6116 at Cardiff (photo: The Roger Geach collection)
What Tour - When?
This Page is your chance to find out some vital "gen" from an old railtour you were on. If you've a burning question about a loco used, route taken, an unidentified photo (or whatever), then please let me know.
I will not promise to upload every query received - most can/will go on the tour Page concerned if there is one (as has always been the case) but I may select a few to go on this Page where they might stand a better chance of getting answered.
From Matty Valentine;
Trying to find, think was in 2002, D9016 on a tour from
Colchester to York (I was on that). She was in purple livery. Am after the
sheduled and actual times. I think she was 50 late arr at Stratford, cant
remember how much time she mad up at York but was impressive.
From Roger Geach;
All Roger knows about this slide which he purchased for
his collection some time back is that it is 6116 and at Cardiff possibly around
1962-1964. The head board reads: 'D Glyn Crwydryn'.
6116 at Cardiff (photo: The Roger Geach collection)
From Phil Bartlett;
Phil is after details of an RCTS railtour which ran on
27th April 1968 using a class 20 and which visited "Wolverhampton New Goods" and
Soho Pool. (Webmasters comment: as this train isn't on SBJ I'm after details
too!)
Two from Geoff Kerr;
I've a photograph of 33208 in green arriving at Cardiff Central with
brown and cream Mk1 stock, showing headcode "33" and just dated 1989 - is this a
special, if so when and what?
September 1977; I was on a tour (Merrymaker?) from Durham (it must have started from Newcastle) to Bressingham. We had a class 40. Going out, we were scheduled to stop at Thetford, but the driver forgot and stopped at Eccles Road!! The buses were summoned and took us to Bressingham. The return started from Norwich - I can't remember how we got there, via Diss, I think. I've no details of the route taken or loco number, nor the exact date.
From Brian Halford;
Can anyone confirm the running date of an SLS tour called
"The South Wales (Cardiff Area)" which used (at least) loco 6432 and a 2-coach
auto-train rake? Reported as running: Cardiff (Queen Street)-Radyr, Ystrad
Mynach, Pontypool Road - Cardiff. SLS ran two tours called "South Wales" on 13th
July 1957 & 2nd July 1960 - was it one of these, or run on another date?
From Tim Barber;
I supplied details of an FSE trip from Leeds to London on 20th Oct 1968
on which I was a passenger - and didn't take any photos all day!! The main
purpose was to record the start out of Kings Cross which I managed and is a
cherished recording. I have never seen any pictures of this special. Does anyone
out there have one?
From John Simmonds;
On Sunday, June 23rd 1974 there were 2 Penistone to Rhyl & return
charters shown. I have the Western Lines STN for this period which shows them as
going via Ordsall Lane Jn-Winwick Jn-Acton Grange-Frodsham-Chester. They were
both loco hauled with timing loads of D455. Arrival in Rhyl was 10.21 & 10.34,
departing at 17.57 & 18.05, the headcodes were 1Z26 & 1Z27 both ways. What I
would like to know is the route they took east of Manchester over the
Pennines-was it Woodhead, Standedge or Hope Valley? & what was the motive power?
From John Chalcraft/Brian
Robbins;
Brian Robbins reckons the attached tour ran in April '65,
the slide mount is dated 4/65. The special was an out and back from Birmingham
to Swindon (one assumes via Oxford both ways - return certainly was), power was
7029 throughout. Date & details required...
7029 at Oxford (photo:
www.railphotoprints.co.uk - Brian Robbins)
From David Wilson;
I have a photo of A4 60009 heading round the curve at
Saughton (Edinburgh) with a headboard showing "The Forth Centennial" however by
my photos either side on the reel I can only place this as being on the 1st of
September 1990. The railtour files list it as running on June 16th 1990 and also
state that it is believed the train also ran on 19th May, but I can state for
sure that I took my photo on 01/09/90. (Webmaster comment: details of the trips
on 19/05 & 01/09 are required).
From Andy Hoare;
Andy is fairly sure these photos he took of 4498 'Sir
Nigel Gresley' were taken on 2nd August 1981 - can anyone confirm this and
provide details of the trip? The headboard is "The A4 Locomotive Society
Limited".
Settle Jn (above) & Skipton (below).
From Brian Halford;
On a number of dates in 1967 and 1968 the GWS arranged a special steam hauled service between Cholsey and
Wallingford in connection with their Open Days and Wallingford Carnival. Further
details (dates, traction & times) required. It is confirmed that it ran on
6th July 1968, formed using 1466 plus an ex-GW auto-coach and Brian also has a
stamped ticket dated 15th April 1968.
