| Numerous further photos to follow soon; in the meantime.....
2006 proved to be an interesting year for the Class 87s. Just when it appeared that passenger train service for the class was long-finished, rumours began of a single MkIII loco-hauled diagram being reintroduced during the evening peak, to release Pendolinos one at a time for the fitment of sanding equipment (there's any irony....!). Better yet, it was made clear at an early stage by a certain well-placed individual, instrumental in the whole process, that - and I quote - "under no circumstances will this diagram be hauled by a 90"....! As is well-known, it never was..... :-) Thus it was that 87006, followed by 002, 026, and WB64 set, were made ready for action, and a comprehensive refresher programme was instigated for Euston train crews; every TM, plus a total of twenty drivers, undertook test runs. After a good start, problems intervened, and for several weeks in late summer it seemed that the diagram had died a death, until eventually 87002 flew the flag once again. Now of course sporting the name 'The AC Locomotive Group' instead of 'Royal Sovereign' (not that we could begrudge the fact!) this incomparable machine continued in the vein of form she had showed virtually continuously since 2003. To quote a fellow 87 fan, and driver, "the stopwatch never lies" - and 87002 proved this time and again, capable of blistering performance in the hands of all but the few 'windbag' drivers. Her performance was, to the end, easily the strongest of the class, particularly in the 80-90-100-110+ range where she simply blazed along. To this was coupled near bullet-proof reliability. As December unfolded, however, it became clear that the days of loco-hauled service were numbered, as all the Pendos had been modified. Happily, a stay of execution was granted for the MkIII set, it being made quite clear, however, that the week commencing Monday 18th December would definitely be last. This final week provided an extra treat in the form of a daylight Euston - Birmingham sortie (the last ever) on Thursday 21st, and plenty of fine performances from 87002; even this late in her career she was fit for a genuine 120mph. And then suddenly, at 21:00 on Friday 22nd December, it was all over . .. ... ... .. .. |
The last of twenty special window labels produced by Caledonian Publications (i.e. me...!) to mark the final run out of Euston, Friday 22nd December 2006. Happiness is indeed a Seven in weak field. |
Pausing briefly in the gloom at International, 87002 is every inch a thoroughbred..... |
