Pre-Voyager XC workings in Southampton circa. 2000-2002

[AndyLandy]

When I first started travelling CrossCountry back in 2000, Virgin were still running with old BR stock. My biggest regret of the time was not paying enough attention to what traction was being provided back in those days.

I know that a lot of the workings were HSTs, and I was enough of an enthusiast to spot them from time to time, but I'm really curious to know whether I'm likely to have managed any 47 or even 86 workings, and indeed whether I'm likely to have been on Mk2 stock.

The route that I'd invariably take would be from Southampton to Hartford and back again, usually with changes at either Birmingham New Street and/or Crewe (although occasionally I'd be lucky enough to get a direct train)

If anyone has any ideas of what the usual diagrammed services were for XC services from Southampton, and indeed BHM-CRE services (I'm sure some were XC workings) I'd love to hear from you.

 

[Firesprite]

The Dorset Scot was 47 hauled between Poole and Preston where it was changed for either a 86 or 87, in some cases a 90.

 

[AndyLandy]

The Dorset Scot was 47 hauled between Poole and Preston where it was changed for either a 86 or 87, in some cases a 90.

Interesting. I don't recall that one, but I remember some named services, most notably the "Wessex Scot" and the "Pines Express"

The Pines Express was definitely an HST as I remember the pointy end, but I couldn't tell you what was hauling the Wessex Scot.

 

[Firesprite]

Thinking back the The Dorset Scot was Poole - Edinburgh via Newcastle and the Wessex Scot was Poole - Glasgow. They both left within an hour of each other. I used both to get to Oxford each day at the time.

The other Scot's services

The Devon Scot (Plymouth - Aberdeen via Carlisle)
The Cornish Scot (Penzance - Glasgow)
The Sussex Scot (Brighton - Glasgow)

 

[AndyLandy]

Thinking back the The Dorset Scot was Poole - Edinburgh via Newcastle and the Wessex Scot was Poole - Glasgow. They both left within an hour of each other. I used both to get
to Oxford each day at the time.

It's therefore quite possible that I might have ended up on the Dorset Scot on occasion for the SOU-BHM leg of the journey. I'm even more interested to know what services I might have ended up on for the BHM-CRE/HTF leg. Much of it was Central Trains 158s or 170s, but I'm sure there were some XC services on that route. I guess it may even be possible that some were ICWC services.

 

[Firesprite]

Most probable the Poole- Liverpool services which changed engines at New Street

 

[Whistler40145]

I expect on occasions the Poole to Liverpool would have a loco change at Crewe, if Birmingham New Street hadn't any spare 86s or for the 47 to work straight through, especially if diverted via Manchester.