Steam around Stafford and Crewe
SRC member James Windows has been active again with his camera.
Here are some recent shots of steam activity around the Stafford and Crewe areas.
LMS Stanier Class 5MT 4-6-0 No. 45231 Sherwood Forrester is seen passing Sytch Lane, Mill Meece at speed while working a test train 5M55, 13.12 Shrewsbury Coton Hill to Crewe on the Crewe – Chester – Telford – Stafford – Crewe circuit on 6th February 2019.
Returning south after overhaul at Carnforth, LNER B1 No.61306 departs Stafford at Queensville curve with the 5Z44, 10.15 Carnforth to Southall loco and coach move, in readiness for charter work in the south and London area, which also contained class 33 No.33207 on the rear on 4th March 2019.
With the road set at Colwich junc Bulleid Pacific Merchant Navy Class No. 35018 ‘British India Line’ races past Rugeley on 18th March 2019 with the 5Z70, 10:57 Kings Lynn to Carnforth empty stock working, following the Nigel Dobbing (Railway Touring Company MD) memorial charter on the previous day from Kings Lynn to Melton Mowbray and return. This was the Bulleids first visit to our area since being restored approximately 18 months ago.
LNER Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado draws the crowds as it passes through Wellington (shrops) heading for Stratford upon Avon on the 23rd March 2019 while working UKRailtours “The Bard of Avon” charter from Manchester Piccadilly.
BR Standard Class 7MT No. 70000 Britannia arrives at Stafford for its scheduled pick up stop while working 1Z46, 08.01 Preston to Stratford upon Avon Saphos Trains Shakespeare Express charter which it had taken over at Crewe on the 13th April 2019.
A surprise empty stock test run through Stafford was Saphos Trains Black 5 No.45231 and Bulleid Light Pacific No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ (running at 34052 ‘Lord Dowding’) accelerating away from a stop in Rickerscote loop, Stafford, while working 5Z31 08.19 Crewe to Shrewsbury Coton Hill test run in readiness for future railtours on the 24th April 2019. After a pause in Coton Hill yard to test run continued back to Crewe via Chester.
GWR Castle No.7029 Clun Castle climbs towards Searchlight Lane junction, Norton Bridge, in atrocious weather conditions while working Vintage Trains 1Z71, 08.27 Dorridge to Chester Charter on the 27th April 2019. Class 47 No.47773 was on the rear. This was the Castles first visit to Stafford since overhaul 12 months ago and also new train operating company, Vintage trains, first run up the west coast mainline through Stafford since running its first trains just before Christmas last year.
A contrast in front ends as LNER Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado and DBC class 67 No.67005 exchange places on the 07.01 UKRailtours/A1ST Leicester to Holyhead charter at Crewe on the 4th May 2019. The charter arrived at Crewe behind the class 67and left with Tornado.
LNER Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado slips as its gets away from Crewe with its heavy 13 coach train on the 07.01 UKRailtours/A1ST Leicester to Holyhead charter on the 4th May 2019.
GWR Castle No.7029 Clun Castle departs Crewe with 1Z71 08.27 Vintage Trains Dorridge to Llandudno, “The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza” Saturday 4 May 2019. Class 47773 was out of sight on the rear.
LNER A4 Pacific No. 60103 “Flying Scotsman” crawls passed Elford loop while working the Railway Touring company Great Britain X11 Charter 1Z31, 10.04 York to Paddington. At this point the service was running approx 95 minutes late due to severe trespass in the area. The Great Britain charter was a 9 day land cruise around the country starting and finishing in London and visiting the South West, WCML, East and West Scotland, S&C and the East Coast and featured 8 different steam locos with some double heading along the way.
Many thanks, Spike. Keep the content coming!
