Thanks to Ian Saunders for the report and phots
Writing this 30 odd years after the event is a bit taxing on the old grey matter,but we will give it a go. After going to Holland for the EM2 Farewell in 1986 and again for one of the tours in 1989 to mark 150 years of Dutch Railways, I had put thoughts of European railtours to one side as buying a house and having kids took over.
During the Summer of 1992 I saw an advert for a railtour in Holland with 1501 (the former EM2, 27003), being run by “Werkgroup 1501”. This group had owned 1501 since its retirement by “Nederlandse Spoorwegen” in 1986. After some negotiations with the “Home Minister” a booking was made for myself and “Driver Phil”. We also needed to book the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, out on the Friday,returning Saturday to connect with the railtour.
So, on Friday 9th October we made our way to Liverpool Street for the 18.55 “boat train” to Harwich Parkeston Quay, hauled by 86232. The “Koningin Beatrix” was our transport across the North Sea, where the restaurant, bar and a cabin were put to good use.
Dutch 08 equivalent 611 at Hoek Van Holland
The Saturday morning was sunny and we left the ship which had docked alongside Hoek van Holland Haven station. “1501” was already in the station with a rake of five compartment coaches. Also in the station was “611” a Dutch shunter, similar to our class 08’s and a product of Vulcan Foundry, Newton Le Willows.
We left Hoek van Holland Haven and headed for Rotterdam CS. After a brief stop we were soon on the move, but we were soon routed onto the freight lines and came to a stop in Ijsselmonde Yard. This was a photo stop and it was very well organised. People requiring photos made their way (via the ballast) to the front of the train, people who didn’t stayed on the train, no heads out of windows. I can’t recall itf this tour employed “the photo line” otherwise known as the piece of rope you stayed behind or not, I know the rope appeared on some of their later railtours.
The star of the show 1501 during a well organised photo stop in Rotterdam Yard
Photos taken, all back on board and off we went, passing Tilburg (home of the main locomotive works), to Eindhoven. Another stop here, Eindhoven is a busy junction with the line from Amsterdam joining us. South of Eindhoven the line to Venlo leaves while we continue south. At Sittard we take the lines to the east and run via Heerlen and the branch back to Maastricht. A brief stop is made at Schin op Geul where we have another photo stop. The next stop then is Maastricht.
1501 during a photo stop at Schin op Geul
1144 and 1217 in Maastricht yard
Powerful looking 1308 outside Maastricht depot
All too soon we were back at the station and it was departure time. The return route was north along the mainline, passing Eindhoven and s’Hertogenbosch. At Utrecht CS we branched off to the left (straight on would have took us towards Amsterdam),and we passed through Gouda on the route back towards Rotterdam and then Hoek van Holland Haven.
A few quick photos were taken before we were heading for the boat back to Harwich. Our “power” for the night was the “Stenna Britannica” and was again the restaurant, bar and cabins were put to good use.
After docking in Harwich it was 86232 back to Liverpool Street, one of the few times I have known the boat train to run on a Sunday morning, and the 09.30 back home fro St. Pancras
Verdict – 9/10 An excellent tour, the Dutch know how to do these things.
Thanks again to Ian for the article and phots
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