JL - 14.4.23 47712 1Z12 Carlisle - Crewe, Smardale Viaduct

A fantastic railtour graced the S&C today. LSL / InterCity Tours organised 'Cumbrian Mountain Anniversary' excursion from Crewe to Carlisle and return (outward via Shap, return via Ais Gill). But it was the traction and rolling stock combination that had me prioritising this working above all others today, including double headed Colas Grids on the logs.
I was very unluckily done by cloud at Yanwath for the northbound leg and chances of sun on the return leg were very slim indeed. Despite that I came very close at Smardale Viaduct, in fact if I'd been a half mile further south it would've been a full sunner. In the end, given the rarity and the stunning traction and rolling stock I was pleased to get this image at the graceful Smardale Viaduct which spans Scandal Beck and is the highest on the route.