JL - 21.11.18 70813 6J37 Carlisle - Chirk, Waitby

Today saw the first of the seasons snow fall arrive on Mallerstang Edge and Wild Boar but there was not much sun around today which was a shame because for the first time in a long time a gypsum flow from Drax began. A GBRf 66 worked into Kirkby Thore this morning from Drax and the lineside understanding is that this is the result of Drax burning coal for power generation again until next April. This might spell the end of the flow of imported gypsum from Tees Dock for a while depending on the demands of the Eden Valley based British Gypsum plant. Time will tell and even if the 60 hauled flow continues or restarts next year it could run via the north end of the line and via Tyne Valley.
However, K05 and the logs did run and there was some decent light on offer in the Upper Eden Valley for the passage of 70813 with 6J37 Carlisle - Chirk, seen climbing through Waitby in very cold and windy conditions.