Crewe station not long after 6am, memories of rancid overnights in the nearby Buffet were rife. Green 47805 strummed in with what seemed a short rake and an immaculate 40013 up front. On realising Coach A was on the back and then also realising we were going to be on the back all day was a huge disappointment..
A fine sight and sound, 40013 at Crewe prior to departure with the tour
A frosty Cheshire/Trent Valley landscape enhanced by a glorious sunrise lifted our spirits once more. A brief bit of fast line running from Tamworth to Nuneaton but after that it was steady/slow progress all the way to Wembley.
Passing Leighton around 0922, then reasonable thrash could be heard after we departed from a pathing stop at Watford Jn. After a check opposite Willesden Jn LL we eased along the busy North London line and in Hampsted Heath tunnel 40013 was opened up in fine style.
Approaching Bushey as we lean into Watford South curve
Thanks to Richie Stiles for this fine Headstone Lane view of the tour
Through a sea of masts, 40013 joins the GE at Stratford
A good unchecked run along the GE followed, passing Ipswich non stop on the platform road, here 3 pairs of 90s were stabled. Wildlife spotting as we passed nice country between Stowmarket and Norwich saw many deer and a few hares before the booked 2 hour break in a sunny warm Norwich.
40013 at the blocks at Norwich
Here we and a good few other tour participants took in the Norfolk air en route to Wetherspoons. A few pints of Wherry’s went down well in this cheerful Spoons. Back at the station as feared, 47805 brought the stock in with coach A still on the back.
Tail engine 47805 looking nice in Norwich yard
40013 looking superb prior to the tours return to Crewe
40013 looked superb in the afternoon sun and was soon storming South along the GE once more. Orange liveried 08531 and 08624 were a discussion point as we passed them at Ipswich. A check free, but slow run along the NLL, then we were held for the 1839 Euston – M.Keynes unit to pass us at Wembley meaning a slow run along the Southern WCML although on topping Tring Summit speeds hit the 80s briefly on the descent.
Not every day you can bail off a 40 at the Keynes!
A Keynes bale, 40013 looked and sounded good leaving then a plus 10 onto an on time unit home, a good day.
The East Anglian II Summary
Power…40013, 47805 idling on rear Organiser…LSL
Headcodes…1Z31/1Z32
Consist – 7 mk II/III – 9513, 11068, 11070, 10411, 11098, 11075, 11076H
Route O/W – Crewe – TV – Rugby – Northampton – L.Buzzard – Wembley Yd -W.Hampstead – Gospel Oak – Camden Rd – Stratford – Ilford – Colchester – Ipswich – Norwich (278 miles)
Route R/T – Norwich – Ipswich – Colchester – Ilford – Stratford – Camden Rd – Gospel Oak – W.Hampsted – Wembley Yd – L.Buzzard – M.Keynes – (Northampton – Rugby – V – Crewe)
Timekeeping – right time Cost – £139
Highlights
1/ Sociable stewards, lack of PA usuage.
2/ Superb Mk III stock
3/ Despite rear coach, noise in tunnels esp West Hampsted!
4/ Non stop through Ipswich
5/ Good, albeit steady run on GE
Farces
1/ Our Coach A at back all day (stock turned on Crown Point triangle)
2/ Followed (as booked) all stations unit MK – Wembley – MK, very slow
3/ Subdued atmosphere in our coach all day
Rating …7
Weather…Frosty am, Sunny all day
Photo stops …Crewe, Norwich
end.
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