• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Back on the platform

Status
Not open for further replies.

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Thanks for the extra information re loco hauled services. Would seem like too good an (and maybe my only) opportunity to ride the Valley 37s although I can only see the potential for riding the first one to get back in time for my train back to Bristol - unless you have a plan that I can't see Tech?

Unfortunately it would appear that @xotGD's suggestion of the 67 is a non-starter as @Techniquest's info re off peak times on TfW has lead me to find that my return wouldn't be valid on that service. I think I will just make a decision on the day regarding the 37s but @fishquinn's plan of riding the first one seems like the best one to me
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

xotGD

Established Member
Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
Thanks for the extra information re loco hauled services. Would seem like too good an (and maybe my only) opportunity to ride the Valley 37s although I can only see the potential for riding the first one to get back in time for my train back to Bristol - unless you have a plan that I can't see Tech?

Unfortunately it would appear that @xotGD's suggestion of the 67 is a non-starter as @Techniquest's info re off peak times on TfW has lead me to find that my return wouldn't be valid on that service. I think I will just make a decision on the day regarding the 37s but @fishquinn's plan of riding the first one seems like the best one to me
Well you can't do any worse than I did a couple of weeks back when all three loco-hauled services were dmus!

Edit: Just pulling in to Stafford - I'm waving but I can't see you on the platform! 66302 just trundling through northbound...
 
Last edited:

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Thought I would treat you all to a few more snippets from my visits to the local after my outing to the North East. I'd given myself a strict instruction to avoid trains whilst I sorted the mass of photos I'd taken at the NRM so it was nearly 2 weeks before I ventured to the local again and this outing was sparked by me seeing a couple of depot to depot moves - one from Corkerhill and one from St Phillips Marsh. First up was a ScotRail unit from Corkerhill but it was dud 156432 having ticked that one off last December during my stint in the Scottish capital
156432 by The_Train

Just a few minutes later and our 2nd special guest appearance occurred as GWR 150001 ran through with a working to the Arriva Traincare depot at Crewe
150001 by The_Train

I think that definitely goes down as a bonus winner but it was the only one from that particular outing. The following day gave me another reason to head down for an hour with a working from Portbury on the move. My arrival coincided with the arrival of 37059 and 37218 working a Network Rail train in place of the flying bananas. The Portbury working turned out to be 57305 and 37611 with very well wrapped 397009 sandwiched between them
Neatly wrapped by The_Train

Again, that was my only success for this short outing and once I'd seen 37884 pass through on route to base at Leicester I called it a day and returned to the warmth of home.

A couple of days later and Halloween was upon us so I decided that sitting in the cold at Stafford station was more fun than having to deal with people knocking at my door expecting freebies. It was a slow start to proceedings as a OHLE issue between Crewe and Stafford saw all lines closed for around half an hour before the fasts were reopened. With the slows still closed the freight runs were taking a hit as signallers battled to squeeze them into spaces on the fasts but 66115 did get through albeit after a break in the goods loop while a path onto the fasts was found. With almost all freight now running through Stafford on the fasts I moved into the warmth of the P3 waiting room where I met a lovely lady who was on the final leg of a week long jaunt around the country to allow her grandson to enjoy this hobby - what more could an enthusiast ask of a grandparent? From here I was able to watch dud after dud pass me by but it was a pleasant surprise to see 86614 and 86639 heading from Felixstowe to Trafford Park. Duds they may be but it's been an age since I saw 86s on the move! I also got slightly excited by a Crewe Electric to Bescot working going live as it's a rarity and in the past has been quite a variety of traction - unfortunately this time it was just dud 66170. Another group of spotters arrived and were slightly excited about the latest Portbury drag that was nearing us and it turns out it wasn't just because 397011 was the latest newbie, nor was it because of 57305 but it was most definitely because of 20205 and 20007 that were bringing up the rear. I did try and get a snap but unfortunately the darkness resulted in a poor attempt at a photo as they whizzed by - still nice to see though.

