Journey over, 81021 rests at Northampton after screaming North on 1B07 1718 Euston – Northampton on Sep 9th 1985
Mon Sep 9th
After the rigours of a day’s hard! work at ABC in Dunstable, it was the usual noisy National on the 69 bus home. As usual the bus was delayed in the booked Dunstable traffic but on arrival at Leighton station there was still 10 minutes or so to spare for the main event.
We (messrs Evans, Jackson ad myself) cheered on seeing the first “Cobbler” 1B06 getting a “can” as it whined through non stop as far as Bletchley, then Wolverton and finally Northampton.
If B06 was a “can”, then normally (but not always) the following 1B07 “Cobbler” was a “roarer”. 1B07 was first stop Leighton, then the Keynes, then a virtual ECS turn to Northampton. “Its a fish” was the claim with the loco still 100 yards away but yes, B07 was 81021. The blowers were still loud after arrival as many commuters bailed, then with a few ticks and pops from the compressor the traction motors began to whine, then scream as we entered the confines of Linslade tunnel, not much piece and quiet in the front coach! Once clear of the Keynes we usually had the front coach to ourselves and bellowing at speed crossing Hanslope or passing the Roade spotters was all part of the fun.
On arrival at Northampton 1B06 was normally being shunted into the yard by the pilot, and if on time, we viewed the Peak Forest – Bletchley stone which tonight was 47103 up front. After a 20 minute fester we joined the 310 unit back South, always sitting in the power car for the assorted noises 310 units delivered!
47103 coasts, centre road through Northampton with the Peak Forest – Bletchley stone on Sep 9th 1985
It was always a bit tight making the final “Cobbler” at the Keynes a plus 4 from memory but the up unit was usually a few minutes down, as was the final “Cobbler” 1B09. Sometimes it was a fight down the stairs at the Keynes against an army of unyielding commuters who had bailed off B09 and who wouldnt give way to any basher!
The locos off 1B07 and 1B09 are stabled in Northampton’s bay prior to working parcel services North later in the evening of Sep 9th 1985
Today 85011 was safely made on 1B09 the 1815 Euston – Northampton which we did to Northampton once again for a 310 home or the pub!
9/9/85 Mo – moves
86315 1B06 1714 Euston-Northampton
81021 1B07 1718 Euston-Northampton LB-NO
048 1B08 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
Thursday Sep 12th
Happy days on the “Cobblers”, 81008 arrives at Leighton Buzzard with 1B07 the 1718 Euston – Northampton, commuters have already leapt from the still moving train on Sep 11th 1985
A virtually identical move to Monday and both 1B07 and 1B09 roaring with 81008 and the less common 85001 obliging. On returning South on the first unit after 1B07 we normally crossed the third “Cobbler” 1B08 in Hunsbury Hill Tunnel to the South of Northampton, from the racket on passing we knew it was a “roarer” but obviously not which one. 1B08 was the only “Cobbler” to return to Willesden/Euston DCS with the ECS each evening and annoyingly we crossed the up empties in Hunbury Hill Tunnel on our return North behind 85001.
A workstained 85001 after arriving on 1B09 1815 Euston – Northampton on September 12th 1985
12/9/85 Th moves
86232 1B06 1714 Euston-Northampton
81008 1B07 1718 Euston-Northampton LB-NO
077 1730 Birmingham-Euston NO-MK
850xx 1B08 1745 Euston-Northampton
85001 1B09 1815 Euston-Northampton MK-NO
088 1821 Birmingham-Euston NO-LB
Still carrying her Doncaster builders plate, a close up of 85001 Sep 11th 1985
We did these moves or variations of, most evenings from 1982-1990 and despite the low mileage what great fun and memories they Evening Cobblers delivered…
Lots more “Cobbler” tales to follow….
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