Railroving 1970s – 1990s

[Cowley]

I had either 50035 or 50031 from New Street to Leamington Spa on a Paddington Service back in the 80's, sadly I can't currently tell you which it was or on which working which was I believe a regular 50 working then. Seemed to get the pair of them all the time. 50031 is my favourite 50 so wasn't bothered when that showed up.

I think all though I may be wrong and someone will tell me if I am, that if it was a Paddington service it would more likely have been Ark Royal an Old Oak one (certainly in the late 80s) than Hood which I think was a Laira one. I'd have to check to be sure though.

 

[fowler9]

I think all though I may be wrong and someone will tell me if I am, that if it was a Paddington service it would more likely have been Ark Royal an Old Oak one (certainly in the late 80s) than Hood which I think was a Laira one. I'd have to check to be sure though.

Yeah, I thought as much but then thought I remembered having Ark Royal on a Waterloo Exeter and doubted myself.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All-Line Railrover Ticket 1982

This time I left a slightly longer gap between the two tickets than I had a couple of years previously.

Saturday 31st July 1982
An early start for the first day, with a Crewe service (Swindon Cross-country 3-car dmu) at 0640 to Stoke, arrived 2 minutes late at 0813.
Then south from Stoke it was a new bit of line for me, with a service from Manchester (87007, Mk2f coach) at 0826, calling at Watford Junction only, to Euston, arriving 6 minutes late at 1030.
A quick transfer on the Northern Line to Charing Cross, but evidently not quick enough, as I was due to get a service at 1057 to Dartford, changing there for Strood. Presumably I cut it too fine, and instead got the train I would have changed to at Dartford - an emu on a Ramsgate service departing at 1106. This got me to Strood at 1204.
There was only a four-minute connection due at Strood, but the 2-car emu (possibly Class 414 or 416) was 4 minutes late and departed at 1212 via Maidstone West to Paddock Wood where it terminated at 1252.
Another tight connection was an Ashford to Charing Cross emu at 1256 to Tonbridge, arrived 1303.
From there I got a Class 119 dmu on a Reading service at 1351 to Wokingham, arriving at 1604. From there it was an emu from Reading, via Staines and Richmond at 1614 to Waterloo, arrived 1713.
By Underground to King’s Cross for a Bradford-bound HST (43101 at rear) at 1755 non-stop to Grantham, arrived 6 minutes late at 1907.
Luckily my connection to Nottingham (a Swindon 3-car dmu from Skegness) was 4 minutes late, leaving at 1910 and getting me back home 6 minutes late at 1953.
Some tight connections there, but I did tend to find on my peregrinations around the Southern network (of which this was the first example) that timekeeping was usually pretty good.
Mileage for the day: 478

Sunday 1st August 1982
Because of the previously-mentioned lack of any early services to anywhere other than in a London direction I started with the 0750 (47480, Mk2f) as far as Leicester, arrived 17 minutes late at 0850. Then I retraced my steps back north again, and I don’t know if this was a Sunday service of the time or if it was due to diversions, but it was a scheduled Birmingham to Bradford train (HST with 43189 at the front) which left Leicester 58 minutes late at 0955 and called at Alfreton, Chesterfield and Sheffield to Bradford Exchange, where it arrived at 1227. I’d been due to change at Leeds for Keighley, but possibly due to the late running I stayed on to Bradford.
I changed stations in Bradford and left from Forster Square at 1305 on a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu at 1305 to Keighley, arrived 1325.
On the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway I left Keighley at 1347, just travelling as far as Haworth, due there at 1408. I returned from there at 1432 to Keighley, due in at 1451.
From Keighley I got a service from Skipton (Derby 2-car dmu) at 1505 to Leeds, arrived 3 minutes early at 1533. Then a service at 1559 to Sheffield calling at Rotherham (Masborough) only which I have recorded as being a Class 100 dmu, arrived 1654.
From Sheffield it was a Newcastle to Poole train (45150, Mk2d) at 1716 to Derby, arrived 2 minutes late at 1803.
Then I have a note that it was a mixed 5-car dmu set at 1828 to Nottingham, arriving 3 minutes late at 1859 for quite an early finish.
Mileage for the day: only 245.

Monday 2nd August 1982
Started with the 0733 to Crewe (Swindon Cross-country 3-car dmu), arrived 0940.
Then a Cardiff train (33007, Mk 1 compartment) at 1001 to Shrewsbury, arrived 1034.
From Shrewsbury I was on the Pwllheli section of a train which divided at Machynlleth, the other part going to Aberystwyth. I was on another Swindon 3-car dmu (Class 120) which was part of a total of 8 cars – I’m guessing another Class 120 plus a Derby 2-car. This left 5 minutes late at 1047 and got me to Portmadoc 15 minutes late at 1426. Still time to walk to the Harbour Station for my first ride over the full length of the Festiniog Railway departing at 1500. Arrived at Blaenau Ffestiniog at 1605 for a Llandudno service made up of two Derby 2-car dmus which left 8 minutes late at 1633. This got me to Llandudno Junction 10 minutes late at 1733.
From there I got an earlier service than planned (40063, Mk 1 compartment coach) at 1748 as far as Colwyn Bay. I changed there to a what I should have got from the Junction – a service from Holyhead (47476, Mk 1 compartment) which left at 1807 and got me to Crewe at 1933.
Then it was a Lincoln service (Swindon 3-car dmu) at 1950 to Nottingham, arrived 4 minutes late at 2144.
Mileage for the day: 365

Tuesday 3rd August 1982
In contrast to the previous Saturday this was a day of relaxing long-distance travel
I started at 0758 with the usual Derby 2-car dmu to Grantham, arrived 2 minutes early at 0839.
Then a service from Newcastle (HST, 43111 at front) at 0920 to King’s Cross calling at Peterborough and Huntingdon, arrived 9 minutes late at 1049. Still time to make the usual minimum 30-minute transfer to Paddington by Circle Line where I got an HST (43139 at rear) at 1125 to Plymouth calling at Reading and Exeter only, arrived 2 minutes late at 1434. A bit of black on the map with my first ever journey beyond Exeter.
I didn’t have long in Plymouth, with a York service from there (HST, 43191 at rear) at 1512 to Derby, arriving at 1934.
Then a Crewe to Lincoln service (Swindon 3-car dmu) at 2000 to Nottingham, arrived 3 minutes late at 2034.
Mileage for the day: 631

