Steam Gossip
October 2005

Top of the bill for September was the Crewe Works Open Weekend that took place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September. Billed as the ‘Great Gathering’, the event bought together a large number of steam and other locomotives at the famous Cheshire Works. There were a number of specials booked into Crewe on the Saturday, including a steam hauled train from Nuneaton, worked by Black 5 No. 45305. This left Nuneaton late, but did manage to make up some time on the run along the WCML. It later returned to Nuneaton but that was the last we saw of it as it was expected to return to Crewe for an appearance on the Sunday. I can only assume that it went back to Tyseley and that is where it stayed? I decided to visit the event on the Sunday and ventured towards the park and ride at the station. Here, a most efficient loading arrangement was taking place at the dedicated bus park near the station. With mainly Arriva double-deckers being used, with 75 seats per bus, they were simply filled and sent to the Works. This arrangement was as equally efficient on the return, although there was delay in reaching the station as the Crewe Alex-v-Derby County match was turning out! The entrance ticket booth was also working efficiently with no queue of note (as was a problem at previous open days). Mind you at £12 entrance fee, it had better be good. Programmes were on sale for £5, a bit pricy even if for a charity event.

Once in the site, it was now a question of walking around the 40 acres of display to check off everything. There were a few ‘must sees’ and these included the Stanier line up. This included two Duchesses, namely Duchess of Sutherland and Duchess of Hamilton. It is many years now since two Duchesses stood side by side in preservation and they both looked superb. Duchess of Hamilton was worked down to Crewe by rail in a convoy of others locomotives, including Flying Scotsman and Hogwarts Express. Hamilton was due to move on to Tyseley for evaluation of the fitting of its 1938 Streamline Cladding. This work will be in the region of £75,000 to complete. Although Streamlining will be for cosmetic appearance only, the possibility of the locomotive being fully restored to full working order has not been completely ruled out of the question. With one main line Duchess currently active there is little point in having two at present. Of course 6233 was showing off its Royal Train regalia and was actually in light steam (and also blotting out the site with drifting smoke, much to the detriment of the many photographers present)! Standing next to 6233 was 71000 Duke of Gloucester and this was also clagging the site on occasions. The Duke was advertising its proposed 900-mile tour from Lands End to John O’Groats. Just how this will happen is yet to be divulged, as there is currently no station at either of these two extremities of the British Isles. I did check the Duke’s web site, but no details were forthcoming of this event. In fact, many locomotive owner societies do not update their web sites with the latest information, a loss of valuable publicity I feel.

Next to the big Staniers was the two Princesses, namely Margaret Rose and Elizabeth. 46203 was not in steam as opposed to 6201 that was, having been recently returned to main line service following its disastrous failure some 18 months earlier. The Lizzie looked quite superb and was attracting a great deal of interest. Unfortunately there was not much in the way of publicity about their future main line trips, but I suspect that this will be rectified shortly now that it is back on the main line. We are certainly in need of some large locomotives to take up the reigns on tours. Mingled in with the large Pacifics was a solitary Jubilee, another recent recruit to main line service and this was 5690 Leander, a Crewe built locomotive from 1936. To make up the line up 45305 should have been in here, but for reasons unknown, was not present. Perhaps it was the fact that 45305 was not built at Crewe and felt a bit of an outsider?

One Stanier not included with the ‘big boys’ was the Stanier Mogul 2-6-0 No. 42968. This had been delivered to Crewe by low loader as the locomotive owning society, the Stanier Mogul Fund, have decided not to go main line as the costs for achieving this have become prohibitive. Having gone to the expense of fitting TPWS and other gadgets, the Vehicle Acceptance Body now requires a full recertification, an additional figure around £20,000 being quoted. This is a pity, as the Mogul was a very competent performer and has a number of previously excellent runs behind it (Central Wales, Lickey and S&C for example). It could happen at a future date as new funding could appear and persuade the SMF to go main line. The Mogul was stood next to the 8F, No. 48151, Crewe built in 1942, itself adjacent to another Crewe product Ivatt 2MT No. 46441 of 1950. Mixed in with these was un-rebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ Bulleid Pacific ‘Spam Can’ 34067 Tangmere, lying over between hectic railtour duties. One locomotive not in the Crewe built line up was the LNWR Super D ‘G2’ 0-8-0 No. 49395. Pete Waterman sponsored the locomotive’s overhaul and its cost has been in excess of £600,000. It was built at Crewe in 1921 and was withdrawn from Buxton before going to the National Railway Museum, then back to Crewe for full restoration. It is a great pity that it could not go to Crewe for this occasion, but will be in action at the Churnet Valley for the remainder of this year and beyond until 2007. It has a few other railways to visit in 2005 and these include Barrow Hill Roundhouse on 8/9 October and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway steam gala on 14/16 October.

