Powerscene
CLASS 20
WITH the scheduled steam locomotive unavailable, English Electric Type 1s Nos. 20189+20227 undertook the Sunday ‘Shakespeare Express’ trips between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon on August 1. Departing from Snow Hill at 10.00 and 14.07 and returning from Stratford at 12.52 and 16.18, the two Class 20s also handled the diagram on the following three Sundays prior to 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun Castle returning to action on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 29.
They also managed a return to former haunts on August 4 when powering ‘The Jolly Fisherman’ 1Z85 07.27 Tyseley Warwick Road-Skegness and 18.25 return, while Nos. 47773+20189 double headed the 1Z25 08.45 Tyseley-Scarborough and 18.05 return on August 25 with the Brush Type 4 leading on both journeys.
A further trip to the seaside was planned for August 11, when Nos. 20189+20142 were paired together for the 1Z20 08.18 Tyseley-Llandudno. Disappointment soon followed, however, as 20142 (which had only returned north from Eastleigh the previous day with No. 20007) suffered a fault at Bordesley Junction just six minutes into the journey. Eventually the train was dragged back to Tyseley depot by No. 20227 and the venture cancelled.
Elsewhere that morning, Nos. 20118+ 20901 set off from Chaddesden to run light to Merseyside (see below) where they provided the unusual sight of Class 20s at Kirkdale TMD. The pair returned as 0Z61 13.35 from Kirkdale running via St Helens Central, Bamfurlong and Warrington Bank Quay as on the outward trip. Back on August 6 Nos. 20118+20901 had charge of Railvac No. 3 forming the 6X62 15.59 Basford Hall-Lichfield Trent Valley, returning the machine to Crewe three days later. Nos. 20118+20901 passed Alfreton on August 26 heading for Chaddesden, having visited Leeds Midland Road for tyre turning.
CLASS 33
FORMER LNER B1 4-6-0 No. 61306 continued to provide the traction for Steam Dreams’ regular Tuesday tours, undertaking two round trips from London Victoria to Windsor & Eton Riverside, followed by an evening circular from Victoria to Chertsey via