Wednesday 4th August 1982
More long-distance journeys.
I started with a Glasgow service at 0730 (47441, Mk1 open coach) to Chesterfield, arrived 4 minutes late at 0814.
Why I broke the journey at Chesterfield I can’t remember, but from there I got a dmu made up of two Derby 2-car sets 7 minutes late at 0822 to Sheffield, arrived 7 minutes late at 0843. Just time to change to another Derby 2-car dmu at 0847 to Doncaster, arrived 2 minutes early at 0921.
Then an HST from King’s Cross (43055 at front) which left 2 minutes late at 0949, calling at York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, arrived 1256.
I had been to Edinburgh before, on a day trip from Nottingham, but some more black on the map came firstly with the 1330 to Glasgow Queen Street (47701, Mk3), arriving at 1417. This was in the days when Edinburgh – Glasgow services were operated by Class 47s in push-pull mode.
I found my way on foot to Glasgow Central, then my first trip over Beattock came with the 1523 to Nottingham. This was initially hauled by an unidentified Class 86. I was in a Mk2f coach to start with, but for some reason which I’ve forgotten, at the Carstairs stop I moved into a downgraded Mk2d compartment. The service called at Lockerbie, then all stations to Preston where a Class 47 replaced the 86. Stations then called at were Bolton and Manchester Victoria. These services at that time ran from Victoria via Miles Platting, then what previously and later the freight-only line from Philips Park to Ashburys from where it was the usual Hope Valley route to Sheffield via Romiley and New Mills Central. Arrival in Nottingham was at 2145.
Mileage for the day: 648

Thursday 5th August 1982
After a late finish, a late start, with a service from Sheffield (45133, Mk2a) 2 minutes late at 0905 to St Pancras, arrived 12 minutes late at 1118.
Plenty of time to get round on the Circle Line to Liverpool Street for a King’s Lynn train (47003, Mk2a) which left 9 minutes late at 1244. Calling at Cambridge only it got me to Ely 2 minutes late at 1400.
From Ely it was a service from Harwich (31179, Mk 1 open) 2 minutes late at 1415 to Peterborough, arriving 3 minutes early at 1452 where it terminated.
Then a King’s Cross to York train (HST, 43055 at front) 5 minutes late at 1508 to Grantham, arrived still 5 minutes late at 1528.
Then the usual Derby 2-car dmu on a service from Skegness, which I was probably glad to find was 3 minutes late, at 1534 to Nottingham, arrived 1613.
Why I had the early finish I can’t remember.
Mileage for the day: only 279

Friday 6th August 1982
I used this day just for my bi-annual visit to the bookshops in London, starting again with the 0903 from Sheffield, which this time left on time behind 45138, riding in a Mk2e coach. However, arrival at St Pancras was 20 minutes late at 1126.
I returned home from King’s Cross on a Bradford-bound HST at 1755 non-stop to Grantham where it arrived 25 minutes late at 1926. I’ve no idea if it’s what happened in this case, but in the earlier days of HSTs it wasn’t unknown for one of the power cars to be out of action which of course invariably meant late running. Whatever the cause it’s something they seemed to cure because I can’t remember the last time it happened to me – although it’s many years since I’ve travelled as much as I used to.
I was supposed to have been getting the 1906 from Grantham, but as it was 38 minutes leaving Grantham at 1934 (the inevitable Derby 2-car dmu having arrived from Skegness) I didn’t have any problem, and it was still 38 minutes late into Nottingham.
Mileage for the day: 253

Photos are 47706 when I was in Edinburgh, 25224 while I was changing at Colwyn Bay, and 47448 while I was waiting at Leicester on the Sunday

 

[Cowley]

I think if I could go back in time and do one of those days it would be the Monday, involving a 33 from Crewe to Shrewsbury, a 47 and a 40 on the North Wales coast, a full trip over the Festiniog, first generation units on the Cambrian and Conwy valley...
Just sounds wonderful to me that does.
That's quite some flailing going on behind 47706, clearly a man of taste.

 

[Techniquest]

A 40 for haulage on the North Wales Coast must have been hellfire!

A nice bit of variety too during the week!

 

[fowler9]

I remember having 40's and Peaks on Trans Pennines from Liverpool. Got in the cab a couple of times and on one occasion (Very young) asking the driver where the gear lever was. He did his best to explain. Ha ha.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

East Midlands and Midland Railrover Tickets 1983

I think this was the year when I had double glazing fitted, so I considered all I could afford in the way of railroving was to combine the two area tickets for one week.

Saturday 2nd July 1983
HSTs had now begun to appear on the Midland main line, and from Nottingham I got a St Pancras-bound one (43116 at front) at 0757 to Leicester, arrived 3 minutes late at 0828.
This was in order to get one of the ‘Jolly Fisherman’ trains - a Skegness service hauled by 20172 & 20178 and in a Mk 1 compartment coach. This left 3 minutes late at 0841 calling at Loughborough, Beeston and Nottingham, and of course avoided Grantham by taking the Barkston line at Allington Junction. I alighted at Sleaford a minute early at 1017.
I spent a bit of time at Sleaford photographing the summer Saturday services then departed on a double Derby 2-car unit on a service from Grantham which left 9 minutes late at 1218 to Skegness, arriving 3 minutes late at 1322.
I left there at 1535 on what I assume was a King’s Cross service (47368, Mk 1 open) to Grantham, arriving 9 minutes late at 1713.
Then back to Nottingham on another double Derby 2-car dmu at 1741, arrived 1821.

Sunday 3rd July 1983
This was my annual visit to the Great Central at Loughborough.
Got a St Pancras service from Nottingham (HST) which left 8 minutes late at 1116 to Loughborough, arriving 7 minutes late at 1129.
Walked to Loughborough Central, and travelled on the 1300 departure to Rothley, arrived 1319. Had my sandwiches there and returned on the 1502 service to Loughborough Central, arrived 1521.
Back to Nottingham on an HST (43110 at front) from St Pancras which left 36 minutes late at 1623, but no doubt due to an easy Sunday schedule was only 26 minutes into Nottingham at 1637.

