Tour No. 44 : The Western Rocks

(Pathfinder Tours)

Saturday 20^th March 2010

1Z81 05.52 Bristol Temple Meads-Buxton

Bristol – Cheltenham - New Street – Lichfield – Derby – Chesterfield – Wakefield – Huddersfield – Standedge – Denton – Stockport - Buxton

1Z83 16.15 Buxton-Bristol Temple Meads

Buxton – Great Rocks – Chinley – Chesterfield – Derby – New Street – Cheltenham – Gloucester – Bristol

After a long spell of fine weather, virtually from the minute the ECS left Eastleigh, the blue skies deserted us and the tour was run under leaden skies and frequent rain. However, despite this, most on board appeared to be in good spirits, glad to see old friends again after the Winter break and enjoy some Maybach Music.

Good time was kept as far as Birmingham including the now customary solid climb up the Lickey. However our departure from Birmingham was delayed by the closure of the main line to Derby due to an earlier train striking objects placed on the line. Delayed 30 minutes awaiting a pilotman  we departed North and took the line via Lichfield to join our booked route at Wichnor Junction.

Bizarely our last pick up point, Chesterfield,  was also a set down point for those who had opted for a visit to Chatsworth House and a coach tour of the Peak District. The train avoided Sheffield via the Old Road to Rotherham and then on to Wakefield for a crew change before blowing the platform roof off at Huddersfield. The picturesque climb up to Standedge was taken very much in D1015’s stride. It was noted that many of the dark satanic mills had been turned into some very plush, and no doubt expensive, apartments, what would the workers of the industrial revolution have thought?

Much of the lost time had been recovered by Denton allowing us to make the scheduled photo stop, this station boasts one service train a week! The climb up to Buxton was somewhat stop and start as we followed a local service but our elegant Spa destination was still reached reasonably close to time.

After a relaxing break of around 3 hours we set off on the return run, this time via the freight route to Chinley via Great Rocks. This necessitated the loco to run around the train a short distance outside Buxton before we wended our way around the Peak District under brooding skies. Once back on the mainline at Chinley the tour picked up pace again and Chesterfield was reached in good time. With the main line South of Derby now open again, and with some spirited running, arrival at New Street was 30 minutes ahead of schedule but unfortunately the inflexible powers that be dictated that we stand until our booked departure time.

Due to planned engineering work the train reversed in Gloucester before heading South on the final leg and depositing the remaining weary but happy travellers at Bristol Temple Meads.

Above :  An Atmospheric shot of Western Champion standing at Bristol Temple Meads waiting to depart with the 1Z81 0552 to Buxton.   Photo : Trevor Shattock.

 Above : D1015 waits time during a crew change at Barnt Green bound for Buxton. Photo: Steve Bielby

Below : D1015 caught at Denton during the Planned Photo stop in wet weather conditions.  Photo: Paul Winter.