Home»All my photos»2020 Railway Photographs»Merchant 18 in the time of COVID19 8 September 2020

This was a very special day for me – seeing and riding behind Bulleid Pacific No 35018 British India Line for the first time since its restoration.

It was also my first mainline steam outing for over six months, since the COVID19 lockdown. It was a difficult decision as our family is very risk-averse, so I thought I would begin with some observations on how the promoters of The Dalesman, West Coast Railways, operated this excursion to minimise risk to passengers.

When the train arrived at Warrington Bank Quay, the stewards were quickly on the platform to ensure people not only found their carriage, but the correct door which would minimise the journey to their seats. Hand sanitisers were in the vestibule and the steward had his cloth and squeezy bottle with him throughout the day. There were only about 100 passengers in the twelve coach train and I had a bay of six seats to myself – no problems there with social distancing. Each bay of seats was separated from its neighbours by a wooden screen. Groups sat in their own bubbles.
The meal service was the opposite of silver service: each component of the meal was smartly delivered as an individual portion to the table, with no need for staff to linger with spoon or ladle. There was no loss of quality and the staff were their usual cheery down to earth selves: ‘This bloody mask is driving me up t’ wall’ was my favourite quote, but she wore it all day while others seemed to prefer visors. The toilet had clearly had a good refurb and all the necessary bottles and towels were there. All in all I felt COVID-secure, and will be travelling again before too long.

And now to the journey. Our diesel hauled train continued to Preston where it reversed for the onward journey to Hellifield. It was an exciting moment for me when our Merchant Navy class engine was glimpsed on the other side of the island platform, then snuffled past us to the head of the train.

Eight minutes early, we were under way and reached 33 through Long Preston and 54 at Settle Junction. From the rear of the train there was little engine sound as we tackled the bank. We were down to 41 at Settle and 26 at Stainforth tunnel, which we maintained to Helwith Bridge. We touched 33 on the flat bit but were back down to 26 through Horton and continued in the mid twenties right up to Blea Moor, passed one minute late. 23 into the tunnel and out at 47, mid-40s round the top of Dentdale, then 53 at Garsdale (3 late), 56 over Dandry Mire and 46 at Ais Gill summit. Then the Yorkshire murk began to disappear and we had a good brisk run down the other side at linespeed (less or a bit more) but were still 4 minutes down through Kirkby Stephen and five minutes late stopping at Appleby where the sun was shining weakly. Thereafter it was 55 at Kirkby Thore, 60 through Culgaith and 55 at Lazonby. Continuing in the 50s, we had a late flash of 60 at Cotehill before our Carlisle arrival more or less on time.

It felt most unusual to find Carlisle station almost deserted, and I was able to take photos with few if any people in them. Then it was time for the return over Shap to Carnforth. This time near the front, I could hear the engine but there is no bark to a Bulleid. Wreay at 29, 41 at Southwaite and 42 at Calthwaite before arriving 5 late into Plumpton loop for a TPE and an Avanti to pass. Away on time, we only reached 46 by Penrith and 49 at Yanwath before going inside again at Eden Valley Junction for another Avanti. Once again we were away on time, reaching Thrimby Grange at 28, Shap old station at 34 and 37 as we passed the Shap Summit board. Here the weather turned murky again as we rattled down Shap and through Tebay at 69. We passed through the Lune Gorge in the 60s, slowing to 53 at Grayrigg then briskly downhill through Oxenholme at 69 and on in the 70s with a peak through Milnthorpe. Over Yealand at 55, we soon encountered signals well ahead of our final creep into the loop at Carnforth, nine minutes late, where British India Line came off.

I had enjoyed my most northerly run with a Bulleid, which performed adequately though not spectacularly, with Mick Rawling at the regulator and fired by Martin Soames (down) and Craig Todd (up). I hope it will not be another six months before my next steam tour, but who knows?