Monday 4th July 1983
I made an early start from Nottingham with the 0622 to Grantham (Swindon Cross-country Class 120 3-car dmu), arrived 0704.
From there it was a service from King’s Cross (HST, 43157 at front) 2 minutes late at 0712 to Retford, arrived still 2 minutes late at 0739. Changed there to the low-level platforms for a dmu set made up of two Derby 2-car units which left 2 minutes late at 0752 to Sheffield, arrived 6 minutes late at 0844.
This was in order to get the 0853 to Cleethorpes via Gainsborough Central (another double Derby 2-car dmu set – unless it was the same one!). Arrived at the seaside at 1107.
From Cleethorpes, probably after fish & chips, I got another Derby 2-car dmu at 1300 to Doncaster, arrived 4 minutes early at 1432.
Then yet another Derby 2-car dmu at 1504 to Sheffield, arrived 1541.
Then back to Nottingham on a Cravens 2-car dmu (must have been quite rare by that time) at 1723 to Nottingham, arrived 2 minutes early at 1823.

Tuesday 5th July 1983
Started from Nottingham with a service 13 minutes late at 0743 to Crewe (Swindon 3-car dmu), arrived 8 minutes late at 0946.
From there it was a double Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu set at 1010 to Chester, arrived 2 minutes early at 1033. Then a Swindon 3-car dmu which left 2 minutes late at 1132 to Shrewsbury, arrived 1229.
Then what was likely to have been a service from Cardiff (33042, Mk 1 compartment coach) which left 7 minutes late at 1402 to Crewe, arriving 8 minutes late at 1441.
From there it was a service 6 minutes late at 1514 to Nuneaton (81003, Mk3), arrived 4 minutes late at 1556.
Then what was probably a Birmingham to Norwich service (31131, Mk2a) 3 minutes late at 1603 to Leicester, arrived 2 minutes early at 1626.
Then a service from St Pancras (HST, 43080 at rear) at 1648 to Derby, arrived 2 minutes early at 1714.
Then back to Nottingham on the usual Swindon 3-car dmu departing at 1746 and arriving at 1816.

Wednesday 6th July 1983
From Nottingham I got a service at 0832 to Sheffield (unidentified Class 45, Mk 1 compartment), arrived 2 minutes late at 0931.
Then a service which left 4 minutes late at 0950 to Doncaster. This was a double set of the hybrid Class 123/124 unites. It was still 4 minutes late into Doncaster at 1024.
Then it was off to Sleaford on the 1038 departure to Sleaford (Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu), arrived 8 minutes late at 1212.
From there it was a Derby 2-car dmu at 1239 to Grantham, arrived 1310.
Then an HST (43112 at front) from King’s Cross which left 6 minutes late at 1322 to Peterborough, arrived 9 minutes late at 1347.
Then a service (probably Norwich to Birmingham) 2 minutes late at 1605 to Leicester (31415, Mk2a), arrived 9 minutes late at 1725.
Then back home on a service 2 minutes late at 1750 to Nottingham (Swindon 3-car dmu), arrived 1826.

Thursday 7th July 1983
This was another visit to the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.
I started with 0730 from Nottingham to Crewe (the usual Swindon 3-car dmu), arriving 3 minutes late at 0941.
Then a Cardiff train (33012, Mk 1 open) 2 minutes late at 1005 to Shrewsbury, arrived 6 minutes late at 1044.
Just time to buy a ticket from there to Welshpool, travelling on an Aberystwyth service – another Swindon 3-car dmu - at 1055, arriving at Welshpool 3 minutes late at 1125.
Travelled behind no. 12 ‘Joan’ on the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway at 1215 to Llanfair, arrived 1305. Returned at 1345 to Welshpool, arrived 1435.
I returned from there on a service from Aberystwyth (Swindon 3-car dmu) which left 12 minutes late at 1551 to Shrewsbury, arrived 10 minutes late at 1621.
I’d been scheduled to get the 1640 departure to Wolverhampton, but instead made a two-minute connection onto the 1623 departure (Metro-Cammell 3-car dmu), arriving at 1716.
From Wolves, I got what must have been a Euston service which left 3 minutes late at 1733 to Birmingham (86204, Mk 2f), arriving still 3 minutes late at 1749.
Then a service 5 minutes late at 1823 to Leicester. This was probably a Norwich train, but was unusually hauled by 25250 (Mk 2a coach), which must have been standing in for the usual Class 31. Arrived 10 minutes late at Leicester at 1938.Then an HST from St Pancras (43038 at front) at 2004 to Nottingham, arrived 2031

Friday 8th July 1983
This was just my bi-annual visit to the bookshops in Birmingham.
Got the 0835 to Birmingham (Swindon 3-car dmu), arrived 1006.
Returned on another Swindon 3-car dmu which left 7 minutes late at 1412 to Leicester, arrived only 1 minute late at 1514.
Then an unrecorded HST from St Pancras which left at 1529 to Nottingham, arrived 3 minutes early at 1551.

Photos are: 37078, 45135 and Class 31 at Sleaford. 47240 at Chester, 87001 and an unidentified electric at Crewe. Class 31 at Peterborough. Class 120 dmu at Welshpool (by this time they were running with a Metro-Cammell centre car). 'Joan' at Llanfair Caereinion

 

[Cowley]

Proper BR blue days there. Seeing all the sleepers piled up at Welshpool got me thinking that back in those days you'd often see piles and piles of sleepers and rails at various places. Was that from rationalisation, changing to welded rail? I remember there being lots of it just to the west of Nottingham midland around then and also a few years later around Newton Abbot (definitely from rationalisation) amongst other places.
Did the double glazing last well? Quite a new thing back then I suppose

 

[Merthyr Imp]

.
Did the double glazing last well? Quite a new thing back then I suppose

Well, it was still there when I left the place in 1997. Back in the early 1980s it was the latest craze. The main two national firms doing it were Everest and Alpine (I had the latter).

