Railroving 1970s – 1990s

[Techniquest]

Gentlemen, I'm working through this thread slowly. Just finished reading about the 1965 adventre in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, which was most enjoyable.

The rest, well I've got to finish getting ready for work and a trip away to the North Downs this weekend, so I'll read when I can

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All-Line Railrover Ticket 1976

I had another fortnight the following year, as before, returning home every night. I was now recording details of late and early running.

Saturday June 26th 1976
Not a particularly early start, with a dmu on a Skegness service that left 8 minutes late at 0852, however, it was only 3 minutes late into Grantham, at 0931.
That left me very little time to change to a Kings Cross to Edinburgh train (55004) which was presumably on time at 0934, but which arrived at Doncaster 11 minutes late at 1032.
Again I was left with only 3 minutes to make a connection which was to a dmu on a service to Cambridge which left at 1035. It got me to Spalding 8 minutes late at 1235.
Then it was a dmu at 1306 to Peterborough, arrived 1327.
From there I got a Leeds to Kings Cross service (47406) 12 minutes late at 1356 as far as Huntingdon. As far as I remember it was delayed to lineside fires or something similar and was 49 minutes late arriving at Huntingdon at 1450.
Whether this was my originally-planned connection I don’t know, but I got a Cravens dmu departing Huntingdon 3 minutes late at 1519 as far as Hitchin which with further delays, arrived there 28 minutes late at 1623.
Changed at Hitchin to yet another dmu at a time I haven’t recorded, to King’s Cross, arriving 23 minutes late at 1740.
These Cravens dmus were what operated the suburban service out of King’s Cross at that time, and I can’t remember if Huntingdon was the northernmost limit of them. My intention was to have a front seat view of the main line into King’s Cross and I was successful. My memory is of there being a seemingly endless procession of Class 47-hauled expresses coming up out of King’s Cross.
Those of us who were around in 1976 will remember it was the year of the very hot summer, and I’ll swear this was the first day of it! Certainly it began to be uncomfortably hot on these journeys.
I hastened across the road to St Pancras in time for a service at 1751 to Nottingham, the lack of time probably being why I didn’t get the number of the Class 45 at its head. Arrival in Nottingham was 1955.
Not a particularly long day to start with.

Sunday June 27th 1976
An early start on the Sunday, though. I got the 0740 to St Pancras (45120), arriving 8 minutes late at 1031. Very relaxed schedules on that line on Sundays.
No rush to get the Underground to Paddington where I got the 1120 Weston-super-Mare service (50021) to Didcot, arrived 1223, in order to visit Didcot Railway Centre.
6106 and 6697 were in steam, but what I remember of the visit was the heat shimmering on the tracks and ballast in the yard.
I set off for home on a service to Birmingham New Street at 1600 (47240). Not sure where it had started from. After nearly two days of excessively hot weather I thought it surely couldn’t last much longer, and during the journey was encouraged by the sight of a few wisps of cloud – however, they soon disappeared.
I haven’t recorded the arrival time in Birmingham, but departed there at 1810 for Derby hauled by a Class 45. From Derby it was a dmu at 1947 to Nottingham, so would have been back around 2015.

Monday June 28th 1976
I started with the 0758 from Nottingham to St Pancras (47475), arriving there 8 minutes late at 1004. However, there was still for me to get the Circle Line round to Liverpool Street in time for a Norwich train, hauled by a Class 47, which left 7 minutes late at 1037. I alighted at Colchester at 1126 for some bus photography under the blazing sun.
I continued on at 1423 on a service from Liverpool Street (47114) to Norwich, arriving 2 minutes late at 1527.
Just time in Norwich to change to a Birmingham-bound dmu at 1535 as far as Leicester, arriving at 1856.
Then it was a dmu (possibly from Birmingham) at 1954 to Nottingham – again I haven’t recorded the time, but was probably around 2030.

Tuesday June 29th 1976
I’ve no recollection at all of this day which is unfortunate in the light of what happened as it was one of those days which didn’t work out as planned.
Started from Nottingham with a Crewe-bound dmu at 0735 to Derby, arrived at 0807.
Then it was a Leeds to Paignton service (45035) at 0820 to Birmingham, arrived 6 minutes late at 0916.
From there I got a service from Euston (86209) 35 minutes late at 0954 to Wolverhampton, arriving at 1010. I don’t know what my scheduled arrival time there was, but due to getting there late I had to abandon my planned second attempt at a front seat dmu ride over the Central Wales line to Swansea from Shrewsbury.
I failed to record full details of the timings for the rest of the day, probably due to having to make an itinerary up as I went along. Anyway, from Wolverhampton I returned to Birmingham on a service at 1046 hauled by 82002. There was a change of traction at New Street to 45025 and I was on the train as far as Bristol Parkway. I’ve also recorded haulage of it by 50048, and I can only think the train reversed at Gloucester, and instead of the loco running round as was the later practice there another one came on at the other end. This was less than six months after the closure of Gloucester Eastgate, so maybe they originally adopted this method of dealing with trains calling at Gloucester.
I departed Parkway at 1309 behind 47066 which apparently then failed and was replaced at some point by an unidentified Class 37. I’m speculating the failure happened somewhere near Severn Tunnel Junction, which in those days still had a functioning yard and loco depot, so there would doubtless have been a handy Class 37 around.
It can’t have caused much delay as I got to Newport in time to depart on a Paddington service (47465) at 1413.
Arrived at Paddington there must have been plenty of time to get to St Pancras for the 1805 to Leicester (unidentified Class 47). Then it was the 1954 dmu to Nottingham as on the previous night.

Wednesday June 30th 1976
Not too early a start from Nottingham with a Skegness service (dmu) at 0844 to Grantham, arrived 2 minutes early at 0926.
Then it was a Kings Cross to Cleethorpes train (47423) 2 minutes late at 1012 to Grimsby via Lincoln St Marks, arriving at the seaside at 1156.
Then a dmu from Cleethorpes at 1227 to New Holland Pier, arrived 1304.
The All-line rover included certain Sealink services, so I was able to use it on the Humber ferry to Hull, which I think was the remaining paddle steamer ‘Lincoln Castle’ rather than the diesel vessel ‘Farringford’.
Finding my way to the station in Hull I got a dmu at 1548 to Scarborough, arriving there at 1725. As with Newcastle – Carlisle this is another line I’ve never been back to.
From Scarborough I got a dmu on a service to Bradford at 1754 as far as York, arrived 9 minutes late at 1852. From there it was a Kings Cross train – amazingly, hauled by a Class 31 – no. 31123 - 3 minutes late at 1919 to Newark North Gate, arrived 7 minutes late at 2045.
I walked to Newark Castle and got a Lincoln to Derby (dmu) at 2100 to Nottingham.

Thursday July 1st 1976
This was a surprisingly late start, and looking at the lack of timings I wonder if I switched to an ad hoc day rather than what I had originally planned – perhaps because of the weather.
From Nottingham I got a train at 1050 to Leicester (47545) and changed there to a train to St Pancras (45125) at an unrecorded time.
In London it was the Northern Line to Waterloo, and then an emu at 1346 from Waterloo to Winchester.
I think I went there for bus photography again, but never did any because of the heat. I remember walking down to the city centre from the station and having a blessed few minutes in the air-conditioned coolness of a W.H.Smith. Then after lunch in a Wimpy Bar I just went back to the station and sat in the shade as it was too hot to do anything else.
I returned to Waterloo on an emu departing at 1636, then from St Pancras it was an unidentified Class 45 on the 1850 to Nottingham.

