Fifty-three
years ago this month [24/2/64], we were on our way to Crewe for a day’s train
spotting. We noted Castle Class No. 5037 Monmouth Castle at Chester on the way
out and No. 5055 Earl of Eldon on our return. We had no idea at the time, but this
was the last time we saw members of the class in the city with normal service
rosters on the Paddington expresses.
They were
replaced by the new Western diesels, but the through service itself only lasted
until March 1967. Ian Allan organised two special trains over the route to mark
the occasion, hauled by No. 4079 Pendennis Castle and No.7029 Clun Castle. Birkenhead
Woodside closed to passengers in November 1967 and was demolished within two
years.
Luckily, I
have a copy of the excellent “Paddington to the Mersey,” by Dr R. Preston
Hendry and R. Powell Hendry, to remind me of our local link with the Western
Region of British Railways, as well as the 11-foot long, chocolate and cream,
carriage board – Paddington Birmingham Shrewsbury Chester Birkenhead – just above
my head and hopefully firmly affixed, as I write this.
D1005
Western Venturer leaves Chester for London Paddington on 28/9/62.
Castle Class
No. 7029 Clun Castle, sporting “The Zulu” headboard on Chester sheds on 4/3/67.
[No. 4079 carried “The Birkenhead Flyer” headboard].
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