Things you would like to do again (even if impossible)

[Any Permitted]

Doing the GEML in a swallow-liveried Mk2 coach before it became an incredible chore. I used to get so excited about going to London but the 3 hour journey has become so boring to me now I do it weekly.

 

[AndyJB]

A semi-possible entry I guess, but my personal choice would be the 'Weymouth' back when it was hauled by a 37 & four or five mk2's, or mk1/mk2 mixture. Was always an amazing 'bash'.

Will never forget standing on Oldfield Park station watching a growler appear from Bath Spa in the distance and being able to hear it before could see it, and making last-minute desicions to bash it to Bristol. It was even better on the occasions that I was able to bash it through to Weymouth and would be stood on the oposite platform, listening out for it as, again, it could usually be heard before it could be seen.

Whilst it is arguable that this senario is just about repeatable (as some of the 37's that used to haul this working are still around) it isn't repeatable in the sense that I am thinking - Large logo tractor hauling a mixture of blue/Grey and NSE stock.

Additionally, a slightly less possible one - I always enjoyed a ride behind class 205 or 207 DEMU during their spell working through Bath - quite often bashed them to Bristol for the sake of bashing something a little different.

 

[Moog_1984]

Given a Tardis, sod creating world peace, I'd go back and do at least these two:

Greenock to Aviemore, top and tail 37s. Probably the biggest ADD-ah-EX ever in Scotland. Top and tail were very, very rare in the UK at that time in 1984/5.

Class 40 forward on the West Highland Line sleeper:: south of Dumbarton through low level! turned it down.

40s on the n.welsh coast and Bristol to Plymouth.

 

[Bittern]

What "low level"? There's at least two stations south of Dumbarton that have the subtitle "low level" in the name.

 

[scotsman]

What "low level"? There's at least two stations south of Dumbarton that have the subtitle "low level" in the name.

It'd have to be Queen Street Low Level

 

[Bittern]

Are you sure? Considering it's the sleeper, surely Central LL would've been more likely as it has a direct connection to the WCML.

 

[4SRKT]

Are you sure? Considering it's the sleeper, surely Central LL would've been more likely as it has a direct connection to the WCML.

In the days when class 40s could be seen on BR the FW sleeper used to combine with the Inverness portion in Mossend Yard, so if a 40 did haul the sleeper through a Glasgow low level station, it would more likely have been Queen Street.

 

[Moog_1984]

In the days when class 40s could be seen on BR the FW sleeper used to combine with the Inverness portion in Mossend Yard, so if a 40 did haul the sleeper through a Glasgow low level station, it would more likely have been Queen Street.

That's right: I believe it went via springburn, but there is also a connection from the Airdie route to mossend at Coatbridge.

So yes, QS low level most probably depending on slots: The bellgrove connection would make Central LL possible too. ( the 'Argyle" Line)

Quite amazing to see a forty at Dumbarton then. Probaby 024 or 047 which were around ScR that autumn: not required so I didn't risk getting marooned in Motherwell.

The stock would have been dual heat ?

 

[Sun Chariot]

OK - this one might be for the SIMers out there; but here goes...


Maggie's in Number Ten, the Miners' Strike is two years away and we still have one-pound notes. Rail Blue rules and only the Scots know who Chris Green is.

We're still mourning the Deltics and the Woodhead. Messers Farrow and Watts are our gods of choice. "Rail Enthusiast" still has those awful yellow pages in the middle - but we forgive EMAP because David Maxey's "Railtour Review" is so funny.

You get the picture? (OK, if you're younger than 40, you may not...). This one is all about '80's traction-haulage that should've happened but didn't...


PART 1: THE TOUR
Where window-bellowing + thrash = a grand day out.

Ladies and gents: I give you... F&W Tours' "The Trans Pennine Triple". Yes, a fine return run between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle Central; and headed by the classic route-traction, in the form of 40 + 45/1 + 31/4. And with a rake of filthy, pressure-ventilated Mk2 a/b laughing-stock...

More horses than you could shake an HST-shaped-stick at; and best of all, just imagine those 40 cylinders, from Lime Street to Edge Hill, throttling up the bank and through the cutting... Pure traction nirvana!

Of course, we can be sure that the Whistler and the Goyle would've failed spectacularly inside Standedge Tunnel; leaving tetchy consternation, total chaos and tour-curtailment.

And Maxey's column heading would gleefully shout: "Trans Pennine Pickle"...


The moral of the story? Sometimes, the best ideas are best left as ideas...

