Napier music on the breeze, Nov 81
A Hitchin – March day return was purchased at Hitchin, this was a useful piece as it was valid both via Cambridge and Peterborough allowing an interesting circular day out. My first ever GN 313s in 313054 and 313030 took us on the short leap to Letchworth for 312725 forward to Royston. At this time this was the limit of GN electrification, so we joined “Cambridge Cammels” 51426 and 56402 for a rattling run across the levels to Cambridge
313030 and 313054 leaves Letchworth for the sidings after working the 0833 ex Moorgate
As usual Cambridge was a sea of loco activity with 37050 arriving on an up Kings Lynn followed to our initial disbelief by 40077 on a Whitemoor – Temple Mills freight. 37047 forward on a down Lynn to Ely where we hoped for a good freight block in our 2 hour plus fester.
37050 arrives at Cambridge with a Kings Lynn – Liverpool St service
The late Tony Ewer’s better camera catches 37054 at Cambridge with the 0936 ex Liverpool St
Whistling beast, 40077 approaches Cambridge with a Temple Mills bound freight.
Well apart from the usual DMUs, 47135 on an up Lynn there was just one freight! The wind howled across the fens, station signs creaked in the silence which was only broken by Gateshead’s 31153 on an up steel train. We were relieved to escape Ely on Derby heayweights 50049 and 56004 for the short run to March across many river Ouse channels.
47135 arrives at Ely with a Kings Lynn- Liverpool St service
Cravens units 51298 and 56443 rattle under a sea of semaphores on the approach to Ely
Several long withdrawn class 306 units were in March east yard, en route for scrapping. A short fester then we joined a required, steaming 31225 on the 1322 Norwich – Birmingham.
31225 leaves Peterborough with the 1322 Norwich – Brum, 47323 is alongside on a freight
55019 looking good with the 1404 Kings X – Newcastle at Peterborough
Thanks to the late Tony Ewer for this much better picture of 55019 at Posh with the 1404 ex Kings X
Peterborough was busy with freight and HSTs, the highlight perhaps being 55019 arriving on the 1404 Kings X – Newcastle. An hour or so later as dusk fell we were rewarded with 55002 South on the 1415 York – Kings X. This was a classic driver and mighty machine combo, the acceleration and sounds were superb on the short run to Huntingdon, where we bailed.
55002 at Peterborough with the 1415 York – Kings X , a photo from the late Tony Ewer
What followed was one of those top memorable moments that will stick in my memory for ever, 55002 droning into the still night air South of Huntingdon, we could probably still hear here 8 minutes after she had left. Hairs on the back of your neck moment for sure. A Cravens DMU brought us back to earth with a rattle and roll on the Hitchin local!
The moves – Friday November 27th 1981
313054} 0833 Moorgate-Letchworth…………….Hitchin – Letchworth
313030}
312725 0906 Kings X-Royston…………….Letchworth – Royston
51426} 1003 Royston-Cambridge…………….Royston – Cambridge
56402}
37050 1L23 0930 Kings Lynn – Liverpool St
40077 up freight – 0844 Whitemoor Yard – Temple Mills
37047 1L14 1036 Liverpool St-Kings Lynn…………….Cambridge – Ely
47135 1L27 1130 Kings Lynn – Liverpool St-
31153 coils
50049} 1355 Cambridge-Doncaster…………….Ely – March
56004}
March east yard 306070/078 dumped
31225 1M67 1322 Norwich-Birmingham…………….March – Peterborough
55019 1N14 1404 FO Kings X – Newcastle
55002 1A22 1415 York-Kings X…………….Peterborough – Huntingdon
51212} 1645 Huntingdon-Hitchin…………….Huntingdon – Hitchin
56057}
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