Happy New Year everyone.
What better way to start a new one than by reminiscing about years past?
There's probably quite a few ways, actually, but never mind.
Sadly 45135 didn't do this one with me, so the unknown HSTs and units will have to remain unknown.
As was usual at the time, there's no photos of the actual move, so I've stuck appropriate shots in to break up the text a bit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The all-liner that I did in September 1998 was different from all my previous ones. I did it alone.
I wanted to do one and had gone round all the lads who had accompanied me before, but no one was available.
This, of course, has pros and cons.
On the one hand, you can do exactly what you want without the need for a debate but on the other theres no one to talk to and, more importantly, no one to reminisce with about the move later on.
I decided to go for it anyway; figuring enjoyment could still be had. I wasnt wrong.
My move began on Sunday the 20th of September with a HST from Wakefield to Birmingham.
Then it was 47805 to Stafford and 86222 to Crewe.
I then reversed the journey, doing 87021 and 86212.
As I arrived at New Street I viewed a BR blue 87 waiting to leave on a Euston to Wolverhampton service.
In 1998 that meant one loco, the unique 87101.
It was dud, but I still really fancied it, so legged it over and leapt aboard shortly before the whistle went.
An enjoyable, if all too brief, run followed.
Sadly, this was to be the last time I ever had it.
Here she is at Manchester nine years earlier:
87101_1989.01.12_1_Manchester Piccadilly by philwood55013, on Flickr
From Wolves I headed to Coventry on 87022 and hung around waiting to see what produced. I didnt have long before a Euston to Wolverhampton service arrived. Virgin West Coast were obviously struggling for power today as this had very nice NB winner 47281 on the front.
Then it was 86229 to International and a HST home to Wakefield.
At this time there was a single weekday diesel hauled diagram through Wakefield, booked for one of XCs 47s it comprised the 06.40 York Bristol, 12.33 Bristol Newcastle and 18.06 Newcastle Bristol.
Naturally, this was a good way for me to start my day I so I boarded 47853 at 07something and was on my way.
RAIL EXPRESS was done to New Street and then it was a round trip to London Paddington, doing 87010 to Coventry, 47840 to Reading and Fragonset 47703 into Padd, then 47854, 47812 and 87024 back, changing at the same places.
It was then back down South for the Night Riviera, utilising 86229 to Coventry and 47829 through to Paddington.
My nocturnal traction was 47813 and this was done all the way to the blocks.
This was because there was a cross country service that left Penzance not long after the sleeper arrived and so it was a case of stepping off 47813 and straight on to 47843.
This is 47843, taking me by surprise, at Huddersfield:
47843_2006.12.07_Huddersfield by philwood55013, on Flickr
I had a berth booked on the Edinburgh sleeper for that night but obviously I was going to make my way to Euston in the usual indirect manner, so after 47843 it was its consecutively numbered sister 47844 from Exeter to Birmingham, followed by 86222 to Crewe, 87031 to Milton Keynes and 86245 into Euston.
I still had time for an out and back run to Milton Keynes, so it was 87016 out, 87009 back as far as Watford Junction and 87018 into Euston.
90016 was the traction on the sleeper as far as Carstairs, where 90023 took over for the run into Edinburgh.
Scotland was now a desert when it came to diesel haulage and all that remained were the sleepers.
I have a liking for 37s and so it was the Fort William that I intended to do South rather than the 47 hauled Inverness or Aberdeen portions.
As always, I planned to get as close as I could using locos and so it was 91028 from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Carstairs.
After that, it was the short walk to Queen Street and a few hours on a 156.
I arrived in Fort William well before the sleeper was due out, so after viewing my hoped for steed, I went for something to eat.
The loco was 37430, still carrying its Cwmbran nameplates and a loco that I still thought of as Welsh.
The Railfreight grey beastie took the train through to the Scottish capital and handed over to my previous evenings power, 90016, and before I knew it, I was back in the smoke.
I wasnt planning on staying in London and so it was straight out to Coventry on 90007.
