52. DRS (Carlisle) open day & steam charters-20.07.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 52. DRS (Carlisle) open day & steam charters-20.07.19

A fantastic and varied day out with great company! Not only did Mike, Andy and I attend DRS' Kingmoor open day we also had the pleasure of seeing two steam charters at Carlisle station. The added bonus was that we met some mutual friends and ex working colleagues who were on one of the charters. After a pretty dire weather forecast, it turned out to be a very reasonable day and all the trains ran to time...'Ker-ching!'

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Images 1-31 of 31 displayed.

66740, 03.15 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park (4M21), Milton Keynes Central station
66740' Sarah' brings the regular 4M21 03.15 Felixstowe to Trafford Park Freightliner through Milton Keynes station. This 66 was named after a member of the GBRF finance team in a ceremony at Norwich station during August 2014.
Keywords: 66740 03.15 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park 4M21 Milton Keynes Central station

390130, VT 06.55 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H08, 1L) & 323239, NT 09.44 Manchester PIccadilly-Stoke-on-Trent (2K10, 2L), Manchester Piccadilly station
Having brought us up from Milton Keynes, 390130 'City of Edinburgh' rests on the blocks at Manchester Piccadilly with the 1H08 06.55 ex London Euston. On the adjacent platform, 323130 will work the 09.44 to Stoke-on-Trent. In theory, these early 1990s EMUs should have gone off-lease being replaced by the CAF class 331s. However, as usual, delays have dogged this plan and at the point that this photograph was taken, only a few of the new units were in-service.
Keywords: 390130 06.55 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H08 323239 09.44 Manchester Piccadilly-Stoke-on-Trent 2K10 Manchester Piccadilly station

142052, NT 09.09 Manchester Piccadilly-Rose Hill (2R05, RT), Manchester Piccadilly station
142052 and another unit leave Manchester Piccadilly with the 09.09 to Rose Hill. In theory, and to comply with the law, these units should be withdrawn from service within six months. However, Northern has recently announced that this deadline is not going to be met leaving them in a tricky situation, a mass cancellation of services (sounds familiar?) or continue with some still in service and break the law.
Keywords: 142052 09.09 Manchester Piccadilly-Rose Hill 2R05 Manchester Piccadilly station

142003, NT 09.18 Manchester Airport-Wigan North Western (2W04, RT), Manchester Piccadilly station
A busy scene at Manchester Piccadilly station where I and numerous other travellers were harangued for putting our feet 'over the yellow line'. Admittedly, the station was busier than usual due to the closure of Acton Grange junction and consequential diversions but the number of extra staff drafted in to undertake 'crowd control' was absolutely ridiculous! I do resent being treated like cattle and herded about a station by staff hired in by Network Rail, it just makes me more awkward and forces me to put my foot over the line even more such as when taking this photograph of 142003 leaving Piccadilly with the 09.18 from Manchester Airport to Wigan North Western.
Keywords: 142003 09.18 Manchester Airport-Wigan North Western 2W04 Manchester Piccadilly station

350405, TP 09.10 Manchester Airport-Glasgow Central (1S40, 6L), Manchester Piccadilly station
With pink hi-viz much in evidence preventing passengers going 'over the yellow line' 350405 arrives at Manchester Piccadilly's platform fourteen. It is working the 09.10 Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central that we took as far as Carlisle. It was interesting to compare these 3504XX units with our own 3501XX, 3502XX and 3503XX units that are operated by London Northwestern. They were smart inside with attractive seating and interiors and in much better condition than their older cousins. There are also seat reservations and it had an at-seat trolley service. Both Mike and I commented that they seemed to ride better and were quieter but they are a lot newer I suppose dating from 2013/14.
Keywords: 350405 09.10 Manchester Airport-Glasgow Central 1S40 Manchester Piccadilly station

57307, 09.16 Carlisle-Preston LE (Z057), Lancaster station
I stepped out of our train to Carlisle at Lancaster station to photograph some units in the north-facing bay platforms just as 57307 'Lady Penelope' came around the curve from the north on the centre road. It was working the 09.16 Carlisle to Preston 0Z57 light engine move. At Preston, it would take up its Thunderbird post ready to rescue any failed trains on the WCML. Previously developed and operated by Virgin, these dedicated class 57s now are operated by DRS from their Carlisle Kingmoor base.
Keywords: 57307 09.16 Carlisle-Preston Z057 Lancaster station

