Well, November 30th finally came around and we did get a Class 40 back on the mainline again.
It's been a long time coming, and with all the excitement of D1015's exploits this year, I was a little concerned that we might have an anti-climax. However any such doubts were quickly blown away as a simply hellfire day unfolded.
As we crossed the road from the Crewe Arms Hotel at 06.40 the distinctive whistling sound of a Class 40 could be heard as D345 unhooked from the ECS to run round the stock. "Just like old times" - a 40 at Crewe - the place has never been the same since that sound wasn't there.
As we went down onto the platform the loco was rolling through the middle road, and in a precursor to the days main event the handle was pulled back and that classic Class 40 light engine sound and fury moment occurred as the loco stormed out and over the crossovers.
After watching the loco back onto the stock we settled down in Coach A (at the back of a sold out rake of 12 Mk 1's). Although we couldn't hear the departure we could certainly feel it as we simply romped out of the station and up Madeley bank. "Is this really a 2,000bhp loco on 12 coaches?" It certainly felt like quite a bit more than that!
| D345 backs on to the stock at Crewe in the early morning light. | |
An excellent run to Birmingham, followed, no drama - just like an everyday occurrence. The train filled to capacity and we returned whence we came, back to Crewe.
| D345 stands at New St. |  |
We waited time at Crewe which gave us an opportunity to catch up on the gossip and the gen. "Apparently there's a centre panel 40 on the Holyhead".
| Standing in the rain at Crewe (we could have gone and finished our breakfast in the Crewe Arms as the train wasn't exactly tightly timed). |  |
| Round up the usual suspects........... |  |
Eventually we left Crewe and stormed past the works and on into Wales. As we were still in the back coach the atmosphere was convivial and good natured with a huge collection of old haulage books and photo's being passed around. We arrived at Llandudno Junction, where we were booked to let a tottering duff pass - and having given the duff bashing insects a few choice words we departed for Holyhead.
| The sun finally came out, and I took the standard front three quarters picture at the Junction. I have about 100 almost identical pictures in exactly this location - the vast majority being 1D31. Note the original "Bangor" headboard as worn on the last Bangor in May 1980. |  |
Arriving at Holyhead the 572 passengers dropped on the unsuspecting port without warning. Boatloads of ferry passengers are one thing, but thirsty bashers on a real ale quest (not easy in Holyhead!) are quite something else. I personally witnessed three different pubs run out of beer, and one particular hostelry looked like a typical Connex commuter train (but with a bar) as about 200 people attempted to get served at the same time.
| Looking over the wall at D345 which has backed the stock into the platform and awaits departure. |  |
| A close up picture, just prior to departure. |  |
Anyway, after a couple of hours of drinking (well about half an hour of drinking and a lot of queuing and walking between pubs) we departed. This time Coach A was at the front, and from here on in it was quite simply a riot on wheels. The departure from Holyhead was taken carefully and from then on D345 was simply magnificent. We were followed for many miles by a guy standing through his car sunroof with a video camera - much bellowing was had at this fine man (whoever he was!).
Storming through station after station the atmosphere in the front coach was at fever pitch (see below). Of course it was now dark and as we used to say, it was "Hell In The Night". The departure from Chester was quite sublime with the loco eased forward and then given full power, and without slipping accelerated away into the night.
| A couple of "general confusion" type pictures of Coach A on the return leg. As you can see there was a bit of a party going on! |  |
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All this was building up to the main event - "Manchester Victoria" (as was) and Miles Platting bank. We slowed down and rolled into what used to be Victoria, and as we pulled level with a "Pacer" full of shoppers returning home after battling with the pre-Christmas crowds - their world ended - or so they thought as two things happened in quick succession a) D345 was given full power right next to their train and b) a nano-second later the 200 or so occupants of Coach A gave a huge cheer (also right next to their train).
We then stormed up Miles Platting bank, full throttle around the curves, no slip, no fireworks, just an EE 16 cylinder at full revs hauling 500 tons at around 25 MPH. Stockport was also a hellfire moment as we rolled in and then the driver gave it the lot - note passengers on platform with hands over their ears!
Eventually we rolled into Birmingham New St (about 40 minutes early). Some people got off, but most of us stayed on back to Crewe again. The departure from New St (platform 1 by the way), was spectacular as the driver got a little carried away and overloaded the loco; the front coach reacted as they had now become accustomed to (My Lords!) and we played our part in entertaining the crowd. including some very senior railway managers, HSE etc etc (oops!).
| Just prior to our "playing to the crowd" departure from New St - another collection of old fools. (How did I get in my own picture?). |  |
An amazing day out, I thought that having had D1015 this year, this would not seem so special. Wrong! Totally different experience, not better just different. I would thoroughly recommend both these wonderful engines to anyone that hasn't experienced them.
Incredible isn't it - you wait all these years and then you get both of the engines that you always wanted back on the main line in the same year.
My last recollections of that wonderful day was:-
("Back again lads? - you all want jalfraze and keema naans again?")
Followed by - "roll on April 5th".