The next day, Friday 1st November, having completed what I needed to early doors I checked out RTT at Tamworth and there appeared to be a bit of activity there through the early afternoon so I decided to make the short hop. Unfortunately the now standard cancellations on LNWR were hitting and my planned move at 1157 was cancelled (the service actually left Crewe 30 mins late and then ran fast to Rugby) so I was left at Stafford for an hour with the only thing of excitement being a Basford Hall to Bescot working which was 66426 and 66733
DRS and GBRf....best of friends by The_Train

Eventually the next Trent Valley service arrived with dud for everything 350109 leading haulage requirement 350232 so despite the hideous seating layout, I took a seat in 232 for the short trip down. I spied a couple of dud track machines in the south sidings at Stafford but buried my head into my current book for the remainder of the journey. On arrival at Tamworth I ventured up the stairs to my usual position where there were already a few enthusiasts about and was immediately rewarded with a winner as 66200 headed towards Dowlow Sidings
66200 by The_Train

GWR HST power cars 43023 and 43027 powered through with a set destined for Hull for further use by Hull Trains. There was also an absolute raft of freights that came by but all were headed up by dud sheds. With duds becoming an all too common theme I started to think of home and after seeing a Voyager appear when I was expecting a HST I decided to head home on yet another delayed LNWR service (problems at Euston causing this issues this time) and was rewarded with another trip on 350248.

And to bring me bang up to date, I wandered onto the platforms at the local again yesterday after seeing a Wetmore to Crewe working on RTT. It was showing as running early so I arrived earlier than planned only to see it held to bring it back to time but this did allow me to see the China Clay empties pass by with required 66113 at the helm. 40 minutes and a lot of dud Pendolino's, Voyagers and Desiros later and 47593 came by in its large logo livery as it headed back to base at Crewe TMD having been at Wetmore Sidings - I assume it worked a tour with the Riviera stock at the weekend?
47593 by The_Train

At least the one winner with each of these outings so can't complain at that considering how local I stayed. Here is the summary of these outings:

For Sight

Winners: 6
Coaching Stock Winners: 0
Tram Winners: 0
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
TOCs completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 1
Total Mileage: 47 miles 04 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Well you can't do any worse than I did a couple of weeks back when all three loco-hauled services were dmus!

Edit: Just pulling in to Stafford - I'm waving but I can't see you on the platform! 66302 just trundling through northbound...

That is pretty bad luck and more reason to make final plans for that on the day when hopefully I can find out if they are working before I buy extra tickets.

I've not been on the platform today. Nothing caught my eye on RTT! Have you been anywhere nice?
 

xotGD

Established Member
Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
That is pretty bad luck and more reason to make final plans for that on the day when hopefully I can find out if they are working before I buy extra tickets.

I've not been on the platform today. Nothing caught my eye on RTT! Have you been anywhere nice?
Been travelling for work - Manchester today then down to Brum for work tomorrow. I'm just about to pop out for some 68 action this evening...
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Been travelling for work - Manchester today then down to Brum for work tomorrow. I'm just about to pop out for some 68 action this evening...

The absolute perfect way to spend any evening. Enjoy!
 

xotGD

Established Member
Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
The absolute perfect way to spend any evening. Enjoy!
I had runs behind numbers 8 and 14. And 8 was required

Plenty of thrash through the tunnel up to Snow Hill!

Now back in the hotel enjoying a G&T.
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
I had runs behind numbers 8 and 14. And 8 was required

Plenty of thrash through the tunnel up to Snow Hill!

Now back in the hotel enjoying a G&T.

Yeah last time I did it I went all the way to Kiddy and it was great fun through the tunnels of Birmingham. Just how rail travel should be - comfortable carriage with a growling beast up front
 

Techniquest

Veteran Member
Joined
19 Jun 2005
Messages
21,674
Location
Nowhere Heath
I still need to do the bit between Moor Street and Snow Hill in the westbound direction. Done it the other way on a 68 but that really isn't interesting.

Looks like some good success has been had on your local patch recently, fair dos. As for the two 37s, I think in order to get both of them in before the 1800 GTi HST you could only go as far as Queen Street on the second one. Still better than nothing! As for it not being much good as far as Heath, yeah it may not be the best bit of the route but both times I did it the racket was really good. I think the power was on almost all the way from Queen Street!

It's not the same as it was in the mid-2000s of course, what with security staff at the doors of each coach, but it's still 37 haulage in 2019, darn impressive considering the age of the class. I've just remembered the Golden Jubilee gala on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, oh my days that was worth the trip overnight via London. Oh the memories, I might have to put that Golden Growlers DVD on shortly...

