As I have said on other pages on this site we were very well served at Lancaster with trains for days out with BR still running merrymaker trains from the station. This was the last area in Britain to retain this type of operation before it was taken over by private railtour promoters. These trips were great ways to visit far away destinations at reasonable prices.

Saturday 03 June 1989

47515+47209 after removal from the train at Hither Green 03/06/89

33064 at Margate 03/06/89

The weather was dull and overcast but at least it was not raining. Today’s trip was a mystery excursion so we had no idea where our final destination would be. This used to always add a little interest to the day out as once the destination was known we then had to plan a further mini excursion to somewhere else before the return train home. It turned out our destinations were Margate and Canterbury West. The day started well with a good run down the West Coast. We arrived at Mitre Bridge Jn for the booked loco change and 47515 was provided. This managed to haul the train a massive 30 yards before shutting down and failing. We had to wait an hour for a replacement loco and 47209 arrived. This loco took the train forward to Hither Green where both were replaced by 33064. Progress can only be described as slow but lively particularly when going up hills although there are not many of these in Kent. It is always quite interesting when you have a small loco on a large train. The 33 carried on and got us through to Canterbury arriving about 2 hours late.

We left the train and decided to do down to Ashford and loop around Dover back to Margate for the return train. Whoever had arranged this train had put some thought into it. The outward train was booked via Faversham and the return via Tonbridge, this meant that everyone got the same time in both locations as the set down and pick up order was the same in both directions rather than the return being the reverse of the outward. What this did mean though was that the train had to go empty Canterbury West – Ashford – Margate to get back for the return train.

It appears all was not going well with the empty train and we arrived back in Margate to discover no train. 33064 had failed at Ashford. Everyone was herded onto the local train between Margate and Ashford which was luckily formed of 8 carriages so everyone got on.

We arrived at Ashford to find 47284 at the head of the train. Departure from Ashford was a little over 2 hours late and after a further booked loco change a Mitre Bridge Jn we headed north. The driver was doing his best to recover the lost time but he was fighting a losing battle as the train was diverted away from the Trent Valley via Bescot because of engineering work and arrival in Crewe was near midnight and 3 hours late. With the very late running and the buffet having sold everything free sandwiches were loaded onto the train for those who wanted them.

At Crewe a further diversion was required as Crewe to Preston had closed for engineering works and we went forward via Manchester. There was no loco available at Crewe so the train went to Stockport where 47459 was added to the front with the electric loco still inside. The diesel took up to Preston and the electric loco continued to the end of our journey. Final arrival time hone was just after 2 a.m. 4 hours late.

Another extremely enjoyable day out.

Traction Log: