LMS 45562 'Alberta' Powers the Cotton Mill Express through the Calder Valley - 29/02/2020

After what I understand to have been a 10 year absence, The Cotton Mill Express returns with the Railway Touring Company from Lancaster to Blackburn and return with two loops around the Calder Valley and Cotton Mill towns of the North West. The locomotive to haul the train was LMS Jubilee Class 45699 'Galatea' (running in disguise as 45562 'Alberta'). The last Jubilee to grace the Calder Valley was the original 45562, so having Galatea in disguise was some what poignant! Running over the third weekend of predicted storms (Storm Jorge), the weather forecast was grim with high wind and rain. The actual weather on the day turned out to be sunny intervals with cool temperatures and moderate winds - total contrast!!
The video starts at Leyland Station where the Jubilee is seen accelerating away from a pick up at Preston on the fast line up the WCML. The next shot is just north of Mossley at Quick with 45562 bending through the start of the valley on the climb to Diggle after an unscheduled stop at Stalybridge, replacing the stop at Diggle loop. The change on stop locations meant we missed our hoped for stop at Marsden. After passing what seemed to be hundreds of roadworks, we reached Copy Pit for our next shot of Alberta on the final half mile to the summit in perfect sunshine! The return shots started at Hoghton where 45562 eases for a yellow, but still putting on a cracking display up the 1 in 108 bank. Miles Platting was next to capture the tour departing Manchester Victoria with Alberta making her presence audibly known to anyone around! The final shot sees the Jubilee rocket past Eastwood (west of Hebden Bridge) accelerating away from a water stop at Sowerby Bridge. A cracking day in different territory for myself! Many thanks to the company I had during the day with Andrew Lamport and Declan Hargreaves!!
#Alberta #CottonMillExpress #StormJorge

[@TheCrazyhorse1876]

Excellent video and as usual a great watch,much appreciated

[@hurleyfunbags]

Superb video. What an awesome soundtrack from 45562.

[@stephenbrass1808]

A superb and well produced video of the cotton mill Express, i was on board and had a great day, Alberta put in a sterling performance today, cheers, Steve B .

[@moxon2313]

Lovely Steam Video - Definitely my kind of Railway Enjoyment

[@dave1001]

Brilliant video from yourself as always Tom. Thanks

[@SimonTog]

Super well done Tom, thumbs up :)

[@heyrodders]

Very nice vid and sound, thanks :)

[@1Goldsteam]

Awesome