15th October 1983

British Rail
(Merrymaker Excursion)

Loco Used 45120
Stock Used 13603+9480+5769+5950+1701+5816+5924+5914+6172

Route :

Loco Route
45120 Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway - Trowell Jn - ??? - Nottingham
45120 Nottingham - Beeston - Trent East Jn - Trent South Jn - (via MML) - Wigston North Jn - Narborough - Midland Jn - (via Nuneaton station avoiding line) - Abbey Jn - Water Orton - Landor St Jn - St Andrews Jn - Bordesley Jn - King's Norton - Stoke Works Jn - (via Spetchley) - Abbotswood Jn - Cheltenham Spa - Barnwood Jn - Gloucester Yard Jn - Standish Jn - Yate - Westerleigh Jn - Bristol Parkway - Filton Jn - Stapleton Road - Bristol Temple Meads - Worle Jn - Uphill Jn - Cogload Jn - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Plymouth
45120 Plymouth - (reverse of outward route) - Nottingham
45120 Nottingham - (reverse of outward route) - Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway

Notes :
(1) Howard Parker comments: Train was also advertised from Derby and Long Eaton, so it is assumed that connecting services were provided to/from Leicester. Bristol and Exeter were advertised as alternative destinations. On the outward journey, the stop at the site of South Brent station was due to the line being blocked by a fallen tree. This caused delays to all trains until the middle of the afternoon. In addition, the 16.13 arrival from Newcastle arrived at 17.55 with 47352 towing HST with power cars 43191 & 43170. It is assumed that the failure occurred north of Taunton as the 17.17 arrival from Manchester arrived at 18.10 behind 45117 but the 16.52 arrival from Paddington arrived on time with power cars 43034 & 43139. There were delays in the up direction also, with the 16.18 to Bristol (due 16.03 from Penzance) arriving at 16.33 with 37270 assisting 45141. These were detached and replaced by 47142 departing at 16.46. The 16.45 to Paddington was late setting out waiting connections off the stopping service from Penzance which subsequently arrived at 17.00 behind 47593, the Paddington service leaving at 17.10 with power cars 43132 & 43031.


Howard Parker's ticket for the tour.

Sources : Kevin Law (on the train throughout)
& Howard Parker (joined/left the train at Narborough)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Howard Parker)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway ??.??d ?   ??.??a ?
Nottingham ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?   ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?
Loughborough ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?   ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?
Leicester ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?   ??.??a ~ ??.??d ?
Narborough ??.??a ~ 08.23d ??.?? ~ 08.27   22.50a ~ ??.??d 23.04 ~ ??.??
Hinckley ??.??a ~ ??.??d 08.37 ~ 08.38   ??.??a ~ ??.??d 22.53 ~ 22.55
Saltley ??c?? ~ ??c?? 09.23 ~ 09.25   ??c?? ~ ??c?? 22.10 ~ 22.13
Barnt Green ? 09/45   ? ?
Cheltenham Spa ? 10/09   ? 21/31
Bristol Temple Meads 10c46a ~ ??c??d 10.53 ~ 10.55   ??c??a ~ 20c18d 20.34 ~ 20.47
Taunton ? 11/33   ? 19/57
Exeter St Davids 12.01a ~ ??.??d 12.00 ~ 12.03   ??.??a ~ 19.03d 19.27 ~ 19.29
Newton Abbot ? 12/21   ? ?
Totnes ? 12/40   ? 18/48
South Brent (site) ? 12.49 ~ 13.42   ? ?
Plymouth 13.06a 14.06   18.00d 18.18


Back to "The Railtour Files"