4th-6th May 1984

D.A.A. Tours
The Anglo-Scottish Freighter

Locos Used 20110, 20146, 20211, 20212, 25316, 25321, 26004, 26005, 37149, 37152, 47555, 85036 & 86215
Stock Used 17137+13529+13517+13607+13589+1738+13522+13540+13521+17132 (1)

Route : 1Z11 throughout

Date Loco(s) Route
04/05 25316 + 25321 London Marlebone - West Ruislip - Princes Risborough - Aylesbury - Quainton Road - Claydon LNE Jn - (via Bletchley Flyover) - Fenny Stratford - Bedford (via slow line) - Sharnbrook - (via fast line) - Kettering - Coalville - Burton-on-Trent - Stenson Jn - Sheet Stores Jn - Trent - Long Eaton LC - Toton
04/05-05/05 47555 Toton - Pye Bridge Jn - Pinxton - Kirkby Summit Jn - Shirebrook - Shireoaks East Jn - Worksop
04/05-05/05 47555 Worksop - Woodhouse Jn - Darnall West Jn - Attercliffe Jn - Shepcote Lane Jn - Catcliffe Jn - Treeton North Jn - Rotherham - Aldwarke Jn - Mexborough - Doncaster - (via ECML) - Northallerton - Eaglescliffe - Stockton - Norton South Jn - Ferryhill South Jn - Durham - Tyne Yard - Low Fell Jn - Low Fell Sidings Jn - Bensham Curve Jn - King Edward Bridge West Jn - Newcastle
05/05 47555 (1) Newcastle - signal N93
05/05 47555 signal N93 - Newcastle (1)
05/05 47555 Newcastle - (2) High Level Bridge - Gateshead - King Edward Bridge North Jn - Newcastle (2) - (2) (via ECML) - Piershill Jn - Abbeyhill Jn - Edinburgh Waverley
05/05 26004 + 26005 Edinburgh Waverley - Haymarket - Gorgie Jn - Craiglockhart Jn - Niddrie West Jn - Portobello Jn - Edinburgh Waverley - Haymarket - Dalmeny - Inverkeithing - Burntisland - Kirkaldy - Thornton South Jn - Thornton West Jn - Cowdenbeath - Dunfermline - Inverkeithing North Jn - Dalmeny - Winchburgh Jn - Polmont - Falkirk Grahamston - Larbert Jn - Stirling
05/05 37152 + 37149 Stirling - Larbert Jn - Falkirk Grahamston - Grangemouth Jn - Fouldubs Jn - Grangemouth West Yard
05/05 37149 + 37152 Grangemouth West Yard - Fouldubs Jn - Grangemouth Jn - Falkirk Grahamston - Carmuirs West Jn - Greenhill Lower Jn - Cumbernauld - Coatbridge Jn - Mossend - Braidhurst Down Loop
05/05 20212 + 20211 Braidhurst Down Loop - Mossend - Whifflet - Sunnyside Jn - Gunnie Engine Reversing Siding
05/05 20211 + 20212 Gunnie Engine Reversing Siding - Sunnyside Jn - Whifflet - Mossend - Braidhurst Down Loop
05/05 20212 + 20211 Braidhurst Down Loop - Mossend - Whifflet North Jn - Langloan Jn - Carmyle Jn - Rutherglen East Jn - Larkfield Jn - Terminus Jn - Shields Jn - Paisley Gilmour Street - Kilwinning - Irvine - Barassie - Ayr
05/05 20146 + 20110 Ayr - Barassie - Irvine - Byrehill Jn - Dubbs Jn - South Beach - West Kilbride - Hunterston Reception (3)
05/05 20110 + 20146 Hunterston Reception - West Kilbride - South Beach - Dubbs Jn - Byrehill Jn - Irvine - Barassie - Barassie Jn (4)
05/05 20146 + 20110 Barassie Jn - Barassie - Kilmarnock
05/05 20110 + 20146 Kilmarnock - Lugton - Barrhead - Muirhouse South Jn - Larkfield Jn - Rutherglen East Jn - Newton - Uddingtson - Mossend South Jn - Motherwell - Hamilton Central - Newton - Kirkhill - Kings Park - Mount Florida - Pollockshields East - Glasgow Central
05/05 47555 Glasgow Central - Polmadie
05/05-06/05 47555 Polmadie - Larkfield Jn - Muirhouse South Jn - Barrhead - Lugton - Kilmarnock - New Cumnock - Dumfries - Carlisle - (via WMCL) - Crewe
06/05 85036 Crewe - Madeley - Norton Bridge - Stafford - Portobello Jn - Bescot - Perry Barr South Jn - Aston - Proof House Jn - Birmingham New Street
06/05 86215 Birmingham New Street - Proof House Jn - Stechford - Coventry - Rugby - Northampton - Hanslope Jn - (via slow line) - Bletchley - Hemel Hempstead - (via fast line) - Watford Junction - London Euston

