Tuesday 10th March 2020
DONCASTER
The first of our two scheduled visits to Doncaster in 2020 illustrated the fascinating transition taking place on the E.C.M.L.
Since our last visit in October 2019 the HST’s are no more although we did see Scot – Rail’s 43030 being shunted within the Works. A total of 38 IEP units were seen with 10 Class 91’s working ECML services.
Freight traffic held up with a total of 21 workings including light engine movements giving an overall total of 26 locomotives in addition to those seen on Roberts Rd.
Timekeeping was generally good however a signalling problem North of York resulted in 1E06 ex Glasgow Central being 55 minutes late & two Voyager workings being heavily delayed.
7 Members attended including 2 from the Humberside Branch.
Trains observed
09.37/09.44 801207 1D05 TO LEEDS
09.43 801226 5Q98 08.11 TYNE YARD – DONCASTER CARR
09.46/09.48 82205/91113 1A19 EX LEEDS
09.54/09.56 82202/91112 1E04 EX EDINBURGH
09.55 66099 0E23 08.40 TOTON DEPOT – BELMONT YD
09.59 180112 1N90 TO SUNDERLAND
10.09 66743 6D75 08.43 SCUNTHORPE – DECOY YD
10.15/10.18 82225/91106 1A20 EX LEEDS
10.17/10.19 91102/82223 1S08 TO EDINBURGH [TERMINATED AT YORK]
10.17 801203 1E05 EX EDINBURGH
10.19/10.21 801223 1D06 TO LEEDS
10.22/10.25 801205 1Y82 EX YORK
10.29 66539/66572 4L87 08.31 LEEDS – FELIXSTOWE
10.32 67002 0Z67 10.45 DONCASTER WEST YD – RETFORD- DONCASTER WEST YD
10.32 801220 1S09 TO EDINBURGH
10.39/10.43 801109/801105 1D07 TO LEEDS
10.44 66779 4E14 04.05 FELIXSTOWE – DONCASTER IPORT
10.47/10.49 800201/800210 1A22 EX HARROGATE
10.48 180101 1A61 EX SUNDERLAND
10.54 66772/66139 6O01 10.42 BELMONT YD – EASTLEIGH YD
10.59 66005 4L45 10.04 WAKEFIELD EUROPORT – FELIXSTOWE
11.02/11.05 801111/801112 1N81 TO YORK
11.08/11.10 91130/82214 1S10 TO EDINBURGH
11.11/11.14 800110 1D08 TO HARROGATE
11.15 66561 6Y33 05.30 NEWPORT EAST JNC – DECOY YD
11.17/11.20 801207 1A25 EX LEEDS
11.23/11.28 802301 1H02 TO HULL
11.28/11/29 802303 1A93 EX HULL
11.31 800105 1W11 TO ABERDEEN
11.40 801211 1E07 EX EDINBURGH 22’ LATE
11.42/11.43 801101/801104 1D09 TO LEEDS
11.43/11.48 801223 1A26 EX LEEDS
11.46 70815 6Z31 11.27 DECOY YD – MILLERHILL YD
11.48 67002 0Z67 10.45 DONCASTER WEST YD – RETFORD- DONCASTER WEST YD
11.51/11.53 801209 1E06 EX GLASGOW CENTRAL 55’ LATE
11.56/11.58 82223/91102 1G08 EX YORK [IN PATH OF 1E08 EX EDINBURGH – CANCELLED AT NEWCASTLE]
12.01 800101 5Q67 11.57 DONCASTER CARR – TYNE YD
12.05 66174 +66090/67012/60002/6008 0F54 12.06 BELMONT YD – TOTON T.M.D
12.07/12.10 91116/82213 1S12 TO EDINBURGH
12.09 66502 4L85 08.21 EAST MIDLANDS GATEWAY – FELIXSTOWE
12.13/12.27 801222 1D10 TO LEEDS
12.18 66765 4Z81 11.34 MASBOROUGH – FELIXSTOWE
12.15/12.19 801105/801109 1A28 EX LEEDS
12.24/12.26 801112/801111 1Y84 EX YORK
12.29/12.35 180108 1D71 TO BRADFORD INTERCHANGE
12.31 91114/82211 1S13 TO EDINBURGH
12.42 82218/91126 1E09 EX EDINBURGH 23’ LATE
12.43/12.44 801219 1D11 TO LEEDS
12.45/12.47 800206 1A29 EX HARROGATE
