Train farewell tours back in the day

[frankmoh]

What were train farewell tours like back in 'your day', whenever that may have been? I'm interested to know if it was any different from how it is now; a crowd of people standing dangerously close to the edge of a platform with cameras!

 

[Ashley Hill]

a crowd of people standing dangerously close to the edge of a platform with cameras!

A crowd of people all over the track with cameras!

 

[Magdalia]

The history of cameras matters a lot here.

In the era of the Beeching line closures photography was an expensive hobby so not many people had cameras. The Japanese camera industry brought decent cameras into the price range of more people in the 1970s/1980s, but the cost of film and processing was still high. Also, there was no decent feedback loop apart from people who did their own processing.

Nearly everyone taking pictures with smartphones, tablets and digital cameras is a relatively recent phenomenon.

 

[Gloster]

This was never my area, but I have a feeling that farewell trips with specific types of locomotive or unit is a relatively modern phenomenon, possibly only starting with the Westerns. Before that trips had either been last steam trips over a line, travelling obscure routes and, occasionally, final trips with celebrity locos that were being taken out of service. Individuals might make the odd personal trip to travel behind a favourite loco class, but the numbers were not there for organised trips.

 

[Magdalia]

This was never my area, but I have a feeling that farewell trips with specific types of locomotive or unit is a relatively modern phenomenon, possibly only starting with the Westerns. Before that trips had either been last steam trips over a line, travelling obscure routes and, occasionally, final trips with celebrity locos that were being taken out of service. Individuals might make the odd personal trip to travel behind a favourite loco class, but the numbers were not there for organised trips.

The Hymek Swansong in September 1973 was the first for diesel locomotives. There was no farewell railtour for the Warships.

 

[Taunton]

Rail author and publisher David St John Thomas (David & Charles) was on the last Plymouth to Tavistock on 31 December 1962, into the blizzard that started the huge sub-zero winter. Steam loco, got stuck in the snow, spent night in train (with steam heat), looked after next morning by station staff supposedly made redundant from the night before. I hope they got paid. Train load was apparently just three enthusiasts.

 

[anothertyke]

This was never my area, but I have a feeling that farewell trips with specific types of locomotive or unit is a relatively modern phenomenon, possibly only starting with the Westerns. Before that trips had either been last steam trips over a line, travelling obscure routes and, occasionally, final trips with celebrity locos that were being taken out of service. Individuals might make the odd personal trip to travel behind a favourite loco class, but the numbers were not there for organised trips.

Looking at Six Bells, 1966 was a vintage year with farewell tours for the B1, V2, Crab, GWR Pannier and S15 classes. So there were some even though farewell to steam over specific routes was more common.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There were certainly a lot of tours over lines that were due to close in the 1960s; some of the tours in the Southern area became legendary and although before my time so I cannot say how widely known they were at the time they ran, some of the names certainly still resonate today and older enthusiasts do still refer to them. Hampshire Hog, anyone...? That seems to be one of the best known?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

There were certainly a lot of tours over lines that were due to close in the 1960s; some of the tours in the Southern area became legendary and although before my time so I cannot say how widely known they were at the time they ran, some of the names certainly still resonate today and older enthusiasts do still refer to them. Hampshire Hog, anyone...? That seems to be one of the best known?

The very last Thameslink workings into Moorgate were well managed and patronised - the booked 4 car was stengthened to 8* and the then MD rode with it , so definately a sense of occassion. Nicely done - but no dets placed ! (sub- surface station and all that !)

* the stripey liveried pair too !

 

[bramling]

What were train farewell tours like back in 'your day', whenever that may have been? I'm interested to know if it was any different from how it is now; a crowd of people standing dangerously close to the edge of a platform with cameras!

The last class 302 day on LTS (which in the end wasn’t quite) was a handful of units out on normal diagrams. I don’t remember it being particularly well turned out, just a few old men with cameras and that was it.

One must say, this was a lot more civilised and enjoyable than the “everyone jump on the bandwagon” we see now.