Chris Totty comments: I went on one of these trips on 17 June 1967 in connexion with the Wallingford Carnival. The stock was a DMU, but I don't have the individual coach numbers, and was, I think, the first time these trips were run. A shuttle service was run all day and I was on the 16:15 ex Wallingford returning at 17:00 from Cholsey and Moulsford.
From Andy Parr;
I was a secondman at Stratford in the 70s, I have a photo
taken at Shoeburyness of a mystery excursion that we worked to Willesden where
LMR men took over,I think the train went to Straford-upon-Avon.This would have
been 1971/72. The loco used was class 47 no. 1526 and the stock included a
Gresley buffet car. Can anyone confirm the date & provide route details?
From John Hyde;
Back in 1987/8 the East Lancs managed a couple of
railtours out from Ramsbottom.. one to London, another to the Severn Valley. The
SVR was noteworthy as this consisted of 3x2 car 150/2 sprinters to
Kidderminster, where we changed for 7819 and 4566.. I know one of these was
150201 and have a picture of it at Bury at about 6am... I don't know the others.
I remember it had to be out and off Cheetham Hill junction before regular
Saturday service started with the 504 units.. does anyone have any details on
these trips?
From Nicholas Braddick;
Details required of the following Hertfordshire Railtours
outings which are not currently on SBJ;
26th June 1994 - The Corfe Mixture
4th November 1995 - The Crompton Bulb
14th September 1995 - The Doctor Syn
From Andy Pullar;
My notebook makes a passing reference on 01/11/1980 to LEV1 working a
charter which I passed at Westerfield when I took spin to Felixstowe and back on
the 10.00 from Ipswich (or was it a driver training turn or even a service
train?).
Some photos from Mike Morant which need identifying;
01/11/80 - Chester - 6000 - Zenith
??/??/?? - 7029 on "The Fenman" (presumably 1Z27), location unknown.
10/10/81 - 7029 on "The Dinting Venturer" (presumably 1Z48), location
unknown.
Location & tour details required.
??/??/76 - 7029 near Gobowen (presumably 1Z15)
26/03/83 - 80079 leading 43106 on the "Welsh Marches Pullman" - at Hereford?
Both 92220 on the "Welsh Marches Pullman" - nothing else known!
Nick Braddick;
...is after details of two Hertfordshire Rail Tours outings as follows;
28th August 1990 - The Blyth Spirit
16th September 1990 - The InterCity Diesels Day
Garth McLean;
...is after details of a railtour hauled by 4472 'Flying Scotsman' that
he photographed - he thinks the tour was in 1968 and took 4472 to Newcastle (?)
via the coast route through Stockton & Hartlepool, returning via the ECML.
John Debens;
...has an un-dated ticket for the "Pied Piper Special" from Paddington to
Weymouth, believed to have been in the early 60's - can someone confirm the date
and other details please? John Clifford comments: The term
"Pied Piper" was one used by the Western Region for many of its seaside
excursions so it could be for any time in the 70's or 80's (possibly earlier).
From Neil Harvey;
A friend took this photo of what was recorded as
47291 on a northbound charter on the S&C that day. He didn't identify the
working, but I wonder if it was the "Thames-Eden"? Also, was 47291 in large-logo
blue however, or is this in fact a 47/4?
From Carl Ford;
I was the fireman on Clun Castle on March 4th 1967 Ian Allan 'Zulu' tour.
I also fired on the September 1966 11th SLS tour when 9630 blew the front
of one of the cylinders off. Before we left Chester on the return leg of the
'Zulu' tour to Snow Hill a man who said he was press took a photo of myself and
the driver on the footplate I would dearly love to have a copy of this photo
now, if you have any idea where I might find photos of that day or the SLS tour
I would be very grateful. Webmasters comment: If anyone has any photos please
get in touch, I'd also like to use them on the tour pages also, as well as
helping out Carl with his request.
From Adrian Vaughan;
I
photographed 4472 'Flying Scotsman' on 1Z12 'The Moorlands' on Grayrigg bank
sometime in 1966-67-68. Took picture, have negative, kept no record. Can anyone
say when this run took place?
Garth McLean has responded to suggest it was early 1969 however
Robin Lush suggests the date as 26/10/1967. A tour name of "The Moorlander" is
also commented on - could they be two different, but similarly named, tours a
couple of years apart? Tim Barber says "The Moorlands" was an RCTS-organised
tour that ran on 26th October 1968.
