A Real "Western" (Region) Weekend! ELR Autumn Gala & SVR Running Day, 13th - 15th September 1996

The East Lancashire Railways Autumn Diesel Gala for 1996 occurred over Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September. On Saturday 14th September, D1013 & D1062 were working on the Severn Valley Railway. This presented an ideal opportunity to ride behind three Westerns in one day on two different railways - if you had a fast car to get between Bury & Kidderminster! A further bonus on the Friday was D1041 working as the driver experience loco at Bury with D7076 & 832 working throughout the weekend.

On Friday 13th D7076 is seen moving around outside Castlecroft shed, where 45060 is standing. D335 passes with a train to Rawtenstall. D9019 is then seen arriving at Ramsbottom with 832 waiting to depart. D1041 appears with an excellent run from Irwell Vale.

On Saturday 14th D1013 worked the first train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth with D1062 leading the train back while D1013 remained on the rear. The remainder of the day D1013 worked trains on its own. In the evening D1041 worked the evening train from Bury Bolton Street to Rawtenstall with a long train and 45060 at the rear. By the time the train arrived at Rawtenstall sticking valves on D1041 could be heard!

On Sunday 15th September D1501 needed to be assisted off the first train at Ramsbottom by 45060, which worked on to Rawtenstall and back. D7076, 832 & D1041 were the targets for the rest of the day.



Locos seen in rough order of first appearance:

D7076
45060 "Sherwood Forrester"
D335
D9019 "Royal Highland Fusilier"
D1041 "Western Prince"
832 "Onslaught"

D1013 "Western Ranger"
D1062 "Western Courier"
D821 "Greyhound" (visible in Kidderminster yard)

D1501



[Hi8ish]

00:00:00 Bury Bolton Street, 13th September 1996
00:03:39 Ramsbottom
00:04:43 Rawtenstall
00:05:04 Irwell Vale
00:06:40 Bury Bolton Street
00:07:00 Rawtenstall
00:08:00 Bury Bolton Street
00:08:17 Eardington, 14th September 1996
00:11:04 Hampton Loade
00:12:31 Country Park Halt
00:14:58 Highley
00:19:32 Victoria Bridge
00:22:50 Northwood Halt
00:25:25 Kidderminster
00:27:35 Northwood Halt
00:28:31 Hampton Loade
00:32:29 Eardington
00:34:57 Country Park Halt
00:36:26 Highley
00:39:27 Bewdley
00:46:36 Kidderminster Town
00:49:37 Summerseat
00:52:34 Ramsbottom
01:01:59 Rawtenstall
01:02:46 Ramsbottom, 15th September 1996
01:08:04 Bury Bolton Street
01:08:51 Summerseat
01:10:01 Rawtenstall
01:12:58 Thanks for watching! Please like and subscribe :-)

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