The Midland Pullman at Quintinshill and Carlisle 14 12 23

The beautiful Blue Pullman operating a luxury service between the Welsh and Scottish capitals for the Edinburgh Christmas Market.
I spotted on RealTime Trains that an interesting shunt was planned for this train and decided to gamble on it actually happening. Sometimes a gamble pays off!

[@davidowen6977]

Reflections, Past and Present, a Most Excellent Video

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you David. The place has a particular poignancy for me as I do have distant connections with the disaster. Needless to say, I was there in 2015 for the centenary commemorations along with Princess Anne, Nicola Sturgeon and the assorted great and good of Scotland.

[@cedarcam]

Nice drone views The track workers were checking for cracks in the rails with the little trolley on the rail. One year going on holiday the signalman set the wrong route for us. We came to an abrupt halt and I saw we had a green signal with a feather for the loop The driver phoned in and after the signal returned to danger came to green for the main and we set off. Have a Happy Christmas Tim and best wishes for the New Year.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Colin - I did wonder what they were doing - I had assumed that all such work was now done by the "Flying Banana" with its hi-tech equipment - but obviously not. Another Blue Pullman video to come and then a couple of (non-railway) seasonal ones. As I'm working on Volume 4 of The Port Road I shan't be short of something to do over Christmas! Every good wish.

[@cedarcam]

@@schoolshorts Thanks Tim and I will look for the over hols videos. The high tech train is good but seems for detecting cracks in rails and fish plates they still have to walk the line . The train can photograph every sleeper at 100mph maybe 125. I saw photos it took at Greyrigg before the accident. Amazed me I thought it just detected dips in the track.

[@stevenweasel2678]

Excellent Drone cam scenes/ I also like your steam era photos of the Caledonian Quintinshill S.B

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you. Sorry for the belated response - I've only just discovered your comment. Best wishes.

[@tattoo1084]

Great footage Tim, first time i've seen a train in the loop and must pay a visit to Quintinshill one day if any special's pass that way. All the best and look forward to more in 2024.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks David - well worth a visit if you get the chance - memorials on the bridge and in the nearby visitor centre.

[@frankbagshaw6886]

Great work Tim and thanks for the bit of history.

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you Frank. For anyone unfamiliar with the dreadful history of Quintinshill, I did a video a few years ago which can be found at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqCbgqOMis9qbrs I hope to remake it in better detail and quality at some point. I tend to assume that most railway enthusiasts will be familiar with the story - but I'm sometimes surprised to discover just how many are not. Best wishes.

[@MrOldmeg]

Not the best site for photography or videoing but you did a very interesting,informative and enjoyable post. Many thanks again for all your contributions this year, have a restful and relaxing time over the festivities. Best wishes for Xmas and the NewYear and hopefully catch you in 2024.. John K.

[@schoolshorts]

It's certainly not the easiest of sites for filming and all that catenary makes life difficult at ground level - a bit easier from the air! However, the significance of the location has its own draw and, as you may know, I do have distant connections with the disaster which makes it all the more poignant for me. A couple of Christmas/New Year greetings videos to come but otherwise - I'll have to find something else to do for the last few days of 2023. Every good wish.

[@peterkinloch666]

Excellent and informative video again, thanks. Just looked it up on Google earth and I presume its you and some friends stood on the bridge.

[@schoolshorts]

Well spotted! I'd forgotten that the Google Earth camera van chanced to pass by as I was filming there. The odds against that happening are enormous for it's not a place I get to very often despite having distant connections with the disaster. The other people were simply visitors like myself - we had never met previously nor have we since. Some places have a definite atmosphere and Blacksike Bridge is one such. It's a quiet, peaceful spot despite the constant noise of the nearby M74 but I always feel, whenever I visit, that the place retains something of the memory of that dreadful day in 1915 and of the 227 people who died there so suddenly and unexpectedly.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Some good drone footage there Tim. Blustery though, as it always seems to be at Quintinshill, but not enough to stop the aeronautics.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Les. It is, of course, a wide open space, dead flat for miles in all directions and exposed to the prevailing sou'-west winds blowing in off the Solway. Nevertheless, its historical significance makes it a worthwhile spot to film - despite all the catenary that gets in the way. If only drones had existed before electrification!

[@frankbagshaw6886]

I really enjoy the work of Les Gilpin and Tim. You both compliment each other with verbal commentary and written information of train times, numbers and additional comments. Thanks both. Frank Bagshaw, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire

[@schoolshorts]

@@frankbagshaw6886 Thank you Frank - much appreciated. Best wishes.

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video Tim great camera work as usual I am really enjoying your lovely videos and camera work keep your lovely camera work keep your lovely camera work up I am really looking forward to seeing your next video I hope you get a nice video next time also when is your next video going to be on KZbin best wishes Philip xx

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Philip - sometime soon I hope. Best wishes.

[@macjim]

Yes, those warning horns the track boys were using were really loud… I could hear them up here in Glasgow! 🥸🥴🤣

[@schoolshorts]

Joking aside, Blacksike bridge and the curve beyond create a blind spot - it was one of the minor contributory factors in the 1915 disaster - so track workers on the Glasgow side of the bridge cannot see trains approaching at 100 mph or more - and modern electric trains are very quiet.