I'm including a few photos here relating to earlier trips as I hadn't realised I could do so before.

1. Lincoln St Marks showing the two dmu types that get the most mentions in these accounts.
2. One of the hybrid Class 123/124 dmus showing the 124 end, arriving at Lincoln St Marks, almost certainly on a Newark North Gate to Cleethorpes service.
3. A last look at Lincoln St Marks with a Swindon Cross-country dmu still with the original centre car. Both station and unit's days were numbered as the 1980s drew on.
4. Deltic and the old signalbox at Grantham.
5. A typical scene at Nottingham, with the Peak waiting to take over a train to or from Sheffield.
6. 55003 at Newark

 

[Techniquest]

Having never had the chance to see Lincoln St Marks, I'm glad you shared those photos as I finally know roughly what it looks like.

Welshpool's changed a fair bit since then too!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Lincoln St Marks originally had a wooden overall roof which was removed in the mid-1950s. Although within my lifetime I don't remember it.
The station building is still there, complete with pillared entrance, as part of the shopping development now on the site.
I never took a photo of the other platform, which only had a glorified bus shelter on it.
It's strange to visit there now and remember how HSTs used to go that way.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

I've finally found the time to continue with this.

All Line Railrover 1984

Tired of the hot weather (and still with memories of 1976) encountered in the middle of the summer, from this year onwards I had my annual week at the beginning of September.
As I remember it, these itineraries were all a bit last minute as there’d been one of the frequent rail strikes of those days lined up for the week I’d booked for my holiday and I wasn’t optimistic I’d be able to make it. So, when the strike was called off I only had a limited time to plan out my itineraries, resulting in some being a bit feeble.

Sunday 9th September 1984
First day was one of my Southern expeditions to get some new lines in.
I got a service which had started from Derby (HST, 43046 at rear) and left Nottingham 19 minutes late at 0858. Despite easy Sunday schedules (possibly it ran via Corby) it was 18 minutes late into St Pancras at 1142.
Plenty of time to get to Waterloo for a 12-car emu on a Portsmouth service at 1250 as far as Guildford, arrived 5 minutes late at 1331.
Then a Waterloo train (emu) at 1350 to Woking, arrived 1358.
A smart connection at Woking to a Basingstoke to Waterloo service (emu – probably a Class 423) at 1403 to Weybridge, arrived 1411.
Then a Waterloo train (a suburban emu) 2 minutes late at 1434 to Staines via Chertsey and Virginia Water, arrived 7 minutes late at 1458.
From Staines I got a service from Waterloo (another suburban 4-car emu) at 1518 to Windsor & Eton Riverside, arrived 1531.
I walked to Windsor & Eton Central for the 1606 to Slough (2-car dmu – possibly Class 117), arrived 1612.
Then a service from Weston-super-Mare (HST, 43002 at front) 12 minutes late at 1643 to Paddington, arrived only 4 minutes late at 1656.
Loads of time for the Circle Line to St Pancras to get a Leeds-bound HST, 43155 at rear at 1800 to Nottingham, arrived 1943.

Mileage for the day: 344


Monday 10th September 1984
After an early finish the day before it was an early start for the Monday with the 0638 from Nottingham to Crewe (Class 120 Swindon 3-car Cross-country dmu), arrived 6 minutes late at 0852.
Then a service from Coventry at 0909 (85020, Mk2d) to Glasgow Central, arrived 1246.
From Glasgow I had my first and only ride over the old Glasgow & South Western main line to Carlisle. Departed at 1345 (47591, Mk 1 compartment coach), via Kilmarmock and Dumfries, arrived 9 minutes late at Carlisle at 1626.
From Carlisle I got a Glasgow to Nottingham service which left 10 minutes late at 1706. Blow me if it wasn’t 85020 again (Mk2d). It called at Penrith, Oxenholme, Lancaster and Preston where an unidentified Class 47 replaced the electric. Then it was via Bolton, Manchester Victoria, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Alfreton to Nottingham, arrived 3 minutes early at 2141.

Mileage for the day: 629


Tuesday 11th September 1984
After a late-ish finish it was a late-ish start, with a Skegness train (Derby 2-car dmu) which left 11 minutes late at 0854 to Grantham, arrived 9 minutes late at 0934.
Then an HST from Hull to Kings Cross which luckily for me was 4 minutes late at 0937 as far as Peterborough, arrived 3 minutes early at 0956.
From there I got a service from Birmingham (31412, Mk 1 compartment) at 1028 to Norwich, arrived 7 minutes early at 1203.
Then it was a bit of black on the map with a service 2 minutes late at 1225 to Sheringham (Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu), arrived 6 minutes late at 1329.
There was no activity on the North Norfolk Railway, and I returned on the same unit at 1354 to Norwich, arrived 9 minutes late at 1510.
Then a service 8 minutes late at 1528 to Liverpool Street (47569, Mk2d), arrived 2 minutes late at 1747.
Round on the Circle Line to St Pancras for a Leeds train (HST, 43038 at rear) at 1830 back to Nottingham, arrived 2010.

Mileage for the day: 438


Wednesday 12th September 1984
I again started with the 0843 from Nottingham to Grantham (Derby 2-car dmu), arriving 2 minutes early at 0923.
Then again an HST (43101 at front) from Hull at 0933 to King’s Cross, arrived 1106.
Down the Victoria Line to Victoria Station for a 6-car suburban emu which left 8 minutes late at 1157 to Horsham via Epsom, Leatherhead and Dorking. Arrived at Horsham still 8 minutes late at 1259 and changed to another service from Victoria – a 12-car emu – which left 5 minutes late at 1307 to Bognor Regis, arriving 10 minutes late at 1351.
I didn’t spend much time there, getting a Littlehampton service (emu 4-car, probably Class 423) at 1417 to Barnham, arrived 1422.
Then a Portsmouth to Victoria train (another Class 423 emu 4-car) at 1426 to Hove, arrived 2 minutes late at 1453. Changed there to a service from Worthing (yet another Class 423 emu 4-car) at 1506 to Brighton, arrived 1509.
Quickly changed to the 1513 to Lewes (a double Class 423 set), arrived 1527.
Then the 1556 to Haywards Heath (emu), arrived 2 minutes early at 1618.
Then a service 7 minutes late at 1619 to Victoria (emu), arrived 12 minutes late at 1710.
Time to go back on the Victoria Line to King’s Cross for a Bradford train (HST, 43101 again, at rear) from King’s Cross at 1755, apparently non-stop to Grantham, arrived 3 minutes early at 1900.
Then a service from Skegness (Derby 2-car dmu) at 1912 to Nottingham, arrived 1952