A run to Reading and back, using 47831 and 47817, followed and then it was a day round the Midlands.
87016 was done to Wolverhampton, followed by 86212 to Stafford and 87018 to Crewe (another retrospective missed opportunity to clear 86212 for the thousand. Bah).
87019 was taken back to Stafford, with 47810 powering me, not to mention the rest of the train, to Wolverhampton.
Next up was a trip to Crewe on one of my favourite 37/4s, 37414, which was on a North Wales coast service.
Doing the NWC 37 workings was a popular pastime for my mates and I at the time (and, indeed, up until they finished) and many an enjoyable day out was had visiting such exotic locations as Rhyl and Llandudno Junction, so I didnt want to spend too much time doing something on an all-liner that I was doing regularly anyway.
Nevertheless, sometimes you cant say no
Another ETH tractor, 37418, was done from Crewe to Birmingham and then it was a tram to Wakefield as it was my own bed I was to be occupying tonight.
The next day started with the same 07:bungle service off Wakefield, this time worked by 47807.
I took this to Brum and then headed to that there London on 86245.
Today was Anglia day and so it was off to Liverpool Street.
The loco that awaited me was a bit of a Novelty 86235 (ho, ho) and this was enjoyed to Ipswich.
There then followed a couple of round trips to Colchester, with 86232/86238/86217 & 86218 the traction involved.
It was on one of these trips that I had my only run-in with a guard. I was in a packed MK2 coach when he came through gripping. I showed him my ticket and he said
We dont take those,
Yes, you do, I replied, 100% confident.
No, Ive never seen one before, Im sure its not valid.
By now the whole coach (well, it seemed liked it) had gone quiet and people were turning to look.
I was embarrassed but stuck to my guns. He seemed less sure of himself and said
Im going to go and check this out, Ill be back shortly
I never saw him again.
I do feel that him returning and issuing an apology in the same loud voice he used when he thought he had caught a fare dodger would have been nice, but there you go.
Anyway, after that little spat, which did put a dampener on things, it was 86235 back to London and over to Euston.
My plan for tonight was to revert to the old days and kip on the cushions.
By 1998, that meant the North Wales Coast.
I did 87024 to Milton Keynes, followed by 86229 to New Street.
The overnight service from the Midlands to Holyhead left International at 23something and so I headed there on 90001.
37421 was the nocturnal monster and this was done out and then back as far as Chester, where it came off for 37414.
Here's 37421 at the start of the decade, running round its train:
37421_1990.07.25_Kyle Of Lochalsh by philwood55013, on Flickr
My third favourite ETH syphon (after 37429 & 37412) was done to Birmingham, where I leapt onto 47848 heading North.
I took this to Stoke and crossed over for 47812 back to Wolves.
Another North Wales Coast 37, in the shape of 37415 was then done to New Street.
Today was Saturday and it was the last day of the move.
Uninformed guard aside it had been a good one, but I hoped for one last treat.
55022 was still booked to work to and from Ramsgate and that just had to be roped in.
Unfortunately, the overnight Holyhead service reached Birmingham well after RSG had headed South, so I had to make do with meeting it coming North.
I was also aware that the days of Cross Country and West Coast loco hauled services were numbered and so I decided to do a few turns around the West Midlands and only cover the Deltic from Coventry.
A round trip was done to International on 86247 & 47851, followed by a similar move to Wolverhampton, this time with 47849 and 87025.
I then made my way to Coventry, using 86233 to International and then 86245.
55022 was as enjoyable as always and I did have a tinge of regret that I hadnt headed further south for it.
47703/87018/87011 and 47849 were then done on round trips to International and Wolves respectively.
Then it was a final trip to International and back on 87011 and 47806 before heading homewards. 86256 was done towards Manchester, but for some reason I bailed at Stockport. I dont know why, maybe I was hoping that another loco would follow it.
Whatever the reason, it was a mistake as time was running out so it was a unit into Piccadilly and another back across the Pennines.
So thats that, another all-liner over with. The first, but not the last, solo one that I had done.
