The first time I had it was on 1E82, the Summer Saturday 13.53 Llandudno to York. But from Manchester to York.
That makes sense, as it was an out-and-back diagram for a York 40.
Meanwhile, here we go again ...
Monday 18/02/80
After a very busy Sunday, and a long overnight fester at Preston, it was time to head south. The 2200 Stranraer – Euston arrived with a required Roarer on the front. There was also an empty FC compartment, equipped with rugs and pillows, so I decided that was going to be my accommodation for the remainder of the night …
85016 0408 Preston – Crewe
47199 0520 Crewe – Euston
I was dossing so soundly at Crewe that I didn’t notice the (presumably failed) 85 being removed, and replaced by 47199, also required (and very No Heat). I awoke feeling a bit chilly somewhere around Tring. We were strumming ponderously along the Up Slow, with 47199 making furious dufficaceous noises on the front - hardly surprising on load 16.
90’ late into Euston.
At Euston I turned around and headed back the way I came:
86011 1005 Euston – Crewe
47486 1229 Crewe – Chester
… there to intercept the morning Bangor turn:
40019 1313 Chester – Manchester Victoria
Then time for a liquid lunch before heading south once more:
47072 1623 Manchester Piccadilly – Birmingham New Street via Stoke
This was a through train to Paddington, booked for a 50 from Birmingham. Unusually it was formed of steam heat only Mk 1s, hence the provision of the steam heat class 47 vice electric. Of course the 47 worked through to Paddington. I alighted at New Street for a little electric fill-in, prior to a rather better diesel to get me to Paddington:
86102 1855 Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton
87020 1928 Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street
50042 2042 Birmingham New Street – Paddington via Coventry
Thursday 18/02/82
Another earlyish start:
081 0735 Rosslare Harbour Pier – Dublin Heuston 40’ late due to electrification works
Rail Replacement Bus 1415 Dublin Connolly – Malahide
022 1503 Malahide – Belfast Central
022 1730 Belfast Central – Dublin Connolly
This only ran 10 minutes late, but that was just enough to miss the bus to Dun Laoghaire for the overnight sailing to Holyhead, so I had to get a taxi instead.
Monday 18/02/85
87012 0720 Glasgow Central – Crewe
I was off to Webb House, the BR-owned residential centre where various educational courses were held for railway staff. This was a “TOPS for Controllers” course lasting all week.
Wednesday 18/02/87
37260 2320 Glasgow Queen Street – Aberdeen
This was a relief service of some description. It was quite rare by then to get a 37 throughout from Glasgow to Aberdeen, so it had to be done. On arrival at Aberdeen I chose to doss in the stock of the 0500 to Perth, but some other 37 bashers stowed away on the ECS of the relief, which 37260 was hauling back to Cowlairs. It all went horribly wrong for them when 37260 failed at Errol, and they were unceremoniously ejected from the train there. A long cold walk ensued for them, all the way to Perth!
Saturday 18/02/95
The 5 Nations Rugby match between Wales and England was taking place in the Principality Stadium at Cardiff, which meant lots of additional workings taking place. Some of the Valley lines were working loco-hauled top-and-tail, including (unusually) loco-hauled services to Penarth.
43139 + 43128 1121 Reading – Cardiff Central
37416 1329 Cardiff Central – Penarth (+47711 on rear)
47711 1347 Penarth – Rhymney (+37416 on rear)
37416 1510 Rhymney – Hengoed (+47711 on rear)
47745 1541 Hengoed – Rhymney (+37141 on rear)
37141 1610 Rhymney – Cardiff Central (+47745 on rear)
37414 1730 Cardiff Central – Severn Tunnel Junction
37425 1827 Severn Tunnel Junction – Birmingham New Street via Chepstow, Camp Hill
37425 2045 Birmingham New Street – Newport via Lickey, Chepstow
Friday 18/02/00
A work visit to Doncaster:
91001 0830 Kings Cross – Doncaster
43106 + 43110 1815 Doncaster – Kings Cross
