Toggle navigation
News
Latest
Queries
Articles
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Contributors
Maps
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Maps
More
Queries
Articles
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Contributors
Maps
Lancaster And Preston Junction Railway
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Pre-1918 picture of the Lancaster & Preston Junction Railway station opened in 1849 at Brock on the WCML, looking south towards Preston. The picture is full of period detail, including lower quadrant signals, a wooden bodied wagon in the siding and early staff uniforms. The milk churns are probably empties awaiting return to local farmers. Brock station closed to passengers in 1939 and, with the exception of the foot crossing [see image 23510], nothing in this picture survived the 1972 electrification. <br>
[Railscot note: Reverend Ron Greenall is a local historian and railway enthusiast in the Garstang, Lancs, area. Over the years many people have sent Ron old pictures for use in his weekly local newspaper feature and he has kindly agreed, via Mark Bartlett, to�share some of his collection of railway photographs with the Railscot website.]�<br>
<br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //]](/images/23000/23684.jpg "Brock")
![Just north of Brock station a Fowler 2-6-4T hurries 7 coaches over Brock water troughs and on towards Lancaster. A grainy, undated photo but the earthworks behind are from the construction of the M6 Motorway and so this is the early 1960s.<br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //]](/images/24000/24032.jpg "Brock")
![A view northwards at Brock in the 1930s as a <I>Royal Scot</I> class 4-6-0 approaches on a passenger train that also seems to be conveying milk tanks. Comparison with the earlier picture [See image 23684] shows that the signal box has moved from down to up side and the down starter has been replaced by an upper quadrant signal. Just behind that some goods wagons sit in the siding alongside the down line. The stone station building dates from the construction of the line by the L&PJR with the wooden buildings and platforms being later LNWR additions. Photo credited to D. Thompson. <br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //]](/images/24000/24407.jpg "Brock")
![A photograph of Barton & Broughton station, possibly in LMS days, looking towards Preston. The bracket signals mark the start of the four track section to Preston. [See image 24648] for a view in the opposite direction from an earlier date when the main building had a bay window that was perhaps encroaching on the platform too much. [Ref query 6389] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett Collection //]](/images/54000/54769.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![A Cravens DMU pulls away from Garstang and Catterall heading for Lancaster as alighting passengers head for the footbridge. Prior to 1930 there would have been a connection to the Knott End branch railmotor on the other side of the island platform. The main station building can be seen on the Up line. This splendid colour photo was probably taken in the late 1960s. The 1964 timetable shows four Up and five Down departures on weekdays with an extra mid-day service each way on Saturdays. The station closed in 1969, following which the site was cleared for the 1972 WCML electrification. <br><br>[Knott End Collection //]](/images/61000/61016.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![A very early picture of Scorton station, perched high on the WCML embankment. The wooden platform buildings can be seen alongside the stone built station house. The station closed on 1.5.39 and all trace has been swept away. [See image 23496] for a modern day comparison from the same viewpoint, looking west along Station Lane just outside the village. <br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //1900]](/images/23000/23874.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]")
![Early view of the station at Barton and Broughton showing the station master and his staff outside the down side buildings. While the station was still open the bay window seen here was removed as it probably made the platform alongside this main line too narrow. The buildings continued in private use long after closure in 1939 and were only demolished in 2013. [See image 23758]. From a Frederick Cooper postcard. <br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //1905]](/images/24000/24648.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Troops on the island platform at Garstang & Catterall station [See image 60897] around the time of the First World War. It has been suggested that they are 'off to the front' but there are a number of pictures around showing pre-war Territorial Army weekend camps at Knott End and these lads could be changing trains travelling to or from Knott End for one of these events.<br><br>[Knott End Collection //1914]](/images/63000/63386.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Some twenty years after its closure in 1939 this is a view of Barton and Broughton station looking north along the West Coast Main Line. The wooden buildings on the Up platform look in good condition but were later demolished and the platform removed. However, the more substantial stone buildings on the down side remained in use as private residences into the 21st century but were demolished in 2013. [See image 18206]. Picture believed to have been taken by G H Platt. <br><br>[Rev Ron Greenall Collection //1959]](/images/23000/23758.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![A down parcels train crossing the viaduct over the River Conder at Galgate, south of Lancaster, in September 1971.<br><br>[John Furnevel 10/09/1971]](/images/4000/4356.jpg "Conder Viaduct")
![A class 50 brings a WCML service past Lancaster No 4 box in September 1971.<br><br>[John Furnevel 10/09/1971]](/images/4000/4357.jpg "Lancaster")
![A down WCML express passing through Lancaster in September 1971.<br><br>[John Furnevel 10/09/1971]](/images/4000/4358.jpg "Lancaster")
![The new infrastructure for colour light signalling can be seen as D431 approaches Garstang & Catterall on a service for Scotland. The cars are parked in the old goods yard, which is now occupied by a feeder station for the 25kv power supply. The signal box closed in November 1972 with the commissioning of Preston power box. The station, behind the photographer, had only been closed for three years at this time but had already been demolished and cleared. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett //1972]](/images/19000/19180.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Brush Type 4 47532 takes a Barrow-in-Furness to Crewe train south through the remains of Garstang & Catterall station on 11th October 1980. [Ref query 1037] The former D1641 continued in service until 1997 and was scrapped at Springs Branch four years later. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/10/1980]](/images/59000/59415.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![40028, formerly <I>Samaria</I>, heads south at Garstang & Catterall with the ICI soda ash tanks from Corkickle to Northwich on 11th October 1980. At the time these cream coloured tank trains were one of the most distinctive freight movements on the northern WCML. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/10/1980]](/images/62000/62500.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![<I>Hear that Whistler blow</I> Class 40 No. 40141 powers north towards Six Arches bridge over the River Wyre at Scorton in 1980 with a train of ICI tanks from Northwich to Corkickle on the Cumbrian Coast. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/12/1980]](/images/21000/21310.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]")
![Former Haymarket Class 40, 40063, stands in Ladywell sidings at Preston towards the end of its working life. It was one of the early locos given new front ends with four character headcode boxes by 64B for ECML work replacing the original nose doors and discs. These were distinguishable from later production locos by the square edged headcode boxes. Withdrawn the following April it was cut up at Vic Berrys in Leicester in 1987. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett /08/1983]](/images/28000/28811.jpg "Preston")
![Shortly after being reinstated for Departmental use Class 40 No. D212/40012 <I>Aureol</I>, now renumbered as 97407, sits in Ladywell sidings, Preston alongside an unidentified Class 47. These sidings, to the north east of the station, were swept away when Preston's ring road was extended. The loco was subsequently preserved at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett //1985]](/images/23000/23791.jpg "Preston")
![A <I>Dutch</I> liveried Class 31 hauls a rake of engineers' wagons, as they were called before the days of infrastructure trains, along the Up WCML just south of Oubeck Loops, which can just be seen behind the train. The signal controls the access to the Down loop.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett //1990]](/images/26000/26497.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Express Sprinter 158761, probably brand new and on test, runs south on the WCML approaching Woodacre Crossing on 2nd March 1991. These units never saw regular use on this stretch of line, apart from the early years of the Virgin franchise when five sets were used on services between Scotland and Manchester, but in 2018 are being introduced on Barrow to Manchester Airport services. I recall thinking the 158s were a very stylish design when new and they haven't really aged in 26 years.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/03/1991]](/images/59000/59540.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A Class 90 in Inter City livery heads north from Preston in May 1993, passing Oxheys Loop.<br><br>[John McIntyre /05/1993]](/images/53000/53194.jpg "Oxheys")
![Virgin class 220 Voyager southbound at Woodacre, Lancs on 21 February 2007.<br><br>[John McIntyre 21/02/2007]](/images/17000/17006.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Sitting by the bridge over the main line on the opposite side of the road to Barton and Broughton Station this house could be mistaken for a railway property but is shown on an 1893 map as the Lodge at the end of a long driveway to the then Newsham House. The WCML, and the exit from the down Barton loop, is immediately behind the garden [See image 24856]. (With thanks to Vic Smith for additional information).<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/03/2008]](/images/9000/9440.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Barton and Broughton station closed in 1939 but the station building survived as a pair of houses next to the down WCML until finally demolished in the summer of 2013. Pictured from the overbridge looking north in March 2008. [See image 44079] (SD 515364)<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/03/2008]](/images/18000/18206.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The old station building at Barton and Broughton, photographed in 2008. Although the station had closed in 1939 the building became two houses that were still occupied when seen here but, sadly, was demolished and the site alongside the line cleared in 2013. [See image 44079]<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/03/2008]](/images/47000/47211.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![First Trans Pennine Express unit 185141 seen at Billsborrow on 12 March 2008 heading south with a service to Manchester Airport.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 12/03/2008]](/images/23000/23162.jpg "Billsborrow")
![Only used for passengers from 1840 to 1849, although goods trains continued to a yard just behind this building until the 1960s. Lancaster Greaves, better known locally as Penny Street station, was replaced by Lancaster Castle station when the Carlisle extension opened. It has been an NHS building for many years and is part of the Lancaster Royal Infirmary complex. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/03/2008]](/images/18000/18309.jpg "Lancaster [1st]")
![Northbound First service crossing the Six Arch Viaduct (or Wyre Bridge on an OS map!) at Scorton.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford 14/04/2008]](/images/18000/18662.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![86259 in BR electric blue heads north on 3 May at Brock between Preston and Lancaster with a Birmingham - Carlisle railtour.<br><br>[John McIntyre 03/05/2008]](/images/18000/18911.jpg "Brock")
![A northbound Pendolino destined for Glasgow Central approaches Oubeck Loop south of Lancaster on 3 May 2008. <br><br>[John McIntyre 03/05/2008]](/images/18000/18930.jpg "Lancaster")
![Track renewal at Oubeck Loops, on the West Coast Main Line south of Lancaster, during the weekend closure on 17 May. 60096 stands on the down line. View is south towards Galgate. Map ref SD 480574<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/05/2008]](/images/19000/19065.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![66193 supports track relaying operations at Oubeck Loops on the WCML south of Lancaster on 17 May. The signal PN211 controls access to the down loop. (Map ref SD 480564). <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/05/2008]](/images/19000/19067.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Awaiting the call to move into the working area, 66248 sits in the WCML cutting north of the Oubeck loops with an infrastructure train during a relaying possession. The signal to the right of the locomotive normally controls access into the Up Loop. Map Ref SD 490575<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/05/2008]](/images/20000/20402.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Unlike most other Lancaster and Preston stations, Bay Horse did not close until 1960, despite being in a rural location with no real centre of population. Station House still stands alongside the up line, and on the down side the goods shed is still in industrial use. Map Ref SD 493529<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/07/2008]](/images/19000/19821.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Bay Horse subway entrance on the down side showing the remains of the old platform wall and Station House visible on the opposite side of the line. The down platform access was on the right, just before the subway but now fenced off. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/07/2008]](/images/19000/19843.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Bay Horse is a very rural location and the still open subway under the line is an unusual survivor. This is the up side showing the subway entrance and also the former access to the up platform, now bricked up. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/07/2008]](/images/19000/19844.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A Pendolino speeds north through Garstang and Catterall. The retaining wall by the Lancaster Canal once supported the Garstang and Knott End Railway track alongside the main line. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/07/2008]](/images/19000/19919.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Recent Down line tracklaying at Bay Horse has resulted in the removal of the emergency crossovers there. Contractors are still in the former goods yard, which also contains a 25kv feeder station, hence the intricate catenary. Although on this date there was still a temporary speed restriction on the Down line the Pendolino is on the Up and heading for Euston at full speed. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/07/2008]](/images/19000/19930.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The impressive staircase at this house is the give away that it is the former station entrance. The house was once joined onto and is all that survives of a once large junction station that was swept away soon after closure in 1969. It used to be faced in red brick similar to the stairs and retaining wall. Map Ref SD 509439<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2008]](/images/19000/19975.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![A pair of Voyagers heads south on the WCML just south of Garstang & Catterall on 12 October 2008.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 12/10/2008]](/images/21000/21001.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Trans Pennine Express service from Manchester Airport to Edinburgh provided by 185127 heads north between Brock and Garstang & Catterall on the WCML on 12 October 2008.<br><br>[John McIntyre 12/10/2008]](/images/21000/21008.jpg "Brock")
![A two-tone green class 47 on the rear of southbound ecs move on the WCML just south of Garstang & Catterall on 12 October 2008. The water in the foreground is the Lancaster Canal.<br><br>[John McIntyre 12/10/2008]](/images/21000/21027.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![57304 <I>Gordon Tracy</I> in the bay at the north end of Preston station awaiting its next duty on 15 October 2008. Hopefully some of the planned improvements at Preston may tidy up this part of the station.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/10/2008]](/images/21000/21868.jpg "Preston")
![<i>The Cotton Mill Express</i> was diverted from its usual Yorkshire route on 251008 to run Blackburn Hellifield Carnforth and Wigan. Despite atrocious weather 45407 was on time climbing up the bank south of Lancaster heading for Preston.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/10/2008]](/images/21000/21190.jpg "Lancaster")
![A Virgin Pendolino runs south through Lancashire on 15 Nov 2008 near Brock, heading for Preston.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/11/2008]](/images/21000/21488.jpg "Brock")
![185124 hurries south between Lancaster and Preston at the head of a 6-car FTPE service bound for Manchester Airport on 15 November 2008.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/11/2008]](/images/21000/21497.jpg "Brock")