Mileage for the day: 402


Thursday 13th September 1984
I started from Nottingham with a Lincoln to Birmingham service (Swindon 3-car Cross-country Class 120 dmu) at 0837 to Derby, arrived 0906. Changed there for Crewe – another Swindon 3-car dmu – leaving at 0920 and arriving Crewe at 1046.
Then an Altrincham service (emu 3-car, probably Class 304) at 1122 via Wilmslow and Stockport to Manchester Oxford Road, arrived 1217.
From there it was a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu on the 1300 to Chester via Altrincham and Delamere (some black on the map) arriving 2 minutes early at 1416.
Then I got a double Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu set at 1514 to Rock Ferry, arrived 1545. Changed there to the 1551 to Liverpool Lime Street (Class 508 emu), arrived 9 minutes late at 1612.
From Liverpool I was hopefully in the front seat of a Class 118 or similar dmu at 1627 to Manchester Oxford Road via Widnes and Warrington, arriving 6 minutes late at 1723. I don’t know what happened then – for some reason I went to Deansgate and returned from there to Manchester Piccadilly (probably Class 304 emus both times). Left Piccadilly on the 1750 to Stoke (probably yet another Class 304), arriving there 2 minutes early at 1847.
Then a service 5 minutes late at 1904 to Nottingham (the usual Swindon 3-car dmu), arrived 2038.

Mileage for the day: only 279

Friday 14th September 1984
This day was a waste of money. I remember I wanted to visit a bookshop in Sheffield, but why I then just returned straight back to Nottingham I’ve forgotten.
Anyway, I got a Leicester to Leeds service (45120, Mk 1 compartment) at 0827 to Sheffield, arrived 5 minutes early at 0923.
Returned at 1055 on an HST to Nottingham, arrived 10 minutes late at 1155.

Saturday 15th September 1984
Switching my railroving to September brought it within the period of the football season, and in those days if I couldn’t get to see my team, Lincoln City, play I would often go to a match elsewhere. This was a case in point, going to see Birmingham City play Carlisle United in what’s now called the Championship.
But at least I didn’t just go there and back, I started from Nottingham with a Chesterfield to Great Yarmouth service (31285, Mk 1 compartment) at 0835 non-stop to Grantham, arriving 2 minutes early at 0906.
Then a service from Hull (HST, 43077 at front) at 0934 to King’s Cross, arrived 4 minutes early at 1102. Plenty of time to walk to Euston for a Shrewsbury train (86215, Mk2a) at 1140 to Birmingham, arrived 9 minutes early at 1313.
After the match I lost no time in getting to New Street for an HST (43184 at rear) at 1716 to Derby, arrived 2 minutes early at 1755.
Then the inevitable Swindon 3-car dmu at 1805 to Nottingham, arrived 1834.

Mileage for the day: 289

These photos were probably not taken during this week, but show emu no. 7843 at Lewes, and one of the then-ubiquitous Class 120 dmus at Stoke.

 

[shredder1]

Nice to read back on those memories, many of us anti-climaxed after steam finished, for me it was a return two years later in 1971 when I realised the early North Brits and Hydraulics were going the same way, saw the prototype HST at an Open Day at Derby circa 1972, I still have all my records going back to around 1959, we were hardent shed bashers, still are, but mainly in Eastern Europe these days. In the UK we had about 12 ALR`s, a few Freedom of Scotlands, and Southern and Western Rovers, I`d cleared BR by 1985 copping my last box at 02.00 Stratford the shed foreman took me out to see it and gave me a brew in his office afterwards, we watched steam get cut up all over the country, the Teddy Bears, Cobo`s and Claytons come and go along with many other early diesel and electric classes, the EM1 and 2`s being some of my favourite, great days, never to be repeated.

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for putting that on Merthyr. I was 11 in 1984 and I remember the trains from that era very well. Blue/blue and grey trains everywhere, compartment carriages, smoking carriages! Full length trains...
Can you remember the football score?

 

[Cowley]

Nice to read back on those memories, many of us anti-climaxed after steam finished, for me it was a return two years later in 1971 when I realised the early North Brits and Hydraulics were going the same way, saw the prototype HST at an Open Day at Derby circa 1972, I still have all my records going back to around 1959, we were hardent shed bashers, still are, but mainly in Eastern Europe these days. In the UK we had about 12 ALR`s, a few Freedom of Scotlands, and Southern and Western Rovers, I`d cleared BR by 1985 copping my last box at 02.00 Stratford the shed foreman took me out to see it and gave me a brew in his office afterwards, we watched steam get cut up all over the country, the Teddy Bears, Cobo`s and Claytons come and go along with many other early diesel and electric classes, the EM1 and 2`s being some of my favourite, great days, never to be repeated.

It'd be great to hear about some of that some time Shredder1.

 

[shredder1]

It'd be great to hear about some of that some time Shredder1.

Thank you very much, still have my old records, must write something up sometime.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Can you remember the football score?

According to my records Birmingham won 2-0 with goals from Mick Harford and Wayne Clarke. Only 11,000 there - they must have been in a worse state than they are now.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Time for a bit more (and it is only a bit).

Midland Railrover Ticket 1985

Friday 5th July 1985

I started with a Lincoln to Stafford service (which must have been quite short-lived). A Swindon Cross-country 3-car dmu (Class 120) at 0939 to Derby, arrived 1012.
Then a Hull/Leeds to Cardiff train (47565, Mk2a coach) 5 minutes late at 1025 to Birmingham, arrived still 5 minutes late at 1116.
I had a look at the bookshops and returned at 1355 to Derby hauled by an unidentified Class 45 in a Mk2d, arriving Derby 5 minutes late at 1449.
Then back to Nottingham at 1605 (Swindon 3-car dmu), arriving at 1630.

