Rare Hastings Thumper Powers Through Hindley! | The Gosh Ness Monster Railtour | 24th May 2026

A rare and spectacular sight seen heading eastbound through Hindley station a few miles from Wigan on the gorgeous hot and sunny afternoon of Sunday 24th May 2026.

The ‘Hastings’ Diesel-Electric Multiple Units aka British Rail Class 201 were on day 3 of 3 chartered by GB Railfreight and the Branch Line Society for a 3-day outing to Scotland. The GOSH Ness Monster tour runs from Tonbridge to Polmont on day 1, Day 2 runs a loop from Edinburgh area to Inverness and Aberdeen with Day 3 working back to Tonbridge.

We see the train 1013 (202013) “Tunbridge Wells” & 201001 “Hastings” / “Mountfield” giving a little power and tones through the packed station. A magical sight and sound around 23 late here. The train had been running a few minutes late all day made worse by having been held at Carnforth for 3 other services to overtake. This was fine as it meant no worries about being bowled.


These class 202 (DEMUs) are a unique type of narrow-bodied train which was constructed in 1957 and 1958 operating between London and Hastings via Tunbridge Wells. The six-coach units, incorporating diesel generators at each end, were unique in having especially narrow bodies which enabled them to pass through the unusually narrow tunnels on the Hastings line and finally withdrawn in 1986.

This is day 3 taking a different route home via Hindley, Atherton, Manchester Piccadilly and the Style line to Wilmslow and onwards home after Crewe.

I caught day 1 on Friday at Springs Branch that video I have linked here.
https://youtu.be/v-csN5aV5SA

The official working today Hastings Diesels 1001 & 1013
1Z20 0910 Linlithgow to Tonbridge

Passed 1420
Running 23 late

The final day of the Branch Line Society 'The Gosh Ness Monster' charter.

Running late having been held at Carnforth North junction for 3 late running trains

The Gosh Ness Monster: Day 3 (Branch Line Society)
Edinburgh Haymarket - Carstairs - Carlisle ( photo stop) - Penrith - Lancaster - Preston Up Goods - Wigan North Western - Hindley, Atherton, Manchester Piccadilly, Heald Green, Wilmslow
Crewe Up & Dn Loop - Stafford - Nuneaton - Rugby - Northampton Reception line - Milton Keynes Central Bletchley Relief No 2 - Tring P4 - Watford Junction Acton Lane Reception No 2 - Kensington Olympia Bromley South Tonbridge

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Filmed at Hindley Wigan
Filmed Sunday 24th May 2026

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