Friday 2nd July 1976
It was back on schedule with a Skegness dmu from Nottingham at 0844 as far as Grantham, arriving 3 minutes early at 0925.
I changed there to a Kings Cross to Edinburgh service (55010) 9 minutes late at 0942. It had made a little time up on arrival at Darlington, getting there now 5 minutes late at 1136.
Then I got a dmu on a Saltburn service at 1146 to Middlesbrough, arriving there 9 minutes late at 1217.
I think I managed a little bus photography there, before getting a dmu on a Whitby service to Grosmont, arriving 10 minutes late at 1355.
I didn’t have time for a ride on the North York Moors Railway, and I can’t actually remember if I saw anything in steam there before returning on a dmu 3 minutes late at 1431 to Middlesbrough.
Again the records become sketchy – I got a dmu to Darlington at 1554, and from there caught a train hauled by 45061 to Sheffield. From there it was a train hauled by double-headed Class 45s at 1930 back to Nottingham.

Saturday 3rd July 1976
Another late-ish start from Nottingham, although the departure time I’ve recorded doesn’t make sense, but 45106 on a service from Sheffield arrived at St Pancras 16 minutes late at 1216.
A brisk connection via the Northern Line to Waterloo, departing there at 1250 on an emu to Portsmouth Harbour.
As with the Humber ferry, the rover ticket was valid on the Sealink service to the Isle of Wight. I haven’t recorded the timings, but what I do remember is encountering a bit of sea mist and actually losing sight of the sun for a while! No high speed catamaran to Ryde and back in those days, but I did have time to photograph a couple of hovercraft at Ryde before getting back to Portsmouth Harbour in time for an emu at 1745 to Waterloo, arriving 2 minutes early at 1915.
Back on the Northern Line to St Pancras and the 2005 Sheffield (Class 45) service to Nottingham, arrived 2 minutes early at 2208.

Sunday 4th July 1976
This day seems rather ad hoc as if I made it up as I went along rather than being pre-planned, as most scheduled arrival times are not recorded. I don’t remember anything of the day but blame the weather. I know that by this time I was having to work out which side of any train I caught would be in the sun – so I could sit on the other side!
After a late arrival home the previous night it was quite a late start, with a dmu from Nottingham to Grantham at 1040, arriving 2 minutes early at 1120.
Then I got a Kings Cross to Bradford service (47552) 10 minutes late at 1203 to Doncaster, arrived 1302. I continued on to York on a Kings Cross to Newcastle service (46055) 9 minutes late at 1336. Arrived 10 minutes late at 1410. I think I must have visited the National Railway Museum then, but again it’s something I don’t remember.
Left York at 1715 to Doncaster behind 47525, and from there got a dmu to Sheffield at 1801.
Departed Sheffield at 1849 behind 45025 to Derby, and left there at 1947 on a dmu to Nottingham.

Monday 5th July 1976
Evidently back on schedule today.
Started with a dmu from Nottingham at 0735 to Crewe, arrived 0953.
From there it was a Euston to Blackpool service (86217) 4 minutes late at 1013 to Preston, arrived 2 minutes late at 1100.
Then a Euston to Carlisle service (86204) 14 minutes late at 1213 to Lancaster, arrived 13 minutes late at 1230.
I was evidently scheduled to get a service from Lancaster at 1230, but probably it was a connection that was held, and I had my only trip to date around the Cumbrian coast – front seat on a dmu leaving Lancaster 4 minutes late at 1234. It got to Carlisle 6 minutes early at 1622.
From Carlisle it was a Glasgow to Euston service (87020) at 1736 to Crewe, arrived 4 minutes late at 1930. Then a Lincoln service (dmu) at 2020 to Nottingham, arrived 2219.

Tuesday 6th July 1976
Started the day with a good run from Nottingham on the 0758 to St Pancras hauled by 45147 which did the journey, calling only at Leicester, in 1 hour 52 minutes, arriving 6 minutes early at 0950.
More than enough time to walk down the road to Euston to get the ‘Royal Scot’, hauled by 87002 at 1045 to Preston, arriving 5 minutes late at 1320.
From there I was able to get a service from Blackpool, hauled by an unidentified Class 40 which left 4 minutes late at 1327 to Manchester Victoria, arrived 5 minutes late at 1418.
Then it was a dmu on a service from Liverpool at 1515 on the Calder Valley line to Leeds, arrived 3 minutes early at 1644.
From Leeds I got the 1727 dmu to Sheffield via Barnsley, arriving at 1849.
Then a St Pancras train 13 minutes late at 1944. This was double-headed again as on the previous Friday so it must have been a regular thing at that time. 45117 plus an unidentified class mate made up several minutes and got me back to Nottingham now only 6 minutes late at 2033.

Wednesday 7th July 1976
A third early-ish start in a row from Nottingham for what I think may have been a partly made up as I went along attempt at the Central Wales line.
For the second time in three days I got the 0735 dmu to Crewe, arriving 2 minutes early at 0951. From there it was another dmu at 1000 to Shrewsbury, arrived 4 minutes late at 1039. That still left me time to get the connection at 1049 for Swansea. But I can’t remember now whether I was successful in getting the front seat! Anyway, I reached Swansea for 1432, and what makes me think the rest of the day was ad hoc is I didn’t record arrival times.
From Swansea it was a Paddington service at 1555 to Cardiff hauled by 47540, and from there a Leeds service (45026) at 1740 to Derby.
Finished with 2047 dmu to Nottingham.

Thursday 8th July 1976
This was another day which may have been made up as I went along.
I started again with the fast 0758 from Nottingham to St Pancras (45144) but unfortunately didn’t record the arrival time.
I had plenty of time to get to Paddington from where I got a dmu at 1117 as far as Reading. Whether I spent some time on bus photography there or stayed on the station I can’t remember.
I returned to Paddington at 1450 hauled by 47508, then it was the Circle Line to King’s Cross for a Class 47-hauled train at 1610 to Peterborough. From there, a dmu at 1745 to Leicester, and then 45138 on the 1925 to Nottingham.

Friday 9th July 1976
An enervating 14 days then came to an end with a long day for which again I don’t have all the times recorded.
For the third time in the week I started with the 0735 Nottingham – Crewe dmu, this time only as far as Derby, arrived 0808.
From there it was a Birmingham to Newcastle train (unidentified Class 45) at 0815 to Sheffield, arrived 0858.
Then a service at 0915 to Leeds (45047), arrived 5 minutes early at 1004.
From Leeds I got the 1057 dmu to Morecambe, arriving at 1258.
Spending a bit of time at Morecambe for bus photography, I left there at 1440 on a dmu to Lancaster, arriving 4 minutes late at 1455.
Then it was a service from Edinburgh (86224) 10 minutes late at 1521 to Preston.
Then at unrecorded time – possibly 1639 – I did the reverse of my earlier ‘Royal Scot’ trip with a run down to Euston behind 86243.
Spurning St Pancras, I walked a little further on from Euston and got the 2015 from King’s Cross behind 55003 as far as Grantham. From there it was a dmu at 2205 to Nottingham.
Whew!

Those who were around in those days will remember the days of the sun blazing down from a cloudless sky continued on for weeks and weeks – the longest hot spell in my lifetime apart from possibly 1959.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow these reads have been thoroughly enjoyable! While all well before my time (born December 1984), they have been an invaluable insight into the past!

 

[Cowley]

That was a very enjoyable read Merthyr Imp. I was only 3 at the time but 76 has always been remembered as THE heatwave. Much less air conditioning around in those days.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All-Line Railrover Ticket 1976

Thursday 8th July 1976

I had plenty of time to get to Paddington from where I got a dmu at 1117 as far as Reading.

I remember it was on this journey when I was able to get a front seat on the dmu, and seeing coming the other way several of the then brand-new HSTs, which must have been on test, or maybe more likely driver training. I believe they entered service a few months later.

They all seemed very yellow!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
East Midlands Rover Ticket 1977

In June 1977 I had a week or so’s holiday in Brighton, using it as a base for a Southern railrover ticket but I don’t have any detailed records of it.

