As it's been a while since I've posted here, a quick snapshot of one of the few things I got up to in April... Saturday 14th April, and a busy day to chase charters; one going to Carlisle with a pair of 'hoovers', and two more running in connection with the Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool. We start at Wigan North Western, with The Fifty Fund's BR Class 50 diesel locos 50049 Defiance and 50007 Hercules complete with matching BR blue and grey air-con Mk2's. While working Pathfinder's 'Cumbrian Hoovers' tour to Carlisle, the duo make their final passenger pickup before setting off to their destination, via the Settle & Carlisle route. Then it was onto Runcorn, where two luxury charter trains coming up from London, were terminating at Runcorn. First was a Northern Belle excursion from London Euston, with West Coast Railways 57313 and 57316 in charge. After dropping off potential racegoers for onward coach transfer, this train carried onto Liverpool Lime Street before coming back through en route to Crewe, where it would reverse and head off to Chester. Sometime later, the DB operated Belmont British Pullman also arrived on its annual journey from London Victoria. DB 67021 and 67024 (both looking smart in their recently applied Pullman colours) were on duty with the prestigious Pullman stock. After setting down passengers, the train headed to Ditton where it would cross over, before returning through en route to Crewe for servicing. Local freight traffic was also noted, with trains either heading to Ditton, or coming off the Folly Lane branch.
These class 50's are looking mint. The 57 looks great too. I have a DRS version in OO scale. One of my favorites. Big powerful beasts. Thanks for posting the pictures. Much appreciated. Cheers Toto
Cheers Toto. Not often I get to see the Fifty Fund's finest strutting their stuff on the big railway.
The 50’s with the Blue Gray stock really look good The immaculate Mk2’s and Mk1 buffet really still look modern in that livery considering their age Great captures thanks for posting Just how I remember them when i was a little tracker watching trains go past on Crew station back in 1981 they weren’t that clean though