Following the cessation of quarry traffic from Merrygill in the mid-70s, the remaining section of the Eden Valley Railway, from Appleby to Warcop, was used only by the Army for equipment and troop trains. Other trains did appear on the branch, such as weedkilling trains and railtours. Photos of some of these workings are on this page, with many thanks to the photographers for allowing their images to be used.

To prevent the page becoming too long I have not included full details of the railtours, which are available on Six Bells Junction: I have linked directly to the tour details on that website.

Since writing this page the demise of Fotopic has meant that many of the links are no longer live. Hopefully these images will reappear on other photo hosting sites in the future.

Weedkilling trains
Troop Trains
Inspection Saloon, 19th September 1989
Warcop Warrior, 21st November 1981
Hadrian Pullman, 31st July 1983
Border Raider, 6th October 1984
Warcop Warrior, 25th February 1989
Eden Vale Creamer, 28th March 1989
Pennine Wanderer, 10th March 1990
46051 on a Carlisle to Warcop freight, on film

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Weedkilling Trains

20902 and 20905 on a weedkilling train passing Lowfield Farm near Appleby on 20th July 1990





Another shot of a weedkilling train: not sure if this is the same one as above, though




Troop Trains

With Warcop Station being not very far from Warcop Camp, troop trains were expected. The only one for which photos have come to light so far was sometime in 1980, hauled by 25037 and 27205 and was for soldiers returning from Northern Ireland, the train being a Stranraer to Warcop special.

Other troop trains known of are:

17th May 1980    40032 Warcop to Stranraer
2nd June 1984     40099 Stranraer to Warcop
9th June 1984      40035 Warcop to Stranraer

25037 and 27205 approaching Appleby East level crossing with the troop train.




Waiting at Appleby East level crossing for the gates to be opened




The train passing over the level crossing towards Appleby East Station




The train emerging from the old A66 bridge south of Appleby on the return journey, 27205 now leading




The train a little bit further along the line




27205 and 25037 at Appleby West waiting to return northwards.

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Inspection Saloon, 19th September 1981

An inspection saloon train was photographed on 19th September 1989 at Warcop and from what was the A66 (and is now the B6542) bridge to the south-east of Appleby. Motive power was 47453

47453 is seen at Warcop




47453 leading the train towards Appleby




A view of the Inspection Saloon




Warcop Warrior, 21st November 1981

 A London Euston to Warcop railtour which featured 40106 on the Warcop line. 82008 took the train from Euston to Ditton junction, where 40106 took over for the journey to Warcop via the Settle & Carlisle line. The same loco took the tour back to leeds, when 37151 took over to Stockport and 85013 retruned the train from Stockport to Euston. Details and timings on Six Bells Junction.

The only image of this tour I have found so far is this one of 40106 at Warcop, from Simon Pilkington's Fotopic site

Hadrian Pullman, 31st July 1983

This tour was a Kings Cross to Warcop tour, out via the East Coast Main Line and Settle, return via Carlisle and the West Coast Main Line to Euston. From Kings Cross to Carlsile the loco was 40122 (running in green livery and also carrying it's original number, D200). the Carlisle to Euston leg was behind 81002. More details can be found on the excellent Six Bells Junction website.

The first shot is not actually on the Warcop branch: it shows D200/40122 approaching Dent on the other line to Appleby.




D200 bringing the Hadrian Pullman to Warcop, seen just outside Appleby




Another shot of D200 from the other side of the bridge




D200 in the yard at Warcop




Another shot of D200 at Warcop, this time down by the blast wall.





A couple of photos of D200 by the then derelict Warcop signal box








Three shots of the tour returning from Warcop and pictured near Sandford Bridge












Colin Alexander captured 40122 passing Appleby East Station. If only the site looked as clean as this today.




40122 at Appleby East level crossing, the roof of the station building visible above the first coach.





This was a Swindon to Warcop tour, running to Warcop via Manchester and the Settle and Carlisle line, and returning via Carlisle and the West Coast Main Line. The motive power from Swindon to Appleby was 47665, with 37503 taking the train from Appleby to Warcop. 47665 then took the train from Warcop back to Swindon. More details (although unfortunately no timings) can be seen on Six Bells Junction

37503 on the remains of the Eden Valley line at Appleby, now used as a headshunt.





37503 approaching Sandford Bridge en route for Warcop




And passing over Sandford Bridge




Two photos of 37503 in Warcop Yard on 25th February 1989







47665 at Warcop: the blast wall is evidently popular for photographic purposes.







47665 at Sandford Bridge on the return journey to Appleby and beyond







47665 at Appleby East




And 37503 at Appleby East






Another tour which ran from Swindon to Warcop. This time 47805 took the train from Swindon to Crewe, where 37411 took over for the Crewe to Warcop section. 26041 was attached at Appleby to assist with the shunting at Appleby and the return journey from Warcop to Appleby. The return to Swindon was behind 37411 to Derbyand then 47805 again back to Swindon. More details on Six Bells Junction

37411 at Appleby East en route for Warcop: it would appear that this print was used as a coaster or beer mat at some point, unfortunately. I do not know how the West Highland Line stock came to be on this tour.




Another view of 37411 on it's journey to Warcop




Duncan Jennings was on the tour and has generously allowed the use of his photos: more of his photos can be seen at  http://www.dunky.fotopic.net/

26041, added to the train at Appleby West to assist with the journey down the Warcop branch, is seen here waiting to take the trian up to the head shunt.




Sir Lamiel (30777) was operating over tyhe Settle & Carlisle on this day: it is seen here on the line to the headshunt, photographed from the train.




Looking north at Belgravia towards the end of the headshunt, with what is probably a Class 47 hauled service train in the background on the S & C.




37411 offloading the passengers on the platform at Warcop




Another view of 37411 at Warcop



26041 at Warcop, with the blast wall behind






Some other images of this tour from Fotopic sites: it would appear that the 26 was rather more popular than the 37 for the photographers.

Alister Betts http://alisterbetts.fotopic.net/

26041 at Warcop
26041 at Warcop
26041 at Appleby West (the other station in Appleby, but not far away from Appleby East!)

Track Basher http://trackbasher.fotopic.net

26041 at Warcop
37411 at Warcop



46051 working the Carlisle to Warcop trip freight in 1983
captured on video by "aureol40012" and now uploaded to YouTube. The train is seen approaching Appleby West, passing Sandford Bridge and shunting at Warcop.