18. Crewe Works open day-22.09.79

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1979 > 18. Crewe Works open day-22.09.79

Along with thousands of other enthusiasts, I attended Crewe Works open day. I went with a couple of friends and we travelled, this time, by service trains. The weather was stunning with clear blue September skies from dawn to dusk!

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Images 1-22 of 22 displayed.

Crowded conditions, 08.15 Bristol Temple Meads-Glasgow Central
With huge numbers of people making their way to Crewe for the open day, trains were very crowded. Here, aboard the 08.15 Bristol to Glasgow Central, it is full and standing in the corridor of a Mk. I coach. I am not sure where the picture was taken so we could be being hauled by 46018 (Bristol-Gloucester), 47090 'Vulcan' (Gloucester-Birmingham New Street) or 87004 (Birmingham New Street-Crewe).
Keywords: Crowded conditions 08.15 Bristol Temple Meads-Glasgow Central

40048, 40063 & others, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
Taken from the footbridge that permitted access to the works on the day, that was packed with enthusiasts waiting to get into the works, the reception and scrap lines are seen. Unfortunately, I only have two numbers for all these locomotives, in the foreground, 40048 sits looking very sorry for itself heavily stripped. It was withdrawn in October 1977 as 'surplus to requirements'. I do not understand why, later in June 1980, it was towed to Doncaster for final cutting rather than being disposed of here at Crewe. Despite appearances, 40063 was not on the scrap line up against the wall but was a Crewe for attention. It lived on until withdrawal at Bescot in 1984 with eventual cutting at Vic Berry's in 1988.
Keywords: 40048 40063 Crewe Works

82003, 84006, 84008, 84005 & 84007, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
A number of AC electrics await their fate at Crewe Works. Unfortunately, I suspect that these locomotives are awaiting an appointment with the scrap man rather than a visit to the paint shop. Of the five locomotives seen here only 82003 was still in service awaiting attention as it was not withdrawn until 1983. As for the rest, 84006 had been withdrawn for twenty months and had just two months before cutting a short distance away at Gresty Bridge. 84008 had a month before official withdrawal so I suspect that it was here to stay until that date. 84005 had been withdrawn since April 1977 but was not moved and cut up at Long Marston until March 1985. Finally, 84007, at the back on the left, had been withdrawn a staggering two and a half years by this time, witness its very faded yellow front end.
Keywords: 82003 84006 84008 84005 84007 Crewe Works

40079, undergoing overhaul Crewe Works
40079 is pictured in a busy Crewe Works surrounded by visitors. Notice the person attempting to alter the head code disc, curious as to how they are operated I hope! 40079 was at the works for its final overhaul that was completed in two months being released into traffic during November. The locomotive then remained in use until withdrawal at Bescot in January 1985 as 'Life expired/surplus'.
Keywords: 40079 undergoing overhaul Crewe Works

40027, 47708 & 47204, undergoing repairs, Crewe Works
In my notes, I have this down as 40027 formally named 'Parthia' at Crewe Works. Indeed, it was at the works during this time having arrived on 10.05.79 after sustaining accident damage. But, in this image, it looks like it is undergoing an overhaul rather than having accident damage rectified. However, a close examination of the bodyside reveals the rivets clearly in place that would have held the nameplate and crest so it was one of the named class 40s. Of the twenty-four named examples, 40027 was one of the three on the works during this time so it could be as per my original notes....can anybody help? Behind the 40 is a silver-roofed 47 that I have in my notes as 47708 'Waverley' and on the far side 47204, a local Crewe Diesel locomotive.
Keywords: 40027, 47708 & 47204, undergoing repairs, Crewe Works