Mind you I have that 125 Group NL01 DVD too, that could certainly trigger some memories. As would The Down Fishguard by Video125. Actually, yes, that's going on first for the epic memories of HST bashing back in the day of the famous FGW 'Fag Packet' livery!

Excuse me while I go and put that on, smiling like the cat from Alice in Wonderland...:D

EDIT: Tragedy! Disaster! I ripped open the DVD case and the disc has gone AWOL! Instead I put NL01 on which has me grinning and flailing with some classic HST scenes. Ahh the memories that the Bristol Parkway scenes are generating, I'm sure a dozen tales could be told just from those.

Hmm now there's an idea if I get bored tomorrow...
 
Last edited:

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
I still need to do the bit between Moor Street and Snow Hill in the westbound direction. Done it the other way on a 68 but that really isn't interesting.

Looks like some good success has been had on your local patch recently, fair dos. As for the two 37s, I think in order to get both of them in before the 1800 GTi HST you could only go as far as Queen Street on the second one. Still better than nothing! As for it not being much good as far as Heath, yeah it may not be the best bit of the route but both times I did it the racket was really good. I think the power was on almost all the way from Queen Street!

It's not the same as it was in the mid-2000s of course, what with security staff at the doors of each coach, but it's still 37 haulage in 2019, darn impressive considering the age of the class. I've just remembered the Golden Jubilee gala on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, oh my days that was worth the trip overnight via London. Oh the memories, I might have to put that Golden Growlers DVD on shortly...

Mind you I have that 125 Group NL01 DVD too, that could certainly trigger some memories. As would The Down Fishguard by Video125. Actually, yes, that's going on first for the epic memories of HST bashing back in the day of the famous FGW 'Fag Packet' livery!

Excuse me while I go and put that on, smiling like the cat from Alice in Wonderland...:D

EDIT: Tragedy! Disaster! I ripped open the DVD case and the disc has gone AWOL! Instead I put NL01 on which has me grinning and flailing with some classic HST scenes. Ahh the memories that the Bristol Parkway scenes are generating, I'm sure a dozen tales could be told just from those.

Hmm now there's an idea if I get bored tomorrow...

Love it when you get in the zone mate. You can really sense your excitement in how you write - it's very expressive! Guaranteed to make anyone reading smile :)

I will have to make plans for the 37s closer to the time I think but I'm definitely going to ride at least one of them. In fact I've just booked the advance tickets to make use of the trainpal vouchers I had that were due to expire tomorrow but I've delayed my day out until the last Friday of this month as my bank balance will be more favourable then to allow a little more flexibility.

So on Friday 29th November 2019 (if all goes to plan) I should be able to have a ride on 4x HST sets (yes I know 2 of them are mini versions but it's all about the power at the front and back), at least 1x 37 and most importantly 2x Pendolino's......:E

It's not quite a trip to Tokyo Tech but I'm sure my excitement is not far behind yours.
 

Techniquest

Veteran Member
Joined
19 Jun 2005
Messages
21,674
Location
Nowhere Heath
Yeah I really did get into the zone with my last post :lol: I don't do that very often these days, just not the way it is. Times have changed I guess! Now and again though, the crazy fool does get released and the nostalgia can be epic.

Yeah I do love to express the passion, after all what's the point in writing about something you like if it's not demonstrating that passion? It is one reason why I eventually stopped posting on other forums, too many people moaning about my posts. I don't post all that often on here either, but then I don't often have anything interesting to say. Point being I've got very good at supressing the passion over the years, also not helped by the lot at work!

Anyway, I digress! Fair enough on putting your trip back to later this month, earlier today I did some calculations and I've had to cancel many of my proposed trips due to finances. Manchester being cut was the biggest shame, but there are ways and means of making it happen if I'm really determined! Quite, as I type this I've come up with an admittedly long way round and a slow journey but if it makes the trip affordable then it's all happy days!
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Yeah I really did get into the zone with my last post :lol: I don't do that very often these days, just not the way it is. Times have changed I guess! Now and again though, the crazy fool does get released and the nostalgia can be epic.

Yeah I do love to express the passion, after all what's the point in writing about something you like if it's not demonstrating that passion? It is one reason why I eventually stopped posting on other forums, too many people moaning about my posts. I don't post all that often on here either, but then I don't often have anything interesting to say. Point being I've got very good at supressing the passion over the years, also not helped by the lot at work!