From Alistair Nisbet;
I am
looking for details of an excursion which BR Scottish Region ran and
promoted on 25 May 1957 from Glasgow Queen Street Low Level to Crianlarich,
Killin and back to Buchanan Street via Callander and Stirling. I have seen the
basic details of the outing as they were advertised (there is a file in the
National Archives of Scotland) but would like to find out more: how the train
actually ran e.g. to time or late, loading and no of coaches, types of loco(s)
used and numbers if known, and finally I would love to get hold of some photos
of it - my aim is to produce an article for Backtrack or possibly BRILL.
Apparently the train arrived back in Buchanan Street hauled by a Black 5.
Can anyone confirm the details?
From Paul Barrett;
Nothing to go on except it is 71000 'Duke of Gloucester,
possibly in 1991, at (possibly) Settle? Maybe the small headboard of what looks
to be a Midland Railway dragon may give a clue as to the date and what tour it
is?
From Richard Astley;
Richard Astley comments regarding a "did it run" entry on
11th
March 2006 (Past Time Rail's 'York Flyer'): Was this the tour worked
by 67006/016? I have photo's of a train at Tamworth but have lost my records.
I'm sure it was a Taunton - York charter, I think operated by PTR but I was
trying to locate the date from Six Bells Junction. From the photos it would
appear to have been in late spring/early summer, judging by the foliage on
trees (so maybe not 11th March, but a later trip, if there was one? - the
original suggestion it may have been the 8th April trip (same name & route) has
been dispelled as that was hauled by 67012 on its own, banked by 66057 up the
Lickey).
Can someone please confirm if this train ran and, if so, were the locos as
suggested above by Richard? Any other details on the tour would also be
appreciated. David Wood comments: I had a look at South West Rail Gen for
messages on or about 11th March but found nothing about any Taunton - York tour.
This particular Yahoo group has many more contributors than most groups and very
little gets past them, so I would strongly suspect that the tour didn't run on
11th March.
From the Webmaster;
Have just completed a trawl through the Hertfordshire Rail
Tours "125 Special" series (1988-?1993?) using a brochure from tour no. 94 of
the series which ran on 16/01/1993. All 94 are now listed but many could do with
more details. Also, confirmation of tours from 95 onwards is required (some
listed but unknown if all captured).
From Geoffrey May;
Geoffrey May requests details of the Hertfordshire Rail Tours Eurostar
outing to La Rochelle in ?May? 2000.
An unusual request for
information from Richard Evans, plus stock info requested by David Layland;
Richard Evans has requested any information and/or photos
of the catering crew on board 1T57, the Fifteen Guinea Special that marked the
end of steam on 11th August 1968 as he is trying to recreate the uniform - can
anyone oblige?
David Layland from the East Lancs Railway Preservation Society adds: We
are trying to find the coaching stock formation of 1T57 on 11/8/68 (15 guinea
special) - we know that we have 4933 and 4937 from this train on the ELR but
know nothing else. We would like to obtain the numbers and order of the stock so
we can see if there any any other coaches from that set preserved. Any help or
ideas welcome. Thanks for any response.
From Brian Reid;
I notice that your web site does not have any record of the annual tours
organised by the Kettering Anglican Deanery in the early 1980's, some on which I
travelled on. I can remember that these at least went to Chester (Class 25
hauled), Canterbury (Class 47 hauled), York (Class 45 hauled), and Liverpool
(Class 47 hauled) - I was on the first three of these. Can anyone expand on this
information please (dates, routes, locos...)?
From Rob Wosley;
There was a BR(W) Merrymaker in August 1983 Plymouth - York & Return via
the standard NE/SW route, 46010 up and 46032 back, cannot remember date and have
no timings or pictures, even though I was on board. Can anyone help?
From Nige
Paine;
Two unidentified slides from Nige's collection, both
believed to be from the mid-60's:
43151 on a M&GNJRS special - believed loco ran round here.
Adrian Vaughan comments: This view is at Melton Constable . The majority of the
M&GN routes were closed to passengers on 28 February 1959 but the section from
Melton Constable to Sheringham and Cromer Beach remained open. The section from
Melton to Sheringham was closed to passenger traffic on 4 April 1964. Could this
be in May 1961? 43151 was photographed at Wisbech North on a M&GBJRS special on
an unconfirmed date in May 1961.
3442 on an RCTS railtour, location unknown.
Robin Lush comments: The picture of the Great Marquess on an RCTS railtour was
the Dalesman from Bradford Foster Sq and was taken at Grassington station. When
I have a bit more time can give you the date and itinerary since I was on it.
Ran very late!
Regarding the second photo Garth McLean comments: The Great Marquess headed a railtour from Bradford Forster Square on 4 May 1963. It probably went into the dales and the photo looks very much like typical dales scenery. It also worked an RCTS special up Weardale on 10 April 1965. I was on that tour and the trackwork at the run round point which was I think St Johns Chapel did not have as many tracks as those in the picture. Robin Lush comments: The picture of the Great Marquess on an RCTS railtour was the Dalesman from Bradford Foster Sq and was taken at Grassington station. When I have a bit more time can give you the date and itinerary since I was on it. Ran very late!
