With steam hauled trains running over both the S&C and the WCML on Saturdays and Sundays through the summer a couple of days linesiding seemed like a good idea over the weekend of 28/29th July 2012; sadly the weather didn't co-operate.
On the Saturday we had mostly dry conditions but we also had a rather strong breeze to contend with so, for our recording of 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' working north over the Settle - Carlisle line we chose Helwith Bridge where we knew that we'd be able to get some shelter from the wind behind those ever handy dry stone walls.
We didn't have to wait too long for 46233 which had 11 coaches behind the tender with the addition of a Class 47 diesel attached at the rear. We were too far away to tell if the diesel was assisting but it didn't seem to be doing much. In any case, as you can hear, 46233 is making easy work of the load as it reaches the level section at Helwith Bridge.

46233 returned from Carlisle via Shap and, over the years, have found it difficult to find suitable recording spots on the southbound climb often ending up near Harrison's Siding which isn't an ideal location. This time we had plenty of time to have a good look elsewhere and decided to try a new location near Thrimby mid-way between Penrith and Shap Summit.
The strong breeze which had troubled us earlier was now carrying the sound of traffic on the A6 and M6 to us and we could also occasionally hear faint snatches of music coming from a pop concert being held at Lowther Castle!
From our location, which was quite low down to avoid the wind we couldn't hear 46233's approach but a little sound carried back after it had passed once again going very easily on the climb. Not the best recording I've ever made but the location could be better on a less windy day.

On the following day we had 46115 working both ways over the Settle - Carlisle line and, as the wind was still blowing and we also had the addition of frequent, heavy showers we decided that Helwith Bridge would be a good place to go once more.
46115 was running a little late when steam appeared in the distance and, as often seems usual, it had a steam leak presumably from a cylinder cock.
Still, despite the steam leak and interruptions from a couple of aircraft I was quite pleased with this recording.

For the return from Carlisle, once again we had determined to try to find somewhere new to record and after looking at a few places between Griseburn and Kirkby Stephen we eventually decided to record at Stockber about a mile south of Griseburn where the initial 1 in 100 gradient ends. The drawback with this location was that, to get shelter from the wind we had to set up alongside a track leading to a farm and I recall saying to my friend that if we tried here, 'You know what will happen?' and, sure enough, as 46115 approached, a van arrived and drove down to the farm. While it was nice to have an 'I told you so!' moment I could have done without that!
Still, with a bit of careful editing, I've been able to get rid of the van and I have to say I am quite pleased with the recording as I didn't think the Scot would be sounding quite so good.
And they'd fixed the leaking cylinder cock too!