Well what else was there? The world’s most famous locomotive 4472 Flying Scotsman was of course on the traverser line up, although not very well positioned for photographs. Unless you had a fish-eye lens, there was a severe danger of falling into the traverser pit if you stood back too far! Photography was not actually too bad on the Sunday, despite the amount of visitors on site. It was possible to photograph just about everything if you waited patiently for a few minutes. Fortunately, the Stanier display was off the walkway and was generally clear of ‘punters’ although a few wandered onto the ballast for a closer look. A few grumblers muttered comments as they waited to photograph the locomotives without people in front of them. At the end of the day I suppose that those who take a close look at a locomotive have paid their £12 and are entitled to stop and stare at the motion etc. Also, children and families like to have their picture taken in front of a locomotive. Nothing wrong with that and it does encourage interest in railways. However, there are some who stand in front of locomotives quite oblivious to a line up of 20-30 photographers waiting patiently for a picture. You know who they are and they are attracted to these sorts of events in droves. These should by ‘snatched’ away by security for their own good and quietly shown the back gate! The advent of digital cameras has made the recording of these events much easier these days for those who are bothered about such things as intrusive objects in their photographs. Lamp posts and other objects that appear to stick out of boilers and roofs are a pain in cramped surrounds and are impossible to remove with print film. With digital photography software, such obvious distractions as lamp posts can be easily removed without any trace by the click of a mouse, opening up a completely new world of ‘clean pictures’. I have even removed people standing in front of locomotives digitally and, if needed, removed trackside furniture that protrudes here and there into the shot. However, at an event such as a Works open day, you cannot expect perfect conditions and roped off exhibits. Better to go to the photographers evening on the Friday, designed to record the exhibits without the crowds. Better still, go to the locomotive’s home base and see it in action there.

Anyway, back to the open day, and it would not be a noteworthy event if there was nothing to actually ride on. This was possible with a steam shuttle being operated by Hogwarts Castle, namely 5972 Olton Hall. This was Top & Tailed with a Class 31 and 3 coaches. Apart from riding in the Harry Potter coaches, you could pay a £1 and travel in the cab of the Class 31, along with around twenty others. The run was only a quarter of a mile but had queues all day. Other Great Western specimens included Large Prairie 5199 from Tyseley, Modified Hall 4953 Pitchford Hall also from Tyseley, and 7822 Foxcote Manor from the Llangollen Railway. From the LNER stable was A4 Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa and B1 61264, plus of course A3 Flying Scotsman. It was also nice to see some narrow gauge as well and these included a Beyer Garratt 0-4-0+0-4-0 articulated locomotive from the NRM, along with the Ffestiniog Railway’s 1864 built Palmerston.

Non-steam exhibits were a mixture of diesel and electric traction. There was a sizeable display by the AC Electric Group with a long line of 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87s to crawl all over. Other than Network Rail AC lines wired for 25kv, where will these locos actually run? Are they doomed to be static exhibits based at Barrow Hill that are dragged around open days by preserved diesel locomotive, or will they actually appear at the head of a railtour sometime on the WCML? The DC Class 77 electric No. 27000 Electra has in the past been shipped over to Holland to work railtours on the NS network (when they ran a number of ex Manchester-Sheffield DC electrics purchased from BR). The latest locomotives to be acquired by the AC Electric Group include 86101 Sir William A Stanier FRS and 86213 Lancashire Witch, the latter currently being restored to full working order. In contrast to these, 86401 (or in old money E3199) was placed on the traverser and resplendent in Network South East livery.

There was an FM Rail Class 47 in its new livery, with FM Rail.Com on its side (sounds like a radio programme to me?). I did not notice anything from Virgin Trains, with no Pendolino or Voyager on show (Mr Branson missing a publicity outlet here?) Nor was there anything from major freight player EWS, plus no shows from a number of local TOCs (like Arriva, Central etc.).

