2 visits to the unique Liverpool area depots 5 years apart but a good few years ago. Thanks to John Williams for the 1978 visit logs and superb photos.
7 October 1978 Allerton
08300, 08689, 08703, 08838, 08917, 08931,
7 October 1978 Birkenhead
08153, 25036, 25043, 25060, 25163, 25287, 25297, 40029, 40130, 40136, 40137, 40192, 47134 DM 395919, 51201, 56347, 56342, 51186
40136 and 47134 stabled on Birkenhead shed, ready for freight duties on the Monday
Classic 40 nose phot with 40029 and 40192 starring plus 08153 too!
7 October 1978 Springs Branch
08273, 08301, 08337, 08342, 08624, 08656, 08846, 25113, 25119, 25140, 25156, 25165, 25284, 40019, 40026, 40088, 40105, 40112, 40122, 40126, 40128, 40131, 40133, 40155, 47029, 47162, 47202, 47340, 47345, 47350
A classic Springs Branch line up with 08656, 25140, 40133 and 40122 amongst other power
4 November 1973 Sunday
Birkenhead
5143,3605,4157,3103,1914,7548,5087
Allerton 8J
3019,4115,4155,3857,3187,3353,2856, 3578, 1600,3837, 2851,2852,
Ditton (passing)
227,374,40108,4147,3579,7636,413
Edge Hill (passing)
378,7570,5289,7629,306,5210,272,378,5205,4148,E3095,86002,86217, 5287,
The journey North saw E3086 (later 85031) joined at Euston for the Liverpool bound Merrymaker. According my notes there was dragging with 285 dragging us from Stafford to Crewe. Here the pair were removed for 221 forward with a diversion via Middlewich before arriving at Lime St.
85031 the former E3086 which took us North back in 73 is seen 10 years later approaching Linslade tunnel on Harthill – Willesden ballast on July 8th 1983. A sad reminder of the fatal crash here in December 82 with the repaired fresh brickwork on the down slow portal…
The return journey was also eventful, as 86217 departed the local vandals dropped metal debris onto our can, an almighty flash and bang then we quickly stopped. After a short delay E3054 (later 82008) returned us to Lime St for E3169 (later 86239) forward for a quick run back to Euston. A bonus in that our train home from St Pancras to Luton got a Holbeck Peak 112 (later 45010) , now this raised a collective chuckle as this was one of the Luton lads last Peak for sight. The trouble was he wasn’t with us!!
Happy days on the real railway
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Leighton Lists 