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Westerns in the North East?


RBAGE

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Hello All,

 

Being from the North East, it is not unreasonable that I should base my model railway in that part of the country.

 

However, Dapol having manufactured the most beautiful model I've seen, I had to have a Western.

 

The problem is, how do I justify it on the ECML in County Durham.

 

Does anyone have any information about their travels in this part of the country? I certainly never saw or heard of one when I was spotting in the late 60's to early 70's.

 

Well, that's got to be a challenge.

 

Bob

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The furthest north any Western got on the ECML was 20th November 1976 when D1023 worked a railtour from Kings X to York and back... you could always use that as an excuse to run one.

 

Then again it's your layout so you can run whatever you like... ;O)

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Guest 838rapid

Think it's fair to assume it went by rail,as they seem very unpopular to move by road due to issues with the transmission,think it's to do with the Cardon Shaft and the angle when its being loaded and unloaded.

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I thought it would be a long shot but I had to have one.

 

I'm modelling the 60's so any specials or transfers to preserved lines would be an option then.

 

I agree with Rugd1022 that it's my layout but I do try to keep things within the bounds of reason, with some modellers licences. I'll just have to stretch it a bit.

 

The model is not yet named and numbers so if someone does come up with something that ended up in Newcastle by accident, that's when I'll have a christening party.

 

As I said at the start of this thread, I never saw one this far north, I had to go all the way to Old Oak Common to see my first, in about 1970. I was at Laira in 1973 when they were starting to line up for withdrawal and was able to climb all over and inside them.

 

My normal spotting diet were Deltics but I do like a Western.

 

Bob

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  • RMweb Gold

D1013 made it to Leeds in 1977

 

Fluke or error???? Hmmm! Deliberate train crew/loco issues aided and abetted by control perhaps? You might think that but I couldn't possibly comment!

 

From the WLA web site http://www.westernloco.com/westernranger/index.html

 

20th January 1977: hauled the 07.30 Swansea to Leeds throughout, as the booked locomotive had failed at Swansea prior to departure. Western Region men worked the service with an Eastern Region conductor. The locomotive returned on the 14.43 Leeds to Plymouth, which she again worked throughout.

 

D1025 also made it to York on a train of cars in the 60s IIRC but nothing I know of on a service train north of that I am afraid

 

Cheers

 

Phil

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http://www.westernloco.com/westernranger/

 

ahh ha knew one got leeds by fluke but also ran a tour to newcastle.

hope this helps

Afraid 1013 came off at BNS on the Newcastle train

 

Have a look at Six Bells Junction for that date http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/

 

Of course there is always a parallel universe....

 

Phil

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Its a question of degrees!

 

We stretch them on Abbotswood too - never saw more that three in one day but we have D1011/3/5/46/48/67 on the roster! So plenty of railtours and conditional workings in addition to tankers, clayliners and 1M22/1V89

 

Phil

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Thanks Phil, thought it was too good to be true to answer the op so easily with just a quick google on my phone. Ranger must have turned a few heads in Leeds when it appeared!

cheers

james

I always remember my old mate ,being on the station that very day

He told us that their was a western in Leeds, the other yesterday.

We all just laughed, And said don`t talk wet.

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Guest 838rapid

Well,I finally found it..

 

D1048 was towed from Swindon Works on the 6th October 1978 by 31123 via Stroud-Gloucester-Lickey Bank - Birmingham-Derby-Chesterfield-Sheffield-York,the convoy remained at Thornaby overnight and proceeded to Grosmont the following day.

 

Not sure this helps but at least we know it went via rail to get there originally.Information gathered from " The Class 52's A Tribute to the Western s,by David Burt.

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The furthest north any Western got on the ECML was 20th November 1976 when D1023 worked a railtour from Kings X to York and back... you could always use that as an excuse to run one.

 

Then again it's your layout so you can run whatever you like... ;O)

 

That was Western Talisman, aye - 1023 got its dominos for that!

 

Don't forget that 12th February '77 was Western Finale also taking 1023 to York - I was waiting to see it at New St, it appeared decorated with offal after its cow-strike at Charfield.  Damage evident here: http://www.jboon.fsnet.co.uk/westerns/images/13361b.jpg

 

 

PS: Still my favourite loco class ever!

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That was Western Talisman, aye - 1023 got its dominos for that!

 

Don't forget that 12th February '77 was Western Finale also taking 1023 to York - I was waiting to see it at New St, it appeared decorated with offal after its cow-strike at Charfield.  Damage evident here: http://www.jboon.fsnet.co.uk/westerns/images/13361b.jpg

 

 

PS: Still my favourite loco class ever!

Oh yes - and I was in the milling hordes at York for that one. Dashed back that night to Worcester then down to Swindon the next day to travel on the Western Requiem Relief behind D1010

 

Have to agree with Chard - see the cover of Strathwood's "Chasing the Westerns" for the reason why.

 

Cheers

 

Phil

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