The Last ever fast express train hauled by steam locomotives.

[robert thomas]

Well into the diesel era, the 1973-74 LMR Passenger timetable still named the 21:05 Man Vic to Heysham Harbour as The Belfast Boat Express. See attached scan of Table 54 from that year. BTW, Heysham station was certainly a busy spot in the late evening before the overnight ferry sailed!
View attachment 142877


The Derby Sulzers website has a photo of 25 082 hauling the last Belfast Boat Express (1P02), taken after dark at Bolton on 5 April 1975 - the day that Sealink sailings on the Heysham - Belfast route were withdrawn (allegedly because the ferry custom had been decimated by The Troubles in 1970s Northern Ireland)

https://www.derbysulzers.com/25082.html



Did I once hear about the existence of a '2105 Club*', populated by cranks who regularly travelled on the Belfast Boat Express for at least part of its route (Manchester to Preston?) just to enjoy the haulage - presumably while it was a last outpost of steam?

(* 21:05 being the train's longstanding departure time from Manchester Victoria.)

20.55 was the

Well into the diesel era, the 1973-74 LMR Passenger timetable still named the 21:05 Man Vic to Heysham Harbour as The Belfast Boat Express. See attached scan of Table 54 from that year. BTW, Heysham station was certainly a busy spot in the late evening before the overnight ferry sailed!
View attachment 142877


The Derby Sulzers website has a photo of 25 082 hauling the last Belfast Boat Express (1P02), taken after dark at Bolton on 5 April 1975 - the day that Sealink sailings on the Heysham - Belfast route were withdrawn (allegedly because the ferry custom had been decimated by The Troubles in 1970s Northern Ireland)

https://www.derbysulzers.com/25082.html



Did I once hear about the existence of a '2105 Club*', populated by cranks who regularly travelled on the Belfast Boat Express for at least part of its route (Manchester to Preston?) just to enjoy the haulage - presumably while it was a last outpost of steam?

(* 21:05 being the train's longstanding departure time from Manchester Victoria.)

20.55 was the time in steam days. The normal load was 7 coaches and occasionally had a GUV added.