21st October 1978

D.A.A. / D.E.G.
Lindisfarne

Route :

Notes :
(1) 45074 failed at Irchester with traction motor fire.
(2) 45142 propelled the train from the rear, 45074 was dead on the front.
(3) Return loco originally reported as 45053, but since confirmed by several people as 45058.
(4) Arrived in London about 4 hours late as original assisting engine at Bedford derailed. David Harlott comments : "When the Tour eventually arrived at St Pancras those who could not get home could sleep in the stock, this was left in the platform with the shore supply connected".

Sources : Trevor Cockram (on the train throughout), Andy Pullar, John Guyatt & LASERman

Short Review & Comments
(by Alan Osborn)

Whilst we were marooned at Irchester the final InterCity service train to St Pancras passed us on the goods line (i.e. routed via Sharnbrook Tunnel). We were subsequently pushed onward to Bedford North Jn. I recall 45142 was actually in charge of a parcels train and the whole ensemble pushed over Sharnbrook summit, however we also were stopped at Sharnbrook by the signalman due to a tail-light problem, so whether the parcel wagons were uncoupled and someone forgot to provide a tail-light on the pushing loco I am unsure. At Bedford a replacement loco was to be provided but derailed in the process of reaching our train.

"The good news is another loco is available, but the bad news is the derailed loco has damaged point rodding so cannot reach our train" !!  Consequently an engineer was called for to manually adjust the points. Subsequent onward journey to St Pancras was further hampered by engineering works this been the BedPan electrification works.

This still holds my personal record of a late return of a charter train 251 minutes! However rather than spend the rest of the night I walked across London to Victoria and caught the morning newspaper train 0445 Victoria-Horsham so a bonus of some rare loco haulage on the Southern on a scheduled service and an interesting shunt manoeuvre at Three Bridges.  Train arrived on Down Fast (Platform 5) for unloading which has no access to Horsham line. Continued south then propelled back on Up Fast passing non-stop through (Platform 4) we then reversed again and I recall went via Platform 2 (wrong line Up Slow) or maybe Platform 1 which is Up Slow loop but reversible signalled for Horsham - Three Bridges shuttles.

Alan Osborn

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from LASERman & Alan Osborn)

Timings continue in first table.

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