Trainspotting

Stafford 1999 & 2002
 
My first visit to Stafford was in early 1950 when, a few months after my arrival at King Edward VI School at Stourbridge, I was asked by an elder lad whether I would like to go trainspotting with him to Stafford during the February half term. I did, though subsequent spotting expeditions on the West Coast Main line tended to be at Crewe, Tamworth, or Rugby. Forty five years later, having taken early retirement, I started visiting Stafford again. And what an excellent action packed location it proved to be. But not for long. Now, it is just Voyagers, Pendolinos, and Class 66 hauled freights.
 
    STAFFORD: WEDNESDAY 7th JULY 1999: 14.35 to 20.20: 
   
In 1999, West Coast services were in the hands of the 90's, 87's, 86's and HST's, and Cross Country services were worked by XC HST's, 86's and 47's. The 37's were still on the Bangor and Holyhead trains. Freightliner services were either 86's or 47's, with the occasional 57. And since there were no General Motors 66's around, freight workings were a mixture of classes 60, 56, 47, and 37. Plus the 20's on the Nuclear trains.
   
  NORTHBOUND TRAINS    Locomotive hauled services only:
 
14.41/14.42  90006 called on 13.05 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..1 late
14.55/14.57 37415 called on 14.23 Birmingham-Holyhead (5)..R time
15.15/15.16 86234 called on 08.48 Penzance-Manchester (7)..9 late
15.21  87031 passed on 13.35 Euston-Preston (9+T)..2 late
15.22 86601 & 86621 passed on Freightliner (Felixtowe-Basford Wood) (24)
15.32 86602 & 86607 passed on Freightliner (Felixtowe-Coatbridge) (18)
15.36 HST 43014/43098 passed on 11.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (7)..R time
15.52 90015 arrived on 13.30 Manchester-Euston (diverted) (T+9)
1619/16.21 47853 called on 15.16 Birmingham International-Manchester (7)..15 late
16.27/16.29 87030 called on 14.05 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..43 late
16.29 47345 passed on Freightliner (Southampton-Basford Wood)
16.33 57002 passed on Freightliner (Purfleet-Basford Wood) (11) 
16.36/16.41 86416/92015/92009/92042 called on Dolland Moor-Crewe Light Engines
16.37/16.38 86236 called on 11.50 Plymouth-Liverpool (7)..11 late
16.44 87011 passed on 14.35 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)..40 late (diverted)
16.46 47289 passed on Freightliner (19)
16.51 86426 passed on Mail Vans (Euston-Warrington) (12v)
16.57 47052 passed Light Engine (Freightliner)
17.13 90001 passed on 15.00 Euston-Manchester (9+T) (diverted)
17.21/17.23 90003 called on 15.05 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..42 late (diverted)
17.23 86233 passed on 15.35 Euston-Carlisle (9+T)..1 late
17.38/17.39 86242 called on 16.57 Birmingham-Manchester (7)..9 late
17.43/17.44 90007 called on 16.05 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..3 late
17.44/17.46 86251 called on 14.18 Paddington-Glasgow (7)..10 late
17.53 57005 passed on Freightliner (Southampton-Leeds) (16)
17.55/18.04 3 x 325's called on Mail (London-Shieldmuir) (12)
18.05 87034 passed on 16.25 Euston-Manchester (7+T)..6 late 
18.06/18.07 37426 called on 17.21 Birmingham-Holyhead (5)..1 late
18.08 87006 passed on 16.35 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)..1 late 
18.14/18.16 47702 called on 15.28 Bristol-Edinburgh (7)..23 late
18.19/18.20 90145 stopped TL on Freightliner (Felixtowe-Trafford Park) 
18.29/18.30 47807 called on Addl Birmingham International-Manchester (7)
18.38/18.39 HST 43194/43102 called on 14.18 Bournemouth-Manchester (7)..18 late
18.46/18.47 87020 called on 17.05 Euston-Liverpool (9+T)..6 late
18.54 47782 arrived on Mail Vans (Plymouth-Shieldmuir) (8v) Loco change
18.55 90013 passed on 17.25 Euston-Manchester (9+T)..R time
19.01 87014 passed on 17.35 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)..4 early
19.02 47771 passed on Oil Tanks (4)
19.04 86243 departed on Mail Vans (Plymouth-Shieldmuir) (8v)
19.10/19.11 47817 called on 14.18 Brighton-Preston (7)..2 late
19.14 86259 passed on 17.30 Euston-Holyhead (9+T)..1 early 
19.36 47258 passed on Freightliner (Thamesport-Coatbridge) (17) 
19.40/19.41 86206 called on 18.45 Birmingham International-Liverpool (7)..5 late
19.43/19.44 87024 called on 18.05 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..7 late
19.47 90039 passed Light Engine
20.06 87018 passed on 18.30 Euston-Manchester (7+T)..7 late
20.14 47371 passed on Freightliner (Millbrook-Coatbridge) (23)
20.17 87008 passed on 18.35 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)..9 late
20.19 47799 passed Light Engine (see 16.59 Up Royal Train)
 
