All-line Rover - July 1980

[eastwestdivide]

Back in my teenage years, with my mate Mike, we did a 7-day all-line rover. Relying on my spotting notebook from the time and a few grey cells, here's the story, with a regrettable lack of emphasis on foodstuffs.

Sunday
Armed with holdall, instamatic camera, marmalade sandwiches, GB timetable, notebook, pens, binos, rail atlas and a spare pair of pants, it's 4-EPB 5215 from Kent to Charing Cross, a nice comfy start, first loco seen 09004 at Hoo Junction. Taxi from CX to St Pancras (early Sunday - no underground), and a quick look in at King's Cross: two 40s on overnight sleeper arrivals, and a 31 on overhead line maintenance.
Into a Mk1 compartment behind 45114 at 0747 from St Pancras northwards, 25s everywhere as far as Bedford on engineering and electrification trains (much humour was made of the so-called Bed-Pan scheme).
More 25s at Wellingborough, then diverted via Corby, for yet more 25s at Leicester, a run past Derby RTC (no locos), and out at 1112. "Please board the coach in the forecourt". Great start, made even worse by only discovering once we arrived at Sheffield (1315) that it was a signallers' strike at Sheffield - no trains at all.
However, they changed their mind, and at 1356, we were away in an aircon Mk2 to Nottingham behind 45149. Best of a bad job, so out at Nottingham and into a tooth-rattling Cravens DMU on to Grantham, to pick up Deltic 55021 at 1601 in an aircon Mk2 to Doncaster, 1653, change for another Cravens DMU for Barnetby.
First 20s of the week spotted at Scunthorpe, then change at Barnetby for a Mk1 compartment behind 47544 to Lincoln St Marks (Cleethorpes-London train). Three 03s and an 08 at Lincoln depot, then change for a Cross-Country (cl120) DMU to Derby. 5x20s around Nottingham, 7x20s at Derby (don't know why we didn't see them earlier in the day) and a few other bits and bobs (4x08s), saw a 46 on a cross-country service and then onto another Cl120 departing 2231 to Crewe arriving at a quarter to midnight. Stock oddity no1 of the week, an overnight train hauled by loco 81001 including coach 81001.

Monday
We take up the story doing an overnighter at Crewe. 81s, 83s, 85s on overnight freight and passenger/parcels/Motorail flats, the odd 40 whistling through on freight as well as passenger workings, and taking it in turns to doze in the waiting room and get woken by whoever was awake on the sight of a headlight.
Bleary-eyed dawn and we're off at 0605-and-a-half behind 40112 in yet another Mk1 compartment to Chester arrive 0629. Current 2013 timetables give 23 minutes for that journey, so not a lot of change there.
More 40s lurking around the Chester area, and away on a DMU (Cl108) to Rock Ferry, then the limit of electrification, for some Mersey EMU spotting (well there's no accounting for taste, and the old LMS Cl502/503 were still around then). Amazingly, a photo survives:

(I know, all this talk of 40s and Deltics, and the only photo is a grotty EMU. Just make sure you do your backups people!)

Round and down and up and out at Lime Street for ... another Cl108 DMU to Manchester via Warrington.
Bit of spotting at Mancester Picc, including 86239 on the Manchester Pullman in reverse grey/blue colours, then on a Cl506 out past Guide Bridge - overtook the first 76 of the week, 76037 on coal hoppers, somewhere past Ardwick, then back to Guide Bridge, 76s and 40s passing, and onto a Cl100 DMU to Stalybridge, for 47532 (in early Mk2) on a trans-pennine train to Manchester Vic.
Two 40s, a 25 and an 08 stabled, and a quick zing out to Bury on a Cl504. Definitely a day for odd EMUs, taking in the Liverpool system, as well as the Manchester 1500V DC overhead and 1200V DC third rail units.
Back to Manchester Vic by 1400, for a DMU out to Dean Lane to pass Newton Heath, with 4x08s, 3x25s and 4x40s visible.
Back to Vic again, 40s and 25s passing on freight, but all 47/4s on the trans-pennine services, and a real fug of diesel hanging round from the many DMUs. Bus to Piccadilly around teatime, and I think we were getting weary, so onto a Mk3 behind 86257 to Euston, depart 1712, arrive 2009. Named shunter 08820 "Guide Bridge" at Stockport, as well as the last 40 of the day there. Spotted as we passed Willesden yards, 5x08s, 5x25s, 1x33, 1x37, 1x81, 1x83, 1x85.
Undergound to Charing Cross for the usual 4EPB back to Kent. Home before 2200 for a decent night's sleep. Plenty of ticks in the book.