Class 221, VT 10.54 Preston-Glasgow Central (1Z47), Etterby NY388571
Having arrived at Carlise in order to get to DRS's Kingmoor headquarters, we took a pleasant walk from the station rather than taking their bus shuttle service. Just close to the entrance to the Kingmoor depot in the village of Etterby just north of Carlisle, a Virgin class 221 crosses the River Eden working the 1Z47 10.54 Preston to Glasgow Central. This unusual working is not, in fact, an enthusiast's special (221s have not quite reached that status just yet!) but a special working put on due to the closure of Weaver Junction for re-building and the consequential closure of the WCML in that area. As well as some services going via Manchester, a series of shuttles operated between Preston and Scotland in an attempt to maintain some semblance of normality for customers.
Keywords: Class 221 10.54 Preston-Glasgow Central 1Z47 Etterby NY388571

68022, on-display, DRS open day, Kingmoor
I think that the livery that TransPennine Express has applied to the class 68s is a bit fussy with too many wooshes and stripes! The problem is exacerbated by the lack of a yellow front end as the lighting arrangements negate a need for it. 68022 'Resolution' awaits its turn to work for TPE as there are, surprise-surprise, huge delays with the introduction of the CAf Mk. IV stock. The name 'Resolution' was also carried by 50018 from April 1978 until its withdrawal in July 1991, a locomotive that I photographed a number of times.
Keywords: 68022 on-display DRS open day Kingmoor

88009, on-display, DRS Kingmoor
88009 'Diana' is seen just inside DRS' depot at their Kingmoor facility near Carlisle. This was one of the last of the ten of these electro-diesels that was introduced in 2016. So far, they have proved to be reliable and very useful mixed-traffic locomotives that have largely superseded the veteran class 37s one of which can be seen in the background.
Keywords: 88009 on-display DRS Kingmoor

37409 & 37419, on-display, DRS open day, Kingmoor
37409 'Lord Hinton' and 37419 'Carl Haviland' stand outside the DRS shed at their Kingmoor facility. Compared with their open day last year at Gresty Bridge, this was a far more civilised affair with fewer people on a bigger site. This meant securing photographs with no crowds or people spoiling the shot was easy.
Keywords: 37409 37419 on-display DRS open day, Kingmoor

68033, 66433, 66 & 66427, on-display, DRS open day, Kingmoor
Access was denied to this part of the DRS Kingmoor facility but fellow visitors with binoculars were able to get the numbers of the two 66s to the right. Just is shot to the left is 68033 with 66433 taking centre stage. To the right are 66423 and 66427. With the rest of the country bathed in warm summer sunshine, the northwest had to contend with cloud and a few sunny intervals!
Keywords: 68033 66433 66??? 66427 on-display DRS open day Kingmoor

13. 57007, on-display, DRS open day, Kingmoor
57007 'John Scott' gets a repeated number of washes at DRS' Kingmoor depot demonstrating the machinery used to keep their locomotives and stock looking smart. I am not sure if chemicals are used, as in BR days, that caused the rail blue paintwork to fade so badly on so many of their locomotives?
Keywords: 57007 on-display, DRS open day Kingmoor

14. 66426, bogie & underframe, DRS open-day, Kingmoor
I work in a garage where we have many tools on racking as seen here, if everybody does their job and returns them after use! However, it is not so obvious in this shot but the size of these spanners, wrenches and sockets used by DRS at their Kingmoor facility somewhat dwarf the ones we use! This view is seen through a gap where 66426 has been lifted from its bogies that can be seen below themselves having had their wheel sets removed for attention.
Keywords: 66426 bogie underframe DRS open-day Kingmoor

15. 68006 & 66426, on-display, DRS open day, Kingmoor
66426 sits high on jacks inside DRSs Kingnoor depot receiving attention to its wheelsets. Putting in an appearance to the left is 68006 'Daring'. DRS leases all of the thirty-four class 68s with twelve in its own compass livery that are used on various contracts. The rest are sub-operated by ScotRail, Chiltern and TransPennine Express.
Keywords: 68006 66426 on-display DRS open day Kingmoor

