14. West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise to York-15.10.77

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1977 > 14. West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise to York-15.10.77
I was a scout for most of my youth. The West Wiltshire group developed a bit of a tradition that they would charter a train once a year to take the cubs, scouts and venture scouts off for a day. This one, in 1977, was dubbed the 'West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise' and went to York. It picked up hundreds of boys and their leaders throughout Wiltshire and headed off up to Yorkshire. I was not interested in going to the Shambles, the Minster or walking the walls relishing the far more attractive prospect of Deltics!
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47079, outward leg of the West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise, Westbury-York (Bradford-on-Avon-York), Westerleigh Curve Taken from near to the back of the train, 47079 'George Jackson Churchward' can just about be made out through the autumnal mist as it accelerates the West Wilts Scout charter off Westerleigh Curve just north of Bristol. This train originated at Westbury and carried hundreds of cubs, scouts and venture scouts for a trip to York. Keywords: 47079 West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise Westbury-York Bradford-on-Avon-York Westerleigh Curve George Jackson Churchward
47079, West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise, Westbury-York, York Station Having pulled into platform 15 at York, the cubs and scouts disembark the train that they have travelled up from Wiltshire on and admire the engine. Unfortunately, I had lost the information as to the identity of the Duff but one of my readers Kevin Preynard (aka Moonraker64) owner of https://www.flickr.com/photos/51096081@N06/ fame has come to my aid. He was also on the train being a Trowbridge lad and informs me that it was 47079 'George Jackson Churchward' that led the train all the way from Westbury. The gaggle of enthusiasts, some of whom may have been York spotters, were probably delighted to see a Canton namer on their patch! I was probably less than pleased that 47079 had hauled the train being one of the most common Class 47s around West Wiltshire hence why I did not have a note of it in my book! Interestingly, this locomotive still lives on 57009 being one of DRS' acquisitions from Freightliner, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30021249681/x11-57009-unidentified-up-rhtt-thorpe
55007, stabled (blacklisted), York MPD My scouting spotting mates and I were disappointed to discover, on arrival at York, that the only Deltics that we would see would be in the depot! This was because an unofficial strike was taking place that saw the Deltics blacklisted. This industrial action was because of the planned closure of Finsbury Park depot due to the proposals that the HSTs should be maintained at a new depot to be built at Bounds Green. The dispute lasted from the 17th to 21st October 1977. The only Deltic we saw was 55007 'Pinza' seen here laid up at York MPD. It stayed here until 25.10.77 4 days after the dispute was over when it worked the 1A06 08.05 York to London King's Cross.
Nameplate, 55007, stabled (blacklisted), York MPD Due to an unofficial industrial dispute, all Deltics were blacklisted from 17th-21st October 1977. Consequently, the only Deltic that we saw on our trip to York was 55007 'Pinza' which was at York MPD for just over two weeks. Looking a bit work-stained its bodyside supports its small nameplate. The Deltic was named after Pinza, a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Pinza won the Derby, the King George VIth and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (the horse racing equivalent of football's triple) in 1953.
Class 47, unidentified down working, York station Looking directly into the afternoon sun a class 47 leaves York station with an unidentified down working. A few spotters are there to witness the scene and collect the number, as I did on the day. The problem is, I have lost my notes form this day at York so I have no record of what this engine was!
45059, 13.38 Newcastle-Swansea (1V96), York station Even though it was a warm and late autumn day the steam heat boiler of 45059 is going well. It is seen arriving at York Station heading the 1V96 13.38 Newcastle to Swansea working. How much more comfortable would it have been to have done this inter-regional journey in a lovely Mk. 1 coach with steam heating rather than cramped and squeezed into a CrossCountry Voyager?
Class 45, unidentified up working, York station An unidentified Peak runs into York station with an unidentified down working. I always found York station strangely alluring. I think because of its sharply curved platforms and restricted views from one end to another meaning that you never knew what was coming in and from where. Even more so when the drone of some twin Napiers could be heard reverberating around the trainshed!
0008-Class-0047,-unidnetified-up-working,-York-Station An afternoon Class 47 arrival at York station does not impress many of the platform end spotters. Indeed, my friend Duncan, sporting the red coat, totally ignores it and having a laugh with our mates. I have no record of this class 47 or its up working.
31195, unidentified down working, York station 31195 stands under York's impressive trainshed at the head of an unidentified down working. The spotters, including my school friend and part-time spotter Robin (in the red and black donkey jacket), look on as I crouch down to take another of my trademark low-angle shots!
40081 & 40083, up LEs for the Deltic to Devon Cromptons in Cornwall railtour, York station When 40081 and 40083 came light engine through York station, little did I know that I would see them again in less than twelve hours just outside Westbury in Wiltshire! It was later that I found out that they were heading south in preparation to haul the 'Deltic to Devon' railtour in lieu of a Deltic. Should the railtour have been renamed the 'Whistlers to Devon'?
Class 37s, up scrap train, York station As we were waiting for our scout special home to Wiltshire, two Class 37s came through the up middle road (now removed along with the down middle road) on what appeared to be a scrap steel train. I wish I knew what the 37s were and the working....anybody?
Class 124-DMU, unidentified Liverpool LS working, York station Close examination of this image almost reveals the number of this Class 124 DMU but not clearly enough to positively identify it. These units were amongst my favourite first generation DMUs. Their elegant design and power made them a fast and comfortable way to cross the Pennines for which they were designed. Off-course, as a West Country boy, I am biased as they were another example of Swindon Works' finest!

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