60532 'Blue Peter' Tackles the Grade at Shap - "The Lakelander" - 05/04/25

A fortuitous day of events for LNER A2 60532 'Blue Peter' on her first run up Shap Wells in almost 24 years, hauling Saphos Trains' "The Lakelander", with the tour starting at Llandudno Junction, hauled by British Rail Class 40 D213 'Andania' as far as Preston. We initially catch the 'whistler' along the North Wales Coast Line near Mostyn, before seeing the diesel again at Keckwick Lane, having departed Chester.

We leap ahead to Bay Horse for our first shot of 'Blue Peter' running along the West Coast Mainline, with the loco pausing in the loop at Grayrigg ahead of the Eastern Pacific's unassisted run up the 1 in 75 Gradient to Shap Summit. Hot on the heals of 60532 was Southern Bulleid Unrebuilt Battle of Britain Class 34067 'Tangmere' hauling The Northern Belle, tailed with WCRC Class 57 57313 'Scarborough Castle', with both tours destined for Carlisle.

Original plans would see both tours descend south along the Cumbrian Coast, with The Northern Belle taking the diversion due to closure of the Settle and Carlisle Railway. Hopes of seeing steam along the costal route where sadly thwarted however, with 34067 causing multiple lineside fires around the Nethertown area. Subsequent chaos and the closure of the Cumbrian Coast line resulted in "The Lakelander" being returned back to Carlisle shortly after departure. 60532 would run with support coach back to Crewe, whilst the return leg of the tour would be diesel hauled throughout with D213 'Andania' once more.

LINKS
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LOCOS & STOCK
British Rail Class 40 D213 'Andania'
BR(E) Peppercorn A2 60532 'Blue Peter'
SR Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34067 'Tangmere'
WCRC Class 57 57313 'Scarborough Castle'

VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 - D213 - Mostyn
1:06 - D213 - Keckwick Lane
1:56 - 60532 - Bay Horse
3:31 - 60532 - Shap Wells
6:18 - 34067 & 57313 - Shap Wells
8:34 - D213 - Plumpton Head

Filmed on 5th April 2025. Many thanks for the company of @TheSouthernerYTChannel.