27th February 1982

S.L.O.A. / British Rail
Cumbrian Mountain Pullman (Southbound)

Route : 1L31 throughout

Notes :
(1) During 1982 the 'Cumbrian Mountain Pullman' ran weekly, alternating one week 'northbound' and the following week 'southbound' This was the second run and was 'southbound', the previous run, on 20th February, being 'northbound'. On 'southbound' runs Crewe/ Preston to Carlisle and back from Preston to Crewe was by service train (1S53 north and 1A?? south). On this date 1S53 was hauled by 87033 and 86246 returned passengers homewards from Preston to Crewe on the 17:25 service ex-Carlisle.
(2) Gordon lacy comments: First stop after Carlisle was a booked photostop at Armathwaite. Bearing in mind the length of the platform v. the length of the train, this resulted in a 20+ min 'over-run'! Speeds were, to say the least 'pedestrian', not perhaps surprising with a crew unfamiliar to a coal-gobbling "Duchess"! A decision was made to cut the 'lunch stop' at Appleby, and introduce a further 'photostop' at Kirkby Stephen, replacing the Garsdale stop. However, many folk had walked into Appleby and SLOA were forced to wait for the stragglers! The "Duchess" made a reasonable climb to Ais Gill, 'topping' at 32mph. However, downhill, progress was poor. After the Armathwaite farce, the Ribblehead photostop was wisely abandoned and a 30min stop made at Settle instead.  In contrast, the Black (well, vomit coloured!) Five made a splendid run onwards to Carnforth. A shame it didn't go forward to Preston, instead of the poorly performing Brush 4, 47486!

46229 pauses en-route southbound on the Settle & Carlisle line.

Source : Gordon Lacy

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gordon Lacy)

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