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Back to my Home Page Rich Savage describes this outing....
Do you ever question your sanity? I started to when the alarm when off at 02:45 and then promptly realised that if I had any sanity I would never have booked on this tour in the first place (and we wonder why normals think we're a little strange).
The purpose of this trip was to bring 34027 Taw Valley (still masquerading as the "Hogwarts Express") back along the Cumbrian Coast from Workington to Crewe.
The tour was to start from Gloucester and thus my pick up point would be Cheltenham - a journey of about 100 miles. Some 55mph meandering along the A417 meant that I managed to arrive at 05:40, some 45 minutes before departure . I was just about the only person on the station at this time although as the booked departure time approached, plenty of enthusiasts began to appear. The gen was that the diesel would be a 47. True enough the sound a Brush rumbled around the corner. It was one of the royal ones - 47798 "Prince William". I'm afraid I couldn't tell you if I scratched it as my last haulage book was from 1991 and the only 47/7's were either in Network South-East or Scotrail liveries. Apparently it had been requested for display at Worcester 150 the following day and this was the way of getting it back to Worcester that evening (the train would terminate here due to engineering works). Annoyingly I was in coach A, right behind the 47 which meant I would be at the back for Taw Valley - some you win, some you lose. As we passed the Severn Valley at Kidderminster D449 was outside the carriage shed and D431 was attached to a Warship and a Western by the station - these were also en route for Worcester 150. The climb of Old Hill provided a stiff test for the 47 but there were no alarms and we rolled into New Street where 47845 & 86214 were lurking in the depths.
I always remember Bescot being full of 20's & 25's. There were still some 20's hidden away at the back but it was impossible to see the numbers. 37428 was in the yard still in its "Royal Scotsman" livery - other engines present included 08567, 60020, 60004, 60082, 66099 & 37695. After Bescot there was a fairly fast thrash up to Stafford where our early arrival allowed an unofficial photo-stop in the drizzle. Crewe provided its normal share of engines with the following noted - 31296, 47484, 47501, 47768, 47526, 37407 & 37682. I suspect that most were withdrawn awaiting their fate. Of more interest was Crewe Heritage Centre. Pete Waterman's 70000 "Britannia" is still outside awaiting overhaul which should have been started in June/July after the Crewe Works open day. Also in the Heritage Centre was 5029 Nunney Castle which is due to work to Holyhead on 28.10.
Passing Warrington 66151, 66019, 66017, 37051 & 37174 were in the yards whereas 60038 was in the platform and 37379 was waiting for the road at Winwick Junction. One of the most depressing aspects for any railway enthusiast, whatever their persuasion, is the scrap lines. I am sure that the lines at Wigan CRDC (forever Springs Branch to me) do not create the greatest illusion to the travelling public at large. For the record the following were noted in varying states of decay and demolition - 37074, 37715, 37131, 37133, 37669, 37043, 37170 & 47478, 47584, 47362 & 56092. A signal check outside of Preston slowed our progress but as we booked a pathing stop anyway no real time was lost. The 47 was getting a good deal of attention from the public due to its royal status - I have to say that the livery does suit the class, although it probably looks better when it has been cleaned. 87019 & 87025 were both on trains at Preston - seems incredible to think that in a few years time there will be no 47's, 87's or 86's on passenger work.
37886 was seen at Carnforth as we picked up the Barrow line. 47798 had its only problems of the day as we reached Ulverston with its attractive station. The road was against the locomotive and we had to come to a stop at the bottom of a 1 in 75 grade through a deep tree lined cutting on wet rails. The Brush had several slips as she struggled uphill - I don't think the driver was overly impressed with the signalman. The Cumbrian Coast is a fascinating line with the scenery constantly changing from the coast to the hills. The line is stuck in a time-warp with semaphores and original station buildings, although it is not a line when any great running is going to be done. After dropping off passengers at Ravenglass, we proceeded northwards to Sellafield. Funny how a lot of people closed windows at this point ! Within the complex no fewer than 6 DRS 20's were seen - 20303, 20301, 20311, 20313, 20310 & 20308. Having negotiated the coast we arrived in a very sunny and warm Workington some 7 minutes early, where Taw Valley was waiting in the sidings to the West of the station.
Unfortunately we were only given 38minutes at Workington. This meant that there was not enough time to have a look at the town and find some beer & food. It was also not enough time to shunt the stock, detach the 47 and attach Taw Valley before the scheduled departure time. I personally think that T.V. looks stunning in maroon and really should stay that way for a bit longer. Also there is nothing more beautiful in this world than a rebuilt Bullied pacific ( except Penny Smith from GMTV!).
Once back on the double track at Sellafield, 34027 began to show some real pace along a line that is not renowned for its speed. A stop was made at Ravenglass to pick up the passengers who had taken up the option of a trip on the "Ratty". It was Thomas day and a lot of whistles were exchanged between T.V and the "Ratty" engines. There were many young children at Ravenglass and hopefully they were so fascinated by the "Hogwarts Express" as well as "Thomas" that they will become enthusiasts and continue to keep our heritage alive. Unfortunately as we headed towards Barrow the weather began to become decidedly inclement. The hills were shrouded in low cloud and the rain began to fall. I suppose that this is how you should see this part of the world - in its natural state rather than the picture postcard. Crowds lined the platforms at Barrow as T.V. watered. For some reason this considerably overran with the result that we left Barrow some 20minutes down. However, some good planning b y Railtrack enabled us to join the West Coast main line at Carnforth without any further delay and it was now that Taw Valley put up a superb performance. OK, the schedule was lax but it was nevertheless a magnificent performance by crew and engine alike.
66510 was being shunted at Preston as we made a further water stop. The premier class passengers were having dinner - there was an awful lot of drooling from outside! 47798 also wandered through having had to follow T.V. back from Workington. The final leg of the steam run saw 34027 again performing well, thoroughly banishing the memories of the pantomime at Winsford on April's "Cumbrian Mountain Express".
Arrival at Crewe was bang on time and Taw Valley retired for a well-deserved rest. 47798 also produced a good performance toward Stafford & Birmingham. The only annoying thing was the wait that ensued at Proof House Junction as we were running early - it couldn't have been the lack of platforms at New Street! At Worcester the train terminated and it was onto the waiting coaches for the journey back to Cheltenham. All that was left was the return car journey back to the South coast.
Sanity? - I got home at 2am Sunday morning!
The Verdict: A good day out. I would thoroughly recommend the Cumbrian Coast line to anyone to visit with some glorious scenery and some old-fashioned railway equipment still doing a job. The performances by both 47798 & 34027 were superb and great credit must go to the crews. The only minor things spoiling the day were the stock being the wrong way round and the weather turning lousy. Hopefully Pathfinder will repeat this train before too long.
47798 1Z41 06:05 Gloucester -
Workington
34027 1Z42 14:15 Workington - Worcester Shrub Hill (as far as
Crewe)
47798 1Z42 14:15 Workington - Worcester Shrub Hill (from Crewe)
Stock- (from Standard to Premier)
5030 + 5029 + 5009 + 21272 + 3098 + 3140 + 3112 + 1692 + 3122 +
3125
+ Elizabeth (34027 support coach \endash not part of diesel
formation).
Rich Savage
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