Legendary steam train pulls into Carlisle on scenic tour

A survivor from the golden age of steam locomotives, 45627 Sierra Leone has been carrying passengers from Chester over the Settle-Carlisle line.

This 72-mile route, cutting through the northern Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, was a triumph of Victorian engineering and architecture when it opened in the 19th century.

The route, with its 22 viaducts, including the magnificent 24-arch Ribblehead viaduct, and 14 tunnels, is regularly voted one of the 10 greatest train journeys in the world.

The steam locomotive which pulled into Carlisle was originally built in 1936 and ran on the railways for almost 30 years before being retired in November 1964.

It was originally named Galatea with the serial number 45699 before being rebranded as Sierra Leone – 45627 in 2021.

The steam locomotive arrived in Carlisle as part of the Dalesman tours which take place during the summer and have a variety of famous locomotives pulling passengers through the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.

35018 - British India Line on a Dalesman Tour in Carlisle last month (Image: Paul Grindley)Cumbria has already played host to the most famous steam locomotive of all this summer in the shape of the flying Scotsman.

Earlier this month, steam enthusiasts and trainspotters were left in awe as the legendary 60103 Flying Scotsman embarked on a thundering journey along the Settle to Carlisle Line.

Organised by National Railway Museum and The Railway Touring Company, as part of the train's 100th-year celebrations, the locomotive hauled 'The Waverleys', filled with waving travellers who quickly became the stars of many cameras as the train came through Cumbria.

Iconic Flying Scotsman passes through Helm Road, Ormside, near Appleby (Image: Paul Wharton)Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive was named ‘Flying Scotsman’ in 1923 and continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation.

READ MORE: Cumbria crime rates return back to pre-pandemic levels

The Flying Scotsman is also set to return to Cumbria on August 6 and September 10 after departing from stations in Yorkshire.

For safety reasons however, The Railway Touring Company and the National Railway Museum have made the decision not to disclose specific details about Flying Scotsman's route, journey times, or positioning moves.