Final movements of the Class 76

I've always been curious about what happened in the immediate aftermath of the Woodhead line's closure as a through route. I know the last few through freights operated in July 1981, but after that, were there ever any more Class 76 operations under their own power?

For example, were any locos left at the Sheffield end after the closure, and were they worked back to Manchester?

Also, as the remaining section to Hadfield remained energised until December 1984, Class 76s could, in theory, have continued to operate, although I appreciate they were all withdrawn following the closure of the section to Penistone.

So...final class 76 operations under their own power...discuss!

I read somewhere that the 76s that were withdrawn at Guide Bridge stabling sidings sometimes got powered up from the still live overhead. This by staff having a last nostalgic,"pantographs up" , lights on etc. I bet there was some ,not documented , shunting went on as well. Most of those locos were there for many months (years?) as I recall. I don't know when the overhead was switched off in the sidings, diesels were still using them for re-fuelling etc. for several years after Woodhead closed, as Guide Bridge was a signing-on point.

Yeah, I'm sure there were probably some undocumented movements after the line closed, but those responsible probably needed to keep them quiet!

The last one to turn a wheel in anger was 76015(?) at Reddish depot I believe, they looked after it too.
I won't mention the myths about the other workings!
Also there was some sort of 'administrative error' regarding the official withdrawals of the class 76's, some remained on TOPS as active for at least 12 months after the last working.
None were left on the Sheffield side.

I was working in Manchester at the time of the demise, and remember passing Reddish depot a couple of times and seeing the withdrawn locos. Strangely there were a number of electric loco bodies dumped off their bogies, away from any track just on spare ground. Not only did I wonder why they did this, but also how they managed it - they seemed to be beyond the reach of any rail mounted crane, and also far too heavy for other lifting gear.

76015 Reddish 16/01/82 by MagLad, on Flickr

Reading the comments on this Flickr photo there are a couple of interesting things related to this conversation. There is mention of both 76015 and 76040 being used as depot shunters at Reddish.

Taunton said:

I was working in Manchester at the time of the demise, and remember passing Reddish depot a couple of times and seeing the withdrawn locos. Strangely there were a number of electric loco bodies dumped off their bogies, away from any track just on spare ground. Not only did I wonder why they did this, but also how they managed it - they seemed to be beyond the reach of any rail mounted crane, and also far too heavy for other lifting gear.

Click to expand...

These hadbeen dumped of their bogies for many years, I recall seeing them on a visit which i believe was mid 70's

Four class 76's were grounded at Reddish: 76043 / 76 050 / 76056 / 76057.
76 043 and 76 050 were reunited were with wheels during 1983 and formed part of the 'dirty 7' (re asbestos) and were stored inside Reddish depot until they could be moved to Booths later that year. The others were 76 002 / 004 / 048 / 052 / 055 I saw them all parked up in Ashburys Yard on June 12th and 29th 1983.
76056 and 76 057 were cut up on site as grounded hulks in March 1983.