Chaos at Carlisle and the Cumbrian Coastal Express. 21 22 Oct 23

Chaos at Carlisle
and the Cumbrian Coastal Express.
21 22 Oct 23
With Storm Babet having caused disruption for trains to Scotland the previous day, there were still delays and many cancellations especially with Avanti. The Newcastle line was blocked by fallen branches as was the line to Leeds with Settle & Carlisle line trains terminating at Skipton.
When I arrived at Citadel station on the Saturday morning people seemed desperate to get on trains north and south. Avanti had two Pendolinos waiting to form services north to Glasgow at the normal times (the 1049 to Glasgow was in P3) but the arrival of a TransPennine train to Glasgow led to chaotic scenes with platform staff trying to persuade people to travel on the Avanti service and not the very overcrowded TransPennine service.
The arrival of a southbound TransPennine train saw a similar crush for the doors.
All then went fairly quiet and by 1pm announcements were going out that the 'do not travel' advice was no longer in place. Services were back to normal by 2pm.
All that and the Cumbrian Coastal Express arrived. I never saw British India Line at Carlisle. It was kept at Upperby for quite a while - until after I had to leave to record it on the M&C line - before it backed down onto its train. The pair of 47s that had brought the Express from Bristol headed off to Carnforth. That would prove to be a misguided decision as BIL would stall later on its journey on Lindal Bank between Dalton Junction and Dalton station on the Furness line. Leaves on the line! The 47s were sent out to give a push but this added 2 hours to its already 16 minute delay!
As it happens I had been delayed driving out west from Carlisle and only got as far as Wigton where British India Line and the Cumbria Coastal Express passed surprisingly slowly - there was no speed restriction so I suspect either the signaller was trying to get some acceleration from the loco or there were problems on the loco itself.
We finish off on the following evening at Carlisle, after I'd been down to settle and back.
The times shown on clips are for guidance only and shouldn't be taken as definitive.
Any observations are my own and not intended to show any authority and may show my misunderstanding.
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[@headsup2433]

That wheel screech hurt the ears, full trains and full platforms and empty trains and empty platforms. good video Les.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

The curves at each end of the platforms need greasers but they've never been fitted.

[@sydwoods.woodsendjunction9492]

Superb video Les great filming as per usual good mix thanks for sharing stay safe a t b Syd👍

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@drdoolittle5724]

As usual, superlative! Thank you!

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thank you!

[@stevehull787]

Great footage once again Les 👍 hope you are keeping well take care

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thanks, you too!

[@stevehull787]

@@LeslieGilpinRailways good man 👍

[@jameseldershaw7194]

Fantastic mix of locos amidst challenging conditions Les!

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thanks glad you liked

[@johndrew3202]

Thanks Leslie, another interesting and varied video. That storm just showed the value of some alternative routes around the place.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thanks!

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Bom dia está bem movimentação de trem hj como sempre supelativo 7:17

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thanks!

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video leslie very good camera work as usual as always I am really looking forward to seeing your next video I hope you get a nice video next time bye for now Philip

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Thanks!

[@ianeccles111]

It was obviously not running slow at Wigton due to lack of steam, maybe the driver had no idea how to drive a Bullied Pacific.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

I think the signallers at the PSB and at Wigton were at work. I've seen the signaller at a station box do this to get the loco accelerating through the platforms - there was quite a crowd. Unfortunately experience has shown me over five decades that the drivers will keep the loco under control until the relevant signal before opening up, and often that's well beyond the platforms!

[@williamkettle8666]

My thoughts exactly didn’t know how to drive a Bullied.

[@ianeccles111]

They are prone to wheel slip in the wrong hands and it left Carlisle without the class47 pushing from the rear. You have to ask how much work the engine in rear actually does on these steam excursions?@@williamkettle8666

[@schoolshorts]

Was the express brought to a near halt by an adverse signal approaching Wigton? BIL is obviously driving away hard after passing the station. There must have been other hold-ups as it was substantially behind schedule when it eventually reached me at Harrington. Not the happiest day for either the crew or passengers.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

I think the distant or equivalent was showing yellow. I couldn't see the home colour light but the Starter had been off well in advance. I blame the signallers!

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Nothing like a bit of chaos... particularly for non-participants lol

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

First time I've actually been able to really capture it too!

[@cedarcam]

I saw the video you commented on yesterday where the train had come to a stand. Not a good day for the passengers they should of kept a box on the back but I guess they were expecting a clear run at the gradients and the adverse signal started their problem.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

I don't think there was an adverse signal at Dalton Junction as the box is closed on Saturdays. They must have been struggling from the start of the bank around Furness Abbey - another wooded section.

[@cedarcam]

@@LeslieGilpinRailways I saw on the other video the box was closed so it was a long block section. Not that familiar with the line so I was thinking the problem may of begun where you were at Wigton.

[@stevehull787]

Les Thursday nite on more 4 at 9 little trains with big names Pete Waterman 👍

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

yes I saw it last week

[@stevehull787]

@@LeslieGilpinRailways okay Les 👍