From Alan Sainty;
An unidentified slide from Alans collection:
No clues whatsoever offered! Over to you...
John Clifford offers: I think that this was the "Steam Again to the West Country" tour on 15/10/66. It looks like Westbury where the train reversed. The coaches in Southern green & there seems to be smoke or steam from the other engine (35023) at the back of the train.
From Chris
Morley;
"I would welcome any information (even just the actual dates & pick-up
points) relating to any WR, London Division Merrymakers which ran between July
1977 and December 1979. These would have picked up from Ealing Broadway,
Southall, Hayes, West Drayton, Slough, Maidenhead, Reading and Oxford or
Newbury. From memory the locos used on those that I travelled on or saw include
31273 & another 31 (on a Crich excursion), another pair of 31s on a Clacton
train, 47032, 47054, 47055, 47075, 47093, 47097, 47119, 47151, 47186, 47250,
47251, 47316, 47509, 50027 & 83007 (to Glasgow), 86212 & or 86240 (to
Liverpool)"
From
Tony Davies;
5th July 1962 an excursion was run from Somersham (Huntingdonshire) to
Gloucester. The return run was via Andoversford and there is a photograph (ref.
Bluebell News, Winter 1990, page 164) of 92240 near that place on the return
run. Any further information on this tour would be most welcome.
From Alan Sainty;
Alan Sainty has the shot below of loco 251, presumably
working a Railtour around 1958 and believed to be taken at Edge Hill -
confirmation and further details are required.
Alan also has the shot below taken during the LCGB "Derbyshire Rail Tour" of 17/10/65 - but an you confirm the location - Alan has suggested Marehay Crossing but as the train was propelled by 44113 to this location where it reversed why would the loco have been detached from the train?
..and finally, this of 78009 on a Railway Club brake-van railtour at Shipston-on-Stour - sometime between 1957 & 1959 possibly? Mike Barnsley has responded with: photo ACE333 in the HMRS collection shows 78009 on presumably the same brake van special at Shipston on Stour and is dated 7/6/1958.
From Neil Dimmer;
A Welsh Marches Express - date (maybe 1977 or around
then?) and other details unknown:
40033: Crewe to Shrewsbury
steam 6201: Shrewsbury to Hereford
6000: Hereford - Newport - Hereford
From Nicholas Braddick;
Nicholas Braddick reports the following Hertfordshire Rail Tours outings
missing from SBJ - details therefore are required;
28th August 1990
The Blyth Spirit
11th July 1992
The Speke Lord
12th July 1992
The Yorkie
5th September 1992 The Wool Witch
27th September 1992 The Hampshire Hog
3rd July
1993 The
Dorset Ooser
28th August 1993 The Allen Quay
26th September 1993 The Wight Cat
18th June 1994
The North Briton 225
29th October 1994 The Peak Forest
Gateau
4th November 1995 The Crompton Bulb
14th September 1996 The Doctor Syn 2
16th May 1998
The Bournemouth and Purbeck
13th March 1999 The Edgehill
Secret
16th October 1999 The Wymondham Willows
23rd September 2006 The Redmire Shuttle
11th November 2006 The Humber High Ordinary
From Geoff Kerr;
This is not a railtour but a seven day coach tour
Geoff Kerr was on in 1960: I kept no details and I'm trying to reassemble some,
including the dates. The tour started from Gloucester and was led by Pete
Sharpe. We visited, I think, around 70 sheds, starting with Brecon, then going
round west and north Wales, Merseyside, Cumbria up to Carlisle then back to the
sheds in the Leeds and Bradford area. I remember seeing one of the last
Sheffield trams, which ended in October 1960.
From Mick Baker;
Am after the locos used (and I'm
after the route etc - Webmaster) for the West Midlands Travel Club outing
from Birmingham New Street to Oban on 23/09/77.
From Craig Oliphant;
Shots of 40086 at Ais Gill & Warcop - headboard says
'Whistler' but is this the SPS 'Border Raider' tour of 13/10/84?
From Jonathan Wealleans;
In either the late 70s or early 80s I travelled with my
dad on a railtour which started at King's Cross, went up to Edinburgh , over the
bridges (behind Union of South Africa) and on to Inverness. We then went west,
don't recall the exact route, down the WCML, picked up King George V along the
way and ended up in Newport. Then back through Swindon to Paddington.