12.54/12.57 800112 1E10 EX EDINBURGH
13.04/13.07 91107/82217 1N83 TO YORK
13.06 180105 1N92 TO SUNDERLAND
13.14 66551 4E23 05.50 FELIXSTOWE – LEEDS
13.11/13.13 91129/82215 1S15 TO EDINBURGH
13.14/13.16 801213 1D12 TO HARROGATE
13.17/13.19 801104/801101 1A30 EX LEEDS
13.22 66744 4D08 09.33 TEES DOCK – DONCASTER IPORT
13.26 800111 1E11 EX ABERDEEN
13.28/13.31 802304 1H03 TO HULL
13.30 66164 6D61 11.08 ROXBY – ROSSINGTON
13.34 800107 1W96 TO INVERNESS
13.35/13.36 802301 1A94 EX HULL
13.40/13.43 801103/801106 1D13 TO LEEDS
13.49/13.51 801222 1A31 EX LEEDS
13.53 66592 6E50 09.14 IPSWICH – LINDSEY
13.55/13.56 801110/801102 1E12 TO EDINBURGH
14.09/14.12 91112/82202 1S17 TO EDINBURGH
14.09 66061 6Z69 13.50 HECK – DOWLOW
14.13/14.15 91106/82225 1D14 TO LEEDS
14.17/14.19 801219 1A33 EX LEEDS
14.25 180101 1N93 TO SUNDERLAND
14.29 800102 1E13 EX INVERNESS
14.32/14.34 82217/91107 1Y86 EX YORK
14.34 801205 1S18 TO EDINBURGH
14.36 180112 1A65 EX SUNDERLAND
14.38 66707 4E34 05.28 SOUTHAMPTON – DONCASTER IPORT
14.42/14.44 91113/82205 1D15 TO LEEDS
14.49 66719 6E86 08.30 MIDDLETON TOWERS – MONK BRETTON
14.53 66779 4L14 14.55 DONCASTER IPORT – FELIXSTOWE
14.53/14.55 800110 1A34 EX HARROGATE
14.53/14.56 801221 1E14 EX EDINBURGH
14.58 66783 6E20 13.02 TOTON – DECOY YD
15.01/15.05 801203 1N85 TO YORK
15.08/15.11 801211 1S19 TO EDINBURGH
15.12/15.14 800210/800201 1D16 TO LEEDS
15.17 800106 1E15 EX ABERDEEN
15.24/15.25 801106/801103 1A36 EX LEEDS
15.24/15.28 802303 1H04 TO HULL
15.30 800104 1W20 TO ABERDEEN
15.37/15.43 811207 1D17 TO LEEDS
RR [ROBERTS ROAD] 57312 66703/24/49/86
WORKS SIDINGS 08724 43030
DONCASTER WEST YD 144002/195023/195108
STABLED 37099/9481/72639/977974/9701
ALSO SEEN
33104/06 144004-06/10/12/14/21, 150203, 153315, 156404, 158810/910, 170456/58/61/72-74, 185110/15/18/20/28/31/36/38/43/46, 220001/06/12/32/33, 221122/40/41/44
Tuesday 25th February 2020
CUMBRIA DAY RANGER
Only four
members attended this fixture due to holidays and the uncertainty because of
the very variable weather. The Cumbrian Coast route and the route over Shap had
been closed for part of the day on Friday 20th February and with considerable
rain having fallen since then there was some doubt the fixture could go
ahead. An alternative itnierary was in place however the original fixture was
able to go ahead as scheduled.
The
weather in Cumbria was actually better than in Cheshire so we need not have
worried. Much flooding was to be seen north of Barrow in Furness and there was
snow cover on the hills but overall the weather was perfect.
Carlisle is no longer the freight mecca of a few years ago however the 80 minute interlude at Carlisle was quite fascinating. The GW&SR had been closed since 10 February due to a landslip at Hollywood so a Carlisle – Dumfries shuttle was in place with bus replacement north of Dumfries.
The usual banter ensued between those present and those who did not attend missed a most enjoyable day.
