35018 Flattens Grayrigg at 58 mph on the Cumbrian Mountain Express 27/8/22.

SR Merchant Navy Class 35018 British India Line would be at the helm of the latest Cumbrian Mountain Express of 2022 with 35018 taking over from the Diesel's at Carnforth after the tour started from Crewe to Carlisle and returning over the Settle & Carlisle line .We see 35018 attacking the climb to Grayrigg summit in full cry and crests the summit at 58mph with a run from Carnforth to Carlisle in a possible preservation record. The return leg sees 35018 at Aisgill summit from the over bridge and after the Summit. Thanks to Nige for the lift and great company.Please note the Grayrigg shot is by permission only.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steve, A sensational display by the Merchant Navy with no disappointments here. Regards, John

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John , it was a stunning run with nothing to prove on the return hence a steady display 👍

[@anthonywarrener1881]

What a truly splendid sight !

[@AndreiTupolev]

Oliver Bulleid's boiler and Ronald Jarvis's redesign of the valve gear made one of the best British steam locomotives full stop.

[@balmesh]

Total agreement!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andrei, and they said they couldn’t climb hills 🤔😂

[@thirdengineer]

Spot on Steve you and Nige gave a different angle and view of Ais Gill with great effect thanks for sharing. Brian

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Brian, once we knew Guardsman wasn’t doing the honours we changed our plans locations wise 👍🎥

[@YsanneOshea]

Outstanding! These rebuilds really were the best of the best!

[@kenmcdowell5325]

Someone once remarked that Bulleids don't like hills.
That seemed bloody impressive to me

[@tonybell3422]

The very best locomotives ever used by the Southern and B.R. Excellent shots,well done.😊

[@winco68]

@@kenmcdowell5325 That someone was mistaken. Even the unrebuilt locos have given sterling performances on challenging grades.

[@kenmcdowell5325]

@@winco68
I agree the Bulleids are my 2nd favourite class of locos after the mighty Duchesses

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind words Malcolm and the Merchant goes from strength to strength 👍

[@OlanKenny]

Top work by the crew there at Grayrigg. Gunning it AND feathering at the safeties is no easy feat.
Well captured mate!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Olan, it looked like it was ready to blow off so like you say a great job from the crews .

[@acw71000]

What a great set of shots they are Steve, superb performance from BIL and her crew

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, decided to try a few different locations once we knew it wasn’t the beast.

[@edmundcarew7235]

Excellent footage!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Edmund 👍

[@stephenbrass1808]

Great work Steve, a great performance fromthe West Coast crew with BIL in fine voice, cheers . 🎥👍😎

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Steve, it certainly was and after the morning run there wasn’t anything to prove 👍

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Steve, Very good Great Locations too...Dave 🚂🚂😀

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Dave , once we knew Guardsman wasn’t doing the tour we changed location plans 👍

[@locomotive6727]

@@TheStephengthompson I see.Cheers...Dave👍🚂🚂

[@deauvilledad07]

With just 11 on the hook that's an impressive performance. Well done Steve for recording and bringing it to us. Well done 🤓 and thanks to Nige if he was your chauffeur.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Anthony, it was some display of fast running especially over Shap 👍

[@walterfick157]

Great performance by the crew and locomotive... great catch Steve 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Walter , it certainly was that 👍

[@NEVILLEGROVE]

Lovely shots Steve and looks a very strong performance from the big Bulleid 🔥

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@hemerdonbank]

Looked like an excellent performance by BIL today, Steve. Great to watch (even better to be there!). Keith

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Keith, some sort of record with eleven on over Shap I believe 👍

[@nige7577]

Great shots throughout Steve, we got a great performance from BIL and a nice change of locations which worked well, cheers 👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nige , a change is as good as a rest 👍😂

[@grahamhall5211]

What can I say Steve that was going some at grayrigg and over aisgill lovely weather nice videos 📹 😀

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Graham, the morning run was stunning hence nothing to prove on the return 👍

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Steve. BIL looking great. Fantastic selection of locations. Nice performance from her . Kind regards C&A

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks C&A, once we found out 46115 wasn’t on the train we changed our location plans for something a bit different 👍

[@eaglesfield102]

Great video Steve, we heard it went over Shap Summit at 47 mph. It flew passed us at Shap Wells, we went into the old woodland area, it was awful to cross so maybe give that a miss until the winter when hopefully you can see where you are going. Birkett for the return leg. We did talk about Grayrigg but felt that there were trees in the way of the viaduct shot so did not bother,

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alistair, I know what you mean regarding the long grass at Shap Wells as last time we went there it was a difficult walk ☹️

[@khankadet]

Great footage Steve of BIL's grand day out. She's going better and better. As I said to Nige - can you imagine the thrill of being on the footplate at Grayrigg (for example)? Take care - Chris

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Chris, it must’ve been a thrill like you say and the driver was that confident he was just leaning out of the cab 😂

[@johnkendall9776]

Impressive performance, great shooting as always😊

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John , pleased you enjoyed it 👍

[@JonDingle]

Top stuff young man!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jon , it was a warm day but what a display from the crew and engine 👍

[@SimonTog]

Very good video Steve :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon, much appreciated as always 👍

[@tattoo1084]

Good performance from BIL and going some at Grayrigg.👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, it was a pleasure to see I must admit 👍

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Just goes to show, with the right crew in the right conditions, these Bullied's can climb hill's as well as any LMS & LNER Pacific can!

[@couzeukian5122]

Sorry, but no record. A record is generally accepted as hauling 12 coaches or more, otherwise 2 black 5's with a support coach could claim it! A great run though.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Oh well close but no cigar 👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

Really? Who set that so-called "rule"?