A couple of months later I also had a week with an East Midlands Rover ticket:

Saturday 27th August 1977
I started with a Skegness train (dmu) at 0844 as far as Boston, arriving at 1030. From there it was another dmu on a Skegness to Sheffield service back to Sleaford, arrived there at 1144.
Then it was a dmu on a Doncaster to Cambridge service at 1202 to Spalding, arrived 1225.
After some time in Spalding – possible for bus photography, although I did spend some time on the station watching the procession of summer Saturday trains from Yorkshire bound for Great Yarmouth, most of which seemed to be Class 40-hauled.
From Spalding it was a dmu on a service from Cambridge at 1507 to Doncaster, arrived 1708.
Then a service from Hull (dmu) at 1752 to Sheffield, arrived 1829.
From Sheffield it was 45120 on a St Pancras train at 1903 to Nottingham, arrived 2000.

Sunday 28th August 1977
This saw my annual visit to the Bank Holiday weekend Grand Transport Extravaganza at Crich Tramway Museum.
I travelled on a St Pancras to Sheffield service at 1232 from Nottingham, hauled by 45111, to Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway, arrived 1255.
Then by bus from Alfreton and back, seemingly returning from Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway to Nottingham at 1726.

Monday 29th August 1977
Today I got the 0909 ‘Jolly Fisherman’ from Nottingham to Skegness – about 10 or 11 Mark 1 coaches hauled by 20047 and 20172. This avoided Grantham by taking the direct line from Allington Junction between Nottingham and Grantham, to Barkston East Junction. Arrived Skegness at 1121, then I got a dmu at 1300 back to Grantham.
From there it was a Kings Cross to Leeds service (47431) at 1556 to Newark North Gate, arrived 1610.
Then a dmu from Cleethorpes at 1717 to Grantham, arrived 1735. Not a service which I think ran for very long, as most – if not all other – services from Cleethorpes only ran as far as Newark.
From Grantham it was a dmu at 1910 to Nottingham.

Tuesday 30th August 1977
I started with the 1026 dmu from Nottingham to Grantham, arrived 1109.
Then it was a Bradford to Kings Cross service (47518) at 1120 to Peterborough, arrived 1149. Changed there to a dmu at 1158 to Leicester, arrived 1313.
From Leicester it was a St Pancras to Sheffield service (45145) at 1415 to Derby, arrived 1502. From there I had a first ride on the Matlock line, leaving Derby on a dmu from Sinfin at 1614 to Matlock, arriving at 1649.
Getting it straight back again at 1654 I was back in Derby at 1728.
Then it was a Sheffield to St Pancras service (45116) at 1757 to Leicester, arrived 1824.
From Leicester I got a St Pancras to Sheffield service (45123) at 1845 which may have been ‘The Master Cutler’ as it went direct to Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway via Trent and Toton, and I think that was the only service which did so at that time. Arrived at 1919, I waited for the next Sheffield to St Pancras service (45136), which was at 1935, to Nottingham, arrived 2000.

Wednesday 31st August 1977
From Nottingham I started with 0920 dmu to Lincoln (St Marks, of course), arriving at 1025. I changed there to a service from King’s Cross (47553) at 1049 to Cleethorpes, arrived 1205.
Then it was a run on the 1303 dmu to Doncaster, arrived 1445.
I returned all the way back to Barnetby on a dmu at 1520, arriving at 1615. After spending a bit of time there I got another dmu at 1721 as far as Habrough, arrived 1731. Then it was back to Lincoln (St Marks) on a Cleethorpes – King’s Cross service hauled by 47462 at 1759, arriving at 1850. Back to Nottingham on the 1927 dmu, arrived Nottingham at 2032.

Thursday 1st September 1977
Not an early start, with a St Pancras service to Leicester, hauled by 45112, at 1008, arriving at 1028.
From Leicester it was what was probably a Norwich to Birmingham service at 1045 hauled by 31200 – Class 31s had taken over from dmus on this line at that time. Arrived at Nuneaton at 1111, I had a couple of hours on the station before returning to Leicester behind 31236 at 1310, arriving at 1337.
Departed Leicester on a service from St Pancras (45136) at 1431 to Derby, arrived 1502. Then I got a dmu to Nottingham at 1620, arrived at 1650.
Too early to go home, so I had a run to Leicester and back, departing on a dmu at 1732, arriving Leicester at 1812. Then back to Nottingham on a service from St Pancras (45107) at 1830, arrived 1903.

Friday 2nd September 1977
The week wound up with a short day, starting from Nottingham with a dmu to Derby at 1034, arrived 1103. From there it was a service to Sheffield hauled by 47123 at 1141, arrived 1226.
I probably had time for pie, chips and beans at Woolworth’s restaurant (where they used to do the best steak & kidney pie ever) before getting a dmu at 1355 to Lincoln, arrived 1518.
From Lincoln I fitted in another ride on the dmu service to Grantham, which departed Lincoln St Marks at 1650, arrived Grantham at 1735. From there it was a dmu at 1754 to Nottingham), arrived 1835.

 

[Kristofferson]

Absolutely fantastic, and I haven't even got to the 1970s stuff yet!

Certainly wouldn't get away with napping in empty stock these days...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Techniquest]

Looks quite the exciting week all in, the massive highlight of course being the 20s. One can only imagine the racket off those animals!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All-Line Railrover Ticket 1978

I had another fortnight this year, as before, returning home every night.

Saturday 1st July 1978
With it being the first day I had a very early start - the 0600 from Nottingham to St Pancras (45147), arrived 4 minutes early at 0830.
On the Circle Line to Paddington for a good long ride on an HST departing at 0916 all the way to Swansea, arrived 2 minutes early at 1157. This service was non-stop to Newport. Whether this was my first ever ride on a production HST I’m not sure, but it was certainly my longest to that time. In the early days, of course, the HSTs had multiple unit set numbers as well as individual power car numbers and I’m afraid I only used to record the set numbers at this stage.
However, as a pointer to why the use of set numbers was eventually ended the power car on the front of this Swansea service bore set number 253020 and the one at the back was 253004!
From Swansea I returned on an HST (253027) 2 minutes late at 1344 to Cardiff, arrived 3 minutes late at 1441.
I left Cardiff on a Crewe service at 1509 to Shrewsbury. From Cardiff it was double headed by 25132 & 25063 as far as Hereford where one or both of them failed and was replaced by an unidentified Class 47 which got me to Shrewsbury at 1737.
From there it was a dmu (Class 116?) 3 minutes late at 1746 to Wolverhampton, arrived 1840.
Then a service from Stafford (86214) 9 minutes late at 1854 to Birmingham, arrived 5 minutes late at 1910. Although late I was still able to get a Cardiff to Sheffield service (46054) as it was 29 minutes late, leaving at 1934 to Derby, arriving there at 2020.
Then back to Nottingham on a Crewe to Lincoln dmu service. The old Swindon-built ‘cross-country’ units (Class 120) had by then been introduced into the East Midlands and it was one of these departing Derby at 2112 which got me to Nottingham 3 minutes early at 2137 for the end of a long day.

Sunday 2nd July 1978
I was getting into a routine by now where a late finish was followed by a late start the next day.
I started off with a Class 104 dmu 6 minutes late at 1036 to Derby, arrived 1059. From there it was a St Pancras to Manchester service (45127) at 1129 to Sheffield, arrived 1235. Evidently a service that reversed at Sheffield before continuing to Manchester – I would suspect this was something that only occurred on Sundays.
From Sheffield I got a train at 1302 to Leeds (45145), arrived 1435.
Then a Derby 2-car dmu 3 minutes late at 1520 to York, arrival time not recorded. I left there at 1708 on a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu to Sheffield, arrived 1818.
From Sheffield it was 45024 on a Bradford to Birmingham service 3 minutes late at 1832 to Derby, arrived 2 minutes late at 1916. Back to Nottingham on a Crewe to Lincoln dmu at 1948, arriving at 2013.