Locos/units seen
CREWE**390155 – 9S44 06.43 EUSTON – EDINBURGH
ARPLEY YARD60074 6H02 09.27 ARPLEY – TUNSTEAD, 66034
ARPLEY STABLING POINT 66168
WARRINGTON B Q 57301 STABLED
WIGAN SPRINGS BRANCH 08703, 331022
WIGAN NORTH WESTERN 153324, 158860, 319379/383
PRESTON 68030 3B92 08.21 CARLISLE – CREWE CS, 150222, 156452/59, 158907, **195008 – 1C52 09.28 MAN AIRPORT – BARROW , 195111/29, 319375, 331003/06/07/13/19, 350409, 390119/35, DR73909
PRESTON CS 397001
LANCASTER 221113/17
CARNFORTH 37612/99666/72630/62384/9801/9714 ex 3Q89 18.48 Derby R.T.C – Carnforth & to work 3Q90 22.48 Carnforth – Carlisle
WCRC, CARNFORTH 37669/76/706, 47270/746/826/32/51, 57001/06, 57313/14/16
BARROW IN FURNESS, 156420 2C55 13.16 BARROW – CARLISLE, **156465 2C53 12.06 BARROW – CARLISLE
BARROW CS 156482
FOXFIELD 156475 2C48 11.07 CARLISLE – BARROW
RAVENGLASS 156488 2C50 11.07 CARLISLE – BARROW
SELLAFIELD 68001/05/34, 88001
ST BEES 156480 2C52 12.10 CARLISLE – BARROW
WORKINGTON 156485 2C54 13.07 CARLISLE – LANCASTER
WIGTON 156483 2C56 14.08 CARLISLE – BARROW
CARLISLE 57304 STABLED, 156464 2C58 14.41 CARLISLE – BARROW , 14.47/14.48 390138 1S58 11.30 EUSTON – GLASGOW CENTRAL, 14.47/14.48 390135 1M14 13.40 GLASGOW CENTRAL – EUSTON, 14.50 158904 2H93 14.50 CARLISLE – NEWCASTLE, 14.54 158791 2A26 14.54 CARLISLE – NEWCASTLE, 15.00/15.01 390002 9S60 10.43 EUSTON – EDINBURGH, 15.05 156458 1L74 15.05 CARLISLE – DUMFRIES, 15.09/15.11 390127 9M84 14.00 GLASGOW CENTRAL – EUSTON, 15.09 156448 1N63 13.39 NEWCASTLE – CARLISLE, 15.12 156465 2C32 15.12 CARLISLE – BARROW, 15.13/15.15 350408 1S61 13.07 MAN AIRPORT – GLASGOW CENTRAL, 15.21 156448 1N70 15.21 CARLISLE – NEWCASTLE, 15.26 56091 0C58 14.30 CARNFORTH – CARLISLE, 15.30/15.38 350402 1M99 14.12 EDINBURGH – MAN AIRPORT, 15.38 156453 1Z55 15.00 DUMFRIES – CARLISLE, 15.40 56091 0Z56 16.17 CARLISLE – PRESTON C.S, 15.43 156420 2C55 13.16 BARROW – CARLISLE, 15.43 390001 1S63 12.30 EUSTON – GLASGOW CENTRAL, 15.43 156454 2N21 13.55 MORPETH – CARLISLE, 15.53/15.54 390115 1M15 14.40 GLASGOW CENT – EUSTON, 15.57 156421 1N65 14.33 NEWCASTLE – CARLISLE, 15.58 68004/68018 0Z52 15.50 KM – SELLAFIELD, 15.59 153360/158842 2H90 13.18 LEEDS – CARLISLE, 15.59 221102 9S65 11.43 EUSTON – GLASGOW CENTRAL**16.06/16.08 390107 9M86 14.52 EDINBURGH – EUSTON
LANCASTER, 158797, 195105
ARPLEY STABLING POINT, 66198
ARPLEY YARD 66160
TRAINS TRAVELLED on ** in italics.
Monday 17th February 2020
CHESTER
The meeting at Chester on 17th February was not quite the usual, as photographs were not to the fore. An attendance of 21 were treated to an extremely interesting and informative talk by John Hastings-Thomson entitled “The Unknown Warrior – the Patriot Rebuild”.
John went through all the trials and tribulations involved in building a new steam locomotive explaining the many pitfalls they came across, such as not keeping as close an eye on quality control as was necessary, but also some of the successes such as a simpler and cheaper way of producing castings for many parts.