![The footbridge at Broad Fall Farm near Scorton is exactly 12 miles north of Preston, and just south of the site of the former station, which closed in 1939. Here, a Pendolino leans on the curve as it heads south. Map Ref SD 503478.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/12/2008]](/images/21000/21699.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![A southound Pendolino at speed at Woodacre, Lancs, on the West Coast Main Line on 24 January.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/22000/22230.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![185113 with a First TransPennine Express service for Barrow-in-Furness heading north on the WCML on 24 January 2009 towards its next stop at Lancaster. <br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/22000/22244.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A down Pendolino is seen from a footbridge on the WCML just north of Preston on 24 January 2009. The train is about to pass under the A6 on its journey to Lancaster.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/22000/22257.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![A southbound Pendolino approaches the footbridge alongside the site of Barton & Broughton station, Lancs, on 24 January 2009.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/22000/22316.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![FTP 185141 on its way south at Woodacre with a service to Manchester Airport on 24 January 2009. <br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/22000/22327.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A southbound Voyager at Woodacre just south of Scorton on a service from Scotland to Birmingham New Street on 24 January 2009. The M6 motorway can be seen to the right of the photo however the road vehicles are no match for the Voyager.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/24000/24591.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![In a low winter sun on 24 January 2009, a First TransPennine Express service to Mancester Airport heads south on the WCML at Woodacre.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/01/2009]](/images/36000/36835.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![DRS 66418, on a W H Malcolm container train, is held in the Up Loop at Oubeck to allow passenger trains to overtake. In the foreground is the Ou Beck from which the loops get their name. A very rural setting, only two miles south of Lancaster City Centre, alongside the A6 main road. Map Ref SD 481568<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/03/2009]](/images/22000/22688.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Having been held in the down loop at Oubeck to allow a Pendolino, a TPE 185 and a Voyager to pass, Freightliner 66595 eases its infrastructure train back onto the main line and continues its journey northwards.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/03/2009]](/images/22000/22813.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Transpennine Express 185145, heading north, passes Freightliner 66595 and an infrastructure train in the down loop at Oubeck, just south of Lancaster. The stones on the cutting side mark the site of a previous landslip. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/03/2009]](/images/22000/22815.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![An Edinburgh bound Voyager on one of the straight sections of track between Preston and Lancaster just north of Billsborrow on 19 March 2009.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/03/2009]](/images/22000/22932.jpg "Billsborrow")
![46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> passing Preston Maudland at the start of the Glasgow leg of the <I>Great Britain II</I> railtour on 9 April 2009. Amazing the number of cameras that appeared from the pockets of hi-vis orange jackets as the special passed by.<br><br>[John McIntyre 09/04/2009]](/images/23000/23208.jpg "Preston")
![The northbound <I>Highland Sleeper</I> pauses at Preston platform 4 on 21 April 2009 with First ScotRail liveried 90024 at the helm. The departure from Preston is scheduled for 0052 hrs and the train contains through carriages for Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness.<br><br>[John McIntyre 21/04/2009]](/images/23000/23382.jpg "Preston")
![A Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central Virgin Voyager arrives at Lancaster with the 1538 hrs service on 27 April 2009.<br><br>[John McIntyre 27/04/2009]](/images/23000/23533.jpg "Lancaster")
![On 1st May 1939, four of the six stations between Preston and Lancaster closed. 70 years later to the day, 185116 speeds through Galgate on its way to Manchester Airport. The station itself was situated some 200yds north of this point but is inaccessible for pictures and in any case all trace has been swept away. View from the A6 main road immediately north of the M6 Junction 33 roundabout. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/05/2009]](/images/23000/23494.jpg "Galgate")
![On the 70th anniversary of closure (1.5.39) a Voyager speeds north past the site of Scorton station. The station comprised wooden platforms elevated on the embankment immediately south of this small bridge over Station Lane [See image 23874]. All trace of the station was swept away many years ago.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/05/2009]](/images/23000/23496.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]")
![Of the four Lancaster and Preston stations that closed in 1939 only Barton and Broughton survived for a long period, with the station buildings used as private residences. A 4-car Voyager speeds south towards Preston on the 70th anniversary of the station's closure. Sadly the building was demolished in 2013. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/05/2009]](/images/23000/23498.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The only artefact of Brock station that still existed after electrification was this elderly lamp standard by the foot crossing (and a decapitated one on the far side). The crossing was remodelled for 125mph trains and for some time was the only one between Preston and Lancaster. In 2014 however, like all the others before it, the Brock crossing was replaced by a footbridge.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/05/2009]](/images/23000/23510.jpg "Brock")
![Brock station was a small wooden affair that lay between the point from which this picture was taken and the River Brock bridge, visible by the second coach of the northbound Voyager. Situated by the A6 main road, it succumbed to bus competition on 1.5.39 and little remains in this view taken on the 70th anniversary of its closure.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/05/2009]](/images/23000/23511.jpg "Brock")
![Heading north though the cutting at Forton is Trans Pennine unit 185147. Forton lies mid way between Scorton and Bay Horse but the village never had its own station. This view is from Cleveley Bank Lane bridge towards Bay Horse and Lancaster.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/05/2009]](/images/23000/23604.jpg "Forton")
![46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> maintains a steady 75mph as it passes under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge, between Scorton and Bay Horse, heading for Carlisle with a special from Birmingham (steam hauled from Preston) on 9 May. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/05/2009]](/images/23000/23605.jpg "Forton")
![The setting sun lights up a northbound Voyager as it leans into a curve just south of the site of Scorton station. The M6 motorway is immediately behind the train, but thankfully screened by the trees so only the Bowland hills can be seen. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/05/2009]](/images/23000/23736.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![Great Western infiltrator on the WCML at Brock, north of Preston, on 20 June 2009. Castle Class no 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' hauls the outward leg of the 'Castle over Shap' railtour to Carlisle.<br><br>[John McIntyre 20/06/2009]](/images/24000/24209.jpg "Brock")
![Four wheeled coal hopper wagons are now a rare sight on the WCML but in 2009 train 6S13, Warrington to New Cumnock coal empties, ran MWF passing through Preston at 0725. Here the train is seen at Oubeck loops, powered by EWS Class 66 No. 66060, accelerating away from a signal check. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/07/2009]](/images/24000/24382.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![6233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> at speed on the return Cumbrian Mountain Express railtour with load 13, on the long straight just north of the site of Brock station, 18 July 2009.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/07/2009]](/images/24000/24643.jpg "Brock")
![<I>Motive power considerably longer than train</I>. With the DRS Class 20 locos in Eastleigh for assessment the Class 66s are frequently being rostered on flask trains. With only a fraction of the 6600hp available being used 66428 and 66425 hustle the 6K73 Sellafield to Crewe, comprising a single flask wagon, south passing Broad Fall Farm at Scorton on a Monday evening. This train is a useful means of getting locomotives to Crewe too and the previous Monday had two Class 37s in tow in addition to the two 66s. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/07/2009]](/images/24000/24693.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![With a much longer load than the preceeding train, [See Image 24693] 92013 <I>Puccini</I> hauls the 6X12 Carlisle to Eastleigh <I>Enterprise</I> service under the footbridge at Broad Fall Farm, Scorton as the daylight fades. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/07/2009]](/images/24000/24745.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![The first of the <I>Fellsman</I> steam excursions from Lancaster departed in poor weather and is seen here heading south at Cleveley Bank Lane Bridge, Forton, behind Jubilee 4-6-0 5690 <I>Leander</I>. All six tours are reported fully booked for the trips to Carlisle via Preston, Blackburn, Hellifield and the S&C and return by the same route. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/07/2009]](/images/24000/24817.jpg "Forton")
![On the roll again after waiting in the goods loop just south of the closed Barton and Broughton station. 66419 accelerates a lengthy Tesco container northwards past the old station building on a very wet Saturday morning. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/08/2009]](/images/24000/24852.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Having waited in Barton down goods loop for a Voyager to pass 66419 gets the Tesco containers under way again and draws forward onto the main line to continue its northwards journey. Originally there were four tracks from Preston to this point but they were reduced to two in the late 1960s, apart from an up loop just outside Preston and this one. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/08/2009]](/images/24000/24856.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The rather plain looking 66612 <I>Forth Raider</I>, which has no bodyside Freightliner logo, gets a train of yellow Network Rail <I>mega boxes</I> under way again after a short stop in the Up Gds Loop at Oubeck to allow a passenger service to overtake. This was once a completely rural location but the University of Lancaster campus has steadily expanded and can now be seen in the background. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/08/2009]](/images/24000/24930.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Jubilee 4-6-0 <I>Leander</I> slowly climbs the bank south of Lancaster station and crosses the Lancaster Canal at the start of another <I>Fellsman</I> excursion to Carlisle via Preston, Hellifield and the S&C. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/08/2009]](/images/24000/24999.jpg "Lancaster")
![Heavy rain again for <I>Leander</I> on the <I>Fellsman</I> as it crosses the River Wyre at Scorton on the outbound leg. This bridge is known locally as Six Arches, five arches being over the river and the sixth over the access road to a caravan site of the same name. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/09/2009]](/images/25000/25272.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![With a bad wheel flat knocking loudly, two nuclear flasks trundle slowly down the bank towards Lancaster behind DRS 66428 and 66418. I had seen the train stopped at a signal on the main line just north of Oubeck and managed to get to this bridge in time to see it come through. Two days previously this Crewe to Sellafield service ran (silently) with two Class 37s and five flasks. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/09/2009]](/images/25000/25378.jpg "Lancaster")
![The view out from the rear of the original terminus of the Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway, only used as such from 1840 to 1849. The old trackbed area is now occupied by relatively modern hospital buildings. Of interest is what appears to be a stable block, possibly associated with the railway station but also probably used after that time when the station building became a private home. The old station was given to the Lancaster Infirmary as a Nurses' Home in 1924. This view looks south and the goods yard that survived the station closure until the 1960s was just beyond the far buildings. The stables building fronts onto the A6 main road immediately south of the city centre. Photo taken with the kind permission of the Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust Estates Department. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/09/2009]](/images/25000/25684.jpg "Lancaster [1st]")
![The imposing frontage of Lancaster's first station, a Grade 2 listed building is unfortunately obscured by two leilandi trees in the front garden. After Lancaster Castle station opened this became a private house and then later part of the hospital. Photo by kind permission of Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust Estates Department.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/09/2009]](/images/25000/25709.jpg "Lancaster [1st]")
![The rear of Lancaster Greaves station building and probably the point where the tracks from Preston would have terminated. Former stable block still standing to the right but modern hospital buildings occupying much of the old track area. Because the railway was only here for a short period in the 1840s information is limited but the current occupiers of the building would be interested in any information about its history. Photo by kind permission of Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust Estates Department.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/09/2009]](/images/25000/25710.jpg "Lancaster [1st]")
![Plenty of steam from 6233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> as she heads north on a sunny but cool morning at Woodacre, near Scorton, on the Crewe to Carlisle leg of the <I>Royal Scot</I> steam excursion. This view taken from the footbridge that replaced the original level crossing when the line was upgraded for 125mph running. This was one of the last main line runs for the Duchess before its <I>ticket</I> expired but she was subsequently granted an extension and, repainted from maroon to black, continued on the main line during 2010 [See image 29245].<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/10/2009]](/images/25000/25751.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The University of Lancaster campus (and the hill known as Clougha Pike) form a backdrop to the Oubeck Loops as a Virgin Voyager takes a Birmingham New Street service towards Preston. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/11/2009]](/images/26000/26145.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![A very gloomy day for Ian Riley's second Black 5 no 44871, on its first outing, going from Manchester to Carlisle via Shap and returning via the S&C. It was on time to the minute coming north through Bay Horse in tandem with 45407 at 0915 on 30 December - but the sun had forgotten to get up this morning!<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/12/2009]](/images/26000/26988.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A Class 67 hauled freight drifts south through the site of Scorton station, as seen from local hill <I>Nicky Nook</I>. Behind the train the Fylde plain stretches out towards Pilling, with Morecambe Bay beyond.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/01/2010]](/images/27000/27120.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]")
![An Edinburgh bound Voyager from Birmingham New Street is seen at speed approaching the foot crossing at the former Brock station on 10 January 2010. Looking through the viewfinder it was possible to see the snow and ice being whipped up by the train, something that has been blamed for several broken windows on passing Pendolinos.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/01/2010]](/images/27000/27134.jpg "Brock")
![A southbound FTPE Class 185 bound for Manchester Airport passes a northbound Pendolino for Glasgow Central at the site of the former Brock station on 10 January 2010.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/01/2010]](/images/27000/27136.jpg "Brock")
![With the loss of the sun for the day, the camera was switched to Black & White mode to capture a Virgin Voyager southbound approaching Brock with a service to Birmingham New Street on a cold 10 January 2010 made even colder with a strong north easterly wind.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/01/2010]](/images/27000/27141.jpg "Brock")
![A northbound Voyager heading to Scotland passes through the Brock area between Preston and Lancaster on 10 January 2010 in seasonal conditions.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/01/2010]](/images/36000/36957.jpg "Brock")
![Just to the south of the Oubeck Loops a six arch viaduct carries the WCML across the River Conder and the village of Galgate. Here, looking east, a Transpennine Unit can be seen as can a small, steel built, trackworkers refuge that is cantilevered to the outside of the bridge and apparently a later addition to the structure.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/01/2010]](/images/27000/27453.jpg "Conder Viaduct")
![A First Trans Pennine Express service to Preston formed by 185135 calls at Lancaster on 11 February 2010. The guard acknowledges the 'right away' from the despatcher as the train gets ready for the final leg of its journey south.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/02/2010]](/images/27000/27672.jpg "Lancaster")
![A Colas track machine has climbed the bank heading south out of Lancaster and is slowly approaching Oubeck where it is signalled into the Up Loop. The street lamps mark the line of the A6 main road, which follows the WCML for several miles south from here to beyond Galgate. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/03/2010]](/images/28000/28045.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Colas Rail 66843 is now operating on its own on the Carlisle to Chirk log train. It is seen on 4 March 2010 heading south at Forton near Bay Horse. <br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/03/2010]](/images/27000/27980.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A southbound Pendolino rushes through Oubeck on its way from Lancaster to Preston on 4 March 2010 passing a Colas track machine in the loop awaiting a path south.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/03/2010]](/images/27000/27994.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![DRS 66414 heads north near Bay Horse on the WCML with an Intermodal service on 4 March 2010.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/03/2010]](/images/28000/28012.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The 1240 Glasgow to Euston Pendolino (390014) is on time as it passes over a permanent way slack at Forton between Bay Horse and Scorton. Engineering possessions resulted in weekend closures between Lancaster and Preston in February and March 2010 and the end marker of another temporary restriction on the down line can also be seen.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/03/2010]](/images/28000/28108.jpg "Forton")
![The Highland Sleeper calls at Preston on 19 March 2010 with DBS 90036 providing the power. Having changed drivers a few minutes earlier the new man now looks back along the train for the signal to depart just before 0100hrs on the next leg of the journey to Edinburgh.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/03/2010]](/images/28000/28164.jpg "Preston")
