113. A Wolverton Works swap on the winter solstice-21.12.24

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2024 > 113. A Wolverton Works swap on the winter solstice-21.12.24

The shortest day of the year saw a neat swapover of units at Wolverton Works. An ex-West Midlands Trains Class 323 came down from Allerton for a refurb. and paint with one having had the work completed returning to Merseyside in its new Northern livery. Incidentally, six months ago on the summer solstice Andy and I were 'up north' having a smashing time!

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323210, 08.41 Allerton Depot-Wolverton Centre Sidings (5H70, 1E), Hyde Road bridge
Having been retired from its West Midlands haunts during the autumn former West Midlands Trains operated 323210, along with a number of other units, ware sent north pending further developments. Its number appears to have been pulled from the hat as it is now heading south to Wolverton Works for work. Running as the 08.41 5H70 Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings it is seen passing through Roade a short distance from its destination. After a Christmas and New Year stay at the works it will emerge as a Northern unit for further use.
Keywords: 323210 08.41 Allerton Depot-Wolverton Centre Sidings 5H70 Hyde Road bridge West Midlands Trains Northern

66434, 08.02 Tilbury Docks-DIRFT (4M07, 2L), site of Roade station
In really poor afternoon lighting with the drizzle starting once again 66434 leads the daily 4M07 Tesco Express through Roade. The 08.02 Tilbury to DIRFT runs seven days per week as does the 4L48 return working both operated by GBRf.
Keywords: 66434 08.02 Tilbury Docks-DIRFT 4M07 site of Roade station Tesco Express GBRf

323203, 13.17 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Allerton Depot (5N36, 13L) & 390039, VT 11.35 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A41, 19L), Hyde Road bridge
With the up working from Allerton having arrived at Wolverton just over an hour earlier the driver is now taking the balancing working back to Merseyside. 323203 now looks very smart in its freshly applied Northern livery as it passes Roade as the 5N36 13.17 Wolverton Works to Allerton Depot. Despite being thirty years old and having given excellent service the Class 323s are deemed fit to carry on and serve the travelling public of the northwest a testament to their design and build no doubt. AWC's 390039 heads north working the 11.35 Manchester to Euston passing the Class 323.
Keywords: 323203 13.17 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Allerton Depot 5N36 390039 11.35 Manchester P-London Euston 1A41 Hyde Road bridge AWC Avanti West Coast Pendolino Northern

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