Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

On Wednesday the 7 th , the VTG tanker train was back behind a pair of Colas Rail’s Class 56s, on this occasion #51 piloting #049 ‘ Robin of Templecombe ’. An officer from the British Transport Police was also on duty on Accrington Railway Station, checking the CCTV surveillance cameras to make sure they were in good order. He informed me that on some selected stations Network Rail had also installed load speakers, so that they could inform those up to no good, that if they had no intentions of using the trains they were committing the offence of trespass and could therefore be liable to a fine. The scheme had so far proved successful in deterring vandals, miscreants and the like. On Thursday the 8 th , West Coast Railways Trains were again operating the Scarborough Spa Express from Carnforth via the East Lancs Line. It was double-headed by two Class 37 locomotives, headed by named 37:695 with 37:668 as the train loco. New in January 1965 to Cardiff Canton Sheds #668 was then numbered D6957 and was initially renumbered in the TOPS system as 37:257. Back on the Freightliner route learning duties was 66:951, making two out-and-back journeys between Wigan and Manchester Victoria during Monday the 12 th . Other duties noted included two-car 150:135 on the Blackburn to Kirby service, 156:425 on the Blackpool South to Colne run with 156:426 on the reverse working. Although not on my patch, the thought of a steam train passing through nearby Whalley on Wednesday the 14th, was enough to tempt me to visit the station for 10am. Operated by Saphos Trains the Crewe → Carlisle → Crewe excursion was behind 46100 ‘Royal Scot’. There is however a tale to be told about this specific locomotive, as up until 1933 it was #6152 ‘Kings Dragoon Guardsman’, which was built in July, 1927. It exchanged numbers and nameplates with the original #6100 for a tour of the USA after it had been an exhibit at the Chicago Worlds Fare. It travelled over 1,000 miles in the States and was presented with a commemorative bell before its return. Back in this country it identity remained unchanged until it was withdrawn from service in October, 1962. It is now the property of Locomotive Services, Crewe and carries the 5A shed-plate. The train was tailed by 47:805 in original livery, and this engine too has a history worth recording. It was new in March, 1966 and allocated to Bristol Bath Road Sheds. In June, 1974 it was renumbered under the TOPs system to 47:257, and again in July, 1986 to 47:650. It has over this period carried nameplates in the following order, - Bristol Bath Road , Pride Of Toton , John Scott and is currently named Roger Hoskin . This is also a Locomotive Services engine. The engine on the VTG tanks on Thursday the 15 th , was Colas Rail’s 70:806. The following day the route learner was in the hands of Freightliner’ s 66:545. This train regularly has up to three return journey pathways in the schedule, but runs on an ‘as required’ basis, so often does not take up all of the planned movements. At just after 17:00 on Sunday the 20 th , it was a special day in the annals of railways in Accrington, as it was the first occasion (to my knowledge) that one of the High Speed Trains (HSTs) had come through on the East Lancs Line. The event was made even more special in that one of the cars 43:058 was one of the power cars repainted in the classic Blue Pullman livery. It had failed and was being towed back from Crewe to Neville Hill in Leeds for repair by East Midlands Trains power car 43:049. It is normally partnered with 43:059 in a full rake of HST cars all in Blue Pullman livery. This set has been specially set aside for prestige excursions and over the summer would be operating the ‘Staycation’ express on return trips between Skipton and Carlisle on the Settle to Carlisle route. Once again the Scarborough Spa Express operated by West Coast Trains ran on Thursday the 29 th . This time 37:668 was piloting 37:706 between Carnforth and York, where a steam locomotive was due to take over for the second leg. Both these engines had previously operated on this excursion. On the last day of the month a long and heavy Freightliner ballast train of 20 bogie wagons came through town, en route from Basford Hall in Crewe to Thorpes Bridge Junction, near Newton Heath. On this occasion it was topped by 66:554 and tailed by 66:567, both of which were working hard up the incline from the Viaduct. This was in conjunction with some heavy engineering work being carried out in that area of Greater Manchester. August On Sunday the 1 st , the second of these trains connected to the engineering works was through. This time pulled by Freightliner’s 66:519 and pushed by 66:416. All trains on the Blackburn  Wigan service were being terminated and turned at Moston, whilst this work was going on, with buses providing

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