Northbound services were running well until the 14.05 Euston to Liverpool was affected by a points failure at Lichfield, and was 43 late. The following 3 Virgin services were diverted via Coventry an Bescot, adding some 40 minutes to their journey time. Thereafter West Coast services returned to normal. Northbound Cross Country services were having a reasonable day, only two were more than 15 late.
 
 
  SOUTHBOUND TRAINS     Locomotive hauled services only:
 
14.37 90013 & 87024 passed on 09.38 Glasgow-Euston (T+9)..75 late
14.38 90036 passed on Intermodal (Trafford Park-Wembley) (14)
14.44/14.47 87020 called on 13.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+9)..1 late
14.46 87013 passed on 13.20 Preston-Euston (T+8)..18 late
15.14 HST 43023/43029 passed on 11.20 Glasgow-Penzance (7)..2 late
15.29/15.30 47814 called on 10.40 Edinburgh-Brighton (7)..4 late
15.32/15.33 90016 stopped on 11.50 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)..5 late (diverted) 
15.38/15.41 86251 called on 14.36 Manchester-Birmingham (7)..R time
15.45/15.47 87018 called on 14.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+7)..2 late (diverted)
15.49/15.53 47737 47739 & 47774 called Light Engines
15.57 90015 departed on 13.30 Manchester-Euston (T+9) (diverted)
15.56/15.59 87008 called on 14.30 Manchester-Euston (T+9)
16.07/16.10 HST 43086/43065 called on 13.38 Holyhead-Euston (8)..1 late
16.14/16.31 86401 called on Mail Vans (Warrington-London) (8v)
16.17/16.25 47847 called on 15.10 Liverpool-Poole (7)..R time
16.19 HST 43062/43154 passed on 09.10 Aberdeen-Plymouth (7)..R time
16.28/16.29 37426 passed on 13.54 Holyhead-Birmingham (5)..2 late
16.28 HST 43155/43196 passed on 14.49 Blackpool-Euston (8)..R time
16.38/16.40 86206 called on 15.35 Manchester-Birmingham International (7)..R time
16.43 90026 passed on Oil tanks (Arpley-Lindsey) (13)
16.46/16.48 87023 called on 15.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..3 late
16.59 47799 passed on Royal Train (7)
17.02 60088 passed on MGR Coal to Rugeley PS (41)
17.25/17.26 47828 called on 12.30 Glasgow-Poole (7)..4 late 
17.28/17.33 3 x 325's called on Mail (Shieldmuir-London) (12)
17.43 90025 arrived on Mail (Warrington-Bristol) (8v) Loco change
17.47 47372 passed on Freightliner (Trafford Park-Southampton) (23)
17.48/17.49 90006 called on 16.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..4 late
17.50 47770 departed on Mail (Shieldmuir-Bristol) (8v)
17.54/17.55 90014 called on 16.05 Lancaster-Euston (T+9)..3 late
18.18/18.19 86207 called on 17.10 Manchester-Paddington (7)..5 late
18.19 87001 passed on 13.40 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)..63 late
18.27 86234 arrived Light engine (see 18.54 Northbound)
18.35 87031 passed on 17.20 Preston-Euston (T+9)..7 late
18.45/18.46 86258 called on 14.40 Edinburgh-Birmingham (7)..4 late
18.48/18.50 87030 called on 17.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..3 late
18.59 57002 passed on Freightliner (11)
19.02/19.04 86234 called on 17.59 Manchester-Birmingham (7)..2 late
19.12 86225 passed on 18.10 Liverpool-Paddington (7)..3 late
19.28/19.29 90008 called on 15.38 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)..R time
19.49 86226 passed on 16.08 Glasgow-Bitrmingham (7)..2 late 
19.53 90032 passed on Freightliner (18)
19.55/19.57 90003 called on 18.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..2 late
20.18 37899 arrived on Freight (2)
20.19/20.21 47863 called on 19.15 Manchester-Paddington (7)..R time
 
