Carnforth - Sellafield (Cumbrian Coast)
25th January 2007

The Cumbrian Coast is another line that I have spent many hours chasing trains, inspired by booked class 31's and some very nice scenary. Although I lived in Lancaster for many years there were very few visits during that time. I had spent a day in 1992 photographing a number of specials which had got my interest going especially for the old 31's. With the class still working Barrow - Manchester trains I decided it was time hit the line and did so during the autumn of 1993 whilst visiting my parents. These loco hauled trains were due to finish the following Spring and so started the first of many such visits. Along with the passengers there were a few freights and of course flask traffic but little else. By summer 1994 the loco hauled had finished but trips continued due to class 31's still working the flasks. These continued until 37's become the booked motive power from 1997. I have to admit to losing interest for a while when DRS took over the flask traffic, turning my attention to other objectives for a while. However I returned to the line once again in recent years enjoying vintage traction along the coast. The Cumbrian Coast has never produced many trains over the course of a day and a lot of patience is required especially with the current scene where trains seem to be very eratic. For me however the scenary and locos have always made up for this and I expect to continue to visit the coast for many years to come.

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Two local residents watch in awe as 37026 growls past on the Saturday only acid train at Grange. 14/5/94
Two local residents watch in awe as 37026 growls past on the Saturday only acid train at Grange. 14/5/94
 The driver opens up 31455 on the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester at Grange. 12/5/94
The driver opens up 31455 on the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester at Grange. 12/5/94
 31444 stops at Grange with the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. This loco was a favorite of mine on these passengers. 13/5/94
31444 stops at Grange with the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. This loco was a favorite of mine on these passengers. 13/5/94
 31444 departs Grange with the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. 13/5/94
31444 departs Grange with the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. 13/5/94
31201 nad 31302 head south near Bootle with the afternoon departure from Sellafield. 12/5/94
31201 nad 31302 head south near Bootle with the afternoon departure from Sellafield. 12/5/94
 20310 leads another class 20 over Levens viaduct with the returning acid from Sandbach. 28/7/00
20310 leads another class 20 over Levens viaduct with the returning acid from Sandbach. 28/7/00
 37607 and 20313 passes Seascale with a single flask from the south. 25/5/04
37607 and 20313 passes Seascale with a single flask from the south. 25/5/04
 37259 leads 37059 on the acid tanks, 6.29am. 13/7/04
37259 leads 37059 on the acid tanks, 6.29am. 13/7/04
Another of 33025 at Seascale, this time top and tail with 33030 with the southbound acid. I could have done with 33030 leading as there was no sun for the return working. 21/5/04
Another of 33025 at Seascale, this time top and tail with 33030 with the southbound acid. I could have done with 33030 leading as there was no sun for the return working. 21/5/04
 37218 and 37069 take the afternoon departure from Sellafiled away from Bootle. It had been a quiet day on the coast, having gone seven hours since the last shot. 17/5/05
37218 and 37069 take the afternoon departure from Sellafiled away from Bootle. It had been a quiet day on the coast, having gone seven hours since the last shot. 17/5/05
 Under a dramatic sky 37069 passes Seascale with the return trip working from Drigg. The sun eluded me on the outbound working. 17/5/05
Under a dramatic sky 37069 passes Seascale with the return trip working from Drigg. The sun eluded me on the outbound working. 17/5/05
37069 and 20308 take a single flask south near Grange. Shame about the grafitti. 3/9/05
37069 and 20308 take a single flask south near Grange. Shame about the grafitti. 3/9/05
20305 and 20301 near Ulverston as they head for Sellafiled with a light weight flask train. 3/9/05
20305 and 20301 near Ulverston as they head for Sellafiled with a light weight flask train. 3/9/05
 An immaculate 20303 leads 20302 and 37611 past the remains of Plumpton Jn. Compare this view to that of other photos in the collection taken ten years earlier. The location did look messy for a while after the sidings were removed but nature soon moved in. 16/10/04
An immaculate 20303 leads 20302 and 37611 past the remains of Plumpton Jn. Compare this view to that of other photos in the collection taken ten years earlier. The location did look messy for a while after the sidings were removed but nature soon moved in. 16/10/04
 37154 takes the Heysham flasks south at Kirby. The train would return later in the day. 12/8/96
37154 takes the Heysham flasks south at Kirby. The train would return later in the day. 12/8/96
37154 takes the Heysham flask back to Sellafield on a warm summers evening. Having photographed the outbound working at midday I then had a six hour wait before taking another picture !! 12/8/96
37154 takes the Heysham flask back to Sellafield on a warm summers evening. Having photographed the outbound working at midday I then had a six hour wait before taking another picture !! 12/8/96