From John;
Date & details for: 6000 'King George V' on a railtour ,
THE ROYAL SUNSET, perhaps 1971-ish.
From Dave Goodyear;
I have a Colour Rail slide (BRE 1886) of N7 69614
at Canonbury , dated October 1958 in the CR catalogue. Judging by the people on
the platform it must have been a special, but there is no headboard. I cannot
identify this tour and any help would be appreciated.
From Paul Morris;
I travelled on a Ffestioniog Railway
Society (Cheshire Railtours) Special from Manchester Piccadilly to Wolverhampton
via Crewe on Saturday September 9th 1978. A fleet of buses then took all the
Tour Participants to the Severn Valley for 70000 Britannia & Black Five
45110 which were running along the recent SVR extension from Bewdley thro'
Foley Tunnel. The tour definitely left Wolverhampton behind 40 013 but I never
got chance to see the electric loco which hauled us down from Piccadilly.
From a distance it looked like a Class 81,82 or even an 83 ???
From Ian Prince;
Works staff outing for British Ropes Ltd of Retford -
summer of 1968 or '69 (a very hot day). Route: Retford - Sheffield - Hope Valley
- Belle Vue & return, hauled by ?2x? class 31. Date and loco confirmation
anyone? Work
on New Mills tunnel was being carried out and single line operation was taking
place which may well date this better? A problem with one carriage at Sheffield
on return was resolved by staff using a borrowed penknife on the return journey.
From David Happs;
"Sometime in the 1960's" - Williams Deacons Bank Club special train
- photographed passing Stenson Jcn heading for Derby and again leaving Derby -
loco 60019 'Bittern'...may have been run in conjunction with a Derby Loco Works
Open Day?
60019 passing Stenson Jn
60019 at Derby
From Stuart Gamble;
Does this platform ticket relate to a railtour or just a
station-based event?
From Tim Hall;
Does anyone have any record of the NENTA "Boulby
Ghost" tour (since confirmed by Roger Elliott as
26/10/96) - I photographed it passing through
Redcar, past my front door, hauled by RES St Peter (47783) (Boulby end), two
tone grey 56 (since confirmed by Roger Elliott as 56081)
at the other end. The photo I have clearly shows a headboard confirming
the operator and name as stated above. The stock, with a DBSO, is clearly
Anglian.
From David Tomlinson;
I went on a number of rail tours in the 1970's and hopefully some of your
readers might help me fill in the full details. The tours would have started at
MANCHESTER, not sure of the organisers but we booked them through my uncle
Gerald Tomlinson, (Dinting and Bahamas Steam seem to ring bells but may be
unconnected) The trips I went on were:
PORTMADHOG (September 1973 ?)
ISLE OF SKYE (July 1975 ?), sleeper via Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, then
coach trip to Portree
NORFOLK BROADS
HEREFORD and Bulmer's Cider for the Steam Cavalcade
NEW FOREST , BROCKENHURST and a trip to BEAULIEU motor museum
From the John Broderick;
8th May 1978 'The Camel Train' run by LVRC comprised two DMU sets -
one was 51522, 59546 and 51450 - can anyone confirm the vehicle numbers of the
other set please?
From Roger Newman;
Can anyone confirm the exact sequence of events that took place on the
morning of 5th March 1966 at Templecombe on the LCGB 'Somerset & Dorset'
tour. Specifically, where did the train reverse/loco change - the station, down
main west of Templecombe or Templecombe yard? Was it a straightforward case of
35028 coming off at the same location that 41307 + 41249 were added?
From Alister Betts;
Did a Brockenhurst-Chester ADEX on 25/8/79 which started (and ended) with
33103 to Mitre Bridge. I suspect it was a can to Crewe, for a 40 or Chester and
a different one back. The fun really began on the way back when our roarer
failed around Norton Bridge and was assisted by a 47/3. At some point another AC
electric took over for the run back to Willesden, upon which another hour's
delay was accumulated awaiting traincrew. Details someone please?
From Andy Fullar;
Not much to go on - just that it's 50027 at Stafford and the fact it has
a headboard suggests it's on railtour duty?
From 'Rugby Town';
What the blazes is this train? The duff looks like 535. The tractor is
015. I've found reference to 37015 working 1922 York- Leeds on 14th Jan 87. It's
an unspecified train and could be a tour. The stock in the fots should nudge
someone's memory.
Stewart Levett offers: This was a charter I was on. Cambridge to Carlisle diesel hauled with 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley on the return leg to Leeds. it was the 2nd of 3 run by the Cambridge Railway Circle. trips were on 7, 14, and 21 of May 1988. the photo's are from the 14 May 1988. The 47 failed near Leeds.
