The appeal of our Branch Line Society fixtures tends to be either the track being traversed, the traction, or a combination of both. In the case of 'Choppy Waters', the attraction was the locomotive hauling the train. To reiterate that, my motivation for booking onto it was because I needed the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway's resident Chopper, 20214, for haulage, as did the friend with whom I travelled, who made the 350 mile return drive from Scotland to Haverthwaite for the Type 1. The two of us have often joked that 20214 is the most difficult main line diesel loco on a heritage railway to have for haulage, so this was our chance.

Once the railway's last timetabled ordinary service train had finished, its four Mk 1 coaches were used for our charter and 20214 was substituted for the steam loco. Taking photographs before the train left Haverthwaite at 16.45 wasn't easy, as the rain was torrential, although by the time we had a photo stop at the intermediate station of Newby Bridge, it had eased off a bit. On reaching the Railway's terminus of Lakeside, three miles to the north and on the southern bank of Lake Windermere, the sun even made a brief appearance. 20214 ran round the coaches, as the lakeside tranquillity that a party of unsuspecting Japanese tourists were enjoying was punctuated by nearly 150 railway enthusiasts suddenly appearing.

We then returned to Haverthwaite, after which those who so wished could have a look round the loco shed and depot, before going their separate ways. The usual stock list and marked up map was provided.



Passenger services on the branch (when the station was 'Windermere Lake Side') were withdrawn from 30 Sep 1965 and freight (latterly only as far along the branch as Haverthwaite) ended from 24 Apr 1967. There was a final railtour on Sat 2 Sep 1967: https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/670902ml.html Although the 'preservation group', as they were called in those days, had hoped to reopen more of the branch, the present section was purchased from British Rail in 1970 and the track south of Haverthwaite was lifted in 1971 to use the trackbed for the A590 Haverthwaite Bypass. This left today's three mile long 'family run' heritage railway, which reopened to passengers on 5 May 1973.

As well as supporting the delightful Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, due to the popularity of the event, a donation of £1,725 was also made to Martin House Children's Hospice.