Monday 3rd July 1978
An early-ish start from Nottingham with the 0740 to St Pancras (45122), arrived there 2 minutes early at 0943.
Then the Circle Line to Paddington for HST set no. 253002 at 1020 calling at Reading and Bath only, to Bristol Temple Meads, arrived 3 minutes late at 1150.
From Bristol I got a dmu (almost certainly a Class 119) at 1219 to Weymouth arriving there at 1449. I had time at Weymouth to photograph a Class 33-hauled boat train in the street on the Weymouth Quay line.
Left Weymouth at 1633 on a Waterloo service behind an unidentified Class 33 as far as Bournemouth where the other eight coaches of the emu were attached. Arrival at Waterloo was 1920.
Northern Line to St Pancras for a Sheffield train at 2005 hauled by 45106 to Nottingham, arriving 4 minutes early at 2205.
601 miles for the day.

Tuesday 4th July 1978
A medium start time following the previous night’s late arrival home.
I got the 0827 to St Pancras (45115), arriving there 3 minutes early at 1033.
I can’t remember how I got to Marylebone, but I had my first ride out of there at 1126 from Marylebone to Seer Green where I had business, on a Class 115 dmu.
I returned from there on a similar dmu at 1336 to Marylebone, arrived 6 minutes early at 1410.
Then I must have got the Bakerloo Line to Paddington where I did well to get a dmu (Class 117) at 1429 to Reading. After a bit of time on the station I returned to Paddington at 1548 on HST set no. 253016.
Then it was the Circle Line to St Pancras and an unidentified Class 45 departing 1650 to Nottingham.

Wednesday 5th July 1978
After the early finish the night before it was a very early start this morning, leaving Nottingham on the 0620 St Pancras train (47532) to Bedford, arriving 5 minutes late at 0751.
I then attempted a front seat journey on a dmu (Class 127) departing at 0757 but found as usual the driver coyly kept the blinds down. However, I was able to go through to Moorgate where of course in the pre-Thameslink days the train terminated (at 0925). As I remember, there were three rush hour services on the Bedford line that ran to Moorgate, and this was the latest one of them.
Proceeding to Liverpool Street I got a Norwich service (47155) 3 minutes late at 1033 to Ipswich, arriving 9 minutes late at 1154.
I then had what to date is my only trip on the East Suffolk line, departing Ipswich on a Cravens dmu at 1248 to Lowestoft, arriving there at 1407.
The same unit then formed the 1426 to Norwich where I arrived at 1513.
My schedule was then to get a service at 1633, but I saved time by making a quick connection to the 1518 to Peterborough, hauled by an unidentified Class 31. Arriving at Peterborough at 1701 I was then able to depart from my original schedule which was to simply return home via Grantham. Instead I got a service from Kings Cross (55017) 9 minutes late at 1723 to Retford.
From Retford I had a ride back down to Grantham hauled by 47422 at 1932. There must have been quite a wait there though, as I then got a Derby 2-car dmu 2 minutes late at 2141 to Nottingham, arriving at 2220.

Thursday 6th July 1978
Following the late night, it wasn’t too early a start with a Skegness service (a Cravens 2-car + Derby 2-car dmu set) at 0844 to Grantham, arriving there 10 minutes late at 0934. Luckily for me, the service from York that I changed to, hauled by 47559, was 8 minutes late departing at 0937. It arrived 9 minutes late into Kings Cross at 1121.
But there was enough time to get to Charing Cross for the 1215 Class 201 demu to Hastings where it arrived 4 minutes early at 1341.
From Hastings I returned on another unit at 1425 on a Charing Cross service as far as Tunbridge Wells, arrived 1503. From there it was a 3-car demu on a service from Tonbridge 2 minutes late at 1512 via Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge over the line later closed and partly preserved.
Arriving at Eridge 3 minutes late at 1526 I quickly left there at 1532 on a 3-car demu from Uckfield to Victoria, arriving at 1651.
Quickly making my way to Waterloo via Embankment I took an earlier service than I’d scheduled in the shape of an emu to Richmond at 1727, arriving there at 1745.
From Richmond I had a first ride on the North London line (Class 501 emu), departing 1805, all the way to Broad Street which of course was then still open. Arrived there 2 minutes early at 1845, then it was round on the Circle Line to St Pancras for the 2005 Sheffield service back to Nottingham behind an unidentified Class 47, arriving 3 minutes early at 2206 for a second successive late finish.

Friday 7th July 1978
I made up for the late finishes with a late start – the Harwich to Manchester boat train hauled by 47114. It left Nottingham 10 minutes late at 1115 but was on time on arrival at Sheffield at 1207.
From there I got a Cravens 2-car dmu on a Cleethorpes service which left 9 minutes late at 1243 and got me to Doncaster 8 minutes late at 1317.
Luckily the HST on a Kings Cross to Newcastle service was 2 minutes late at 1319 so I was just able get that to York, where it arrived 1 minute late at 1347. Whether this was my first East Coast HST ride I’m not sure. At any rate I then had another one, with a set showing 254009 on the front and 254007 on the rear. This was a service from Edinburgh, which left 4 minutes late at 1410 and was non-stop to King’s Cross, arriving on time at 1614.
Then a walk to Euston for a Wolverhampton service (86229) at 1640 to Birmingham, arriving there 2 minutes early at 1809.
From Birmingham I got a Paignton to Leeds train (46020) at 1850 to Derby, arriving 4 minutes early at 1927. Finally, a Derby 2-car dmu 14 minutes late at 2001 back to Nottingham, arriving 10 minutes late at 2030.

Saturday 8th July 1978
I started with a Swindon 3-car Cross-country dmu (Class 120) on a Skegness service which left Nottingham 2 minutes late at 0845. Arrived at Grantham at 0925 I changed to a Kings Cross to Hull service (47550) which left 3 minutes late at 0936 to Doncaster, arriving 3 minutes early at 1030.
From there it was a Derby 2-car dmu 2 minutes late at 1040 to Leeds, arrived 1127.
From there I paid a short-ish visit to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, leaving Leeds on a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu at 1136 to Keighley. After a trip to Haworth and back I returned from Keighley on another Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu at 1456 to Leeds, arriving 2 minutes early at 1528.
From Leeds it was another Derby 2-car dmu at 1622 to Sheffield.
Then an early finish with the 1803 to Nottingham (45127).

Sunday 9th July 1978
For some reason this wasn’t much of a day.
I set off from Nottingham with a Class 120 dmu at 1030 to Derby, arrived 3 minutes early at 1056.
From Derby it was a St Pancras to Manchester service (47496) at 1117 to Sheffield, arriving 2 minutes early at 1214.
Then a Metro-Cammell dmu at 1253 to Doncaster, due in at 1318. I don’t know what happened then as I was scheduled to travel on a 1404 departure to King’s Cross and return from St Pancras to Nottingham however, from Doncaster I just went as far as Grantham on a later train – at 1500 on what must have been a King’s Cross-bound service hauled by 47430.
From Grantham it was another Class 120 dmu (probably from Skegness) at 1635 to Nottingham.

Monday 10th July 1978
I made up for the early finish with quite an early start from Nottingham with a Swindon 3-car dmu (Class 120) on a Lincoln to Crewe service at 0731 to Derby, arriving 4 minutes late at 0807.
From Derby it was a Leeds to Paignton service (46001) 3 minutes late at 0823 to Birmingham, arriving 24 minutes late at 0934. Owing to this late running I had to abandon my plans for visiting the Festiniog Railway which would have meant an 0922 departure from Birmingham to travel via Shrewsbury.
Instead I made things up as I went along, starting with the 0942 departure to Euston hauled by 86219. This got me to London 6 minutes late at 1123.
Onwards to Paddington from Euston Square I got the 1220 departure from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. For maybe the first time I noted the number of a power car - 43051 at the rear. Arrived minutes late at 1352.
I made a quick connection at Temple Meads onto a service hauled by 46036 that left 2 minutes late at 1357 to Taunton, arriving there at 1438.
From Taunton I got a service 3 minutes late at 1531 hauled by 50014 which got me back to Paddington 8 minutes early at 1743.
A typically smart transfer on the Circle Line to St Pancras got me on the 1815 as far as Leicester hauled by an unidentified Class 45. From there I ended the day as it began with a Swindon 3-car dmu at 1956 to Nottingham, arriving 10 minutes late at 2042.
Mileage for the day – 603.