Notes :
(1) Following a failed attempt at York (replacing heating/lighting fuses), coach 13522 was replaced with 13455 at Newcastle. LASERman comments: I recall no heat in our coach but body heat had just about got it to a reasonable temperature on the first night when some fool decided it needed to be changed at Newcastle for a coach that seemed far colder and took the next day to warm up.
(2) Was booked via the Blythe & Tyne but a circuit of bridges at Newcastle reported to have a been done as compensation for loss of Blyth & Tyne section (lost due to the miners strike).
(3) Was booked to go to the Ore Terminal, but didn't (miners strike again?).
(4) A query from Adrian Nicholls: I'd like to understand exactly what happened on arrival at Barassie Jn from Hunterston. The train was booked to wait for the 10.20 Euston to Stranraer Harbour to clear the single line to Kilmarnock but this train was late and seeing as the tour was load 10 plus 2x class 20's I am sure the train reversed in Barassie Reversing Sidings (i.e. clear of the mainline and on the formation of the old Troon avoiding line). I have sought advice from two friends on the tour with me and neither can confirm what I suspect took place. Barassie Down Loop adjacent to the mainline is 1180ft long 'now' but was it then as the whole route was modernised with the Ayrshire Coast electrification in the mid 1980's. This is the response from Andy Pullar: my notes indicate the tour reversed in the Barassie Down Passenger Loop not on the formation of the old Troon avoiding line.

Sources : Nick Ross & LASERman

Tour Review
(from Nick Ross)

The tour began with 2 mysteries 1/ how to find the unfamiliar haunt of Maylebone from nearby Baker St and 2/ was 25316 required as it was not in our books having been a recent reinstatement. The consist of 13 Luxury early Mk II's of the FK variety made the prospect of 2 overnights aboard more bearable. An on-time 1015 departure soon saw us thrashing through the Chilterns to Aylesbury where the ever keen barrier gripper was most concerned as hundreds of tour participants passed through, apparently ticket less, to phot the rats from the main footbridge North of the station.

Our compo consist contained a keen track basher and the gentle rolling stagger from Claydon Jn - Bletchley Flyover soon had him well asleep after his early start from Brum. On him waking in the Woburn Sands area he was absolutely withered that we had failed to wake him as he could not count the Claydon-Bletchley track as scored due his slumberous state. This was despite our assurances that we had done the route and it was as dull as ever, a loud Sulzer attack on Sharnbrook ended further debate. Onto the Leicester - Coalville - Burton freight artery one of the few amusing things I was to see as a result of the miner's dispute was to see the tour pass alongside a police football match near a colliery on a break between shifts. Much bellowing of "support the Miners" raised laughter on both sides as our rats plodded North. Approaching Burton some granny was out to wave her Union Jack as the train passed, the importance people attach to big pairs of rats is incredible.

A last pick up at Burton saw large logo liveried months old 56129 pass South on tanks. At Toton the big disappointment of the tour in 47555 was attached for the heavy mileage section to Edinburgh. The requested 40 for the overnight sections had been refused because of a 40's apparent inability to heat the train. This was very ironic as some stock/loco fault meant no EH therms were available anyway. A 2 hour break at York allowed us to wander off to the stabling point, chip shop and pubs. Even on a busy Friday night the tour participants tended to stand out, the bags being a give away! The requested Blyth section was refused be cause of the Miner's dispute but some dive under South of Newcastle compensated the track bashers. An early morning hour's break at Edinburgh saw 200 people doing a move to Haymarket on 27018 on the 0630 Edinburgh-Dundee. Thick fog engulfed Haymarket station approaches as the arrival time for the return train, the 2350 Inverness-Edinburgh portion came. Some wag shouts "it's on the other platform", a few panicked until 47508 drew up at the normal platform. The fun continued with a right time departure for the regulation tour of the Thornton loop before reaching Polmont and Stirling.