More to come, but not just yet.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Tuesday
After a restock with marmalade sandwiches, we're off again from Kent on another 4-EPB to Charing Cross, and underground to Euston, where we hop on board a Mk3 behind 87008 for an 0746 departure to Scotland. By Watford, we've passed 4x08s, 5x25s, a 33/2 with flat wagons carrying yellow farm tractors, and assorted 83/85/86 electrics.
The 40s start appearing by Crewe (6 seen by Preston, where there's also an 82), then it's through the hills, passing a newly-converted 47710 at Carstairs, and off the train at Motherwell at 1316. A total of 37 locos on shed "please mister!" (08/20/25/27/37/40/47), of which 30 were "cops" (or required for sight in the current vernacular I believe m'lud).
Then some Glasgow electrics (303/314s) round the houses, passing the first 26 of the trip at Bellgrove, working two AB vans on a freight, onwards to Springburn for Eastfield depot, where I was inspired to take a photo:

Eastfield: 51 locos on shed (08/20/25/26/27/37/40/47).

Then back on electrics to Glasgow Central for the evening rush hour. A single class 20 brings in the empties for the West Coast Postal, the odd-one-out 87101 appears on a short 7-coach service (maybe half a Birmingham-Glasgow/Edinburgh which would have split at Carstairs) and it's weird DMU time, with the primitive-looking Ayr Cl126 intercity units making an appearance.
A quick look in at Queen Street after 2100, and there's plenty of 47/7 push-pull activity a pair of 27s on 5 Mk1s (Dundee?), more 27s, until we catch the 2330 to Inverness, hauled by 40074, in a cosy Mk1 compartment.

Wednesday
0100 from the compartment window at Perth, 5 locos, 08/25/27/27/40, "3 cops", then some quality snoozing until Inverness.
Inverness station and depot: 3x08, 2x20, 8x26, 4x27, 2x40, 1x47, and then on board a Mk1 compartment behind 26019 at 0546 to Aberdeen. The train formation includes a fish van (Insulfish), but there's no kippers for breakfast. Just outside Inverness, 47710 with the Royal Train passes by. Whisky grain wagons galore along the line to Aberdeen, and I do remember a conversation with a local, half of which consisted of "pardon?" as our accents were somewhat incompatible.
A quick change at Aberdeen onto an HST for the 0841 departure over the bridges and along the coast to Edinburgh. An 06 shunter at Dundee, 06002.
Dinner in Edinburgh (no idea what, but I don't think I was bold enough for haggis then), and then a DMU to Haymarket for 1230. Stock oddity no2 of the week, Deltic 55015 on depot as well as DMU 55015. Total on shed: 32 locos, 08/25/26/40/47. including 5 of the 47/7s (there were only 12 to start with I think).
Back to the station for pushage by 47706 in Mk2 DBSO 9704 (are those still in service with Network Rail now?) to Glasgow Queen St for the ride, and although there were 26 and 40-hauled services in, we were back on the same push-pull to Edinburgh, plenty of ins and outs, including a 46, and another surviving photo, steam heat going well in a rainy July:

Then tea and a DMU via Shotts to Glasgow Central. At Uddingston, there were APCM cement vans to remind us of Kent.
In an Ayr 126 unit out to Paisley Gilmour St and back, and then on board a pre-booked Mk1 sleeper (luxury?) behind 81010 for the 2355 departure to Bristol.

 

[telstarbox]

Brilliant, looking forward to the rest!

 

[Ivo]

How much was an ALR back then?