Tuesday 11th July 1978
After the failure due to late running to visit the Festiniog Railways the previous day I tried again, starting with a Swindon Cross Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) on a Lincoln to Crewe service which left Nottingham 4 minutes late at 0734, arriving at Derby 3 minutes late at 0806.
From Derby I again got a Leeds to Paignton service which left 1 minute late at 0821 hauled by 47211 and today got to Birmingham just 5 minutes late at 0915.
This allowed me to get a service from Euston (87003) at 0922 to Wolverhampton, arrived 2 minutes late at 0940. From there it was a dmu 3 minutes late at 0948 to Shrewsbury, arriving there 9 minutes late at 1037.
From Shrewsbury it was a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu on a Pwllheli service which left 10 minutes late at 1052 and got me to Portmadoc - time not recorded. I walked to the Harbour Station in time for a departure from there at 1500 and had my first ride on the Festiniog Railway since 1963 when it was only open as far as Tan-y-Bwlch. Now the upper terminus was Tan-y-Grisiau (due there at 1606) and I got a connecting Crosville bus from there to the original station at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Arriving there at 1622 it was a smart connection to a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu on a Llandudno service which was due out at 1625. It was due into Llandudno Junction (Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu) at 1724. Although scheduled to depart there at 1730 on a Manchester service my notes record I caught a relief train at 1742. This was hauled by 40012 and took me through to Crewe instead of having to change at Chester. Arrived at Crewe at 1930, I got the usual Swindon 3-car dmu on a Lincoln service at 1950, arriving back in Nottingham at 2140.

Wednesday 12th July 1978
This was a day made up as I went along, so lacking in detail.
Not a very early start, with a Swindon Cross Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) at 0842 to Derby.
From Derby I got a service at 0954 hauled by 46048 as far as Birmingham where it was replaced by 47290 to Oxford where I alighted.
I left Oxford behind 47378 to get to Reading from where I got an HST (43046 at the front) to Paddington.
Circle Line to King’s Cross where I got a service hauled by 55007 at 1608 to Grantham. From there it was the usual Derby 2-car dmu back to Nottingham at 1906.

Thursday 13th July 1978
This was a second (successful) attempt at a decent trip over the Settle & Carlisle.
Not an early start, with the successor to the ‘Thames-Clyde’ at 1025 hauled by 45108 as far Leeds. From there it was 45047 to Carlisle, arriving 3 minutes early at 1452.
I left Carlisle at 1622, travelling to Crewe behind 87024. From there it was a dmu at 1825 to Derby, then the usual Swindon 3-car dmu at 1947 back to Nottingham.

Friday 14th July 1978
The fortnight wound up in very low-key fashion with merely a trip to Lincoln and back for some shopping there – departed Nottingham at 1125 and returned from Lincoln at 1441 to Nottingham. No doubt (it being 1978) it was a Swindon 3-car dmu both ways.

I can only think that last day was due to exhaustion, although looking back at this there were several days that look rather disappointing, and I think I came to realise that 14 continuous days of this sort of thing were a bit too wearing.

 

[fishquinn]

Only just caught up with these - an excellent read, that's for sure. I couldn't help but notice the best tram in there too - 43046.

 

[Cowley]

I love reading this sort of stuff Merthyr. You certainly had a lot of 45s on your travels.
Do you remember what you went behind on the Worth Valley? Was that a time when they painted things in strange colours still?

 

[Techniquest]

Another fascinating look into history!

Some very easy days in there, certainly I couldn't do so little on an all liner myself! Maximise every minute!

Too much 45 and 46 haulage for me, and non-stop to Newport on an HST would be rather useful in this day and age. Moorgate off the MML, I only did the bit out of Moorgate once or twice, but still a Memory Lane moment for me.

Weymouth Quay and trains using that line, if only it was still useable it would be worthy of a railtour these days!

 

[fowler9]

Brilliant read. Something some mentioned about "Why didn't they build the station closer to the village" and "Why didn't they build Stonehenge closer to Heathrow" (Jokingly) reminded me of an American I heard in Rome saying that "They just didn't build the roads wide enough for the average SUV". Ha ha. He wasn't joking, he was grumbling about the width of the road.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

To answer some of the above:

On the Keighley & Worth Valley - no it was proper liveries. On my 1975 visit, mentioned earlier, I was hauled by the pannier tank (can't be bothered to check the number) which was then in its London Transport livery. In 1978 the GNR Atlantic 'Henry Oakley' was still operating on the line, and I did see it but I can't remember if I rode behind it or not.

Re the 'Peaks' - it was mostly them on the Midland Main Line in those days, in fact looking at it I'm surprised how many Class 47s were still in use at that time. Before very long the Class 45/1s more or less monopolised it.

On the Cross-Country services at that time it was more or less 50/50 whether you got a Peak (including Class 46) or a Class 47.

 

[Calthrop]

Merthyr Imp -- fascinating stuff -- more "to the max", please.

Brilliant read. Something some mentioned about "Why didn't they build the station closer to the village" and "Why didn't they build Stonehenge closer to Heathrow" (Jokingly) reminded me of an American I heard in Rome saying that "They just didn't build the roads wide enough for the average SUV". Ha ha. He wasn't joking, he was grumbling about the width of the road.

Those old Romans with their chariot wheels a pathetic four feet eight and a half inches apart -- they didn't have a clue.



A slight bit of a follow-up to my telling-of earlier in this thread, of my 1964 railrovings. Succeeding from that, I’d wanted to complete travel over passenger routes in what was then administratively, north Lincolnshire, and marginally west thereof. On a Saturday in summer 1967, I did this; via a deal then available, for a “day railrover” covering what I wanted to do. Starting and finishing at Peterborough: out Peterborough – Firsby – Grimsby, back home along the East Coast main line.

I botched it somewhat, in getting up later than planned; which meant having to forfeit projected travelling Grimsby – Cleethorpes (shortage of time on my 1964 bash, had ruled out covering it then). I had to wait another couple of decades, finally to “do” Grimsby – Cleethorpes: a short and not highly-fascinating stretch – but one has at least some wish to fill in the map, particularly re brief and theoretically easily-covered sections.

As mentioned before: unfortunately I no longer have notes taken on “bashes” way back – and memory is not serving me well as regards this day’s travelling: have much clearer recall, of travels in earlier years. Routes targeted were, essentially: Barnetby – Scunthorpe – Doncaster; Barnetby – Gainsborough (Central) – Retford; and Doncaster – Gainsborough (Lea Road) – Lincoln. All of which I recall for sure, that I covered on that day – actual memories thereof, though, very fragmentary; and for some while, I was finding it rather like one of those “spaces-and-places” logic puzzles, to figure out how on earth I actually got from A to B to C to D. I have finally worked out how it must have been done; all told, however, this was definitely not “my finest hour” in the gricing department.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Calthrop - I can't agree with you about the Grimsby - Cleethorpes section. I always found it fascinating - at least from the front seat of a dmu - after Grimsby Docks station when the line wound its way on reverse curves through the fish dock area. Admittedly once through there it was practically straight and level to Cleethorpes.

I think it was still like that into the 1980s and the decline of the fishing industry, but from what I remember (and I haven't been that way for 20 years or so) almost all the sheds and buildings were swept away, and of course the line was singled - although the last I saw of it I don't think any of the curves had been eased.

 

[Calthrop]

Calthrop - I can't agree with you about the Grimsby - Cleethorpes section. I always found it fascinating - at least from the front seat of a dmu - after Grimsby Docks station when the line wound its way on reverse curves through the fish dock area. Admittedly once through there it was practically straight and level to Cleethorpes.

I think it was still like that into the 1980s and the decline of the fishing industry, but from what I remember (and I haven't been that way for 20 years or so) almost all the sheds and buildings were swept away, and of course the line was singled - although the last I saw of it I don't think any of the curves had been eased.