![The <I>Help for Heroes</I> special excursion drops into Preston on its way from Lancaster to York. LMS 8F 48151, standing in for 46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I>, leads 70013, running as 70048 <I>The Territorial Army 1908-2008</I>, and a lengthy train of coaches. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/03/2010]](/images/28000/28240.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![Early morning mist hangs over the WCML at Oubeck on 7 April as Freightliner 66621 waits in the Up Loop with an infrastructure train.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/04/2010]](/images/28000/28400.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Britannia Pacific no 70013 <I>Oliver Cromwell</I> lifts <I>The Great Britain III</I> (Day 4) out of Preston passing the power box at the start of the leg to Glasgow via Shap and Beattock. The Britannia was standing in for <I>Scots Guardsman</I> which remains 'indisposed'. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/04/2010]](/images/28000/28432.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![<I>The Black Duchess</I>, 6233, heads north over Six Arches bridge at Scorton on 8 May with a Gloucester to Carlisle excursion that she had taken over at Crewe.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/05/2010]](/images/28000/28852.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![Super power for a short nuclear flask train as 66427 and 66423 cross a tranquil River Wyre at Scorton heading south on 8 May. This was an unexpected bonus while I was waiting for the <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> steam special to pass this point heading for Carlisle.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/05/2010]](/images/28000/28966.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![DBS 60010 heads north on the WCML at Brock on 8 May 2010 with an engineers train. DBS 60085 is bringing up the rear.<br><br>[John McIntyre 08/05/2010]](/images/40000/40202.jpg "Brock")
![<I>'James the Engine'</I> aka DRS no 66414, in 'Stobart Rail' livery, hauls a southbound container train through the Oubeck loops south of Lancaster on 22 May 2010.<br><br>[John McIntyre 22/05/2010]](/images/37000/37309.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48151 attacks the steep climb south of Lancaster station on 2 June hauling the 2010 pre-season <I>Fellsman</I> excursion from Lancaster to Carlisle via Preston and the S&C. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/06/2010]](/images/29000/29198.jpg "Lancaster")
![Ex-LMS <I>Coronation</I> Pacific no 6233 <i>Duchess of Sutherland</i> heads north on the WCML on 24 July 2010 with the <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> from Liverpool to Carlisle. The train has just restarted from Barton Down Loop, having been held to allow passage of a northbound Pendolino.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/07/2010]](/images/29000/29972.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![<I>The Fellsman</I> excursions can be hauled by any one of a pool of four Carnforth based steam locomotives and the first of the 2010 summer trains was taken by 5690 <I>Leander</I>. It is seen here on the first leg of its journey at Oubeck, just south of Lancaster. Perhaps because of recent failures of other steam locomotives Brush Type 4 no 47760 was tagged on the rear - something not seen on any of the 2009 trains. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/07/2010]](/images/29000/29994.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![The evening DRS Sellafield to Crewe service approaches the site of Woodacre Crossing (replaced by a footbridge a few years ago) and is just about to cross the Grizedale Beck. 66415 and 66418 are hauling two flask wagons but this train can be very varied. The previous Thursday it ran with two Class 37s and two Class 66s with a single flask wagon and two nights after this picture was taken had two Class 66s, one Class 57 and five flask wagons. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/09/2010]](/images/30000/30609.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>Badger Bridge</I> was a well known WCML spotting location in steam days as it overlooked Brock water troughs. The badger is the emblem of the Fitzherbert-Brockholes family from nearby Claughton Hall. Less well known is this low bridge carrying the main line over Stubbins Lane, a little further north, but which also has four badger emblems on each side. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/09/2010]](/images/30000/30884.jpg "Brock")
![Almost home. A WCRC ecs movement from Leicester to Carnforth (5Z70) with 47500 in charge, photographed north of Brock on 10 October 2010. 37685 was travelling on the rear of the train.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/10/2010]](/images/31000/31047.jpg "Brock")
![Southbound 4 car Voyager no 221143 enters the sunshine near Brock as sister unit, 5 car 221142, disappears behind the left hand OHLE mast on a northbound service, late in the afternoon of 10 October 2010.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/10/2010]](/images/31000/31053.jpg "Brock")
![Deltic 55022 <I>Royal Scots Grey</I> on the back of the BLS 'Ribble Lune Railtour' on 10 October 2010. The train is heading north from the foot crossing at the site of the former Brock station. <br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/10/2010]](/images/31000/31059.jpg "Brock")
![A1 60163 <I>Tornado</I> heads for Euston from Edinburgh, on a glorious autumn afternoon, with Day 3 of the Christmas Coronation railtour. The loco was running with <I>The Cathedrals Express</I> headboard and is seen at Woodacre, on the racing ground between Lancaster and Preston, with the M6 Motorway behind and the Grizedale Beck in between. Unfortunately, 60163 had to be assisted by a Class 66 diesel on the last leg from Rugby to Euston due to poor coal affecting its steaming. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/11/2010]](/images/31000/31575.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Growling up the bank after the Lancaster station stop is Trans Pennine unit 185138 heading for Manchester Airport. The driver's blind is down due to the low afternoon sun. These units have a quite distinctive engine note when under load and excellent acceleration, even on steep gradients. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/11/2010]](/images/32000/32014.jpg "Lancaster")
![It seems that Statesman Rail have got the formula right for the <I>Fellsman</I> specials and the <I>Christmas Fellsman</I> has been fully booked for weeks. A clear crisp morning on 27 November meant there was just enough light to capture 5690 <I>Leander</I> on the first leg at Woodacre, heading for Preston with the fireman obviously working hard.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/11/2010]](/images/31000/31674.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Boxing Day morning sees the northern approaches to Preston deserted. The lines in the foreground, passing the 25kv feeder station, are for Lancaster while those on the right lead to Blackpool. Stock is rarely stabled at Preston these days so the holding sidings in front of the power box are also empty. The point heaters look to be working though.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/12/2010]](/images/32000/32078.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![46115 <i>Scots Guardsman</i> brings <i>The Great Britain IV</i> towards its Day 6 destination on 21 April. The train is seen having just passed the site of Barton & Broughton station on 21 April on the northern outskirts of Preston.<br><br>[John McIntyre 21/04/2011]](/images/33000/33747.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The ECS for Day 7 of the <I>Great Britain IV</I> hurries through Woodacre behind GWR Castle 4-6-0 5029 <I>Nunney Castle</I>. The empty train was on its way from Carnforth to Preston to start the leg to Bristol via the Welsh Marches route. Although not due to leave Preston until 8.43am the ECS movement ran 25 minutes early passing Woodacre at 6.55am. Its hard to believe that there have been two Castles on the main line in Lancashire in the space of one week [See image 33681]<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/04/2011]](/images/33000/33749.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Freightliner locomotive 66515 hauls a rake of 19 coal hoppers north <br>
past Woodacre on the WCML on 31 May 2011 heading back to Scotland for reloading.<br><br>[John McIntyre 31/05/2011]](/images/34000/34439.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley service operated by First TransPennine Express heads north along the WCML near Brock, between Preston and Lancaster, on 31 May 2011.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 31/05/2011]](/images/34000/34449.jpg "Brock")
![Problems with the second <I>Fellsman</I> of 2011 occurred on 27 July when 46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> failed at Carlisle with 'firebox problems'. WCRC 47760 was photographed at Woodacre having taken over the train for the return journey via the S&C with the 'Scot' in light steam. Despite the earlier problems the train was on time at this point. <br>
<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2011]](/images/35000/35034.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A rare sight these days and very welcome on a fine summer evening in July 2011. DRS 20308 and 20309 head the 6K73 Sellafield to Crewe flasks south along the WCML. 20309 emerged from Robert Stephenson Hawthorn works as D8075 in the summer of 1961 and so has just celebrated its fiftieth birthday. 20308, as D8187, was from the later <I>post Clayton</I> batch built at Vulcan Foundry in 1967. The distinctive EE whistle from their engines' exhausts as they ambled past evoked many memories. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2011]](/images/35000/35046.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![66098 heads the thrice weekly 6V71 Hardendale (Shap) to Margam lime train south along the WCML at Woodacre on a sunny evening in July 2011. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2011]](/images/35000/35312.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The 12-car 1M44 Shieldmuir - Warrington Royal Mail service, led by 325008, photographed at speed on the WCML near Barton and Broughton, Lancashire, on 1 August 2011.<br><br>[John McIntyre 01/08/2011]](/images/35000/35420.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![45305 was back in charge of the <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> again on 6th August 2011. Running around fifteen minutes early the Black 5 is seen heading north on the approach to the former level crossing at Woodacre, just before the heavens opened.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/08/2011]](/images/35000/35157.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![In a summer downpour WCRC 47760 hauls <I>The Lakelander</I> north along the WCML at Woodacre near Garstang, heading for Carnforth where the train would be handed over to Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48151 for the trip round the coast to Ravenglass. The train had originated at Wolverhampton and travelled via Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester to reach here. Out of sight on the rear is another Brush Type 4, <I>Stratford</I> liveried large logo 47580. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/08/2011]](/images/35000/35217.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![On the long straight through the site of the former Brock station, <br>
an Edinburgh to Manchester Airport service is approaching the foot <br>
crossing on the evening of 8 August 2011.<br><br>[John McIntyre 08/08/2011]](/images/35000/35278.jpg "Brock")
![With the <I>Shanks Freightliner</I> liveried 66522 dead in train 70002 powers a rake of Network Rail mega-box ballast wagons south through the closed station of Bay Horse on 9 August. I had spotted this train, thought to be the 6U68 Carlisle Virtual Quarry to Mountsorrel, in Oubeck Up Loop waiting for a Voyager to overtake and just made it to Bay Horse in time to see it pass through. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/08/2011]](/images/35000/35193.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Running south towards Barton and Broughton on the WCML on 15 August 2011, Britannia Pacific no 70013 <I>Oliver Cromwell</I> makes easy work of <I>The Mersey Moorlander</I> with its 12 coach load. <br><br>[John McIntyre 15/08/2011]](/images/35000/35345.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Heading south along the WCML under clear signals on 22 August 2011, Black 5 no 45305 approaches the site of Brock station with the return leg of <I>The Mersey Moorlander</I> railtour from Carlisle to Liverpool and Crewe.<br><br>[John McIntyre 22/08/2011]](/images/35000/35381.jpg "Brock")
![A new face puts in an appearance on <I>The Fellsman</I>. LMS 5MT 4-6-0 45231 took a turn on the penultimate <I>Fellsman</I> from Lancaster on 7 September 2011. 24 hours previously the area was suffering from torrential downpours and flooding but things were a little improved on this particular morning. Here the Black 5 gets into its stride after climbing the bank out of Lancaster and heads south for Preston approaching Oubeck Loops. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/09/2011]](/images/35000/35547.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![A DRS Class 66 heads a down WCML container through the Lancashire countryside on 21 September. The train has just passed through the closed station at Bay Horse between Lancaster and Preston. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/09/2011]](/images/35000/35728.jpg "Bay Horse")
![185149 heads north at Galgate with a Manchester Airport to Edinburgh service late in the afternoon of 15 October 2011. The former Galgate station (closed in 1939) was located in the background. <br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/10/2011]](/images/36000/36039.jpg "Galgate")
![Not many trains pass through Preston non-stop these days but 6201 <I>Princess Elizabeth</I> did so on 15th October with the <I>Royal Scot</I> tour from Crewe to Carlisle. With County Hall in the background the driver of the LMS Pacific opens the regulator and accelerates through Platform 4 heading for the Lancaster lines.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/10/2011]](/images/36000/36044.jpg "Preston")
![First light at Woodacre on 5th November sees two <I>Black 5s</I> heading south with the <I>Buxton Spa Express</I>. 45407 and 44871 left Lancaster at 7.08am to go to Buxton, Sheffield and Wakefield and were not due back there until 9.50pm.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/11/2011]](/images/36000/36289.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Heading for Glasgow 6201 <I>Princess Elizabeth</I> was ten minutes early passing Woodacre with the <I>The Coronation Scot</I> on 12 November 2011. The tour started at Tyseley and was steam hauled from Crewe over Shap and Beattock with Brush Type 4 D1755 on the rear for insurance. The train retraced its outward route the following day [see image 36396]. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/11/2011]](/images/36000/36384.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Tyseley based, green liveried, Brush Type 4 D1755 (47773) brings up the rear of <I>The Coronation Scot</I>, hauled by LMS Pacific 6201 <I>Princess Elizabeth</I> at Woodacre on 12 November [see image 36384]. The train was heading for Glasgow via Shap and Beattock. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/11/2011]](/images/36000/36386.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>Lizzie</I> retraces her steps to Crewe from Glasgow with Day 2 of <I>The Coronation Scot</I> tour from Birmingham. As the sun sets 6201 passes Woodacre with Brush Class 47 D1755 again bringing up the rear. [See image 36386] for the previous day's northbound train at the same location.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/11/2011]](/images/36000/36396.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![DRS 66421 hustles the 4M44 Mossend to Daventry containers south towards the closed station at Barton and Broughton. On this gloomy November afternoon the dark blue livery appeared almost black.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/11/2011]](/images/36000/36420.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The first NW main line steam of 2012 ran on a crisp bright morning on Saturday 28 January. 44871 and 45407 double headed a Manchester Victoria to Carlisle excursion, out via Shap and back over the S&C. The duo are seen here at Woodacre on the outward leg. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/01/2012]](/images/37000/37390.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Heading for Preston, First TransPennine 185119 sprints down the Barnacre straight passed Woodacre in the early afternoon of 7 February 2012.<br><br>[John McIntyre 07/02/2012]](/images/45000/45747.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A Sunday WCML engineering possession for relaying sees DBS 66213 and some flat wagons standing alongside brand new track at Woodacre near Garstang in March 2012. A plant machine is just visible inside the cutting on the new Up line.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/03/2012]](/images/40000/40983.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![86259 <I>Les Ross</I> sweeps round the curves at Forton on its way from Euston to Carnforth with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. From Carnforth the train was steam hauled to Carlisle by 70013 and back to Farington Junction over the S & C. 86259 then returned the train to London.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/03/2012]](/images/38000/38389.jpg "Forton")
![DRS 66422 passing the Oxheys up goods loop to the north of Preston with the Mossend to Daventry intermodal service on the afternoon of 6 April 2012.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/04/2012]](/images/38000/38329.jpg "Oxheys")
![Preston power box is approaching 40 years old having been commissioned in 1973. Although it is taking on additional responsibilities from 2012, with the closure of several local signal boxes, in the long term it is planned to replace it through a new regional signalling centre in Manchester. 66111 passes the box and junction with the Blackpool lines as it heads north on the WCML with the <I>Tesco Express</I> on a wet Easter Monday morning.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/04/2012]](/images/38000/38316.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![A quartet of DBS 66s head south through Preston on Easter Monday 2012, presumably after weekend engineering duties. 66187 led the way followed by 66140 and 66105 with 66204 bringing up the rear. The four locos are seen passing Fylde Junction with Preston power box behind. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/04/2012]](/images/38000/38337.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![<I>Probably just a coincidence...</I> but on the day the cost of a First Class stamp rose by 30% the evening Up WCML Postal ran as a four car set (as opposed to the usual eight or twelve). EPU 325008 heads south at Woodacre near Garstang. It has just been reported that long out of use sister unit 325010 has gone to Ron Hull's at Rotherham for scrapping. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/04/2012]](/images/38000/38686.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![HM The Queen visited Lancashire on 16th May as part of her Diamond Jubilee UK tour. 67026 <I>Diamond Jubilee,</I> in a special silver livery, lifts the Royal Train up the bank at Lancaster with 67006 out of sight bringing up the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/05/2012]](/images/38000/38872.jpg "Lancaster")