Anyway, I digress! Fair enough on putting your trip back to later this month, earlier today I did some calculations and I've had to cancel many of my proposed trips due to finances. Manchester being cut was the biggest shame, but there are ways and means of making it happen if I'm really determined! Quite, as I type this I've come up with an admittedly long way round and a slow journey but if it makes the trip affordable then it's all happy days!

That's very true about a need to be passionate about what you write about. It's why I enjoy the trip report section more than anywhere else on this forum (or any other forum for that matter). Much prefer to read of people who just enjoy getting out and seeing/riding different traction and visiting new stations than those who just want to play the 'I know more about railways than you' game that goes on so much in this hobby.

I think when it comes to money you just have to be sensible, particularly when it comes to rail travel which has become ridiculously expensive especially for those of us who don't fit any criteria for a railcard of any sort. I probably spend more time planning and finding cheaper tickets than I actually spend on the platforms. That said, thanks to the Northern ranger offer I'm currently at the local awaiting my first train of the day as I head to Merseyrail land
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
A wet and wonderful Northern outing - Thursday 7th November 2019

After lots of mulling about how to make use of my remaining Northern vouchers, I took the advice of @palmersears and decided to get a few more yellow electrics in the book with a visit to the fantastic city of Liverpool. As ever this would be a run via Crewe but I decided against too early of a start and went for the cheaper VTWC only ticket between Stafford and Crewe allowing me to join dud for all 390112 for a late running jaunt up to Crewe. My first sighting of note was outside of the Arriva Traincare Depot as required 09204 was sat in the rain
09204 by The_Train

I was also able to nab a couple more of the pretendolino stock that is sat at the front of the depot and finally unobstructed. I also saw the now ever present 710107 (do London Overground not want it?) sat in its usual position and as we crept closer towards the station I spied dud 92043 sat in the Holding Sidings. On arrival into P5 at Crewe I ventured straight up stairs to sort my ranger ticket out and with that task completed without drama, I went off for my usual wander to check out the thunderbird loco which was 57308. It was after checking this that I suddenly noticed all sorts - first a rake of sleeper stock sat in the old mail sidings so I had a walk down the little walkway that leads to replacement buses but from there was only able to ID the first 2 coaches so it was back to P12 and it was while making this journey back that I heard something that piqued my interest. At first I just put it down to being the 57 ticking over but the noise sounded much better and as I got back onto the platform I sighted a pair of choppers sat in the goods line. I just about made it down the platform to grab a shot of them as they powered away towards Basford Hall and after a quick check on the TOPS thread I found out that they were 20132, which I'd not only seen before but enjoyed some haulage behind at the ELR and required 20118 both in that fantastic Railfreight livery with the red Solebar
Choppers at Crewe by The_Train

After these pair had departed, I turned my attention back to the sleeper stock and thankfully was able to ID all 6 coaches from the platform and all barring one were required
Ex Caledonian Sleeper stock at Crewe by The_Train

I'd noticed a couple of units had arrived during this excitement so I was heading across the footbridge to check them out.....but wait, what's that noise - something else is growling down in the goods line....
56113 RHTT by The_Train

That's right folks, more locomotive action at Crewe. Had I been transported back to being a 10 year old boy in the 90s? This time it was 56113 leading a RHTT working from Shrewsbury to Shrewsbury with 56083 at the rear. Neither required as both were seen in the same place last RHTT season but no enthusiast can complain at seeing 5 locos in the space of about 10 minutes at the Mecca of old
56087 at Crewe by The_Train

Amongst all of this classic locomotive action, I've nearly forgot to mention that earlier in the day I'd also spotted 331105 awaiting departure towards Liverpool South Parkway on what I assume to be a test run of some sort
Northern newbie 331105 at Crewe by The_Train

I did finally get over the footbridge to check out the Welsh unit but it was dud 153303 but the next Welsh unit was required as 175106 passed through. Time was ticking towards my next departure so I ventured towards P1 where my unit was waiting and as I headed down the steps I noticed the paintwork and interior and thought I was being treated to a 195 ride until I saw the pantograph - was I being treated to a first ever ride on a 331? No, it was a very nicely refurbished 323234 which would not only be a first haulage wise but also a first sighting of it. This brought about a mini klaxon as I'd finally cleared the Northern 323 units and brought me a first mini success within the Northern fleet and also took me to just 1 WMT 323 to complete the class.