Trade was well covered with stands scattered here and there around the workshops. It was actually possible to view all of these this year without having to fight through 10 deep queues. Perhaps the Sunday was a quieter day than the Saturday? Preservation Society stalls were also outside in the yards, along with catering vehicles and other non-railway items. There was certainly something for everybody in the trade, plus a number giving away freebies in the form of magazines. It was disappointing not to see any of the major railtour companies publicising their trips through their own stands. There were a few leaflets here and there about tours, but no concerted effort made to publicise tours with steam or other traction. There was an impressive display of station totems inside one of the workshops, including many West Coast main line stations, with Stafford noted. There must have been 300 plates on display. This was next to an equally impressive display of 100 historic LNWR brass nameplates and the combined value of these must have been a considerable sum indeed, and I suspect that there was high overnight security with that lot! There were a number of exhibits inside the workshops, including the unique Co-Bo number D5705, ex Bury and under major restoration. It spent most of Sunday hanging precariously from a gantry crane on demonstration runs.

After all this excitement, it was back to the bus for the transfer to the Park & Ride site at the station. The Arriva operation was as equally efficient as the morning shuttles, although some delay was caused as Crewe Alex and Derby County disgorged its spectators at the end of the match. To allow the traffic to clear, I spent half an hour on the station observing the comings and goings. Will this be the last large mega gathering at Crewe? Time will tell.

It was off to the Llangollen Transport extravaganza on Saturday 17 September. Not quite sure what the extravagant bit was to the weekend, but nevertheless it was local and always of interest whatever the traction. Locomotives rostered for the weekend included resident locomotives 7822 Foxcote Manor and Large Prairie 2-6-2T No. 5199. Also in traffic was GWR Pannier Tank No. 6430 and Hunslett 0-6-0ST Jessie, the latter working a demonstration freight with another industrial with the name of Pamela on its running board. The hourly service ran impeccably to time throughout the day and even the freight did not manage to delay passenger trains as often occurs at Galas. The first and last train of the day was worked by the Wickham two car DMU, a fully restored example of these once prolific workhorses. The weather started off rather damp for the 10:10 DMU departure from Llangollen, requiring careful use of the throttle and brakes to avoid slipping or sliding. The DMU is also an excellent way to see the line through the front window, a feature now eliminated from present day railway stock (with the possible exception of the Docklands Light Railway!). The DMU even had working heating burners (and looked as though the chassis was on fire!). The interior had been completely refitted and looked as new. In the latter days of the DMUs, they usually had torn seats, everything rattled noisily and were generally well past their sell by dates. Not so this one, and I was so impressed that I took another round trip with the last train of the day.

Catching up with the steam hauled services, first off was 5199 and 6430 double heading from Glyndyfrdwy to Carrog. The Pannier then split off and 5199 worked the next train back to Llangollen, passing the freight at Llangollen Goods Junction. During the day, trains passed at Deeside Halt and the timetable allowed for some late running recovery if necessary. I manage to catch up with Foxcote Manor on the 14:00 from Carrog and later the 15:00 from Llangollen. This departure was quite noisy on the rising gradients to Berwyn and through the tunnel. The present end of running at the west end of the line is at Carrog, but plans are in place to extend to Corwen at some later date. Whilst Carrog is quite a remote location, it has very little to offer visitors at present and the push to Corwen will at least redress this to some extent. Carrog does have one very good feature and that is its tea room. It is worth the journey just for this and there is ample time between run rounds to allow for tea and something to eat. The down side to this being only two toilets! There seemed to be a constant queue throughout the day once each train arrived. The book and bric-a-brac coach was worth a visit and I did pick up a book on the LNER! This is possibly one of the failing of the Llangollen Railway as it lacks a decent bookshop. Most preservation lines have at least one bookshop to their name, all providing valuable sales income to the line. There was plenty of Thomas stuff at Llangollen, along with a few souvenirs, but no bookshop. The railway also does not have a dining cars service either. It did have one some years ago but the vehicles were sold and this activity came to an abrupt end. With such wonderful scenery on offer, and a buoyant tourist trade in the locality, it is certainly missing out here. Perhaps one day they will obtain a few Pullman cars and run a diner?

By mid day, the sun was out and cameras were clicking once again. Another trip with Foremarke Hall finished the steam haulage for the day before a last round trip was made with the DMU. Visitor numbers were not excessive making for a comfortable travel environment for passengers. Still, it was a quality day and just up the road!

