40145 and 67018 in the North West

[beast66606]

Saturday 12 June saw the Branch Line Society run a special from Crewe to Weaste (Eccles), part of the itinerary included a run to Dee Marsh and back to Wrexham and then via Chester to Warrington and beyond to Weaste.

 

1Z39, 07:55, Crewe - Weaste via Shrewsbury, Dee Marsh, Wrexham and Warrington.

 

Due to a block failure between Penyffordd and Dee Marsh all trains were being stopped and the drivers advised to pass the starter at danger, this included the special which was stopped in Pen. station and then had to tackle Buckley bank from a stand.

 

Please note - the Buckley photos were taken from a foot crossing which has a walk way alongside the railway for about 5 yards, they are not trespass shots.

 

Here's a telephoto shot of the train just drawing away after pausing in the station for the signalman to give the authority, it demonstrates the gradients !

 

 

and then on the bank, doing about 25mph when it passed, and sounding awesome

 

 

 

After reversal at Dee Marsh, 67018 was then in charge and had to tackle the bank from the opposite direction.

 

Here it is panting past Hawarden.

 

and panting even more as the gradient steepens

 

The train reversed at Wrexham and then headed, via Chester and Warrington to Weaste. I went to Helsby and caught it there.

These shots were taken from the old Helsby - Mouldsworth line which is now a footpath, the bridge, right next to me, is fenced off for obvious reasons ! - no decking, just a series of girders.

 

 

 

 

Jon Fitness has also posted a gallery shot

 

and here's some videos

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIGp923cWek

[scottishlocos]

Hi

 

Thanks for posting two of my favourite locos on one train

 

Regards

 

Dave