First Steam of 2025 at Carlisle and Appleby 01 02 25

A fine day - but cold - for steam's first appearance at Carlisle in 2025. Our faithful old friend Tangmere brings in the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express from London. The train was electrically hauled from Euston to Carnforth where Tangmere took over for the run over Shap, returning via the Settle and Carlisle line. I joined Les Gilpin for a train ride down to Appleby to see her hammer through at speed. Incidentally, at this time of year, with the trees denuded, you can actually see the Eden Valley from the train! We should have had another WCME next Saturday but it has been cancelled - lack of bookings, I hear. Is this symptomatic of the uncertain times in which we're living?