![The Class 67s have been used for Royal Train duties since 2003. Here the claret liveried 67006 <I>Royal Sovereign</I> is seen at Lancaster on the rear of the train conveying HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales to Diamond Jubilee engagements in Lancashire.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/05/2012]](/images/38000/38887.jpg "Lancaster")
![Jubilee festivities continue. 48151 was rostered for the <I>Diamond Jubilee Fellsman</I> on 6th June 2012. The 8F 2-8-0 made a fine start up the bank from Lancaster with the heavy train, which has been sold out for some time. On a damp and grey morning it headed initially for Preston and then Carlisle via the S&C.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/06/2012]](/images/39000/39090.jpg "Lancaster")
![Running like the proverbial <I>well oiled sewing machine</I> 46233 heads south at Woodacre on 21st July 2012 with the returning <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I>. The mainly maroon rake of coaches nicely complemented the green 'Duchess'.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/07/2012]](/images/39000/39679.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A4 Pacific no 60009 <I>'Union of South Africa'</I> with the <I>Mersey Moorlander</I> tour passing Barton, just north of Preston on 23 July 2012.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/07/2012]](/images/39000/39711.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Whilst the weather in London on 25 July was reported as 30C and sunny it was a different story in the North West as <I>The Fellsman</I> set out once again in mist and rain. LMS 8F 2-8-0 48151 is running at its maximum permitted 50mph, just north of Barton and Broughton, with twelve coaches for another fully booked trip to Carlisle via the S&C. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2012]](/images/39000/39707.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Recently overhauled and returned to service, WCRC 57006 has now been repainted from Advenza Freight blue into WCRC house colours. On 28 July 2012 it was used with 57601 to haul the 'Lakeland Statesman' from Kettering to Ravenglass, seen here on the return heading south on the WCML approaching Brock. [See image 40157]<br><br>[John McIntyre 28/07/2012]](/images/39000/39753.jpg "Brock")
![46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> heads south near Brock with the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' from Carlisle to Crewe via Liverpool on 28 July 2012.<br><br>[John McIntyre 28/07/2012]](/images/39000/39767.jpg "Brock")
![Looking north along the WCML towards Barton & Broughton on 30 July 2012 as Freightliner 66606 brings an engineers train into Oxheys loop. A southbound Pendolino can be seen waiting patiently (?) at the previous signal near the M55 overbridge in the background.<br><br>[John McIntyre 30/07/2012]](/images/39000/39808.jpg "Oxheys")
![Former Royal Train locomotive 47798 <I>Prince William</I> was given to the National Railway Museum by EWS in 2004 but retained its main line status and made occasional forays from the NRM. Currently however it is in full main line use with West Coast Railways and seen here passing Woodacre on 6 August with the southbound <I>Mersey Moorlander</I>, which it had taken over at Carnforth from Black 5 45305. 47580 in <I>Stratford Jubilee</I> livery brought up the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/08/2012]](/images/39000/39867.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A close up of the Diamond Jubilee embelishments to Stratford liveried 47580, seen here passing Woodacre on the rear of the returning <I>Mersey Moorlander</I> tour in August 2012. With former Royal train loco 47798 on the front the Brush 4s had taken over the train at Carnforth from Black 5 45305. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/08/2012]](/images/40000/40884.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![With the evening sun glinting on the smokebox (and turning her exhaust pink) 61994 heads north at Brock on 8th August 2012 on the last leg of the returning <I>Fellsman</I> excursion. The K4 2-6-0 has acquitted itself very well with the 12 coach train over the S&C. The previous week at the same location the train had passed in monsoon conditions but on both runs was on time to the minute. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/08/2012]](/images/39000/39898.jpg "Brock")
![<I>The Great Marquess</I> was used for the <I>The Fellsman</I> service for a third consecutive week on 15th August. 61994 is seen here at the site of Brock station on the outward leg of the journey and is just passing over the only remaining foot crossing between Lancaster and Preston.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/08/2012]](/images/39000/39982.jpg "Brock")
![The 'Statesman Railtours' 2 day trip to Edinburgh and Stirling returning to Bristol on 18 August 2012. The train is passing Oubeck loops on the WCML south of Lancaster.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/08/2012]](/images/40000/40018.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Having taken on water at Carnforth on 18 August, <I>Union of South Africa</I> makes good progress towards the next stop at Preston with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. The train has just passed Oubeck loops on its way south.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/08/2012]](/images/40000/40029.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![<I>K4 displaced</I>. After three weeks of LNER 3-cylinder chimney music from 61994 it was back to 2-cylinder LMS power for <I>The Fellsman</I> on 22 August. In yet another downpour 5MT 4-6-0 45305 steadily lifts the twelve coach train up the 1:98 out of Lancaster heading for Preston. Having made a trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the intervening week 61994 was back for the final summer <I>Fellsman</I> on 290812<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/08/2012]](/images/40000/40046.jpg "Lancaster")
![A convoy of DRS locomotives heads north at Brock on 4 January 2013. The leading two class 47s are in 'Northern Belle' livery with two class 37s in DRS livery behind. The move was from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Carlisle Kingmoor. It had been expected that a rake of coaches was to move to Carlisle as well since DRS are soon to start training runs on the Cumbrian Coast in preparation for them operating some passenger services on the line.<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/01/2013]](/images/41000/41615.jpg "Brock")
![An 11 car Pendolino rushing northwards at Brock on a dark a miserable 4 January 2013. It is about to cross the River Brock and pass the site of the former station which closed in 1939.<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/01/2013]](/images/41000/41627.jpg "Brock")
![As in 2012, the first WCML steam of 2013 was a Manchester Victoria to Carlisle train on 26 January, out via Shap and returning over the S&C. The train was again double headed by Ian Riley's Black 5s 44871 and 45407 and is seen here passing the site of Brock station on the outward leg.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/01/2013]](/images/41000/41835.jpg "Brock")
![Early DBS/EWS Class 66 No. 66003, now in its 15th year of service, heads an infrastructure train north on the WCML at Brock. The early sun was already thawing the overnight snow as this train followed the preceding steam special.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/01/2013]](/images/41000/41851.jpg "Brock")
![<I>The Lancastrian</I> was scheduled to run on two consecutive Saturdays in February 2013, steam hauled over the Preston-Carnforth-Hellifield-Preston loop. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48151 is seen here approaching Garstang on the first leg of the steam trip. On this day the train had originated in Cleethorpes but the following week was scheduled to run from St Neots in Cambridgeshire. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/02/2013]](/images/42000/42003.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![E3137 (86259) heads north at Galgate on the approach to Lancaster with the first leg of the Winter CME2 from London to Carnforth on 16 February 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/02/2013]](/images/42000/42081.jpg "Lancaster")
![Plenty of sound effects from Black 5 44932 as she lifts 13 bogies and an idling Brush Type 4 (47760) out of Preston on the second <I>Lancastrian</I> tour on 16th February 2013. This train had originated in St. Neots and was steam hauled round the loop from Preston via Carnforth, Hellifield and Blackburn. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/02/2013]](/images/42000/42082.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![Black 5 no. 44932 drifts downhill into Lancaster with the Preston to Preston via Carnforth, Hellifield and Blackburn leg of 'The Lancastrian' railtour on 16 February 2013. The tour had originated from St Neots.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/02/2013]](/images/42000/42087.jpg "Lancaster")
![Having hauled the first leg of the Winter CME2 from London to Carnforth on 16 February 2013, E3137 (86259) <I>Les Ross</I> is seen just south of Lancaster heading light engine to Preston. The loco stabled there before collecting the return leg of the tour at Farington Junction.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/02/2013]](/images/42000/42102.jpg "Lancaster")
![Freightliner 66520 heads north passed Oxheys Loop with empty coal wagons to Killoch from Fiddler's Ferry Power Station on 14 March 2013. In the loop are a number of single and double deck car carriers which had been removed from the 6O15 Mossend to Eastleigh freight in the early hours of 13 March.<br><br>[John McIntyre 14/03/2013]](/images/42000/42396.jpg "Oxheys")
![A fine spring evening at last. The former Freightliner Class 57s are now regulars on DRS nuclear flask traffic and 57003+57007 are seen here heading south at Woodacre with a Sellafield to Crewe train. These locos emerged from the Brush works at Loughborough in early 1965 as D1798 and D1813, later becoming 47317 and 47332.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/04/2013]](/images/42000/42751.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![It is late in the afternoon on Saturday 11 May and DB Schenker 60011 waits patiently in the Barton & Broughton loop with an engineer's train ready to move to the work site at Garstang.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/05/2013]](/images/43000/43097.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![66164 is on the rear of a northbound engineers train at Barton and Broughton on 11 May 2013. 66194 was the lead locomotive on this occasion. A few months after this photograph was taken the former station building behind the locomotive was demolished [see image 44079].<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/05/2013]](/images/49000/49920.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![De-branded <I>Thunderbird</I> 57308, formerly known as <I>Tin Tin</I>, seen on a light engine movement from Crewe to Oxenholme passing Bay Horse on Friday 24th May 2013. The Class 57 is now owned by DRS but has not yet been repainted from its Virgin livery. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/05/2013]](/images/43000/43209.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Empties from Fiddlers Ferry to Hunterston pass through the closed station at Bay Horse on 24 May behind Freightliner 66520. The station house, now a private residence, can be seen on the left of the picture, although the platforms were cut back many years ago. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/05/2013]](/images/43000/43233.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Rather than using the locos West Coast recently returned to service (45699 or 46115) on the first 2013 Fellsman it fell again to last year's success story, 61994 <I>The Great Marquess</I>, seen here heading south at Bay Horse. This year the train is timed one hour earlier and leaves Lancaster at 0708hrs. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/06/2013]](/images/43000/43370.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A Bescot Down Yard to Shap Summit Quarry train of empty stone hoppers passes through Bay Horse on its way north in June 2013. DBS 66099 is in charge of the working and just about to meet K4 61994 and the <I>Fellsman</I> heading south [See image 43370].<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/06/2013]](/images/43000/43678.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Ahead of its planned duties on <I>Jacobite</I> services, newly overhauled Black 5 45231 was turned out for the 3rd July <I>Fellsman</I>. The 12 coach train, once again fully booked, is seen here crossing the Grizedale Beck at Woodacre near Garstang.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/07/2013]](/images/43000/43642.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>Two for the price of one</I>. The Carlisle to Chirk logs on Saturday 6th July was headed by two Class 56 locos that were returned to the main line by Colas in 2013. 56105 and 56087 power the long train of timber south in the summer sunshine at Woodacre near Garstang.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/07/2013]](/images/43000/43686.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Heading north at Woodacre on a bright July afternoon in 2013 is DRS 66302 with an Anglo-Scottish container train. The loco had originally been operated by Fastline but, along with its stable mates, was snapped up by DRS when Fastline ceased trading.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/07/2013]](/images/46000/46448.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Travelling from Dundee to Chester, as part of a UK tour, the <I>Royal Scotsman</I> passed through Lancashire on 7th July 2013. The luxury coach set must have its own auxiliary power unit as the train was top and tailed by non-ETS West Coast locos, namely 47237 seen here leading the train south of Woodacre, and 57009 on the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/07/2013]](/images/43000/43704.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The evening DRS train from Sellafield to Crewe, and the morning run in the opposite direction, are often used to transfer locomotives as well as flasks. Backlit by the July evening sun, two DRS Class 37s head south between Garstang and Brock hauling a Class 20 and a single flask wagon.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/07/2013]](/images/43000/43742.jpg "Brock")
![Day 2 of the West Coast Main Line (between Euxton and Warrington) nine day closure in July 2013 saw three Network Rail infrastructure trains from Carlisle to Euxton in quick succession. This is <I>Train No. 2</I>, heading south at Brock behind Freightliner 66555. [See image 30884] for a closer view of the ornante low bridge. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/07/2013]](/images/43000/43783.jpg "Brock")
![During the July 2013 WCML closure four junctions are being rebuilt between Euxton and Warrington. Regular freights have been diverted but infrastructure trains have been running to the work sites. Freightliner 66549 is seen just north of Brock hauling ballast from Carlisle New Yard to Euxton Junction, the third of three trains that followed each other south on Sunday 14 July.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/07/2013]](/images/43000/43802.jpg "Brock")
![More new steam in 2013. Newly returned to the main line, West Country 4-6-2 34046 <I>Braunton</I> ventured out from the East Lancashire Railway on 16 July and took a test train round the Carnforth - Helifield circuit. Running well ahead of schedule the gleaming Pacific, restored from a Barry wreck, is seen here heading towards Lancaster at Forton.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/07/2013]](/images/43000/43812.jpg "Forton")
![Far from home, Bulleid West Country pacific no. 34046 <I>Braunton</I> heads north on the WCML near Oxheys north of Preston whilst out on a test run from Carnforth on 16 July 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/07/2013]](/images/53000/53629.jpg "Oxheys")
![The Royal Train passed through Lancashire on 17 July as part of a visit by HM The Queen to South Cumbria. Here, silver liveried 67026 brings up the rear as the train heads north and is just about to pass under the M55 Motorway on its way to Oxenholme. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43823.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![17th July saw 45699 <I>Galatea,</I> in BR lined maroon livery, on its first <I>Fellsman</I> outing since restoration. Because of the dry conditions the Jubilee had diesel assistance in both directions. As West Coast have a large fleet of maroon Brush 4s, the decision to put large logo 47580 between 45699 and its coaches left linesiders puzzled. The train is heading home at Woodacre in the fading sunlight.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43828.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Another infrastructure train, running from one of the WCML sites between Euxton and Warrington, makes its way north at Woodacre behind DBS 66069 on a sunny 17th July 2013.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43845.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The maroon livery of Jubilee 4-6-0 45699 is quite striking in its own right and certainly didn't need a Stratford liveried 47580 behind its tender to turn heads. Anyone who saw the part cut wreck of <I>Galatea</I> in Barry as I did [See image 59244] can only be amazed at the loco today. Working its first <I>Fellsman</I> excursion since restoration 45699 heads south at Woodacre on 17 July with diesel assistance due to fire risk. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43865.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>The Fellsman</I> heading north on the WCML at Barton on 24 July towards its final stop at Lancaster. Once again the K4 looked and sounded like it was providing the majority of the effort, although 47580 <I>County of Essex</I> was in attendance to assist in high fire risk areas.<br><br>[John McIntyre 24/07/2013]](/images/43000/43922.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> railtour from Liverpool to Carlisle on 27 July 2013 on the return leg with 46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> displaying the <I>Royal Scot</I> headboard heading south on the WCML at Brock. <br><br>[John McIntyre 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44022.jpg "Brock")
![<I>And there it was - gone!</I> When I photographed 48151 at Barton and Broughton in July 2013, I thought the old station building was being repaired. Far from it, as the lower image a month later shows. 156491 passes the cleared site - a sad end to the last surviving station between Preston and Lancaster, occupied since closure in 1939. [See image 24648]<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/08/2013]](/images/44000/44079.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Edging cautiously down the bank towards Lancaster, this Bescot to Shap stone empties working has just passed a signal at yellow. The next signal protects the station itself so a passenger service is probably being allowed out of Lancaster ahead of DBS 66056.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/08/2013]](/images/44000/44246.jpg "Lancaster")
