WCML loco haulage returns, Sep 2022
Cans back at Euston, 180922 86259 rests after working the 1022 ex Lancaster, 86401 is stabled prior to working the return
The sad death of HM Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th 2022 and then her lying in state in London for several days prior to her September 19th funeral created a huge demand for passengers wishing to visit London.
With Avanti struggling even to maintain their current emergency timetable due ongoing staff shortages it was good to see the DfT and Railway management working together and delivering some relief trains
These relief trains were something special too….
a/ From Thursday Sep 15th to Tuesday Sep 20th Avanti hired in the LSL Inter City Executive Mk III set using 90002 and LSL staff to work 2 return Manchester – Euston and back services.
b/ From Saturday Sep 17th to Mon Sep 19th the Burton based blue/grey liveried Mk IId/e rake was used by West Coast railways for a Lancaster – Euston and back additonal utilising 86259 and 86401. This is probably 86401’s last local service train working since she worked 1M11 up sleepers on the morning of May 23rd 2017.
These trains offered stations like Wigan NW, Tamworth and M. Keynes loco hauled service trains once more after a long gap. The trains had tables and comfortable wide seats that aligned with the windows which you could enjoy looking out at local haunts at 110mph!
The trains were popular with both normals and enthusiasts, many young faces and more familiar older ones all enjoying “proper trains” on the WCML once more. To add to the lively atmosphere aboard were sociable staff and photographers out at every vantage point to watch us pass…
The stock
Mk II’s – 9526, 6051, 5961, 6158, 6067, 6054, 1212, 3340, 3314, 3397, 3333
Mk III’s – 10416, 11098, 11068, 11077, 11091, 10411, 11076, 11070, 11075, 82139
The Trains
Thurs Sep 15th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0900 Manchester P- Euston called Sto’port, Wilmslow, Crewe, Stafford, Nuneaton, MK
1Z94 1233 Euston- Manchester P called MK, Nuneaton, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow, Sto’port
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P called MK, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow
Friday Sep 16th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0900 Manchester P- Euston called Sto’port, Wilmslow, Crewe, Stafford, Nuneaton, MK
1Z94 1233 Euston- Manchester P called MK, Nuneaton, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow, Sto’port
90002 at Nuneaton working the 1233 Euston – Manchester on 160922
90002 speed log for above journey
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P called MK, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow
Saturday Sep 17th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0700 Manchester P – Euston called Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton, Rugby, M.Keynes
1Z94 1040 Euston – Manchester P called M.Keynes, Nuneaton, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, M.Keynes
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow
West Coast Railways
86401 – 1Z86 0815 Lancaster – Euston – called Preston, Wigan NW, Warr BQ, Crewe, Lichfield, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Rugby
Looking good 86401 passes Leighton right time with the 0815 Lancaster – Euston on 170922
86259 – 1Z87 1751 Euston – Lancaster – called Rugby, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield, Stafford, Crewe, Warr BQ, Wigan NW, Preston
Looking superb in the setting sun 86259 passes Charlie’s Paddock South of Leighton with the 1751 Euston – Lancaster 170922
Sunday Sep 18th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0957 Crewe – Euston called M.Keynes
1Z94 1250 Euston – Manchester P called M.Keynes, Rugby, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow
90002 arrives at the Keynes with the 1250 Euston – Manchester on 180922
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow,Crewe, M.Keynes
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow
West Coast Railways
86259 – 1Z86 1022 Lancaster – Euston – called Preston, Wigan NW, Warr BQ, Crewe, Stafford, Lichfield TV, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, M.Keynes
86401 – 1Z87 1751 Euston – Lancaster – called M.Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield TV, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington BQ, Wigan NW, Preston
nice light on 86401 with the 1751 Euston – Lancaster on 180922
Monday Sep 19th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0900 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton, M.Keynes,
1Z94 1233 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Nuneaton, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow, Stockport
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton,
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow,
West Coast Railways
86401 1Z86 0815 Lancaster – Euston – called Preston, Wigan NW, Warr BQ, Crewe, Lichfield TV, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Rugby,
86401 1Z89 1736 Euston – Lancaster (86259 dor to Rugby) – called Rugby, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield TV, Stafford, Crewe, Warr BQ, Wigan NW, Preston
Haste ye back, 86401 storms past Leighton with the 1736 Euston – Lancaster, 86259 tailed the trainn to Rugby on 190922
Tuesday Sep 20th – 90002 and Mk III set
1Z93 0900 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton, M.Keynes,
1Z94 1233 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Nuneaton, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow, Stockport
90002 still pulling the crowds at Euston prior to working the 1233 Euston – Manchester on 200922
1Z96 1621 Manchester P – Euston – called Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nuneaton,
1Z97 1923 Euston – Manchester P – called M.Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, Wilmslow,
end
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