CLASS 20
Another month with much passenger action for the English Electric Type 1s started with Vintage Trains’ ‘Jolly Fisherman’ on August 12. Nos. 20142+ 20189 provided the motive power for the 1Z60 08.16 Tyseley Steam Centre-Skegness and the 16.31 return.
Two days later the same locomotives substituted for the planned steam locomotive on the ‘Shakespeare Express’, undertaking two return trips between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon. Next up, on Bank Holiday Monday August 29, was the ‘Scarborough Spa Ramble’ run under the LS InterCity banner. The outward journey ran as the 1Z20 07.36 Crewe-Scarborough behind Nos. 20096+20107, with No. 47828 bringing up the rear.
CLASS 33
All three of West Coast Railways’ ‘Cromptons’ were active during the first half of August, with No. 33207 handed its first employment since last December when, on August 10, the narrow-bodied example moved the London Transport 4-TC unit from Southall to West Ruislip. Previously, on August 6, Nos. 33025+33029 were paired together to take charge of Pathfinder Tours’ 1Z33 05.45 Burton-on-Trent-Weymouth, while on August 13 the duo traversed the West Somerset Railway when hauling the 1Z50 07.13 London Paddington-Minehead in lieu of a steam locomotive during the hot weather. A clear run back to London ensured an early arrival at Paddington. No. 33025 ‘tailed’ the RTC ‘Cotswold Venturer’ on August 27 (1Z52 07.13 London PaddingtonWorcester Shrub Hill) powered by ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 Bahamas.
CLASS 37
After taking classmates Nos. 37038, 37259 and 37409 from Crewe to Worksop for storage on August 4, LS’s green No. 37521 returned with two barrier vehicles. August 10 found No. 37521 hauling Pacific No. 34046 Braunton on the Bristol Temple Meads to Shrewsbury leg of the 1Z65 05.18 from Birmingham International, ‘tailed’ by No. 47853, the Type 3 piloting the steam locomotive to reduce the risk of lineside fires. A similar plan was adopted a week later, when Nos. 37521+70000 Britannia, on the 06.10 Slough-Shrewsbury tour, were in charge from Bristol.
West Coast’s Nos. 37676 and 37706 ‘top and tailed’ the 1Z62 08.25 York-Carlisle to Hellifield on August 11, the former going forward to destination after No. 37706 had been replaced at the front by 4-6-0 No. 46115. Two days later No. 37516 accompanied No. 47815 on the took over, returning from Carlisle via Appleby to Preston, where the two Type 3s attached for the final leg of the trip to Crewe.
