THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
37 427 stands at Buxton, 26 February. Picture by Steve
Morris.
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 06 March 2005
The High Peaks Hustler
A remarkable railtour, the High Peaks Hustler, was run by Pathfinder
Tours
on Saturday 26
February, and a number of our contributors were on the train or at the
lineside. Here follows a selection of their pictures.
The train started from Birmingham International, calling at Birmingham
New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford and
Crewe where departure was booked for 09:50. It has been thought that
the two locos, 37 427 amd 37 669, would double-head the train from
Birmingham to Crewe, but in fact top-and-tail working applied from the
beginning. 37 427 was leading at this stage: The picture above by Steve
Morris shows the train waiting departure from Platform 11 at Crewe
...
... and Rowan Crawshaw's view shows 37 669 on the rear.
Pathfinder headboards were in place at both ends.
From Crewe the train headed to Chester - Bushcutter's portrait was
taken at Waverton,
At Chester station Laurence Wheeler was in place to record the
arrival
of the special.
Also on view at Chester that morning were 67 015 (front) and 67
028 (rear) on
a Cardiff - Chester Northern Belle excursion. (Laurence Wheeler)
Heading out of Chester station (picture Laurence Wheeler) the
next step
was to reverse the train using the triangle of lines Chester South
Junc. (reverse) - Chester
North Junc. (reverse) and back through Chester station.
Here the train approaches Chester North Junction, with the sidings of
the Alstom Class 175 depot on the left. Picture by David Wood.
(For interest, a reprise of our picture from Joe
Kelly's
collection, showing Chester North Junction in earlier times. as seen
from the same bridge. Quite a contrast. )
Looking the other way from the same bridge. (David Wood)
And the rear of the train making its way round the curve towards the
North Wales line before reversing to head back through the station.
Near Helsby, heading east (picture by Bushcutter) - the train
heads for Frodsham Junction where it was to ake the rarely-used
connection towards Halton Junction and Liverpool.
A view from the train as the train takes the Halton line at Frodsham
Junction (Steve Morris)
And two views by Mark Atkinson of the train making its way down
the chord. Note the support coach with generator for the train hearing.
37 669 was on the rear of the train at this stage.
37 427 on the blocks at Liverpool Lime Street (Rowan Crawshaw).
427 carries an unofficial name sticker 'Bont Y Bermo' but we'll refrain
from using this name to avoid confusion with officially-named 37 402
which still exists, although not currently in service.
37 669 stands ready to head the next stage of the trip from Liverpool (Rowan
Crawshaw). From here the train via Edge Hill, Huyton,
Earlestown, Manchester Victoria, Philips Park No1 to No2
Junctions,
Ashburys, Romiley and Marple Wharf Junction to the branch terminus Rose
Hill Marple where passengers were allowed to alight to attempt a
picture.
Here's a view by Alan Crawshaw from the bridge carrying
the Stockport - Marple road, with only yhr middle of the train in the
platform! Rose Hill was originally a through station on the
Manchester, Bollington and Marple line, a joint operation by the Creat
Central and North Staffordshire Railways. Beyond here towards
Macclesfield was cloded in January 1970 and now forms the Middlewood
Way, and walking and cycling route regularly frequented by your
compiler. More recently, it featured in the well-publicised final
workings of the Class 101 units. Looc-hauled trains here are rare
indeed.
Alan
Crawshaw's website has his full picture report on the day, sadly
including another account of abysmal customer service by staff at Crewe
station.
Next, a return to Marple Wharf Junction and a roundabout route via
Woodley, Hyde Junction, Guide Bridge, Ashburys, Philips
Park No2, Baguley Fold Junction, Ashton Moss North Junction,
Denton Junction and Stockport, to the ex-LNWR steeply-graded
route to a snow-covered Buxton, where there was a one-hour break
at around 100 feet above the sea. John Ireland's picture sabove shows
the aprach to Bucton station past the Buxton Mineral Water plant.
37 669 at the rear of the train. (John Ireland)
And 37 427 rests at the buffers in Buxton station. From here the route
was Great Rocks, Chinley , New Mills South Junction.
- Hazel Grove High Level Junction. - Northenden Junction. - Altrincham
- Northwich - Middlewich - Sandbach - Crewe - and back to
Birmingham, with the locos running double headed for the final section
after Crewe.
Well done to Pathfinder and everyone concerned for the very smooth
running of this complex itinerary. The excellent Six Bells
Junction site has a detailed report on the tour by our friend Ralf
Edge and full timings. - 6 March
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