Friday 15th March 2024
With an early alarm call set for the unearthly hour of 4.30am (I think it is only about the third time this century I have been up so early!) it must have been for something I thought was worthwhile to do. The reason was the “Legends of Steam” event at the East Lancs Railway, featuring Sir Nigel Gresley, Brittania and Leander.
Boarding the 05:50 Barrow to Manchester Piccadilly short formed with
195114 my original plan was to change at Bolton for Manchester Victoria and easier access to Metrolink, however this was scuppered by Northerns cancellation of the connecting service. Arrival at Piccadilly was on time and after sourcing coffee at Pret, arrived on the Metrolink platform just as units
3089 and
3119 were arriving on a Bury service giving plenty of time to walk up to Bolton Street station ahead of the 09:30 double header.
SNG & Britannia Bury Bolton Street - Rawtenstall
SNG leading with
Britannia tailing Rawtenstall - Ramsbottom
Leander Ramsbottom - Rawtenstall
Leander Rawtenstall - Ramsbottom
11456 (L&Y saddle tank) Ramsbottom - Bury Bolton Street
SNG Bury Bolton Street - Ramsbottom
Britannia Ramsbottom – Heywood
Britannia Heywood - Bury Bolton Street
All trains were well loaded with few seats on most services I used even with load 7, and plenty standing even on the 09:30.
Having got back to Bolton Street with Britannia, I waited for SNG to arrive back from Rawtenstall so I could get some photographs then headed back towards Metrolink stopping off at the Bury Town café outside the bus station for food (Gammon, egg, chips and peas for a very reasonable £6)
Fuelled up it was off home,
3057 / 3103 into Manchester for
195112 / 195123 home.
A great day and well worth the early start and 4 kettles in the book.
153317 in the Bay at Bolton Street
SNG hiding behind the steam and Britannia await departure with the 09:30 to Rawtenstall
Leander at Rawtenstall
SNG at Bolton Street