GRAND TOUR Mk2
March 9th 2000 - Part 2
A blurred yet
somewhat dramatic shot as the train emerged from the tunnel and
entered Bangor station. 21/9/2000
As the train paused
at Bangor 37412 "Driver John Elliott" arrived
with the 12.19 Crewe to Holyhead. 21/9/2000
The arrival of 37413 at Manchester
Piccadilly and the usual crew of photographers gather at the platform
end - but not for much longer. 21/9/2000
Piccadilly is used mainly by EMU
and DMU traffic but there are still one or two locomotives to
be found. I had seen 87025 "County of Cheshire"
at Crewe the day before heading up North, now it was at Manchester.
They do get around these days. 21/9/2000
Virgin liveried 47829 arrived
from Penzance and immediately 47853 (photo) was attached to the
other end of the train. Shortly after that the train left for
Paddington. In steam days the train would have been hauled away
for servicing at Longsight by a tank engine with the train engine
still attached. Cleaning etc. is done while at the platform and
utilisation of stock is much better as a result. 21/9/2000
37413 arrived back at Piccadilly
station for the penultimate Mancheter-Chester (Llandudno). I was
interested to see the remains of Mayfield Station in the background.
21/9/2000
Arrival at Chester revealed Class
175/1 number 175104 parked in the sidings. this was my first sight
of a three coach unit. 21/9/2000
37413 at the head of 1D45, the
17.19 Manchester-Chester, arrives at Chester on its penultimate
run. 21/9/2000
Sat in the bay was "Thunderbird"
(Rescue) locomotive 47705 "Guy Fawkes". A special coupler
has been fitted to one end presumably to rescue the Class 175
units if they hit trouble. 21/9/2000
My connection back to Crewe turned
out to be 175003, my first experience of travel in one of these
elusive units. I was very impressed by the quiet and smooth ride
but found the seating density very claustrophobic. On this occasion
I was unable to find an empty seat but Chester-Crewe is a short
journey. Oh, and by the way, be careful because the automatic
interior doors bite you if you stand in the way! 21/9/2000
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