The Branch Line Society (Test)

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Achilles Heel Trekker
Thursday 23rd June 2016

This gave an opportunity to travel on some rare West Coast Main Line track and 'scratch' a new loco. The idea was simple, to make use of the Crewe to Euston ECS for the annual 'Three Peaks' charity charter https://goo.gl/trGZnf (23-25 June in maximum daylight), to raise additional funds by running it as a 'mini tour' appealing to both track and haulage enthusiasts. Operator DRS was asked to supply 68023 'Achilles' to work the train into Euston with BLS passengers alighting at Watford Junction (later extended to Wembley Central). This gave the crew time to ensure the train was fully prepared for Three Peaks participants on arrival at Euston.


      

The 23 June was a 'morning after the night before'. Due to torrential overnight rainfall with flash flooding, the Great Eastern Mainline was affected in several places; both TfL Rail and Greater Anglia services were suspended. A rubber tyred vehicle was therefore required by our reporter to make tracks for the London Underground network to reach Euston for Virgin Trains 390140 to Crewe.



The Passenger Information System display at Crewe P12 before departure.
[Geoff Noakes]

The railtour departure was booked 11.12 from Crewe P12 with the ECS due in at 11.00; a nice touch was the platform passenger information system showing the tour name and details (mentioning the Society). DRS 57301 'Goliath' appeared just after 11.00 with the ECS and the advertised loco, 68023 'Achilles', on the rear to work south. Stock was 9 MkII FO air-cons, a MkI kitchen car and a MkII brake/ support/generator coach. Our participants were allocated to the three leading coaches behind 68023.



'Achilles' looking extremely smart prior to the tour.
[Reproduced with permission]


The other end of the train in sidings at Crewe.
Departing 3 minutes late at 11.15, 68023 accelerated away south initially using the Up Slow, 57301 remained on the rear to work the Three Peaks charter north later in the day. The 110 all first class participants were served an 'at seat' complimentary hot drink and the customary charity raffle (non-complimentary!), which raised a very creditable £414. Much interest was shown in the new Norton Bridge layout (there was a sleeper across the London end of the un-commissioned reversible single track Norton Bridge East Chord) as the train headed towards the first highlight of the day and became the first booked passenger train over the new Nuneaton Up Relief (the middle line between P5 & P6). Shortly after it approached Rugby, running slightly early and was routed as planned into the Up Goods Loop, departing right time south on the Up Northampton. Just before Northampton the tour slowed and at Mill Lane Jn turned on the Up & Down Slow with ground position signalling. Then the third highlight, the Reception Line (once part of the Market Harborough line and on a separate bridge from the present passenger lines), continuing on the Up & Down Slow at Northampton Station. NR's bright yellow HST Measurement Train blocked the view of photographers on P2 much to their annoyance!


The fourth highlight came soon as approaching Bletchley at Denbigh Hall South Jn the tour diverged from the Up slow to the reversible Up Bletchley. At Bletchley Flyover Jn participants were very relieved to take the crossover on to the Bletchley Relief No2, through P5 (just in time, as a train from Bedford was imminent). Then it was via the remodelled single lead Bletchley South Jn back to the Up Slow. Now in commuter territory the last highlight of the day was to be Kings Langley Up Goods Loop. The special slowed approaching the loop but stopped as the signal was set for the Up Slow rather than the loop. Our driver queried the route which was reset and after the signalling 'timeout' the loop was successfully traversed.



A pristine loco on pristine track; the tour at the south end of Bletchley Relief No2 line, about to pass through P5 (where the photographer is standing)
then join the Up Slow at Bletchley South Jn. No1 relief is left of the train and joins the Up Slow north of P4.
[Geoff Plumb]

Participants detrained at the remarkably narrow Wembley Central P6 where the special terminated (rather to the surprise of the London Overground station staff on the barriers when faced with large numbers of 'paper tickets'). After a few photographs, 68023 restarted the now ECS, heading for Euston while most tour participants boarded the 14.29 London Midland service (13.56 ex-Tring) to reach the capital.

Thanks must go to the fixtures team, Three Peaks onboard team, DRS, Riviera Trains and NR. Our tour raised a total of £4,679.69 for the Railway Children from the fares, catering sales and raffle. The Society also gained 15 new members after the tour. The Three Peaks Challenge itself achieved an incredible £165K, a significant proportion of which was due to our previous efforts with TPE. Itinerary:

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