Here a "big pair" in 37152/37149 were waiting to back on for the run to Grangemouth. We saw little of the branch as the only operational run round was short of the branch end. "Waste of time, that was" claimed the guard. Back on the main-line the syphons opened up for the run to Moss End. More big pairs emerged from Motherwell Depot with 20211/20212 taking us South in brilliant sun to the black hole itself, Ayr. 20110/20146 were equally well received for the return run back to Glasgow C for an early evening arrival. A third long break here saw us all going in different directions a fair few doing our move of various 303's to Dumbarton then 37081and Ethel 97251 to Queen St on the 1740 from Fort Bill. Saturday night revelry was in full swing walking down Argyll street to Glasgow Central for a 2300 departure behind the ever icy 47555. Our track bashing compo compatriot helped us to fall asleep as he advised how he done a unit to Gourock and got off for a few seconds at every station before rejoining the same service!

"It's a roarer" came the gen as 85036 backed on to replace 47555 at Crewe for a run into New St via BS and Duddeston. Engineering work enforced this devious routing and unfortunately the roarer managed to loose itself at New St rather than run round. 86215 was the last loco to do a now quiet tour back to Euston for a half eight Sunday morning arrival. 83015 backed on as ECS engine but by now we were all homeward bound. A "great tour" was all over.

Nick Ross

Photo Review
(all photos: Chris Thompson)


25316 & 25321 at London Marylebone.


47555 pauses at Worksop.


26004 & 26005 at Edinburgh Waverley.


20212 & 20211 at Ayr.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from LASERman & Andy Pullar)