40008, undergoing repair & 43133, new build, Crewe Works
40008 caught fire at Aberdeen on 01.08.79 arriving at Crewe six days later. It has just about finished receiving classified repairs and would be released into traffic a week after this picture was taken. Next to it, HST power car 43133 is looking as though it is nearly ready for release into traffic during October. 43133 went to the Western Region to bolster their fleet, ostensively as services to rolled out on the west of England route into Devon and Cornwall. At the time of writing, this power car is one that has received an overhaul and is seeing further use on the Scottish Region. Behind the class 40 is another HST power car in pink primer. I believe that this is 43137 but its release date as June 1980 suggests that it may not be....advice anybody?
Keywords: 40008 repair 43133 Crewe Works

24081, on display, Crewe Works
Looking very smart on display at Crewe Works 24081 basks in the warm September sunshine. At this time, this was the sole remaining class 24 still in service, a situation that remained until October 1980 when it was withdrawn with flat batteries. After withdrawal, it entered preservation and, in the care of the 24081 Preservation Group, does the rounds of the heritage lines. I saw it a number of times during its operation on the North Norfolk Railway during the summer of 2009.
Keywords: 24081 Crewe Works

40103 & 47464, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
40103 had been at the works for sometime arriving at the end of July showing as requiring crankcase repairs. This was obviously a low priority as these repairs did not get completed until November with it being released back in traffic at this time. However, things did not go well as it was back again in February with coolant leaks. It survived in service for another year being stored at Allerton for some months before being towed to Crewe for the final time for breaking up, a task largely complete by the summer of 1983. 47464 stands in front of the 40 awaiting repairs. Having been a Western Region locomotive, it moved north of the border from the summer of 1976. It met an ignominious end being front-ended by 37416 that been sent to rescue it with it having failed near to Elgin. Like the class 40, 47464 was returned to Crewe and broken up in 1987.
Keywords: 40103 47464 awaiting attention Crewe Works

$40187, awaiting attention & 253031, awaiting delivery, Crewe Works The old and new order stand side-by-side at Crewe Works. In the background, HST set 253031 looks complete and ready to be released into traffic. Indeed, this happened a week after this picture was taken with it moving to the Western Region for use on the west of England services. This HST set had power cars 43131 and 43132 at either end, my records do not show which one is seen in this image. In the foreground, 40187 is being heavily 'cabbed', I am unsure if this was official or just that the doors had been left unlocked and a bit of opportunism ensued? The 40 had completed a spell at Crewe during the spring receiving classified repairs. Unfortunately, some four months later it is seen back again for 'rectification repairs'. These repairs took some time being not completed until February 1980. 40187 survived in traffic for another two years until August 1981 withdrawn at Stratford succumbing to bogie fractures, a problem that plagued so many of the class. Keywords: 40187 253031 Crewe Works$

47465, 20097 & 47405, on-display, Crewe Works
20097 is at Crewe for repairs after sustaining accident damage. The recessed space on the cabside is indicative that it was built as a Scottish Region locomotive with space once containing automatic tablet exchange equipment. The roped up door, chalked message and the strategically placed pallets are making the message abundantly clear to visitors! The class 20 survived in traffic for exactly another ten years having been withdrawn and reinstated in 1981 and 1982 respectively. In the background is 47465 at Crewe for repairs. Behind the 20 is 47405, an Eastern Region locomotive throughout its life. This is a significant member of the class in that it was the first 47 to be withdrawn other than for 'uneconomical repair' reasons. In other words, the first member of this class to be withdrawn as part of BR's planned run-down programme for the class.
Keywords: 47465 20097 47405 on-display Crewe Works

RDB975010, on display, Crewe Works
A number of very similar images to this can be sourced on the internet as the former Derby Lightweight DMU had been put in this strategically advantageous position in the open at Crewe Works open day. This unit was constructed in 1956 as 79900, originally as part of a two-car set. It was withdrawn from passenger service in 1967 becoming a departmental route learner as RDB975010. It later was named 'Iris' and became a test coach. As well as running all over the network fulfilling this function it was a regular attendee at open days and the like. It was withdrawn in 1999 and entered preservation. It is still in service today on the Ecclesbourne Railway having been beautifully restored and running once again as 79900. It holds the accolade as being the oldest first generation DMU in existence.
Keywords: RDB975010 on display Crewe Works

