoraks, combined volumes and a seat on the valve wheel of the water column close by!

  • Ex LMS rebuilt 'Scot' 46100 'Royal Scot' looks immaculate as she starts the 'Cumbrian Coast Express' away from Carnforth on 9th April 2016. The train originated from London Euston and was steam hauled over Shap in the 'down' direction and the Cumbrian coast on the 'up.'
  • A 'Duchess' on the 'down fast' at Lancaster. 46233 heads the outward 'Mid-Day Scot from Manchester - Edinburgh over Shap and Beattock on 19th March 2016.
  • Stanier 'Black Fives' 44871 and 45407 storm through Helwith Bridge at the head of the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' on 23rd January 2016. The train was originally planned to be pulled by the newly overhauled 'Flying Scotsman.'...the Class 5's stepping in at short notice when the A3 suffered air pump problems.
  • 46233 purrs along the WCML at Woodacre with the 15.52 Carlisle - Crewe Cumbrian Mountain Express of 15th August 2015. Finally caught her green paint in sunshine!
  • 46233 arrives at Carlisle on 27th September 2014 having brought the 'Scottish Lowlander' tour over Shap from Crewe. A4 60009 waits in the centre road and will take the train forward to Scotland. It was nice to witness this scene as 50 years earlier (aged 12) I watched 46256 come off the 'Scottish Lowlander' tour to be replaced by 60007. The fact we can enjoy this event is a credit to the locomotive owners and their crews...well done to the tour operator and everyone involved :)
  • 60009 makes a cautious re-start from Woodacre whilst working the up CME from Carlisle - Crewe on 26th July 2014. She had been stopped at a signal for around 10 minutes just the other side of the bridge in the background following reports of smoke coming from under one of the coaches. I t transpired (after examination) that a diesel generator in a newly refurbished kitchen car was the culprit and the train continued its journey.
  • A4 60009 'Union of South Africa' accelerates away from Ribblehead viaduct whilst heading the return leg of the Cumbrian Mountain Express of 12th July 2014. The sun had been peeping through the clouds on and off for the hour I was there, but typically ran away altogether as USA came into view!
  • Tornado leans to the cant of the 'up fast' at Lancaster as she announces her presence with a long blast on the chime whistle that used to belong to A4 Golden Eagle. I think the A1 looks superb in this livery. 5th July 2014.
  • After years of trying to find the time, I finally made it up to the West highland line to photograph 'The Jacobite' in 2013. The weather for the three days I was in the area was dreadful. Here 45407 pulls away from Glenfinnan with the morning train to Fort William on 29th August.. Not a bad shot considering the gloomy conditions. First set of mainline pics using a Canon Eos 6D...full frame at last!
  • The lure of steam.! 45407 on the morning train to Fort William has stopped the traffic and people spill out of their cars in the rain! 29th August 2013.
  • 45407 skirts the shore of Loch Eilt on another gloomy day....28th August 2013.
  • Everytime I see 44871 I am reminded of the time that the team at 'Steamtown' Carnforth, led by Dr Peter Beet, worked day and night to get the loco repainted and shining to perfection for exhibition in light steam, at the Morecambe Summer Rail Fair of 1971. I volunteered to help keep her simmering during the night and the look on passengers faces from reversing boat trains to Heysham was amazing! Here she is an incredible 42 years later with the afternoon 'Jacobite' of 27th August 2013. Go on girl!
  • 44871 heads the afternoon 'Jacobite' to Fort William on 27th August 2013.
  • 61994 gets in to her stride as she barks through Helwith Bridge on the outbound 'Fellsman' of 8th August 2012.
  • 61994 recovers from a signal check on the approach to Langho when working the 'Fellsman' of 8th August 2012. Judging by the number of photographers along the route, the locomotive was a excellent choice for this diagram!
  • After three and a half years of faithfull service I traded my Canon EOS 40D in for an EOS 7D today, so this is its first shot of a steam locomotive! Apologies for an almost identical picture of the same loco in the same place (from last August)! 45305 chatters along the WCML @ Woodacre towards Preston with the 'Mersey Moorlander' of 30th July 2012.
  • 46233 roars along the WCML at Woodacre, returning to Crewe from Carlisle with the CME of 28th July 2012. The sun had been peeking in and out for the hour or so I was waiting but finally decided to run away completely just before the train arrived. I will catch the green 46233 in sunshine.................one day!.
  • Another shot in the gloom at Lancaster, as 60009 hurries along the 'up fast' returning south with the 'Moorlander' of 23rd July 2012. The last time I'd seen a green A4 at this spot was in November 1967 (I think) when 60019 (then in preservation) charged through on an enthusiasts special.
  • 46233 tears through Lancaster at the head of the up 'Royal Scot' on Saturday 9th June 2012. The north end of platform 3 was one of my favourite spots to watch trains as a kid. Although taken in very gloomy conditions ... this shot takes me back to a time of anoraks, combined volumes and a seat on the valve wheel of the water column close by!
  • 70013 heads along the S and C at Selside whilst working from Preston - Carlisle on the 'Cath Ex' of 25th August 2011.
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