 

[4SRKT]

OK - this one might be for the SIMers out there; but here goes...


Maggie's in Number Ten, the Miners' Strike is two years away and we still have one-pound notes. Rail Blue rules and only the Scots know who Chris Green is.

We're still mourning the Deltics and the Woodhead. Messers Farrow and Watts are our gods of choice. "Rail Enthusiast" still has those awful yellow pages in the middle - but we forgive EMAP because David Maxey's "Railtour Review" is so funny.

You get the picture? (OK, if you're younger than 40, you may not...). This one is all about '80's traction-haulage that should've happened but didn't...


PART 1: THE TOUR
Where window-bellowing + thrash = a grand day out.

Ladies and gents: I give you... F&W Tours' "The Trans Pennine Triple". Yes, a fine return run between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle Central; and headed by the classic route-traction, in the form of 40 + 45/1 + 31/4. And with a rake of filthy, pressure-ventilated Mk2 a/b laughing-stock...

More horses than you could shake an HST-shaped-stick at; and best of all, just imagine those 40 cylinders, from Lime Street to Edge Hill, throttling up the bank and through the cutting... Pure traction nirvana!

Of course, we can be sure that the Whistler and the Goyle would've failed spectacularly inside Standedge Tunnel; leaving tetchy consternation, total chaos and tour-curtailment.

And Maxey's column heading would gleefully shout: "Trans Pennine Pickle"...


The moral of the story? Sometimes, the best ideas are best left as ideas...

Nice post! I'm still under 40 (3 months to go.........) but I get the gist 100%. Those were the glory years and no mistake. Even as we were living through it I think we all sort of knew at some level that it was truly THE golden age. Window hanging out up to the waist; wild flailing; ecstatic cries of 'My Lords!' from every window in the first two or three coaches; bogrolls streaming from the windows. Total carefree (if a little irresponsible) exuberance: we were living the dream en route to Aberystwyth, Skegness, Scarborough and many other places. David Maxey! What a genius. 'Railtour Groupie of the Month' anyone?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Ah - that takes me back (wonder if the Railtour Groupies did too...).

Maxey's fine comments meant I could never read the phrase "a pair of 37's" without my mind going to a dark and mucky place...

 

[4SRKT]

Ah - that takes me back (wonder if the Railtour Groupies did too...).

Maxey's fine comments meant I could never read the phrase "a pair of 37's" without my mind going to a dark and mucky place...

I've used that phrase several times on this Forum! Please don't blow my cover by revealing that I didn't in fact make it up myself! When I first started reading Rail Enthusiast (aged 12) I used to be extremely apprehensive about the idea of going on railtours because of Mr Maxey's descriptions of the antics on board!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Where is David Maxey these days anyway? I remember that column of his...

 

[4SRKT]

The stock would have been dual heat ?

Would have had to have been to have been hauled by a 40 (or the more usual 27 or 37) on the West Highland, and then an AC electric from Mossend southwards. Mk I sleepers were dual heat anyway, as were the PV mk II TSOs used in the seating accomodation.

Where is David Maxey these days anyway? I remember that column of his...

He was a good writer. Not many people have been able to write in a truly amusing way about bashing. I've seen him in a semi-pornographic Zontar video one time, but other than that no trace. He is that most legendary of legends in that he appears to have totally vanished. Bashing's answer to Jim Morrison!

 

[scotsman]

I used to be extremely apprehensive about the idea of going on railtours because of Mr Maxey's descriptions of the antics on board!

I definitely don't sanction the carnage on these tours, but it'd sure liven up my Stewarding work!

Given what Misfire have threatened bashers with, I honestly doubt whether we'll ever see a true or, in my case, first 'bash' again (in it's peaceful definition)

 

[4SRKT]

I definitely don't sanction the carnage on these tours, but it'd sure liven up my Stewarding work!

Given what Misfire have threatened bashers with, I honestly doubt whether we'll ever see a true or, in my case, first 'bash' again (in it's peaceful definition)

I'm sure it would. The current scene is too sanitised TBH, and the antics on service trains in the 80s were considerably worse than anything you get on railtours these days.

As you are a steward for the SRPS may I compliment you on your organisation? Last year's class 40 trip to Inverness was the most well organised, relaxed and friendly tour I've ever done. Please start more SRPS diesel tours in England as if that one was in any way representative they are a delight to travel on, but usually difficult to access for those of us south of the border who appreciate quality lines and traction in Scotland.

