8th December 1979

Wirral Railway Circle
The Christmas Belle Railtour

Route : 1Z37 throughout (S.R. Code GA)

Notes :
(1) Robert Taggart comments that this was the last railtour to be organised/run by the Wirral Railway Circle.
(2) For bus connection (using two double-decker buses, each making two trips) between Haywards Heath and Sheffield Park for a round trip on the Bluebell Railway. Roger Jones confirms the use of Eastbourne Corporation 56 (HJK 156, 1961 AEC Regent V/East Lancs H32/28R) which he travelled on to the Bluebell Railway and Eastbourne Corporation 28 (VDY 528T Leyland Atlantean AN68A/2R/East Lancs H47/35F) which he used on the return. He believes these buses worked in both directions. Two special trains ran on the Bluebell Railway (the tour participants being split into two groups, Party A and Party B), both hauled by S.R. U Class no. 1618, built in 1928. For an extra charge the tour participants coudl also travel on a service train that was due to run that day (no mention was made of the traction for that train, but likely also 1618?).
(3) Was 81018 used for the return leg?
(4) Route confirmation required between Rugby and Hanslope Jn; booked route was via Northampton both ways? Also confirmation is required where the return loco change took place (shown in the timing sheet as Willesden WL Jn but given above as Mitre Bridge Jn).

Sources : Bob Mitchell, Mark Hambly, Barrie Hughes
& Roger Jones (left the train At Kensington Olympia on the return)

Photo Review

33054, southbound, at Kensington Olympia (photo: Barrie Hughes)

From Bob Mitchell's ticket collection.

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Roger Jones)

Bluebell Railway Timings

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