From Chronicles of Napier (thanks to
Nige Paine for spotting);
On June 22nd 1966 D9004 worked an unidentified excursion back from
Edinburgh (17.15d) to ??? - further details are required.
From Mike Morant;
In my negatives collection are four shots depicting the `Saracens Head'
Railtour which was organised by the REC. I'm pretty sure it ran at some date in
1956 but I no longer have the ticket (unusual for me) and there's no mention of
it on the Six Bells Junction site. The negs depict ex-works 80135 at an
unrecalled location (possibly Palace Gates) and N2 69594 at Watton-at-Stone and
possibly Cole Green. Webmasters note: This has now been
dated as 15/06/1957 but I would appreciate more details if anyone has them
(locos, route, timings...)
From Tom Robinson;
On 24th April 1959 I have heard that three excursions were
worked from Glasgow via S&C, Leeds and Sheffield to Birmingham for a match
between Celtic and Aston Villa. Each train was double-headed by Jubilees
throughout -four from Corkerhill and two loaned from Perth. Further information
required...
From Alan Simpson;
There was a BR excursion on 12/06/76 that possibly started
at Spalding, certainly called at Sleaford (where I boarded with my parents).
It went to Whitby and I am informed that 37118 was the power, did it go all the
way there and back?
From Steve Chandler;
Need loco numbers & routing for a railtour on January 9th 1999 from
Alton to Alresford via London circular route involving a steam loco from/to
Alton thence 33xxx to Alresford.
A memory from Irvine Cresswell which
needs some more details adding;
My first railtour was on 30 Aug 1961. This was the day that I went from
Paddington to Crewe works open day, an Ian Allen trip, I believe it was hauled
by Clun Castle to Wolverhampton low Level where a loco named 'Old Contemtables'
was added. My only other memory is being in the leading brake going through the
water troughs. Any information would be very interesting as I still have the
ticket.
Can you help Roger Geach with this
tour;
One particular tour I am trying to find out about was a Plymouth Railway
Circle trip which had a one car DMU up various Clay branches in May 68? I know
it went to Moorswater , Boja branch ex St Austell and others but cant find the
details or date.
Scott Miles has one;
I was on what I think may have been an NREA tour in the
early-mid 80s from London Euston to Glasgow. As regards dates, I was at school
at the time, and I do remember it ran shortly before the beginning of a term, so
my best guess would be April or Sept 81-84ish. As is already obvious, details
are hazy: it was an electric (Roarer?) to Wolves for a loco change to what I
remember was (disappointingly at the time) a Duff, so probably not one for the
bashers. Outward was overnight over the S&C (possibly via Preston/Hellifield)
and then the GSW in daylight, and there were (bussed, presumably) private visits
to at least Eastfield and St.Rollox on arrival in Glasgow. About the return, the
ole' grey cells draw a complete blank. What is left of the NREA website mentions
a 'Glasgow Double' (could this be it?) in addition to the more
documented/renowned 'Doncater Double', but little else.
Andrew Porter offers the following
tour gen for identification:
I have a photo showing BR
40726 (in LMS livery but carrying BR number) on an SLS/MLS rail tour at
Sheffield Midland station. Date is not given but looks like 1950s judging by the
attire of the people. It carries a SLS/MLS headboard, and the number M884 (or
M864) above the buffer beam. Any offers for date, name and route/loco(s)?
Other unidentified tours (from Andrews photos);
BR 46254 in open moorland scenery with 11 coaches in tow, and a "SLS Special" headboard - could be 1960s?
BR 41224 at a derelict station platform on single track line in winter (bare trees), headboard reading "SLS Special" - everyone seems to have got off the train and is standing around or taking photos. Eric Oates suggests this was almost certainly the 23rd March 1957 Stafford - Bromshall Jn Last Train.
BR 61175 at a station somewhere in London with 10+ coaches in tow, and "S.L.S. Special" headboard
...any further information will be appreciated...
Stuart Ravenscroft asks:
Does anyone know the details on two tours in
the late sixties? I think they were run by BR Western Region London area and
they used DMU's starting from Paddington. The tours included the following
branches: Henley, Marlow and High Wycombe to Maidenhead, Thame, Welford Park,
Willesden Junction.
Martin Thorn asks:
In the spring of 1981 an excursion, hauled
by a 45, worked to the Severn Valley Railway ran from St Pancras. I boarded at
Bedford and the train passed through Water Orton, but did not pass through
Birmingham NS. Can anyone, after all these years, positively id the route from
Water Orton to Kidderminster please?