 

[30907]

There were certainly a lot of tours over lines that were due to close in the 1960s; some of the tours in the Southern area became legendary and although before my time so I cannot say how widely known they were at the time they ran, some of the names certainly still resonate today and older enthusiasts do still refer to them. Hampshire Hog, anyone...? That seems to be one of the best known?

And while they were not labelled as "farewell to X class" it was common to use locos that were on their way out. Just checked the South Eastern Limited from June 61: D1, L1, H, C, O1 (plus 2 Terriers on the KESR) - nothing later than 1926!

 

[frankmoh]

One must say, this was a lot more civilised and enjoyable than the “everyone jump on the bandwagon” we see now.

When would you say it became a more lively affair? Late 2000s with the start of phone cameras?

 

[bramling]

When would you say it became a more lively affair? Late 2000s with the start of phone cameras?

I’d say more the advent of the internet, and then all the more so with social media. In the 90s there wasn’t the means for knowledge about these sorts of things to spread like wildfire like nowadays.

You’d only know about a special event by word of mouth, it might be mentioned in a magazine, or even a low-key poster at a station perhaps.

Look at the difference between the final 62 stock on the Central Line (1995), and the final 59 stock on the Northern (2000). The former had just a few people turn out, the latter was very crowded. And every subsequent stock retirement has been more and more of a bandwagon.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Perversely, I used.to love the uncertainty of which loco / unit be on it? The sketchy - and, sometimes, too late - "gen", made the thrill of the chase (and, yes, the frustrations) all the more of an event.

Post 2's comment by @Ashley Hill - yes, I took for granted that track walking was just an intrinsic part of my 1980s + early 1990s railtours (I did various "near the end" tours, not actual "final farewell" per se).

 

[Merle Haggard]

The first rail tour I travelled on, in 1962, covered branch lines closed to passengers in Northamptonshire - easy then, because very few lines had closed completely and were still open (theoretically) to goods traffic. Obviously before the Beeching cuts.
At calls at closed statins it seemed to be perfectly acceptable to wander unhindered across tracks nd explore buildings. The more adventurous climbed signal posts and water towers for a better photo. If a platform had been cut back, or had gone completely, everyone just jumped out.
The 'farewell to route' specials were generally too expensive for me, or started to far away, to allow travel; but a small group of us included a small van owner so we set off for Hatton Bank to photo the last Birkenhead expresses; we though such a rural location halfway up the bank would be deserted but more than 20 others people turned up. With the idea of not having anyone in view to spoil the photo, slow movement forward was made on an individual basis. At first, close the the fence; then over the fence; then across the verge; then onto the Down Relief. Our position on the latter was disturbed by then-passage of a Black 5 light engine.
Towards the end of steam railtours combined interesting steam traction with running over unusual lines. Hear, at photo calls or engine changes, everyone just walked over the tracks while engine movements were taking place and, again, used signal posts and other infrastructure to get better photos.
Around 1966 and presumably to obtain 'hard currency' a very cheap Single Lens Reflex 35mm camera was imported from the Communist eastern bloc, and most spotters seemed to carry one.
When the 'Farewell to Steam' - a.k.a. 'The 15 guinea special' was waiting departure from Manchester Vic. there were as many people on the track alongside the train as on the platform; one uniformed policeman, remaining on the platform. not having much effect.
Photos. showing such behaviour are never seen in steam history magazines now as, I think, they are prohibited by the publishers. Presumably the same applies to this forum.

 

[Gloster]

Post 2's comment by @Ashley Hill - yes, I took for granted that track walking was just an intrinsic part of my 1980s + early 1990s railtours (I did various "near the end" tours, not actual "final farewell" per se).

I rather took it to refer to the pictures that were to be seen in contemporary magazines in the 1960s and early 1970s of hordes of men in tweed jackets or gaberdine macs with ties, national health spectacles and polished shoes all over the track, buildings, signals, etc. This seemed to be of no concern to anyone; nor was the habit of tours that involved travelling standing in an open wagon. A simpler time when you accepted the risk for the fun you could have.

