1280

[BLN 1280]

ABOVE: How it used to be…. demolition of the damaged tubes in Jul 1970 (a slide by Geoff Plumb).

Thrashing back across the island we repeated our non-stop run through Bangor this time on the now
rare Up Main (middle line) and must have made an impressive sight bursting out of one tunnel and
plunging into the other beyond the platforms. After a spirited run along the North Wales Coast the
train stopped expectantly at Holywell Jn Up Home awaiting the signal for the Up Loop, only to see the
board come off for the Main...the 47 threw some clag into the blue sky and we pondered the loop as
we passed. Then the message that the MOM who had come to effect this move was very apologetic
but a crucial special key was missing for the signalbox, ground frame or some other mission critical
piece of kit.... This was a great disappointment for the organiser too in view of the amount of time and
effort put into the move by many - both Holywell Jn Loops had even been re-fettled specially.

Approaching Chester we went inside on the Up slow as an NR extra but we were early and also had to
allow an Up passenger working past. Then the Up Fast and to P3B via a little used crossover where a
few passengers actually got off! We jinked left over another crossover (rare in this direction) onto the
Down & Up Main then sped onwards to Crewe for the interesting Up Chester Independent and
Up Through Siding to ultimately reach Stafford P6 (and a facing crossover missed by the morning
platform change from 6 to 3). Here the leading loco ran around to avoid the speedo issue and provided
the rather retro and impressive sight of double headed 47s; if only they could have worked in multiple!

BELOW: About to depart north for the second time from Stafford (this time P6) (Simon Mortimer).

[BLN 1280]
So 10 hours after leaving the same station we actually headed off to do the tour's addition and by far
the greatest piece of track on the day...... The Hole.....but first a non-stop run through Crewe Down
Fast and the crossover* to the Down Slow before running Down Fast in glorious evening sunshine then
veering right at Acton Grange Jn. [*158m 48ch and normally very rusty indeed; a Virgin West Coast
driver had only done it once in 15 years when the Down Fast was blocked by a failed locomotive.]

For most however the main event started at Arpley Grid Iron Jn South when our tour veered left into
Walton Old Yard No1 Road and headed for the Down Through Siding known as 'The Hole', passing
beneath both the Helsby Lines and then under the WCML itself before turning sharp right and climbing
back up to the Warrington Down Slow where we stopped adjacent to Warrington Bank Quay station,
having scored a 'Hole in One' (watch the Birdie). This section of line was probably new for 90%+ of
those on the trip as only one recent tour pioneered the manœuvre (14 Jan 2017 when we had been on
our SWT railtour). It required the line to be cleared of any stock (DB wagons) with seven point clips
deployed. So many BLS members needing such a significant line today would be a rarity and certainly
many including your reporter had more or less written it off as never likely to be available to a tour.

BELOW: What all the fuss is about….The Warrington 'Hole' (it certainly fits the bill) on 9 Sep 1980 in BR
days. The Class 08 is at Arpley on the east side of the layout. The nearer overbridge carries the
electrified West Coast Main Line; Crewe to the right and Wigan NW left. The second bridge carries the
Up and Down Helsby lines. The line on the right (now OOU) went to Warrington Transporter Bridge, J
Crosfield & Sons soap and chemical works and the delightfully named 'New Found Out Siding'!
(Actually a foundry perhaps?) Our tour used the left hand line turning sharply and climbing behind the
photographer to join the Down Slow, the line west of Warrington BQ Down Passenger Loop (P4). Note
the check rail and sand spilt from wagons out of Arpley Yard running to Warrington Bank Quay Sand
Sidings to the west of the station and at a lower level (NEXT PAGE TOP taken 13 May 1981) on the
right with wagons alongside the station at the higher level left (both Angus McDougall).

BELOW: Warrington, Crosfields transporter bridge was once accessed by rail via 'The Hole'. It is a
Grade II listed 'at risk' scheduled ancient monument. The bridge was constructed to connect the two
parts of the large chemical and soap works of Joseph Crosfield & Sons. Originally designed to carry rail
vehicles up to 18 tonnes in weight, it was converted for road vehicles in 1940. In 1953 it was further
modified to carry loads of up to 30 tonnes. (Angus McDougall 4 Mar 2001.)

