Last Days of the 45/1's

[Darbs]

Morning, just wondering if any one can help me out with my fading memory! I'm sure there was a service from Bristol TM to York I think in 87/88 on a Saturday morning leaving Bristol TM about 9. If I remember correctly it was a 45/1 and a take in NSE mark ones. If any one can confirm this and has any pictures I would be most grateful! I'm sure I used to catch it to Bristol Parkway and then return to Bristol TM on a Birmingham to Weston service formed of Tysley DMU,s.

Thanks in advance for confirming that I'm correct or my memory has gone!!

 

[Cowley]

I'm not sure about this Darbs. I was in Exeter and they were banned west of Bristol by then although at least two made it to Paignton in the summer of 88. I don't know if they had many (if any) rostered passenger turns in the summer of 1988 so you may be looking at 1987 for the turn you're looking for.
There used to be a loco hauled travel book each year I think by Platform 5 that may still be available showing all the different duties. Alternatively there might be something on the Derby Sulzers site.

 

[chris7153]

You might find some information on the following webpage.

www.derbysulzers.com/peaks1988.html

 

[RichmondCommu]

Although I no longer had an interest in railways by that stage I'm surprised that a rake of Mk1s were still running those kind of distances.

 

[Cowley]

Although I no longer had an interest in railways by that stage I'm surprised that a rake of Mk1s were still running those kind of distances.

The NSE mk1s certainly got around on summer Saturdays back then. One of the Cambrian Coast trains by the time it got to Pwllheli was quite often powered by Railfreight and/or blue liveried pairs of 37s with a rake of Network Southeast mk1s (maybe a moonlighting Cobbler set), while I remember as late as 1992 catching 47521 on a rake of NSE mk1s from Exeter to Reading which I presume was a Chiltern set being used for other things at the weekend.

 

[Taunton]

One of the Northampton Cobbler Mk 1 sets (B4 bogies) ran a Sunday evening Liverpool to London service in 88-89. In the days of an Inter City £1/£2 supplement for First Class on weekends it was very pleasant to ride in a Mk 1 FK compartment, generally on my own.

 

[Crewe Exile]

Interesting one. I can't recall what the turn would be heading northwards from Bristol at that time in the morning. Peak workings were heavily reduced from May 87. I do remember taking in the Saturday only Scarborough to Paignton on a fair few occasions in Summer 87. This was a solid Peak turn, large rake of Mk 1s and was always packed, not least due to many peak bashers on the service. Many of which were half cut by the time the train reached Birmingham New Street!. Peaks had a fair following, albeit a small number were 'a little boisterous' shall we say!

 

[Cowley]

The infamous Peak Army. They certainly had a bit of a reputation.