What better way to start a new one than by reminiscing about years past?
There's probably quite a few ways, actually, but never mind.
Sadly 45135 didn't do this one with me, so the unknown HSTs and units will have to remain unknown.
As was usual at the time, there's no photos of the actual move, so I've stuck appropriate shots in to break up the text a bit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The all-liner that I did in September 1998 was different from all my previous ones. I did it alone.
I wanted to do one and had gone round all the lads who had accompanied me before, but no one was available.
This, of course, has pros and cons.
On the one hand, you can do exactly what you want without the need for a debate but on the other theres no one to talk to and, more importantly, no one to reminisce with about the move later on.
I decided to go for it anyway; figuring enjoyment could still be had. I wasnt wrong.
My move began on Sunday the 20th of September with a HST from Wakefield to Birmingham.
Then it was 47805 to Stafford and 86222 to Crewe.
I then reversed the journey, doing 87021 and 86212.
As I arrived at New Street I viewed a BR blue 87 waiting to leave on a Euston to Wolverhampton service.
In 1998 that meant one loco, the unique 87101.
It was dud, but I still really fancied it, so legged it over and leapt aboard shortly before the whistle went.
An enjoyable, if all too brief, run followed.
Sadly, this was to be the last time I ever had it.
Here she is at Manchester nine years earlier:
87101_1989.01.12_1_Manchester Piccadilly by philwood55013, on FlickrFrom Wolves I headed to Coventry on 87022 and hung around waiting to see what produced. I didnt have long before a Euston to Wolverhampton service arrived. Virgin West Coast were obviously struggling for power today as this had very nice NB winner 47281 on the front.
Then it was 86229 to International and a HST home to Wakefield.
At this time there was a single weekday diesel hauled diagram through Wakefield, booked for one of XCs 47s it comprised the 06.40 York Bristol, 12.33 Bristol Newcastle and 18.06 Newcastle Bristol.
Naturally, this was a good way for me to start my day I so I boarded 47853 at 07something and was on my way.
RAIL EXPRESS was done to New Street and then it was a round trip to London Paddington, doing 87010 to Coventry, 47840 to Reading and Fragonset 47703 into Padd, then 47854, 47812 and 87024 back, changing at the same places.
It was then back down South for the Night Riviera, utilising 86229 to Coventry and 47829 through to Paddington.
My nocturnal traction was 47813 and this was done all the way to the blocks.
This was because there was a cross country service that left Penzance not long after the sleeper arrived and so it was a case of stepping off 47813 and straight on to 47843.
This is 47843, taking me by surprise, at Huddersfield:
47843_2006.12.07_Huddersfield by philwood55013, on FlickrI had a berth booked on the Edinburgh sleeper for that night but obviously I was going to make my way to Euston in the usual indirect manner, so after 47843 it was its consecutively numbered sister 47844 from Exeter to Birmingham, followed by 86222 to Crewe, 87031 to Milton Keynes and 86245 into Euston.
I still had time for an out and back run to Milton Keynes, so it was 87016 out, 87009 back as far as Watford Junction and 87018 into Euston.
90016 was the traction on the sleeper as far as Carstairs, where 90023 took over for the run into Edinburgh.
Scotland was now a desert when it came to diesel haulage and all that remained were the sleepers.
I have a liking for 37s and so it was the Fort William that I intended to do South rather than the 47 hauled Inverness or Aberdeen portions.
As always, I planned to get as close as I could using locos and so it was 91028 from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Carstairs.
After that, it was the short walk to Queen Street and a few hours on a 156.
I arrived in Fort William well before the sleeper was due out, so after viewing my hoped for steed, I went for something to eat.
The loco was 37430, still carrying its Cwmbran nameplates and a loco that I still thought of as Welsh.
The Railfreight grey beastie took the train through to the Scottish capital and handed over to my previous evenings power, 90016, and before I knew it, I was back in the smoke.
I wasnt planning on staying in London and so it was straight out to Coventry on 90007.