20033 & 40162 awaiting attention, Crewe Works
Dominating this photograph at Crewe Works is 40162. It had arrived at the beginning of August for main generator repairs. It remained on the works until February 1980, repairs during this era seemed to take an age. In addition, the work completed did not appear to have been a great success as six-months after release to traffic it was back again with the same malaise! Just poking its nose into the left-hand side of the image is, according to my notes, accident damaged 20033. If this is correct, then this class 20 had been withdrawn since November 1977. It languished on at Crewe Works until January 1980 where it was cut up. However, I am not so sure as contemporary photographs have it cut-up by this time, confirmation anybody?
Keywords: 20033 40162 Crewe Works

40181 & 82008, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
40181 sits, unfortunately, in the shade at Crewe Works. This locomotive had spent a lot of time on the works having been there, but for a short break from October 1978 until January 1979 receiving wheelset and classified repairs. Unfortunately, less than two months after being released it was back again after sustaining accident damage! These repairs were completed and it left the works a month after this photograph was taken. I wonder if the glass headcode panel was replaced before it left as it seems to have a very neat hole punched in it? Behind the class 40 is AC electric 82008. This still had another three years in service before withdrawal. It is still with us today preserved at Barrow Hill painted into the InterCity Executive livery and undergoing a protracted mechanical restoration.
Keywords: 40181 82008 awaiting attention Crewe Works

40157 & 47448, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
Basking in the sun at Crewe Works is 40157 looking very smart. It had been at the works since the end of July and did not leave until the end of November after receiving engine and 'rectification' repairs. It survived in service until July 1983 failing at Carstairs whilst working the 11.03 Stirling to Euston with a main generator flashover. It was cut up at Doncaster during the autumn of the same year. 47448 was Crewe built in 1964 and survived until being stored by 1996 after ending its days as a parcels sector locomotive.
Keywords: 40157 47448 Crewe Works

82005, 40029 & 47547, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
I am not at all sure where I was standing in order to take this photographs above the heads of the crowds at Crewe Works, it could have been from a cab window or standing on a buffer beam. Either way, this image is nearly spoilt by the young spotter about to cab 82005. The centre of the picture is dominated by 40029 'Saxonia' that is about to be released back into traffic having received collision repairs it sustained at Dewsnap sidings in Hyde on 11.05.79. To the right is 47547 that only carried this and its pre-TOPS number, D1642, throughout its forty-year life span. I cannot find any records as to why it was at Crewe.
Keywords: 82005 40029 47547 Crewe Works

47042, 40179 & 47448, awaiting attention, Crewe Works
Wearing the prerequisite fur collar parka jacket, a spotter walks towards the camera at Crewe Works open day. To his right is 47042 has its cab door roped off to prevent any impromptu cabbing! This class 47 was involved in a serious accident as 1623 near to Sharnbrook when it collided with 5250 (25100) on 27.01.71. Both locomotives were involved in engineering trains during a possession of the MML, a report of the incident can be found a...... https://www.derbysulzers.com/25100.html In the middle of the image is 40179 that arrived at the beginning of July for main generator repairs leaving at the start of February 1980. Beyond the class 40 is 47448 that is present on the works for classified repairs.
Keywords: 47042 40179 47448 Crewe Works

50008, return leg of The Crewe Invader, 15.55 Crewe-Plymouth (1Z85), Crewe station
Back at Crewe station after visiting the open day and just look at the crowds! Thousands of enthusiast used to visit these annual events at the various depots around the country. Numbers were added to on this particular occasion as 50008 'Thunderer' headed The Crewe Invader railtour from Plymouth and back running as 1Z85. According to Six Bells Junction, the railtour headed to Crewe via Bristol, the Severn Tunnel, Hereford and Shrewsbury. The return was different with the locomotive changing ends at Hereford with the tour then returning via Malvern, and Gloucester to Bristol and thence westwards again. It is seen preparing to leave Crewe with the many enthusiasts waiting for their various trains home. Today, this situation would cause absolute apoplexy with the H&S brigade!
Keywords: 50008 The Crewe Invader 15.55 Crewe-Plymouth 1Z85 Crewe station