 

[scotsman]

I'm sure it would. The current scene is too sanitised TBH, and the antics on service trains in the 80s were considerably worse than anything you get on railtours these days.

As you are a steward for the SRPS may I complement you on your organisation? Last year's class 40 trip to Inverness was the most well organised, relaxed and friendly tour I've ever done. Please start more SRPS diesel tours in England as if that one was in any way representative they are a delight to travel on, but usually difficult to access for those of us south of the border who appreciate quality lines and traction in Scotland.

Cheers for that!

I'm actually a new Steward (started May this year), so I didn't have anything to do with that tour. I can't comment on starting tours in England, it may have something to do with having to hire crews and locos to come north (WCRC usually crew) and then go back south etc. If you have a look here, you can see that we do vary starting points, which will help with the accessability issues. However, we also provide stock and Stewards for North East Railtours - so if you like our service, check them out!

 

[4SRKT]

By 'England' Carlisle will do. Starting in Carlisle you can attract English cranks a-plenty, and still pick up in Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Glasgow before breakfast: the best of both worlds! On the class 40 tour from Carlisle to Inverness and back, the SRPS put in a Herculean effort bringing the stock from Bo'ness to Carlisle with 57601, and then back to Bo'ness after the tour was over. This tour was an 18 hour marathon for those of us punters who covered the whole distance with the 40, so I can only surmise that the stewards who'd been on all the way to and from Bo'ness must have been utterly knackered by the time they got home. Whatever, their labours were most definitely not in vain!

 

[scotsman]

This tour was an 18 hour marathon for those of us punters who covered the whole distance with the 40, so I can only surmise that the stewards who'd been on all the way to and from Bo'ness must have been utterly knackered by the time they got home. Whatever, their labours were most definitely not in vain!

Aye, they would have been! Many of them would then have got a sleeping bag out of the Guards Van and gone to sleep in a compartment.

For the record, all tours are knackering - once got up at 4am, on at 0510, had 1315 - 1715 off (in Grange-over-Sands and Carnforth) then on from 1715 - 0005, in bed at 1am. Ouch. Although, the banter was excellent!

 

[4SRKT]

Aye, they would have been! Many of them would then have got a sleeping bag out of the Guards Van and gone to sleep in a compartment.

For the record, all tours are knackering - once got up at 4am, on at 0510, had 1315 - 1715 off (in Grange-over-Sands and Carnforth) then on from 1715 - 0005, in bed at 1am. Ouch. Although, the banter was excellent!

Certainly that Inverness do was knackering for me. My mate and I got his preserved BRS BMC Noddy van out of the Keighley Bus Museum on Friday evening and drove it to Gretna where we slept in the back of it in the grounds of a dog track. After the most uncomfortable night's sleep on record we got up at 4:00 am to fit in with the incredibly unfavourable pathing SRPS had been given. After a whole day drinking (including 4 pints of a beautiful Orkney-brewed porter in a pub in Inverness) we settled down for another night of insomnia at Gretna before returning to West Yorkshire on Sunday morning. What a weekend of hardcore diesel action!

http://image40.webshots.com/41/6/25/0/2357625000078404180wwkrpc_ph.jpg

 

[scotsman]

Certainly that Inverness do was knackering for me. My mate and I got his preserved BRS BMC Noddy van out of the Keighley Bus Museum on Friday evening and drove it to Gretna where we slept in the back of it in the grounds of a dog track. After the most uncomfortable night's sleep on record we got up at 4:00 am to fit in with the incredibly unfavourable pathing SRPS had been given. After a whole day drinking (including 4 pints of a beautiful Orkney-brewed porter in a pub in Inverness) we settled down for another night of insomnia at Gretna before returning to West Yorkshire on Sunday morning. What a weekend of hardcore diesel action!

Cracking! At least you didn't have to serve meals too!

 

[Bittern]

Aye, they would have been! Many of them would then have got a sleeping bag out of the Guards Van and gone to sleep in a compartment.

For the record, all tours are knackering - once got up at 4am, on at 0510, had 1315 - 1715 off (in Grange-over-Sands and Carnforth) then on from 1715 - 0005, in bed at 1am. Ouch. Although, the banter was excellent!

This must be a serious pain if you have to juggle a job and social life as well. One of the things that's turned me off from volunteering.

 

[33056]

Ref. David Maxey, he still does the narration for many Locomaster Profiles videos.

Ref. SRPS tours, always like to try and fit one in each year (with meals ) did the Aberdeen to Oban one this year - rather a long day but most enjoyable.