He explained that fortunately, although many drawings were not available, the ‘Patriot’ locomotives had many parts which were identical to those on a ‘Jubilee’, so this made life a little easier.
The principal aspects of any such project were to ensure that funds were being attained on a regular basis, particularly by subscription, as when delays are experienced the cost of a venture like this can escalate and to use locations which have the best equipment for the job in hand.
The evening was most enjoyable and with his photographs of the locomotive as it went through various stages of building made for a most enjoyable evening.
Tuesday 11th February 2020
WEST MIDLANDS DAY RANGER
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323240 departing from Pl.1 at Aston working 2L29 10.12 Redditch – Lichfield City
Two days after “Storm Ciara” struck the U.K, the Branch embarked on another outdoor fixture. On Monday 10 February the system was still in chaos due to problems caused by the storm. Fortunately by Tuesday the West Midlands area was back to normal.
Seven members attended with ex Branch Member Richard Neale [Cheltenham Branch] attending.
The party met at Crewe. Snow lay on the ground at Alsager and it was clear from the snow cover at Stoke on Trent that the area had a heavy fall the previous day. No snow was evident beyond Stone.
323214 arriving at Lichfield Trent Valley with 2P21 09.13 from Longbridge
All the trains on which we travelled were punctual with the exception of 1D61 12.19 New St – Nottingham which lost 10 minutes between New St & Tamworth due to being held because of the late departure of 60092 from Kingsbury on 6E54 to Humber.
170101 with 09.45 Cardiff to Nottingham atTamworth HL
We were pleased that the fixture was a day ranger rather than an observation as a very cold North Westerly wind blew all day. It was planned that we would spend 3 hours on Nuneaton Station however due to the very cold wind which was quite unbearable one hour was more than enough!
Nuneaton with 33207
66135 passing through Nuneaton working
6O42 11.31 Halewood (Jaguar Cars) – Southampton
Eastern Docks
Car for Israel on Halewood to Dagenham car carrier
OBSERVATIONS
LNWR 67025/68028/90019
LONGPORT08922
STAFFORD CCE SDGS DR80208
LICHFIELD T V 66198 6M13 01.04 DOLLANDS MOOR – DITTON FOUNDRY LANE
BESCOT YARD08632/08670/66017/66054/66055/66136/66720/66731
LAWLEY ST
66420 ex 4M86 03.00 FELIXSTOWE – LAWLEY ST
66531 4M55 09.02 SOUTHAMPTON – LAWLEY ST
66599 to work 4O17 15.48 LAWLEY ST – SOUTHAMPTON
WASHWOOD HEATH DR73923
WATER ORTON
66421 4Z52 06.35 SOUTH BANK TEES DOCK – DAVENTRY
66594 4L46 12.16 LAWLEY ST – LONDON GATEWAY
KINGSBURY
60001 6M57 07.15 LINDSEY – KINGSBURY
66514 4L57 13.01 BIRCH COPPICE – FELIXSTOWE
NUNEATON
33207 STABLED
DR79262/DR79272 STABLED
14.13 66135 6O42 11.31 HALEWOOD – SOUTHAMPTON
14.19 47815 13.49 LEICESTER L.I.P – LEICESTER L.I.P
14.31 70805 6M50 07.55 WESTBURY – BESCOT V.Q
14.41 70007 4M63 09.12 FELIXSTOWE – TRAFFORD PARK
LICHFIELD T.V CCE SDGSDR79501-07
COLWICH JNC 66142 4L56 13.15 TRAFFORD PARK – LONDON GATEWAY
STAFFORD60103 5Z78 10.00 EAST LANCS RAILWAY – MID HANTS RAILWAY
Three locomotives were seen with a combined age of 211 years; 60103 [Flying Scotsman] new 24/2/23, 33207 new 16/3/62 & 47815 new 1/7/64!
