Saturday 03rd May 2008.
1Z52 05.10 Tame Bridge Parkway- Edinburgh.
Tame Bridge Parkway - Sandwell & Dudley-Birmingham New Street-Wolverhampton-Crewe-Preston-Shap-Hexham-Newcastle-Edinburgh (Break).
1Z53 16.26 Edinburgh-Tame Bridge Parkway.
Edinburgh -Polmont-Coatbridge-Motherwell-Beattock-Carlisle-Preston-Crewe-Wolverhampton-Birmingham New Street-Tame Bridge Parkway
In sharp contrast to the previous tour the Western Scot covered anything but familiar territory for the Class 52's. I doubt if Tame Bridge Parkway has seen quite so many passengers for one train before and especially not at 5 o'clock in the morning! The mood was one of anticipation for this, the most ambitious D1015 tour so far, a round trip of over 700 miles heading North of the Scottish Border.
Departure was a few minutes late but the curse of railtour regulating was not to afflict the Western Scot, throughout the day the tour was pretty much to time. After picking up in the Birmingham area, and up to and including Preston, the route North was via the West Coast Main Line. D1015, to the best of my knowledge, was the first Western to climb Shap since running in trials for the Crewe members of the Class in the early 60's. Shap was taken with little fuss and the summit breasted at a creditable 43 mph with load 13. Instead of continuing North into Carlisle the train was routed via the scenic Tyne Valley to Newcastle along which the sharp eyed would have spotted the remains of Hadrians Wall.
A brief stop at Newcastle was followed by some spirited running North and the next landmark, the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick. Arrival in Edinburgh was to schedule and crowds flocked to the end of the platform to appreciate the incredible sight of a Western Region Hydraulic at Edinburgh Waverley. Following D1015's departure to Millerhill for fuel and servicing in a cacophony of screaming Maybachs and black clag, the contented passengers retired to the shops and public houses of Scotlands capital for a three hour break. Departure, once again, was prompt as our train this time headed West towards Scotlands other major city, Glasgow.
The route was via Falkirk before skirting the East side of Glasgow and then rejoining the West Coast Main Line at Motherwell. The more direct route to Carstairs via Cobbinshaw had been precluded due to engineering work. As the day drew slowly to a close as we headed South the pre-tour poor weather forecast was proved totally false as we were treated to a splendid sunset and beautiful scenery. D1015 performed flawlessly throughout and certainly made a few more friends and admirers along the way. This was the first visit of a Class 52 to Scotland but considering the success of the tour and the way the locomotive was received it may not be the last..............
After
D1015 sits at Edinburgh waiting to take the Tour ecs out to Millerhill. Photo : Paul Winter.
The Tour ecs leaves for Millerhill in Spectacular style! Photo : Paul Winter.
After being refulled at Millerhill D1015 arrives back into Edinburgh to take the tour back to the Midlands. Photo: Paul Winter.
Standing at Edinburgh ready to depart for Tame Bridge Parkway. Photo : Paul Winter.
After
D1015 again at Carlisle. Photo : Paul Winter.