London Euston to Heysham 1960's

[GPT]

As a schoolboy, around this week each year from 1964 to 1969 I used to be taken on The Ulster Express from London Euston to Heysham and then on one of "The Duke" boats, overnight to Belfast.
We always went 2nd class on the train but 1st class on the boat.
It was a great experience.

Does anyone else have memories of that journey ?

 

[46223]

I used to travel to Heysham in 1968 on the 'Belfast Boat Express' from Manchester. This was the last steam hauled named train in the country and worked by 'Black 5s' from Carnforth depot. Incidentally,I have an exact replica of an 'Ulster Express' headboard for sale if you are interested.

 

[Taunton]

This was the last steam hauled named train in the country and worked by 'Black 5s' from Carnforth depot. Incidentally,I have an exact replica of an 'Ulster Express' headboard for sale if you are interested.

I believe this was only for a short distance; by 1968 the train was electrically hauled from Euston to Crewe, then a Class 40 or 47 on to Morecambe. The Black 5 then came on the back for the last couple of miles down to Heysham.

In addition to the Ulster Express from London Euston, there was also a named service, the Belfast Boat Express, from Manchester Victoria, similarly reversing at Morecambe and arriving just a few minutes apart. I presume this used a Black 5 for the last leg as well.

 

[46223]

I believe this was only for a short distance; by 1968 the train was electrically hauled from Euston to Crewe, then a Class 40 or 47 on to Morecambe. The Black 5 then came on the back for the last couple of miles down to Heysham.

In addition to the Ulster Express from London Euston, there was also a named service, the Belfast Boat Express, from Manchester Victoria, similarly reversing at Morecambe and arriving just a few minutes apart. I presume this used a Black 5 for the last leg as well.

It was the 'Belfast Boat Express' I was referring to.

 

[Redonian]

I did this trip when at school, every year, with my parents although from Rugby to Heysham. That involved a Manchester train Rugby - Crewe from whence there was a summer only extra to Heysham. The Ulster Express was always a Stanier Pacific turn in steam days and the extra we caught a Black Five. There was also a Leeds - Heysham boat train usually hauled by a Jubilee although laterlly it went over to a DMU.
From the Morecambe reverse there was sometimes a Black Five although often no more than a tank engine.
Coming back there was also an extra that ran Heysham - Euston in front of the Ulster Express with the train reporting number of 1A00.