CREWE: On 30th April the 17.21 Euston-Holyhead once again exchanged sets with the 16.46 from Glasgow, due to a problem with 390031.It is fortunate that this train is normally worked by the set which works the morning train from Holyhead and is likely to be fit to be hauled. Earlier 323208 arrived as ecs from Birmingham to collect 323206 after tyre turning. On 6th May the late running 16.26 Willesden - Shieldmuir postal working stopped at Crewe to change drivers and the southbound working stopped to pick up the inwards driver. On the same day 153312/327 worked Crewe-Chester shuttles, whilst the following day 153312 was paired with 153353 on Shrewsbury locals and 92037 went light to Bescot, only to run light back to Arpley as there was no traffic for the 16.15 to Mossend - a not infrequent occurrence. On 8th May 153312 was paired with 153362 on the Chester shuttle, whilst 47839 and 47815 top and tailed a set of coaches from the down holding sidings to the carriage shed and 66728 hauled 66731/732 from LNWR Crewe to Doncaster. On 9th May the 11.34 Manchester-Carmarthen was unusually worked by 150258, the 12.33 to Chester by 150250, the 13.26 to Shrewsbury by 150235 and the 11.40 from Holyhead was worked by 150242 and 158818- the Class 150 returning at 14.03 to Chester and the class 158 restarting the 09.10 Milford Haven-Manchester. On 13th May a RCTS group travelled on the 09.07 Crewe - Derby with 158854 and returned on the 17.44 from Derby with 158777. 66730 could be seen from the Stoke line in the yard at LNWR Crewe. On 19th May overhead line equipment was damaged south of Stafford and in order to provide a service for Trent Valley stations the 17.21 Euston-Holyhead was diesel hauled, at least from Rugby, by 57308 Tin Tin. However, the Crewe shunter travelled to Chester with it in case it had to be terminated there due to a building fire above the Northgate cutting. Also on 19th May the 17.31 Wembley-Mossend, was hauled by 67029 Royal Diamond with 92013 dead in train being the reverse of what usually happens with that working when dead diesels are included. From the start of the new timetable local trains to Shrewsbury appear to have reverted to regular Class 153 turns - on 24th May 153367,whilst Chester shuttles were worked by 153367 and 153312 was coupled to 158824 on the 10.34 Manchester-Milford Haven. On that same day 390025 worked the 06.51 Edinburgh-Birmingham, the 10.03 return working by 390003 and the 11.03 Birmingham-Glasgow by 390032.

ACTON BRIDGE: On 5th May 40145 passed by at 08.53 on a Barrow - Aberystwyth special. 37417 + 37401 then passed north on a Swindon to Carlisle special.

WARRINGTON: On 3rd May at about 07.15 in and around Arpley depot were noted 67009/11, 66088/169, 40145 and 9 2 70 0 066220-9, better known as 66220 now with Euro Cargo Services. This was tripped from Crewe IEMD during the week and was awaiting transfer to France. Bank Quay Station is having its facelift. The awning over the entrance has gone, and the booking office is in temporary accommodation in the car park. A case of serious vandalism took place on the evening of 22nd May when a large concrete post was dropped onto the line between Warrington Central and Sankey for Penketh stations. Fortunately a member of the public had reported the obstruction on the tracks so any serious incident was averted.

LIVERPOOL: On 1st May EMT liveried 156415 was on the 15.52 Liverpool – Norwich working. Work was progressing on 11th May on the re-instatement of the track between Edge Lane and Olive Mount. The previous weekend had seen a new crossover installed between the down and up Chat Moss line just to the east of the Mill Lane over bridge. Points were about to be installed from the up Chat Moss line to the new chord at Olive Mount. On 13th May the 06.07 Birmingham New Street – Liverpool was nine minutes late arriving into platform 5. A quick turn round for the late 08.19 departure enabled 350102 to make up a few minutes by the time it arrived at Crewe. 57304 Gordon Tracy was at Edge Hill Carriage Sidings prior to its route training duties on the Middlewich branch and between Northwich and Chester. 66128 was seen in the Speke Junction area. That same day an EMT employee confirmed that the 12.57 Norwich – Liverpool train was supposed to be 2 x 158 sets booked from Nottingham yet it only had 158846. However, as the Class 158s inherited from various TOCs are ‘knackered,’ EMT is having its problems in keeping them on the road. The 09.52 that day from Liverpool – Norwich had 158785 + 153379. The 17.45 to Liverpool from Piccadilly is booked for a two car 156. It turned up as 156460 + 150211. The 14th May the route learning duty was in the hands of 57313 Tracy Island. On 22nd May 37401 was on the 05.10 6F13 Arpley-Stanton Grove (Bootle) and 09.32 6F14 return workings. Also that day the Royal Train with H.M. The Queen and H R H Prince Philip on board came into Lime Street’s platform 9 at 10.00 with 67005 Queens Messenger and 67006 Royal Sovereign.

MERSEYRAIL: The Liverpool – Chester/Ellesmere Port services were recast as from 18th May. The first weekday workings from Liverpool arrive in Chester at 06.26 and in Ellesmere Port at 06.37.

SOUTHPORT: The station’s roof renewal continues apace over the platforms and concourse, which it is hoped will be ready in time for this July’s Open Golf Championship at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. The new ‘M to Go’ combined ticket office and convenience shop is now open. Toilet facilities are being thoroughly modernised as well. Chapel Street outside the station is now part of a pedestrian precinct. On 29th April the 10.38 departure for Manchester Airport had 150150 complete with a RCTS group on board

ORMSKIRK: On 29th April 142013 arrived with the 17.06 departure from Preston complete with a RCTS group on board. The party transferred to the 17.50 departure for Liverpool Central on 508117 + 507030. The spruced up Maghull station along with its surroundings have been enhanced by the local community group.

NORTH WALES: On 8th May 66507 was noted passing over the A55 expressway at Llanddulas with a loaded ballast working from Penmaenmawr. On 10th May 66060 hauled the Holyhead aluminium workings. On 17th May 4965 Rood Ashton Hall hauled the ‘Welsh Highlander’ special from Tyseley to Llandudno Junction. The loco ran through to the Valley triangle in order to turn.

CARLISLE: On 12th May 66422 worked the 4M44 0821 Mossend to Daventry, 66526 was on an northbound empty coal train, 37667 worked the 6C42 Sellafield to Carlisle acid tanks, 66609 worked a southbound coal train, 37248 in West Coast Railway livery ran through light engine on its way from Craigentinny to Carnforth, 37417 and 37401 worked in the 1Z27 0653 Aviemore to Poole special. 67029 Royal Diamond took over the working

Grateful thanks go to David Douglas, Richard Neale, Mike Stone, Alan Turton and Sam Woods for their contributions to these notes.

04/07/08