6201 & 71000 - Settle & Carlisle - 20.7.91

20th.July 1991 saw two Pacifics working over the Settle and Carlisle with great performances from both. The 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' was hauled north by 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' with 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' returning the train south producing a 'Blue Riband' time of 17 minutes in the process.
The 'Blue Riband' section of the line is from Ormside to Ais Gill and follows a standing start from Appleby. In 1993 and 1994 the Duke would better that time with 16 minutes 41 and 16 minutes 25 respectively. In the video 6201 is seen at Helwith Bridge and Shotlock Hill Tunnel with 71000 seen storming past Ais Gill summit.
The tour, operated by Flying Scotsman Services, started at London Euston with 6201 taking the tour from Lostock Hall Junction to Appleby and 71000 working from Appleby to Farington Junction.
The video was originally recorded in Super VHS and has been enhanced with AVC Labs Video Enhancer AI

[@jean-paulmasse1091]

Nowadays, the digital copies are absolutely excellent. Thank you for sharing these memories.

[@acw71000]

Thank you, I think this one worked quite well as the conditions were good for filming, not too overcast

[@TheStephengthompson]

Superb Austin, that’s what we are missing and what a blistering climb from 71000 with steam to spare 👍

[@acw71000]

Thanks Steve, it was a great climb from the mighty Duke but February 1994 topped it!

[@harnettyrailways]

Cracker of shots of 2 fine locos soon both will grace the mainline once again. Richard

[@acw71000]

Cheers Richard, not sure we'll see Lizzie but looking forward to the return of the Duke

[@kipsome45]

Can’t wait to see 71000 running again. What a machine.

[@acw71000]

It'll be good to see the Duke back in action

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Austin, Spectacular clips. No assistance in those days and they used to drive the wheels off the locomotives. Dare I say the "Good Old Days". Regards, John

[@acw71000]

Thanks John, I think you can certainly say they were good days from the performances produced and a lot more locomotive variety too. But we're so lucky to have steam still running despite all the problems

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Austin, Excellent captures. I can't wait for the Duke's return this year and hopefully we will see Lizzie again. Regards,, John

[@acw71000]

Thanks John, yes the Dukes return is eagerly awaited. I've heard that work is underway at Carnforth on Lizzie too

[@khankadet]

Can never resist a Lizzie video Austin. Brilliant loco and panning to match. Thank goodness she's now in the 10A workshop. Hope they don't find any nasty surprises. The Duke is a super bonus. Take care - Chris

[@acw71000]

Many thanks Chris, hope you're keeping well. Glad to hear that Lizzie is being worked on, certainly one of my favourite locos

[@anilpille189]

What A beautiful seen

[@acw71000]

Thank you

[@nige7577]

Cracking shots Austin of my two favourite locomotives, looking forward to the Dukes return later this year all being well but will we get to see a performance like that again, one can only hope, cheers 👍

[@acw71000]

Thanks Nige, I'd love to be proved wrong but I don't think we'll see the Duke worked as hard as that again which is understandable given the cost of getting it back into service

[@tattoo1084]

Cracking footage Austin and what a machine the Duke is. Would like to see her one day, think she is under repair.👍

[@acw71000]

Thanks David, yes the Duke is at Tyseley and has had a steam test last year so you'll see her soon. Whether she will run as fast as this again is open to debate!

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Excellent Archive Footage, Austin from the 1990s off Lizzie and the Duke. The Duke was really going for it at Ais Gill.

[@acw71000]

Thanks Andrew, it was a brilliant day to be filming with those two performances, especially the Duke

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Oh definitely, looking forward to see The Duke back on the mainline this year all be well? As for Lizzie, I have heard its overhaul has started at Carnforth, with West Coast have put funding for the overhaul?

[@acw71000]

I hadn't heard that but great news, I suppose being air braked Lizzie could work the Northern Belle trips again

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

@@acw71000 Yes, rather than doing Tangmere doing the work, and also the Riley Fives, Tornado and Scotsman

[@conceyullena]

Very nice video, greetings 🚂👍🙋‍♂️

[@acw71000]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@Linesider1]

Fabulous sequence Austin, spine tingling performances. Every movement these days is so well documented online, but in many ways I prefer viewing older material and seeing the changes, loco's we don't currently see, and rekindling memories of those times. I spent much of Christmas editing old footage to share at some point soon hopefully. Cheers, David.

[@acw71000]

I look forward to seeing those videos then David. I've got a few more of these oldies to upload. I've been playing around with an AI enhancer to improve the picture quality and think this one came out quite well

[@Linesider1]

@@acw71000 Thanks Austin. I've watched your video on TV as well as phone and it looks great on both, the upscaling has worked well with improved clarity and detail. I'm looking forward to the AI Time Machine version ;)

[@TheWesternExplorer]

Great stuff Austin. I’ve seen 6201 in preservation but not 71000. Look forward to seeing her (him?) out on the main line. Regards, Dave.

[@acw71000]

Thanks Dave, you're in for a treat then when the Duke returns. A magnificent machine

[@SimonTog]

Good video Austin :)

[@acw71000]

Thank you Simon

[@anilpille189]

Supppper

[@acw71000]

Thanks 🤗