STEAM IN THE NORTH WEST

When the steam era ended on 11 August 1968, a final special train ran from Liverpool to Carlisle via Manchester, Bolton, Hellifield and along the iconic Settle to Carlisle route over the Ribblehead viaduct and through the Blea Moor tunnel. Five steam locomotives hauled that legendary journey, four ex-LMS Stanier Class Five engines and one Class Seven BR Britannia, 70013 Oliver Cromwell. All steam locomotives were then scrapped or preserved for heritage, with the exception of the privately owned Gresley A3 Class 60103 Flying Scotsman. It was not long before a change in public opinion brought steam traction back to a number of secondary main lines, followed in 1994 by the privatisation of British Rail which allowed steam operation subject to weight and gauge restrictions. The north west region from Buxton to Carlisle, bounded by Todmorden in the east, took full advantage, with a particular focus on the two major climbs of the mountainous region, the long haul up to Ais Gill Summit on the Settle-Carlisle route and the pull over Shap Fell on the West Coast Main Line. Around 150 colour photos by the author give a superb impression of a wide range of steam locomotives at work in the region. One of the Stanier locomotives of the 1968 run, 45110, normally based in the Severn Valley, made an appearance with the Crewe-Carlisle Railtour in 1999, while on as similar run in 2009, 44871 is seen piloting 45407, The Lancashire Fusilier, in fields of snow and clouds of steam. Three years later the same duo are powering off Ribblehead viaduct with the precipitous slopes of Ingleborough as a backdrop and in the same year, 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is pictured curving through Greenholme as it ascends Shap. A superb photographic record of preserved locomotives from all major regions working these routes. 128pp, around 150 colour photos.