| Due to an engineering possession on Sunday 18th July 2004, Virgin West Coast Liverpool-Euston services were diverted to run via Warrington Bank Quay, requiring diesel haulage as far as Crewe for a convenient engine change.
Mostly by coincidence, all the services (except one late in the evening) were worked by class 47's, four of which had been hired in from Freightliner due to an extreme shortage with Virgin's own loco's. Here is a guide to what was a very enjoyable day. All 47's used are shown, and most of the workings are depicted. |
Possibly the star of the day in many eyes, although with the least impressive exhaust - sounding rather quiet too, was 47150. It worked 1T57 1320 Liverpool-Crewe, seen here at Lime Street. Copyright: Darryl |
1T57 again, arriving at Warrington where it was due to leave at 1347. A bizarre set with an 87 where a DVT should be, and the DVT where the 87 should be! Copyright: Crumb |
A clag phot leaving Warrington shortly after the previous photo. Don't try this at home........Copyright: Shaun C |
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After arrival at Crewe with 1T57, scheduled arrival time of 1418. Copyright: Shaun C |
The return working for 150 was 1T19 1712 Crewe-Liverpool, although due to an earlier fault with 851 - 1T19 left Crewe just over an hour late. It was seen here before leaving Crewe. Copyright: Crumb |
During the journey, 150 passed 829 (829 was working 1A79 1815 Liverpool-Crewe) at Winwick Junction. 826 was around five minutes behind 150 working 1F20 1822 Crewe-Liverpool which was around five minutes late. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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The first working of the day was 47810 with 1A33 0855 Liverpool-Crewe, phot'd arriving at Warrington Bank Quay at 0927. Copyright: Shaun C |
On the same working, 810 powering away from a signal north of Crewe station. Copyright: Shaun C |
Following 1A33 47810 worked to Holyhead and back with 1D87 1303 Crewe-Holyhead, and returned with 1A75 1610 Holyhead-Crewe. Another clag photo here of 47810 leaving with the 1D88, 1935 Crewe-Holyhead. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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47810 at the front of the set, again on 1D88 - heading towards Sandbach on 1D88 as all Holyhead workings were travelling via the Middlewich route. To the left is 47847 waiting to back on to 1F21. Copyright: Shaun C. |
47812 began the day at Liverpool working 1A60 1418 Liverpool-Crewe. Copyright: Darryl |
812 shown after arrival at Crewe with 1A60 at 1543. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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812 returned with 1F18 1634 Crewe-Liverpool. Copyright: Shaun C. |
On the same train having arrived at Liverpool. Copyright: Shaun C. |
47826 arrives at Crewe from the Middlewich route on 1A61 1345 Holyhead-Crewe. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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826 awaits its next and only other service of the day, 1F20 1822 Crewe-Liverpool. Copyright: Crumb |
829 had travelled down on 1A44 in the morning behind 847 (see 847), and returned with the 1332 Crewe-Liverpool. It was photographed at Liverpool before departing with its next working; 1A79 1815 Liverpool-Crewe. Copyright: Shaun C. |
829 verses a double yellow at Earlestown during 1A79. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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829 departing Warrington with 1A79. Copyright: Shaun C. |
After arrival at Crewe with 1A79. Copyright: Shaun C. |
47829 and 851, which had failed earlier (see below). Photo taken at 1925. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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Heading away from the signal after working 1A79. Copyright: Shaun C. |
Star of the day in my opinion was 847, here shown arriving at Warrington with 1A44 1045 Liverpool-Crewe. Copyright: Shaun C. |
On 1A44 829 was dead in tow to get it to Crewe for 1F15. This is 1A44 after arrival at Crewe. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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847 was seperated from the stock first. Copyright: Shaun C. |
Leaving the signal at the bottom of platform 5 after 1A44. Copyright: Shaun C. |
847 returned with 1F13, the first northbound train of the day - the 1234 Crewe-Liverpool. Copyright: Crumb |
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On arrival at Warrington with 1F13. Copyright: Shaun C. |
Departing Warrington with 1F13 at 1302. Copyright: Shaun C. |
Under the shelter of Liverpool Lime Street, 847 after 1F13, which was scheduled to arrive at 1337. Copyright: Darryl |
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Another view at Lime Street after 1F13. Copyright: Darryl |
47847 backing on to its next service, 1A66 1549 Liverpool-Crewe. Copyright: Darryl |
The final trip for 847 was 1F21 1934 Crewe-Liverpool. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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Departure from Warrington at 1956. Copyright: Shaun C. |
The other loco in action on Virgin services was 47851 (although 47828 worked several trains between Nuneaton and Wolverhampton via Birmingham on the same day). It was seen leaving Warrington with 1A55 1225 Liverpool-Crewe. Copyright: Shaun C. |
851 and an 87 at Crewe before working 1T17 1432 Crewe-Liverpool. Copyright: Shaun C. |
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Unfortunately the one blemish for the day was 851. While on 1T17 the loco suffered dragging brakes and the train was cancelled at Warrington. 851 came back dead on the rear of 1T72 from Warrington-Crewe behind 87028. Copyright: Crumb |
