1. Journey there & ride out to York-08.03.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 20. Trip to Leeds-08 & 09.03.19 > 1. Journey there & ride out to York-08.03.19

After a disastrous journey to Leeds from Northampton, badly handled by London Northwestern, we arrived over an hour late. This was nothing when compared to the hapless passengers heading north and south from York later in the day. Due to a fatality on the line near to Chester-Le-Street all trains were halted. Some never made it to their destinations with others arriving hours late.

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Images 1-21 of 21 displayed.

350245, LN 10.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1Y21, 9L), Northampton station
London Northwestern did its best to spoil our day with some crass planning and a lack of joined-up thinking that simply beggared belief. Here, 350245 arrives on-time into Northampton station with the 10.13 Euston to Birmingham New Street. This was our train to Rugby for a five minute connecting train, also London Northwestern, to Tamworth. To begin with, our train was held at Northampton for an extra three minutes by a red light, studying Open Train Times revealed no reason for this with no conflicting movements or trains in front. Then, the train travelled to Long Buckby and thence Rugby, at a pedestrian pace that was way under the speed limit, observations outside revealed no evidence of any TSRs. So, as we pulled into Rugby's platform one, our connecting train was also pulling in side by side into platform two next to us. Now then, why was it that no thoughtful members of staff, be they drivers, guards or dispatchers thought to themselves, 'hmm, why not just hold the Crewe train for say a minute or two to let the significant number of passengers change platforms'. No chance, the Crewe train was dispatched in I what I would say was record time. It's ridiculous situations like this that simply would not have happened in the pre-privatisation British Rail times when common sense prevailed. Anyway, the upshot was that an hour and a half was added to our journey time to Leeds with a lot of staff head-scratching at New Street with a comment that we may be excessed on one of our legs further north, 'uhh, I don't think so!' What an utter farce that could so easily be avoided with no impact or effort on anybody's part.
Keywords: 350245 10.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1Y21 Northampton station

390045, VT 11.03 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (9G16, 5L), Rugby station
The first of our 'off piste' trains that had to be taken so that we could get to Leeds. Here, 390045 ' Virgin Pride' arrives into Rugby with the 11.03 Euston to Birmingham New Street. This train was taken to New Street in order for us to get a much later Cross Country service that we would have done from Tamworth if our intended connecting train had not gone without us.
Keywords: 390045 11.03 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 9G16 Rugby station

220029, XC 13.03 Birmingham New Street-Aberdeen (Cancelled from Durham) (1S45, 69L), Birmingham New Street station
By this stage in the afternoon (13.00) we were supposed to be passing Sheffield! Due to the utter incompetence of London Northwestern, we are still at New Street waiting to board 220029 working the 13.03 to Aberdeen. This was a train that we had no reservations on, that was not the one shown on our tickets and one that was to be very full. It was also the one that got us into Leeds an hour and a half after we were supposed to have arrived. Unfortunately, passengers north of Durham were also in for problems as the service was cancelled thereafter arriving over an hour late due to a fatality on the line at Chester-Le-Street. I suppose compared with our problems, this was nothing. However, the big difference was that our situation was totally avoidable with the application of some common sense!
Keywords: 220029 13.03 Birmingham New Street-Aberdeen 1S45 Birmingham New Street station

66532, stabled, Landore Street FLT
Taken from the train through a grubby window, 66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' stands stabled in Landore Street Freightliner terminal in Birmingham. The odd name of this 66 that it was awarded in 2002 is after the Anglo Dutch operator P&O and Nedlloyd that was formed in 1998. The term Atlas refers to a 40 and 45 foot design of container that has become a highly successful one throughout the world of shipping.
Keywords: 66532 Landore Street FLT

185135, TP 14.25 Liverpool Lime Street-Newcastle (Cancelled from Darlington) (9E14, 2L), Leeds station
Having arrived at Leeds and deposted my bag at our hotel, I returned to the station to make the relatively short journey to York. I travelled on 185135 working the 14.25 Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle that is seen here entering Leeds station. I find these units roomy and comfortable with rapid acceleration provided by their 750 hp Cummins QSK19 engines. This service, along with all others heading north of York, were badly effected by a death on the line at Chester-Le-Street, in this particular case the Trans Pennine train was terminated at Darlington.
Keywords: 185135 14.25 Liverpool Lime Street-Newcastle 9E14 Leeds station

68027, stabled, York station
I am not at all convinced by this TP livery applied to their new fleet of class 68s. I find it 'messy' and cluttered. I am also not keen on seeing UK trains with no yellow warning panels but this is something that we will see more of as time progresses. 68027 sits stabled adjacent to York station.
Keywords: 68027 York station

144008, stabled, York station
Now into its final months of operation, 144008 is stabled at York station awaiting its next duty. By 31st December his year, all Pacers and a number of other classes of stock, will be withdrawn due them not complying with disability access requirements.
Keywords: 144008 York station

68020, stabled, York station
68020 'Relliance' is seen stabled at the west end of York station in platform two. soon, these locomotives will be a common sight working TransPennine Express services hauling Mk.V stock in push-pull formations ousting the highly successful class 185s. The future of these relatively new DMUs is not at all clear with no obvious place for them so I suspect that secure and warm storage beckons.
Keywords: 68020 York station

91125, GR 14.00 Edinburgh Waverely-London King`s Cross (1E18, 30L), York station
91125 powers the rear of the 14.00 Edinburgh to King's Cross as it arrives at York station's platform three. This train was heavily delayed due to an incident at Chester-Le-Street that caused all northbound trains to be cancelled with southbound services being heavily restricted past the site. This will be the final livery that these powerful class 91s will cary before their replacement on the ECML by the Azumas, that is unless another operator sees a use for them?
Keywords: 91125 14.00 Edinburgh Waverely-London King`s Cross 1E18 York station

