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SRPS Railtours 2021 Reports


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SRPS Railtours in 2021

The start of the 2021 programme was delayed by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic with several proposed tours in May and June postponed.

Four-day charter from Linlithgow to York on 2-5 July 2021
This Branch Line Society enthusiasts special ran over four days and traversed many loops and several freight lines along the route. (more)

Friday 2 July : The train was top & tailed by 66 053 & 66 044 from Edinburgh via Shotts to Glasgow Central, then over the Glasgow & South Western route through Kilmarnock and Dumfries to Carlisle. From there 37 419 Carl Haviland 1954-2012 & 37 423 Spirit of the Lakes took over to take the train along the Settle & Carlisle Railway to Leeds. However at Langwathby 37 419 failed was replaced by 66 053. 66 044 replaced 37 423 for a visit to Wakefield Europort then the train continued via Pontefract Monkhill to York.
Saturday 3 July : 37 422 & 37 423 top & tailed the train for most of the day. The route was via Doncaster, Retford and over the link line to the low level line, then back to Bridge Junction (south of Doncaster) and continuing to Derby, Trent Junction and Castle Donington where the train traversed the branch to East Midlands Gateway. From Castle Donington the train ran to Stenson Junction from where it headed towards Derby to travel over the Sinfin branch then continued via Derby and Beeston to Toton. The train ran over several lines in Toton yard and depot with 60 065 taking over for part of this. The final section for the day was via Mansfield and Maltby to York. After passengers left the train one of the carriages derailed on faulty track in Holgate Sidings.
Sunday 4 July : The train was again top & tailed by 37 422 & 37 423 for most of the day. The route from York was via Doncaster, Mexborough and Rotherham Masborough to Brightside Junction, then through Barnsley and Penistone to Huddersfield. The train continued vie Brighouse, Hebden Bridge, Rochdale and at Miles Platting took the line to Asburys West Junction then through Romiley and olong the branch to Rose Hill Marple. The train then took the line through Woodley and reversed at Avenue Sidings (Guide Bridge) to travel over the lines to Glossop and Hadfield. After returning to Guide Bridge the route was then through Denton to Heaton Norris Junction from where 70 011 & 70 019 hauled the train through Stockport, Sandbach and the Crewe Independent Lines to Basford Hall Yard where the class 70 locos were detached. The train then went to Crewe Electric depot where part of the visit was hauled by 90 039, and then ran to Manchester Picadilly where 37 423 failed. Continuing via Romiley and New Mills Central and along the Hope Valley Line, 37 422 failed at Earles Sidings. The train was rescued by 66 066 which completed the eventful day taking the route through Sheffield and Doncaster to York.
Monday 5 July : The start of the final day of this tour was delayed by 84 minutes due to a major signal failure caused by a lightning strike. The train was top & tailed thoughout by 66 041 & 66 066 and took a circular route though Church Fenton, Leeds and Harrogate to York North Yard, from where it headed north to Darlinton and the through Eaglescliffe to Hartlepool Docks. After returning through Billingham the route was over the Stillington line to Ferryhill then through Durham, branching at Low Fell Junction to join the Tyne Valley Line to Carlisle. The train continued north along the West Coast Main Line to Glasgow Central. The final leg of the tour was through Carmyle, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld to Falkirk Grahamston.

Linlithgow to York on 20 July 2021
This tour was jointly organised by SRPS Railtours and Tornado Railtours. The ten-coach train was double-headed southbound along the East Coast Main Line by West Coast Railways blue liveried 47 813 and maroon 47 854 Diamond Jubilee . From York 60163 Tornado hauled the train with 47 813 on the rear. The weather was extraordinarily hot and sunny throughout giving fine views on the return journey over the Settle & Carlisle line and Beattock summit.

Charters from Edinburgh to Aberdeen on 22 & 31 July, 8 & 12 August and 11 September
and Glasgow to Aberdeen on 21 August 2021

These Tornado Railtours Aberdonian steam specials were hauled throughout by 60163 Tornado. The trains from Edinburgh ran via the Forth Bridge, Fife and Perth and returned via Stirling, except on 11 September when the train ran both ways through Fife.
The train from Glasgow Central ran via Cumbernauld, Stirling and Perth to Aberdeen.

Forth Circle Steam Specials on 15 August 2021
The eleven coach train hauled by A1 Class 60163 Tornado comprised the locomotive, support coach and ten passenger coaches. As in previous years there were two excursions round the Forth Circle. The morning train was from Linlithgow and the afternoon train from Dalmeny & Inverkeithing. The weather was fine, giving good views of The Forth Bridge, Fife Coast and the Ochil Hills. 60163 performed excellently and the trains ran close to time throughout the day.
The locomotive carried a wreath in memory of Ian Boettcher who was for many years responsible for the maintenance of the SRPS Railtours coaches.

Charter from Liverpool to York on 16 September 2021 This Tornado Railtours steam special was hauled throughout by 60163 Tornado from Liverpool Lime Street via Newton-le-Willows, Manchester Victoria, Romiley, Edale, Sheffield, Mexborough and Doncaster to York. The return route was via Castleford, Brighouse, Hebden Bridge, Rochdale and Miles Platting to Manchester Victoria and Liverpool.

Dunbar to Kyle of Lochalsh on 2 October 2021
The nine-coach train was top-and-tailed by West Coast Railways 47 854 Diamond Jubilee and 47 813 through Lothian, Fife and Perth then over the Highland Main Line. Although the weather was mainly cloudy passengers were able to enjoy good views of the mountains, lochs and glens through the highlands and along the spectacular Kyle Line. The train ran close to time throughout.

Dunfermline to Fort William & Glenfinnan on 9 October 2021
This eight-coach train was top-and-tailed by West Coast Railways 47 854 Diamond Jubilee and 47 813 from Fife across central Scotland then over the spectacular West Highland railway. The weather was mixed but remained dry during the break at Fort William. The train then continued to Glenfinnan where there was heavy rain for the short stop. However for the return journey the weather cleared and passengers were able to enjoy stunning views of the mountains, lochs and moors.

Linlithgow to Skipton & Keighley on 30 October 2021
This eight-coach train was top-and-tailed southbound by West Coast Railways 47 813 and 47 854 Diamond Jubilee. The outward journey was via Newcastle then along the Tyne Valley Line to Carlisle where the train reversed and traversed the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway to Skipton and Keighley. Although showery there were fine views of the rivers and dales across the Pennines. The weather was mainly fine and sunny at the destinations and many passengers enjoyed a trip on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. A few passengers remained on board while the train continued to Bradford Forster Square to reverse and return to Skipton. The return journey via Leeds then took the York avoiding line, top-and-tailed by West Coast Railways 47 854 and 37 668. The train ran close to time throughout the day.

 

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