 

[4SubAsociation]

4SUB farewell was held on the 1st Octoboer 1983. Hauled by 4SUB 4732

Class 503 was on the 13th April 1985 with units

1937 built : 28680+29710+29279 & 29289+29720+28690
1956 built : 28371+29843+29140 & 29141+29836+28394

Hastings DEMU farewell was on the 1th May 1986 with units 1002 and 1032. I had the headboard for this recently.

The EPB farewell was held on 31st March 1995 unit 5001 and 5176. There was a photoshoot at Strawberry hill with the remaining 2epbs and 2haps (i think)

Six belles has a lot of information on this subject.

 

[Beebman]

I travelled on the Class 306 Farewell Tour on 3/10/1981 which visited Fenchurch Street, Colchester, both Southend Victoria and Central, Tilbury and Shoeburyness:

https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/811003.htm

 

[The exile]

The EPB farewell was held on 31st March 1995 unit 5001 and 5176. There was a photoshoot at Strawberry hill with the remaining 2epbs and 2haps (i think)

Don't think the photoshoot was on the tour. One thing that made a difference when you compare earlier farewell tours with those in the really modern era was the ability / willingness to "boldly go" beyond the usual stamping ground. I know the 455s got further than normal - but not much. The "Last Trad Jazz" - 305 farewell - took the units not only to the London suburban branches they were long associated with, but also gave them a trip out to Stansted Airport, Kings Lynn and even Kings Cross. Small beer compared with where they would soon end up of course (Scotland and Manchester) but that was a different story.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I rather took it to refer to the pictures that were to be seen in contemporary magazines in the 1960s and early 1970s of hordes of men in tweed jackets or gaberdine macs with ties, national health spectacles and polished shoes all over the track, buildings, signals, etc. This seemed to be of no concern to anyone; nor was the habit of tours that involved travelling standing in an open wagon. A simpler time when you accepted the risk for the fun you could have.

As a teenager on these excursions in the 1960s , I found the the clientele you so accurately describe were generally 'professional' people who also, generally, had a cerebral interest in railways. The itinerary handed out on the tour would give details of the onership history of each section of line, junction signalboxes, details of diverging route etc. in detail. You would overhear interesting discussions about detailed railway history. Many recorded passing times and speeds against the printed schedule. The conduct on the train was very gentlemanly, which was an interesting contrast with the behaviour off the train. There was one rail tour report (in the Railway Observer, I think) expressing B.R.'s anger that, at one particular (closed) station some tour participants had broken into the former booking office and stolen the stock of tickets abandoned there.

It was well known that 9Fs could demonstrate a turn of speed when substituting form passenger engines - 'ninety with a nine' . On one tour I took part in there was an engine change, a ex works looking 8F took over for a run down the main line. I noticed an animated conversation between some participants, exactly as you describe. and the train crew (was cash involved - surely not) , and back on the train word spread that 'eighty with an 8' was being attempted. A log of this run recently appeared in Railway Magazine which suggested, disappointingly, that only 78 m.p.h. was achieved. I remember it because of the severe fore and aft movement in the train in bouts at top speed, uncomfortable enough when seated but possibly very unpleasant on the footplate - it was a starred 8F but the balance was, I think, only revolving not reciprocating.
Possibly the 8F was returned to works for 'rectification' as a result

 

[Taunton]

I rather took it to refer to the pictures that were to be seen in contemporary magazines in the 1960s and early 1970s of hordes of men in tweed jackets or gaberdine macs with ties, national health spectacles and polished shoes all over the track, buildings, signals, etc. This seemed to be of no concern to anyone; nor was the habit of tours that involved travelling standing in an open wagon. A simpler time when you accepted the risk for the fun you could have.

Commonly because in those times many farewell excursions etc were organised on Saturday afternoons. In those times offices worked on Saturday mornings, and such excursions commonly had a departure time of about 1.30, much of the participants coming straight from city offices of banks, insurance companies etc (and also BR offices, which like others worked on Saturday mornings), in office kit (provided you didn't meet customers tweed jackets were acceptable on Saturdays, suits needed in the week).