I'll admit to a preference -- indeed a prejudice -- in favour of country rail lines; for me, basically urban lines and rather down-market seaside resorts, not so much ! (Apologies to any citizens of Cleethorpes who may frequent the Forums !) Perhaps I've been unfairly dismissive of Grimsby -- Cleethorpes: in part, annoyance about it being just one short section, which frustrated and niggled at me for so long...

 

[Merthyr Imp]

East Midlands Rover ticket 1979

Saturday 19th May
I started with a Glasgow service (45121) at 0715 from Nottingham as far as Sheffield, arriving at 0810. From there it was a Derby 2-car dmu at 0818 to Cleethorpes, arriving at 1030.
From Cleethorpes I got a Swindon 3-car ‘Cross-country’ dmu (Class 120) at 1115 to Nottingham, arriving 9 minutes late at 1341.
Then, to visit a friend I got a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu on a Boston service at 1444 to Aslockton, arriving 2 minutes late at 1505. I may have got a lift home after that as I don’t have a record of a return train.

Sunday 20th May
I paid what I think was my first ever visit to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough, travelling on a Swindon 3-car dmu at 1240 to Derby, arrived 1308.
From Derby it was the 1400 to Loughborough, probably a St Pancras service, hauled by 45119, arrived 1420.
I walked to Loughborough Central, and if I remember the occasion correctly was hauled by Hunslet 0-6-0ST ‘Robert Nelson No. 4’ to Quorn & Woodhouse and back – then the limit of the line.
I returned to Nottingham on a service from St Pancras at 1759 (45138), arriving at 1818.

Monday 21st May 1979
I started with a Swindon 3-car dmu which left 8 minutes late at 0946 to Derby, arriving 9 minutes late at 1013.
I still had time to change to a Class 104 dmu at 1016 to Matlock, arrived 1050.
I made an immediate return on the same unit at 1100 to Derby, arriving at 1134.
Then it was a service 20 minutes late at 1201 hauled by 37172 to Sheffield, arriving there 18 minutes late at 1243.
I probably had time for pie & chips in the Sheffield Woolworth’s before getting a dmu set comprised of a Cravens 2-car and a Derby 2-car which left 11 minutes late at 1358 to Doncaster, arriving 13 minutes late at 1436.
From there it was the 1500 to Sleaford – another Cravens 2-car dmu as far as Lincoln where it was joined by a Derby 2-car dmu to continue onwards. It arrived at Sleaford 2 minutes late at 1639.
A quick change across the bridge for the 1642 to Nottingham (Derby 2-car dmu), arriving 3 minutes late at 1822.

Tuesday 22nd May 1979
An early-ish start with the Glasgow service, hauled by 45036, at 0715, arriving at Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway 2 minutes late at 0739.
This was in order to get ‘The Master Cutler’ for its run via Toton. Hauled by 45144 it left Alfreton 2 minutes late at 0750 and got me to Leicester at 0823.
I left there on a Cravens 2-car dmu at 0838 to Peterborough, arrived 0949.
From Peterborough it was an HST (43074 at the front) leaving 5 minutes late at 1002 to Doncaster, arrived 3 minutes late at 1058.
I got the usual Derby 2-car dmu across to Sheffield, leaving Doncaster at 1139 to arrive 3 minutes late at 1216.
From Sheffield I returned to Doncaster at 1247. This was on one of the merged Class 124 (Trans-Pennine) and Class 123 (Intercity) 4-car dmu sets which usually had a driving car from one of those at one end and a driving car from one of the others at the other end. This got me back to Doncaster at 1323. From there I was hauled by 55009 on a service 4 minutes late at 1345 to Peterborough, arriving there at 1441.
From Peterborough I got what was probably a Norwich – Birmingham train, hauled by 31179, 13 minutes late at 1514 to Leicester, arriving 17 minutes late at 1623.
Then I got a Swindon 3-car dmu (Class 120) on a Birmingham service at 1637 to Nuneaton, arrived 1709.
Then it was a short hop on an emu 5 minutes late at 1728 to Tamworth, arrived still 5 minutes late at 1745.
Then to Derby at 1756 on a dmu set made up of a Swindon 3-car and a Cravens 2-car, arriving 2 minutes early at 1825.
Then back to Nottingham at 1833 on a Cravens 2-car dmu, arriving at 1859.

Wednesday 23rd May 1979
I started with the 0846 from Nottingham to Grantham – a Derby 2-car dmu of course, which arrived 2 minutes early at 0922.
From Grantham it was another Derby 2-car dmu which left 9 minutes late at 0942 to Skegness where it arrived 2 minutes early at 1107.
Not having long in Skeg’ I got yet another Derby 2-car dmu at 1147 back to Grantham, arriving at 1319.
From there I was hauled by 47401, which departed 5 minutes late at 1338, to Newark North Gate, arriving still 5 minutes late at 1351.
Then I got what must have been a King’s Cross to Cleethorpes train (47523) at 1443 to Lincoln St Marks, arrived 3 minutes early at 1504.
Transferring to Lincoln Central I left on a Cravens 2-car dmu 3 minutes late at 1616 to Doncaster, arriving there 2 minutes early at 1704.
Then it was down the main line to Peterborough on an HST (43104 at the front) at 1732, arriving 2 minutes early at 1822.
Then back up to Grantham behind an unidentified Deltic which left Peterborough 31 minutes late at 1932, arriving 28 minutes late at 1953. A quick connection to the usual Derby 2-car dmu, which luckily was departing 15 minutes late at 1956 to Nottingham where it arrived 13 minutes late at 2035.

Thursday 24th May 1979
Once again I started with a Derby 2-car dmu on the 0846 to Grantham, arriving there 3 minutes early at 0921.
Then a service from King’s Cross 2 minutes late at 0932 to Newark North Gate hauled by 55003, arriving still 2 minutes late at 0944.
I changed there to another service from King’s Cross (whether it had called at Grantham, I don’t know) - the 1001 to Cleethorpes hauled by 55007. I arrived at the seaside at 1144, and departed from there at 1254 on a Derby 2-car dmu to Doncaster, arriving 3 minutes early at 1432.
Then it was another Deltic, with 55012 on a King’s Cross service departing at 1447 to Peterborough, arriving there at 1601.
I left Peterborough behind 47411 on a service from King’s Cross 11 minutes late at 1719 back up to Grantham, arrived 10 minutes late at 1742.
Back to Nottingham on the inevitable Derby 2-car dmu which left 10 minutes late at 1840, but which, if I recorded it correctly, did very well to be only 3 minutes late on arrival at 1909.

Friday 25th May 1979
The last day started with yet another ride on a Derby 2-car dmu at 1034 to Grantham, arrived 1115. From there I got a service from King’s Cross hauled by 47517 11 minutes late at 1141 as far as Doncaster, arriving 9 minutes late at 1233.
From Doncaster it was back down to Peterborough on a King’s Cross service behind 47405 2 minutes late at 1343, arriving 12 minutes late at 1453.
From there I had a ride behind 31237, no doubt on a Norwich – Birmingham train which left 4 minutes late at 1505 and got me to Leicester 3 minutes late at 1609.
Then it was a Class 45 on a service from St Pancras at 1616 which must have been headed for Sheffield via Derby as I only went as far as Loughborough. From there it was another Class 45 on a service from St Pancras, departed 1750 whichgot me back to Nottingham 5 minutes early at 1808.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Fascinating read, with some old friends sampled for haulage.

I had a quick look at the Chronicles of Napier website - your unidentified Deltic on 23/5/79 was probably 55003 on the 18:05 Kings Cross to York.

 

[Techniquest]

I was just about to ask why you stayed in the East Midlands on an ALR, then remembered you'd mentioned it was an East Midlands rover

A rather decent time, especially with 37172 getting involved. Memory tells me it would have been a steam heat boiler fitted machine once upon a time?

 

[Merthyr Imp]

A rather decent time, especially with 37172 getting involved. Memory tells me it would have been a steam heat boiler fitted machine once upon a time?

