The Nuke

This is the daily nuclear waste train passing over Arnside Viaduct on its way to the reprocessing facility at Sellafield.

You might think it was somewhat overpowered. Normally it has two locomotives and I have always assumed that this is an insurance in case one of them should break down. It would not be good public relations if the flasks were left standing in some of the urban areas through which the train passes. But today as you can see the train has three powerful locks. I cannot believe that this is an insurance in case two of them break down and it must be to do with repositioning.

The diesels (which I think are type 37s unless anyone can correct me) are powerful beasts. They emit a noise like no other engine I know - a very loud deep throated rumbling - and can be heard approaching from a mile away. There is some advantage to Arnside in that our line is unlikely to be closed and it may have been a factor in getting our viaduct rebuilt a couple of years ago.