31st July 2025
Branch Line Society
The Creighton-Ward Explorer
| Loco Used | 57307 'Lady Penelope' |
| Stock Used (2) | 390119 'Progress' (formed: 69219+69919+69819+69719+68819+68919+65319+69619+69519+69419+69119) |
Route : 1Z35 throughout
| Loco | Route |
| 57307 | Crewe - Stafford - Lichfield North Jn - Lichfield Trent Valley Jn - Wichnor Jn - Burton-on-Trent - Stenson Jn - Derby |
| 57307 | Derby - Derby Litchurch Lane |
Notes:
(1) A one-way trip in advance of "The Greatest Gathering" event taking place in
Derby's Litchurch Lane Works, presenting a very rare opportunity to travel on a
Class 57 hauled Class 390 in planned passenger service. And not just any normal
WCML drag; this train will cover the very rare connection into the Works. Not
only does your ticket allow you to cover the connection into Derby Litchurch
Lane Works, but you will also be able to benefit from early bird access to the
Alstom site before the main event opens to the public the following day! Also
includes a ride on the Works' 1.6km-long test track.
(2) 390119 in Avanti West Coast Pride livery.
(3) This charter raised funds for the Railway 200 charities, namely
Alzheimer’s
Research UK,
Railway Benefit
Fund, Railway
Children, Railway
Mission and Transport
Benevolent Fund.
Source : Alan Sheppard (on the train throughout)
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Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Sheppard)
| M.C | Location | Booked | Actual |
|
0.00
|
Crewe | 14.24d [P12] [SL] | 14.44˝ [P12] [UF] |
|
1.60
|
Crewe Basford Hall Jn | 14/30 [FL] | 14/47˝ [UF] |
|
8.42
|
Madeley (Staffs) | 14/34 [FL] | 14/56 [UF] |
|
19.15
|
Norton Bridge | 14/43˝ [FL] | 15/05 [UF] |
|
24.40
|
Stafford | 14/48 [UFL] | 15/08 [UF] |
|
30.78
|
Colwich | 14/54˝ [SL] | 15/13˝ [US] |
|
33.56
|
Rugeley North Jn | 14/59˝ [SL] | 15.18˝ ~ 15.19˝ [UTVS] |
|
41.25
|
Lichfield North Jn | 15/07˝ [SL] | 15/30˝ [US] |
|
?
|
Lichfield Trent Valley | 15/09˝ | 15/31˝ |
|
42.07
|
Lichfield T.V. Jn | 15/11˝ | 15/33 |
|
46.01
|
Alrewas L.C. | 15/20˝ | 15/37˝ |
|
47.25
|
Wichnor Jn | 15/23 | 15/40 |
|
52.60
|
Burton-on-Trent | 15/29˝ [P1] [UTF] | 15/48 [P1] [UTF] |
|
54.73
|
Clay Mills Jn | 15/32˝ | 15/52 |
|
58.33
|
North Stafford Jn | 15/35 | 15/56˝ |
|
58.71
|
Stenson Jn | 15/35˝ | 15/57 |
|
62.67
|
Derby L.N.W. Jn | 15/41˝ [UTS] | 16/01 [UTS] |
|
63.61
|
Derby | 15.44˝a ~ 16.21d [P3] [DTS] | 16.04a ~ 17.11d [P3] |
|
65.06
|
Derby Litchurch Lane | 16.24a | 17.21 |
Mileages taken from tour brochure.
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Associated E.C.S. Workings
5Z35 : (57307 + 390119) : Edge Hill Depot to Crewe
| Location | Booked | Actual |
| Edge Hill Depot | 12+35d | 12+50 |
| Wavertree Jn | 12/40 [SL] | 12/53 [US] |
| Liverpool South Parkway | 12/44 [P3] | 12/58 [P3] |
| Ditton East Jn | 12/51 | 13/09 [UDF] |
| Runcorn | 12c55 ~ 12c57 [P1] | 13+14 ~ 13+19˝ [P1] |
| Halton Jn | 12/58˝ | 13/22 |
| Weaver Jn | 13/02˝ [FL] | 13/27 [UM] |
| Acton Bridge | 13/05˝ [SL] | 13/29 [UF] |
| Hartford | 13*09˝ ~ 13*14 [FL] | 13/30 [UM] |
| Winsford | 13/18˝ | 13/34 [UF] |
| Crewe Coal Yard | 13/25˝ | 13/39˝ |
| Crewe | 13+29a [P12] | 13+43 [P12] |