Another Gala at the end of September was the big three-day event at the Severn Valley Railway. This year the Autumn Steam gala was billed as their biggest ever event, coupled to 40 years of operation as a preserved railway. Included in the mainly GWR line up were a number of visitors, including the West Somerset Railway’s Mogul No.9351 on its first visit outside of its home base. Modified Hall No.7903 Foremarke Hall was a visitor from the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway, a well-toured locomotive, and filling a gap on the SVR since the demise of Raveningham Hall. Smaller visitors included former Weymouth Docks Pannier No.1369 from the South Devon Railway, and an 0-6-0PT No. 9466. To work an auto train, 14xx No.1450 was coupled to Auto Coach No. 178 and ran shuttles between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth. A late addition to the listing was the North Yorkshire Moors based 6619, a locomotive that is more used to pounding up the 1 in 49 gradients out of Grosmont. The home fleet was represented by Bradley Manor, Large Prairie No. 5164 and Panniers 5764, 7714 and 0-6-0PT No.1501. The three-day special timetable service ran during the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings, giving some 58 hours of steam haulage. Not wishing to join the great unwashed on these night trains I ventured over to Bridgnorth on the Sunday, a good start to the day weather wise looking good for the remainder of the day.

The first train of the day for me kicked off with 9466 with the 09.30 to Kidderminster. This produced a noisy climb on the 1 in 100 climb through the tunnel at Knowlsands and I stuck with the Pannier as far as Arley. Here I interchanged into the local shuttle to Kidderminster, worked by 6619 and took an age to pass through Bewdley. Throughout the day (Sunday) the timetable ran impeccably to time, possibly due to very generous allowances built in at stations to cover any late running. In fact, it was not uncommon to sit for 20 minutes waiting for time or a local train to clear the section in front. This did allow ample scope to wander about the stations and visit the books shops and preservations society stands without missing out on any haulage. Locals ran from both ends of the line with a mixture of traction on offer. Kidderminster to Arley was a popular shuttle, augmented by longer trains. A run from Bridgnorth with Bradley Manor resulted in a 9-coach train, a hefty load for the Valley and this did make the old Manor bark on the gradients. A short shower made the wheels slip uncharacteristically as we struggled away from Bewdley on a wet rail, frightening the elephants in the process I suspect! It was quite a challenge to ride behind everything with so much on offer. Some trains were more popular than others (not surprising really with the visiting locos being bagged) but there was never any time that trains were completely jammed to the ceiling. The Saturday was very busy I am told with stations accommodating capacity crowds. What is good about the SVR is the variety of interest at each station. Bridgnorth and Kidderminster house the SVR book shops, with the intermediate stations having a number of preservation fund book and memorabilia outlets, all good for a browse. Kidderminster had a number of stalls to tempt visitors, including the Stanier Mogul Fund. The museum tearoom was visited as they do sandwiches and a very good cup of tea! Turntable demonstrations took place during the day at Kidderminster with visitor access provided to the turning area. At the Bridgnorth end, parts of the shed was opened up to visitors and I was able to get some close up shots if Taw Valley simmering in the sunshine. This would be the last day of service by Taw Valley (today named as Westward Ho) before its withdrawal for a full overhaul. The West Country was to work the very last train of the day from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, the 18.50 non-stop train, before withdrawal. To conclude the day, it was necessary to undergo a break of journey at Hampton Loade to visit their attractions including the Paddock Railway. The live steam miniature railway here was in full swing with a number of locomotives in steam (gas fired). This is always worth a visit and is usually operating each Sunday.

The mighty Duke of Gloucester suffered an unfortunate failure on Saturday 17 September whilst working the outward leg of a Liverpool to York train. The Duke managed to reach Manchester Victoria without any problem, but managed to consume over 1000 gallons of water on the short journey to Stalybridge where it was promptly failed. Something had obviously gone wrong with the pipe work and withdrawal from the train was the only option, having to be unceremoniously retired to the East Lancs Railway for further investigation and repair. The train did continue to York behind a Class 40 that was some compensation, but did deprive passengers of the long climb to Diggle. As mentioned earlier, the Duke is also to front a 900 mile train in the New Year from Lands End to John O’Groats (not literally I hope!). So far this train, which will take several days to complete, has not had a price tag placed on it, but it will not come cheap I suspect. I would also doubt as to whether it will be allowed over the Inverness to Wick/Thurso line as surely its gauge will be on the large side? One to watch out for in 2006?

Another locomotive to suffer a failure was the K1 No. 62005 whilst based in the West Highlands. The fault will require some major workshop facilities, more than can be comfortably achieved at Fort William, and as such will return south for attention at Carnforth. This has meant that standby locomotive Black 5 No. 45407 will cover the remaining turns on the Mallaig run. With the B1 having returned south at the end of August, it is fortuitous that the Black 5 was there available for traffic. I shall be in Fort William for the last few days of the Mallaig steam service and I am certainly looking forward to Black 5 haulage over the Road to the Isles.