Saturday 6th July 1985
After my trip to the bookshops in Birmingham the day before it was London’s turn.
An early start from Nottingham with a Sheffield to St Pancras HST at 0702 to Leicester, arrived 0726.
Then a Birmingham service (3-car dmu – probably Class 116 or 118) at 0732 to Nuneaton, arrived 5 minutes late at 0806.
From there it was an emu – either Class 304 or 310 on a service from Stafford which left 5 minutes late at 0833 to Rugby, arrived 7 minutes late at 0850. I then paid my way to London and back, getting a service from Holyhead (87030, Mk2f) at 0914, apparently non-stop to Euston. Arrived there 2 minutes late at 1019.
I returned on a Liverpool service (87009, Mk3) which left Euston 3 minutes late at 1603 and arrived at Rugby 2 minutes late at 1702.
From there I got an emu on a Stafford service at 1720 to Nuneaton, arrived 2 minutes late at 1736.
Then another Class 116 or 118 dmu on a service from Birmingham which left Nuneaton 6 minutes late at 1753 and arrived at Leicester 5 minutes late at 1822.
Then back home on St Pancras to Sheffield HST (43056 at front and 43096 at rear) at 1839 to Nottingham, arriving there 2 minutes early at 1903.

Sunday 7th July 1985
This was my annual trip to the Great Central Railway. Due to the usual lack of trains on a Sunday morning from Nottingham I set off with a Sheffield to St Pancras service (HST, 43196 at front, 43109 at rear) at 0940 to Leicester, arriving 3 minutes late at 1009.
Then it was back up to Loughborough on a service from St Pancras to Sheffield (HST, 43089 at front) which left 11 minutes late at 1106, and arrived Loughborough 4 minutes late at 1121.
Walked to the Central station for a ride to Rothley and back.
I returned to Nottingham on another St Pancras to Sheffield train (HST, 43096 at front, 43056 at rear) at 1547 to Nottingham, which due to easy Sunday schedules arrived 18 minutes early at 1611.

Monday 8th July 1985
Another trip to a preserved railway – this time the Severn Valley.
I started again with the Lincoln to Stafford service (Swindon 3-car dmu) which left Nottingham 9 minutes late at 0948 to Derby, arrived 5 minutes late at 1018.
I just had time to change there to a Hull/Leeds to Cardiff service (47620, Mk2d) at 1021 to Birmingham, arrived 2 minutes late at 1113.
Then a Hereford service – what was probably a Class 118 dmu - which left 4 minutes late at 1136 to Kidderminster, arrived 2 minutes late at 1205.
I returned at 1615 (another Class 118 dmu) to Birmingham, arriving there at 1704.
I was then able to get a service running 74 minutes late at 1713 (47189, Mk2a) to Derby, arriving 70 minutes late at 1803.
Then the still-usual Swindon 3-car dmu, 5 minutes late at 1815 to Nottingham, arriving 4 minutes late at 1844.

But I’m stuck now because I don’t seem to have retained any records of the other three days!

 

[Techniquest]

Weird how you didn't keep logs for the final 3 days. However that was still a good few days out and about, oh to have an 87 these days would be awesome!

 

[ashworth]

I can't remember the Lincoln to Stafford train but as you say it must have been very short lived.
I do, however, remember the hourly Lincoln-Nottingham-Derby-Crewe service which was almost always a Swindon 3 car DMU. I used it on a regular basis to travel from Lowdham to Derby for 3 years in the late 1970s when I was at college. Lincoln to Crewe was always an hourly service during the 1970s but I don't know how long it lasted or when it began. Many people will consider the current service of Lincoln to Leicester and Newark to Matlock very much a backward step from those days. Lincoln to Crew provided connections from Lincoln at Derby to Birmingham and the South West and connections from Nottingham at Crewe to The WCML, Chester and North Wales.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

For a time we also had Lincoln to Coventry services (or was it only Nottingham to Coventry?) via Leicester and Nuneaton. Around 1990 from memory - Class 150/1s were used.

 

[ashworth]

For a time we also had Lincoln to Coventry services (or was it only Nottingham to Coventry?) via Leicester and Nuneaton. Around 1990 from memory - Class 150/1s were used.

It was Lincoln to Coventry and I think for a time was also Lincoln to Birmingham New Street also via Leicester. When the Lincoln services were diverted away from Derby and Crewe to run to destinations via Leicester, the Crewe service ran through to Grantham and eventually Skegness. Certainly before the Lincoln to Conventry service it had always traditionally been Lincoln to Crewe.

 

[Techniquest]

Crewe to Skegness was still turfing out single 153s in 2004, I'm trying to remember ehen it got cut back to Derby but I suspect that would have been at the beginning of the EMT franchise in 2007.

Ah good ol' Central Trains, who could turf out a 153, 156, 158 or 170 on the Derby to Crewe turns. I remember having a 3 car 170 in 2005 to get the route covered, quite the difference to the 153s now!

 

[Jack2015]

Great thread this. I was lucky enough to do the all line rail rover in 83 , 84 and 86 and the East Midlands rail rover in 87 and 88. I will try and pen some moves the during this year.

The one day that will always be stand out for me was July 21st 1984 during the rover week. Living in the South the rover was mainly utilised in the North and Scotland.

It started late on July 20th when we travelled to Preston from Glasgow Central behind 87012 to pick up the Blackpool-Liverpool which was a class 40 working. We knew 40082 had worked this early that week so we were hopeful. Alas, 40082 didn't work the service and 47366 took us to Lime Street. We had a couple of options from here possibly going to Crewe then pick up a sleeper to Scotland but our heads were turned when 47329 was allocated to a Lime Street to York service. We took 47329 across the Pennines to York which got us to our destination around midnight. Without the use of mobile phones the internet we relied heavily on our Loco Hauled travel book and locals to provide us with gen.

We were thinking of an overnighter on York but our plans got swayed when a Newcastle - Paignton relief provided 47156 so we took this to Doncaster which I was very pleased with as it was one of my last 47/1 I needed for haulage at that time.

