Carnforth - Manchester Victoria via Clapham, Clitheroe, Blackburn and Bolton

It is 25 years since we filmed and produced our very first cab ride. That was back in March 1994 on BR’s Class 50 farewell railtour - ‘The 50 Terminator’ (which is still available). After more than 35 such programmes, we are pleased to announce a forthcoming brand new cab ride – NORTHERN NAVIGATOR. Thanks to our friends at GB Railfreight, our cameras were on board 57306 while the loco was working the ‘Glasgow GM’ excursion back in June. The journey from Carnforth to Manchester Victoria (which is not possible by a normal service train) covers four fascinating sections of route that weave their way through Lancashire and a small piece of North Yorkshire.

The cab ride starts in Carnforth Up & Down Goods Loop and the first leg features the scenic and steeply-graded ‘Little’ North Western route through Bentham and Clapham to Settle Junction. The 26 miles - which have the audio bonus of plenty of jointed track - have no intermediary signals as this section of route operates as one long ‘block section’. After briefly joining the Settle-Carlisle line with its semaphore signalling, the train is routed through Hellifield Up Goods Loop before heading onto another scenic route - the Ribble Valley line. The first 14-miles to Clitheroe are ‘freight only‘ with regular passenger services only operating south of Clitheroe. Four miles later is the impressive Whalley viaduct, which precedes the five-mile climb of Langho bank. Next is Daisyfield level crossing with its 1873-built signal box, and that’s followed by Blackburn station. Next up are the 13-miles to Bolton which pass through Darwen and Entwistle. With its three single-track sections, there is no booked freight over this route and this journey therefore provides the rare sight of a loco-hauled train between Blackburn and Bolton. The final leg of the journey is a fascinating run through the suburbs of Greater Manchester. Now running ‘under the wires’, the ten miles of route pass through Farnworth, Clifton and Salford Crescent. At Deal Street Junction a maze of trackwork completes the final half-mile to Manchester Victoria.

Produced by - Locomaster Profiles
Duration - 110 Minutes
DVD only
Released - November 2024