A grey morning, with an equally dull 86229 producing on my morning “Cobbler” from Leighton Buzzard. Being a reduced Bank Holiday service the chances of a “roarer” on these trains were not good. From Euston it was a fast walk down to “the Cross” where the first rakes of Mk I stock for the days 10 Reliefs advertised in a weighty supplement were already in. 47426 was powering a Middlesbrough bound Chelsea footex whilst “genny” 47417 was on my 1008 Edinburgh relief.
47266 at the Cross with overnight stock emcars for Bounds Green, January 2nd 1984
With a day return to Doncaster purchased I settled back and enjoyed a good run on 417 before I bailed at Peterborough an hour or so later. With a 2 hour fester for the next Down relief I escaped on a Norwich – Brum Table 18 bash to Stamford. 31429 outward for newly converted 31431, a line the book , on the return run. Haymarket “steamer” 47273 was quite well received on the following 1230 Kings X – Edinburgh relief and it was just bashers in the front coach.
Peterborough gronks presumably parked up for Xmas/New Year with 08406, 08272, 08324 and 08412 at Peterborough station on January 2nd 1984
47273 at a damp Doncaster with the 1230 Kings X – Edinburgh Relief on January 2nd 1984
At Doncaster it was just a question of covering the up relief train procession from the North and leap onto a required loco or two. Ex Western Region “heap” 47001 was flagged on the first Up relief as was 47497 on the second! By now the fester was getting boring and cold but on seeing what appeared to be a split box 40 on approach with the 1305 Edinburgh – Kings X relief i thought i was in for some top “nb” January mileage. The 40 was actually 37036, which a few years earlier was a regular performer out of the “Street” so i flagged this too and watched her thrash South with her 8 coach steaming Mk I consist in tow. 37036 had replaced 47104 at Newcastle RGA advises.
I was beginning to curse my luck when required 31268 tottered in on a load 10 rake forming the 1414 Kings X – Newcastle relief! In darkness now, a good (to me) line in the book slot saw 47196 arrive on the 1604 Leeds – Kings X Relief. Problems ensued and after a long delay most passengers bailed off onto an already wedged tram. I stayed on and 196 eventually departed but only then to pull forward South far enough and then reverse into the adjoining up bay platform where the train was eventually caped!
Once 196 had left on what was now “emcars” the totally unexpected sight of 2 x 31 approached with 10 steaming Mk I’s in tow forming the 1701 Leeds – Kings X Relief arrived. 31235 and 31206 put in a storming performance up the main line. The front coach atmosphere was superb with a dimly lit TSO (with window sidelights that you banged your head on when bellowing!), much thrash, a few other bashers and a friendly guard all enjoying the non stop run to Peterborough.
I bailed at Peterborough with a few others hoping for another outrageous “kick out” on the following 1505 Edinburgh – Kings X relief. Huge disappointment followed when Eastfield’s dull 47206 steamed in and was flagged! The last Up Relief was the last and had to be done and again disappointment followed when 47406 rolled in to return me to the “Cross”. As the 310 unit returned me home that “goyle” thrash was still ringing in my ears!
The moves
86229 0736 Northampton – Euston L.Buzzard-Euston
47417 1008 Kings X – Edinburgh Relief Kings X – Peterborough
31429 0935 Norwich – Birmingham Peterborough – Stamford
31431 1015 Birmingham – Norwich Stamford – Peterborough
47273 1230 Kings X – Edinburgh Relief Peterborough – Doncaster
47196 1604 Leeds – Kings X Relief Doncaster (plat1-2 shunt)
31235} 1701 Leeds – Kings X Relief Doncaster – Peterborough
31206}
47406 1505 Edinburgh – Kings X Relief Peterborough – Kings X
310060 2230 Euston – M.Keynes Euston – L.Buzzard
Other known ECML Reliefs that day
47001 1355 Newcastle – Kings X Relief
47497 1220 Edinburgh – Kings X Relief
37036 1305 Edinburgh – Kings X Relief
31268 1414 Kings X – Newcastle Relief
What a day!
.
Leighton Lists 