48. British GP charter-09.07.23

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2023 > 48. British GP charter-09.07.23

The British Grand Prix held at Silverstone often sees a charter or two in operation in order to get some of the four hundred and eighty thousand visitors to the Sunday event. This year, WCR operated their Northern Belle set to transport racegoers from Euston to Milton Keynes. Due to some bizarre positioning moves I managed three photographs of the train at different locations missing out on one other opportunity.
Click here to search The Archive Files


Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

57601, 09.02 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central (via Rugby) (1Z28, 4L), Milton crossing 
 57601 'Windsor Castle' leads the 09.02 London Euston to Milton Keynes past Milton crossing just south of Blisworth in Northamptonshire. Observers will notice that the train is running south which would appear to be incorrect but, in fact, the train had made an extra reverse run to Rugby via the Weedon 'old' route before then depositing its passengers at Milton Keynes for onward bus transportation to Silverstone. This extra run up the line gave the premium fare-paying passengers time to enjoy their champagne breakfasts that would start off their day. 
 Keywords: 57601 09.02 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central Rugby 1Z28 Milton crossing West Coast Railway Pullman Windsor Castle
57313, 09.02 London Euston-Milton Keynes central (via Rugby) (1Z28, 4L), Milton crossing 
 57313 'Scarborough Castle' brings up the rear of the 1Z28 Euston to Milton Keynes via a reversal at Rugby Northern Belle charter as it passes Milton crossing between Roade and Blisworth. Passengers who would be going to the British Grand Prix and Silverstone would just be finishing their breakfasts ready to transfer to coaches on arrival at Milton Keynes. 
 Keywords: 57313 09.02 London Euston-Milton Keynes central Rugby 1Z28 Milton crossing Scarborough Castle Northern Belle
319457 & 319433, 16.31 Bletchley CS-Northampton EMD (5N99, 35L), Victoria bridge 
 Yet another example of a pair of Class 319 former Thameslink units on an empty stock move! If my photographs are anything to go by this is the only role that these units perform as I have very few (if any?) of them carrying passengers! 319457 and 319433 pass Victoria bridge working the 16.31 Bletchley Carriage Sidings to Northampton EMD 5N99 empty stock run that will ready it for use the next morning. 
 Keywords: 319457 319433 16.31 Bletchley CS-Northampton EMD 5N99 Victoria bridge Thameslink London Northwestern
57313, 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Milton Keynes Central (via Northampton) (5Z29, 6L), Victoria bridge 
 In superb evening light at Victoria bridge just south of Roade 57313 'Scarborough Castle' leads the delayed 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Milton Keynes via a Northampton reversal empty stock working. The train had been laid over for most of the duration of the British Grad Prix at Silverstone and was now returning to pick racegoers up from Milton Keynes who had been taken there from the track by coach. Incidentally, after a pretty mundane race that was livened up by a safety car event, Max Verstappen won but with two British drivers on the podium in the form of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. 
 Keywords: 57313 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Milton Keynes Central via Northampton 5Z29 Victoria bridge WCR Northern Belle Scarborough Castle
57601, 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Milton Keynes Central (via Northampton) (5Z29, 6L), Roade cutting 
 Passing under the new bridge that spans Roade cutting the 5Z29 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Milton Keynes empty coaching stock move is seen led by 57601 'Windsor Castle'. It would arrive at Milton Keynes a little late after a delayed departure from Wolverton but would be further held before heading south to London due to the coaches carrying the passengers from the Silverstone Grand Prix being caught up in the inevitable congestion as four hundred and eighty thousand racegoers attempted to leave the course! Apologies for the poor placing of the leading locomotive but I had to press the shutter a little earlier to capture the front in the evening sunshine. 
 Keywords: 57601 17.36 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Milton Keynes Central Northampton 5Z29 Roade cutting WCR Northern Belle Windsor Castle

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.