September 2013
Read MoreThe lull before the storm. In just over 20 minutes' time, Class 56 No 56302, idling at a red light north of Shotlock Hill Tunnel, near Ais Gill, on September 10, 2013, on the 10.07 Carlisle Yard-Chirk Kronospan timber service, will erupt into life and accelerate rapidly towards the camera, spewing black smoke over the fells. The 56 has been halted for 5 hours because of wagon problems with the preceding 05.49 Hunterston-Fiddlers Ferry Power Station coal train, hauled by Class 66 No 66551, which has been stopped by an alert signalman south of Garsdale. On resuming its journey, the timber will get as far as Hellifield before it will be brought to a standstill again as it is now too late for it to get to Chirk. It will eventually reach the plant the following day. In the background is the looming presence of Wild Boar Fell.