Southbound, the 09.38 Glasgow to Euston was 75 late with 90013 & 87024, the latter presumably having failed. The 13.40 Glasgow to Euston was also in trouble, 63 late, reason not known. At 15.52, the 13.30 Manchester to Euston, came in off the Trent Valley line, northbound, and pulled into Platform 3. It had reached somewhere south of Colwich Junction, to be confronted by the Lichfield points failure. So it reversed to Stafford, then headed south via Bescot and Coventry, as did several other southbound services. At 15.56 there was the unusual sight of the 13.30 and 14.30 Euston services from Manchester standing side by side. A short while later, the Trent Valley line reopened.    
 

 
   STAFFORD: TUESDAY 13th AUGUST 2002: 13.40 to 20.05: 
 
During the last week of Class 47 hauled Cross Country services, I had six or seven hour spells at Stafford on Monday 12th August 2002, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th, and Thursday 15th. It was to be the end of my regular visits to Stafford. Who wants to watch Voyagers (and now Pendolinos). The final week was rather like a carnival. Hundreds of spotters on the platforms. All paying their respects to the Cross Country 47's.  
 
  NORTHBOUND TRAINS    Locomotive hauled services only:
 
13.43/13.44 87028 called on 12.00 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..3 late
13.55/13.56 66228 stopped in Loop on Coal Hoppers (17)
14.07 87016 passed on 12.30 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)
14.15/14.18 Voyager 220007 called on 09.20 Brighton-Edinburgh (4)..11 late
14.36/14.38 Voyager 221106 called on 10.35 Portsmouth-Liverpool (4)..6 late
14.43/14.44 90013 called on 13.00 Euston-Liverpool (7+T)..3 late
14.44/14.46 66211 stopped on Coal Hoppers (16)
15.07 86426 & 86663 passed on Freightliner
15.12/15.13 47828 called on 08.46 Penzance-Manchester (7)..5 late
15.18 87001 passed on 13.30 Euston-Preston (8+T) 
15.43 Voyager Cl 220 passed on Unidentified service (4)
15.44/15.46 90006 called on 14.00 Euston-Liverpool (7+T) ..R time
15.47 HST 43067/43065 passed on 11.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (7)
15.54 47212 passed Light Engine (Freightliner) 
16.05/16.08 Voyager 221128 called on 15.16 International-Manchester (5)..R time
16.14 Class 87(unidentified) passed on 14.30 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)
16.42/16.44 87001 called on 15.00 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..3 late
16.59 86607 & 86605 passed on Freightliner
17.10/17.12 Voyager 221126 called on 16.18 International-Manchester (5)..6 late
17.21 86210 passed on 15.30 Euston-Glasgow (9+T) Res loco
17.29 3 x 325 units passed on Mail
17.36/17.37 Voyager 221129 called on 11.50 Plymouth-Liverpool (5)..69 late
17.41/17.42 Voyager 221136 called on 16.57 Birmingham-Manchester (5)..10 late
17.48 90033 arrived on Mail (loop)
17.50/17.52 Voyager 20011/220001 called on 14.18 Paddington-Glasgow (8)..15 late
17.52/17.54 86401 called on 16.00 Euston-Liverpool (9+T)..12 late
18.00 87013 passed on 16.20 Euston-Manchester (8+T)
18.03/18.05 66523 stopped on Ford Cars (6)
18.06/18.16 66213 stopped Loop on Ford Cars (6)
18.09 66540 passed on Freightliner (25)
18.13 Class 87 (unidentified) passed on 16.30 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)
18.12/18.14 47840 called on 15.35 Bristol-Edinburgh (7) 
18.42/18.43 90012 called on 17.00 Euston-Liverpool (9+T)..2 late 
18.46/18.47 47848 (47853 rear) called on 14.20 Bournemouth-Manchester (7)..23 late
18.50 47150 passed on Ford Cars (16) 
18.50/18.55 Voyager 220014/220010 called on 14.40 Portsmouth-Blackpool (8)
18.53/18.59 67018 called (loop) on Mail (8v) 
18.57 90009 passed on 17.15 Euston-Manchester (9+T)
19.03 87021 passed on 17.30 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)
19.04 92036 passed on Intermodal (24)
19.08/19.11 66019 stopped on Coal Hoppers
19.10 87015 passed on 17.25 Euston-Holyhead (8+T)
19.13/19.15 Voyager 220025/220032 called on 14.18 Brighton-Manchester (8)..4 late
19.40/19.41 Voyager 221112  called on 18.46 International-Liverpool (8)..4 late
19.48 20312 & 20314 passed on Nuclear Flasks for Sellafield
19.51/19.52 90004 called on 18.00 Euston-Liverpool (8+T)..9 late
20.02 90003 passed on 18.30 Euston-Glasgow (8+T)
 