 

[eastwestdivide]

No idea on the price, sorry. I'm sure I've got the notes I made when planning this somewhere, which might tell us, but can't lay my hands on them just yet. Would be nice to see what was originally planned on the first Sunday when we had to get a coach from Derby, as that 0746 from St Pancras was I think the SuO Manchester train.
Rest of the trip coming later today I hope.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Thursday
While the sleeper provided a good night's rest, I think we'd have slept anywhere by then. My next notes are a 25 at Wolverhampton at 0730, by which time we were thoroughly smelly - not sure if the ventilation/heating was doing its job. Loco change at Birmingham 0755/0810, and now behind 45031 to Bristol Parkway 0936. Think that sleeper was running rather late.
Next HST through the tunnel, passing 2x08, 4x37 and 1x45 at Severn Tunnel Junction, 1x08, 6x37 1x56 at Ebbw Jn, and into Cardiff at 1046 for a bit of spotting. Plenty of 3-car 116 DMUs on the valley lines, and assorted loco-hauled passenger services on the main lines including a 31/4 on a Bristol/Portsmouth, and 25042 on a Crewe, while on freight, loads of 37s as well as double 56s on the Llanwern ore trains. A blurry photo from Cardiff, probably 25042 - it's the right shape front end:

Seem to recall cornish pasties from the station buffet, then another HST at 1408 to Swansea, passing 8x37, 1x47, 3x56 on Canton, 4x37 at Margam, and at Landore, 2x03, 4x08, 3x37 and 2x47. Two more 08s in Swansea station, a quick bite and back on the same HST at 1545. Same sort of story on the way back through Wales, Severn Tunnel Junction had 4x08, 1x25, 1x37, 1x45, 1x46, 3x47.
Back into England, in Swindon works were 6x08 - it was the repair base for 08s at the time, so the six were from depots all round the country including Healey Mills. Also in the works, SR Hastings DEMU 1031.
Then Swindon station area, shunter PWM652 (later 97652), 2x31, 1x37.
Didcot, Reading and into London, with the usual 31s, 47s, 50s en route, back on the underground and another 4-EPB back to Kent: 08 shunter 97800 at Slade Green, and 1x09 and 2x33/2 at Hoo Junction (as normal).

Friday
Just for a change, a 2-EPB up to London, and tube to King's Cross where there was 1x31, 1x46 and 2x55. Last of the sleeper trains still in the platform. We were on an HST though, the 0800 as far as York.
Passing Finsbury Park depot: 2x08, 2x47; Hornsey 1x08, Hitchin 1x08, Biggleswade 1x31, Conington Tip 1x08, 1x40; Peterborough 3x08, 1x25, 4x31, 1x47; Grantham 1x08, Newark 1x08; Rossington Colliery 2x47 and in past Doncaster depot: 1x31, 3x37, 3x47. An 03 and an 08 in Doncaster station area, another 08 at Dringhouses, and another in York station, arrive 1021.
What's striking looking at these notes is the sheer number of shunters you'd see on a journey like that.
Change for a seat in a Mk1 buffet and later a non-aircon Mk2 behind 45126 depart 1032 - either a cross-country or possibly a trans-pennine service. York depot: 1x08, 4x31, 1x37, 1x45, 5x47, 2x55, plus a 40 in the yards.
Off at Darlington and into a Met-Cam DMU to Middlesborough, and back out on another to Newcastle, passing Thornaby both times: 6x08, 2x31, 1x37, 1x40 visible.
Plenty of freight working on the coast line, an 03 in Sunderland station, another 03 at Pelaw, and into Newcastle at 1351. Bit of spotting from the platform ends, with 37s on freight, HSTs, Deltics, 45s and 47s on passenger, and loads more DMUs. Three 03s in Newcastle station, one with its typical match wagon.
Departure in a non-aircon Mk2 at 1529 behind 47419 to Leeds. 5 more 08s seen before Darlington, APT-E visible in the York museum, and on York depot this time: 2x20, 3x37, 1x40, 1x45, 6x47 including 47484 Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a long way from home.
Leeds arrival at 1718 (1h49 from Newcastle, versus 1h26 today for a XC or 1h37 for TPE), and it's West Riding DMU spotting for a while, and probably some food.
In a Cl 114 DMU at 1926 off to Sheffield, passing Holbeck depot (3x08, 1x31, 1x40), Wakefield Kirkgate (1x08, 1x31), Horbury wagon works full of Yeoman 4-wheel hoppers, also a long way from home, and into Sheffield at 2048. 1h22 not via Castleford, versus today's stoppers via Castleford 1h24, or the Northern fasts at 57mins)
Two-minute change onto a Cl 123 inter-city/transpennine departing 2050 across to Doncaster arrive 2124, for a semi-overnight, for which I'll add the details in tomorrow's entry...

