47812 & 57314, outward leg of The Northern Belle, 07.18 Manchester Victoria-London Victoria (1Z60, 25L), Ashton Road bridge
Running some forty minutes late The Northern Belle 07.18 Manchester
Victoria to London Victoria charter passes just south of Roade. The charter was supposed to have been top and tailed throughout and this was the case on leaving Manchester. However, after an undisclosed problem at Stoke-on-Trent it appears that 47812 that was on the rear was run round the train after 57314 'Conwy Castle' was failed. After leaving Stoke some forty minutes late, it had made up a good deal of time on reaching London just twenty-five minutes adrift. I must admit that photographing a double-headed train is preferable to one in top and tailed mode.