29th December 1981

L.C.G.B. (North West Branch)
The Severnsider

Locos Used 25051, 25056, 25058, 25062, 25219, 40170 & steam: 43106 & 46521

Route :

Loco(s) Route
40170 + 25062 (1) Southport - Burscough Bridge - Wigan Wallgate - Bolton - Manchester Victoria (2)
25219 + 25056 Manchester Victoria - Ashton Moss - Stockport - Crewe - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Bescot - Perry Barr North Jn - Soho South Jn - Birmingham New Street
25051 + 25058 Birmingham New Street - Soho South Jn - Galton Jn - Rowley Regis - Stourbridge Junction - Kidderminster - (3)
43106 + 46521 (3) - Bewdley - Bridgnorth
43106 + 46521 Bridgnorth - Bewdley
25051 + 25058 Bewdley - (?reverse of outward route?) - Birmingham New Street
25056 + 25219 (5) Birmingham New Street - (?reverse of outward route?) - (6) Crewe - (reverse of outward route) - Southport

Notes :
(1) As 40170 was 'No Boiler' there was a delay whilst 25062 was 'obtained' however 25062's boiler failed on departure leaving the train with no heating.
(2) Unscheduled loco change to provide train heating, locos having been taken from an incoming Bangor to Manchester service.
(3) Loco change point confirmation required - reported by some as taking place at 'Kidderminster not Bewdley' but by others as 'just short of Bewdley station'?
(4) Booked steam loco was 5000 but this was unserviceable and the pair of Ivatt's were substituted. Late running caused booked photostops at Arley & Hampton Loade to be cancelled. It is reported the train made an unscheduled stop to pick-up two "normals" bound for Manchester.
(5) Departure delayed as crew had problems getting 25219's boiler going.
(6) Leading loco 25056 shut itself down with full service brakes just short of Crewe. Train driven into the platforms from the second engine, 25219. Fitters eventually rectified 25056.

Sources : Gary Thornton, Nick Leverton & Alan Baylis

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Nick Leverton)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Southport ?08.30d? 55 late departing   ? 23.25a
Manchester Victoria ??.??a ~ 09.46d ??L?? ~ 10L56   ? ?
Crewe ? ?   ? ??.?? ~ 21.10 (85 late)
Birmingham New Street ? 70 late departing   ? 20 late arriving
45 late departing
Bewdley ? 65 late departing   ? 25 late departing
Bridgnorth 16.00a ?   ??.??d 10 late departing


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