Evening Cobbler moves Monday Sep 9th 1985
The Evening Cobblers were the pm Euston – Northampton commuter trains. Big trains, on occasions load 13, very tightly timed, very likely to produce a “roarer or two” all on your doorstep…..We did these trains most nights from 1982-90 cheering when a roarer approached or booing when they were “cans”, great fun.
For once the Leyland National bus on the 69 from Dunstable got me back to Leighton with plenty time to buy a ticket and view the first non stop Cobbler 1B06 pass. Tonight 1B06 was 86315 and this was good news, 1B07 was more likely to “roar”.
A big yellow front on 1B07 on approach had us pleased, on getting nearer the slot free cab window wipers meant it was a “fish”, always a bonus. So after the commuter hordes from London had bailed it was the front seats of TSO 5004 to enjoy those distinctive howls, whines, pops and screams that only a “roarer” could produce.
After the Milton Keynes stop we nearly always had the front coach to ourselves, allowing opportunities for bellowing over Hanslope summit or whatever. Shortly after we arrived at Northampton 47103 passed through centre road with the Peak Forest – Bletchley loaded stone a train which still runs today..Back then it was a normal wagonload consist, conversion of this train to air braked bogie hoppers saw it retimed and 2 x 37 normally powered it. After that it went class 60 and today is a GBRf 66.
A short wait of 15 minutes or so then the bell rang to signal the arrival of the 1730 Birmingham – Euston with 310048 as power. Today she was on time, this was important as we had to make 1B09 the last evening Cobbler at the Keynes. As we accelerated 310 style 86211 passed us with 1B08 the 1745 Euston – Northampton which was often a can as this was the only turn to go back to Wembley with the emcars.
As we approached the Keynes it was heads out to check where 1B09 was. Usually it was a few minutes late but often it was in and you had to fight against the torrent of commuters who had bailed off 1B09 on the stairs! Obviously if 1B09 was a “can” you just laughed at it and carried on home to Leighton.
Anyway today we made 1B09 at the Keynes with no problems for 16.09 miles behind 85011 to Northampton on this classic evening Cobbler. At Northampton the station pilot usually gronked the stock of 1B09 into the yard leaving the locos to stable in the parcels bay before doing parcel duties later in the evening.
Tonight there was no “Black Lion” or Mayfair chippie move at Northampton just wait for 310049 on the 1821 Brum – Euston home. OK low mileage (just 41.77 roarer miles) but what great fun and what memories!
Phot spot from the day
81021 rests at Northampton after the usual lively run from Euston with 1B07 1718 Euston – Northampton Evening Cobbler
As booked around 1815 at Northampton 47103 heads South with the Peak Forest – Bletchley loaded stone
Cobbler power rests in Northampton parcels bay, this image shows the different cab screen wiper arrangement which we always looked out for on approach
The moves
86315 1B06 1714 Euston-Northampton
81021 1B07 1718 Euston-Northampton LB-NO
048 1730 Birmingham-Euston NO-MK
47103-phot
85011 1B09 1815 Euston-Northampton MK-NO
86211 1B08 1745 Euston-Northampton
049 1821 Birmingham-Euston NO-LB
end
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