59. Grand Prix charter & 5Z63 ECS-07.07.24

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2024 > 59. Grand Prix charter & 5Z63 ECS-07.07.24

As has become the custom, a charter operates from London on the Sunday of the British Grand Prix weekend bringing racegoers from the London area. To give them more time to eat their champagne breakfast the train takes an extended out-and-back route before depositing them at Milton Keynes for onward transportation to Silverstone. Later in the day, I went back out to photograph an empty stock move.
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Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.

350254, LN 08.53 London Euston-Crewe (2U29, 42L) & 57314, 09.03 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central (via Rugby) (1Z73, 13L), site of Roade station 
 Appearances can be deceiving! It may look as if I have struck it lucky at Roade capturing two trains running side by side however, 350254 had been stationary at the signal in front of it for some time and would not move for another twenty minutes or so. The cause of the delay appeared to be a problem handing back the track through Northampton after an overnight possession as this was the first down train of the day, the 08.53 Euston to Crewe service. Of more interest is 57314 'Conwy Castle' leading the 09.03 Euston to Milton Keynes, via a reversal at Rugby, Grand Prix special charter. Passengers aboard the charter were tucking into their champaign breakfasts before being taken by bus from Milton Keynes to enjoy a day at the British Grand Prix. 
 Keywords: 350254 08.53 London Euston-Crewe 2U29 57314 09.03 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central via Rugby 1Z73 site of Roade station London Northwestern West Coast railways Conwy Castle
57315, 09.03 London Euston-Milton Keynes (via Rugby) (1Z73, 13L), Milton crossing 
 Having reversed at Rugby the 1Z73 Grand Prix charter train is seen heading south again ready for passengers to disembark at Milton Keynes. WCR's 57315 is seen leading the train past Milton crossing just south of Blisworth. I was surprised to be the only enthusiast at this spot to capture the scene. The fair-paying passengers aboard would later enjoy Lewis Hamilton winning the British Grand Prix in his last season with Mercedes. 
 Keywords: 57315 09.03 London Euston-Milton Keynes via Rugby 1Z73 Milton crossing West Coast Railways
86259, 13.20 Wembley CS-Rugby CS (0Z50, 9E), site of Roade station 
 Having hauled the southern leg (out and back) of yesterday's North Wales Coast Express charter 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' is seen passing Roade heading back to its stabling and servicing point in Rugby's former carriage sidings. Running as 0Z50 the locomotive left Wembley Yard at 13.20 and made good time arriving nine minutes early. 
 Keywords: 86259 13.20 Wembley CS-Rugby CS 0Z50 site of Roade station Les Ross Peter Pan
390112, VT 13.32 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H68, 11L), site of Roade station 
 390112 sweeps around the cambered curve on the approach to Roade working the 13.32 Euston to Manchester Sunday service. Until this point, the track from London has been relatively free from curves but here until past Rugby there are some sharp curves that are deeply cambered and where maximum use is made of the pendolino's tilting capabilities. The speed limit is also a little lower than further south. 
 Keywords: 390112 13.32 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H68 site of Roade station AWC Avanti Pendolino.jpg
47593, 14.17 Northampton DGL-Southall WCR (5Z63, 14L), Roade cutting 
 Following yesterday's successful English Riviera Express operated by Saphos Trains the train was stabled overnight at Northampton, its start and finish point. Now running as 5Z63 the 14.17 Northampton to Southall WCR empty stock train is seen climbing through Roade cutting with 47593 'Galloway Princess' leading. 
 Keywords: 47593 14.17 Northampton DGL-Southall WCR 5Z63 Roade cutting Galloway Princess
D1924, 14.17 Northampton DGL-Southall WCR (5Z63, 14L), Roade cutting 
 With 47593 'Galloway Princess' appearing to working hard at the front of the train D1924 'Crewe Diesel Depot' is going along for the ride at the rear! The train is running as 5Z63, the 14.17 Northampton DGL to Southall WCR and is seen passing through Raode cutting. The stock is being returned to the West London depot after yesterday's Saphos Trains' English Riviera Express charter that started and finished at Northampton arriving back after midnight. 
 Keywords: D1924 14.17 Northampton DGL-Southall WCR 5Z63 Roade cutting Crewe Diesel Depot

Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.