A run to Reading and back, using 47831 and 47817, followed and then it was a day round the Midlands.
87016 was done to Wolverhampton, followed by 86212 to Stafford and 87018 to Crewe (another retrospective missed opportunity to clear 86212 for the thousand. Bah).
87019 was taken back to Stafford, with 47810 powering me, not to mention the rest of the train, to Wolverhampton.
Next up was a trip to Crewe on one of my favourite 37/4s, 37414, which was on a North Wales coast service.
Doing the NWC 37 workings was a popular pastime for my mates and I at the time (and, indeed, up until they finished) and many an enjoyable day out was had visiting such exotic locations as Rhyl and Llandudno Junction, so I didnt want to spend too much time doing something on an all-liner that I was doing regularly anyway.
Nevertheless, sometimes you cant say no
Another ETH tractor, 37418, was done from Crewe to Birmingham and then it was a tram to Wakefield as it was my own bed I was to be occupying tonight.
The next day started with the same 07:bungle service off Wakefield, this time worked by 47807.
I took this to Brum and then headed to that there London on 86245.
Today was Anglia day and so it was off to Liverpool Street.
The loco that awaited me was a bit of a Novelty 86235 (ho, ho) and this was enjoyed to Ipswich.
There then followed a couple of round trips to Colchester, with 86232/86238/86217 & 86218 the traction involved.
It was on one of these trips that I had my only run-in with a guard. I was in a packed MK2 coach when he came through gripping. I showed him my ticket and he said
We dont take those,
Yes, you do, I replied, 100% confident.
No, Ive never seen one before, Im sure its not valid.
By now the whole coach (well, it seemed liked it) had gone quiet and people were turning to look.
I was embarrassed but stuck to my guns. He seemed less sure of himself and said
Im going to go and check this out, Ill be back shortly
I never saw him again.
I do feel that him returning and issuing an apology in the same loud voice he used when he thought he had caught a fare dodger would have been nice, but there you go.
Anyway, after that little spat, which did put a dampener on things, it was 86235 back to London and over to Euston.
My plan for tonight was to revert to the old days and kip on the cushions.
By 1998, that meant the North Wales Coast.
I did 87024 to Milton Keynes, followed by 86229 to New Street.
The overnight service from the Midlands to Holyhead left International at 23something and so I headed there on 90001.
37421 was the nocturnal monster and this was done out and then back as far as Chester, where it came off for 37414.
Here's 37421 at the start of the decade, running round its train:
37421_1990.07.25_Kyle Of Lochalsh by philwood55013, on FlickrMy third favourite ETH syphon (after 37429 & 37412) was done to Birmingham, where I leapt onto 47848 heading North.
I took this to Stoke and crossed over for 47812 back to Wolves.
Another North Wales Coast 37, in the shape of 37415 was then done to New Street.
Today was Saturday and it was the last day of the move.
Uninformed guard aside it had been a good one, but I hoped for one last treat.
55022 was still booked to work to and from Ramsgate and that just had to be roped in.
Unfortunately, the overnight Holyhead service reached Birmingham well after RSG had headed South, so I had to make do with meeting it coming North.
I was also aware that the days of Cross Country and West Coast loco hauled services were numbered and so I decided to do a few turns around the West Midlands and only cover the Deltic from Coventry.
A round trip was done to International on 86247 & 47851, followed by a similar move to Wolverhampton, this time with 47849 and 87025.
I then made my way to Coventry, using 86233 to International and then 86245.
55022 was as enjoyable as always and I did have a tinge of regret that I hadnt headed further south for it.
47703/87018/87011 and 47849 were then done on round trips to International and Wolves respectively.
Then it was a final trip to International and back on 87011 and 47806 before heading homewards. 86256 was done towards Manchester, but for some reason I bailed at Stockport. I dont know why, maybe I was hoping that another loco would follow it.
Whatever the reason, it was a mistake as time was running out so it was a unit into Piccadilly and another back across the Pennines.
So thats that, another all-liner over with. The first, but not the last, solo one that I had done.