For most it was then a hop to Wigan NW and bail, including me... just a moment to watch the tour
recede into the twilight and stand chatting to other participants as we awaited various trains home.
A big thank you to all the organisers, facilitators, itinerary compilers, ticket formatters, raffle ticket
vendors, caterers, beer sellers, the bloke who put out all those point clips at Warrington. Finally a big
shout out to the stewards; ours in coach E were outstanding and I think can be confidently cited as the
most expert and diligent anywhere between coaches D and F on the train. (Simon Mortimer)

Postscript: Those who had joined at Carnforth for 05.25 also experienced an unusual Up departure
from bidirectional P2 to the WCML Up Main, the facing crossover at Lancaster North Jn to P3 and back
to the Up Main, Oxheys Up Goods Loop (but then P4 rather than the booked P7 at Preston as there
were insufficient staff available at 06.25 on a Saturday to cover it as well as the other platforms in use)
and a very interesting run via the Crewe independent lines (see BLN 1281 for the full tour routing…).

Please mention the BLS when booking or enquiring. .1280 CONNECTIONS… .Details must be checked with the organisers.
X.65] Winchester's Hidden Railways: With thanks to information from Railway Ramblers, there are
some interesting guided tours taking place in Winchester this summer. The exploration includes a rare
chance to go inside the disused Chesil Tunnel. Stout shoes required; there are steps and steep slopes!
£7.50 adult, £3 child. Sats 13 May, 24 Jun & 12 Aug, 11.15 & 14.15 and Sat 25 Jul 18.30. Tickets and
information from Tourist Information Centre, The Guildhall, Winchester, SO23 9GH, 01962 840500.

1011] The Fawley Forester, Sat 13 May: Possibly the final passenger trains to Fawley, Hastings Diesels,
Hastings 06.30/20.35 and various stations via Basingstoke 10.05/17.35 to Southampton Central 11.00/
16.45. Then three return trips to Fawley at 11.05/12.15, 13.30/14.40 & 15.30/16.45 calling at Totton.
Fares from £12 for the branch shuttle details/booking form https://goo.gl/QaxkMC 07501 478676.

1012] Liverpool Albert Dock, 6-14 May: 34 The Colonnades, L3 4AA, SJ340897; Ffestiniog Railway loco
'Palmerston' giving FREE public rides in two heritage coaches on temporary 1' 11½' gauge track. 6 & 7
May 10.00 -17.00 is 'Steam on the Dock'; over 30 steam engines, boats and the train FREE ADMISSION.

1013] Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Cotswold Festival of Steam, 27-29 May: Up to 9 locos
in steam, (four visiting engines). North of Laverton an extra ¾ mile of running line ROP permanently.
Toddington - Cheltenham Race Course (P2 in use for first time): Footplate rides/freight train brakevan
rides (£10), 'driver for a tenner' (if at Cheltenham this may result in extra track). North Gloucestershire
Narrow Gauge Railway running all three days. Gotherington: Do the full length the former goods yard
on a pump trolley or Wickham's platelayers' trolley. See https://goo.gl/C4YuXd or 01242 621405.

1014] The 'Snowdonian Ltd', 9/10 Jun: A very special event; 16.45 Fri evening tour of Boston Lodge.
Sat approx 09.15 back by 19.15, Porthmadog - Caernarfon - Blaenau Ffestiniog - Porthmadog. Light
breakfast on train; Dinas: Hog Roast/workshop visit; Tan-y-Bwlch: afternoon tea. Porthmadog to
Caernarfon nonstop with Garrett. Booked to 66% of capacity. Historic carriage No14 should be a buffet
Club Car with Snowdonian Real Ale. 1st Class £400, 3rd £180 [email protected] 01766515836.

1015] Dublin Leap Visitor Card: Unlimited travel Dublin public transport (trains, all LUAS trams and
buses) including from/to the Airport at the beginning/end of a visit. 1 day (24 hours) €10, 3 days (72
hours) €19.50 or 7 days (168 hours) €40 - starts from first use. Available from Dublin Airport: Bus &
Travel Information Desk (T1 Arrivals), 'Discover Ireland' Tourist Information Desk and the Spa shop
(both T2 arrivals). City centre: Dublin Bus, 59 O'Connell St; Discover Ireland Centre, 14 Upper
O'Connell St and Visit Dublin Centre, 25 Suffolk St. There are 650 top up points throughout the
country (max 5 top ups). Trains: All stations Balbriggan to Kilcoole (about 42 miles), the Howth and
Docklands branches, to Maynooth and Sallins & Nass (includes the reopened Phoenix Park route).
The card saves up to 24% over paper fares, touch in/out like Oyster Cards; and App is also available.

1016] Treetops Light Railway, Sun 26 Jun, 12.30 to 16.30: 25 Green End, (off Park Drive itself off the
B4579 Oakhurst Road) Oswestry, SY11 1BU. (SJ 2886 3045) Annual Macillan Cancer Support charity
open day. A private 5" gauge unashamedly garden railway, an 82m circuit; three trains can run at once.

