Visit to Stafford
This fixture took the form of our Branch’s annual pre-Christmas knees-up, although advancing years for several of us preclude knees being lifted very high. Nevertheless a jolly group of eight of us met at Stafford station on a cold grey day, well protected with woolly hats and several layers of clothing. A Santa hat was also in evidence. Further internal warming was achieved by dint of small flasks and bottles of an amber substance being poured into teas and coffees, and of course, mince pies, stollen and chocolate bars were much to the fore. Amid all this merriment we enjoyed a lively diet of freight and units, although the grey skies were not conducive to particularly stunning photography, especially for one of the members who had forgotten to put the battery back in his camera! All in all though, it was a splendid day, much enjoyed by all members.
There were no Cross Country trains via Stoke on Trent because of a tree - brought down by Storm Darragh on Saturday 7th December - still blocking the line near Stone. All Cross Country trains ran via Crewe.
Click on the following for a list of observations....
STAFFORD 10.12.24 WHAT WAS SEEN