50008, return leg of The Crewe Invader, 15.55 Crewe-Plymouth (1Z85), Crewe station
Looking superb having just had a coat of paint and a scrub up probably to coincide with its heading The Crewe Invader railtour that is seen leaving Crewe station. This railtour left at 15.55 for Plymouth via Hereford (reversal), Malvern, Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol. The coaches would be full of very contented enthusiast studying their notebooks having been to Crewe Works open day no doubt assessing their cops ready to reach for the ruler and pen!
Keywords: 50008 The Crewe Invader 15.55 Crewe-Plymouth 1Z85 Crewe station

47425, 76010, 40097 & 40017, stabled stored, Crewe yard
As we left Crewe heading for home I managed to take this photograph, straight into the late afternoon sun, from the droplight of our train. From the left, it shows 47425 next to an unusual visitor, 76010. At this time, 76010 was still in service not being withdrawn until July 1981. The class 40 in the centre partially obscured by the catenary mast I have down as 40097 but contemporary records state that this was in the works at this time (even though I did not have its number recorded in my notes) so I thought that I must have identified it incorrectly being unable to see the number even from the enlarged image. One of my readers, Peter Burnett, has confirmed my identification of the loco. so why it was not in the works I am unsure? The 40 to the right is easy to identify as 40017 'Carinthia'. It had been released from the works the previous week after receiving auxiliary generator repairs having arrived in early June.
Keywords: 47425 76010 40097 40017 stabled stored, Crewe yard

M28350, M28349, M28341 & M28339, awaiting disposal, Basford Hall
A line up of retired Merseyrail class 502 units are seen stored south of Crewe at Basford Hall. These units were built between 1939 and 1941 by the LMS at Derby Works for use on the Liverpool Exchange to Southport and Ormskirk routes. They replaced the L&Y units that had been operating since the lines opened. All the 502 were withdrawn by 01.09.80 with their 503 cousins that operated on the Wirral lines succumbing a few years later. In this view, M28350, M28349, M28341 M28339 are seen. They were taken away to various sites for storage and eventual cutting. For example, I saw some at Whittlesey in 1980.
Keywords: M28350 M28349 M28341 M28339 Basford Hall.

47197, 21.30 Bristol Temple Meads-Plymouth, Bristol Temple Meads station
Quite why I took this picture of a 'Duff' in the dark at Temple Meads on a very mundane working I am not sure? 47197 looks smart and shiny at the head of the 21.30 Bristol to Plymouth. 47197 led a pretty ordinary life surviving through with the same number until withdrawal came in October 2005 with cutting up in January 2008.
Keywords: 47197 21.30 Bristol Temple Meads-Plymouth Bristol Temple Meads station

47500, 21.30 Bristol Temple Meads-Glasgow Central sleeper (1S19), Bristol Temple Meads station
Another night photograph of a Class 47 at Bristol Temple Meads but, this time it is a little more interesting as it is of celebrity 47500 'Great Western' and it is leading a sleeper, the 21.30 Bristol to Glasgow Central. At this time, 47500 was still in blue but with its Great Western nameplates and crests. It was not painted into its famous green livery until 1985 as part of the GWR 150 celebrations. After an uneventful life It ended up being overhauled by WCR in 2009. It saw a lot of use in their ownership until disaster struck on 23.01.13 when it caught fire after a minor derailment at the back of the 5Z47 Ardwick to Carnforth ECS on the approach to the Ordsall Curve in Manchester. This spelled the end for this historic locomotive.
Keywords: 47500 21.30 Bristol Temple Meads-Glasgow Central sleeper 1S19 Bristol Temple Meads station

Images 1-22 of 22 displayed.