The rumoured surprise for the last day working of the Staycation Express confirmed as Class 40 40145, certainly brought out the enthusiasts to the Settle Carlisle line today, I managed to bag this spot all to myself, although it is a bit of a trek and did get joined up with the Three Peakers getting here.
The class 40 looked and sounded magnificent here caught bursting out of the southern portal of Blea Moor Tunnel and about to pass under Force Gill Aqueduct, with a small group of Three Peak Challengers taking a rest before tackling Whernside. 12th September 2020Having just enjoyed the delight of Class 40 40145 upfront with the days first southbound Staycation Express. I took the opportunity of a going-away shot and captured 47712 on the rear passing Blea Moor Home Signal, with a clear run 1Z42 continues on the 1 in 100 falling gradients towards Ribblehead Viaduct giving any passenger interested in the scenery the spectacular view over Ribblesdale and the Three Peaks, I suspect on this last day working quite a few on board were more interested in what was up front rather than the view of the 2,372 ft flat topped hill, Ingleborough.
What may look like a trespass shot, isn’t, I was safely behind the network rail fence at Force Gill culvert bridge.40145 & 47712 1Z42 10:35 Appleby to Skipton
12th September 2020Passing Blea Moor Home Signal twixt the Signal Box and Tunnel, Northern 158759 with a lunchtime trip to Carlisle gets away from the Ribblehead station stop.
The bulk of Park Fell and Simon Fell leading to the 2,372 ft flat topped hill, Ingleborough form the classic Yorkshire Dales back drop.
Northern 158759 2H86 10:49 Leeds to Carlisle 12th September 202047712 ‘Lady Diana Spencer’ bursts out in to the fresh dales air from the northern portal of the 2,629 yd Blea Moor tunnel, running the lunchtime northbound train on the last day of the 2020 summer Staycation Express service.
47712 1Z43 12:18 Skipton to Appleby. 12th September 2020Approaching Settle, 40145 brings the afternoon Staycation Express southbound through Langcliffe, moments earlier and in typical Settle -Carlisle fashion Stainforth Scar in the distance was basked in September sunshine.
40145 1Z44 14:38 Appleby to Skipton. 12th September 2020
Text
Crossing the Leeds – Liverpool Canal at Gargrave Class 40 40145 brings up the rear of the day’s last northbound Staycation Express. The class 40 brought out the crowds that day, even a canal-side family group getting in on the action.
40145 1Z45 16:12 Skipton to Appleby.
12th September 2020Stop Look and Listen Class 20s approach. A remarkable scene in 2020 even if the weather is a bit grim, 20132 leads 20118 at speed towards Godnow Bridge Crossing, Crowle, with a 50 minute late 3S13 08:52 Wrenthorpe Sidings to Grimsby Town.25th November 2020A welcome but brief return for class 20’s on the Yorkshire RHTT circuit, after an unscheduled layover in Barlby Loops Selby the pair of 20’s whistle away into the night all under the watchful eye of the Barlby bobby.
20132 & 20118 3Z14 12:13 Grimsby Town to Bridlington
25th November 2020