It was a lengthy journey to Lime Street on this service but it was nicely broken at Manchester Airport as I got to see 195114 for the first time and then as we went past Longsight I was given a nice bonus as 68021 was sat on the depot. That leaves me 6 of the cats to find. The remaining journey into Liverpool threw up nothing of note with only dud 66751 sat on Edge Hill but arrival into Lime Street did offer up 331005 which was the latest of the new Northern units to go into the book. I didn't hang around at Lime Street as there didn't seem to be too much around so it was straight downstairs to the low level platform for the short hop to Liverpool Central which was done on requirement for everything 507009. I took a seat for a couple of hours fester underground where I sighted the following:

507: 507001, 507006, 507009, 507010, 507013, 507014, 507015, 507023, 507025, 507026, 507029, 507032

508: 508111, 508117, 508123, 508124, 508128, 508131, 508136, 508139

Repeats started to occur so I decided to head upstairs to head onto the Northern line for a jaunt to Sandhills which I did on required for haulage 508139. What being underground had done is stop me from seeing the weather outside and it was only as we came out of the tunnels that I realised it was pretty sodden. I spent all of my time at Sandhills hiding from the wind and rain which just got worse and worse throughout my time there. I did manage to spy the following:

507: 507002, 507004, 507005, 507007, 507008, 507011, 507012, 507017, 507024, 507030, 507031

508: 508110, 508112, 508114, 508120, 508130, 508134, 508139, 508140, 508116

508134 by The_Train
Merseyrail 507030 by The_Train

As the weather got worse and my hands got colder and colder, the repeats started to happen earlier than I'd hoped. All of this combined made my mind up to head back to Lime Street half hour earlier than planned so I jumped on 508112 to Moorfields and then went down to the Wirral Line to allow 507013 to take me back to Lime Street. I had considered making use of the extra time I now had to spend at Lime Street but it's a bit of a pain to get around all of the platforms with the first 5 being behind barriers and the rest not so. I did see a a few dud units but decided to find the first service back to Piccadilly which was to be on 195002 and 195007. This was clearly going to be a busy service as the queues next to the doors showed and I'd noticed a pacer arriving into another platform so I wandered across to check out its next working and it was going to Oxford Road and definitely looked more lightly loaded. There was no debate as to whether I'd prefer a 195 or a 142 so I jumped on 142004 which was attached to 156424, both required for haulage. It was clear early on that the heating system had just the cold setting operational and with the windows offering no protection against the rain it became a wet and cold trip back to Manchester but one that I loved every minute of. As the windows were that steamed up it was impossible to see out of, I spent much of the journey admiring the noises the pacer offered along with reading my book. We were late arriving into Oxford Road as it seemed that parts of the Northern network were under water but I only had a few minutes to wait before dud for all 323225 arrived to take me to Piccadilly. I had about an hour at Piccadilly so I set out on the quest to hopefully get a few more pacers into the book but my first sweep of the train shed platforms only yielded duds. However, I was saved soon after as 142018 came into P1 with dud 142047
142018 at Manchester Piccadilly by The_Train

Dud 142049 was the next pacer in but this did allow me to grab a first photo of it before TfW 158829 went into the book when it arrived from Carmarthen
TfW 158829 by The_Train

Unfortunately that would be my final winner for this outing so it was left to 319367 to haul me for the first time as I headed back to Crewe. Things were a little bit chaotic at Crewe because of the flooding around the country but thankfully my final haulage was only 6 minutes behind time and dud for all and very well loaded 390016 arrived to take me back home after another good outing. Summary is below:

For Sight

Winners: 27
Coaching Stock Winners: 7
Tram Winners: 0
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
TOCs completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 8
Total Mileage: 185 miles 02 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
 

Kite159

Veteran Member
Joined
27 Jan 2014
Messages
19,157
Location
West of Andover
Sounded like a good trip, even with the poor weather!

The Northern line does start repeating soon, mainly the Kirkby units (IIRC there is only 3 units for those services), although depending what ticket you held I would have been tempted to have a spin towards Kirkdale as it passes the depot and also a spin towards Birkenhead/Wallassay as that passes the Birkenhead depot, normally a few units sitting outside waiting for evening peak servies
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Sounded like a good trip, even with the poor weather!

