| This is a small collections of pictures which I bought on eBay a few months ago. They are said to have been taken from the cab of 85001 on 4th November 1981, and while I can't guarantee the date, looking at the pictures I have no reason to doubt it either!
In a couple of cases the quality leaves something to be desired, though they show nonetheless a fascinating driver's eye view of what was then, and still is, a quite magnificent 90 mile stretch of railway. Would that I had been aboard the train that day, as 85001 escaped me for haulage; she was alas another AC class pioneer to fall victim to fire, a major conflagration taking place as she passed South Kenton, bound for Manchester in around 1986, if memory serves. There is a photo of her awaiting the inevitable, at Crewe Works, in my WCML Gallery #3. My thanks to MTD for clarifying the location of the last but one picture after I had my doubts...! |
Departing north from Platform 3 at Preston, the road is set for Lancaster. No doubt at this point the driver was already cursing the motive power he'd been afforded; the 81s and 85s were notoriously rough riders! |
Having made the customary cautious run down the 1 in 98 of Ripley Bank's 75mph restricted curves, it looks as though the road is set for the fast line through Lancaster Castle. Time for full taps and try to gain as much speed as possible before the neutral at Morecambe South Junction, 2½ miles north of Lancaster ! |
Having just passed the site of Hay Fell 'box (Milepost 22½), 85001 climbs the 1 in 131 of Grayrigg Bank amid beautiful scenery. Once a formidable challenge to steam - most trains being banked from Oxenholme - the bank was comparatively easy for electrics, though wet weather and leaf fall could cause problems! For all their rough ride, the roarers were reckoned by most drivers to be more sure-footed on the banks than Class 86s and 87s. |
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Having surmounted the climb to Grayrigg, the loco will just have passed under the dreaded M6, at this date only some ten years old. The location is Beck Foot, and the former station at Low Gill lies just out of sight around the next left hand sweep of this 80mph restricted curve. As at so many locations, there is rather more in the way of lineside vegetation to annoy the photographer now, 25 years on! |
Once past the former station at Low Gill, the line enters the beautiful and justly-famous Lune Gorge. While the driver will inevitably be applying full taps once more to provide impetus for a rush up Shap, the passengers can relax and enjoy the magnificent view, with the River Lune trickling through far below on the Up side, while the hills rise to 1300ft and more. There is no more beautiful stretch of main line railway in this country......in my humble opinion! |
The milepost on the left marks the end of the four mile 1 in 75 ascent, and Shap Summit is conquered by 85001. Having skirted the Irish Sea only 35 miles further south, the Lancaster & Carlisle line now reaches its summit of 916ft. This was once marked by a red enamel sign, which happily now resides in the NRM, while 'SHAP 916 ft' is painted on the summit cutting wall instead, to remind the observant that this was once a struggle of man against nature, with many a steam-hauled freight slogging upgrade at little more than walking pace. |
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Running downhill into Penrith, and having not long crossed the M6 once again, the 85 now approaches Lowther Viaduct, between Eden Valley and Eamont, where the slow line turns out. 75mph is now the rule until clear of Penrith station, whence a downhill dash to the border resumes. |
90 miles since leaving Preston, 85001 runs into the border city - the magnificent station of Carlisle Citadel hosting a 'Peak' which very probably awaits return passage via another splendid piece of railway - The Settle & Carlisle - as our run concludes. |
