A very civilised 0820 departure ex Liverpool St, unfortunately we were in the back coach for most of the tour so little could be heard of the ascent of Brentwood bank. There was no atmosphere in our coach, By 1995 Farrow tours had a large normal/granny consist who werent known for bellowing through Colchester or wherever. The grey weather and late running not helping either.
Breaks at Lowerstoft and Norwich helped lift spirits but even the excitement to some of passing through the then Cambridge goods yard couldn’t improve spirits. Bailing at Liverpool St a helium balloon drifted carelessly above the Mk I’s and exploded as it hit the wires and coach roof. My colleague Tony Ewer hit the deck along with a few others, perhaps the highlight of the tour!!!
Organiser..Hertfordshire Headcode..1Z37.
Power…37023 Load 10 x Mk I
Route o/w…Liverpool St – Colchester – Ipswich – Woodbridge – Lowerstoft -Reedham – Norwich
Route r/t..Norwich – Thetford – Ely – Cambridge Yd – Audley End – Cheshunt – Seven Sisters – Liverpool St
Timekeeping …up to 45L
Ching…£26
Highlights…
1/ class 37 over old bashing ground
2/ Fast running at times
3/ First loco in brand new Mainline livery in 37023 hauling train
Farces…
1/10L start ex Liverpool St due wires problem at Romford
2/ 35 minute check at Haleworth on Lowerstoft branch awaiting unit
3/ In wrong end front coach! Only thrash heard Lowerstoft – Norwich
4/ High normal quota in our coach, no atmosphere
Rating… 6
Weather…Fair am, then heavy rain
Photo Stops…Lowerstoft, Norwich
Postscript..37023 survived into preservation, currently under restoration at The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
From the late Tony Ewer here’s 37023 under threatening clouds at Lowerstoft with the tour
08810 at the blocks at Norwich having worked the tour emcars from Crown Point
A smart newly Mainline Freight blue liveried 37023 waits to return the tour to Liverpool St via Cambridge.