 

[eastwestdivide]

Saturday
Well, continuing Friday night, on an overnight at Doncaster, watching the freights, parcels and sleepers.
Before midnight:
2x08, 5x31, 2x37, 6x40, 5x47 (one on a postal), 3x55 (one daytime passenger, one parcels, one sleeper)
After midnight:
2x20 (double-headed), 2x31, 3x37, 4x40, plus a combo of 40 + failed 46 on a postal, 4x47, 3x55 (of which 2 sleepers)
Then at 0439, we departed in a Mk1 compartment behind 31189 to Leeds (the overnight KX-Leeds sleeper/seated service.

Into Leeds at 0517, where the station seems full of locos (parcels & passenger) as well as a 31 on a chemicals train - anhydrous ammonia - complete with barrier wagons both ends and guard's brake van at the back. Hazardous chemicals are a traffic that's mostly lost to road nowadays, but back then, the north was criss-crossed by trainloads of dangerous stuff.
Off again at 0635 in a Calder Valley Cl 110 DMU to Bradford Exchange (now Interchange), with 1x03 and 2x08 in Hammerton Street depot (Bradford).
Quick change here into the oddly-routed Bradford-"the south" (Weymouth I think) summer Saturdays only holiday train, in a Mk1 open, behind 47059 (bit of a let-down) departing 0710 via Halifax, Huddersfield (run round), Healey Mills and the now-removed third side of the triangle at Horbury to Barnsley and Sheffield arriving at 0908. Visible at Healey Mills: 1x08, 2x25, 1x37, 4x40.
Two more 08s on the way into Sheffield, near Attercliffe, and another 08 in Sheffield station, a shunter which had a passenger duty around then, combining the portions of a Leeds/Newcastle to the SW train.
No 08 haulage for us though, as it was 40044 and a Mk1 open departing 0934 to Retford, on probably a Skegness/Yarmouth (or maybe Cleethorpes?) summer Sats bucket and spade train.
Rotherwood sidings has 5x76s, Kiveton colliery has ex-BR shunter (D)2322, a class 04; Worksop has 3x08, 3x20, 3x31, 1x47, 1x56 and an independent snowplough, and we arrive at Retford at 1010 just in time to see 55008 heading away on an ECML train. So, it's back to Sheffield in a packed-out Cravens DMU arriving 1108. 45s, 46s and 47s on passenger turns, a 40 on the return Cleethorpes-Manchester newspaper empties (which carried passengers on its outward journey), and one last stock oddity, a whole train of Southern region first class Mk1/Mk2s, presumably on some excursion/charter train.
Departure from Sheffield at 1232 in a Mk1 compartment behind 45015 towards Birmingham... Derby has 6x20s visible from the station, Burton has an 08, 47 and a 56, and in no time we're passing Saltley (3x25, 1x45 visible) and into New St at 1432. 2 hours dead from Sheffield, compared to an XC timing of 1h04 today!
Then it's into a 310 EMU round via Soho to Bescot, where locos visible are 7x08, 1x20, 9x25, 1x40, 4x47, 1x56. Back to New St and the same 310 EMU (which had been to Walsall and back) via Duddeston (3x31 and a 47), past Curzon St parcels (1x08), arriving 1536.
Usual mix of electrics and 47s at New St, plus DMUs, and at 1617, we're in an air-con Mk2 behind 47534 to Reading via International (2x25s), Coventry (2x25, 1x33, 1x47), Oxford (3x08, 1x31, 2x47), Didcot (1x08, 1x47 on freightliners), arriving Reading some time after 1800. Around Reading depot are shunter 97653, a partner to 652 seen earlier in the week at Swindon, 1x08, 1x31, 1x47, and in the station is 31256 on a passenger service (Mk1s), possibly a Paddington-Oxford or the Cotswold line.
On the home stretch now, and it's all aboard a 4-CIG EMU at 1833 to Waterloo arriving 1949, where locos in are 2x33, 2x50, 2x73. Across to the Eastern side and a final 4-EPB back to Kent. Last loco of the week 33049 at Hoo Junction.

