8.1.10 - 92017 4Z48 Mossend - Rugby, Beckfoot

This is one of my all time favourite shots. I'm satisfied with the execution (although there's always things that could be imporved!) but what I find most pleasing is that it would be almost impossible to ever repeat. Heavy overnight snow and freezing conditions in the north meant long delays to all southbound WCML services. This diagram, along with the 66 hauled stock from the cancelled ScotRail sleeper and several other interesting workings were trapped north of Carlisle. Once things were able to move again it was rich pickings for photographers further south who were waiting under gin clear skies. By this point the southbound Tesco Express was running so late it was reclassified as 4Z48 (rather than the usual 4M48)Mossend - Rugby. I was heading for the S&C but a call from TP alerted me to the greater opportunities over on the WC. So I headed for Beckfoot where the angle of the sun would be perfect and I could get a snow covered Howgill backdrop. You'll see other shots from this day on my site but this was my favourite. DBS operated 92017 'Bart the Engine' coasting south through Cumbria in stunnning scenery with cab-front detail frozen with an icy covering. This shot was published in Big Freight - The Book published in July 2010 as the rear cover.