![With 1T57 (15 Guinea) reporting number on the smokebox, and other embellishments such as the white pipework, 45231 makes a fine sight sweeping found the curve north of Barton and Broughton with the penultimate Fellsman of 2013.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/08/2013]](/images/44000/44324.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![DRS 20308 and 20303, taking two nuclear flasks from Crewe to Sellafield with a load for reprocessing, seen on the WCML just north of Barton and Broughton station on 21 August. The guard is presumably enjoying the forward view from the driver's seat of 20303.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/08/2013]](/images/44000/44439.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Glasgow/Edinburgh to Manchester Airport services move to EMU operation from December 2013 and, ahead of that, TransPennine has hired a London Midland Class 350 for driver training between Preston and Carlisle. The unit stables in Preston and makes up to three return trips on weekdays. The green, grey and black 350252 makes an unusual sight in Lancashire, seen approaching Woodacre on 30 August. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/08/2013]](/images/44000/44403.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The returning 75th Anniversary special from Perth to Sheffield on 7 September, with 46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> at speed on the Brock straight. A nice touch was provided by the burnished buffers displaying the letters LMS. The Duchess hauled the tour south as far as Crewe.<br><br>[John McIntyre 07/09/2013]](/images/44000/44504.jpg "Brock")
![Eleven miles into the journey on day 1 of <I>The West Highlander</I> railtour on a damp and misty 21 September 2013. K4 no.61994 is making good progress passing Woodacre on its way to Glasgow Central sporting a slightly misleading headboard...<br><br>[John McIntyre 21/09/2013]](/images/44000/44717.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The morning Crewe to Sellafield flask train rounds the reverse curves at Oubeck Loops on 9 October. 37609 and 37419 had four flask wagons heading for the Cumbrian Coast. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/10/2013]](/images/44000/44925.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Two different DRS liveries (both now being replaced as locos are overhauled), lit by an early morning autumn sun at Oubeck Loops on 30 October as the Crewe to Sellafield flasks head north behind 37038 and 37602.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/10/2013]](/images/45000/45196.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![DBS 67006 <I>Royal Sovreign</I> heads the Royal Train north through open countryside near Bay Horse as part of a visit by HM The Queen to the North West of England on 14 November 2013. Silver liveried 67026 brings up the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/11/2013]](/images/45000/45301.jpg "Bay Horse")
![34067 <I>Tangmere</I> travels south along the WCML at Oxheys Loop on 21 November heading for Southall after overhaul at Carnforth. The Battle of Britain Pacific and support coach are crossing the very low Lytham Road bridge in Fulwood.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/11/2013]](/images/45000/45372.jpg "Oxheys")
![Brand new TPE 350401 is trial running between Crewe and Carnforth, prior to the introduction of the class on Glasgow/Edinburgh to Manchester Airport services. The as yet unbranded EMU is seen at Woodacre on one of these runs. Many TPE services are being diverted via Wigan, Parkside and the newly electrified L&M from the new December timetable but will run with diesel 185 units while the new 350/4s are progressively introduced.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/11/2013]](/images/45000/45442.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Freightliner 70002 takes an infrastructure train north at Bay Horse on 10 December.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/12/2013]](/images/45000/45581.jpg "Bay Horse")
![With 19 empty bogie hoppers in tow 66531 heads back to Scotland on a cold December afternoon at Bay Horse. The train originated from Fiddlers Ferry Power Station near Warrington. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/12/2013]](/images/45000/45647.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Back lit by the late afternoon winter sun at Bay Horse, new Trans-Pennine EMU 350401 heads for Carnforth on a test run from Crewe. The unit, which is still awaiting TPE vinyls, is seen on 10th December 2013, Day 2 of the new winter timetable. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/12/2013]](/images/45000/45801.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Running almost 30 minutes early, having missed out a planned stop in Barton & Broughton loop, B1 61264 and 5MT 45407 hurry the first 2014 <I>Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> north through Bay Horse on 25 January 2014. The B1 replaced 5MT 44871 which was being overhauled.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/01/2014]](/images/46000/46077.jpg "Bay Horse")
![56087 rumbles south on the WCML near Barton and Broughton with the daily Carlise Yard to Chirk logs. On this windless afternoon the Colas Class 56 could be heard powering this heavy train long before it actually appeared, something that doesn't really happen with more modern traction. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/03/2014]](/images/46000/46627.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![4464 <I>Bittern</I> heads north at Bay Horse with a Tyseley to Carlisle special on 15th March. Unfortunately the train was running under caution signals here due to a preceding freight and the A4's regulator was closed as it passed the assembled photographers at a very sedate pace.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/03/2014]](/images/46000/46648.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A <I>Northern Belle</I> (Mother's Day Luncheon) excursion heads north through Woodacre on a round trip from Crewe via Manchester to Carnforth and Hellifield. DRS 47841 and 47832 are in charge, the second loco in <I>Pullman</I> livery to match the stock. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/03/2014]](/images/46000/46823.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![With the M6 motorway on the right, road traffic is unable to keep up with 350401 as it approaches Brock on 15 April 2014 with a service for Manchester Airport.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/04/2014]](/images/47000/47046.jpg "Brock")
![The last foot crossing on the WCML at Brock has been closed and replaced by a footbridge. The crossing, on the extreme left, is now blocked by palisade fencing. This view is south east on 15 April 2014. [See image 23510]. [Ref query 9738] <br><br>[John McIntyre 15/04/2014]](/images/47000/47437.jpg "Brock")
![Two venerable Freightliner electric locos head south at Woodacre with a Coatbridge to Crewe intermodal service on the evening of 5 June 2014. 86622 (now in the new livery) emerged from Vulcan Foundry as E3174 in September 1965 while 86609 left Doncaster the same month as E3102 so they have ninety eight years service between them (and counting).<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/06/2014]](/images/47000/47595.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Carnforth shed rostered 45699 <I>Galatea</I> for the second 2014 <I>Fellsman</I> and the maroon <I>Jubilee</I> is seen hurrying the train south through Woodacre on a sunny 18th June. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 18/06/2014]](/images/47000/47685.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Just before the longest day of 2014 and there's plenty of evening sun to illuminate <I>Jubilee</I> 45699 <I>Galatea</I> and the returning <I>Fellsman</I> excursion as it passes Bay Horse near Lancaster.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 18/06/2014]](/images/47000/47920.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A Class 325 EPU Royal Mail service, comprising units 012, 002 and 003, passes Bay Horse heading for Shieldmuir in the summer evening sunshine on 18 June. 325003 has recently been repainted and the different shade of red (and absence of yellow banding) stands out from the other two units in the train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 18/06/2014]](/images/48000/48427.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The <I>Scenic Settler</I> ran from Eastleigh to Carlisle on 21 June with Class 70 haulage over the S&C and Shap. The returning excursion is seen heading south at Woodacre behind Freightliner 70002 with DBS 66135 also in the train and a fine rake of <I>Blood and Custard</I> MkI coaches. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/06/2014]](/images/47000/47726.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The <I>Retro Electric Scot</I> ran to Edinburgh on 28th June 2014 hauled by 92041 <I>Vaughan Williams</I>. The tour started at Stockport behind a Class 66 and reached Preston via Huddersfield and Copy Pit. The northbound Class 92, with a mixed bag of coaching stock, is seen passing Brock running around 25 minutes late.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/06/2014]](/images/47000/47794.jpg "Brock")
![The much travelled Ian Riley 5MT 45407, framed by the new footbridge at Brock on the second day of a transfer run from Fort William to Bristol. The Black 5 was travelling with WCRC 57315 and the ECS for the following day's steam special from Bristol to Par where it was standing in for booked locos that were unavailable.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/06/2014]](/images/47000/47807.jpg "Brock")
![Whistling northwards through the Wyre countryside, two veteran Class 20s take flasks from Crewe to Sellafield on 2nd July 2014. 20304+20312 have just passed the footbridge at Broad Fall Farm in Scorton. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/07/2014]](/images/47000/47846.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![45699 <I>Galatea</I>, on one of its two 2014 <I>Fellsman</I> appearances, heads south past Broad Fall Farm at Scorton on 2nd July with the outbound train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/07/2014]](/images/49000/49276.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![An early fifties re-creation as blue liveried A1 60163 <I>Tornado</I> takes a full rake of <I>Blood and Custard</I> stock south along the WCML at Woodacre on 5th July 2014. The Pacific had hauled the <I>Border Raider</I> from Crewe to Carlisle earlier in the day and was now retracing its route on a fine summer evening. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/07/2014]](/images/47000/47879.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The return working of <I>The Border Raider</I> on 5 July 2014 saw A1 no. 60163 <I>Tornado</I> hauling the tour from Carlisle to Preston where it handed over to a DBS Class 90 for the return to London. The special is seen here at speed near Brock.<br><br>[John McIntyre 05/07/2014]](/images/47000/47888.jpg "Brock")
![Brush Type 2 31233 propels a Network Rail test train from Derby to Carlisle north through the cutting at Forton, near Bay Horse, on a hot and sunny 10th July 2014. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/07/2014]](/images/47000/47946.jpg "Forton")
![A single flask heads north from Crewe to Sellafield at the Oubeck Loops behind 57009 and 37218. The Type 3 sports the new <I>Class 68</I> livery. It seems this view from beside the Ou Beck is to disappear as the rows of newly planted saplings in the foreground grow. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/07/2014]](/images/47000/47981.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![20304 leads the morning Crewe to Sellafield flask train through the cutting at Forton on 11 July. Tucked in behind the Type 1 is 57008 followed by a single flask. The Class 57 led the pair on the return to Crewe with the evening service.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/07/2014]](/images/48000/48438.jpg "Forton")
![The <I>log empties</I> from Chirk to Carlisle usually run overnight but on Sundays there is a day time train. Colas Rail 66847 is seen here heading north on 13 July with the bare looking wagons, between Brock and Garstang.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/07/2014]](/images/48000/48011.jpg "Brock")
![A pair of TransPennine Express EMUs, 350403/408, running through the Lancashire countryside between Garstang and Brock on 13 July 2014 with a Sunday Edinburgh to Manchester Airport service.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/07/2014]](/images/48000/48549.jpg "Brock")
![Bright July afternoon sunshine, but most of the cutting on Lancaster bank is still in shadow. A Colas Class 66 powers up the 1:82 with the Carlisle to Chirk log train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/07/2014]](/images/48000/48224.jpg "Lancaster")
![The extra Commonwealth Games traffic has seen Trans Pennine EMUs supplemented by London Midland sets. 350373 is seen here heading south at Barton and Broughton on a Glasgow to Manchester Airport service on 30th July in tandem with TPE 350404. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/07/2014]](/images/48000/48194.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![<I>League Champion 2014</I>. The final <I>Fellsman</I> of the year ran on 27th August 2014 and 8F 48151 was the clear winner this year being turned out for seven of the twelve trains. It is seen here on 30th July with a returning service at Barton and Broughton. Runner up was <I>Black 5</I> 45231 with three appearances and <I>Jubilee</I> 45699 made two trips. Diesel support in 2014 included 37516, 37518, 47245 and 47580. [See image 44385] for the 2013 league table when six different locos were used. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/07/2014]](/images/48000/48503.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Two elderly Class 86 electrics, still in front line Freightliner service, head south at Barton and Broughton with Coatbridge to Crewe containers on 30th July 2014. 86609 was the second of the class and emerged from Doncaster in 1965 as E3102, while trailing loco 86604 followed as E3103. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/07/2014]](/images/49000/49430.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![A single flask on the morning train from Crewe to Sellafield was an easy task for DRS EE Type 3s 37610 and 37402 on 1st August 2014. The train is approaching the Oubeck loops south of Lancaster, the trickle of water in the foreground being the Ou Beck from which the location gets its name. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/08/2014]](/images/48000/48268.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Dusk at Oubeck and, only two miles from its Lancaster destination, 8F 48151 and the returning <I>Fellsman</I> has been <I>looped</I>. This northbound Pendolino was one of four trains that overtook the steam hauled special before it got underway again.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/08/2014]](/images/48000/48271.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![45231, on its first appearance on <I>The Fellsman</I> in 2014, hurries along the WCML at Woodacre trying to keep out of the way of following TPE and Virgin services. The train was only steam hauled on the return journey due to an FBU strike and had been taken to Carlisle in the morning by EE Type 3, 37518, now idling on the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/08/2014]](/images/48000/48350.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A longer train than usual for the Crewe-Sellafield flask working on 12 September, with six wagons behind DRS 37605 and 37610, seen here heading north through long closed Bay Horse station. The fourth wagon appeared to be new or recently <I>shopped</I> and was painted blue rather than brown like the others in the rake. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/09/2014]](/images/48000/48670.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Day 4 of 4 and <I>The Great Marquess</I> is taking the 2014 <I>West Highlander</I> back to Preston after its Scottish tour. 61994 is seen passing under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge at Forton with the seven coach special. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/09/2014]](/images/48000/48816.jpg "Forton")
![Almost the end of the tour on the fourth and final day of <I>The West Highlander</I>, as 61994 <I>The Great Marquess</I> brings the train past Oxheys Loop about 2 miles north of Preston station on 22 September 2014. This part of the tour had taken the less direct route from Glasgow by travelling via Paisley, Ayr and Dumfries.<br><br>[John McIntyre 22/09/2014]](/images/48000/48839.jpg "Oxheys")
![61994 <I>The Great Marquess</I> being towed back to Carnforth from Preston along with the ecs from <I>The West Highlander</I> tour in fading light on 22 September 2014. At the front were Class 37s 518 and 668 as the train passes just north of Brock.<br><br>[John McIntyre 22/09/2014]](/images/48000/48858.jpg "Brock")
![A rare outing for West Coast Railway inspection saloon 999506 [See image 32716] on 24th September when it worked Carnforth - Carlisle - Crewe behind maroon liveried 57313. The short train is heading south approaching Oubeck loops. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/09/2014]](/images/48000/48801.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Although running as the Dollands Moor to Irvine china clay service rather than a light engine movement, DBS liveried 92031 has no payload as it passes the Oubeck Loops on 24th September 2014. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/09/2014]](/images/48000/48890.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![With its exhaust clinging to the boiler 46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> forges north at Brock on 25 October with the <I>Appleby Explorer.</I> The Pacific hauled the train from Crewe direct to Appleby via Shap avoiding Carlisle by using the curve at Upperby. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/10/2014]](/images/49000/49246.jpg "Brock")
![A light load, of just one four wheeled container wagon, for DRS 37605 and 37059 as they cross the River Wyre at Scorton on 22nd November. This Saturday working from Sellafield to Crewe was routed via Maryport and Shap rather than the Furness line. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/11/2014]](/images/49000/49533.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![HSTs were once a common sight on the WCML on Virgin Cross Country services but the only movements nowadays are the occasional outings of the Network Rail Measurement Train. 43062 <I>John Armitt</I> brings up the rear of a Derby RTC to Craigentinny working at Woodacre on 25th November 2014.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/11/2014]](/images/49000/49551.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Fresh from a C6 overhaul at Glasgow Works, Northern Sprinter 156468 runs south on the WCML at Forton on 29th November making its way back to its home depot at Allerton. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/11/2014]](/images/49000/49595.jpg "Forton")
