Hymek in Liverpool

[Mike Turner]

An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

Mike

[A.lee]

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

I wouldnt have thought that such a working was very rare, though if anyone
can remember the event from over 28 years ago, they have really good
memories!
I thought the Hymeks were more West Country locos than Midlands, though
there was one at the RTC in Deby for many years.
Alan.

[Jack Taylor]

Post by A.lee
I thought the Hymeks were more West Country locos than Midlands, though
there was one at the RTC in Derby for many years.

Two actually. D7076 (now at the East Lancs Railway) and D7096. Both latterly
at Old Dalby.

[John Turner]

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

Can't help with that Mike, but I was told at the 2003 Wakefield Model
Railway Show that a Hymek made it to York on an inter-regional passenger
train.

I'm wondering whether it's not just wishful thinking - folk wishing to be
able to justify using the new & extremely fine Heljan OO-scale model of
these locos.

John.

[Mike Turner]

Could be John........But you never know so its always worth a check!

Mike

John Turner wrote in message ...

Post by John Turner
Can't help with that Mike, but I was told at the 2003 Wakefield Model
Railway Show that a Hymek made it to York on an inter-regional passenger
train.
I'm wondering whether it's not just wishful thinking - folk wishing to be
able to justify using the new & extremely fine Heljan OO-scale model of
these locos.
John.

[Mike Roebuck]

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 17:12:23 -0000, "Mike Turner"

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

I don't know of this move, but it's entirely credible. Oxford men
would go anywhere with pilot drivers, and it was Western Region
practise to put a hydraulic on one-off inter-regional freight trains
where they could, in order to make sure they got the loco back (this
had a lot to do with the inter-regional loco balance).

I know of 2 occasions when a class 52 and an Oxford crew made it as
far as York with the Morris Cowley - Bathgate car train. One of these
was in 1974, or early 1975; I knew the Masborough guard who worked the
train from there to York, and then travelled back home in the rear cab
of the light engine. I passed the light engine (but didn't see it) on
the Bristol - Newcastle overnight express that night.

I also recall seeing a class 52 on a freight at Crewe on a Sunday
afternoon in the late 60's, but I don't believe that was too unusual.
It would have been crewed by Hereford men, at a guess.

[John Turner]

Post by Mike Roebuck
I also recall seeing a class 52 on a freight at Crewe on a Sunday
afternoon in the late 60's, but I don't believe that was too unusual.
It would have been crewed by Hereford men, at a guess.

Apart from many Class 52s actually being built at Crewe Works and presumably
working test trains before release to the Western Region, they were regulars
at Crewe station on passenger trains having superceded the Halls and Granges
on trains from Shrewsbury (?).

John.

[Mike Turner]

Interestingly it was a Cowley working that was mentioned.................

Mike Roebuck wrote in message ...

Post by Mike Roebuck
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 17:12:23 -0000, "Mike Turner"

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

I don't know of this move, but it's entirely credible. Oxford men
would go anywhere with pilot drivers, and it was Western Region
practise to put a hydraulic on one-off inter-regional freight trains
where they could, in order to make sure they got the loco back (this
had a lot to do with the inter-regional loco balance).
I know of 2 occasions when a class 52 and an Oxford crew made it as
far as York with the Morris Cowley - Bathgate car train. One of these
was in 1974, or early 1975; I knew the Masborough guard who worked the
train from there to York, and then travelled back home in the rear cab
of the light engine. I passed the light engine (but didn't see it) on
the Bristol - Newcastle overnight express that night.
I also recall seeing a class 52 on a freight at Crewe on a Sunday
afternoon in the late 60's, but I don't believe that was too unusual.
It would have been crewed by Hereford men, at a guess.
--
Regards
Mike
mikedotroebuckatgmxdotnet

[Jon Porter]

Post by Mike Turner
Interestingly it was a Cowley working that was mentioned.................
Mike Roebuck wrote in message ...

Post by Mike Roebuck
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 17:12:23 -0000, "Mike Turner"

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

I don't know of this move, but it's entirely credible. Oxford men
would go anywhere with pilot drivers, and it was Western Region
practise to put a hydraulic on one-off inter-regional freight trains
where they could, in order to make sure they got the loco back (this
had a lot to do with the inter-regional loco balance).
I know of 2 occasions when a class 52 and an Oxford crew made it as
far as York with the Morris Cowley - Bathgate car train. One of these
was in 1974, or early 1975; I knew the Masborough guard who worked the
train from there to York, and then travelled back home in the rear cab
of the light engine. I passed the light engine (but didn't see it) on
the Bristol - Newcastle overnight express that night.
I also recall seeing a class 52 on a freight at Crewe on a Sunday
afternoon in the late 60's, but I don't believe that was too unusual.
It would have been crewed by Hereford men, at a guess.
--
Regards
Mike
mikedotroebuckatgmxdotnet

I saw Hymeks and Westerns at places where they were not "meant to be" in the
late 60s/ early 1970s. Northampton, Leicester and Crewe for example. However
this does ring some bells for me. There were car trains from Cowley and also
some from Abingdon at that time. The Hymek seen by me at Crewe was D7024 in
summer 1969 on a train of Morris 1100s. The loco was taken off and replaced
by a class 40. (Typical I go from Oxford to Crewe only to see a local
engine!)
Could such a similar working have carried on in the absence of a replacement
engine? Normally the WR power came off at Saltley where LMR power took over.
It is certainly as credible as class 73s on MGR trains at Didcot. (1974).

