Home»All Photographs»Year Albums»2022»May»2022_05_21 A4 Society Special

This collection of Photographs should have featured two steam hauled excursions to Carlisle on Saturday 21st May 2022. In some ways it turned into the tale of two DMUs; or at least that was my excuse for including their photographs. The principal train of interest was the A4 Locomotive Preservation Society members’ special hauled by 4498 SIR NIGEL GRESLEY that ran between Crewe and Carlisle; out via the S & C and return directly on the WCML via Carnforth and Preston to Crewe. The other train was a Railway Touring Company promoted Cumbrian Mountain Express that was expected to feature steam haulage with 46115 SCOTS GUARDSMAN. So far as the latter is concerned we never saw or heard it. All we know from reports is that it lost 45 minutes between Morecambe S.J. and Carnforth N.J. and then flew to Carlisle, gaining more time than a Scot could possibly have done unaided. The return train was cancelled initially at the request of the train operator, WCRC, and then subsequently replaced to depart Carlisle just 3 minutes before the A4, which left on time at 16:00. By that time we were set up near Southwaite expecting to see the train again after the booked water stop in Carnforth. But no, Sir Nigel ran through without stopping although now over 40 minutes early. We knew it must stop somewhere for water but our patience was exhausted and so we took the decision to head for home. This kind of thing is happening far too often and I have to seriously question whether or not I am prepared to travel nearly 500 miles in a day for just three locations.