I don't know, but if it was on what would now be called a Cross-Country service it was quite likely hauling steam-heated stock - then again, there should have been no need for heating in May!

I've no real recollection of it, but it must have been quite unusual for a Class 37 to be on such a train even in 1979. Perhaps in view of the 20 minute late departure from Derby it had come on there to replace a failure.

 

[fishquinn]

Too many units for my liking but it sounds like a great time! I'm surprised Tech didn't mention this bit -

From Peterborough it was an HST (43074 at the front)

074 became 274!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Too many units for my liking

Ah, but the thing about those old dmus was being able to get the front seat and have what nowadays would be called a 'cab ride' view - especially on the longer journeys, e.g. Cleethorpes - Doncaster.

 

[fishquinn]

Ah, of course! I completely forgot about that!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

All-Line Railrover Ticket 1979

This year was the first example of what later became a regular pattern for me – a week with either an East Midlands or Midland Rover ticket, followed later in the year by 7 days with an All-Line ticket. I’d had enough of the 14 day marathons by now!

In 1979, though, there was an unusually short gap between the two, and I was on my travels again only just over a month later:

Saturday 30th June 1979
With it being the first day I had almost the earliest possible start from Nottingham with the 0600 to St Pancras hauled by 45111. I’d now started recording the type of rolling stock travelled on and this, as was usual for the time, was in a Mk 2d coach. Also in those days, especially at weekends, it was the practice on many routes at less busy times to mark down some First class coaches ‘For Use of Passengers Travelling Standard Class’ and on this journey I was in first class luxury to St Pancras, arriving at 0833.
Then it was quite a quick transfer by Northern Line to Waterloo for a service
which left 2 minutes late at 0902 hauled by 33001 (in a Mk 2b coach) and got me to Exeter St Davids 17 minutes late at 1259.
I returned to London ‘the other way’ on a service from Paignton (47235, Mk 2d). This was scheduled to depart Exeter at 1300, but I was able to make the connection as it left no less than 50 minutes late at 1350. It arrived at Paddington 52 minutes late at 1642 after calling at Taunton and Reading only. This was my first journey over this route.
The plan had been to return home from Euston at 1640 via Birmingham, but that was out so I made my way back up the Northern Line to King’s Cross instead and got a service at 1805 (55008, Mk 2d) to Grantham, arriving 6 minutes late at 1929.
From there it was a four-car dmu set (a Cravens unit and a Derby unit) which left 3 minutes late at 1944 and got me back to Nottingham at 2023. (If I’d managed the Euston/Birmingham option I would have been due back at 2020)

Mileage for the day – 602

Sunday 1st July 1979
This was the first example of what became my regular practice on the Sunday of my all-line week. I don’t know about today, but in those days there were very few trains anywhere from Nottingham before 10am on a Sunday, the exception being in the London direction. So rather than waste half the morning, what I would do was head for London and then visit some seaside resort in the south or south east.
On this day I got the 0740 to St Pancras (45149, Mk2d), arriving 27 minutes late at 1114 – no doubt due to engineering work.
No delays on the Victoria Line, though as I got to Victoria in time for an emu (possibly a Class 423) at 1140 to Victoria to Margate, arrived there 3 minutes early at 1312.
Time for some fish & chips, then it was back to London – Charing Cross this time, on what was possibly another Class 423 emu at 1404. It arrived 11 minutes late at 1630, but I was able to transfer to St Pancras in time for the 1710 to Nottingham (unidentified Class 45, Mk2d), arriving 4 minutes early at 1923.

Mileage for the day – 429

Monday 2nd July 1979
Despite the early finish the night before it wasn’t too early a start, heading back to St Pancras again on the 0828 departure from Nottingham calling at Leicester, Market Harborough and Kettering only. Hauled by 45148, and I was able to ride in the downgraded 1st class section of the Mk2d. Arrived at St Pancras 8 minutes late at 1044, there was still time to nip across the road for an Edinburgh service (HST, 43092 at the rear) departing King’s Cross at 1100, calling at Peterborough and York only, as far as Darlington where it arrived 19 minutes late at 1355.
The late arrival meant I was unable to get my scheduled 1343 departure to Newcastle via Hartlepool, so instead I continued along the main line on another HST which left 8 minutes late at 1420 to Newcastle. I returned from there at 1529 on what must have been a cross-country service – Mk2a coach, hauled by 47325 - as far as York.
From York I got a dmu set made up of a Metro-Cammell 2-car and a Class 104 2-car set departing 5 minutes late at 1723 to Sheffield. From there it was a service 6 minutes late (45125, Mk2d) at 1909 to Nottingham, arrived still 6 minutes late at 2004.

Mileage for the day – 541

Tuesday 3rd July 1979
I left Nottingham on a Glasgow service (45149, Mk1 coach) at 0716, travelling as far as Leeds, arriving there 2 minutes early at 0907.
From Leeds I got a 3-car dmu (I think, Class 110) on a Morecambe service at 0935 to Carnforth, arriving there 26 minutes late at 1151.
I must have seen a notice of this in the Railway Magazine, as I saw ‘Flying Scotsman’ there, plus ‘Clan Line’ was also present and in steam at Steamtown which I was able to look around as it was then open to the public as a preservation centre.
I left Carnforth on a Derby 2-car dmu at 1331 on a service which had come from Carlisle via Barrow. This got me to Lancaster at 1340. From there I was on a Glasgow to Birmingham service hauled by 83009, riding in a Mk1 compartment coach. This left 7 minutes late at 1401 but got me to Preston just 2 minutes late at 1417.
I changed at Preston to another service from Glasgow, this time Euston-bound, travelling in a downgraded first class Mk2f coach hauled by 87002 which left 16 minutes late at 1457 and took me all the way to Euston, arriving 19 minutes late at 1749.
Time to walk to King’s Cross for a York train hauled by an unidentified Deltic, riding in Mk2d stock, which left 5 minutes late at 1810 and got me to Grantham 33 minutes late at 1956 despite calling only at Peterborough.
They must have held the connection at Grantham as the Metro-Cammell dmu from Skegness I changed to left 17 minutes late at 1958 and got me back to Nottingham 15 minutes late at 2037.

Mileage for the day – 504

Wednesday 4th July 1979
Off to London on the 0828 from Nottingham to St Pancras again (45148, Mk2d) which arrived 2 minutes early at 1034.
No rush to get to Paddington on the Circle Line for an HST (43016 & 43017) which left 2 minutes late at 1117 right through to Swansea where it arrived 3 minutes early at 1352.
I had time to eat my sandwiches on Swansea station before getting a Class 120 power twin dmu, which is what were then in use on the Central Wales line. This left at 1453 and got me to Shrewsbury 3 minutes early at 1834.
From there it was what may just possibly have been a Park Royal Class 103 dmu as I couldn’t identify it at the time. This left 6 minutes late and got me to Crewe 3 minutes late at 1945.
Just time to get the usual Class 120 dmu on a Lincoln service at 1950 to Nottingham, arriving 5 minutes late at 2146.

Mileage for the day – 538

Thursday 5th July 1979
A late-ish start with a Derby 2-car dmu on a Skegness service at 0847 to Grantham, arrived 2 minutes early at 0922.
Then a service from York (47406, Mk2d) 2 minutes late at 0931 to King’s Cross, calling at Peterborough and Huntingdon only, arrived 18 minutes late at 1120.
But there was time for the usual connection by Circle Line to Paddington for a Class 117 dmu at 1159 to Oxford on which I assume I secured a front seat. Arrived at Oxford at 1403, it was then a Poole to Newcastle service (47074, Mk2a) at 1417 to Banbury, arrived 2 minutes early at 1442.
Then I had a ride on a Class 115 dmu departing at 1550 to Marylebone, arriving there 2 minutes early at 1734.
I was then scheduled to return home via Grantham departing King’s Cross at 1805 but for some reason – maybe I didn’t get there from Marylebone in time, I instead left St Pancras on the 1815 (45147, Mk2d downgraded First Class accommodation) to Leicester, arriving at 1956.
Then I got what may have been a Class 116 or 118 dmu to Nottingham at 2032 – arrival time not recorded.