![92039 <I>Johann Strauss</I> takes a long rake of China Clay tanks north through Woodacre on 3 December en route from Dollands Moor to Irvine. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/12/2014]](/images/49000/49806.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The <I>Yuletide Yorkshire Explorer</I> ran from Newport in South Wales to Leeds on 6th December. The train was hauled throughout by Chiltern Class 68 68014 and took a circuitous route round Birmingham and Manchester. It is seen here heading north at Woodacre prior to taking the Carnforth to Skipton route. Note the small headboard above the right buffer. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/12/2014]](/images/49000/49682.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>Diesel locomotive - trailing load 1215 tons</I>, or so the timetable said but DRS 57002 is hauling considerably less than that on this special working from the DRS Motherwell depot to Crewe (LNWR). The loco and its two pairs of container wagons are seen approaching Woodacre on 19th January 2015 <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/01/2015]](/images/50000/50139.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Virgin Pendolino 390103 <I>Virgin Hero</I> heads south at Woodacre with the 1M10 0940 Glasgow to Euston service on 14 February 2015. The cover over the retracted coupler is missing as was the one on the other end of the set.<br><br>[John McIntyre 14/02/2015]](/images/50000/50420.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![DBS 66140 rumbles slowly over a temporary speed restriction following track relaying at Garstang and Catterall. The train is a coal empties service from Fiddlers Ferry to Hunterston. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/03/2015]](/images/50000/50560.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Two services running between Euston and Glasgow pass at the site of Brock water troughs just south of Garstang on 5 March. Both trains were formed by nine-car Pendolinos and timed at just under four and a half hours for the end to end journey. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/03/2015]](/images/50000/50573.jpg "Brock")
![319366 still in FCC livery is now being used by Northern for driver training between Preston and Carnforth. The 5th return trip of 10 March 2015 running as 5Z36 is seen heading back to Preston approaching Brock.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/03/2015]](/images/50000/50612.jpg "Brock")
![A Daventry to Coatbridge container train with DRS 66429 in charge passes Oxheys loop to the north of Preston on the afternoon of 10 March 2015.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/03/2015]](/images/50000/50668.jpg "Oxheys")
![TransPennine 350402 northbound at Brock with a Manchester Airport to Edinburgh service on 10 March 2015.<br><br>[John McIntyre 10/03/2015]](/images/50000/50683.jpg "Brock")
![A Grangemouth (Ineos) to Long Marston special working of 27 aviation fuel four wheel tankers ran on 25th March 2015. The wagons, presumably bound for storage, are seen here passing Woodacre behind Colas 56113. [Any information on the background to this working would be appreciated.] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/03/2015]](/images/50000/50780.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Ex-Thameslink 319366 was in regular use by Northern Rail between January and May 2015, shuttling between Preston and Carnforth on driver training duties. Northern refurbished the 319s taken into passenger service but 319366 was in <I>as cascaded</I> condition on these duties. The EMU is seen here at Oubeck on 31st March 2015.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/03/2015]](/images/50000/50823.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Running alongside the Ou Beck on 31 March, past the loops of the same name, is Colas Rail 66849 with a loaded log train from Carlisle to Chirk.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/03/2015]](/images/50000/50908.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![With less than 48 hours before the Network Rail suspension came into force West Coast 47580 <I>County of Essex</I> and 47760 run light engine from Preston to Carnforth at Garstang & Catterall on 1st April. The Brush 4s had brought <I>The Pendle Dalesman</I> from Rugby to Preston for onward S&C haulage by 45699 <I>Galatea</I>. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/04/2015]](/images/50000/50872.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![<I>Long may they continue</I>. Two veteran English Electric Type 1s power north through the reverse curves at Forton with the DRS Crewe to Sellafield train on 17th April 2015. 20308 was in tandem with 20305 hauling a train of five flasks for reprocessing.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/04/2015]](/images/51000/51022.jpg "Forton")
![A Colas light engine working from Doncaster to Carlisle on 19th April was routed via Copy Pit and Preston rather than the S&C. This brought the unusual sight of a Class 60 on the WCML (although they have since become regular performers on the Chirk log trains). Recently refurbished 60002 is seen here crossing the River Wyre on the six arch bridge at Scorton.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/04/2015]](/images/51000/51089.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![A gleaming rake of MkI stock from Carnforth rolls south at Brock behind DBS 66122 heading for Wembley on 27 April. The 11 coaches in this ECS movement (and the loco) were required for the <I>GBVIII</I> tour the following day, hauled by 70000 <I>Britannia</I>. [See image 51120] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/04/2015]](/images/51000/51128.jpg "Brock")
![86613 and 86622, two of the 16 strong Freightliner Class 86 fleet, take the evening Coatbridge to Crewe train south at Scorton on 13th May 2015. The former E3148 and E3174 are approaching the footbridge at Broad Fall Farm. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/05/2015]](/images/51000/51295.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]")
![The evening sun catches DBS 66019 heading south along the WCML near to Garstang & Catterall on 13 May 2015. The train is the 6V71 Hardendale Quarry to Margam limestone working.<br><br>[John McIntyre 13/05/2015]](/images/51000/51415.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Two DRS Class 57s take the evening flask train south along the WCML in May 2015. 57012 and 57002 have just passed Scorton and are approaching the footbridge at Broad Fall Farm. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/05/2015]](/images/53000/53578.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [1st])")
![DRS 37606 and 20308, and three flask wagons, cross the River Wyre at Scorton heading for Sellafield on 22nd May 2015. The innocuous looking Wyre would later cause severe problems when it flooded and breached further down stream in December 2015.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/05/2015]](/images/53000/53692.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![Freightliner 86604 and 86613 take the Coatbridge to Crewe containers under the footbridge at the site of Brock station on 2nd June 2015. Practically guaranteed to use a pair of 86s, this train is popular with photographers on summer evenings [See image 51533]. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/06/2015]](/images/51000/51605.jpg "Brock")
![The <I>Highland Sleeper</I> passing Woodacre on 12th June 2015 heading south behind DBS 90021. The train was running 115 minutes late at this point, resulting in a rare opportunity to photograph the sleeper passing through Lancashire in daylight. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/06/2015]](/images/51000/51618.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![6am on 12th June 2015 and the early morning sun illuminates DRS 66433 and a long infrastructure train making its way north from Crewe to Carlisle, seen here approaching Woodacre. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/06/2015]](/images/51000/51872.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![37218 leads the 2C47 Preston to Barrow service north through Bay Horse on 24th June 2015. 37402 was bringing up the rear. The two loco hauled sets mainly shuttle between Barrow and Carlisle but one makes a return trip through to Preston each weekday morning. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/06/2015]](/images/51000/51814.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The Sunday <I>log empties</I> from Chirk to Carlisle run through Woodacre behind Colas 60087 on 9th August 2015. Following a recent fatality at this location contractors were mid-way through installing a green palisade fence along the east side of the line.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/08/2015]](/images/52000/52349.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Super power on the flasks. The Crewe - Sellafield train is coasting slowly down the bank towards Lancaster station, with two wagons in tow, on 19th August 2015. Motive power for the train, all with engines running, comprised DRS 20308, 20305, 37612 and 37610.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/08/2015]](/images/52000/52314.jpg "Lancaster")
![<I>Fellsman League Champion 2015</I>. 46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> was the clear winner of the extended Fellsman season in 2015 being turned out on eight out of fourteen occasions. The Scot is seen here on 19th August powering up the bank at Lancaster with the penultimate train. Runner up in the league table was 45231 with three trips while Jubilee 45699 made two runs and sister 45690 a single one. [See image 48503] for the 2014 results. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/08/2015]](/images/52000/52375.jpg "Lancaster")
![Its great that a number of Cumbrian Coast trains have gone over to Class 37 haulage but a lot of photographers wish the locos were at the southern end of the train with the DBSOs to the north. 37423 is backlit by the sun as it heads north from Preston with the daily service to Barrow in Furness. The train is just approaching Lightfoot Lane bridge, above the long cutting from Oxheys. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/10/2015]](/images/52000/52942.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Heading back to Mossend after weekend engineering duties are DBS 66140, 66060, 66105 (in DBS red) and 66011. This image, looking towards Preston on Sunday 4th October 2015, was taken from the Cadley Causeway bridge. The former four track section here is now reduced to two running lines plus an Up Loop. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/10/2015]](/images/53000/53160.jpg "Oxheys")
![Plain blue 37422 heads north on the WCML at Woodacre with the 1004 (Mon-Fri) Preston to Barrow service on 10th November 2015. A short time earlier the loco had propelled the stock south on a through train from Carlisle.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/11/2015]](/images/53000/53322.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![<I>Christmas Post Special</I>. As in 2014 additional mail trains ran between Sheildmuir and Warrington in December 2015. Scotrail liveried 90024 is seen taking a rake of vans south crossing a swollen Grizedale Beck at Woodacre.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/12/2015]](/images/53000/53551.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Despite having left Carlisle over four hours earlier at 0515hrs, and travelling via the circuitous (and multi-stop) Cumbrian Coast route, 37401 is <I>Right Time</I> passing Woodacre on 4th January 2016. The large-logo <I>Mary Queen of Scots</I> is propelling its four coaches on the short sprint to journey's end at Preston. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/01/2016]](/images/53000/53806.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The Daventry to Mossend <I>Tesco Express</I> was a few minutes early at Woodacre on 4th January 2016 but the train faced a lengthy detour via Dumfries, Mauchline and Prestwick due to the Lamington bridge closure. DRS 66303 and 66302 double-head the long train through the open countryside between Preston and Lancaster. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/01/2016]](/images/53000/53858.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Winding through the reverse curves at the Oubeck Loops are DRS 66425 and 66301, double heading the <I>Tesco Express</I> to Mossend on 13th January 2016<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/01/2016]](/images/53000/53922.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![DRS 37409 <I>Lord Hinton</I> propels the Northern 0515 Carlisle to Preston southwards on 19th January 2016. The train is on the embankment immediately south of the closed station at Bay Horse. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/01/2016]](/images/53000/53972.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Heading for the first stop at Lancaster, 37409 <I>Lord Hinton</I> is seen between Scorton and Bay Horse running through the cutting at Forton with the 1005hrs (M-F) Preston to Barrow service. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/01/2016]](/images/54000/54034.jpg "Forton")
![DRS Class 66s 66427 and 66305 take the <I>Tesco Express</I> north near Bay Horse on 19th January 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/01/2016]](/images/54000/54180.jpg "Bay Horse")
![60103 Flying Scotsman, on a positioning move from Bury to Carnforth, is seen in fading light at Woodacre on 270116. The A3 Pacific, still in wartime matt black livery, was being moved to Carnforth ahead of its main line test run. It was in light steam, but unfortunately piloted by West Coast Brush Type 4 47746 <I>Chris Fudge</I>.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/01/2016]](/images/54000/54019.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A weekend engineering train returning from Settle to Carlisle via the WCML, the second of two that day, passes through the site of long closed Brock station [See image 24407] on Sunday 21st February 2016. Freightliner 66524 was in charge with 66544 bringing up the rear. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/02/2016]](/images/54000/54300.jpg "Brock")
![The light overnight covering of snow was already beginning to thaw (and it was raining) as 37401 <I>Mary Queen of Scots</I> headed north at Brock with the Northern Rail 1005hrs (M-F) Preston to Barrow-in-Furness service on 4th March 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/03/2016]](/images/54000/54390.jpg "Brock")
![Two of the WCML's more interesting trains pass at Bay Horse on 17th March 2016. DRS 37425 is propelling the 0515hrs from Carlisle towards Preston while DRS 66429 and 66430 are on the Daventry to Mossend <I>Tesco Express</I>, most of which is hidden by the southbound passenger. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/03/2016]](/images/54000/54585.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The Crewe-Sellafield flasks were around 50 minutes late as they passed through the cutting at Forton on 17th March 2016. The train was headed by <I>Pullman</I> liveried DRS 57305 <I>Northern Princess</I>, probably a late substitute for a failed Class 37. DRS 37602 is the second locomotive on the two wagon train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/03/2016]](/images/54000/54671.jpg "Forton")
![Until recently, the Class 70s have not made regular appearances on the northern stretches of the WCML but Freightliner 70006 was in charge of a Coatbridge to Daventry container service on 17th March 2016, seen here approaching Bay Horse. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/03/2016]](/images/54000/54719.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Brand new DRS 68018 <I>Vigilant</I>, presumably on a test run from Crewe to Carlisle, draws to a stand in Barton & Broughton loop on 21st March 2016. This was a light engine movement but DRS 66429 accompanied the newcomer.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/03/2016]](/images/54000/54661.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Scotrail liveried DRS 68006 <I>Daring</I> is a long way from the <I>Fife Circle</I> as it heads south at Woodacre working light engine from Kingmoor to Crewe Gresty Bridge on 22nd March 2016.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/03/2016]](/images/54000/54706.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![86259 <I>Les Ross</I> powers through the rain at Woodacre with a <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> from Euston to Carlisle on 2nd April 2016. The train was handed over to 46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I> at Carnforth for the journey over Shap and the electric ran light to Crewe to await the return service.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/04/2016]](/images/54000/54742.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Several cuttings to the south of Lancaster have had drains installed recently along with re-profiling to prevent landslips. 66429 and 66425 are seen approaching Hampson Lane near Galgate with the <I>Tesco Express</I> on 4th April 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/04/2016]](/images/54000/54677.jpg "Galgate")
![The recently upgraded cutting at Hampson Lane near Galgate has the appearance of a brand new railway. Freightliner 70011 is on a Coatbridge to Daventry service on 4th April 2016. This is timetabled for electric haulage but has been using Class 70s recently. The bridge in the background carries the motorway slip roads at Junction 33 of the M6. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/04/2016]](/images/54000/54821.jpg "Galgate")
![Seen from Hampson Lane bridge on 4th April 2016, DRS 37423 propels the 0515 Carlisle to Preston through the newly finished cutting just south of Galgate. The Cumbrian Coast push-pull sets have been playing a supporting role to Paul Merton in the recent television series <I>Secret Stations</I>.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/04/2016]](/images/55000/55136.jpg "Galgate")
![<I>The Sellafield Belle</I> heads for Crewe at Brock on the evening of 5th April 2016. The Pullman liveried duo are 57312 <I>Solway Princess</I> and 57305 <I>Northern Princess</I>, formerly Virgin Thunderbirds <I>The Hood</I> and <I>John Tracy</I> respectively. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/04/2016]](/images/54000/54770.jpg "Brock")
![46100 <I>Royal Scot</I> passes through the site of Garstang and Catterall station on a movement from Crewe to Carnforth on 8th April 2016. The 4-6-0 worked a <I>Cumbrian Coast Express</I> the following day. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/04/2016]](/images/54000/54791.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![Two-tone green Brush Type 4 47830 <I>Beeching's Legacy</I> with a barrier coach and seven refurbished HST cars seen at Woodacre on 9th April 2016. The train, complete with <I>Rail Operators Group</I> headboard, was a working from Kilmarnock Works to Laira Depot. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/04/2016]](/images/54000/54799.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Phew! TPE 185126 from Windermere passes Brock just in time to reveal 46100 hauling the <I>Scot Commemorative</I> from Crewe to Whitehaven and Carlisle on 16th April 2016. Thank goodness the Scot wasn't passing a Pendolino.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/04/2016]](/images/54000/54786.jpg "Brock")
