The First North Western train company organised a 'relief train' on 21
December 2003 to commemorate the withdrawal from traffic at the
end of 2003 by First North Western of the last Class 101 Diesel
Multiple Units. These were the final (except for one much-refurbiched
vehicle on the Chiltern line) survivors in National Rail passenger
traffic of the huge fleet of Diesel Multiple Unit trains built for
British Railways in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The train started
from Manchester Piccadilly and ran to Buxton and back before heading
north to Morecambe, Heysham and Barrow and returning to Manchester
Piccadilly. The picture above shows the empty stock arriving in
Platform 3 at Piccadilly, having been swapped from Platform 4 at the
last minute, to stand face to face with one of its replacements, a
Class 150/1.
The driver poses with his steed. (Picture by Mark Watson.) On the adjacent
track a Class 175, a much more modern
product of the same Washwood Heath factory as the Class 101s. The
formation of train 1T01 departing Manchester was 101
676, 101
693 and 101 685: six coaches in total, all
powered.
The green-liveried unit, 101 685,
which had celebrated the 47th birthday of its oldest vehicle on 17
December, was adorned for its last few days in traffic by these
'Daisy' names marking the unofficial name by which it has been know to
many, after a similar character in a certain series of children's
railway books.
Here's Tony Miles, who
suggested the naming and indeed designed the name vinyls, as well as
helping with the organisation and publicity for the train, posing with
his creation.
The view from the departure end of the platform , with Regional
Railways liveried 101 676 at
the head of the consist. Picture by Alex
Roberts.
Tony Flusk was on hand in the
car park adjacent to Platform 1 to capture the moment of departure. The
units had been left idling overnight to be sure that they would start
on the day, with the result that the first few miles of the trip were
someehat smoky.
On the Buxton branch, storming through Davenport. Picture by Joanna Hulme.
Heading up the hill out of Davenport along the tree-lined section
towards Hazel Grove. Picture by Joanna
Hulme.
Passing Furness Vale, with the Peak District hills as backdrop. Picture
by Gareth Roberts.
Arrived in the terminus at Buxton, with another Metro-Cammell product, 156 459, awaiting departure from
Platform 1 with the service train to Blackpool.
Passengers and other railfans admire the train during the half-hour
break at Buxton.
Preparing for departure: the destination blind of 101 685 correctly
shows 'Morecambe.'
Attacking the steep gradient out of Buxton and heading back to
Manchester for the next stage of the trip. Picture by Gareth Roberts.
