ABC Wednesday - Intersection

 Coming through the signals approaching the weave of lines that forming an intersection at the north of Appleby Station the Castle Class Steam Locomotive is

 carrying straight on in-between the two platforms

.

 before stopping to imbibe water from the water tank.  One man watches the water pour in the tender (left) while the others move the coal to the front.  Both elements will provide the impulsion

Everything is in place and the 'Earl of Mount Edgcumber's' double chimneys are letting off steam ready to leave

and then the last photographs are impulsively  taken by both the passengers on the train and those gathered to watch it. 

On Saturday there were two steam locomotives coming down on the scenic Carlisle to Settle line, stopping at Appleby Station to take on water. Not only is this line scenic as can be seen there are no overhead electric wires so it is always a draw for the enthusiast.  I just tagged along for a trip out and afternoon tea, plus of course I can never resist a photo opportunity. 

This train is the Great Western Railway 4-6-0 Castle Class Number 5043 originally called Barbury Castle (after an iron age hill fort) but renamed after one of the GWR directors. An express passenger locomotive it was  built in 1936 (the double chimney was fitted in 1958) and withdrawn from service in 1963.  Restored and mainline certified in October 2008 it has pulled many excursions since and was named Locomotive of the Year 2010.  Its story can be found here  

An entry to ABC Wednesday - a journey through the alphabet