Mileage for the day – 408

Friday 6th July 1979
I don’t know what happened here to change my plans, but it looks as if I settled for an afternoon going around the bookshops in London. At least I didn’t travel direct, as I started with the usual Class 120 dmu on a service through to Birmingham, departing Nottingham at 0838 and arriving at New Street at 1004. From there it was a service departing 6 minutes late at 1024 to Euston (86208, Mk2f), arriving 2 minutes late at 1159.
I then returned at 2005 from St Pancras (45111, Mk2d) to Nottingham, arriving 2209.

So mileage for the day was only 296

 

[55013]

Brilliant stuff from about twelve months before I started spotting.
I'm particularly jealous 83009 - I never managed to have an 83 for haulage and don't suppose I ever will.

 

[Techniquest]

I have similar doubts as to ever securing an 83 for haulage, so I'm jealous too. Never had an 81, 82, 84 or 85 for haulage either, and the odds of it ever happening for me are slim to none!

Otherwise an interesting read as always!

 

[Cowley]

Yes very interesting. Good to see services being held for connecting passengers in those days!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Reading back through it, there was rather a lot of late running! I don't know if it was typical of those times or if I was just unlucky that week.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Excellent reports, with the usual nostalgia for those I scored and those I missed. I agree that the front seat of a DMU provided an excellent view; however in the late 1970s/early 1980s blinds internal blinds were kept lowered 99% of the time in the Manchester area.

"Chronicles of Napier" website indicates that your unknown Deltic on 3/7/79 was probably 55011.

Rather jealous of 33001, which I never saw, let alone travelled behind!

 

[Merthyr Imp]

East Midlands Rover ticket 1980

I did the same as the previous year, but this time a little earlier on.

Saturday 17th May 1980
I started with a Swindon Cross-Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) which left Nottingham 9 minutes late at 0855 to Grantham, arrived 7 minutes late at 0931.
I changed to a service which left 2 minutes late at 0940 to Doncaster (55002. Mk2d), arrived 1028.
From there it was a Derby 2-car dmu 6 minutes late at 1144 to Cleethorpes, arriving 4 minutes early at 1310.
I then had a run to New Holland Pier and back, departing Cleethorpes on a Derby 2-car dmu at 1403, arriving 5 minutes early at 1448. I stayed on the same unit and returned at 1458 to Cleethorpes, arriving 4 minutes early at 1544.
I left there on yet another Derby 2-car dmu 5 minutes late at 1623 back to Doncaster, arriving still 5 minutes late at 1807. But there was time to connect to a Class 123/124 combination dmu at 1812 to Sheffield, arrived 1851.
Then back to Nottingham at 1903 to Nottingham (Class 45, Mk2d), arriving at 1958.

Sunday 18th May 1980
I paid what was becoming my annual visit to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough.
Left Nottingham on a St Pancras service to Leicester which left 8 minutes late at 1107 (45139, Mk2d), arrived 5 minutes late at 1132.
Then got the 1145 back up to Loughborough (a Swindon 3-car dmu), arrived 2 minutes early at 1158.
Can't remember what I was hauled by on the GCR, but it may have been the N2 0-6-2T (then running as LNER no. 4744)
I returned from Loughborough on a service from St Pancras 13 minutes late at 1620 hauled by 45107, unusually riding in a Mk 1 compartment coach. Arrived Nottingham 9 minutes late at 1635.

Monday 19th May 1980
I had an early start with a service departing Nottingham at 0715, probably a Glasgow service, particularly as I was in a Mk1 coach and hauled by 47480. This got me to Chesterfield at 0753.
I think I was hoping to get a front seat ride on a dmu from there to Sheffield, but departing at 0818 it was one of the Class 123/14 hybrids, so I was unlucky. This arrived at Sheffield at 0836. From there I got a Derby 2-car dmu 2 minutes late at 0849 to Doncaster, arrived 3 minutes early at 0923.
Then I had a good long ride down the Joint Line on a Metro-Cammell 2-car dmu (probably DID get the front seat) which left 3 minutes late at 1029 and got me to Spalding 9 minutes late at 1239.
Then it was a Cravens 2-car dmu on the 1248 to Peterborough, arrived 1310.
From Peterborough, probably after a spot of lunch In Littlewood’s café, I got an HST at 1427 to Doncaster, arrived 1520.
Then it was back down to Grantham on a service 7 minutes late at 1634 (47528, Mk 2d), which arrived 14 minutes late at 1732.
From there it was back home on a service 7 minutes late at 1748 (Cravens 2-car dmu) which arrived at Nottingham 3 minutes late at 1825.

Tuesday 20th May 1980
I started with a Swindon 3-car dmu (Class 120) at 0725 to Lincoln St Marks), arrived there 14 minutes late at 0838. From there I'd planned to get a train at 0832 to Grantham (presumably a service from Cleethorpes) but owing to the late arrival I missed it so got what turned out to be the same unit back as far as Newark Castle, leaving Lincoln 4 minutes late at 0843.
I then had plenty of time to walk to Newark Northgate and got a service from King’s Cross at 1000 to Cleethorpes (47420, Mk2d), arriving there 9 minutes late at 1149.
After probably having fish & chips at the seaside I left on the King’s Cross train at 1313 (47420, Mk2d working back again). This got me to Peterborough 2 minutes early at 1535.
Then a Cravens 2-car dmu at 1600 to Leicester, arrived 5 minutes late at 1721.
From there it was a service from St Pancras at 1736 – a Class 45, and somewhat unusually for that period riding in a Mk 1 open. Back in Nottingham 3 minutes early at 1810.

Wednesday 21st May 1980
I’ve never gone in for the sort of haulage ‘bashing’ of the kind detailed on so many of these threads, but I was obviously after some Deltic haulage on this day (although not bothered about individual locos).
I think it was at this time when the HSTs were on the longer distance services and the Deltics on the Leeds, Hull, York and Cleethorpes runs.
I started with the inevitable Derby 2-car dmu on the 0846 to Grantham, arriving there 3 minutes early at 0921.
From Grantham it was a service from King’s Cross which left 13 minutes late at 0951 (55006, Mk2d) to Doncaster, arriving 7 minutes late at 1035.
It was a quick turnaround for me to get a King’s Cross train at 1039 to Peterborough (55022, Mk 2d), arriving there at 1155.
Time for lunch in Peterborough – probably Littlewood’s café again - then a service from King’s Cross at 1342 to Doncaster (HST, 43119 & 43112), arriving 6 minutes late at 1443.
Then back down to Grantham with another Deltic (55014, Mk2d), which left 5 minutes late at 1632, arriving Grantham 1 minute late at 1719.
Finally back to Nottingham on another Derby 2-car dmu which left 4 minutes late at 1834 and arrived in Nottingham 2 minutes late at 1914.

Thursday 22nd May 1980
Started with a Swindon 3-car dmu (Class 120) at 0808 to Barnetby (would have been a Cleethorpes service), arriving there at 0950.
From there I got a Cravens 2-car dmu at 1026 to Sheffield via Gainsborough Central, arriving at 1203.
Probably pie & chips in Woolworth’s café, then a Class 123/124 hybrid dmu at 1351 to Doncaster, arriving 4 minutes late at 1428.
Then a service to King’s Cross which left 21 minutes late at 1507 to Grantham, hauled by 55003 (Mk2d coach), arriving 16 minutes late at 1551.
Then the usual Derby 2-car dmu back to Nottingham, leaving 12 minutes late at 1556 and arriving 9 minutes late at 1634.

Friday 23rd May 1980
Just an afternoon trip to Leicester (can’t remember why), leaving Nottingham at 1400, unusually for the period being hauled by a Class 47 (but in a Mk2d), arriving at 1425.
Returned from Leicester at 1631 (45141, Mk2d) arriving back in Nottingham 2 minutes early at 1658.