31432 and 31203 take a well loaded flask train north at Millom. The blue loco's were pretty scruffy by this stage. 26/7/95
31432 and 31203 take a well loaded flask train north at Millom. The blue loco's were pretty scruffy by this stage. 26/7/95
 31432 passes plumpton Jn with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. These loco hauled did not have long to go by this time. Lean times were ahead ! 30/4/94
31432 passes plumpton Jn with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. These loco hauled did not have long to go by this time. Lean times were ahead ! 30/4/94
 31304 and 31130 head south over Eskmeals with the second of the afternoon trains in glorious evening sunshine. 6.32pm 1/9/94
31304 and 31130 head south over Eskmeals with the second of the afternoon trains in glorious evening sunshine. 6.32pm 1/9/94
 31233 passes Seascale with the return Drigg trip. This was a regular time for this train but was not a good time for locations. The engine would run light from Carnforth and return after dropping the wagons off at Sellafield. 14/8/96
31233 passes Seascale with the return Drigg trip. This was a regular time for this train but was not a good time for locations. The engine would run light from Carnforth and return after dropping the wagons off at Sellafield. 14/8/96
31201 and 31200 head north near Pennington with another flask train for Sellafield. These two loco's were very common on the coast. 27/8/94
31201 and 31200 head north near Pennington with another flask train for Sellafield. These two loco's were very common on the coast. 27/8/94
 31200 leads 31145 past Kents Bank with another monster flask train. I had returned here to get the shot with cloud filling the sky but this time the tide was out. You cannot win ! 6/5/94
31200 leads 31145 past Kents Bank with another monster flask train. I had returned here to get the shot with cloud filling the sky but this time the tide was out. You cannot win ! 6/5/94
 31130 returns with flasks from Heysham power station. 24/6/96
31130 returns with flasks from Heysham power station. 24/6/96
 37259 takes the acid south at Ravensglass. taken at 6.22am.25/5/04
37259 takes the acid south at Ravensglass. taken at 6.22am.25/5/04
37259 and 37218 leave Barrow with a northbound flask. This line was sometimes used on a Saturday. 22/5/04
37259 and 37218 leave Barrow with a northbound flask. This line was sometimes used on a Saturday. 22/5/04
 37059 and 37607 take the acid tanks south past Seascale on another glorious morning on the coast. 25/5/04
37059 and 37607 take the acid tanks south past Seascale on another glorious morning on the coast. 25/5/04
 33207 leads 33025 with the return acid tanks for Sellafield. The 33's were a good bet on this train at the time. 15/7/03
33207 leads 33025 with the return acid tanks for Sellafield. The 33's were a good bet on this train at the time. 15/7/03
 20303 and 20302 cross Eskmeals Viaduct with the afternoon departure. The cloud sits nicely over the fells filling the sky for the shot. 24/5/04
20303 and 20302 cross Eskmeals Viaduct with the afternoon departure. The cloud sits nicely over the fells filling the sky for the shot. 24/5/04
33025 and 33207 pass Seascale with the regular morning Drigg trip. The 33's were one of the main reasons I returned to the Cumbrian Coast and I was fortunate to secure a few shots of them. 16/7/03
33025 and 33207 pass Seascale with the regular morning Drigg trip. The 33's were one of the main reasons I returned to the Cumbrian Coast and I was fortunate to secure a few shots of them. 16/7/03
 20315 and 20307 head north at Kirby with another flask train. 21/8/04
20315 and 20307 head north at Kirby with another flask train. 21/8/04
 20314 and 20308 near Ulverston with a southbound flask. 21/8/04
20314 and 20308 near Ulverston with a southbound flask. 21/8/04
 20313 and 20319 cros Eskmeals Viaduct with the afternoon departure from Sellafield. An unusually good loading on this particular day. 12/7/04
20313 and 20319 cros Eskmeals Viaduct with the afternoon departure from Sellafield. An unusually good loading on this particular day. 12/7/04
47501 and 47237 get to grips with the Drigg trip at Seascale. The pair had worked down the previous evening and it was only a hope that they might produce on this train. What a sight when they came into view with the added bonus of an unusually heavy loading. 25/5/04
47501 and 47237 get to grips with the Drigg trip at Seascale. The pair had worked down the previous evening and it was only a hope that they might produce on this train. What a sight when they came into view with the added bonus of an unusually heavy loading. 25/5/04
 An immaculate 33207 leads 37608 past Lindal with the Sellafied - Sanbach acid. 18/7/03
An immaculate 33207 leads 37608 past Lindal with the Sellafied - Sanbach acid. 18/7/03
 Unusual motive power for this train. At the time I was disapointed that the booked 37 had not produced however looking back it does add to the variety on the line. 47332 passes Grange with the Saturday only Workington - Willesden. 16/10/93
Unusual motive power for this train. At the time I was disapointed that the booked 37 had not produced however looking back it does add to the variety on the line. 47332 passes Grange with the Saturday only Workington - Willesden. 16/10/93
 37107 passes Plumpton Jn with a Workington - Willesden chemical train. This ran once a week and was a bonus that it was a Saturday. As I recall and looking back at my notes the working finished during the Spring of 1994. At the time of the photograph, Saturday mornings was pretty good up the coast. 30/4/94