Onetime senior colleague said they sometimes did exactly this from London, a loose group meeting up in 1966 for the 1438 steam service from Marylebone to Leicester, and the last return service. About five hours of Black 5 haulage.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I only travelled on one train which could really be described as a "farewell" excursion.

This was one of the two "Last Trains to Ashburton" on 2nd October 1971. There was one train from Paddington and one from Swansea, and I was on the latter with either my father or my mother, probably the former. I don't know how these were arranged, but my impression is that they were official BR events. Six Bells Junction has the basic details - https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/711002ab.html - but not much else.

Not being very old at the time (15!) I can't remember much about everyone did, although I do have a series of photos which I took on the day (although, sadly, I can't add these here).

 

[yorksrob]

The EPB farewell was held on 31st March 1995 unit 5001 and 5176.

That was a grand day out (although not so much for my Dad who got a dicky tummy and had to bail at Tonbridge)

I think that may have been the first electric passenger train between Tonbridge and Redhill.

The Sussex Slammer in 2005 was also very good. CIG-VEP-CIG - although I missed the first leg to East Grinstead due to an iced up Eurostar on the ECML.

I don't recall many lineside photographers, or people waiting on the platforms to photo the train going past. Mainly the passengers on the train would swarm out at the various stopping points, take a photo or two then swarm back in.

 

[sh24]

When would you say it became a more lively affair? Late 2000s with the start of phone cameras?

The last days of the 50's and various tours were quite lively!

 

[The exile]

When would you say it became a more lively affair? Late 2000s with the start of phone cameras?

Not railtours, but the antics in the Cambrian on summer Saturdays predate that by 20 - 30 years.

 

[Taunton]

Not railtours, but the antics in the Cambrian on summer Saturdays predate that by 20 - 30 years.

As described in Rail Enthusiast magazine at the time, in which reports the ultimate was thrusting a bare behind out of a droplight ...

However that was nothing compared to a football special I saw arriving at Haymarket from Glasgow in early 1972, where every bodily appendage imaginable (and a few not so) was making an appearance from the windows. Cowlairs had wisely sent out their last-ditch Mk1 excursion set, still in maroon livery (the last such I ever saw), and the BTP at Queen Street had managed to segregate the supporters from the regular Class 27 push-pull service.

 

[Bikeman78]

The last class 302 day on LTS (which in the end wasn’t quite) was a handful of units out on normal diagrams. I don’t remember it being particularly well turned out, just a few old men with cameras and that was it.

One must say, this was a lot more civilised and enjoyable than the “everyone jump on the bandwagon” we see now.

There were quite a few bashers out that day. Three sets out with all routes covered all day. As you say, quite civilised. The 310 farewell just a few years later appeared to be more busy, including the inevitable shouty people having an argument with the late Peter Fox about taking photos.

 

[Brightonboy]

I've only been on 3 'Last day of...' railtours. I don't remember much about the first, the 1971 closure of the Kemp Town branch in Brighton. As far as I can recall, the Farewell to the Nelson's trip a couple of years later was fairly well behaved - perhaps the presence of the 3rd rail throughout discouraged any trackside wanderings. For the The Farewell to the Peaks I definitely recall (and have photographic evidence of) trackside (and worse) wanderings, particularly at Penistone and Chester.

 

[Bevan Price]

Until about the 1970s or early 1980s, almost every railtour had several photostops. These were not always as "uncontrolled" as they might appear. An Inspector in charge of the train would normally check with the nearest signalbox to ensure that the line was clear and no trains were expected in either direction. Then the train passengers were permitted "to go lineside" and take photographs.

 

[Tester]

There were certainly a lot of tours over lines that were due to close in the 1960s; some of the tours in the Southern area became legendary and although before my time so I cannot say how widely known they were at the time they ran, some of the names certainly still resonate today and older enthusiasts do still refer to them. Hampshire Hog, anyone...? That seems to be one of the best known?

Yes I was on the Hampshire Hog and the Rambling Rose.

Run by the REC (Railway Enthusiasts Club) of Farnborough - quite an institution!