6th March 1976

British Rail
(Day Excursion)

Route : 1Z94 throughout

Notes :
(1) Originally uploaded as running direct from Leicester via Derby hauled by 45077 throughout but revised to above following receipt of additional information. Howard Parker comments: My notes have that a connecting DMU ran from Burton on Trent, calling at Derby, Long Eaton and Beeston to Nottingham and return in the evening which differs slightly from the original report on Six Bells.

Sources : David Hills (joined/left the train at Derby) & Howard Parker (joined/left the train at Leicester)

Tour Review
(by David Hills)

The arrival of March brought with it the first long distance day excursions of the season, and one of the most anticipated was the trip to Edinburgh. It had a cost though, the majority of the return trip was in darkness and if Toton provided a no-boilered locomotive........however, mercifully for this trip 45077, complete with working steam heating apparatus was provided. The preferred route via the ECML was also to be taken therefore allowing a greater quantity of numbers to go 'in the book'. York depot provided a fine array of locomotives, of note were 37094/96, 40037/59/75, 40145. Spirited running north of York, in fine weather quickly brought us to Newcastle, where there seemed to be an '03' in every corner, noted were 03059/078/094/105/163/170 and of course local resident 08001.

All things Scottish greeted us at Edinburgh with 25237, 26005, 27101 & 40162 welcoming the invaders from the south, our peace offering of 45077 was accepted. 47053 was quickly commandeered to whisk us to Haymarket for the obligatory trek to the depot, again filled with such McScottish delights as 24119, 25018, 40163 & 55008. Another endurance hike back to Haymarket found 27109 & 27208 arriving on a Glasgow bound thrash. After revictualling with ham & cheese sandwiches and hot tea, the brief respite was soon over as a taxi was quickly hunted down for the ride to Eastfield. Over seventy locomotives filled the lines here including 08566 (green, fire damaged), 24006/09, 24130, 25003/05, 26035 and many Class 27's. A rapid return to Queen Street found the next eastbound service waiting with 27104 & 27210 filling the place with atmosphere (noise & diesel fumes for the un-initiated). A swift return to Waverley found our excursion stock already positioned with 45077 chattering away at the east end of the platform. Obviously thoughts of a Toton 45 on an Aberdeen or Inverness service had not been considered by Control that afternoon.

Little of note was seen on the return journey, though in taking the 'old road' at Rotherham it was learned that Barrow Hill contained stored 25016/17/20/22/24. Derby of course had its resident Peak to greet us, this time 45052, but all that mattered now was a swift ride home and a good morning's sleep!

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Howard Parker)

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