After recording 45305 on Shap we had another Black 5 hauled train to record that day. This one was running from York to Carlisle and back hauled by 44932 so we headed for Lunds between Garsdale and Ais Gill to see if we could get a better recording than the last time we went there.
As you can hear, we didn't. The Black 5 was just motoring nicely as it passed.

For 45305's return from Carlisle we headed for the tried and tested spot we had used many times before near Greengate Bridge a little way south of Kirkby Stephen where a dry stone wall provided useful shelter from the strong breeze that was now blowing.
As with our recording on Shap earlier, 45305 sounded absolutely spot on when it passed heading for Birkett Tunnel running just about on time.
We've recorded here many times in the past and occasionally have heard the loco after it has passed through the tunnel, once or twice as far as Mallerstang where the gradient eases. This time we heard 45305 not only reach Mallerstang but start on the continuing 1 in 100 gradient beyond and we must have been able to hear the sound, albeit very faintly, almost to the summit at Ais Gill. That's never happened before!

Two hours later it was 44932's turn to pass Greengate Bridge and it made an interesting comparison with 45305.
Our recording spot behind the wall wasn't quite so comfortable as it had been as, although the wind had dropped so we didn't need as much shelter, it had started raining and worse, the still conditions proved ideal for lots of midges to attack us. They were biting too!
As often happens here the train arrived a little earlier than expected, no doubt due to needing less time than booked for water at Appleby and it was a little unfortunate that this seemed to coincide with some noisy traffic on the road about a mile away down in the valley but once again, sound carried back well. 44932 wasn't going as fast as 45305 had been (it did have 12 rather than 10 coaches behind the tender) and I have to say it didn't sound quite so spot on. No complaints though, it was certainly going well enough.

Two days later there was another chance for me to record 45305 working a train from Liverpool to Carlisle and, as the weather seemed fine and calm, I decided to try Blea Moor.
Waiting at Settle for the train up to Ribblehead there was hardly a breath of wind but, as you might expect, up at Blea Moor there was a strong breeze so I wasn't able to set up my equipment in as good a spot as I might have wished but did find enough shelter eventually.
Once again, 45305 with 11 coaches behind the tender was just about on time. Once over Ribblehead Viaduct and clear of a short 20 mph temporary speed restriction 45305 again sounds absolutely spot on taking this heavy train on the gradient into Blea Moor Tunnel.