Arrival at Doncaster gave us further options to travel back up to Scotland but we decided to pitch camp (those great platform brutes) and try and get some sleep for what would be a busy summer Saturday and the last day of our rover. Our customary 50 mins kip under our belt we were then kept awake most of the night by 56095 who decided to sit in the bay with its engine turning over most of the night.

The daylight revealed itself so it was off to the local bakers for breakfast and filled our ruck sacks of all sorts of goodies and borrowed the odd pint of milk off the terraced houses doorsteps. Local news had provided us with the likely hood that 40118 was to work a service out of Doncaster but nobody could pin this down to what it would actually work so we decided to go to Sheffield behind 31432. On the journey we planned our day with a trip to North Wales and back to Birmingham New Street. We arrived at Sheffield and had some time kill so we took 45130 to Rotherham which then provided 47308 back to Sheffield.

The locals were getting quite animated at the news of a class 40 fest brewing on the North West- North East routes with a number of Whistlers booked on various services. We decided to ditch our North Wales/Birmingham moves and took 31426 to Leeds instead. On departure 40118 passed us by heading for Doncaster so that gen we had earlier that day delivered.

On arrival at Leeds the platforms were pretty packed with spotters , bashers and photographers, we knew something really good was going to happen today. News went round that 40168 was on the Carlisle to Leeds service and as heading our way, the only way we was going to get this if we could meet it somewhere so we all piled on a Leeds-Carlisle service behind 31191 with a plus 2 minute in our favour to pick 40168 at Saltaire. Lucky for us both our service and 40168 were running late so we got to Saltaire with 5 mins to spare and took 40168 back to Leeds.

On arrival at Leeds everybody run between platforms and jumped on a westbound 47409 , at this point none of us knew why but we followed the crowds and got on. we were told 40013 was heading to Yorkshire on a Liverpool - Newcastle service so we took 47409 to Dewsbury and picked up 40013 back to Leeds. So now without very little sleep the day was baking hot and we started to flag a bit. 45140 arrived at Leeds with a sizable bashing group visible and most departed the train at Leeds. Further news had revealed 40155 was on a Blackpool - Newcastle service arriving shortly so we took this beast to York. We also found out that 40118 did work out of Doncaster that day to Scotland.

Bit of rest between action at York we looked at our next moves. The day just kept on giving when 40135 arrived. Unfortunately for us the service terminated at York but after consulting our loco hauled travel book we could work out the diagram for 40135 next working. 45139 arrives at York with a Bangor - Scarborough service with 45139 being taken off and 40135 taking the train forward. We took 40135 to Malton which provided us with 47330 back to York. we finished our day with 45144 back to Leeds and a HST back to London.

The whole day was just incredible without any real pre-planning. Not sure there was any more intensive 40's services on that route after that which gave an all day whistler experience but we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time which provided great memories.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow that was an epic 40 fest! Worth taking a Duff for a Whistler! A day to make the vast majority of us jealous! To do it all on such little sleep must have been difficult mind...

 

[Jack2015]

Wow that was an epic 40 fest! Worth taking a Duff for a Whistler! A day to make the vast majority of us jealous! To do it all on such little sleep must have been difficult mind...

Think the rover trips was a case of sleep when you can especially if you use the trains as your mobile hotel for sleeping and washing. The 84 rover was actually 9 days consecutively as we took a trip to South Wales prior to the rover to pick up a rail tour from Swansea to Cleethorpes which involved 56037 58014 47901 and 37248 and 37249. We ended the tour at Gloucester behind 47901 and then took 47608 back to Birmingham New Street being banked at Lickey by 37295. The rover then started just after midnight taking 86248 to Carstairs.

The following day was spent behind 27's between Dundee and Waverley and 26's between Inverness and Aberdeen.

 

[Cowley]

When will someone invent a time machine? Please?

 

[55013]

Great stuff.
All those loco hauled services, making moves up on the spot and a mention of these:

brutes

I really miss them

 

[Cowley]

Brutes were like an open sided bashers playpen. Perfect for spending some quality time in.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All Line Railrover 1985

For some reason lost in the mists of time I only seem to have six days recorded for this. It is possible, though that I very unenterprisingly used the ticket for a routine visit to a Lincoln City match on Sunday 8th September, which involved travelling by bus from Nottingham to Newark, a Derby 2-car dmu from North Gate – now operating to Lincoln Central, and returning from there to Nottingham on the usual Swindon Cross-country 3-car dmu (Class 120).

Monday 9th September 1985
At any rate, I had an early start on this day, with the first train of the day to St Pancras at 0605 (45102, Mk2f), arriving 1 minute early at 0817.
I was slightly ambitious with 27 minutes allowed before scheduled departure from Paddington, but the 1 minute early arrival, added to a 2-minute late departure from Paddington at 0847 made it my usual 30 minutes.
It was ‘The Mayflower’ from Paddington (HST, 43034 at rear), calling at Reading, Newbury, Westbury and Taunton to Exeter St Davids, arrived 2 minutes late at 1110.
Then I put some new black on the map with my only journey to date on the line to Barnstaple. Departed Exeter St Davids at 1130 on what was probably a Class 117 dmu, arriving at Barnstaple 2 minutes early at 1226. Had time for a walk around the town, then returned on another Class 117 dmu at 1452 to Exeter St Davids, arriving at 1552.
From Exeter I had a memorable ride on the 1618 to Waterloo (50029, Mk2a), riding at the front of the train just behind the engine, bombing along with the windows open. Arrived Waterloo at 1947. Then by Underground to St Pancras for a Leeds service at 2040 (HST, 43195 at rear) to Nottingham, arriving 17 minutes late at 2237.

A long day, with a total mileage of 676.

