28th January 2012 (Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express)

Date Saturday, 28th January 2012

Locomotives 44871, 45407

Ran as 44871 45407

Direction South

Load 12

Diesel None

Tour name Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

Headboard The Waverley

Tour promoter Railway Touring Company

Operating company West Coast Railways

Route

  • Manchester Victoria (S&C steam on)
  • Bolton
  • Preston
  • Carnforth
  • Carlisle
  • Hellifield
  • Blackburn
  • Bolton
  • Manchester Victoria (S&C steam off)
On 28th January 2012 the entire Eden Valley was filled with fog, clearing in the area around Birkett Common. Ian Riley's pair of Black Fives return the Manchester Victoria originating Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express in near perfectly still conditions, with the exhaust trail lingering in the air for many minutes afterwards. The fog can be seen behind the two locomotives with only the distant Pennine range protruding above it. The reporting number 1Z67 which has been chalked onto the smokebox of 44871 referred to the outward leg of the tour to Carlisle via Shap.44871 & 45407 at Greengates
 at Wharton, Eden District, England, UK by The Talkin Lens.