![DRS 66301 and 66430 brings the 4S43 Daventry to Mossend 'Tesco Express' northwards at Galgate on 16 April 2016.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/04/2016]](/images/54000/54873.jpg "Galgate")
![With the downturn in power station traffic the coal wagons are being used for other loads. DBS 66034 takes a rake of hopper empties from Warrington Arpley to Shap Quarry passing Oubeck Loops on 22nd April 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/04/2016]](/images/54000/54932.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Diverted via the WCML due to the Armathwaite landslip, DB 66114 takes the Horrocksford to Mossend cement tanks north at Bay Horse on 27th April, 2016. The evening sun that had been illuminating the embankment disappeared briefly while the train passed. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/04/2016]](/images/54000/54959.jpg "Bay Horse")
![DB 66120, in EWS livery, takes the regular Hardendale (Shap) to Margam freight south through Bay Horse on the evening of 27th April 2016. The train is scheduled to leave Hardendale at 1826hrs and run via Shrewsbury and Hereford to arrive in Margam at 0439hrs.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/04/2016]](/images/54000/54980.jpg "Bay Horse")
![DRS 37604 (leading) and 37069 on the embankment south of Bay Horse station with the evening flasks from Sellafield to Crewe on 27th April 2016. DRS put six Class 37s up for sale during 2016 but these two were not offered at that time and remain in service. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/04/2016]](/images/57000/57839.jpg "Bay Horse")
![DB 66114, and the Horrocksford to Mossend cement tankers, are illuminated by the evening sun as they cross the Conder Viaduct at Galgate on 9th May 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/05/2016]](/images/55000/55163.jpg "Conder Viaduct")
![The red livery of a Royal Mail Class 325 parcels EMU is enhanced by the setting sun as it crosses the River Conder at Galgate, heading from Sheildmuir to Warrington on 9th May 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/05/2016]](/images/56000/56473.jpg "Conder Viaduct")
![One time regulars, DRS 66431 and 66426 take the <I>Tesco Express</I> north through Bay Horse on 12th May 2016. Not long after this date the train moved over to regular Class 68 haulage with pairs of the new <I>Warships</I> employed. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/05/2016]](/images/57000/57924.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Two DRS Class 66s take the <I>Tesco Express</I> north through the site of Scorton station (closed 1939) on its way from Daventry to Coatbridge on 16th May 2016. The flat farming land between here and the coast is very noticeable from this vantage point.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/05/2016]](/images/55000/55230.jpg "Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]")
![Freightliner 66528 <I>Madge Elliott MBE</I> hauls the late running Coatbridge Daventry service towards the Oubeck Loops on 23rd May 2016. The container train is just about to cross the Burrow Beck. This rural scene is set to change as the land on this side of the railway is earmarked for a retail development. [See image 51530] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 23/05/2016]](/images/55000/55270.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![Sporting promotional vinyls for <I>Festival No.6</I> at Portmeirion, Voyager 221106 speeds south through the loops at Oubeck with a Euston (via Birmingham) service on 23rd May 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 23/05/2016]](/images/55000/55417.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![With a muted throb from the Mirrlees Blackstone engine, Colas 60026 gets the twenty wagons of the Carlisle to Chirk log train moving again after a stop in the Up Loop at Oubeck. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/06/2016]](/images/55000/55376.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![On 9th June 2016 the <I>Scarborough Spa Express</I> ran via Preston and the East Lancashire/Copy Pit line rather than via Skipton. As on the previous week it was also powered by two EE Type 3s instead of the usual Brush Type 4. WCRC 37668 and 37685 head south at Woodacre with the seven coach train that was steam hauled by 8F 48151 between York and Scarborough. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/06/2016]](/images/55000/55445.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Back out on the mainline after some maintenance, Coronation class pacific no.46233 Duchess of Sutherland heads the Cumbrian Mountain Express from Crewe to Carlisle on 23 July 2016.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/07/2016]](/images/55000/55933.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The thrice weekly Clitheroe to Mossend cement tanks will run via the WCML throughout 2016. 66099 powers north alongside the Lancaster Canal between Brock and Garstang & Catterall on the evening of 12th August 2016. The dome behind the tanks is the salt store of the Highways Agency depot for the nearby M6 motorway.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/08/2016]](/images/56000/56209.jpg "Brock")
![On the west side of the WCML just south of the site of Bay Horse station is a building with large sliding doors on either end. It certainly looks like it was used by the railway as a goods shed but I don't have any definite proof, just the old maps which show there were sidings in that area. <br><br>[John McIntyre 20/08/2016]](/images/56000/56292.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A Virgin Voyager on a London bound service approaches the site of Bay Horse station on the WCML between Preston and Lancaster. The station Opened in 1840 and closed in 1960 but 56 years later there is still evidence of it [see image 19844], even when it is next to the WCML!<br><br>[John McIntyre 20/08/2016]](/images/56000/56303.jpg "Bay Horse")
![<I>What a difference a summer makes</I>. The recently upgraded cutting at Hampson Lane near Galgate is already looking less than pristine. 37059 and 37605 pass through heading for Sellafield on 26th August 2016. [See image 54677] for the same location just four months earlier. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/08/2016]](/images/56000/56332.jpg "Galgate")
![An Edinburgh to Euston Pendolino heads towards Preston near Barton and Broughton on 29th August 2016. The signal on the left controls access to the Down Loop, which can just be seen under the bridge that carries a local water main. This stretch of the WCML had four tracks until around the time of electrification in the early 1970s. [Ref query 3350] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/08/2016]](/images/56000/56341.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Freightliner 70005 and the Coatbridge to Daventry containers head south at Barton & Broughton on the August Bank Holiday, 2016. This image taken from the bridge that carries the <I>Guild Wheel</I> over the WCML. The Guild Wheel is a 21 mile circular cycle route around the City of Preston. Its other WCML crossing is under the Ribble Viaduct immediately south of Preston Station. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/08/2016]](/images/56000/56455.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![<I>Very unexpected</I>. West Coast Railway's BRCW Type 3 33207 <I>Jim Martin</I> takes 37685 <I>Loch Arkaig</I> and 33025 on a movement from Southall to Carnforth on 5th September 2016. This may be part of the clear out from Southall following Network Rail's termination of the lease on that depot. The convoy is seen running alongside the Lancaster Canal at Brock on the final leg of the journey. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/09/2016]](/images/56000/56462.jpg "Brock")
![A lightly loaded Coatbridge to Daventry container service gives an opportunity for a south facing shot of Freightliner 70005 from the St. Heliers Place footbridge in Barton. The old station site is at the end of the straight track by the second bridge. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/09/2016]](/images/56000/56533.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Colas 56105 powers through the reverse curves near Forton with a special working of nine refurbished timber wagons. The train ran from Cardiff Canton to Carlisle Yard on 23rd September 2016 but the Class 56 failed near Oxenholme and was rescued by a WCRC Class 47.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 23/09/2016]](/images/56000/56627.jpg "Forton")
![A shiny 66140, still in original EWS livery, hauls a grubby rake of Castle Cement tanks south through the loops at Oubeck on 3rd October 2016. The train is the thrice weekly Mossend to Clitheroe (Horrocksford), which will return to running via the S&C when the Armathwaite landslip has been repaired.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/10/2016]](/images/56000/56845.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![With the extra rails inside the Up line track giving a resemblance of a trough this RHTT train passing Galgate appears to be picking up water rather than spraying it. A grubby DRS 66423 is in the lead with 66429 bringing up the rear on a diagram from Kingmoor that started at 1715hrs the previous evening and covered the WCML, Barrow, Windermere and a return trip along the S&C to Armathwaite before finally going back via Shap to arrive at 1200hrs. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/10/2016]](/images/56000/56850.jpg "Galgate")
![The upgraded cutting at Galgate is green again. 37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> propels the 0515 Carlisle to Preston service south on 13th October 2016. [See image 55136] taken the previous April when the work had just been completed. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/10/2016]](/images/57000/57456.jpg "Galgate")
![The inner cabs of locos engaged on Rail Head Treatment trains clearly take a pounding during the leaf fall season. DRS 66423 heads north through Woodacre with a RHTT train returning to Carlisle on 14th October 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/10/2016]](/images/56000/56867.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The usual long, long line of container wagons that make up the Daventry to Mossend <I>Tesco Express</I> head north through Woodacre behind DRS 68025 <I>Superb</I> and 68023 <I>Achilles</I> on 14th October 2016.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/10/2016]](/images/56000/56896.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A Virgin Pendolino accelerates northwards having just passed Fylde Junction in Preston on 1st November 2016. The buildings on the left are part of St Walburge's Church, whose tall spire has appeared in many Preston railway pictures down the years. [Ref query 120] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/11/2016]](/images/57000/57144.jpg "Fylde Junction")
![68020 <I>Reliance</I> and 68016 <I>Fearless</I> take the Daventry to Mossend <I>Tesco</I> train north through Bay Horse on 7th November 2016. Double headed 68s have become the regular motive power on this train during 2016.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/11/2016]](/images/57000/57121.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Having been passed by several passenger services, Freightliner 66953 pulls out of the Down Loop at Barton & Broughton to continue its journey from Daventry to Coatbridge on 29th November 2016.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/11/2016]](/images/57000/57348.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![Recent tree clearance has made the shallow cutting near the St Heliers Place footbridge a much brighter place, even on a dull day. [See image 46627] for an earlier view. DBS 90029 and 90024 pass heading south with a fully loaded Mossend to Daventry container train on 12th December 2016.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/12/2016]](/images/57000/57512.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![The extra <I>Christmas Mail</I> trains have been running between Sheildmuir and Warrington again in 2016. DBS 90019 <I>Multimodal</I> and a rake of four wheeled cargo wagons trundle south through Forton at a steady 60mph, supplementing the Class 325 EPUs that provide the year round services. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/12/2016]](/images/57000/57542.jpg "Forton")
![DRRS 68018 <I>Vigilant</I> and 68017 <I>Hornet</I> power through the curves between Scorton and Bay Horse with the northbound <I>Tesco Express</I> on a gloomy 15th December 2016. The train is approaching Cleveley Bank Lane bridge. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/12/2016]](/images/57000/57572.jpg "Forton")
![DRS 68023 <I>Achilles</I> heads south on the WCML at Woodacre with a <I>Northern Belle</I> luxury excursion from York on 16th December 2016, This ran out via the Little North Western route to Carnforth and returned over the Copy Pit line. Classmate 68016 <I>Fearless</I> was on the rear of the train. <br>
<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/12/2016]](/images/57000/57548.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The third and final week of the extra 2016 <I>Christmas Mail</I> services saw the Class 90 hauled <I>Cargowaggons</I> continue to run between Sheildmuir and Warrington mail depots. DBS 90029 approaches Brock with the fifteen wagon train on 21st December. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/12/2016]](/images/57000/57585.jpg "Brock")
![The overnight frost has gone from the fields as 37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> approaches Woodacre with the 2C47 Preston to Barrow-in-Furness service on 29th December 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/12/2016]](/images/57000/57619.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The last main line steam movement of 2016 saw Black 5s 44871 and 45407 run light from Carnforth to Bury on New Year's Eve. The previous day they had worked down from Fort William with empty coaching stock. The two locos are seen just south of the Woodacre footbridge running twenty minutes early. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/12/2016]](/images/57000/57660.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![37402 propels the 0515 Carlisle to Preston service over the skew bridge that crosses the A6 in Galgate. 19th January 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/01/2017]](/images/57000/57910.jpg "Galgate")
![37401 propels the 0515 Carlisle to Preston through Garstang & Catterall on a dull 20th January 2017. The train is about to pass the Highways England salt store that serves the adjacent M6 Motorway. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/01/2017]](/images/57000/57918.jpg "Garstang and Catterall")
![The first main line steam of 2017. 45690 <I>Leander</I> takes the <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> north through Woodacre on 21st January 2017. The train was a return excursion from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle via Shap and idling on the rear was a very shiny EE Type 3 37706. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/01/2017]](/images/57000/57857.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![St. Walburge's Church spire is a landmark that has appeared on many Preston railway photographs over the years, although usually captured from the south. Here it is seen from the north side as TPE 350407 crosses Fylde Road on a service from Edinburgh to Manchester Airport. 280117.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 28/01/2017]](/images/57000/57969.jpg "Fylde Road Viaduct")
![43062 <I>John Armitt</I> leads the Network Rail <I>High Speed Measurement Train</I> through Brock on a working from Craigentinny to Crewe on 1st February 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/02/2017]](/images/58000/58087.jpg "Brock")
![Royal Scot class 4-6-0 no 46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> approaching the site of Brock station whilst working a railtour to Carlisle on 18 February 2017.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/02/2017]](/images/58000/58168.jpg "Brock")
![A pair of WCRC Brush Type 4s head north along the WCML at Brock on 18 February 2017 whilst on a light engine move back to Carnforth. The photo is taken through palisade fencing near to the River Brock with the site of the old foot crossing and station this side of the rear locomotive.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/02/2017]](/images/58000/58749.jpg "Brock")
![Grab shot (from the top deck of a Stagecoach bus) of 45690 <I>Leander</I> waiting in the Up Loop at Oubeck on 11th March 2017. The Jubilee was working tender first to Preston with its support coach to pick up a train to Carlisle. It should have been in Preston at this time so a very fortunate encounter. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/03/2017]](/images/58000/58465.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![After a week of light engine runs DRS 88002 <I>Prometheus</I> undertook a loaded test from Carlisle to Crewe on 3rd April 2017. The brand new electro diesel is seen at Woodacre with the heavy stone train, and 68025 <I>Superb</I> dead-in-train for insurance purposes. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/04/2017]](/images/58000/58705.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![After working northwards light engine DCR liveried 56303 returned from Carlisle with Brush Type 4 47813 and EE Type 3 37601 on 11th April 2017. Both of these have been sold by DRS recently. DRS branding had been removed from both locos and they were being hauled to Leicester depot, seen here at Forton near Garstang.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/04/2017]](/images/59000/59026.jpg "Forton")
![Nearly forty of the fifty Class 90s built are still working in 2017, with the remainder stored for various reasons. Freightliner have ten operational locos including 90046 and 90048, seen here passing Hampson Lane bridge between Galgate and Bay Horse with a Coatbridge to Daventry container train on 20th April 2017. [See image 54821] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/04/2017]](/images/59000/59092.jpg "Galgate")
![DB 66145, still in EWS livery, crosses the River Wyre at Scorton heading north with a container train on a sunny 22nd April 2017.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/04/2017]](/images/59000/59123.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![Iconic profile, if not such an iconic livery. 43062 <I>John Armitt</I> speeds north through Bay Horse heading from Derby to Edinburgh with the High Speed Measurement Train. 43014 was bringing up the rear but with its large buffers didn't look quite so stylish. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/04/2017]](/images/59000/59136.jpg "Bay Horse")
