| On Saturday 11th July 2009, the AC Locomotive Group's 87002 Royal Sovereign was rostered to work Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot from Birmingham to Glasgow (going to Scotland via Carlisle, and also touring the Ayr and Cathcart circle lines). The Mk1 and Mk2 coaching stock was provided by West Coast Railways, along with 47786 Roy Castle OBE for assistance. Having been desperate for a ride behind a class 87 electric loco (since the ill-fated 'Electric Scot Farewell' in December 2007), this was one opportunity I certainly couldn't afford to miss.
As a side attraction however, the tour paused at Carlisle on both the outward and return journeys, to allow passengers to visit the 2009 open day at DRS Carlisle Kingmoor. As well as the usual fleet of 20's, 37's, 47's, 57's and 66's, the event played host to BR Class 50 diesel 50049 Defiance, and Colas Rail's 47739 Robin of Templecombe (indicating that Colas Rail 47's will soon take over from Virgin 57/3's on the Carlisle to Chirk log trains). An added bonus at Carlisle station, was the appearance of the 'Queen of Scots' coaching stock on a movement from Fort William to Carnforth, behind West Coast Railway's 47760. Many thanks go to the following YouTubers and enthusiasts for their great company and laughs: Aaron Roberts (Woolybak8) Alex Roberts (alex57601) Mike Williams (55022RSG) Tom Donnelly (87006) John Dean (87002theBEAST) Ian Morris (Victorialine67) Adrian Gibson (djmadboy2) Rob Bray (37057viking) Chris Gallagher (D832) Bradleigh Ennis (bradleigh10) Stephen Harper (ThePrescotPhotter) Enjoy the pictures! |
BR 87002 Royal Sovereign rolls into Warrington Bank Quay, with Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot, bound for Glasgow. |
West Coast Railway's 47786 Roy Castle OBE tags along on the back of Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot. |
Pausing at Preston for a pathing stop, BR 87002 Royal Sovereign (at the head of Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot) revels is currently the sole operational 87 in the United Kingdom. |
BR 87002 Royal Sovereign at Preston, adorned with the Spitfire Railtours headboard. |
West Coast Railway's 47786 Roy Castle OBE came along for the ride on Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot. Seen here at Preston. |
BR 87002's Royal Sovereign nameplate, is temporarily joined by a BR 'Terrier' sticker. |
BR 87002 sparkles in the sunshine at Carlisle, before going onward to Glasgow with Spitfire Tour's Electric Scot. |
In the loco sidings at Carlisle, Arriva Trains Wales 57315 stands silent. |
Virgin 57311 Parker stands parked up in Carlisle. |
Virgin 57305 John Tracy stands parked up in Carlisle. |
An overview of DRS Carlisle Kingmoor, sitting right next to the WCML. |
DRS/Stobart Rail 66411 Eddie the Engine at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS/Malcolm 66412 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
The nameplate on DRS 37610 was commemorating a former company director. |
DRS 47790 (appearing as 47593) awaits naming at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37423 also awaits naming at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 57008 Telford International Railfreight Park at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 57012 in the sunshine at Carlisle Kingmoor |
A working miniature replica of a BR Western Region Hymek diesel loco, at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37229 Jonty Jarvis at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 57011 awaits attention inside the works shed at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 66431 and 66420 inside the works shed at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 20311 'Class 20 Fifty' in the blazing sunshine at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 20303 and 20303 potter up and down at Carlisle Kingmoor; a few of the locos were started up and moved around at many times during the day. |
BR Class 50 diesel 50049 Defiance stands on display at DRS Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS/Stobart Rail 66414 James the Engine on display at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 20302 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
Colas Rail 47739 Robin of Templecombe potters around at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
Inside the works shed of DRS Carlisle Kingmoor, 37603's body is suspended on the jacks, while it's bogies await inspection. |
DRS 37510 is adorned with a 'DRS London on a mission' headboard, as she awaits customers to her cabs at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 66423 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
From the cab of DRS 37510, 57010 rests at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 66423 and 66433 (under the loco wash) at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37069 inside the works shed at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
The engine doors of DRS 20311 were opened to reveal the engine. Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 20302 in company with 20303 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
A British Rail 'Cockney Sparrow' adorns the bodyside of DRS 37087 'Keighley and Worth Valley Railway 40th Anniversary 1968-2008', at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37423 was named 'Spirit of the Lakes' after a competition had been held to name the locomotive. The winner, Mr Bill Wilson, poses with the loco shortly after the naming ceremony at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
Colas Rail 47739 Robin of Templecombe moves around at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
The cab interior of DRS 66431 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
The 'DRS London on a mission' headboard, worn by DRS 37510 at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS/Stobart Rail 66414 James the Engine, pottering around at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
Four locos in one shot: Colas Rail 47739 Robin of Templecombe (left), DRS 20303 and 20302 (middle), and 20311 (right), at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
BR Class 50 diesel 50049 Defiance, at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37087 'Keighley and Worth Valley Railway 40th Anniversary 1968-2008, at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 37087 'Keighley and Worth Valley Railway 40th Anniversary 1968-2008, and 37229 Jonty Jarvis at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
A miniature model of a BR Class 33 diesel at Carlisle Kingmoor. |
DRS 57012 at Carlisle Kingmoor. The sloping track in the foreground is used for loading/unloading locos onto heavy carrying lorries. |