185103, TP 14.56 Liverpool Lime Street-Scarborough (1E41, 9L), York station
An unusual angle has been used to capture 185103 leaving York with the 14.56 Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough service. The reason was that I was trying to replicate a shot that I took on a visit to York in 1977. Then, the subject matter was a little different but the general view has remained very similar..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/23615811604/x31195-stands-under-york-s-impressive
Keywords: 185103 14.56 Liverpool Lime Street-Scarborough 1E41 York station

800107, 15.14 Peterborough-York ECS (5Q23), York station
800107 stands at York's platform six having arrived with a staff training run the crew of which can be seen leaving the train to the left. The 5Q23 15.14 Peterborough to York arrived a little late caused by the appalling congestion following a death on the line at Chester-Le-Street resulting in mass northbound cancellations. This was my first close-up look at the Azuma and I have to say I thought that they looked very nice. The livery looks smart and very modern but as with all white/grey paintwork, in service they are likely to be a devil to keep looking clean and presentable.
Keywords: 800107 15.14 Peterborough-York ECS 5Q23 York station

43295, GR 15.00 London King`s Cross-Stirling (Cancelled from Edinburgh) (1S22, 113L) & 800107, 17.11 York-Doncaster ECS (5Q24), York station
Railway technology separated by over forty years stands at York station. In the background, 43295 idles at the rear of the 15.00 King's Cross to Stirling whilst, in the foreground, 800107 is waiting to leave as the 17.11 5Q34 ECS to Doncaster. Whilst the Azuma left a little late, the HST fared far worse being cancelled from Edinburgh where it arrived 113 minutes late following a death on the line at Chester-Le-Street.
Keywords: 43295 15.00 London King`s Cross-Stirling 1S22 800107 17.11 York-Doncaster ECS 5Q24 York station

82219, GR 14.30 London King`s Cross-Newcastle (Cancelled from York) (1N21, 7L), 800107, 17.11 York-Doncaster ECS (5Q24) & 82229, GR 14.30 Edinburgh-London King`s Cross (1E19, 3L), York station
In the gathering gloom, wind and rain at York station, a trio of LNER trains are seen brightening up the view! To the left 82219 sits at the back of the 14.30 King's Cross to Newcastle. This train was cancelled here at York along with many other northbound services due to a line closure at Chester-Le-Street. In the centre is 800107 waiting to work the 5Q24 crew training run to Doncaster with no less than four people in the cab! To the right, 82229 is leading the 14.30 Edinburgh to King's Cross. With the class 91/82 Mk.IV sets still dominating ECML services, things about to change as the the class 800 Azumas enter service in the coming weeks.
Keywords: 82219 14.30 London King`s Cross-Newcastle 1N21 800107 17.11 York-Doncaster ECS 5Q24 82229 14.30 Edinburgh-London King`s Cross 1E19 York station

91114, GR 14.30 Edinburgh-London King`s Cross (1E19, 3L), York station
91114 'Durham Cathedral' powers the rear of the 14.30 Edinburgh to London King's Cross. The train is seen leaving York station and was one of very few that were running close to their scheduled time. Incredible delays were caused by a fatality on the line at Chester-Le-Street.
Keywords: 91114 14.30 Edinburgh-London King`s Cross 1E19 York station

158754, NT 17.26 York-Leeds (2T20, 8L), Leeds station
Having arrived back in Leeds, I turned my camera to view 158754 on the blocks with the 17.26 from York. I am a fan of these 1990s BREL built units. They ride well and have large and comfortable seats, quite a contrast to what is being produced new today!
Keywords: 158754 17.26 York-Leeds 2T20 Leeds station

142063 & 142030, 18.23 Leeds-Wigan North Western (1J27, 1E), Leeds station
Double Pacer action at Leeds station! 142063 and 142030 are getting ready with the 18.23 to Wigan North Western. On Real Time Trains, this service was not scheduled to be a Pacer but a 150/153/155/156 (Sprinter) DMU. These units would only be marginally better than a Pacer I suppose!
Keywords: 142063 142030 18.23 Leeds-Wigan North Western 1J27 Leeds station

142030, 18.23 Leeds-Wigan North Western (1J27, 1E), Leeds station
142030 is preparing to leave Leeds station forming the 18.23 to Wigan North Western. Out of sight on the front is 142063. In less than ten months' time this scene will be a thing of the past as these 1980s 'stop-gap' units are withdrawn from service. The scrap man will be kept busy but I am sure that some will find homes in the preservation world.
Keywords: 142030 18.23 Leeds-Wigan North Western 1J27 Leeds station

91129, GR 18.15 Leeds-London King`s Cross (1A46, 17L), Leeds station
91129 is about to leave Leeds station with the LNER 18.15 Leeds to King's Cross service. It will propel this train to London via Wakefield Westgate and Doncaster. Soon, the Azumas will be sitting at this platform as they take over on the ECML.
Keywords: 91129 18.15 Leeds-London King`s Cross 1A46 Leeds station

Tickets, Northampton-Leeds
A total of twelve tickets got us from Northampton to Leeds. This is the result of using split ticketing that saved about £50!
Keywords: Tickets Northampton-Leeds

Tickets, Leeds-York-Leeds
The return off-peak walk-on fare from Leeds to York was £15.70, maybe not the cheapest, buying an advanced ticket would have saved me £3 off this fare.
Keywords: Tickets Leeds-York-Leeds

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