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Day 1 : Sunday 26 August 1999

A lift to Newcastle station again, with plenty of time for a photograph.

Because the train starts here, it is facing north. Prompt departure (much smoke) and we squeal onto the 150 year old High-Level Bridge, squeal again past the ex-station at Gateshead and pass the old depot. On to the main line again and 47822 is opened up. Class 59, 60 and 56 on northbound coal trains at Tyne Yard. A 60 and and 08 at the rear. Tea and biscuits already! Low cloud and windy today. We pass a pair of 56's on empty flats just north of Darlington. We slow right down just before the Bishop Auckland branch - lots of smoke when opened up again. Another full power start from Darlington - more smoke to add to the rooflights of the overall roof.

The usual lines of new wagons north of York. Nothing much outside the NRM, although the car park is busy. A few people are watching from the viewing area. A 16 minute wait at York (the London train waits for 10). A pair of 170's is stabled here. A slow departure until we reach Holgate Bridge. We pass 56106 with 4 containers waiting for us on the goods lines. A slow approach to Doncaster. 20's, 37's and 08596 at RFS. It's raining quite heavily now. We turn west at Doncaster for the slow run across the grain of the country to Swinton. The scenery changes from mainly farmland to mainly industry (and ex-industry). We hold up a police car at the level crossing between Conisborough and Mexborough.

As we arrive at Sheffield, a Virgin HST is departing northward with a mix of Intercity and Virgin liveried stock. A MML HST is the London train across the platform. A number of 142's and 150's are stabled in the centre roads and south of the station. More tea arrives on departure! After Chesterfield, with its hanging baskets. we are back into the countryside, albeit with rather more hilly scenery than the flat east coast. There are only a pair of tampers stabled at Derby - no other trains in the station. Hanging baskets here too. It's still raining - the sky is very overcast and grey. A MML HST (43051 and 43064) pulls in while we await departure. We've been on time or slightly early so far, so we've sat a while at stations. A 170 is waiting to come off the Trent line as we depart.

We pass a canal boat on the Trent and Mersey canal just before Willington, the steerer encased in yellow waterproofs. A TSR just after Burton station, with a short length of jointed track. An EWS 37 is waiting just after Water Orton. New trains are visible at Washwood Heath. 66's, 47's and 37's on Saltley.

No hold up on the entry to New Street. I go to take a photo of 47805 stabled at the south end of the station. It was 37718 that I saw earlier - it comes through on the other side of the station. Luckily, there is time for a couple of photographs as it is held while a couple of local services depart. 47817 is on the Manchester Piccadilly train. It's stopped raining now and the wind has dropped. We run alongside the canal's New Main Line after we emerge from the tunnel. No boats. A number of stabled 323's and 312's at Soho. 86259 "Greater Manchester" is at Wolverhampton. I notice the canal warehouse is still lettered "Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd - Albion Wharf", an old firm of canal carriers.

After a slow run, we arrive at Stafford at 16:26. Also late is the 16:27 (Central Trains) to Birmingham. This eventually arrives at 17:39, having been held up by 90013 and 82150, which pass through northbound non-stop. I notice that the office on platforms 3/4 has a Midland Pullman poster and various steam, diesel and electric loco photos. The 17:55 goes up on the departure screen - showing expect 17:56. This soon changes to 17:59. Another 90 whizzes through (this time southbound). Then it's quiet enough to hear to tick of the station clocks and the church bells announcing the 6 o'clock service. 90146 does arrive at 17:59, the same time as 86244 "The Royal British Legion" on the 18:05 to Poole via Birmingham. We depart at 18:05.

Norton Bridge is soon passed, the two pumping stations within a mile or so, with their tall chimneys and elegant architecture (for industrial buildings). Basford Hall Junction 'box heralds the approach to Crewe. Freightliner 47's and a 90 are in the yard. 33103 is in the carriage sidings. More 47's, and 86 and some 325's in the sidings by the diesel depot. A very decrepit looking 47513 stands, along with another 325 in the sidings east of the station itself.

Crewe is fairly busy, even on a Sunday evening. I watch the various trains arrive and depart, along with someone with a video camera. The North Wales 37 arrives and runs round its train, and 47847 takes over a Holyhead train, replacing an 87. The 19:47 to London is headed by 82148 "International Spring Fair" and arrives at 19:55. We depart at 19:57. Tea again by ten past eight - a much better service than last year! The senior conductor comes round to check the tickets after we pass through Tamworth, and issues first-class upgrades with a SPORTIS - seems a little inconguous. Not much activity at Willesden yard, but 90's, 37's and 92's in evidence. One 87 and one 08 at Willesden depot. Arrival at Euston at 21:59. 87034 "William Shakespeare" was on the rear.

GNER liveried 90024 is on the sleepers. 90016 "Penny Black" has brought the stock in. The sleepers are a mixture of Inter-City and Scotrail liveried stock. An air leak means that we don't depart until 23:45, with much blowing of whistles.

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Day 2 (Monday)

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Introduction Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Timetable Mileages

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Text and photographs Copyright J.D.Coleman 1999.

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