Today, Saturday 2nd February, 61306 ‘Mayflower’ made her return to mainline service double-heading the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express’ with 35018 ‘British India Line’.

The tour ran from London Euston to Carnforth hauled by Class 86 86259 ‘Les Ross’ and then Carnforth to Carlisle with the steam duo putting in a sterling performance up the WCML climbing towards Shap Summit.

After around an hour in Carlisle, the tour headed south over the Settle & Carlisle line stopping at Appleby for water.

Shortly after, for unknown reasons at the time of writing, the tour was delayed heading over the Settle and Carlisle line. The tour passed over Ribblehead Viaduct running 30 minutes late.

Progressing further south, the tour is delayed even further after making up good time with an unexpected water stop at Cherry Tree.

‘Mayflower’ and ‘British India Line’ will be taken off the tour at Preston for 86259 to return the tour to London.

To watch 61306 & 35018 put on a blistering performance through Oxenholme, see below:

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