Organiser…Pathfinder
Ching…£129
Timekeeping…30-45 down
Power….33207 and 33029 throughout, 47826 idling on rear
Stock…4998H, 5009, 1861, 3093, 99351, 3120, 99316, 5229, 5239, 99723
33029 and 33207 at a very wet Eastliegh prior to an early departure with the tour
At Eastleigh in torrential rain the Cromptons arrived 10 mins or so prior to the 0700 departure time. Unfortunately the non dining coaches were at the rear of the consist so the only thrash we got was 47826 ticking over on the rear. This spoiled the tour big time especially when it became clear that nothing could be done for the return leg either.
The Hanktons at Bath, once a regular calling point for the class on service trains. The up platform at Bath on our return was a mentle wedge!
Thrashing through the Marches in fine style
Daylight came over Salisbury Plain the atmosphere in my Coach was upbeat despite the lack of thrash, still we were treated to glimpses of the pair as they threaded the tight curves at Maindee and on the always rateable Marches. On arrival at Chester the sun produced as we photographed the power, “slim” 33207 especially welcome.
In some welcome winter sun on a largely wet day, 33207 and 33029 rest at Chester
507018 and the “Town Crier” pub were raked in during the 3 hour break in Chester.
Not long to go now for the 507/508s now with the 777 invasion , 507018 arrives at Bache with the 1342 Chester- Liverpool
The tour returned via Crewe, seen here prior to departure as the light fades
The return run was via Crewe, but we were delayed 45 minutes at Shrewsbury whilst the buffet’s water tanks were filled and we had to wait for 67017 to pass us on the 1630 Manchester – Swansea. The driver then proceeded to work the Cromptons hard (not that we could hear anything in Coach A) and we literally flew South through the Marches reportedly hitting 88 mph several times!
A good 20 minutes had been clawed back but a long check outside Bath lost much of this time, on departure we passed an up platform packed with punters 15 deep, a total wedge, Christmas Market neds apparently. We returned South with a quickly emptying coach, at Eastleigh a final bitter sweet moment as 33207 and 33029 noisily thrashed East with the emcars to Southall, that was the thrash we had missed all day.
About to thrash off impressively the tour back at a now dry Eastleigh
Surely in this day and age a rake of stock can be made up to suit the customer’s not operator’s needs…Pathfinder????
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