Only three class 47 hauled northbound Cross Country services were seen. but that was three more than I would have seen the following week. The Voyagers were already in command, though punctuality was, as usual, variable. And EWS and Freightliner 66's were well in evidence. A pair of 20's were seen on the Sellafield working. The only Class 86 on a West Coast working was 86210, a Res loco.
  
 
  SOUTHBOUND TRAINS     Locomotive hauled services only:
 
13.44 87029 passed on 09.36 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)
13.46 92034 passed on Intermodal (16)
13.48/13.50 87021 called on 12.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..5 late
14.20/14.22 Voyager 221126 called on 13.14 Manchester-International (5)..3 late
14.41 90012 passed on 13.20 Preston-Euston (T+9)
14.49/2.50 90009 called on 13.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+9)..5 late
15.18 HST 43103/43084 passed on 11.20 Glasgow-Penzance (7) 
15.20/15.24 Voyager 221118/221121 called on 10.40 Edinburgh-Brighton (8)..R time
15.27 90007 passed on 11.48 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)
15.28/15.30 66014 passed on Coal Hoppers
15.43/15.45 Voyager 221136 called on 14.36 Manchester-Birmingham (5)..2 late
15.43/15.45 87019 called on 14.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+9)..R time
15.46 90003 passed on 14.56 Manchester-Euston (T+8)
16.07/16.10 HST 43193/43184 called on 13.43 Holyhead-Euston (8)..1 late
16.12/16.30 3 x 325 called on Mail (12)
16.15/16.25 Voyager 220034/221111 called on 16.25 Liverpool-Poole (8)..R time
16.29 HST 43166/43097 passed on 14.44 Blackpool-Euston (8)
16.36 86501 passed on Freightliner (21)
16.43/16.45 87028 called on 15.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+8)..R time
16.51/16.52 Voyager 22112 called on 15.36 Manchester-International (5)..9 late
16.54 HST 43161/43104 passed on 09.15 Aberdeen-Plymouth (7)
17.05/17.14 90038 called (Loop) on Mail (12v)
17.08 66534 passed on Freightliner (23)
17.11 87022 passed on 13.40 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)
17.23/17.25 Voyager 221105/221113 called on 12.30 Glasgow-Poole (8)..2 late
17.30 66222 passed on MGR Coal (36)
17.41 90017 & 90039 passed Light engines
17.43/17.45 90013 called on 16.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+7)
17.53/17.55 87006 passed on 16.06 Lancaster-Euston (T+8)..3 late
18.21/18.23 47854 called on 17.03 Manchester-Paddington (6)..8 late
18.28 87001 passed on 17.20 Preston-Euston (T+8)..R time
18.39/18.44 Voyager 221110 called on 14.40 Edinburgh-Birmingham (5)
18.50/18.51 90006 called on 17.45 Liverpool-Euston (T+7)..6 late
18.56/19.04 Voyager 221128 called on 17.50 Manchester-Birmingham (5)..R time
19.06 56069 passed on Departmental (Ballast) (35)
19.10/19.12 Voyager 221129 called on 18.10 Liverpool-Paddington (5)..R time
19.32/19.33 87025 called on 15.36 Glasgow-Euston (T+8)..3 late
19.49/19.54 87026 (87001 rear) called on 18.45 Liverpool-Euston (7+T)..R time
20.03 Voyager 220019/220033 passed on 16.06 Glasgow-Birmingham (8)..17 late
 
Only one southbound Class 47 Cross Country working. And the Cross Country 86 Electrics were the first victims of Voyagerisation. Southbound West Coast workings were, apart from the occasional HST, entirely in the hands of the 87's and 90's.
 
Sadly, I am unlikely to visit Stafford so often in the future.