Location Booked Actual
Marylebone 10.15d 10.16
Neasden South Jn 10/23 10/24
Northolt Jn 10/31 10/34
West Ruislip 10/35 10/37
High Wycombe 10/55 10/52
Princes Risborough 11/05 11/04
Aylesbury 11.20a ~ 11.50d 11.17 ~ 11.50
Claydon LNE Jn 12t00a ~ 12t16d 12/11
Bletchley Flyover Summit ??/?? 12.50 ~ 12.51
foot of flyover 12/55 ?
Fenny Stratford ??/?? 12/56
Millbrook Home Signal ??/?? 13.14a ~ 13.15d
Bedford St Johns Home Signal ??/?? 13.27a ~ 13.31d
Bedford St Johns West Jn 13/30 13/34
Bedford St Johns North Jn ??/?? 13/36
Bedford Midland 13c38a ~ 13c40d 13.42 ~ 13.43
Sharnbrook 13/58 13/57
Wellingborough 14/09 14/09
Kettering 14/15½ 14/17
Market Harborough 14/25½ 14/28
Kibworth 14/31 ?
Wigston North Jn 14/41 14/39
Knighton South Jn 14/46 14/44
Saffron Lane LC 14/48 14/47
Desford Colliery 15/10 15/04
Bagworth 15/17 15/12
Mantle Lane 15/27 ?
Moira West Jn 15/49 15/37
Leicester Jn 16/07 15/58½
Burton-on-Trent 16.10a ~ 16.11d 15.59 ~ 16.10
Stenson Jn 16/19 16/19
Sheet Stores Jn 16/35 16/41½
Trent 16/37 16/44
Long Eaton LC 16/40 16/45
Toton 16L45a ~ 17L00d 16.47 ~ 17.11
Stanton Gate 17/09 ?
Trowell Jn 17/11 17/15
Pye Bridge Jn 17/21 17/26
Pinxton 17/27 17/29
Kirkby Summit Jn 17/37 17/36
Mansfield South Jn 17/46 17/40
Shirebrook 18/00 18/50½
Elmton & Cresswell Jn 18/19 17/58
Shireoaks East Jn 18/31 18/30½
Worksop 18.33a ~ 18.53d 18.33½ ~ 18.51
Woodhouse Jn 19/10 19/05
Darnall West Jn 19/16 19/13
Attercliffe Jn 19/18 19/15
Shepcote Lane Jn 19/21 19/19½
Treeton North Jn 19/38 19/32
Rotherham 19/45 19/35
Aldwarke Jn 19/50 19/40
Mexborough 19.57a ~ 20.10d 19/46
Hexthorpe Jn 20/18 19/53
Doncaster 20c23a ~ 20c25d 20.00 ~ 20.07
Shaftholme Jn 20/31 20/12
Temple Hirst Jn 20/37 20/21
Hambleton North Jn 20/41 20/27
Colton Jn 20/50 20/32
York 20.56a ~ 23.40d 20.38 ~ 23.54
Thirsk 00/01 00/11
Northallerton 00/08 00/19½
Eaglescliffe 00/25 00/37
Stockton 00/30 00/41
Norton South Jn 00/33 00/45½
Ferryhill South Jn 00/57 01/04
Tursdale Jn 00/59 ?
Durham 01/07 01/14
King Edward Bridge West Jn 01/25 01/36
Newcastle 01c27a ~ DIV 01.39 ~ 02.24
signal N93 DIV 02.30½a ~ 02.04d
Newcastle DIV 02.07½a ~ 02.15d
Gateshead DIV 02/18
King Edward Bridge North Jn DIV 02/23
Newcastle DIV ~ 01c29d 02/26
Benton Jn 01/37 ?
Earsdon 01/42 DIV
Bedlington 01/56 DIV
Morpeth North Jn 01/04 02/41
Longhirst LC 02c09a ~ 02c11d ?
Alnmouth 02/26 ?
Belford 02/38 ?
Berwick-upon-Tweed 02/50 ?
signal EG403 02/58 ?
Reston 03/05 ?
Grantshouse 03/11 ?
Dunbar 03/22 03/51
Drem 03/32 04/01
Portobello Jn 03/52 04/16
signal EP615 03/55 ?
Lochend Jn 03/58 04/22½
Abbyhill Jn ?DIV? 04/25
Edinburgh Waverley 04L03a ~ 04L13d 04.28 ~ 04.55
Haymarket 04/16 05/58
Haymarket Central Jn 04/17 04/59
Gorgie Jn 04/19 05/00½
Craiglockhart Jn 04/21 05/02
Niddrie West Jn 04/32 05/12
Portobello Jn 04/40 05/15
signal EP615 04/43 ?
Lochend Jn 04/46 05/21
Edinburgh Waverley 04.51a ~ 07.20d 05.26 ~ 07.20
Haymarket 07/23 07/25
Dalmeny 07/31 07/33
Inverkeithing 07/38 07/38
Burntisland 07/48 07/48
Kirkaldy 07/58 07/58
Thornton South Jn 08/03 08/05
Thornton West Jn 08/05 08/07
Cardenden 08/12 08/12½
Cowdenbeath 08/18 08/19
Dunfermline 08/25 ?
Inverkeithing North Jn 08*31a ~ 08*37d 08.31 ~ 08.34
Inverkeithing 08/38 08/39
Dalmeny Jn 08*44a ~ 08*48d ?
Winchburgh Jn 09/03 ?
Linlithgow 09/08 09/04½
Polmont 09/12 ?
Falkirk Grahamston 09/19 09/19
Carmuirs East Jn 09/22 09/23
Larbert Jn 09/27 09/24
Stirling 09L38a ~ 09L50d 09.35 ~ 09.51½
Larbert Jn 10/01 10/04
Carmuirs East Jn 10/02 10/05
Falkirk Grahamston 10/05 10/08½
Grangemouth Jn 10/07 10/09½
Fouldubs Jn 10/17 10/14
Grangemouth West Yard 10.19a ~ 10.29d 10.15 ~ 10.26
