Thanks to John Williams for the logs, photos and memories
Haulages
55019 H – 1S16 0800 Kings X – Edinburgh (E9425) Kings X – Doncaster
50035/56041 0951 Sheffield – Cleethorpes Doncaster – Scunthorpe
50030/56026/50012/56025 1228 Doncaster – Cleethorpes Scunthorpe – Grimsby Town
40080 1A34 1738 Cleethorpes – Kings X (E5400) Grimsby Town – Kings X
Maidenhead – Padd vv
1015 (at blocks off 1A55 2105 (23/1) Penzance – Padd
08364, 08630, 08779, 08793, 08948, 31121, 31136, 31413, 31414, 31416, 31419, 33116, 47104, 47122, 47131, 47144, 47312, 47507, 50014, 50018, 50048
A chill, steamy breathe morning down at Maidenhead Station as Teacher John awaited the usual stragglers of the 19 schoolkids making up his party to Frodingham and beyond. Approaching Paddington their 117 DMU was overtaken by 1015 Western Champion with the overnight sleeper from Penzance. At Paddington as the party dashed for the tube, Maybach music could be heard on the blocks!
Kings X Deltics
55001 – Blocks – Up overnight
55002 – Fuel point
55008 – Fuel point
55019 H – 1S16 0800 Kings X – Edinburgh (E9425)
55013 – 1L05 0810 Kings X – Leeds
At the Cross there was just 1 Deltic idling on the blocks 55001 off an up overnight. More importantly as they walked down the platform they could see and hear another Deltic on their 0800 to Edinburgh namely 55019, confirmed by the seat reservations in leading coach E9425.
The kids eagle eyes spotted 50 different locos between Kings X and Doncaster, 31251 being a cop for all, including John! At Grantham the shout went up “its snowing” and they were soon enjoying Napier sounds across now covered Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire A short wait for the DMU to Scunthorpe. On the 20 minute route march into the cold Northerly wind en route to Frodingham a snowball fight broke out amongst the kids, one falling over trying to avoid being hit, much to the amusement of his friends!
Kings X – Doncaster
08060, 08272, 08315, 08339, 08407, 08412, 08413, 08529, 08544, 08550, 08557, 08859, 31123, 31187, 31192, 31194, 31196, 31204, 31207, 31209, 31210, 31213, 31218, 31225, 31226, 31228, 31251, 31401, 31405, 31408, 37198, 40072, 47212, 47265, 47279, 47405, 47419, 47421, 47425, 47434, 47458, 47522, 47546, 55001, 55002, 55008, 55013, 55015, 55017, 55019
Doncaster – Grimsby
08064, 08100, 08229, 08392, 08357, 08397, 08404, 08435, 08444, 08508, 08607, 08876, 20028, 20031, 31101, 31108, 31127, 31131, 31159, 31183, 31243, 31417, 37050, 37090, 37121, 37126, 37173, 37174, 37252, 40054, 40150, 47206
A snowy Frodingham depot contained 26 different locos, the kids particularly impressed with the rare (to them) 5 Eastern class 20’s namely 20026, 20029, 20051, 20052 and 20053.
Frodingham
08358, 08391, 20026, 20029, 20051, 20052, 20053, 25207, 31105, 31107, 31120, 31134, 31180, 31284, 31299, 37123, 37124, 37158, 37172, 37211, 40026, 45018, 45077, 45128, 46005, 47222, ..26 locos
A second warm, cosy 2 x2 car DMU was joined at Scunthorpe station, the kids welcoming the heat as it was snowing again at the draughty station. At Grimsby Town there was a short wait for the bus for the long ride to Immingham depot, the driver calling out “Queens Road” where the depot entrance was adjacent to.
Immingham depot was being battered by a strong Northerly wind with frequent snow showers but it didnt bother the kids one bit as they quickly recorded the 36 locos on shed. With a “fair wait” for the return bus the shed foreman kindly invited the kids into the warm staff canteen where the procession of snow covered locos coming onto shed were faithfully recorded in their notebooks.
Immingham
08065, 08242, 08537, 08751, 31109, 31132, 31156, 31184, 31238, 31245, 31246, 31262, 31268, 31327, 37018, 37019, 37020, 37060, 37126, 37171, 37200, 37201, 47039, 47041, 47042, 47043, 47047, 47180, 47209, 47215, 47216, 47217, 47218, 47223, 47224, 47370…36 locos
Then it was back into the cold before the bus returned the party to Grimsby Town station. Fortunately there was plenty time for the chippie and sweet shop to rake in much business! Awaiting the 1754 Kings Cross train at the station, the loud approach of a class 40 could be heard and to much cheering all round 40080 whistled in on their train home.
Grimsby – Kings X
03022, 03026, 08137, 08272, 08315, 08339, 08438, 08713, 08834, 25268, 31173, 31199, 31201, 31213, 31227, 31264, 31401, 31418, 37019, 37034, 37201, 40080H, 47208, 47212, 47402, 47419, 55010
A 40 thrashing across the levels was too much for the now exhausted kids and on leaving Lincoln Teacher John smiled on seeing all of them had crashed out! Most were still half asleep on the tube and the 117 DMU from Paddington , only stirring on seeing their parents picking them up at Maidenhead not long before 2300, a long, cold but fantastic day was over.
Phots thanks to John Williams
20052 and 20049 in the snow at Frodingham depot on January 24th 1976
With the snow falling again 31120 is one of 3 locos outside the 3 road depot building at Frodingham on January 24th 1976.
Eastern workhorse 37172 and 40026 at Frodingham on January 24th 1976
08242 and 08537 outside the depot building at Immingham on January 24th 1976
How we all remember Immingham the huge coaling tower and lines of 47’s, January 24th 1976, 47043 heads such a line
With a fair bit of snow up front, 47370 at Immingham depot on January 24th 1976.
Thanks to John Williams for the logs, photos and memories
end
Leighton Lists 