Since the return to the main line of 6201 Princess Elizabeth with a Cumbrian Mountain train at the end of August, this locomotive currently has no booked work. It was to have visited Lincoln, Salisbury and Bath in October as part of the ‘Cathedral Express’ series of trains for Steam Dreams. However, Network Rail have to clear the route for the LMS Pacific, and it looks as this will take some time, hence it not running. Having waited nearly 18 months to return to the main line, with a trip over the S&C (plus a visit to Crewe works open day), there does not appear to be anything advertised as yet. Hopefully this hiatus will be temporary and we can look forward to some mouth-watering runs with the big ‘red un’.

The publicity surrounding the buy-out of Hertfordshire Railtours by FM Rail has settled down now, and operations are still running as usual. Hertfordshire were known as a value for money operator and the merger with a stock owner will ensure that this continues. Will others follow suit I wonder, perhaps tempted away from the larger operators like EWS for the cost benefits of the smaller concerns? It does make sense to dedicate the facilitation of steam trips through operators can concentrate on this aspect of railway operation. The larger concerns have their core business interests elsewhere and steam appears to be somewhat secondary in importance.

Expected out on the main line in 2006 is 9F 2-10-0 No, 92212. This very large locomotive is expected to work around the Southern and will certainly have a large haulage capacity. Also in the wings is Maunsell 4-6-0 No.850 Lord Nelson, currently in the final stages of restoration at Eastleigh Works. When finished and passed out, it is to go to the West Somerset Railway for a period of running in. This is a sensible move, designed to debug any glitches following a major overhaul. The modern-day additions have still to be fitted namely the TPWS equipment (Train Protection & Warning System) and the soon to be obligatory OTMR ‘Black Box’ (On Train Monitoring & Recording ) system.. These items do not come cheap but are now essential for access to Network Rail lines.

The late summer week of steam on the Cambrian went to plan and there is every possibility that a repeat series will happen in 2006, perhaps being extended beyond the Bank Holiday week period. There is certainly huge potential from the visiting holidaymakers to the area. The Cambrian line to Pwllheli sees three or four trains a day to Machynlleth, offering ample potential to run a steam service through Barmouth. Also, the bulk of visitors arrive by road and in normal circumstances would not use the train between towns or for a day out as part of their holiday. If a steam train comes along, then it instantly becomes an attraction and is what happened in 2005. The train will advertise itself as it passes along the coast, attracting passengers in the area. We may just see 76079 again in 2006 over Barmouth Bridge, but will we ever see a Manor I wonder?

There are a number of noteworthy trips in October, but lets start with one that is not now running. Newly out shopped Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 5690 Leander was to have worked over Shap on 1st October. Due to engineering work, this has been postponed until the New Year. Blackpool becomes a destination for a number of seam hauled trains in October, with a series of three trains mid week (half term) from Rawtenstall on the East Lancs. to Blackpool via Manchester Victoria, Bolton and Preston. Motive power is Black 5 No. 45407, normally based on the East Lancs Railway, but widely travelled around the country. Past Time Rail are promoting three seaside trips designed to allow passengers time to see the illuminations. Operates Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 October. Past Time is also using 45407 coupled with 76079 on a circular tour to Buxton. Steam comes on at Warrington and the train then makes its way via Manchester Victoria and the wilds of Denton to Stockport. The LNWR route through Whaley Bridge is taken to Buxton, with its steep gradients as a challenge. The tour returns via the Midland Railway’s Peak Forest line to Chinley and then on to Hazel Grove and Stockport. I will report back on this one in the next issue.

One final tour for October sees a matched coupling of two Black 5s on a circular tour out of Liverpool Lime Street on Saturday 29 October. Locomotives are 45407 and 45305 and Kingfisher Tours are the Promoter. The route from Lime Street is via Manchester Victoria, Miles Platting Bank, Diggle, Hebden Bridge, the climb to Copy Pit, St Helens and finally back to Liverpool. When was the last time two Black 5s worked together? My last such run was a two-day trip to Stranraer with 45407 and 45110 (the occasion when 45110 failed with leaking tubes). I hope it does better than Duke of Gloucester over this route!

So far, announcements for 2006 have been very quiet from promoters. It is time that tour brochures are out now for 2006, so that passengers can plan their weekends. I am sure that plans will be launched shortly. Watch this space.

