25th January 2020

Railway Touring Company
The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

Route :
1Z65 : Manchester Victoria to Carlisle
1Z66 : Carlisle to Manchester Victoria

Notes :
(1) 47746 on rear.
(2) 80217 was only in the consist when 35018 was on the train.
(3) John Clifford's comments: This was one of the regular trips run by RTC to Carlisle during the winter months. We set off slightly late and were held at Salford Crescent for the 07.07 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh to pass (it was 16 minutes late at this point). We continued only to be held at Euxton Jn to let the 07.55 Blackpool North - Manchester Airport come across the junction. It was on time. Having been delayed we were then held at Lostock Hall Jn for the 08.20 Blackpool North - York to get ahead. It was also on time. A further stop was made at Blackburn Bolton Jn so that the 07.42 Rochdale - Blackburn could get into platform 3. We pressed on towards Hellifield. Originally a water stop had been scheduled at Chatburn overbridge but this was changed to Hellifield. At Hellifield South Jn we stopped for almost 20 minutes to let the 09.19 Leeds - Carlisle go ahead (it was 6 minutes late at this point). A further water had been planned at Langwathby but this wasn’t needed. However an extra stop was made at Appleby to let passengers buy souvenirs and ice cream from the “Friends” stall on the platform. An early arrival was made at Carlisle. After the break in Carlisle we returned via the West Coast Main Line. There was a booked stop in Plumpton loop to let three trains pass. These were the 14.12 Edinburgh - Manchester Airport (5 minutes late), 14.40 Glasgow - Euston (6 minutes late) and 14.52 Edinburgh - Euston (1 minute late). On the day a fourth one preceded these three, namely the 1400 Glasgow - Euston which was 26 minutes late. Locos were changed in the Up & Down Goods Loop at Carnforth and we set off gaining some time. Although we arrived early at Preston we were held there for the 16.00 Glasgow - Euston to pass (it was 6 minutes late there). The tour arrived back in Manchester Victoria just two minutes late.

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

5Z65 : (47746 with 35018 on rear) : Carnforth to Manchester Victoria
5Z69 : (47746 with 37706 on rear) : Manchester Victoria to Carnforth

5Z66 : (35018 with 80217) : Carlisle - Upperby - Petteril Bridge Jn - Carlisle
(Loco turning trip)

0Z67 : (37706) : Carnforth Steamtown to Carnforth [U&DGL]

5Z68 : (35018 with 80217) : Carnforth [U&DGL] to Carnforth Steamtown

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