9th April 1977

B.R. (Sheffield Division)
(Merrymaker Excursion)

Locos Used 45063 & 47174
Stock Used 10 mark 1 coaches vb90mph

Route : 1Z68 throughout

Loco(s) Route
47174 Barnsley - Sheffield - Chesterfield - Ilkeston - Trent - Leicester - Market Harborough - Kettering - Wellingborough - (via Bedford station avoiding line) - Luton -Brent Jn - Acton Wells Jn - Kew East Jn - Barnes - Clapham Junction - Herne Hill - East Croydon - (via Quarry line) - Three Bridges - Haywards Heath - Keymer Jn - Lewes - Eastbourne
47174 Eastbourne - (reverse of outward route) - Three Bridges - Redhill - East Croydon - (reverse of outward route) - Leicester (2)
45063 Leicester - (reverse of outward route) - Sheffield

Notes :
(1) The tour options included a) Visit to Eastbourne, or, b) Trip on the Bluebell Railway (including coachfrom/to Haywards Heath). Gordon Lacy took the Bluebell Railway option and a round trip behind steam loco 30064 was made between Sheffield Park & Horsted Keynes (on a six coach assorted rake).
(2) After a lengthy inspection by the driver at Flitwick a replacement loco was requested and 47174 was duly replaced at Leicester by 45063. Gordon Lacy comments: In the course of regaining lost time, the Peak hit the 'ton' through Loughborough, a first for me with this class!


From Gordon Lacy's ticket collection.

Source : Gordon Lacy (joined/left the train at Chesterfield)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gordon Lacy)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Barnsley 07.27d ?  
Sheffield ? ?   23.00a ?
Chesterfield 08.24a ~ 08.26d 08.26 ~ 08.27   22.39a ~ 22.41d 23.00 ~ 23.02
Clay Cross South Jn 08/32 08/32   22/34 22/56½
Pye Bridge Jn 08/42 08/39½   22/26 22/49
Trowell Jn 08/49 08/46½   22/18 22/42
Trent 08/53½ 08/52½   22/08 22/36
Trent Jn 08/55 08/53   22/07 22/35
Loughborough 09/02 09/00   22/01 22/30
Leicester 09c13 ~ 09c15 09.10 ~ 09.11   21c46 ~ 21c48 22L12 ~ 22L19
Wigston North Jn ? 09/15   21/44 22/08½
Kibworth 09/29 09/21   21/34 22/04
Market Harborough 09/34 09/25   21/28 21/58½
Desborough 09/40 09/30   21/24 21/53
Kettering 09/45 09/34½   21/16 21/44
Wellingborough 09/50 09/45   21/10 21/38
Sharnbrook Summit 10/00 09/55½   ? 21/34½
Bedford North Jn 10/07 10/05   20/58 21/25
Flitwick 10/15 10/12   ??/?? 20.54 ~ 21.11½
St Albans 10/33 10/32   20/35 20/28
Hendon 10/55 10/48½   20/28 20/21
Brent Jn 10c59 ~ 11c09 10.51 ~ 11.05   20c14 ~ 20c16 20.03½ ~ 20.07
Clapham Junction ??c?? ~ ??c?? 11.32 ~ 11.35   ??c?? ~ ??c?? 19.33 ~ 19.34
East Croydon ? 12/12   ? 18.51 ~ 18.52½
Earlswood ? 12/24   ? 18/31
Haywards Heath 12.48a ~ 12.50d 12.39 ~ 12.41   18.12a ~ 18.14d 18.13 ~ 18.15
Eastbourne 13.30a ?   17.35d ?

Bluebell Railway option:

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Sheffield Park 14.45d 14.59   15.29a 15.42½
Horsted Keynes 15.00a 15.18   15.16d 15.28


Back to "The Railtour Files - 1977"