Alan Freer would like any
loco info on the following Merrymaker workings:
31/08/1975 07.05 Paddington – Newquay , 17.50 Newquay
- Paddington
07/05/1979 07.xx Paddington-Paignton , 18.xx Paignton-
Paddington
20/09/1980 09.12 Slough – Blackpool , 22.25 Blackpool
– Slough/Oxford
03/07/1983 08.xx Paddington – Paignton , 18.xx
Paignton – Paddington
...and I'd like route
details if available!
David West would like info on
following BR adexes, (joined at Cheltenham);
12.04.80 : BR adex to Newcastle. cost £6. details of locos and route req
10.05.80 : BR adex to Spalding 1Z38, cost £4.70. Loco details and route req
(believed class 47 via Camp Hill Birmingham both ways)
27.07.80 : BR adex to Plymouth, cost £4.50 child. loco details req, poss class
47
(route main line to Plymouth and return)
Can anyone provide information for
Jan Arne Rodland, an enthusiast from Norway?
Between 17th & 21st August 1971 NMRA (National
Model Railroad Association) held its annual convention in London, with the
British Region of NMRA being responsible for the event. One of the events was a
visit to York and the old railway museum. The train, to my memory, left Euston
behind two electrics, changed to diesel traction at Stockport then went via
Stalybridge to York. The return journey was behind a Deltic to Kings Cross.
Further, to my memory, the train consisted of ten diners and two kitchen cars,
drawn from both Euston and KX stock. The headcode was, I think, 1Z09.
Anyone remember this, from Mark
Honey;
I'm sure there was a Dundee-Lincoln ADEX/special during the summer of '85
with 47249 from Lincoln where it came off because the driver 'didn't like it'.
So 37005 was supplied which I think was some massive Thornaby machine at
the time. I think it may have been run by Tayrail?
Paul Wood would like some assistance
to identify the following;
I'm after information about a couple of railtours
run from Gloucester in the mid-late 70's.
First was a day-ex to Blackpool, probably around 1975/6 47-hauled both ways -
organised by local BR staff, as I recall.
Then Gloucester to Twickenham (I recall that there were two or three trains via
Swindon, Reading, Ascot) for the 1978 John Player Cup Final (which Gloucester
won!).
Can you provide the gen for these
trains, gen from Shaun Courtnage;
23/04/94 : 47704 on 1Z38 Leamington Spa to Carlisle
23/04/94 : 47823 on 1Z23 Hooton to Winchester
Can you provide the gen for this tour
for Alex McGlasham;
Am after gen for a railtour that left Newcastle and went to Largs.
I believe that it was a Newcastle area Merrymaker and run either spring/summer
1979 or 1980.
...and you add to this tour information
from "Devonian" (taken from photographs in a book);
1. Sun 18/5/58. Large circular headboard on
smokebox read "Amateur Photographers Special". The photo shows 5007
Rougemont Castle near Long Marston en route from Paddington to Stratford. No
other details of the route were given.
2. Sat 30/4/66. Photo of Black Five 44872 at Snow Hill. Described as a special
from Paddington to Portmadoc.
3. Sun 29/9/68. Birmingham Railway Museum open day shuttle from Tyseley shed to
nearby junction with N. Warwickshire line (must rank as one of the shortest
specials!!). Described as possibly the first steam working on BR after the ban
imposed when steam ceased in August 1968, apart from the special arrangement for
Flying Scotsman. Castle 7029 and Jubilee 5593 Kholopur top and tailed 4 coaches.
4. 3/6/73. A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley and V2 Green Arrow 4771 repeated the
Tyseley shuttle.
5. 26/10/74. Photo of SR MN 35028 Clan Line on return leg of a Didcot to
Stratford trip.
6. 7/6/86. Birmingham (presumably Moor St) - Stratford & back. Featured
Jubilee 5593 Kholopur and 7029 Clun Castle.
7. Sun 2/11/86. Photo of A4 4468 Mallard's return to steam hauling a Marylebone
- Stratford and return steam special.
8. 15/4/90. Tyseley - Stratford shuttles use King Edward I and Castle 5080
Defiant.
Can you add to this tour information
from Peter Toogood;
31st August 1975 : Stour Valley Rly Pres Soc "Cavalcade of
Steam" - locos & route?
8th May 1976 : Thompson B1 LPS "Master Cutler/NCC/Scandinavian" -
locos 47076, 47351 + 1 other. Route?
19th June 1976 : LNER Soc "Gresley Centenarian" - 45407, 1306 &
4478. Route?
19th October 1977 : LVRC "Atlantic Coast Express" - locos & route?
9th October 1978 : BR (ER) - to Barrow Hill Open Day - locos & route?
27th August 1979 : DAA/DEG "Vulcan Voyager" - 47097, 33014/33056,
33102/33112, 47317 & ???. Route?
