A quick trip from Leighton to Euston using the Saturday Cobblers saw 86218 my rather rancid power to Euston. The returning 1110 Cobbler produced 85020 so 40 miles of roaring, screaming and howling was enjoyed back to Leighton.
A fast VR bus took me around lunchtime from Leighton to Aylesbury and on arrival walking towards the station i was gobsmacked to see a 37 leaving on 3 Mk I’s. Enquiries to the always sociable station staff here there was an afternoon shuttle running “a few times” to Risboro. A phone call to Mr Evans saw him Aylesbury bound minutes after putting down the phone.
The 08 was shuttling Northwards from the station to just under the main footbridge her cab packed with enthusiasts. The other locos were open for cabbing with 50023 proving very popular. A 4 car DMU was flagged on a shuttle to Quainton in the hope of the 2nd shuttle producing.
A driver was then seen opening all the wardrobe doors on 20053 just in case some enthusiasts were inside!, he then started up the 20! Mr Evans arrived and was well impressed with the line up of power. 37697 then returned with a busy shuttle from Risboro and the 20 moved forward, was she going to work..??..YES
20053 then left Aylesbury with 3 Mk I’s very busy with enthusiasts enjoying the ride, was this the first ever class 20 on an Aylesbury – Risboro passenger train we mused, probably yes was the answer. The train was gripped by a guard with a charity tin! Brilliant, no £20 excesses being increasingly demanded on such shuttles by other tour operators at the time.
The run round with the stock in the bay platform at Risboro was a bit complicated and but local enthusiast “60A” was one of many in 20053’s cab during the run round. 20053 then whistled across the levels back to Aylesbury and a hugely enjoyable day was over!
The 11 locos on display at Aylesbury station
58007, 33201, 50023. 45124, 56045, 37697, 20053, 97252 (Ethel 3), D3018/08011, 4498 (k)
The Moves
86218 0902 Northampton-Euston LB-EU
85020 1110 Euston-Northampton EU-LB
37697 1430 Aylesbury-P.Risboro
20053 1540 Aylesbury-P.Risboro AY-PR
20053 1712 P.Risboro-Aylesbury PR-AY
The Stock
Shuttle rake – 35296, 3096, 4932
Other stock behind 33201 – 80648, 21096, 7153, 80743
The Phots
Not an everyday sight at at Aylesbury, 37697 arrives at Aylesbury with the 1500 from Risboro on June 20th 1987. Photo courtesy of the “Basingstoker” recvd with thanks
A slim in 33201 is a rare visitor to Aylesbury, seen here a top a rake of vans on June 20th 1987. A photo from the “Basingstoker” recvd with thanks.
08011 and rare visitor 97252 Ethel 3 stabled under the footbridge just North of Aylesbury station on June 20th 1987
Thanks to Robin Morel for this early morning view of 56045 with 45124 behind at Aylesbury Open Day on June 20th 1987
20053 i think had been started up by now, 50023 is behind in an impressive line of power at Aylesbury station
With the trade stalls still doing good business, 20053 rests at Aylesbury after working her historic trip to and from Risboro on June 20th 1987, a real “i was there” moment….
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