13. It was just like the WCML of old!-26.02.22

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2022 > 13. It was just like the WCML of old!-26.02.22

With two AC electrics leading trains heading north along the southern WCML within twenty minutes of each other it felt like the clock was being turned back twenty years! Firstly, the immaculately turned out 87002 led an equally smart set of stock on 'The Clansman' charter from Euston to Inverness followed a short time later by 86259 leading another 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' to Carlisle that it would take as far as Carnforth. To add to the occasion the sun was out on this bitterly cold frosty but bright morning!

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Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.

390002, VT 06.10 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A05, 1L), Milton crossing
390002 'Stephen Sutton' works the 06.10 Manchester to London Euston between Roade and Blisworth at a spot known locally as Milton crossing. Up until the 1990s there was a flat crossing at this location but the large footbridge seen was installed to replace it. Usually, I am not in favour of 'nannying' trying to encourage the use of plain old common sense but in this particular instance, it was a sensible move given the poor sighting, particularly of down trains, afforded to pedestrians, especially with the ever-increasing speed of the trains.
Keywords: 390002 06.10 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A05 Milton crossing Avanti west coast Stephen Sutton

87002, outward leg of The Clansman, 06.58 London Euston-Inverness (1Z42, 4E), Milton crossing
The blue sky and the early sunshine belies the fact that it was a bitterly cold morning making the wait for this train a little uncomfortable being exposed in this field! 87002 'Royal Sovereign' makes a fine sight as it passes between Roade and Blisworth on the 'old' fast line via Weedon leading the outward leg of the two-day Clansman charter from Euston to Inverness running as 1Z42. The AC electric is leading a matching set of stock wearing a reproduction version of the very smart InterCity Executive livery that probably marked the pinnacle of BR's ever-changing branding programme.
Keywords: 87002 The Clansman 06.58 London Euston-Inverness 1Z42 Milton crossing InterCity Swallow Royal Sovereign

390118, VT 07.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H09, 17L), Milton crossing
A pan shot of 390118 as it heads north working the 07.20 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly service as it passes Milton crossing between Roade and Blisworth. Unfortunately, the early morning sun had not quite come round far enough to illuminate the side of the train
Keywords: 390118 07.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H09 Milton crossing

86259, outward leg of The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, 07.08 London Euston-Carlisle (1Z86, RT), Milton crossing
The second AC electric in thirty minutes to pass northwards along the WCML brings back memories of the pre-Pendolino era. 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' leads the outward leg of The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express charter from Euston to Carlisle that it led as far as Carnforth. Unfortunately, I did not get my calculations correct with the side of the train not quite illuminated by the rising sun, another week and it would probably have worked so Photoshop had to come to the rescue!
Keywords: 86259 The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 07.08 London Euston-Carlisle 1Z86 Milton crossing Peter Pan Les Ross

Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.