1967 diesel workings from Kings Cross

[Timo1701]

Hello everyone,

Not sure if I am posting this in the right section or if anyone can answer my query.....

Anyway here goes... Is it possible to find out what locomotive was working on a certain train? Are records kept by anyone that shows this? ok I am not explaining this very well. So I will tell you what I am trying to find out and perhaps someone will tell me if it's possible or not?

I want to find out what locomotive was pulling the London to Bradford parcel train on the 23rd November 1967 which passed through Leicester at about 23:50 ish?

Thanks for your help in advance, just a nudge in the right direction would be helpful.

Timo1701

 

[Lee_Again]

If anyone pulls this out of the bag and can prove it, 'I'll eat my hat'

 

[MidnightFlyer]

If anyone pulls this out of the bag and can prove it, 'I'll eat my hat'

You never know, old photos and that... if someone can tell you of there was a specific set of steamers that used to work these services, that'll be one step.

 

[Timo1701]

Hi Again,

Forgot to say that i know it was a diesel locomotive, I even know the name of the driver, but am not going to say his name though. Would NRM York have anything in their archives do you think? Should I contact them?

Thanks

Timo1701

 

[EM2]

Well, let's see if we can make a start.
It's an MR service I assume, which suggests it left from St. Pancras? Late 1967 suggests it's more likely to be a diesel than a steamer, Peaks (class 45s) carrying out most MML duties after 1962, and this page: http://www.derbysulzers.com/67.html says that class 25s and class 40s were in charge of most ex-steam turns.
So, where do we go from here?

EDIT - further Googling suggests that Class 44s did a lot of frieght/non-passenger work in the East Midlands. I would say we can narrow it down to a 25,40, 44 or 45 with a Peak being most likely.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

It might, just, help people who could provide some info, if you edited your original post so that the title gave a clue about your interest.

How about editing "Is it possible?" to "1967 diesel workings from St Pancras-What locos on 23/11/67" or similar?

There are some people with long memories who only look on here occasionally, and something like that might just catch their attention.

 

[TDK]

It might, just, help people who could provide some info, if you edited your original post so that the title gave a clue about your interest.

How about editing "Is it possible?" to "1967 diesel workings from St Pancras-What locos on 23/11/67" or similar?

There as some people with long memories who only look on here occasionally and something like that might just catch their attention.

It will be in the signal box register if the boxes are still there!

 

[cav1975]

I lived in Radlett at the time. We never saw a 44 at the southern end of the Midland main line then, so I would rule that out. 40s were virtually unknown too. I would agree that a peak (45 or 46) would be the most likely.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Timo1701]

Hi again,

Thanks for your input so far.

Would the headcode the train was using help? I do believe I have it in a report I have, but I am not at home til tonight so I can't tell you what it is. I will post the headcode tonight.

Thanks again.

 

[John Webb]

It will be in the signal box register if the boxes are still there!

Virtually all the manual boxes on this route have gone due to the extension of power signalling. What's happened to the Train Register Books - well, I think it's unlikely many will have survived. I don't think they were kept for lengthy periods after use; at St Albans South we only found TRBs for the last three or four years when we took over the box - and some of those were in poor condition due to damp, mice etc.!

In any case in our TRBs that have survived there is no mention of loco numbers, only the train code for each service.

 

[thefab444]

You never know, old photos and that... if someone can tell you of there was a specific set of steamers that used to work these services, that'll be one step.

Well for a start the thread mentioned diesel locos, and I highly doubt many photographers would be out for it at 11pm!

 

[EM2]

A later date but there's class 45s on parcels here:
http://propertrains.fotopic.net/c1013905.html
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gb/diesel/45/45_1/SD941.jpg
I have seen a late-night shot of a Peak-hauled parcels being loaded at St.P but I can't find it just now. Again it was an '80s shot, but the photters were out there!

 

[Timo1701]

Bit more info, the Locomotive head code consisted of four panels which displayed "1N09".