9th August 2008

Rail-Blue Charters
The Hope Valley Executive

Locos Used 57601 & 55022 'Royal Scots Grey'
Stock Used 10235+11084+11089+11065+11083+9508+10588

Route: 1Z55 throughout

Loco(s) Route
55022 (2) Crewe - (via WCML) - Winwick Jn - Earlestown - Newton-le-Willows - Eccles - Manchester Victoria - Miles Platting Jn - Philips Park No.1 Jn - Philips Park No.2 Jn - Ashburys - Guide Bridge - (via Guide Bridge U&DPL) - Hyde North - Romiley - New Mills Central - Chinley - Edale - Dore - Sheffield - Meadowhall - Swinton - Moorthorpe - (via Hemsworth Loop) - Hare Park Jn - Oakenshaw Jn - Turners Lane Jn - Altofts Jn - Engine Shed Jn - Whitehall Jn - Morley - Dewsbury - Mirfield - Huddersfield - Marsden - Stalybridge - Ashton Moss North Jn - Philips Park No.1 Jn - (reverse of outward route) - Crewe

Notes :
(1) Rail-Blue Charters inaugural railtour.
(2) 57601 on rear, to provide power for the coaching stock electrical systems only.

Source : Gary Thornton (on the train throughout)

Photo Review
(all photos: Gary Thornton)


You don't get much cleaner than this! 55022 gleams waiting to leave Crewe.


Blue is definitely the colour - RSG waits time at Sheffield with a full rake of
blue/grey InterCity liveried stock in tow.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gary Thornton)

Location Booked Actual
Crewe 11.16d [P12] 11.16 [P12]
Warrington Bank Quay 11.37a ~ 11.39d [P3] 11.36 ~ 11.37½
Earlestown 11.50a ~ 11.52d [P4] 11.46 ~ 11.48½
Manchester Victoria 12.15a ~ 12.18d [P4] 12.11½ ~ 12.19
Guide Bridge U&DPL 12.43 ~ 13.12 12.44 ~ 13.06
New Mills Central 13/48 13/39
Edale 14/21 13/57
Sheffield 14.54 ~ 15.00 [P1] 14.41 ~ 15.02 [P1]
Swinton 15/14 15/17½
Hemsworth Loop 15.26 ~ 15.42 15.30½ ~ 15.35
Altofts Jn 16/07 16/05
Whitehall Jn 16/30 16/17
Huddersfield 16/50 [P1] 16/58½
Manchester Victoria 17.28a ~ 17.32d [P3] 17.35 ~ 17.36½
Earlestown 18.02a ~ 18.04d 18/03
Warrington Bank Quay 18.13a ~ 18.15d [P2] 18.15 ~ 18.16
Crewe 18.40a [P12] 18.40 [P12]


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