JL 22.4.15 - 60002 & 66849 6J37 Carlisle - Chirk, Birkett Common

Some kind folk had alerted me to the fact that Colas owned 60002 had worked light engine to Carlisle on Sunday for trial runs this week on the Carlisle - Chirk log diagram. This has been a long awaited and much anticipated event and is a very welcome change at a time of low S&C freight traffic volumes and a fairly static rail scene in the north. Yesterday was the first run and today saw a repeat formation with 66849 'Wylam Dilly' DIT in case of any problems with the Brush machine. At Hellfield the ex-petroleum liveried 'Capability Brown' would come off and work light engine back over the S&C to Carlisle. The ever attractive working is seen climbing well through Birkett Common. It's been almost 2 years since I last photted a 60 on the S&C when 60001 turned up on the ballast working from Ribblehead (see Blea Moor gallery).