66426 68006 on-display DRS open day Kingmoor
With each of the four jacks used for lifting 66426 having a safe working load of 35 tons there is not a lot spare with the weight of the locomotive being one hundred and thirty-nine tons! However, I am not sure if the locomotive is lifted, initially at least, with the bogies still attached? To the right, 68006 'Daring' is in the depot on display. I am not sure if this was for the benefit of the visiting enthusiasts or if it was to receive some attention?
Keywords: 66426 68006 on-display DRS open day Kingmoor

17. 57301, on-display, DRS Kingmoor
57301 sits at the top of the loading bay at DRS KIngmmor. The loading bay is used when locomotives need to arrive and depart from the depot via road with a lorry reversing to the raised section of track making the transfer easier. However, getting a low loader complete with a locomotive on-board away from the depot would be a tricky affair so I suspect that this facility is not used very often! 57301 was the first of the fabled Virgin Thunderbirds delivered during June 2002 and named 'Scott Tracy' having been converted from 47845. In a previous life, this locomotive was also numbered 47069 that I saw at a cold Bradford Junction in March 1979, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/26169671004/x47069-pines-express-07-48-london
Keywords: 57301 on-display DRS Kingmoor

18. 66428, on-display, DRS Kingmoor
66428 'Carlisle Eden Mind' had been named less than an hour previously at DRSs Kingmoor open day. The naming took place with a small ceremony to commemorate the links between the local mental health charity and DRS. 66428 was in receipt of a re-paint as part of the naming.
Keywords: 66428 on-display DRS Kingmoor

19. 142089, NT 14.31 Carlisle-Newcastle (1N68, RT), Carlisle station
Passengers will be in for a bouncy ride along the delightful Eden and Tyne valley aboard 142089. It is seen leaving Carlisle station with the 1N68 14.31 to Newcastle. In theory, all these second-generation DMUs should be out of service by Christmas 2019 (five months from the time of writing) but Northern has just announced that this will not happen due to the late delivery of the new stock that is replacing them.
Keywords: 142089 14.31 Carlisle-Newcastle 1N68 Carlisle station

20. 6201, return leg of The Cumbrian Mountain Express, 15.20 Carlisle-Crewe (1Z25), Carlisle station
As well as the open day at DRS Kingmoor there were also two steam-hauled railtours at Carlisle, thus there were many enthusiasts around the station. Whilst not many are seen crowding around 1933 Crewe built 4-6-2 locomotive, behind where I am standing there were plenty! 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' will soon lead the returning Cumbrian Mountain Express from Carlisle at 15.20 to Crewe. This tour took the WCML route south over Shap, something that these Staniers were designed to do and should handle with relative ease.
Keywords: 6201 The Cumbrian Mountain Express 15.20 Carlisle-Crewe 1Z25 Carlisle station

66304, 66301 & 66305, stabled, Carlisle station
Having brought the three Class 66s into Carlisle the driver has switched them off and is checking the locomotives before leaving them. I am not sure as to why 66304, 66301 'Kingmoor TMD' and 66305 were stabled here but I suspect that as the open day was still in full swing at DRSs Kingmoor depot than it was not possible to take them there as would normally be the case but it was certainly a treat for the spotters on the platforms!
Keywords: 66304 66301 66305 stabled, Carlisle station

60163, outward leg of The North Briton, 08.16 London King`s Cross-Carlisle (1Z50), Carlisle station
Completing its outward journey, 60163 'Tornado' arrives at Carlisle having left King's Cross at 08.16 leading The North Briton running as 1Z50. It had travelled via the ECML as far as Doncaster then to Leeds and over the Settle and Carlisle. Amongst the passengers were four friends and former work colleagues who had boarded the train at Peterborough. They reported that they had had a smashing trip and that they had been well looked after by the UK Railtours team.
Keywords: 60163 The North Briton 08.16 London King`s Cross-Carlisle 1Z50 Carlisle station

158843, NT 16.23 Carlisle-Chathill (2A40, 1L), Carlisle station
158843 waits to leave Carlisle with the 16.23 to Chathill. This is an unusual working and is one of Chathill's four daily trains. The station is located on a remote spot of the ECML between Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed. On arrival at the quiet rural station, that is a long way from anywhere of substantial population, it runs as ECS northwards for a distance of about three miles to Belford crossovers where it returns south again to Newcastle after making another stop at Chathill. This performance occurs twice daily giving Chathill its four trains. All the stations visited in 2017, see their video at.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHrIufNLs4U and go to about nine minutes in. It's unfortunate that Geoff states several times that it only has two trains per day, carefully studying of the timetable would reveal the early morning pair making the total of four!
Keywords: 158843 16.23 Carlisle-Chathill 2A40 Carlisle station

