| The initial section of the 401 miles of The Premier Line (as it was - rightly- promoted by the LNWR) takes us from Euston to Rugby, 82.4 miles distant. The London terminus is still famous the world over, though its rebuilding in conjunction with the WCML electrification in the mid 1960s destroyed much of its character. Mourned most of all is the famous and magnificent Doric Arch which once graced the entrance. Happily, the recent refurbishment and renaming of former The Head Of Steam pub perpetuates the name.
The line sets out up the once-formidable Camden Bank, which at 1 in 112/77 still occasionally caused difficulties for 87s in certain weather conditions! Turning virtually due West almost immediately upon leaving Primrose Hill Tunnel, the line gradually resumes a generally northbound course by the time Willesden Junction is reached. From MP 7 the line climbs almost continuously for the next 24 miles, generally at around 1 in 335 (Stephenson would permit no steeper grade) to the summit at Tring, by which time an 87 would easily have achieved its maximum 110mph, despite a slight slowing to 100 for the curve at Berkhamsted. The line then enters Tring Cutting, from which a vast amount of spoil was removed by no more than hard-worked men and ponies. The line now descends at a similar gentle gradient, allowing the brave driver to let his machine run off the clock (116mph with 86224 on a Mk2 set sticks in my mind, for obvious reasons!) as far as the single-bore down fast (and up slow) line tunnel at Linslade whose aerodynamic limitations still impose a 90mph permanent restriction for loco hauled stock. Thereafter 110mph running is once again the rule as the "amorphous mess" - as it was described by the late photographer Derek Cross! - of Milton Keynes is passed prior to Wolverton. Once subject to an 80mph restriction prior to improved track alignment, the sweeping 'S' curves here take the line away from the former locomotive works, through whose site the line originally ran. The high speed junction at Hanslope, whose 70mph crossovers are still the fastest on the WCML, marks the point at which Northampton trains must turn off the main line, as it continues its climb through Roade Cutting up to the summit at Courteenhall Bridge, at MP 61. A downhill sprint for a couple of miles to Blisworth was frequently enough for a good AC driver to get his machine well into three figures (117mph behind Black Douglas was my record) upon passing Banbury Lane level crossing, at MP 64½. This was closed in 2005, to allow for 125mph running, though happily the road bridge which replaced it is sufficiently far from the cottages by the canal as not to be too intrusive. The site of Heyford loops precedes Stowe Hill Tunnel, followed by the sweeping curves at Weedon, around which 100mph still feels fast on conventional stock. Thereafter the line climbs once again, passing the M1 - reason enough for many a driver to assert the superiority of rail travel - prior to plunging into the 2426 yards of blackness which are Kilsby Tunnel. Lined with a staggering 36 million bricks, and claiming the lives of many men during its protracted and difficult construction, it features two huge ventilation shafts 60ft in diameter (there are also several other much smaller ones) which provide eerie pools of light, a throwback to the time of the line's construction when there were real fears of passengers suffocating due to smoke and fumes! Through the tunnel and beyond, the line once again descends towards Rugby, whose southern approach is unmistakeable with the massive Great Central Railway "birdcage" bridge, which, it is rumoured, may finally be demolished during 2006. |
When the WCML really was a railway....... in the days when Pendolinos were not even thought of, and skodas had mercifully yet to appear. Early afternoon at Euston, on - I think - 28th February 1986, finds no fewer than six Class 85s standing awaiting work. They are, from right to left - 85003 / 85022 / 85037 / 85015 / 85018 / 85029. Amazingly, by today's standards, all would find work in the evening peak; the only ones I seem to have noted are 85003 - 1B09 to Northampton, and 85022 which, to my delight, worked 1H90, an additional to Manchester - the first leg of my move home! |
The latest generation of EMU for the WCML - and excellent they are too. Swift, smooth riding, equipped with tables, they represent a huge improvement on the Class 321 which I personally regard as rubbish (and I like EMUs!). 350116 is seen at Barby Nortoft, heading for Northampton at lunchtime on 22nd Dec 2005. |