ALSO SEEN
142054, 156410, 158828, 170109/10/397/509/13/21/634, 172001/06, 220030, 221102/07/10/13/25/42, 323204-07/10/11/20/21/40, 319422, 350110/12/20/350240/46/48, 350404, 390002/05/16/39/45/47, 390114/19/21/22/28/29/32/41/48/51/52, 397010
TRAINS TRAVELLED ON : –
350113 1W10 09.01 [CREWE – EUSTON] TO STAFFORD
350236 1U24 09.33 [CREWE – EUSTON] STAFFORD TO LICHFIELD T.V
323214 2R31 10.20 [LICHFIELD T V – REDDITCH] LICHFIELD T.V TO ASTON
350265 2A17 10.22 [WOLVERHAMPTON – WALSALL] ASTON TO WALSALL
350265 2W24 11.30 [WALSALL – WOLVERHAMPTON] WALSALL TO NEW ST
170101 1D61 12.19 [NEW ST – NOTTINGHAM] NEW ST TO TAMWORTH
220020 1V54 06.33 [DUNDEE – PLYMOUTH] TAMWORTH TO NEW ST
170117 1L42 13.22 [NEW ST – STANSTED AIRPORT] NEW ST TO NUNEATON
350121 1U37 13.46 [EUSTON – CREWE] NUNEATON TO CREWE
Monday 5th February 2020
LIVERPOOL
The Black and White Collection of Bill Ashcroft
An attendance of 36, the highestat any brach meeting in three years saww John Sloane’s presenttation “The Black & White Collection of Bill Ashcroft” and as expected John’s presentation was to his usual high level of presentation and professionalism, which included some amusing anecdotes.
Bill, as many know, was Secretary of the Lancashire & North West Branch and was also involved in organising a number of rail tours, including those involving both the last “Duchess” and “Royal Scot” locomotives in 1964 and 1965 respectively. He lived just around the corner from Lostock Hall shed and worked overlooking Preston station, which he visited during most lunchtimes when at work, so he had a very good relationship with many railway staff in the area and this came to the fore with the number of photographs he took from rather unusual locations within the Preston area.
Whilst a large selection of photographs were taken around that area, we were also treated to some from further afield, including as far away as Inverness, the famous half roundhouse and water tower being seen.
We were shown a few colour shots and are indebted to John for providing us with such a nostalgic presentation and would welcome more of the excellent photographs shown.
Tuesday 28th January 2020
LANCASHIRE DAY RANGER
150132 at Ormskirk awaiting departure with 2N04 11.01 to Preston – Chris Dilley
The vagaries of the British weather were very much to the fore with sleet, snow, rain & strong winds experienced plus a little sunshine.
4 Members met at Manchester Piccadilly with 2 others joining further North.
The party travelled to Preston and then Ormskirk before heading to Lancaster. Some time was spent at this most attractive station with appropriately, 390135 City of Lancaster heading south before we boarded 156452 on the only working of the day, 12.49 to Heysham Harbour connecting as it does with the 14.15 sailing to Douglas, I.O.M.
Returning to Lancaster we travelled south to Preston before joining 331018 to Blackpool North. It is 3 years since our last outdoor fixture which incorporated a trip to Blackpool since when the route has been electrified. 390043 took us back to Preston where we connected into LNWR liveried 350408 on 1M98 [13.08 Glasgow Central – Manchester Airport] Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly at 16.25 gave Cheltenham Branch Member Peter Hughes 2 minutes to get from Platform 13 to Platform 5 to join the 16.27 to Bournemouth which he managed to do using his, “Maserati” like speed.
Trains travelled on
350408 [1S40 Man Airport – Glasgow Central]
150132 [2F44 10.26 Preston – Ormskirk]
150132 [2N04 11.01 Ormskirk – Preston]
195103 [1C53 10.28 Manchester Airport – Barrow]
156452 [2C87 12.49 Lancaster – Heysham Harbour]
156452 [2C86 13.20 Heysham Harbour – Lancaster]
390137 [9M55 12.00 Glasgow Central – Euston]
331018 [2N67 13.03 Hazel Grove – Blackpool North]
390043 [1A93 15.02 Blackpool North – Euston]
350408 [1M98 13.08 Glasgow Central – Man Airport]
Locos seen
MANCHESTER PICCADILLY [09.16] 66114 4M83 02.35 LONDON GATEWAY – TRAFFORD PARK
DEANSGATE [09.35] 66185 4O21 09.15 TRAFFORD PARK – SOUTHAMPTON
PRESTON [10.05] 68030 3B92 08.21 CARLISLE – BLETCHLEY MANCHESTER PICCADILLY [16.34] 66597 4L86 16.15 TRAFFORD PARK – FELIXSTOWE
156452 sits in Platform 5 at Lancaster waiting to work 2C87 12.49 to Heysham Harbour – Chris Dilley
Monday 20th January 2020
CHESTER
Following a routine and uncontroversial branch AGM at Chester on 20th January 24 persons were entertained by John Cashen’s presentation “Around Britain in 80 Minutes, Part 1”.