24. 156442, SR 17.21 Carlisle-Dumfries (2L12, 2E), Carlisle station
Carlisle is an interesting station from the point of view of the wide variety of operators that use it. One of these operators is ScotRail with Carlisle being the furthest south that they operate with trains going to and from Glasgow Central and Dumfries via Glasgow and South Western Railway route. Having arrived earlier from Dumfries, 156442 waits in the north-facing bay platform to return at 17.21 with the 2L12.
Keywords: 156442 17.21 Carlisle-Dumfries 2L12 Carlisle station

25. Jim Cardy, 60163, Carlisle station
A former and recently retired work colleague Jim Cardy, stands in front of 60163 'Tornado' at Carlisle station. He and three others in his party would enjoy haulage behind this fine locomotive along the Eden and Tyne valley as far as Newcastle. They were on the North Briton railtour that would end up at King's Cross being hauled by AC electric 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' from Newcastle. It was great to meet up with Jim and his party at Carlisle and makes you realise how a love and interest in all things railway brings people together.
Keywords: Jim Cardy 60163 Carlisle station

26. 158844, NT 15.40 Newcastle-Carlisle (1N67, 3L), Carlisle station
A notable feature of the privatised railway is frequent and unusual special one-off graphics that adorn trains. Whilst many are just gross advertising as a way for TOCs to supplement their substantial profits I am not at all sure what this one is? 158844 arrives at Carlisle forming the 15.40 terminating service from Newcastle. Given the appalling service that Northern has been offering their customers during recent times the 'We are fearless - we are Northern' message is a little incongruous? If I was a frequent user of Northern I might be a little insulted if this train pulled into my local station?
Keywords: 158844 15.40 Newcastle-Carlisle 1N67 Carlisle station

27. 156449, NT 17.07 Carlisle-Barrow-in-Furness (2C38, 1E), Carlisle station
156449 leaves one of Carlisle's south-facing bay platforms with the 17.07 to Barrow-in-Furness. This unit will take the superb Cumbrian Coast route, one of the most underrated lines in the country. When people are asked to consider classic railway routes the Settle and Carlisle, the south Devon coast and Scottish Highland routes come to mind but the line via Workington to Barrow and onwards to Lancaster is often overlooked. Securing a west-facing window seat with a snack and a flask along with some agreeable company is something that should be tried!
Keywords: 156449 17.07 Carlisle-Barrow-in-Furness 2C38 Carlisle station

350402, TP 16.11 Glasgow Central-Manchester Airport (1M91, RT), Carlisle station
TransPennine Express' 350402 arrives at Carlisle forming the 16.11 Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport. We took this service to Manchester Picadilly. The train was well loaded with all seats taken and some standing. Once again, is a four-car DMU the most appropriate type of train for an inter-city service such as this? At least TPE appears to be thinking about this and listening to customers as they are about to re-introduce 'proper' trains composed of their new Mk. IV CAF coaches complete with a locomotive operating in push-pull mode.
Keywords: 350402 16.11 Glasgow Central-Manchester Airport 1M91 Carlisle station

390020, VT 19.35 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A68, 3E), Manchester Piccadilly station
Having arrived at Manchester Piccadilly on-time from Carlisle we had a comfortable connection for our second train home to Milton Keynes. 390020 waits to leave with the 19.35 to London Euston. Whilst the journey was comfortable enough and ran to time, the interiors of the Pendolino was looking a little tired. With a new operator about to take over these iconic trains on this route, let's hope that they embark on a refurbishment programme.
Keywords: 390020 19.35 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A68 Manchester Piccadilly station

DRS Open-Day entry ticket
DRS always put a real effort into the production of their tickets for open days; this one was no exception. The ticket was printed on good quality card and in full colour. Whilst the money raised is for charity by buying in advance, a hefty postage charge is incurred.
Keywords: DRS Open-Day entry ticket

Tickets, Milton Keynes Central-Carlisle-Milton Keynes Central
A substantial collection of tickets for the three of us to get from Milton Keynes to Carlisle and back! Split ticketing got the costs down a fair bit but even using a combination of railcards still resulted in surprisingly expensive fares considering that they were bought fairly well advanced.
Keywords: Tickets Milton Keynes Central-Carlisle-Milton Keynes Central

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