37107 passes Plumpton Jn with a Workington - Willesden chemical train. This ran once a week and was a bonus that it was a Saturday. As I recall and looking back at my notes the working finished during the Spring of 1994. At the time of the photograph, Saturday mornings was pretty good up the coast. 30/4/94
A very clean 31465 departs Grange in glorous autumn light with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. 14/10/93
A very clean 31465 departs Grange in glorous autumn light with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. 14/10/93
 31444 takes the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester past Plumpton Jn. The box, semaphores and sidings have all since been removed. 9/5/94
31444 takes the 9.30 Barrow - Manchester past Plumpton Jn. The box, semaphores and sidings have all since been removed. 9/5/94
 31421 passes Plumpton Jn with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. A visit to my parents coincided with a glorious spell of weather during mid October of 1993 and resulted in a very succesful trip to the area. 15/10/93
31421 passes Plumpton Jn with 9.30 Barrow - Manchester. A visit to my parents coincided with a glorious spell of weather during mid October of 1993 and resulted in a very succesful trip to the area. 15/10/93
 31312 and 31134 cross Eskmeals Viaduct in glorious conditions. The train was running late by this time and with the sun getting lower at this time of year it was a welcome sight finally seeing the train in the distance. The train would split with the first two flasks going to Valley and the rear two going on to Trawsfynydd power station. 1/9/94
31312 and 31134 cross Eskmeals Viaduct in glorious conditions. The train was running late by this time and with the sun getting lower at this time of year it was a welcome sight finally seeing the train in the distance. The train would split with the first two flasks going to Valley and the rear two going on to Trawsfynydd power station. 1/9/94
31224 and 31200 head north past Plumpton Jn with a Landudno Jn - Sellafield. 30/4/94
31224 and 31200 head north past Plumpton Jn with a Landudno Jn - Sellafield. 30/4/94
 31188 and 31145 head south over Eskmeals Viaduct with a well loaded Willesden bound flask train. Another pair had passed 30 minutes earlier but I had not been as lucky with the sun. This made up for it. By this time dutch locos were as common as those with coal sector markings. 4/8/94
31188 and 31145 head south over Eskmeals Viaduct with a well loaded Willesden bound flask train. Another pair had passed 30 minutes earlier but I had not been as lucky with the sun. This made up for it. By this time dutch locos were as common as those with coal sector markings. 4/8/94
 31130 heads south with the Sellafield - Heysham. On this day the train was well loaded with four flasks and would return later in the afternoon. 24/6/96
31130 heads south with the Sellafield - Heysham. On this day the train was well loaded with four flasks and would return later in the afternoon. 24/6/96
 31263 leads 31275 near Dalton with the afternoon departure from Sellfield. Strikes by signal men during 1994 meant that two departures took place on a Thursday. This was the second, bound for Willesden and should have ran the previous day. Another pair had passed only 25 minutes earlier. 28/7/94
31263 leads 31275 near Dalton with the afternoon departure from Sellfield. Strikes by signal men during 1994 meant that two departures took place on a Thursday. This was the second, bound for Willesden and should have ran the previous day. Another pair had passed only 25 minutes earlier. 28/7/94
31438 gets the Barrow Manchester train underway again at Grange. 16/10/93
31438 gets the Barrow Manchester train underway again at Grange. 16/10/93
 31201 and 31200 again this time at Kents Bank with a monster train for Sellafield. Friday was always a good day for this as it had come up from Willesden over-night and was usually well loaded. The train usually follwoed a unit and passed here at aprox 10.30am. 15/10/93
31201 and 31200 again this time at Kents Bank with a monster train for Sellafield. Friday was always a good day for this as it had come up from Willesden over-night and was usually well loaded. The train usually follwoed a unit and passed here at aprox 10.30am. 15/10/93
 31201 and 31200 approach Grange with a lightly loaded flask train from Warrington having probably arrived from Llandudno the previous evening. Even if lightly loaded with flasks the train would still be a good lenth as the barrier wagons would make up the consist. 14/10/93
31201 and 31200 approach Grange with a lightly loaded flask train from Warrington having probably arrived from Llandudno the previous evening. Even if lightly loaded with flasks the train would still be a good lenth as the barrier wagons would make up the consist. 14/10/93
 31188 passes Askam in Furness with the Sellafield - Heysham. A 31 was rare by this time and was unexpected when it came into site across the bay. The volume of cloud made it very tense with the sun light just lasting long enough when the train passed. 13/7/98
31188 passes Askam in Furness with the Sellafield - Heysham. A 31 was rare by this time and was unexpected when it came into site across the bay. The volume of cloud made it very tense with the sun light just lasting long enough when the train passed. 13/7/98
© 1998-2009 Dean Cornthwaite - All copyrights rest with the Author
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