Fouldubs Jn 10/31 10/28
Grangemouth Jn 10/37 10/32½
Falkirk Grahamston 10/39 10.33½a ~ 10.34
Carmuirs East Jn 10/42 10/38
Carmuirs West Jn 10/43 10/39
Greenhill Lower Jn 10/46 10/41½
Garnqueen North Jn 11/02 10/59
Gartsherrie South Jn 11/05 11/01
Coatbridge Jn 11/07 11/02½
Mossend 11/12 ?
Mossend North Jn 11/13 11/07
Mossend South Jn 11/14 11/08
Braidhurst Down Loop 11L17a ~ 11L27d 11.14½ ~ 11.32½
Mossend South Jn 11/30 11/35½
Mossend North Jn 11/31 11/36½
Mossend 11/32 11/37
Whifflet South Jn 11/38 11/41
Sunnyside Jn 11/42 11/49
Gunnie Engine Reversing Siding 11.45a ~ 11.58d 11.50½ ~ 12.05½
Sunnyside Jn 12/01 12/13½
Whifflet South Jn 12/07 12/18
Mossend 12/09 ?
Mossend North Jn 12/10 12/22½
Mossend South Jn 12/11 12/23½
Braidhurst Down Loop 12.14a ~ 12.24d 12.28 ~ 12.40½
Mossend South Jn 12/27 12/45
Mossend North Jn 12/28 12/45½
Mossend 12/34 ?
Whifflet North Jn 12/42 12/51
Langloan Jn 12/44 ?
Carmyle Jn 12/55 13/00
Rutherglen East Jn 12/57 13/06
Larkfield Jn 13/04 13/23½
Terminus Jn 13/06 13/13½
Shields Jn 13/08 ?
Arkleston Jn 13/13 13/22½
Paisley Gilmour Street 13/15 13/25
Elderslie 13/18 13/28
Lochside 13/30 13/36½
Dalry 13/36 ?
Kilwinning 13/41 13/48½
Irvine 13/48 13/53
Barassie 13/53 13/57
Prestwick 14/02 14/03½
Ayr 14L10a ~ 14L27d 14.11 ~ 14.27
Prestwick 14/32 14/36
Barassie 14/37 14/42
Irvine 14/45 14/48
Byrehill Jn 14/47 14/52½
Dubbs Jn 14/49 14/55
South Beach 14/57 15/00½
West Kilbride 15/04 15/08
Hunterston Reception ? 15.17a
Hunterston Ore Terminal ??.??a ~ ??.??d DIV
Hunterston Reception ? 15.45½d
West Kilbride 15/47 15/50
South Beach 15/55 15/54½
Dubbs Jn 16/03 16/09½
Byrehill Jn 16/05 16/12
Irvine 16/08 16/15
Barassie Jn 16.13a ~ 16.46d 16.22 ~ 17.06½ [DPL]
Kilmarnock 16.59a ~ 17.20d 17.24 ~ 17.36
Lugton 17/38 17/51½
Barrhead 17/44 17/58½
Busby Jn 17/52 18/02½
Muirhouse South Jn 17/56 18/05½
Larkfield Jn 18/05 18/07½
Rutherglen East Jn 18/12 ?
Newton 18/15 18/16½
Uddingston 18/19 18/20½
Mossend West Jn 18/26 18/27½
Mossend South Jn 18/27 18/28½
Motherwell 18/35 18/31½
Hamilton Central 18/42 18/38½
Newton 18/51 18/44½
Kirkhill 18/54 18/49½
Kings Park 19/00 18/55
Queens Park 19/08 19/01½
Pollockshields East 19/09 19/03
Glasgow Central 19.12a ~ 23.02d 19.07½ ~ 23.03
Polmadie 23.10a ~ 23.25d 23.11½ ~ 23.28½
Larkfield Jn 23/30 23/33½
Muirhouse South Jn 23/32 23/36
Busby Jn 23/41 23/39
Barrhead 23/47 23/43½
Lugton 23/53 23/52
Kilmarnock 00/03 ?
Hurlford 00/06 ?
Mauchline 00/20 ?
New Cumnock 00/39 ?
Kirkconnel 00/46 00/41
Holywood 01/10 ?
Dumfries 01/14 ?
Annan 01/32 01/24½
Gretna Jn 01/43 01/40
Carlisle 01c53a ~ 02c00d 01.56½ ~ 02.19
Penrith 02/26 02/19
Tebay 02/48½ ?
Oxenholme 02/58 ?
Carnforth 03/07 ?
Lancaster 03/11½ ?
Preston 03/34½ 03.29½a ~ 03.31½d
Euxton Jn 03/42 ?
Balshaw Lane Jn 03/44 ?
Wigan North Western 03/51½ ?
Springs Branch Jn 03/52½ ?
Winwick Jn 03/58 ?
Warrington Bank Quay 04/01 04/08½
Acton Grange Jn 04/02½ 04/10½
Weaver Jn 04/07½ ?
Winsford 04/29 ?
Crewe Coal Yard SB 04/50½ ?
Crewe 04L53a ~ 05L03d 04.32½ ~ 05.00
Madeley 05/11½ 05/09½
Norton Bridge 05/22 05/17½
Stafford 05/30 05.25½a ~ 05.31½d
Bushbury Jn 05/48 05/46
Portobello Jn 05/51 ?
Bescot 05/55 05/54
Perry Barr North Jn 05/59 06/00½
Aston 06/02 06/04
Proof House Jn 06/05½ 06/07½
Birmingham New Street 06.08a ~ 06.23d 06L09½a ~ 06L23½d
Proof House Jn 06/26 06/25
Stechford 06/29 06/28
Coventry 06/39 06/37½
Rugby 06/48 06/46
Long Buckby 06/56 06/54
Northampton 07/05 07/02
Hanslope Jn 07/14 07/10
Bletchley 07/28½ 07/18
Tring 07/37 07/31½
Watford Junction 07/53 07/53
Willesden WL Jn 08/13 ?
Euston 08.21a 08.20½


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