19th January 2000
Dome Specials

The City Technology College - Kingshurst, Birmingham
Wednesday 19th January 2000

Adrian Knight describes this series of specials, from his seat aboard the third train....

This is an extract of my description of the day sent to www.gbrail.org.uk

As we departed B'ham International, 92015 was waiting in platform 5 for us to proceed with a rake of empty intermodel flats and 87006 pulled in on a Virgin service from Euston.  At Rugby there were 2 loaded Freightliners being held in the station and goods line, 1 had a class 90 on my left with another Freightliner on my right.

66128 was waiting to leave the Northampton loop light engine.  The RMC Stone train was in Bletchley but at the crucial moment one of my tutors came round handing out our Underground tickets so I missed what was on it.  At Wembley yard 50050 "Fearless" and 50002 "Superb" were stabled together.  90019 "Penny Black" was shunting the sleeper stock in the Carraige Depot which included some new Scotrail liveried stock.  47739 was shunting two old Rail Express liveried BG's in the yard and the usual line of 66 and 92's were stabled.  Those I could remember were:- 66030, 66093, 66143, 66167 and 92004, 92016. On Willesden shed were 08451 08617 D9000 and 87035.

  Arrival in Stratford was in Platform 12 and a 66 could be glimpsed on Stratford depot.  We had to wait for our underground train to be prepared so the platform staff left us in the open on platform 12 which was very much appreciated!  Just as we left the platform I noted 90149 on a loaded freightliner arrive in the station.  The ride on the Jubilee line is very good and the seating arrangement is one of the best. 

We finally got to the Dome at 11:50.  In my opinion it is over-rated as the majority of displays were formed of either T.V screens or over head projectors.  The highlight of the "Journey" zone must be the mock-up of the cab of Virgin's new tilting trains.  It even has a video with the view from the cab of a run up the WCML.  There is also a mock-up of the seating layout although I don't know how accurate this is!  There are also models of the Heathrow Express and Eurostar along with a dodgey model railway which comprises an oval of Hornby track and the Hornby eurostar running continuously round - very professional!

Bored with the Dome I headed to Victoria to see my last Gatwick 73's before the new Alstom units take over.  I noted 73206 and 73210 before deciding to head back to Stratford before the rush hour began knowing the reliability of the Jubilee line.  I joined the Circle line to Baker Street then changed to the Jubilee line back to Stratford.  I think the new automatic station announcer on the train is a good idea but I think the name given to her voice by various underground web sites is rather apt - Sonia as "she gets on your nerves" and I have to agree.  Hearing the announcement "This train terminates at Stratford" 14 times does get on your nerves a bit.

An endless precession of Central Line trains and Class 312 / 315 and 321 units passed through Stratford during the peak.  The only thing of note being the 16:30 Liverpool Street - Norwich being hauled by 47635 and followed by 47825 Thomas Telford.  Anglia 86's that passed between 16:30 and 18:30 were 86235 / 86237 / 86230 and 86250.

  The ride back was uneventful as it was pitch black.  Apparently someone on Train 2 pulled the communication cord in the toilet mistaking it for the toilet chain which caused extra delay although they were in really upset and sorry - even in tears so I don't think it was done deliberately.  A  class 310 unit was stabled in the bay platform at Coventry.   All in all it was a great day with superb haulage by "Prince Henry" further proof that EWS should not forget the sterling service the faithful Brush Type 4's have put in for the last 37 years and our trip beat any day at school.  

My opinion!   As I said above I don't think it is worth the hype but many people enjoyed it from my college.  The best reason I think to go is if your company hired a charter train like our college did otherwise I don't think I would have gone.

Verdict:- Excellent Traction, excellent ride (A First Class Mk 1 is much better than a standard Mk2f both in comfort and ride quality) But not worth the expense.  Money is better spent on a Railtour as you don't have to stand up all day and Railtrack and EWS provide more amusement than the Blackadder show.

The Details

The Trains were chartered by The City Technology College, Kingshurst Birmingham for a day out to the Dome.

07:30 1Z39 Birmingham International - Stratford (Dep 10 Late) BN94 + 86430
08:11 1Z40 Birmingham International - Stratford (Dep 25 Late) BN96 + 86426
08:43 1Z41 Birmingham International - Stratford (Dep 31 Late) BN91 + 47799

18:30 1Z?? Stratford - Birmingham International (Dep 22 Late) BN94 + 86430
19:00 1Z?? Stratford - Birmingham International (Dep ?? Late)  BN96 + 86426
19:30 1Z?? Stratford - Birmingham International (Dep 22 Late) BN91 + 47799

Route:-   Birmingham International - Coventry - Rugby - Weedon - Milton Keynes Central - Wattford Junction - Wembley Central - Queens Park - Primrose Hill - Camden Road - Highbury & Islington - Stratford.  Return as outward.

Coaching Stock:-
BN91 =  4915  4916  4996  1813  35469  3144  3100  3110  3119  80041 3133  3132
BN94 =  4939  4949  4999  21246  1832  4956  4938  5005  4991  4946  3115 3148
BN96 =  3150  1679  3127  3123  1696  4925  17023  4925  5023  4986  5027 5037  5007

 Notes:-   All trains were delayed in morning due to a points problem at Rugby.  Not sure why we were delayed on the return.  1Z41 was allowed a non-stop run down the West Coast on the fast lines!  First stop was Primrose Hill waiting to gain a path to the North London Line.  On the return the 19:00 Stratford - Birmingham International, someone pulled the communication cord causing further delay to the late running.

Timings & Distances for Train 1Z41 and return :

Adrian Knight

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