![90045 and 90043, both in the modern Freightliner livery, head north on the WCML on 2nd May 2017. The container train, running from Daventry to Coatbridge, is approaching the Oubeck Loops.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/05/2017]](/images/59000/59318.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![<I>Jubilee</I> 45699 hauled the Grange-over-Sands to Bristol leg of the Great Britain X railtour on 5th May 2017, which was Day 7 of 9. After touring Scotland GB X was scheduled to visit Penzance before finishing at London Paddington. <I>Galatea</I> is seen passing Woodacre at the start of the Day 7 journey. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/05/2017]](/images/59000/59144.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![A MOD freight ran from Bicester to Carlisle on 5th May 2017. GBRf 66709 <I>Sorrento</I> was the loco in charge of four bogie container wagons with barrier vans front and rear. The unusual working is seen approaching Woodacre near Garstang. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 05/05/2017]](/images/59000/59149.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![88002 <I>Prometheus</I> was entrusted with the first Class 88 passenger train on 9th May 2017, a special from Euston to Carlisle using <I>Northern Belle</I> stock. The train is seen on the return run passing through the cutting at Forton at 100mph. 68022 <I>Resolution</I> was out of sight on the rear of the train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/05/2017]](/images/59000/59153.jpg "Forton")
![Express power on the flasks. DRS 68024 <I>Centaur</I> and 68020 <I>Reliance</I> were turned out for the Crewe to Sellafield working on 2nd June 2017. This may become more common as DRS are reported to be storing/selling more Class 37s. A combined 7600hp seems to be on top of the job as the two flask train rolls through Bay Horse <I>Right Time</I> on a murky morning.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 02/06/2017]](/images/59000/59472.jpg "Bay Horse")
![<I>Fresh from the boat</I>. Newly imported DRS 68026 was used on the Crewe Sellafield flask train on Saturday 3rd June 2017. Paired with 68001 <I>Evolution</I> the pair are seen heading north at Brock. 68026 is intended for TPE passenger services and the different (temporary) livery is very noticeable.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/06/2017]](/images/59000/59488.jpg "Brock")
![The Class 40 Preservation Society's gleaming main line registered 345 seen approaching Barton and Broughton with a rake of West Coast stock heading for the ELR on 9th June 2017. This was ahead of a railtour to Llandudno the following day and, as in previous years, the movement took a circuitous route (this time via Shrewsbury) with passengers on board paying for the one way trip from Carnforth to Bury. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/06/2017]](/images/59000/59567.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![A broadside view of 88003 <I>Genesis</I>, heading north at the Oubeck Loops on 12th June 2017. This was the first Class 88 electro-diesel to haul the <I>Tesco Express</I> and these single locos are replacing double headed diesels. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/06/2017]](/images/59000/59653.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> (ex D6607) powers towards Lancaster with the 2C47 Preston to Barrow service seen at Woodacre on 30th June 2017. The contract with DRS for provision of two Class 37/4 sets on Cumbrian Coast services expires in January 2019.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/06/2017]](/images/59000/59981.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Consecutive light engine movements from Carlisle on the WCML on 6th July 2017. Colas 60026 is seen working south at Forton heading for Preston and an appearance at the ELR diesel gala. Behind it, almost on double yellows, is brand new electro diesel 88007 <I>Electra</I> (a name Triang-Hornby enthusiasts of a certain age will remember well) on a return test run to Crewe.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/07/2017]](/images/60000/60034.jpg "Forton")
![The first <I>Fellsman</I> since 2015, and one of only five planned for the limited 2017 season, set off in atrocious weather on 11th July behind 45690 <I>Leander</I>, seen passing Woodacre on the outward leg. Thankfully it was much sunnier for the return trip. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/07/2017]](/images/59000/59959.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The evening sun catches DRS 68026 and 68023 on a special working from Sellafield to Crewe with two empty MOD flask carriers (and a match wagon), seen at Woodacre on 17th July 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/07/2017]](/images/60000/60139.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Interesting motive power on the NACCO Tanks from Willesden to Irvine on 19th July 2017. GBRf 92044, the former <I>Couperin</I>, was the train engine but behind it, dead in train, was GBRf 66765. The long train of bogie tank wagons is seen heading through Bay Horse.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/07/2017]](/images/60000/60162.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Colourful 90024, and DBS Red 90019, double head a Mossend to Daventry liner train towards Bay Horse on 19th July 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/07/2017]](/images/60000/60174.jpg "Bay Horse")
![68004 <I>Rapid</I> heads an excursion from Bristol to Carlisle seen at Woodacre on 22nd July 2017. When the two ex-Anglia coaches are also repainted blue and grey this will make a splendid <I>Inter-City</I> set.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/07/2017]](/images/60000/60234.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![The second <I>Fellsman</I> excursion of 2017 was hauled by 8F 2-8-0 48151, seen here at Bay Horse heading for Preston with the outward leg on 25th July 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2017]](/images/60000/60254.jpg "Bay Horse")
![A southbound Pendolino hides most of a long <I>Tesco train</I> heading north at Bay Horse behind nearly new DRS electro-diesel 88005 <I>Minerva</I> on 25th July 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2017]](/images/60000/60258.jpg "Bay Horse")
![D345 heads the Carnforth to York leg of the <I>Scarborough Spa Express</I> seen at Bay Horse on 17th August 2017. An extra treat for the passengers before the steam loco takes over. The train is scheduled to be hauled by a Colas Rail Class 56 on 310817. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/08/2017]](/images/60000/60394.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The last <I>Fellsman</I> of the 2017 season was entrusted to 8F 2-8-0 48151, seen here making a very spirited climb of the bank out of Lancaster on 29th August 2017. The final league table of this shortened programme is: 48151 - 2 appearances, 45690 - 2 and 46115 - 1. The Fellsman didn't run in 2016 due to the S&C closure. [See image 52375] for the 2015 league table. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/08/2017]](/images/60000/60656.jpg "Lancaster")
![37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> is in the autumn sunshine as it propels 2C32 Carlisle to Preston over the embankment at Bay Horse on 26th September 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/09/2017]](/images/61000/61097.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Running a few minutes ahead of schedule, 88002 <I>Prometheus</I> rolls the northbound <I>Tesco</I> onto the embankment at Bay Horse on 26th September 2017 but is ignored by the locals. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/09/2017]](/images/61000/61150.jpg "Bay Horse")
![For many years the gents urinal that used to stand on the Up Platform at Bay Horse has been a curious survivor. The station closed in 1960 and was demolished prior to electrification but this remnant remained. However, in September 2017 it developed a serious crack in the wall forming the boundary as seen in the upper image. This was reported to Network Rail who quickly made that wall safe, as the lower image shows, but the rest of the structure stubbornly clings to life alongside the busy WCML.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/09/2017]](/images/61000/61132.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Still operating in Freightliner Grey livery, 90044 leads 90046 and a Coatbridge to Daventry liner train south through the Oubeck Loops on 4th October 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/10/2017]](/images/61000/61231.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![DBS 90024 & 90018 head south through the Oubeck Loops with a Mossend to Daventry container service on 4th October 2017.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 04/10/2017]](/images/62000/62032.jpg "Oubeck Loops")
![<I>The 50s are 50!</I>. To celebrate <I>The Caledonian</I> ran from Euston to Glasgow and return with D407 (50007) <I>Hercules</I> and 50049 <I>Defiance</I> taking over from an electric loco at Crewe - just like the good old days. For the first time in many years Class 50s double head a passenger train through Bay Horse - 7th October 2017.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/10/2017]](/images/61000/61066.jpg "Bay Horse")
![DRS 68017 <I>Hornet</I> and nearly new 68032 take the Sellafield to Crewe flasks south through Bay Horse on Saturday 7th October 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/10/2017]](/images/61000/61358.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The original L&PJ station in Lancaster was only used by passengers from 1840 to 1849 but most of its site continued in use as the city's railway goods depot until the 1960s. This goods platform has survived the redevelopment of railway land as the hospital car park. The old passenger station is at the end of the grey building to the right of the trees [See image 18309]. [Ref query 13 October 2017] <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/10/2017]](/images/61000/61223.jpg "Lancaster [1st]")
![48151 took the first of three sold out <I>Santa Special</I> trains ran round the Carnforth, Hellifield and Blackburn loop on 3rd December 2017. The 8F is seen in fading light at Brock heading back to Lancaster. The train is scheduled to run on the following two Sundays.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/12/2017]](/images/61000/61993.jpg "Brock")
![A bitterly cold late afternoon at Bay Horse as 48151 heads back to Lancaster with the second 2017 Santa Special, a packed train, on 10th December 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 10/12/2017]](/images/62000/62180.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Refurbishment of the Viaduct over the River Wyre at Scorton meant a closure of the WCML between Lancaster and Preston from 24th to 27th December. The upper picture looks north along Station Lane with machines busy on the embankment to the south of the bridge. The lower image is of the work taking place on the bridge itself, both taken on 24th December 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/12/2017]](/images/62000/62247.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![<I>Finishing touches.</I> After a four-day Christmas line closure to refurbish the WCML viaduct over the River Wyre at Scorton [See image 62247], Colas DR73921 was tamping the relaid Down Line on the evening on 27th December, prior to re-opening to normal traffic the following morning. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/12/2017]](/images/62000/62363.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![A pair of Voyagers, on 9S47 New St to Glasgow, meet a Pendolino working 1M09 Glasgow to Euston on the embankment at Bay Horse. 29th December 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/12/2017]](/images/62000/62375.jpg "Bay Horse")
![156425 leads 153363 through Bay Horse with a Northern service from Preston to Windermere on 29th December 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 29/12/2017]](/images/62000/62400.jpg "Bay Horse")
![High above the Galgate rooftops 90048 and 90045 speed a Daventry to Coatbridge intermodal over the Conder Viaduct on 11th January 2018. The River Conder caused serious flooding in Galgate in November 2017, with over 150 homes affected. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/01/2018]](/images/62000/62546.jpg "Conder Viaduct")
![50008 <I>Thunderer</I> powers north on the WCML at Forton with 5Z50, a special working conveying three former GWR HST coaches from Leicester to Craigentinny on 15th January 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/01/2018]](/images/62000/62508.jpg "Forton")
![50008 <I>Thunderer</I> with three former GWR HST coaches, and two barrier vans, negotiates the reverse curves at Forton on 18th January 2018. This was 5Z50, a special working from Leicester to Craigentinny Depot via the WCML. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 15/01/2018]](/images/62000/62519.jpg "Forton")
![Colas liveried (but now GBRf owned) 47749 ran light engine from Craigentinny to the East Lancashire Railway on 22nd January 2018. The Brush Type 4 is seen here running alongside the Up Loop at Oxheys on the approach to Preston and returned north to Mossend via the WCML later that same day with empty coaching stock. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/01/2018]](/images/62000/62657.jpg "Oxheys")
![<I>Silver is so yesterday - unfortunately</I>. 390010 <I>Cumbrian Spirit</I>, one of a growing number of all white Pendolinos, runs south alongside the Oxheys Loop near Preston with a Glasgow to Euston service on 22nd January 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/01/2018]](/images/62000/62666.jpg "Oxheys")
![DBS 90018 and 90024 work a Mossend to Daventry intermodal service towards Preston passing the Oxheys Loop on 22nd January 2018. This was once a four track line from Preston but now just two tracks suffice plus this Up Loop and the Down Loop at Barton & Broughton. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 22/01/2018]](/images/63000/63098.jpg "Oxheys")
![An MOD train ran to Glen Douglas from Fenny Compton on 24th January 2018. Grubby DB 66099 is seen passing Bay Horse with the short train of containers.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/01/2018]](/images/62000/62675.jpg "Bay Horse")
![The opening day of the 2018 steam railtour season was similar to last year, dull and wet! Jubilee 4-6-0 no.45699 'Galatea' works hard along the Brock straight with the Winter CME from Manchester to Carlisle on 27 January 2018. <br><br>[John McIntyre 27/01/2018]](/images/62000/62652.jpg "Brock")
![37402 propels 2C32 Carlisle to Preston under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge at Forton on 1st February 2018. Although loco hauled trains will continue on the Cumbrian Coast after the May 2018 timetable change it seems this weekday jaunt from Barrow to Preston and back will unfortunately cease.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 01/02/2018]](/images/62000/62709.jpg "Forton")
![First snow of the winter in the Garstang area on 6th February 2018. DRS electro-diesel 88006 <I>Juno</I> heads north with an early running Daventry to Mossend <I>Tesco</I>.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 06/02/2018]](/images/62000/62765.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![DRS 37424 <I>Avro Vulcan XH558</I> seen approaching the viaduct over the River Wyre at Scorton at the head of 2C47 1003hrs Preston to Barrow-in-Furness on a crisp 9th February 2018.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/02/2018]](/images/63000/63169.jpg "Wyre Viaduct")
![37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> heads the Preston to Barrow train across the embankment at Bay Horse on 29th December 2017. Although a number of Northern drivers have recently been trained on Class 68s it now appears the Class 37s will continue in charge of these trains for the time being. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/02/2018]](/images/62000/62956.jpg "Bay Horse")
![37424 <I>Avro Vulcan XH558</I>, propelling the Carlisle to Preston service at Bay Horse, meets the northbound <I>Tesco</I>, powered by electro-diesel 88007 <I>Electra</I>. 21st February 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 21/02/2018]](/images/63000/63001.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Despite the severe weather closing many lines in the UK <I>The Pennine Limited</I> steam excursion from Carnforth to Sheffield ran on 3rd March 2018. However, instead of the anticipated double-headed 45407 and 45690, the train was entrusted to 45699 <I>Galatea</I> with diesel support on the rear. Seen here passing the St. Heliers footbridge on the outward leg. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/03/2018]](/images/63000/63062.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![After many years of open storage with West Coast Railways [See image 33916] 47772 has joined the main line fleet and been named <I>Carnforth TMD</I>. It is seen at Barton & Broughton, on the rear of <I>The Pennine Limited</I>, supporting 45699 <I>Galatea</I> on a Carnforth to Sheffield tour on 3rd March 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/03/2018]](/images/63000/63131.jpg "Barton and Broughton")
![After a great deal of 'will they - won't they?' speculation the DRS Class 68s have taken over one of the Cumbrian Coast passenger diagrams. 68018 <I>Vigilant</I> hauled the first southbound service, now restricted to three coaches, with 68017 <I>Hornet</I> on the rear to power the return leg. The first train is seen at Forton heading for Preston on Monday 12th March 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 12/03/2018]](/images/63000/63176.jpg "Forton")
![The morning Carlisle to Preston service crosses the embankment at Bay Horse on 19th March 2018 behind 68018 <I>Vigilant</I> with 68017 <I>Hornet</I> bringing up the rear. The Class 68s seem to be rostered for this train Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a Class 37 operating on Tuesday and Thursday. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/03/2018]](/images/63000/63356.jpg "Bay Horse")
![Immaculate D1935 and D1944 <I>Craftsman</I> run through Woodacre with the returning Kingussie to Crewe private charter train on 25th March 2018. 5000hp for seven coaches will have made light work of the gradients en route.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/03/2018]](/images/63000/63545.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![68017 <I>Hornet</I> brings up the rear of 2C32 Carlisle to Preston passing under Hampson Lane bridge at Galgate on 11th April 2018. On this occasion the train was headed by 68004 <I>Rapid</I>. The daily trip to Preston will cease with the May timetable change when Class 158 Sprinters are being introduced on Barrow trains. Loco hauled will then be confined to the Barrow to Carlisle line. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/04/2018]](/images/63000/63556.jpg "Galgate")
![<I>The Cumbrian Hoovers</I> tour made a fine sight heading back home at Woodacre after traversing the Cumbrian Coast line on 14th April 2018. 50007 and 50049 had a full rake of blue and grey stock on this fully booked train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 14/04/2018]](/images/63000/63613.jpg "Woodacre Crossing")
![Catching the early evening sunshine, 50007 and 50049 are approaching Brock on 14 April 2018 whilst working the return leg of 'The Cumbrian Hoovers' railtour from Carlisle to Birmingham International via the Cumbrian coast.<br><br>[John McIntyre 14/04/2018]](/images/63000/63614.jpg "Brock")
