75 'The York Yuletide Express'-27.11.21

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2021 > 75 'The York Yuletide Express'-27.11.21

A short run out to a spot just south of Market Harborough with Andy to capture the passage of the steam-hauled 'York Yuletide Express'. The weather was absolutely appalling with snow, wind and rain all in the mix that seriously brought into question the sanity of our foray! However, with the added bonus of another charter, a catch up with Andy over breakfast and a visit to the Northampton and Lamport Railway on our return journey afterwards, I think that it was worthwhile!

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Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.

222001, EM 07.31 Sheffield-London St. Pancras (1C20, 1L), Braybrooke SP769849
The 07.31 Sheffield to St Pancras service passes Braybrooke just south of Market Harborough worked by 222001 that still wears its East Midlands Trains livery. With these units being off-lease and looking for new work by this time next year it is unlikely that many more Meridians will be repainted into the EMR purple paint scheme but who knows?
Keywords: 222001 07.31 Sheffield-London St. Pancras 1C20 Braybrooke SP769849 East Midlands Railway EMR Meridian

47614 & 47828, outward leg of The Salisbury & Bath Christmas Statesman, 06.17 Chesterfield-Bath Spa (1Z70, 8L), Braybrooke SP769849
In absolutely dreadful lighting and with sleet beginning to fall again the 1Z70 06.17 Chesterfield to Bath via London Salisbury Statesman Rail charter passes Braybrooke between Market Harborough and Kettering. 47614 and 47828 lead the train that did not appear to very busy with punters who could expect to pay up to £210 for a ticket! Unfortunately, like a number of charters that were planned to visit Bath this year for its renowned Christmas market plans had to be changed with the announcement that the market would not run again this year, see.... https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-10-11/bath-christmas-market-2021-cancellation-devastating-blow I suspect that many passengers aboard the charter would opt to leave the train at Salisbury instead of continuing on towards Bath.
Keywords: 47614 47828 The Salisbury & Bath Christmas Statesman 06.17 Chesterfield-Bath Spa 1Z70 Braybrooke SP769849 Class 47 Statesman Rail

222021, EM 08.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras (1B22, 2L), Braybrooke SP769849
With snow gathering on the front of 222021, it passes a very cold Braybrooke just south of Market Harborough. The EMR Meridian is working the 1B22 08.12 Nottingham to St. Pancras train that despite the inclement weather arrived on time in London. With less than twelve months left in service on this route now, these units will be replaced by Hitachi built Class 810 Aurora bi-mode trains even if the electrification extension to Market Harborough is not complete. This electrification will mean that the masts will dominate the scene at this relatively remote spot in north Northamptonshire with the county boundary with Leicestershire just over a mile distant from this spot.
Keywords: 222021 08.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras 1B22 Braybrooke SP769849 East Midlands Railway EMR Meridian

6233, outward leg of The York Yuletide Express, 06.12 Ealing Broadway-York (1Z25, 8L), Braybrooke SP769849
In the bitter wind, with the snow now falling again and with the train running late Andy and I were beginning to get very cold standing on a remote and exposed bridge near the village of Braybrooke at the northern extremity of Northamptonshire. The result of our exploits was this very poor photograph of former LMS Princess Coronation 6223 'Duchess of Sutherland' leading the outward leg of The York Yuletide Express running as 1Z25. Unfortunately, for the passengers who had paid a premium price to travel behind a steam locomotive, their enjoyment was to be terminated a short distance further north at Leicester where 6233 was removed with 47802 brought from the rear to haul the train forward. This left the Duchess to run light engine to Barrow Hill where it was watered, serviced and turned on the triangle rather than the turntable (it was just too big for that). The reason for its removal was not a failure but that the Leicestershire fire service tender that was to replenish its water supply at Humberstone Road was badly delayed. However, passengers aboard only arrived a few minutes adrift at York enabling them to explore the lovely city for a few hours before returning with 6223 once again leading.
Keywords: 6233 The York Yuletide Express 06.12 Ealing Broadway-York 1Z25 Braybrooke SP769849 Duchess of Sutherland LMS Princess Coronation Class

31289 & 33053, stabled, Pitsford & Brampton station
With a little time in hand, Andy and I stopped off at the Northampton and Lamport Railway ostensively for Andy to get the numbers of their Mk.III stock that arrived last year. With preparations underway by the hardened volunteers for the first Santa specials the next day, Andy photographs the former Greater Anglia buffet car that has been stabled in their loading bay platform. Former BR Mk3a TSOB Coach 10412 first entered service on the GWML in 1976 as part of HST set 253006 before being transferred to the Eastern Region in 1978. It ended its mainline working career in 2020 with Greater Anglia on the GEML route. In the background resident 31289 stands idle with visiting 33053 behind.
Keywords: 31289 33053 Pitsford & Brampton station NLR Northampton and Lamport Railway

31289 & 33053, stabled, Pitsford & Brampton station
33053 is on loan to the Northampton and Lamport Railway having been previously based at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. It is seen sitting idle at Pitsford and Brampton station ready to work the first Santa special the following day. I have fond memories of this particular locomotive from my days living in the West Country photographing it a number of times and travelling behind it along the beautiful Avon Valley. Resident locomotive 31289 stands behind the Crompton.
Keywords: 31289 33053 Pitsford & Brampton station Crompton

82114, 47205, 33053 & 31289, stabled, Pitsford & Brampton sidings
Looking a little incongruous deep in the Northamptonshire countryside former Greater Anglia DVT 82114 sits at the head of two Mk. III coaches. Last used on the GEML between Liverpool Street and Norwich the DVT and the stock arrived last year to form part of an air-braked set that the Northamptonshire and Lamport Railway has ambitions to operate perhaps with 47205, stabled adjacent, hauling?
Keywords: 82114 47205 33053 31289 Pitsford & Brampton sidings Greater Anglia DVT

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