13th October 1979 : RPPR "Hull Hornet" - 37221/37252 & ???. Route?
7th July 1984 : BLS "Eastgate Explorer" - loco(s) & DMU plus
route?
Can you help Ray Humphries with info
on this tour;
22nd June 1958 : SLS ~ Birmingham - Derby (for shed &
works visit) - Horwich (works visit) - Crewe - (works visit) - Birmingham. It is
reported that this train was a re-run of one the previous week (15th June?) that
was a complete sell-out.
From the Webmaster, can you provide
details for this "schools special":
About a week or so before I started noting down sights
& haulages I travelled on a "school special". Date was in 1976 -
early June (or maybe very late May). I boarded at Northampton but the train may
have started further north. We ended up at one of the channel ports - unless I
am mixing up memories with another trip then it was one where the train pulls up
alongside the ferry berth and we then caught Sealink ferry "Hengist"
to Bolougne for a few hours sightseeing. I recall a very rounded loco on the
train (class 71 or 74?) but again my memory may be playing tricks on me. Can
anyone confirm the date, traction & details?
From Craig Browning, can you provide
details for this tour:
?October 1978? BR day excursion.
45036: ?? - Cheltenham - Birmingham
?82005?: Birmingham - Preston
?40019? Preston - Blackpool North
??? return using same locos ???
From Martin Barnsdall, can you
identify this tour from his description:
I picked it up in Derby (can't remember where it came
from) and it went via Shirebrook and South Yorks. Joint to Doncaster then
via Hambleton S to W Juncs. (It was booked to do Selby canal Curve, but was
running late), then Milford Juncs. The Tour terminated at York ( about 2 hours
break I think) I can't remember the return routing, but it may have been via
Castleford. I think the tour was at run between
1985 and 1991. It was a warm sunny day, so maybe between April and October, I
dropped the car at Matlock and was rewarded with a pair of 20's on a 2 coach
service train, (good start to the day!), then managed to do the Sinfin branch -
I think in a 151/154 DMU.
Chris Higginbottom offers : I can probably narrow the date down a bit, as the Class 20s were not used on the Matlock branch as early as 1985, as far as I know. More likely to be 1989-91 I believe.
An unidentified date SRPS tour -
summer 1980:
...an SRPS trip from Ayr to Oban which crossed Glasgow by the freight
only St. John's link from Shields Jn to Bellgrove and thence Springburn.
Motive power was 27104 (gen from Alex Cunningham)
A plea for help from Mark Harrison:
Back in the Autumn of 1978, when I used to live in Norwich,
BR ran two Merrymaker/Adex specials to Blackpool from Ipswich, each with a
portion from Norwich attaching at Ely. One ran on a Saturday late in the
September, the other, a couple of weeks later in the October. I travelled on the
special which ran on the Saturday in that October from Norwich. The outward
route from Norwich was via Thetford to Ely, where the Norwich portion attached
to the Ipswich portion. The special then went forward to Blackpool via
Peterborough, Syston North Curve, Toton, Sheffield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Healey
Mills & Copy Pitt Summit. The return journey was via Copy Pitt Summit,
Wakefield Kirkgate, Doncaster, then the ECML to Peterborough, arriving at Ely,
where the Norwich portion was detached to continue back to Norwich via Thetford.
I recall that the train loco forward from Ely to Blackpool and on the return as
far as Ely was 47170. However what I don't know is which loco worked the Norwich
portion on the Saturday morning to Ely and likewise, which SF 47 worked the
return Norwich portion back from Ely in the small hours of the Saturday
night/Sunday morning ?
Does anybody know which Saturday in October 1978 this excursion ran, along with any details of reporting headcodes, as well as which locos were used on the Norwich portions ?
And one from Steven Porter;
Having read the report of the railtour on 7th April 1979 from
Nottingham to Aberdeen, it evoked memories as I too travelled on it. Due to
sleep though I do not know which route the tour took in each direction between
Sheffield and Leeds. I know that on the return journey we passed Darnall, where
76039 was noted on the stabling point. Quite which route we took to arrive at
Darnall has is a mystery to me, I don't think there was a reversal in Sheffield
station. If you could therefore shed some light on the routing, I would be
grateful.
...and one from Adam Muriss;
Sat 25th May 1980. BR - operated special train for the
Rainhill cavalcade ~ Euston - Watford (pu) - Weedon - Rugby (pu) - Crewe (pu)
- Liverpool Lime St
Loco: 81008
The routing of the return was the same, but I was unable to find out what worked this leg - can anyone confirm the details (i.e. loco and confirm routing)?
Please use your back button to return to Six Bells Junction.