25th - 26th October 1997

NENTA Traintours
The Northern Lights

Loco(s) Used 47467, 47738 & 86241

Route :

Date Loco(s) Route
25/10 86241 Norwich - Diss - Stowmarket - Ipswich - Colchester - Stratford - Primrose Hill - (via WCML) - Crewe
25/10 47738 (2) Crewe - Preston - Blackpool North
25/10 47738 + 47467 Blackpool North - (reverse of outward route) - Crewe
25/10-26/10 86241 Crewe - (reverse of outward route) - Norwich

Notes :
(10 Steve Pizzey comments: Due to a broken rail we spent 55mins enjoying the delights of Primrose Hill then we signal hopped from South Kenton to Harrow and Wealdstone making us 103mins late by Tring. After the loco change, arrival at Blackpool was approx. 60 late. Although 47467 was only really there to drag the train out of Blackpool North so that 47738 could run round, I’m fairly certain it was “helping” between Crewe and Preston on the way out. Also fairly sure they were in tandem on the return trip… (though I stand to be corrected). The return was delayed for no reason the driver could see and we remained late throughout the return journey.
(2) 47467 on rear.
(3) On the return leg British Summer Time ended (02.00 on 26/10) hence the timings between Colchester & Ipswich!

Sources : Chris Harley & Steve Pizzey (joined/left the train at Colchester)

Timings (Advertised Only)
(from Chris Harley)

Location Advertised (out) Advertised (rtn)
Norwich 07.10d 01.55a
Diss ??.??a ~ 07.28d 01.35a ~ ??.??d
Stowmarket ??.??a ~ 07.39d 01.24a ~ ??.??d
Ipswich ??.??a ~ 07.54d 01.10a ~ ??.??d
Colchester ??.??a ~ 08.13d 01.50a ~ ??.??d
Chelmsford ??.??a ~ 08.33d 01.30a ~ ??.??d
Romford ??.??a ~ 08.53d 01.10a ~ ??.??d
Stratford ??.??a ~ 09.05d 01.00a ~ ??.??d
Preston 13.00a ~ ??.??d ??.??a ~ 21.30d
Blackpool North 13.30a 21.00d

All inclusive road connection into the excursion train to and from Stowmarket;

Location Advertised (out) Advertised (rtn)
Ely (coach) 06.10d 02.30a
Bury-St-Edmunds (coach) 06.50d 01.55a


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