12th September 2009

Spitfire Railtours
Cumbrian Coaster

Locos Used 37229, 37510, 37682, 66412 & 66414
Stock Used 99680+99128+3136+3143+3150+1861+4994+99317+5035+5032+4905

Route :
1Z19 : Birmingham International to Carlisle
1Z21 : Carlisle to Birmingham International

Loco(s) Route
66414 Birmingham International - Stechford - Proof House Jn - Birmingham New Street - Soho South Jn - Dudley Port - Wolverhampton - Wellington - Shrewsbury - Nantwich - Gresty Lane Jn - Crewe Sorting Sidings North - Crewe, Basford Hall
37229 + 37510 (1) Crewe, Basford Hall - Salop Goods Jn - (via Crewe Down Independent) - Crewe Coal Yard - (via WCML) - Preston - MP 7¾
37510 (2) MP 7¾ - Carnforth No.1 D&UGL
66414 + 37510 Carnforth No.1 D&UGL - (via WCML) - Carlisle
37682 + 37510 Carlisle - Currock Jn - Workington - Barrow-in-Furness - Carnforth - (via WCML) - Acton Grange Jn - Frodsham Jn - Runcorn East - Helsby - Mickle Trafford Jn - Chester
66412 (3) Chester - Beeston Castle - (via Up Chester Independent) - Salop Goods Jn - Crewe Sorting Sidings North - Crewe, Basford Hall
37682 + 37510 (4) Crewe, Basford Hall - Crewe Sorting Sidings North - (via link past south yard) (5) - Crewe South Jn - Crewe
66412 Crewe - Gresty Lane Jn - (reverse of outward route) - Birmingham International

Notes :
(1) 66414 on rear.
(2) 37229 failed between Preston and Lancaster at MP 7¾. 37510 worked without assistance to Carnforth where 66414 ran round the train and attached to the front for the onward run to Carlisle via Shap.
(3) 37682 + 37510 on rear.
(4) 66412 on rear.
(5) Kevin Driscoll comments: this was almost certainly the first ever passenger train over this link, done in emergency as routes South were all occupied. Andy Pullar adds: An HST working a BR Cross Country service needing its formation reversed at Crewe (using this chord and the spur to Gresty Lane with passengers allowed to remain on board) is believed to have been the only other known working. Booked route was from Basford Hall to Gresty Lane via the Salop Goods Loop; the booked motive power on to Birmingham being the two 37s.

Sources : Kevin Driscoll & Andy Pullar

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