[Martin Bray]

Post by Jon Porter
I saw Hymeks and Westerns at places where they were not "meant to be" in the
late 60s/ early 1970s. Northampton, Leicester and Crewe for example. However
this does ring some bells for me. There were car trains from Cowley and also
some from Abingdon at that time. The Hymek seen by me at Crewe was D7024 in
summer 1969 on a train of Morris 1100s. The loco was taken off and replaced
by a class 40. (Typical I go from Oxford to Crewe only to see a local
engine!)
Could such a similar working have carried on in the absence of a replacement
engine? Normally the WR power came off at Saltley where LMR power took over.
It is certainly as credible as class 73s on MGR trains at Didcot. (1974).

Wasn't D7024 one of the Lickey Bankers?
--
Regards,

Martin Bray, Swansea, Wales

Welcome To Canton Depot at http://www.martinbray-ukloco.com




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[Andy Kirkham]

Post by Jon Porter
I saw Hymeks and Westerns at places where they were not "meant to be" in the
late 60s/ early 1970s. Northampton, Leicester and Crewe for example.

The odd thing is that, for all their wanderings outside the Western
Region, there were some areas within the Western that Hymeks never
seemed to reach. The furthest west I ever saw one was Exeter, although
I've seen photos of them on the Torbay and Plymouth lines.

However I've never heard of any occasion when a Hymek crossed the
Tamar, although I find it hard to believe that it never happened. Does
anyone know of any instances

Andy Kirkham
Glasgow

[Gvfsm]

The answer is in print Andy with photographic evidence.
I'm referring to 'A TRIBUTE TO THE HYMEKS' book by Chris Neill published by A&C
Services.
There is a chapter on the subject of Hymeks west of Plymouth.

Website is at www.westernclass52.com

Regards
Steve Marshall

[AW]

Post by Andy Kirkham

Post by Jon Porter
I saw Hymeks and Westerns at places where they were not "meant to be" in the
late 60s/ early 1970s. Northampton, Leicester and Crewe for example.

The odd thing is that, for all their wanderings outside the Western
Region, there were some areas within the Western that Hymeks never
seemed to reach. The furthest west I ever saw one was Exeter, although
I've seen photos of them on the Torbay and Plymouth lines.
However I've never heard of any occasion when a Hymek crossed the
Tamar, although I find it hard to believe that it never happened. Does
anyone know of any instances
Andy Kirkham
Glasgow

In addition to the book that Steve Marshall mentions elsewhere there was
an article in Traction magazine (Issue 95 - Sep 2002) titled "Far West
Hymeks" which detailed the history of Hymeks in Cornwall and around
Plymouth. It contains details of many of the post-1970 workings plus a
photo of the last one at Penzance (in April 1972).

AW

[Andy Kirkham]

Post by AW
In addition to the book that Steve Marshall mentions elsewhere there was
an article in Traction magazine (Issue 95 - Sep 2002) titled "Far West
Hymeks" which detailed the history of Hymeks in Cornwall and around
Plymouth. It contains details of many of the post-1970 workings plus a
photo of the last one at Penzance (in April 1972).
AW

Thanks to you both. I'll try and track down those sources.

Andy

[David Chorley]

Post by Jon Porter

Post by Mike Turner
Interestingly it was a Cowley working that was mentioned.................
Mike Roebuck wrote in message ...

Post by Mike Roebuck
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 17:12:23 -0000, "Mike Turner"

{Snip-o-matic}

Post by Jon Porter
I saw Hymeks and Westerns at places where they were not "meant to be" in the
late 60s/ early 1970s. Northampton, Leicester and Crewe for example. However
this does ring some bells for me. There were car trains from Cowley and also
some from Abingdon at that time. The Hymek seen by me at Crewe was D7024 in
summer 1969 on a train of Morris 1100s. The loco was taken off and replaced
by a class 40. (Typical I go from Oxford to Crewe only to see a local
engine!)
Could such a similar working have carried on in the absence of a replacement
engine? Normally the WR power came off at Saltley where LMR power took over.
It is certainly as credible as class 73s on MGR trains at Didcot. (1974).

Growing up close to Bescot Junction meant that our school's first
second and third forms were rabid trainspotters... we regularly
recorded Hymeks on Saturday workings on the line from Bescot to
Wolverhampton (the original Grand junction line, known to us as "The
bottom line" as opposed to the South Staffs, which was "The top
line")... not much passenger service when I were a lad.


David

[87015]

Post by Mike Turner
An ex Edge Hill driver has told us that he once piloted midlands men on a
Hymek to Liverpool docks on some one off car traffic. Can anyone give any
more info on this event. He has no reason to be making this up and is a
reliable source of info.

i maybe straying a bit OT here but..... have you ever tried looking at a 1960's
RA [route availability] book. in theory this will [if you look at the LMR ones]
where a hymek was allowed to go in the liverpool area. even so, i would imagine
that they were heavily restricted in the liverpool riverside area, that's if
they were allowed there at all.

i would also keep looking at old books, magazines and photos. you may well in
the end find the proof that you are looking for. perhaps a look at some of the
archives of something like the liverpool echo and or the public libraries.

you probably could not disagree with the info source, but it can be said that
the number of sources of information about whatever aspect of the railways you
want information on is nothing like as big now as it was smaller in the 1960s.
attitudes to noting done all this gen have changed radically. if a working like
this now happened into say gladstone dock with a rare loco, _IT WOULD_ be well
reported and photographed.

trevor