Conclusions
Big differences compared to today are:
- the proliferation of shunters, seemingly anywhere with a siding or two
- the vast array of loco-hauled services
- the large variety of loco classes (see below*)
- the greater number of places with locos stabled.

*We saw at least one of: 03 06 08 09 20 25 26 27 31 33 37 40 45 46 47 50 55 56 73 76 and 81-87, or nearly every loco class working on BR at that point, except for the Holyhead 01s, the Isle of Wight 05, the Tinsley 13s, the very few remaining 24s, the ten 44s, and the SR 74s.

We didn't go mad for haulage on that trip, preferring to get some lines in, and some serious number-snatching. A few years later, I discovered the East Mids Rover, which wasn't bad for summer haulage bashing. Maybe worth a write-up at some point.

Regrets? Not having a better camera and unlimited film.

Would I do it again today? Probably not. There wouldn't be the same element of exploration and discovery.
Would I go back in time and do it differently? Yes, with a bag full of film and a decent SLR (or a digital one if I'm allowed to take that with me in the time machine - might need to take some computer equipment back too, as Photoshop wasn't even thought of for another 7 years, and the first version of the JPEG standard for another 12).

The other funny thing is, that when you spoke with older enthusiasts back then, they were quite dismissive of the then-current scene as boring compared to when they were younger. It seems like the "golden age" is always X years ago, whatever the current year.

That's it for my trip down memory lane. Hope you're still awake, unlike me at 0200 on a waiting room bench at Crewe.

 

[IanD]

Still awake, it was a great report!

 

[eastwestdivide]

Going back to the price of the ticket, I've got a couple of ABC rail guides, from 1974 and 1985, which mention the ALR, but annoyingly not its price.
But doing a bit of interpretation:

Aberdeen-London
1974: open return £21.07
1985: open return £92 (super saver £47)
2013: Anytime return £342 (super off peak £147)

2013 All line rover 7 days apparently £464 (but N/A on the national rail site)

so, back of the envelope guesstimating the Aberdeen to be say £50-60 in 1980, and applying that ratio, the 1980 7-day all-line rover would have been in the region of £70-80. Maybe.

For comparison, from a 2009 article in the Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/recession/4323171/UK-recession-Life-in-Britain-in-1980.html)

While Britons got by on an average wage of £6,000 (the equivalent of about £19,000 today), petrol cost 28p a litre (90p), a pint of beer was 35p (£1.10), a loaf of bread 33p (£1.10) and a pint of milk 17p (54p)

 

[eastwestdivide]

Well who'd have thought it - a rummage round in some rarely-viewed drawers and I discover a ticket, a 7-day all-line rover in 1988, price £135:

Haven't found my notes from that one, but I've certainly got photos from then. Don't recall it as being anything like as interesting as 1980's effort above. Watch this space for another episode of Time Team.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Fascinating reading, E-W-D.

How ironic you posted the price of the '88 ALR; I was about to add the same thing (my first ALR in summer '88, for the princely sum - it seemed to my 17 year old self - of £135. The following three years, regional rovers were the way forward.

 

[davetheguard]

Well who'd have thought it - a rummage round in some rarely-viewed drawers and I discover a ticket, a 7-day all-line rover in 1988, price £135:

Haven't found my notes from that one, but I've certainly got photos from then. Don't recall it as being anything like as interesting as 1980's effort above. Watch this space for another episode of Time Team.

And I see you paid for the All Line Rover by cheque -you'd have a job doing that now!