In this first part John covered the Western, Southern and Eastern Regions, mid-1957 to mid-1974 with a great selection and variety covering both black and white and colour, showing steam, diesel and electric plus some engine sheds. A huge range of classes which then graced the railway network were represented, together with some other very odd vehicles.
Starting in Chester the Western Region covered the Cambrian, Birmingham, Worcester, Oxford, London, South Wales then through to Devon and Cornwall.
The Southern Region started in Plymouth and he covered their routes to Exeter, then to Weymouth, Southampton, Basingstoke and via the south coast to Kent and into London, with a diversion onto the Isle of Wight.
The Eastern Region followed covering Barking, Stratford, East Anglia, Norwich, Cambridge, Retford and Doncaster.
It was amazing to see the quality of the photographs that John was able to take, initially with his very basic camera, and they showed what a good eye he has for a photograph.
The evening included little anecdotes from his trips and we look forward to Part 2 at some time in the future.
Tuesday 14th January 2020
CHESHIRE DAY RANGER
Five members
went on the Cheshire Day Ranger. Two started at Crewe on 153325 on the 0923 to
Chester were the other three joined. The next leg was on 158819 on the 1012 to
Liverpool Lime Street HL via the Halton Curve. This service started in May 2019
after many years of campaigning by the North Cheshire Rail Users Association
for the reopening of the line with the prospect of a future extension into
North Wales. The line joins the Crewe to Lime Street line at Halton Junction
and then passes Ditton FLT, Alstom Widnes, Jaguar Land Rover, Garston Car
Terminal and Alstom Edge Hill Depot in quick succession.
At Lime Street
we made our way downstairs to the low level platform for a return trip to New
Brighton on 507014. The Class 507/508 are now in their last year of operation.
The first of the new units 777003 arrived at Kirkdale Depot the same day.
Back at Lime
Street our next move was the highlight of the day – loco hauled (well propelled
actually) on the 1254 Lime Street to Scarborough as far as Manchester Victoria.
68027 and TPE Set 6 did the honours. A short trip from Victoria to Piccadilly
with 185101 round the Ordsall Curve followed.
195117 and 195001 in Platform 7 at Lime Street awaiting departure on the 1516 to Manchester Airport – Mark Youdan
At Piccadilly we
had planned to ride on the 1409 back to Liverpool Lime Street via the CLC on Northern’s
new Class 195 units. It duly arrived as a 5 car train formed of 195001 and
195117. En-route at Allerton Depot were quite a number of new Class 195 and
331. At Lime Street the party of three heading downstairs to take 507010 to
Chester. Their last move back to Crewe was on a double Voyager.
We had an
excellent trip and all trains ran to time.
Units/Locos seen
03073
08454/818/34 66001/112/587/745 68027 87035 90017/32
142004 150124/34
150203/25/42/84 153319/25/76/79 158752/813/19/20/24/37 175008 175109/16
185101/29 195001/11/19 195116/17/20/24 221114
319375/86 323225
331001/09/14/18/21/24/25 331105/12 350111 350234/39/63/376 390119/35/52
507005/06/07/10/13/14/17/18/24/30 508128/31/37 802203/17
Monday 16th December 2019
CHESTER
At the Chester meeting on 16th December 29 members witnessed a presentation by David Miller entitled “1960s Southern Branch Lines”.
He started his journey in Kent and went to the north and west along the south coast looking at all the branch lines on the Southern Region, finally ending up with branches throughout ‘The Withered Arm’. We not only saw some of the older motive power in the form of A1X, H2 and M7 tanks, but their ultimate newer replacements, namely Ivatt ‘teddy bear’, BR 2-6-2 and 2-6-4 tanks.
It was a most interesting presentation which not only gave the attendees an insight to those not familiar with these routes, but brought back memories to anyone who had been fortunate enough to have sampled some or all of the SR branches.
David gave a most interesting presentation which was thoroughly enjoyed by those fortunate enough to see it.