X.66] GWR HALF PRICE SELECTED ADVANCE TICKETS WITH A SENIOR RAILCARD: (also HM forces,
Disabled (and one accompanying adult with the latter) Railcards. Online only, book before 2 Jun via
www.GWR.com/senior500cn for travel before Thu 20 Jul also receive 500 Nectar Points per ticket.
https://goo.gl/uqTm2w gives more information, full details and conditions.

1017] NSE Railway Society, Finmere, 12* & 13 Aug: (MR p7) (BLN 1264.MR169; a report on last year's
event). Public open day with standard gauge trips (Phase One 4 CIG 1753 & ED 73 130) at this ex-Great
Central Railway station site due to be obliterated by HS2. It is between Calvert and Brackley Central
where the line (CA 5 Sep 1966) crossed over the A4421 (SP629313), MK18 4AZ; 1¼ miles SW of
Finmere near Buckingham. Advance booking only, 150 max per day. Tickets from 15 May (adult £12,
Child £6) by post: NSERS Events, 41 Highfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. Please send an A5 SAE
and cheque payee 'Network SouthEast Railway Society'. Note: A connecting bus is available by
donation from/to Bicester North station both days. [*There may be an interesting railtour on 12 Aug.]

1018] Free to a good home: BR public timetables: LMR 1961-78, ER 1965-73, WR 1962-72, Scotland 1970-
74, ROI 1970. European: Spain summer 1980, Austria 1987/8 1988/9, Italy 1995, Portugal from Jun 1996
and May 1999, Germany Jun-Dec 2002 (7 regional books). Collect from Lichfield or pay postage (heavy!).
Peter Robinson [email protected] 01543 253343 lists available & original RCH maps for sale.

1019] *NEW* Glasgow or Edinburgh Days Out: Two consecutive days of off-peak ScotRail travel.
£18 Adult, £34 Family (2A & 2C), no discounts. GLASGOW: Helensburgh Central, Balloch, Milngavie,
Stirling, Falkirk (Grahamston/High), Caldercruix, Whifflet, Holytown, Wishaw, Lanark, Larkhall,
Neilston, Ayr, Kilmarnock, Ardrossan Harbour, Largs, Wemyss Bay and Gourock also intermediately.
Includes Ayr - Kilmarnock, Queen Street HL - Anniesland/Dalmuir & Cumbernauld - Motherwell but
NOT Stirling to Falkirk. EDINBURGH: Kirkcaldy, North Berwick, Tweedbank, West Calder, Bathgate,
Falkirk High and Stirling. Buy at 'any staffed station' 0344 811 0141 or via website call-back form.

1020] Central Scotland Rover: Includes Glasgow to Edinburgh routes. Partick, Queen Street (HL &LL),
Dunblane, Alloa, Fife Circle, Markinch, North Berwick, Newcraighall (only), Carstairs, Lanark, Larkhall,
Glasgow Central (HL & LL) intermediately and Glasgow Subway. Three consecutive days, after 09.15,
all weekends; A £39, Railcards (Senior, Two Together, Young & Disabled) £26, C £19.50, ScotRail only.

1021] Rail Value (2): (BLN 1279.929) Highlighting/promoting value rail travel (contributions welcome).
Glasgow - Mallaig: Off-peak day return (all services) £38.60, £25.50 Railcard (R) for 327 miles.
Glasgow - Stranraer: Off-peak return £21.20; R £14.00 (200 miles) or Strathclyde Day Tripper: Adult
(A) & up to 2 Children £11.50 (no discounts) to Barrhill plus an anytime day return, A £15.50 R £10.10.
Shrewsbury - Swansea (via Llandovery): Anytime day return £27.10, R £17.90 (243 miles) or with
a Heart of Wales Circular Day Ranger (circular tour out or back via Cardiff) A £29.50; R 25.75, C £19.50.
Birmingham New Street - Pwllheli: Anytime day return £32.60, R £21.50 (322 miles).
Oxford - Aylesbury**: Chiltern only off-peak day return (any train after 09.00 SSuX all weekends and
Bank Hols) for non-stop trains Bicester Village to/from London, travel is allowed via Marylebone and
Amersham (!) £16.60, R £10.95. **or £18.70, R £11.70 to/from Aylesbury Vale Parkway (225 miles).
Settle - Carlisle Day Ranger: Adult £15 adult (£30 from 21 May), Railcard £9.90 (16-25 after 10.00
SSuX) Child £7.50, from staffed stations/conductors. Leeds/Bradford FS to Carlisle, no time restrictions.

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