Blazing north through the West London suburbs in charge of the 07:10 Euston-Birmingham, 87007 City of Manchester displays the smartest variant of Inter City livery ever devised....... |
I was standing on Rugby when this beast went whining through.....! 81009 is pictured on the blocks at Euston with an errant 86414 Frank Hornby in tow. What the working was, I never found out; the date was February 1988. |
A rose between thorns..... |
A lucky drop-on at Crewe: 81014 rolled in unexpectedly in charge of 1A18 from Carlisle, after the failure at Oxenholme of 87010 King Arthur. I made a frantic dash over the bridge, and a fine run up the Trent Valley was had, after which the vintage machine departs Rugby, in June 1987. |
As late as February 1988, "roarers" were still being overhauled at Crewe Works. Here, 85021 departs the stabling point at Euston, to drop onto an evening commuter service to Northampton. She was in fine form, whisking her short train up to line speed in a very short distance! |
During the relatively brief respite which it, and class-mate 86101, enjoyed, 86102 Robert A Riddles sees employment on a northbound freightliner, departing Daventry International Railfreight Terminal (DIRFT). The train is pictured picking up speed past Barby Nortoft. |
It seems - and is - a long time ago... 86216 Meteor makes a lovely sight standing in the rain at Euston at the head of a Sunday evening servicve to Wolverhampton in 1993. |
86235 Crown Point stands at Harwich International on the top'n'tailed Class 86 farewell which took the class to various unusual destinations on the GE. 86246 was at the other end of the train. October 2004. |
As 86247 Abraham Darby, draws into Milton Keynes with a Wolverhampton-bound service, 86224 Caledonian races south without stopping, in 1997. |
86243 stands at the stops in Platform 1 at Euston, on an up van train. |
RIP E3101... Cabside close-up of 86252 The Liverpool Daily Post at Euston. The time is midnight and she will shortly set forth with 1F10, 00:10 Euston-Liverpool/Manchester. Alas this, the pioneer of the AL6s, was destroyed by a traction motor fire while in service in Anglia. |
Ex-works 86229 awaits departure for the West Midlands at Euston. Alas it had just surrendered its Sir John Betjeman name in favour of some rather less inspiring. |
86260, Driver Wallace Oakes GC, is seen at the head of a Liverpool - Euston service, passing Weedon South on the front of the DVT. This was due to the machine running on three traction motors, which meant it would not be allowed to push. |
87001 STEPHENSON races south towards Kilsby Tunnel at Barby Nortoft in summer 2004. Alas this fine machine was plagued by reliability problems in its last few months of service, culminating in a blown transformer early in 2005. It is shortly to undergo a heart transplant with 87031, to enable a return to service. |
87002 Royal Sovereign makes a fine sight on a lovely summer evening as she bursts out of Stowe Hill Tunnel, her driver making a slight brake application to observe the 100mph limit around the Weedon curves. |
87002 Royal Sovereign charges north past Milton Crossing (south of Blisworth) not too long before it lost its livery - and much more importantly, almost unthinkably, its NAME ! |
On a chilly day in 2003, 87006 George Reynolds (with all deference, City of Glasgow was an infinitely better title..!) heads towards Banbury Lane Crossing with a Birmingham service. |
87008 City of Liverpool is seen storming north on 1S86 near the former Welton station, where WCML diverges after running parallel with a far less civilised form of transport - the infernal M1 motorway. Who would opt to drive when offered the choice of being whisked north in comfort at 110mph by such a fine machine?! |
The view from the farm gateway overlooking the south portal of Stowe Hill Tunnel is superb; alas on this particular day the air quality was poor, making this shot slightly hazy! Readily identifiable by its red nameplates, 87008 City of Liverpool storms north. |
87009 City of Birmingham awaits its next turn of duty on the lin-up at Euston in 1994. 86236 Josiah Wedgwood can be glimpsed behind, but didn't warrant a photo in its own right, never being a favourite of mine! The 87 is apparently destined for preservation in the Birmingham Science Museum, thought it currently languishes at MoD Bicester. |
The seat of power: a view of the driver's desk of 87010 King Arthur, at the head of 1S56 11:40 Euston - Glasgow, at Euston, prior to a storming run north in November 2004. |
An unidentified Class 87 is seen heading south at Barby Nortoft, north of Kilsby Tunnel. The whole ensemble is in a "proper" livery....! |
