A Foggy First for '24

Statesman Rail's Settle & Carlisle Circular from Hereford to Appleby was to be the first special to reach Carlisle in 2024 - but bypassing the Border City and not coming into the station.
Accuweather (Trades Descriptions Act?) predicted a cloudy, calm dry day so - although there was to be no steam - I packed my rucksack and headed off from a glorious, sunny Dumfries.
The video will tell the rest.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

The aerial footage worked really well Tim. After 3 sessions at the Citadel last week, I headed to Lazonby where it was clear but overcast and then to Penrith - shrouded in fog.

[@schoolshorts]

As my train arrived at the Citadel in near-nil visibility I thought I'd wasted a day - but as it turned out it produced quite an atmospheric film - I was far from displeased with the end result even if it wasn't what I had set out to do. I felt sorry for poor John who accompanied me down to London Road. He had travelled up from Stafford on an early train and was booked to return quite late that night. There was very little happening at Carlisle, everything on the station would be closed by teatime and it was getting steadily colder. I've no idea how he was going to occupy his time. I have a special booked in for next Saturday - possibly see you then.

[@theovanstaden5766]

Thank You for filming and sharing Tim! Hello from south africa.

[@schoolshorts]

You're very welcome Theo. Best wishes from Scotland.

[@theovanstaden5766]

@@schoolshortsThank You!

[@tattoo1084]

Not a bad start for 2024 and a decent spot to get the drone up.👍

[@schoolshorts]

For a day that started so unpromisingly I was quite pleased with the end result. Here's hoping for plenty more in the coming year.

[@stephenbrass1808]

A bit grim up north sort of a day Tim, was very nice and sunny for the Statesman Rail tour at my location further south on the S&C, Steve .

[@schoolshorts]

You jammy beggar!!! It certainly wasn't the ideal filming day in Carlisle - but it produced quite an atmospheric film. Best wishes for 2024.

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Excellent Tim - your Drone arial views are always a great addition to the ground view recordings. 😊 cheers Euan

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you Euan. Every cloud has its silver lining and, although I was unable to do the long follow of the train which I had originally intended, the weather made for an unusually atmospheric film. There'll be other, better days! Best wishes.

[@Chris-Gallagher-92]

Never seen my train from above before! Nice footage.

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrDavil43]

I've just had a look at this location on Google Earth. If you follow the line along which your train is travelling you come upon a steam loco having it's tender replenished from a road tanker! I couldn't identify the loco but it was a surprise. Thanks for the video, worked well in spite of the fog.

[@TRAlNVlDEOS]

I think the loco is British India Line, at regular at Carlisle

[@schoolshorts]

Yes, I spotted that a couple of days ago when using Google Earth to try to find accessible spots for filming. That must be a recent update - I've used GE for that curve in the past and I'm sure there wasn't a train on the line. I've just looked at it again but wouldn't care to hazard a guess as to its identity.

[@katherinetuck4434]

Great atmospheric video Tim, thank you for sharing. Spotted you and waved as Master Felix and I headed off to Armathwaite on the 10:58 Carlisle to Leeds. Wanted to see the Statesman but couldn’t get back in time. Exciting things afoot, will tell you all about it when we see you next. K x

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Kate. I'm afraid I wouldn't notice if the king himself were on a passing train when I'm occupied with the camera, but sorry I missed you. Say "Hi" to Felix for me. Exciting news? I'll look forward to hearing it. Very best wishes.

[@katherinetuck4434]

@@schoolshorts I’m volunteering at Armathwaite Signal Box, helping to maintain & conserve it. Will be looking into local archives and community to tell its history too.

[@jimmystransportmarvels8815]

It's great to see the first tour of the year near us and not somewhere down south. 😅

[@schoolshorts]

- - well, it would be if we COULD see it through the fog!!

[@jimmystransportmarvels8815]

@schoolshorts well, yes.

[@davidowen6977]

Thanks Tim 😊

[@schoolshorts]

You're welcome, David.

[@cedarcam]

A dull day indeed but the video turned out quite well after all. At least it was not pouring down I had not been out all week apart from going shopping one day.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Colin. Let's see what 2024 has to offer.