Evening time at Ribblehead and Ross and I are booked into the Station Hotel as there are diversions over the S&C tomorrow. Meantime a class 156 sprinter departs Ribblehead station with 2H96 1756 Leeds to Carlisle.
The set passes over the B6255 road. The famous Station Hotel is situated just beyond on the left out of sight.
The sun glints off the unit as it heads north. It will pass over the Ribblehead viaduct in a few hundred yards.
A few minutes later and another class 156 sprinter comes into view. This unknown set is heading south with 2Y41 1754 Carlisle to Leeds. It is running about ten minutes late and should have been seen first.
The set passes over the bridge over the road as it slows for its Ribblehead station stop. Time to return to the hotel for a meal and a pint or two before turning in. 14/4/2006
After a night in the Station Hotel being woken every few hours by passing coal trains then a hearty breakfast, it is time to head out to enjoy a day of diverted Virgin West Coast trains. But first something local, 156489 with 2H03 0752 Carlisle to Leeds coming off the Ribblehead Viaduct. 15/4/2006
The first diverted working of the day approaches Garsdale with a loco hauled Pendolino unit striding out over Dandry Mire Viaduct.
Virgin thunderbird loco 57303 approaches Garsdale station hauling Pendolino unit 390047 with 1A58 0902 Carlisle to Euston service diverted via the Settle and Carlisle line and Blackburn.
The class 57/3 sub class were converted especially for hauling Pendolino and Voyager units in case of breakdown or OLE failure or diversions.
Turning round for the going away shot of 390047 in the unlikely setting of the S&C.
Northern Rail sprinter 156469 and 153358 make their station stop with 2H10 0849 Leeds to Carlisle train. The former Midland Railway signal box is slowly sinking into the ground outside the fence, hence the odd angle of it.
The pairing departs the former junction station passing the down starter. The famous stockaded turntable was sited to the left of shot. The pit is still there.
156469 and 153358 pass over the high embankment by the Moorcock Inn whose roof can be seen, as they head north for Carlisle.
An up train slows for its Garsdale stop, passing the down starter on the left. 156473 is working 2H85 0922 Carlisle to Leeds.
The unit squeals to a stand at the former island platform. Trains from Hawes and Northallerton ran in on the opposite side. The station was originally called Hawes Junction.
Not all the diverted traffic was Virgin West Coast, a handful of Virgin Cross Country services were also routed over the line. 221121 runs into the station with 1C36 0703 Birmingham New Street to Carlisle.
The WCML north of Carlisle was blocked as well for engineering work and trains were terminating at Carlisle.
A Northern Rail class 1 train passes Garsdale 'box, 156441 forms 1M53 0949 Leeds to Carlisle. This train used to go on to Glasgow Central but was cut back a few years ago.
156441 has past through Garsdale without stopping. Only Settle, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby are served by this train.
The sunlight in Mallerstang is beautiful as the sun warms the hillside with 221133 climbing for Ais Gill summit with service 1V61 1128 Carlisle to Penzance.
Wild Boar Fell is in sunshine but the line in the cutting just north of Ais Gill is in shadow. 221133 powers up the last 1/2 mile or so of the climb to Ais Gill.
Ross changes his lens and Davy looks on in his own inimitable style. He is greatly missed.
A class 2 local working has just passed over Ais Gill summit in the background at the bridge. The change in gradient is most noticeable.
Two different Northern Rail liveries adorn 156489 and 156464 which are employed on 2H86 1049 Leeds to Carlisle.
A northbound diverted working is caught bending over the summit as Ais Gill, from level to 1 in 100 falling.
57309 drags 390038 with 1C11 0715 Euston to Carlisle. On arrival at Carlisle, the loco will run round the Pendolino and return south.
The line clings to the side of Wild Boar Fell as it descends to Ormside Viaduct, two miles south of Appleby.
153358 and 156469 climb hard against the 1 in 100 pull over new track and ballast at the overbridge which once marked the county boundary between Cumberland and the North Riding of Yorkshire. The working is 2H89 1149 Carlisle to Leeds.
Turning round for the going away shot. At the bridge ahead the driver can notch back as the climb from Appleby will be over.
A move slightly south of Ais Gill to Shotlock Hill Tunnel and 60002 approaches the 106 yard long bore with 6E13 1245 Newbiggin to Milford Sidings empty gypsum.
The view from the south side of the short tunnel and an unknown class 221 Voyager clears the tunnel with 1V70 1128 Carlisle to Plymouth VXC train.
156473 climbs against the 1 in 163 pull with a class 2 all stations stopping service, 2H88 1244 Leeds to Carlisle.
220010 works diverted 1M51 0725 Plymouth to Carlisle approaching Shotlock Hill Tunnel. The side of the cutting here as been regraded with additional drainage and stone filled gabions at the base, all to prevent slippage.
The unit is swallowed up by the 106 yard long tunnel.
The highlight of the day had to be this, noise from the portal alerted me to something approaching. 43013, with 43014, exits Shotlock Hill Tunnel with an unknown working of Network Rail's New Measurement Train.
The going away shot of the set which travels the country on a timetable checking most of the lines in passenger use.
A mile away and the NMT crosses Lunds Viaduct and will soon enter Moorcock Tunnel as it heads south.
The test train disappears into the blackness of Moorcock Tunnel 99 yards in length.
156464 and 156489 are seen again as they approach Shotlock Hill from the north with 2H93 1426 Carlisle to Leeds Northern Rail service.
Bringing the lens out to capture the whole scene as the train climbs at a punishing 1 in 100.
Taking it easy between trains and Johnnie and Davy grab some shuteye. I'm not sure what Ross is doing.
This class 156 and 153 pairing is recorded for the third time on this day. 156469 and 153358 heads north again with 2H92 1449 off Leeds to Carlisle.
156441 still carries the First Group "Barbie" livery but is branded with Northern Rail markings. It returns to Leeds with 1E23 1546 off Carlisle.
Northbound trains appear with very little warning, 57316 drags 390026 under threatening skies. This diverted train is 1C56 1117 Euston to Carlisle.
57316 was the last of the class 57/3 sub class converted for Virgin. It carries the name "FAB 1" with the Thunderbirds theme and International Rescue logo.
Kirkby Stephen has been restored to a high standard and is lived in thereby giving security to it. 156473 draws in with its booked stop with 2H95 1614 Carlisle to Leeds.