Tuesday 10th December 2019
STAFFORD
We now schedule only one meeting each year at Stafford and this is always the pre-Christmas meet when food is provided. Since we were last there in December 2018 there have been time table changes particularly to LNWR services increasing substantially the number of Class 350 units seen. In December 2018 during the same period the number seen was 18 and this year 32! In addition there is now a refreshment kiosk on Platforms 3&4 which proved very useful.
Eight Members attended on what was a mostly wet day with a strong south westerly wind blowing.
Freight levels were disappointing with two of the regular freights cancelled.
The highlights were 390155 & 390156 in the new Avanti West Coast livery and 37800 dragging 319371/319364 to Long Marston. 390155 worked 9S55 09.43 Euston – Glasgow Central with 390156 working 1F17 13.07 Euston – Liverpool.
NON-PASSENGER WORKINGS
66716 4M21 03.10 FELIXSTOWE – TRAFFORD PARK at 10.00
66544 4O49 09.22 BASFORD HALL – SOUTHAMPTON at 10.15
DR73916 6T45 09.16 CREWE P.A.D – CREWE P.A.D at 10.25
66540 4L75 05.00 TRAFFORD PARK – FELIXSTOWE at 10.38
66121 4O21 09.15 TRAFFORD PARK – SOUTHAMPTON at 11.14
67008 0Z67 11.08 CREWE T.M.D – WEMBLEY YARD at 11.49
70801 6C89 09.36 MOUNTSORREL – CARLISLE YARD at 11.51
88007/88006 4M27 05.48 MOSSEND – DAVENTRY at 11.52
325008 5A91 11.20 CREWE T.M.D – WEMBLEY PRDC at 12.04
90036/90040 4M25 06.06 MOSSEND – DAVENTRY at 13.19
88002 4S44 12.16 DAVENTRY – MOSSEND at 13.33
66767 4M75 08.19 AVONMOUTH – CLITHEROE at 14.15
66514 4M81 08.01 FELIXSTOWE – BASFORD HALL at 14.26
37800+319371+319364 5Q94 11.53 ALLERTON DEPOT – LONG MARSTON at 14.43
66554 4M63 09.12 FELIXSTOWE –BASFORD HALL at 15.20
66623 6Z98 14.23 BASFORD HALL – NORTHAMPTON at 15.35
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Also seen were:-
220004/15/17/29-31/34
221101-08/12/13/15/16/18/23/26/30/33/35/38/41/42
350104/06/07/09-12/14/15/23/24/30
350231/33/34/37/39/45-47/49/50/54/56/57/59/62/66
350373/75-77
390001/09-11/13/16/20/39/40/43/45-47/49
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Monday 4th December 2019
LIVERPOOL
“Liverpool and its Railways” was the subject at the Liverpool meeting on 4th December when
John Ryan, a long-standing branch member, gave his presentation to an attendance of 30.
John, who
for many years was involved in railway civil engineering, gave us a tour of
Liverpool, especially in the docks area, but also he went further afield
throughout Merseyside.
Because
of his profession he was able to show us some locations which were not
available to us mere enthusiasts and he gave us an insight into the reasons for
various closures or new projects which have occurred in the area during the
last half century.
His
presentation was thoroughly entertaining and enjoyed by all who attended,
especially because of his knowledge of railway development in the area and this
was reflected in the fact that it was the highest attendance at one of our
meetings for over a year.
Monday 18th November 2019
CHESTER
24 persons attended the Chester meeting on 18th November when David Maidment gave
an exceptionally interesting talk entitled “Railway Safety”.
In his first few months with BR he experienced three minor accidents and
wondered whether or not he had joined the right industry.
However, he ultimately moved to Aberbeeg as Stationmaster, stating that he had lost
on the toss of a coin as to whether he would be moved there or elsewhere, and
this is where his interest in safety began.
After some time studying safety at DuPont in America, where they had a policy of
concentrating on prevention and pro-active safety rather than the reactive, David
became instrumental in convincing both the BR Board and the Government to adopt a similar policy.
It was a beneficial policy, because by 1992 roughly 40 rail workers and passengers per
year were being killed and this proactive approach reduced the figure to zero
pre privatisation, and with it came economic benefits, as it cost less to
prevent an accident than it did to investigate and resolve the problem.
He eventually travelled the world being involved in forums on railway safety and
some of the benefits of his policies can be witnessed today throughout our
railway system.
Last updated: 13th November 2020