26. Grand National special & The Snowdonia Panorama-06.04.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 26. Grand National special & The Snowdonia Panorama-06.04.19

A walk across the field from home to see two excursions within a few minutes of each other. There was the added bonus of three freights too. The first excursion was a Northern Belle charter to Merseyside for the afternoon's Grand National that was won in some style by Tiger Roll at 4:1. This was the first back to back win for a horse since the fabled Red Rum forty five years ago. The second charter was run by UK Railtours, The Snowdonia Panorama from Euston to Llandudno. For April it was a very cold morning with a keen easterly wind bowing and I was pleased to get back home for a cup of tea and breakfast!

Click here to search The Archive Files

Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.

350244, LN 06.24 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (2U23, 7L), Ashton Road bridge
As the morning mist begins to clear, 350244 passes between Ashton and Roade on the WCML just south of Northampton with the 06.24 Euston to Crewe. Again, the new livery of these class 350 units does not look good in these dull conditions (or any condition for that matter!).
Keywords: 35024 06.24 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 2U23 Ashton Road bridge

66413, 02.57 Felixstowe North-Garston (4M45), Ashton Road bridge
Tis is the first time that I have seen 66413 'Lest we Forget' in this Freightliner Genesee & Wyoming livery applied to only two members of the class. It certainly stands out in the morning gloom as it approaches Roade with the 4M45 02.57 Felixstowe to Garston Freightliner service
Keywords: 66413 02.57 Felixstowe North-Garston 4M45 Ashton Road bridge

66952, 04.25 Felixstowe North-Lawley Street (4M88), Ashton Road bridge
Not long after the 4M45 had headed north, 66952 leads the 4M88 04.25 Felixstowe to Lawley Street Freightliner. The train is seen on the down slow line between the villages of Roade and Ashton in Northamptonshire.
Keywords: 66952 04.25 Felixstowe North-Lawley Street 4M88 Ashton Road bridge

57313 outward leg of Northern Belle 06.47 London Euston-Liverpool South Parkway (1Z59), Ashton Road bridge
57313 leads a smart set of Northern Belle stock between Ashton and Roade on the southern WCML that is full of race-goers on their way to Aintree. Unfortunately, due to through trains not being able to get as far as the racecourse station anymore, excursions can only go as far as other Merseyside stations for onward transit to the course itself. In the case of this special, it ran as 1Z59 06.47 Euston to Liverpool South Parkway. The punters would then transfer to Merseyrail trains to get them to their destination. I hope that they were treated better than we were by awful Merseyrail staff when they made a similar change at South Parkway station last year.
Keywords: 57313 The Northern Belle 06.47 London Euston-Liverpool South Parkway 1Z59 Ashton Road bridge

57601, outward leg of The Northern Belle, 06.47 London Euston-Liverpool South Parkway (1Z59), Ashton Road bridge
In its dedicated Northern Belle livery the West Coast Railways livery, 57601 'Windsor Castle' brings up the rear of The Northern Belle stock running as the 06.47 Euston to Liverpool South Parkway. It was carrying punters on their way to the Grand National, a race dominated by Tiger Roll at 4:1. Just an observation, when the 57 was painted, why was the cream strip on the side not applied to be the same width as that of those on the stock?
Keywords: 57601 The Northern Belle 06.47 London Euston-Liverpool South Parkway 1Z59 Ashton Road bridge

68034, outward leg of The Snowdonia Panorama, 07.09 London Euston-Llandudno (1Z23), Ashton Road bridge
Class 68s on passenger services are not very common, even if they are charters. 68034 leads the The Snowdonia Panorama that started out from Euston at 07,09 ending up at Llandudno. On its return journey it started from Bangor having spent the intervening time being serviced at Holyhead that involved a return ECS run across Anglesey. As can be seen, the train is on the down fast taking the Weedon loop line thus reaching Rugby in front of the previous charter going to Liverpool that took the slower route via Northampton.
Keywords: 68034 The Snowdonia Panorama 07.09 London Euston-Llandudno 1Z23 Ashton Road bridge

68003, outward leg of The Snowdonia Panorama, 07.09 London Euston-Llandudno (1Z23), Ashton Road bridge
Not a great picture of 68003 'Astute' on the rear of The Snowdonia Panorama charter as it passes between Roade and Ashton on the WCML down fast near Northampton. However, this was my first chance to photograph this particular class 68 as they are not that common a sight in this area. I particularly like this set of Mk. IIf stock that is often used for charters. It give s a very authentic and period feel to a day out often with a heritage diesel of the same era, but not today as a class 68 does not quite cut it!
Keywords: 68003 The Snowdonia Panorama 07.09 London Euston-Llandudno 1Z23 Ashton Road bridge

Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.