4th April 1981

S.L.O.A.
Cumbrian Mountain Express

Route :

Notes :
(1) Train made three photo run-pasts at Appleby.

Tim Hayes comments :
Lord Nelson was held at Settle Junction for a late running up train which put us about 20 minutes behind time.  No attempt was made by the train operators to make up any lost time on the steam hauled section.  The full time was taken for combined water stop and photo stop at Garsdale and runs past at Appleby.  The train did 3 runs past at Appleby.

The two Black Fives made a good ascent to Ais Gill as far as Ribblehead where the speed restriction over the viaduct caused a big slow down.  The passage of Blea Moor tunnel was quite slow as I remember but the low speed gave opportunities for excellent viewing of Dent Dale.

After Garsdale, speed was well up to Appleby and then after Appleby the two locos did get a good move on.  As I remember we were around 20 minutes late into Carlisle but a quick turnaround and high speed run south got us back to Crewe almost on time.

Source : Chris Harley & Tim Hayes

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