During the 3rd weekend of March 2024 (Sat 16th March), I went on a rare visit to Carlisle travelling behind a Great Western steam locomotive. The steam locomotive on this occasion was Great Western Railway castle number 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and on this day was hauling Vintage Trains's "Shap Mountaineer" railtour from Birmingham New Street to Carlisle going both ways over Shap Summit.
5043 was only working the tour between Carnforth and Carlisle on the morning leg of the tour and then for the evenings return journey took the train from Carlisle down to Crewe where a diesel pilot was to assist it back to Birmingham.
This is my story of the weekend and the action that took place.
