Great Western motive power has never fared particularly well in the northen fells so the return of a 'Castle' running over Shap was eagerly awaited with many wondering how a she would perform following recent excellent runs by 'Scots Guardsman'.
In my video I think we can see that Great Western pride has been well and truly restored after some spirited running by 5043 'Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe' with this Vintage Trains excursion, steam hauled from Crewe to Carlisle and return. The immaculately turned out loco ran well with a sensible load and excellent footplate crews. The video features scenes at Shap Wells northbound and on the return just after Shap Summit, where the only spot of rain in the entire area landed on the camera lens and, finally, storming through Warrington Bank Quay