Wigan Album

Mick,I used to see these class 20s on the Bickershaw to Fiddlers Ferry, merry-go-round. An unusual excursion as you say. Powerful engines, but what speed can they reach?

Great picture. Memories of the days when you could have a grand day out on a rail excursion. You might have to travel in a shabby (but spacious) compartment coach, but it was usually not many £££ on these Mystery Excursions.

I'd guess this train would come from Glasgow behind an electric loco, then had a pair of Springs Branch's Class 20s coupled on the back just south of Wigan NW for the diesel drag on to Southport.

One minor question - the Internet tells me 17th September 1984 was a Monday (and not a Bank Holiday). These two Choppers must have been having a holiday from their usual weekday job hauling merry-go-round coal trains between Bickershaw and Fiddlers Ferry power station. Nice day out to the seaside for locos & drivers too.

a very nice pair of EE finest im sure ive got a video of one of the class 20's at springs branch doing the coal circuit maybe mick can put me streight on this GGGGGRRRRRRRR hear the mini growl.

Top speed of 75mph Colin.

Colin, as frieght locos the class 20s were basically a 60mph loco but I can confirm that they were capable of much higher speeds in the right conditions. A cab ride on a passenger turn with certain Springs Branch driver, who must remain nameless, proved this beyond doubt one summer evening may years ago!

What's the red glow for on the right buffer?

Those two silly things are pulling 9 coaches, a Black five could and did pull 12 even 13 on regular runs.

Looks like rust on the buffer Garry

In 1973 I started going on rail excursions, which went from Southport to various destinations around the country and has I remember, the trains only could only be boarded by passengers at Southport and Wigan Wallgate.
The most memorable excursion and the longest one, was one which went from Southport to Southend-on-Sea, which was hauled double headed, there and back by a couple of Class 25's
The most memorable part of the journey, was the weird and wonderful way the train criss crossed London to get to on to the line to Southend, lines which were probably only used for freight and are probably long gone by now.
It brings an understanding to the Crossrail project, which is under way in London right now, which is constructing a railway, which will cross London directly, because as my journey in 1973 showed me, which was that there was no direct way for a train to cross London, to get on to the other 'Rail Regions'

I know in the 80s and early 90's there were weekday passenger services to and from Southport non DMU. They were pulled by 'Big D's'. Only a guess.