There were originally 5 railtours planned to run in the north west today but in the last few weeks, one was put back to next weekend and another was postponed into next year. The 3 remaining would see the first revenue earning runs for D9000 and 44932 following their respective overhauls and another Northern Belle duty for 34067.
With all 3 tours booked to run north up the West Coast Main Line within just over an hour of each other, there was only 1 place to start really and that of course was Shap. Parking at Scout Green, a walk of just over a mile took us across the valley to Birkbeck Fells Common to get the longest possible shot of D9000, with some 2 1/2 miles of the 1 in 75 being visible from here. Originally booked to feature the Inter City MK3's, with that rake being used on the Friday trips from Crewe to Euston and back to Manchester currently, the Saphos MK1's were used instead, and they certainly complimented the two tone green Deltic far better than the MK3's would have done...running 7 minutes late, D9000 stormed up the bank, with the wind direction enabling the roar of the twin napier engines to be heard almost all the way to the summit.
Just over 10 minutes later and also running late was 86259 heading the outbound run of the Cumbrian Coast Express to Carlisle. With no time to change viewpoints, the long shot was used for this one too, and the 86 glided up the bank at high speed in a way that only electrics can do.
Despite the delays to the 2 earlier tours, there was still ample time to walk back across the valley to the lineside for 34067 heading the Northern Belle. With the heavy train and the requirement of 47815 on the rear for train heating etc, we were expecting assistance up Shap and there was, although the Bullied was putting a decent amount of effort in before shutting off on the approach to the infamous rail greaser that has caused many a steam loco to slip halfway up the bank.
The final shot was to be out on the coast, and on the way, with ample time to spare, we decided to stop off at Backbarrow for a shot of the 1300 departure from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, in the hope that one of the Fairburn tanks was working today's trains. That wasn't the case; Barclay 0-6-0 No. 1245 had the honours instead, and was captured making steady progress up the stiff grade from Haverthwaite towards the line's summit.
Having not taken a shot of 44932 since 2014, we were always going to prioritise the Coast Express over the Northern Belle, and another hour's drive took us to one of our favourite Cumbrian coast shots; Eskmeals. With the severe speed restrictions on locomotives across the river Mite bridge at Ravenglass, a loud shot of pretty much a given every time here and this afternoon was no different. Although there was no sun to illuminate the Black 5, the mountains behind were nearly all bathed in sunlight, giving a perfect backdrop to the hard acceleration and loud racket; well worth the near mile long walk along the riverbank...