GB XVI and the Midland Pullman at Carlisle 15 04 24 

If you do make it, Carlisle will offer you the warmest of welcomes. Just be sure to pick a time when plenty of steam trains are scheduled! Best wishes.

Being without a car at the time, I toyed with the idea of taking the train to Annan and filming from the footbridge to the east of the station. The Blue Pullman was probably the deciding factor - plus the draw of numerous friends at the Citadel. The drone could have offered great possibilities at Annan but whether the wind would have permitted its use is doubtful.

Thanks James. A good day with lots of interest. If only we hadn't had that fierce wind!

There was an appalling downpour at Carlisle at about 5 p.m. on the Saturday - hail as well as rain - the noise on the station roof was incredible. Yesterday was just windy and cold, otherwise not a bad day. Roll on the finishing of the Dumfries footbridge - it's an awful drag around St Mary's Street to get from one platform to the other.

@@schoolshorts Hopefully not too long before it opens then, also it does not look too bad to me either. Not a garish bright colour

Thank you Peter - so many hours go into the editing and it's nice to know that the work is appreciated. Best wishes.

Thanks David. Yes, I'm suffering from a stiff neck as a result of too many hours bent over a computer - I really should have taken up stamp collecting!

@@schoolshorts Steam trains is a more exciting hobby.

That's an interesting idea. The Paddle Steamer Waverley does a one-way positioning trip each year from Glasgow to Oban. By providing return coach travel they quickly attracted large numbers of passengers - it became a sell-out sailing. The train operators might like to consider it although I'm sure they'll come up with many objections.

Unfortunately, elimination of the wind noise has also got rid of much of the sound that I would have liked to keep. Ah well - can't have it all!

I suppose the Mk 2s will enable some sort of Jacobite service - but they don't look right behind a steam loco, even assuming you can find an air-braked steamer to pull them.

Very much a matter of opinion - I've never been a lover of the Spam Cans and several of the WCR crews that I've spoken to share my feelings. The Black Fives (which we haven't usually seen very much of at Carlisle) were designed and built as "go anywhere, do anything" engines and, by and large, they live up to their reputation.

@@schoolshortsWere Black 5’s common in Carlisle during LMS and BR days?

They were LMS engines - it was their home territory.

@@schoolshorts They look to be quite elegant in a simplistic, no nonsense way. I’m frankly quite envious that you have so much preserved and operating steam at you door step. Where I am (Ottawa, Canada) we have not had any operating steam here in decades. In my 57 years, I have only ridden behind steam once and that was on a scenic railway in the US. Perhaps one day I’ll make it over to Scotland and Northern England to experience this for myself. Thank you for your excellent videos and commentary. The wonders of technology allow me to see what you have experienced practically on the same day half a world away.

@@Play_fare Yes, we are fortunate in being close to Carlisle which sees more steam trains than anywhere else in Britain. If you are seriously considering a visit then use railadvent.co.uk to plan in advance - it lists all upcoming special trains, including light engine and empty stock movements. You don't want to cross the Atlantic to discover that you've picked the one week of the year when nothing is happening! I've only visited Canada once, in 1997, staying in a hotel close to Toronto's magnificent Union station. Although I used the city's Metro extensively, I only travelled by mainline train once - to Niagara Falls. An interesting contrast with our services here in the UK. So - who knows - we might bump into you one of these days on Carlisle's Citadel station - if so, do introduce yourself. You'll be most welcome. Every good wish in the meantime.

Steam locos always attract the crowds and major railway stations are busy enough even without the specials. One just has to grin and bear it!