Tuesday 10th September 1985
After the late finish the night before it was a not too early start with a Leicester to Leeds service (45114, Mk 1 compartment) at 0828 to Sheffield, arrived 3 minutes early at 0930.
Then a Cleethorpes to Manchester Piccadilly service (31426, Mk2a) at 0948 non-stop to New Mills, arrived 7 minutes late at 1033. I changed there to a Derby 2-car dmu leaving at 1038 to Manchester Piccadilly via Hyde North and Guide Bridge, arriving at 1107.
I walked to Manchester Victoria with more than plenty of time to get a Llandudno service scheduled to depart at 1242. However, it (a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu) left 17 minutes late at 1259 and probably doubting I’d be able to make my planned 20-minute connection at Chester to a Wrexham train I got out at Warrington Bank Quay 20 minutes late there at 1340 and made the rest of the day up as I went along.
I didn’t hang about admiring the soap factory at Warrington for long, as I was on my away again with a service 19 minutes late at 1351 (87031, Mk2d) to Wigan North Western, arriving 16 minutes late at 1402. From there it was a double Derby 2-car dmu set when left 6 minutes late at 1422 via Bryn and St Helens to Liverpool Lime Street, arrived 1 minute early at 1504.
Then down on the ‘underground’ for an emu at 1529 to New Brighton, arrived 1551. I returned from there at 1619 (emu 6-car set) to Liverpool Lime Street, arrived 1637.
Then what was probably a Euston service (87021, Mk3) at 1700 to Crewe, arriving 7 minutes late at 1748. Then back to Nottingham on the 1825 Lincoln service (Swindon 3-car dmu), arriving 6 minutes late at 2026.

Mileage for the day: 238

Wednesday 11th September 1985
This day was just a big round trip.
I started with an Edinburgh train which left Nottingham 5 minutes late at 0730 hauled by 47472 (in a Mk 2d coach) via Sheffield, Manchester Victoria and Bolton to Preston where some sort of electric locomotive took over as far as Carstairs where 47443 came on. Arrived at Edinburgh 3 minutes early at 1413.
Departed Edinburgh on a King’s Cross bound HST at 1535 (HST) non-stop to Newcastle, arrived 1 minute early at 1709.
From there I got an HST (43180 at rear) on a Bristol service at 1722 calling at Durham, Darlington, York and Doncaster to Sheffield, arrived 1922.
Then another HST (43112 at rear) on a St Pancras service departing Sheffield at 1930 to Nottingham, arrived 5 minutes early at 2019.

Mileage for the day: 603

Thursday 12th September 1985
I started from Nottingham with the 0745 to St Pancras (HST, 43045 at front), calling at Loughborough and Leicester only, arriving 4 minutes early at 0925.
Plenty of time to get by Underground to Charing Cross for a Hastings service which left 2 minutes late at 1047. This was for a last trip on a Class 201 10-car demu as electrification of the route was on its way. I went as far as Tonbridge, arriving 5 minutes late at 1132.
From there I got a Reading service made up of a two-car and a single unit dmu at 1152 to Redhill, arrived 2 minutes late at 1230.
From Redhill it was a service from Horsham to Victoria (emu 4-car) at 1249 as far as Purley, arrived 1258. Then a service from Caterham (emu 4-car) 2 minutes late at 1315 to Charing Cross, arrived 1352. This allowed me to head straight up the Bakerloo Line to Marylebone to get some more bits of black on the map. I travelled on the 1510 from Marylebone (a double Class 115 dmu set) to Aylesbury, arrived 1612. From there it was my only trip to date over the line to Princes Risborough with the 1625 departure from Aylesbury (Class 115 dmu) which took that route to Marylebone, arriving at 1801.
I was not practised at travelling from Marylebone to St Pancras, but made it in time for the 1830 from St Pancras to Leeds (HST, 43160 at rear), arriving Nottingham 2 minutes late at 2012.

Mileage for the day: 406

Friday 13th September 1985
A short day for some reason.
I got the usual Derby 2-car dmu on a Skegness service at 0843 from Nottingham to Grantham, arrived 2 minutes late at 0927. It then helped that the HST from King’s Cross (43067 at front) was 19 minutes late at 0948. This called at Newark and Retford and terminated at Doncaster still 19 minutes late at 1034.
More late running then helped me with the connection again, onto another HST (43196 at front) from Kings Cross which left 7 minutes late at 1043 to Leeds, arrived 4 minutes late at 1119.
Then I got some more black on the map and also had my first experience of Pacer travel, with one of the then-new Class 141s on the 1128 to York via Harrogate. I remember not being very impressed by the inability see through the front windows! Arrived at York 3 minutes late at 1242.
Then it was a service from Newcastle to Cardiff (HST, 43018 at rear) which left York 11 minutes late at 1325, calling at Doncaster and Sheffield to Derby, arrived 4 minutes late at 1451.
Then back to Nottingham on a Crewe to Lincoln service (Swindon 3-car dmu) at 1504, arrived Nottingham 1534.

Mileage for the day: 246.

Saturday 14th September
After a very early finish I did at least have an early start, with a service from Sheffield at 0702 (HST, 43159 at rear) to St Pancras. Calling at Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering and Wellingborough an 8 minutes early arrival at 0846 showed the improvement from Class 45-hauled travel.
There was plenty of time to get to Waterloo for the 1012 to Alton (Class 423 emu), arrived 1120.
This was for my only visit to date to the Mid Hants Railway, with a trip to Alresford and back.
I returned from Alton on Waterloo service (Class 423 emu) at 1428 to Aldershot, arrived 1444.
Then a service from Guildford (Class 414 emu) at 1458 to Ascot, arrived 1525. I was lucky, due to late running to make a connection there to a service from Reading (Class 423 emu) which left 3 minutes late at 1530 to Waterloo, arrived 5 minutes early at 1607.
Up the Northern Line to Euston, where I got a Holyhead service (86207, Mk2d) at 1703 calling at Rugby only to Nuneaton, arrived 1820.
From Nuneaton I got a train which, rightly or wrongly, I have recorded as starting from there at 1858 bound for Norwich. This was double-headed by 31261 & 31144, and I was in a Mk2a coach and got me to Leicester at 1928.
Then it was back to Nottingham on a St Pancras to Leeds HST (43116 at rear) which left 6 minutes late at 1950 and arrived Nottingham 5 minutes late at 2015.

Mileage for the day: 355

Photos are: 31874 at Ropley, 37040 at Manchester Victoria plus a couple of selections of dmus at Manchester Victoria - although these may not have been taken on the occasion of this visit.