Steam Correspondant

The steam programme of October is as follows:-

MAIN LINE STEAM TOUR PROGRAMME - OCTOBER 2005

Date		Steam Section	Loco(s)	Promoter
Sat	1 Oct	Bristol-Taunton-Exeter-Kingswear	60009	Steamy Affairs
Sat	1 Oct	Doncaster-Newcastle-Blythe-Morpeth-York	6233	RTC
Sat	1 Oct	Leeds - S&C - Carlisle & Rtn	71000	CANCELLED
Sat	1 Oct	Willesden - Salisbury - Southampton - Winchester - Willesden	34067	Kingfisher
Sat	1 Oct	Crewe - Shap - Carlisle & Rtn	5690	CANCELLED
Sat	1 Oct	Kings Cross - Ely and Norwich	TBA	Steam Dreams
Sun	2 Oct	Glaisdale Shuttles	61264	NYMR
Sun	2 Oct	B'ham Snow Hill - Tyseley - Oxford - Didcot & Rtn	Hall??	Vintage Trains
Wed	5 Oct	Kings Cross - Lincoln & Rtn	45231	Steam Dreams
Sat	8 Oct	Keighley - Blackpool & Rtn	71000	CANCELLED
Sat	8 Oct	Victoria - Southampton Docks & Rtn	34067	VSOE
Sat	8 Oct	Fort William - Mallaig & Rtn (Photo Charter)	45407	Private Charter
Sun	9 Oct	Fort William - Mallaig & Rtn (Photo Charter)	45407	Private Charter
Sun	9 Oct	Canterbury	45231?	Steam Dreams
Wed	12 Oct	Bath & Bristol	45231?	Steam Dreams
Wed	12 Oct	Derby? - S&C - Carlisle & Rtn??	6233	VSOE(N)
Sat	15 Oct	Painton - Kingswear - Exeter - Taunton - Westbury	45231?	Steamy Affairs
Sat	15 Oct	Exeter - Plymouth - Par & Rtn	71000??	Pathfinder Tours
Sat	15 Oct	Norwich - Lowestoft - Liverpool Street - Norwich	61264	CANCELLED
Sun	16 Oct	Solihull - Dorridge - Oxford - Didcot & Rtn	4472	Vintage Trains
Sun	16 Oct	Norwich - Sheringham (3 x Shuttles)	61264	CANCELLED
Mon	17 Oct	Norwich - Lincoln & Rtn	61264	CANCELLED
Thur	20 Oct	Victoria - Guildford - Victoria	34067	Herts
Sat	22 Oct	Warrington - Stockport - Buxton - Chinley Jct - Manchester Vic	76079 & 45407	Past TIme Rail
Sat	22 Oct	Carnforth - Ravenglass (Sellafield) & Rtn	48151	Kingfisher
Sat	22 Oct	Alton - Stratford-Upon-Avon & Rtn	60009	Steam Dreams
Sun	23 Oct	Victoria - Clapham Jct - Reading - Didcot - Cardiff & Rtn	34067	CANCELLED
Tue	25 Oct	Rawtenstall - Bury - Heywood - Manchester Vic- Preston - Blackpool & Rtn	45407	Past TIme Rail
Wed	26 Oct	Alton - Canterbury & Rtn	45231	Steam Dreams
Wed	26 Oct	Rawtenstall - Bury - Heywood - Manchester Vic- Preston - Blackpool & Rtn	45407	Past TIme Rail
Thur	27 Oct	Rawtenstall - Bury - Heywood - Manchester Vic- Preston - Blackpool & Rtn	45407	Past TIme Rail
Fri	28 Oct	Victoria - Guildford & Rtn	34067	VSOE
Sat	29 Oct	Victoria - Reading - Didcot - Gloucester - Paddington ?	6024	Past TIme Rail
Sat	29 Oct	Liverpool - Manchester (Vic) - Diggle - Hebden Bridge - Copy Pit - St.Helens - Liverpool	45407 & 45305	Kingfisher
Sun	30 Oct	Solihull - Dorridge - Oxford - Didcot & Rtn	4472 (PROV)	Vintage Trains
Sat	5 Nov	Cleethorpes - Doncaster Avoiding Line - Wakefield Kirkgate - Copy Pit - Burnley - Preston - Blackpool - Wakefield	61254	RTC

As with any train listed above, please first check that they are actually running before venturing on a long journey!

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Created by: August 24^th 2005