The Northern line does start repeating soon, mainly the Kirkby units (IIRC there is only 3 units for those services), although depending what ticket you held I would have been tempted to have a spin towards Kirkdale as it passes the depot and also a spin towards Birkenhead/Wallassay as that passes the Birkenhead depot, normally a few units sitting outside waiting for evening peak servies

I had an all areas ticket so I could have done that and wish I had. I have a need to return as I didn't get to complete either class so more work to be done on Merseyrail - next time I go I shall definitely make those journeys
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Certainly a good trip all in, despite the shocking weather!

The weather was awful for most of the day but it certainly got worse while I was underground and offered a nasty surprise when I stepped off the train at Sandhills. The joy of spotting in winter I guess
 

86247

Member
Joined
12 Feb 2017
Messages
305
Location
clock face
I normally do an all zone saveaway it's good fun and seeing it's under a tenner good value as well, plus I get to have the 68s to lea green or 802 to Newton le willows just to add about depots u could also have gone past allerton either on merseyrail or northern
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
I normally do an all zone saveaway it's good fun and seeing it's under a tenner good value as well, plus I get to have the 68s to lea green or 802 to Newton le willows just to add about depots u could also have gone past allerton either on merseyrail or northern

Yeah we went past Allerton on my way back out of Liverpool. I could just about make out the hoardes of units sat on there through the misty windows of the pacer I was on :lol:
 

Techniquest

Veteran Member
Joined
19 Jun 2005
Messages
21,674
Location
Nowhere Heath
How close are you to done with the current MerseyRail fleet then? Surely not too far off now. Seems a bit of a waste of a Saveaway to do Lime Street-Sandhills and back!
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
How close are you to done with the current MerseyRail fleet then? Surely not too far off now. Seems a bit of a waste of a Saveaway to do Lime Street-Sandhills and back!

I've got 4x 507s and 8x 508s left to find.

I'll always buy the all zones saveaway purely because it's very little extra compared to a single zone ticket and then allows flexibility if required. However, I'm never going to maximise ranger tickets whilst my outings revolve around sightings because it's more beneficial to be static at stations than travelling around on trains.
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Caught wind of a certain Wembley to Crewe move earlier today so ventured off to the local to see this.....

87002 & 86101 by The_Train
86101 behind 87002 by The_Train

86101 had been sighted before but it felt almost historic to see a class 87 working the WCML again. They were such an integral part of the West Coast when I was a wee one taking down numbers and it would be great to see LSL put 87002 back into Intercity livery. There was also the added bonus of 66068 heading into the book to bring that shed required count down a little bit further.

Not only a sentimental trip down memory lane, but 2 winners to go with it.

Edit: I should also add that this sees me complete the massive fleet of 87s that remain in the UK :)
 
Last edited:

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Is it wise for me to mention I've had 87002 for haulage, from Euston to Milton Keynes, way back in their final year? ;)

No, no it's not ;):E
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the first railtour that LSL do with it.
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Fair game. I would like to do an 87 again too, it's been a very long time since they finished with VTWC!

I've always been a fan of the big, noisy, dirty diesels and always will be but as a kid there was something about the 87 that I just loved - probably because I saw them a lot growing up on the WCML.

My biggest annoyance of the years I stopped spotting is that during that time the vast majority of LHCS ceased and I missed out on the final years/months/weeks/days of the 87s powering up and down the West Coast
 

Kite159

Veteran Member
Joined
27 Jan 2014
Messages
19,157
Location
West of Andover
Is it wise for me to mention I've had 87002 for haulage, from Euston to Milton Keynes, way back in their final year? ;)

I raise you with Didcot Parkway to Paddington ;)
[also on a drag back from Wembley when the sleeper went via the ECML]

Maybe LSL will help some of the railtour operators with a 86/87 for the fast section of running under the wires, with the electric getting replaced by a diesel ?(or steam) for part of the tour, with the electric coming back on later on, like those S&C trips by the Railway Touring Company which uses that blue 86.
 

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,314
Maybe LSL will help some of the railtour operators with a 86/87 for the fast section of running under the wires, with the electric getting replaced by a diesel ?(or steam) for part of the tour, with the electric coming back on later on, like those S&C trips by the Railway Touring Company which uses that blue 86.

Would be ideal between Euston and Crewe with an engine change at Crewe to steam for onward trips to wherever the final destination may be
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top