BR in the 1980s Leicester Station in February 1987

[@ganz7ful]

This is fantastic! The Peaks were the 100 mph work horses of Leicester.

[@spompey]

Yes they were....many thanks....Mark

[@YsanneOshea]

Although we lived in the south, the family revisited Leicester several times a year. To get me out of the way, I was deposited at Leicester station in the knowledge that I'd be happy to stay there for the duration whilst the the adults shopped etc. It was brilliant! Always stuff I hadn't seen before and , the last time I was there, Brand new class 60's! On one particular Saturday, I was sitting at the country end of the main down platform minding my own business. It was dry and I had one of those enormous juicy Mr Kipling apple pies for lunch. Just as I started to eat, with the number book on the ground besides me, a work-stained Peak and a train of MK1's approached slowly from the London end. I didn't see the signal change but, just as the loco drew level with me, the driver put the power on, the loco sang and the train pulled past me. I'd failed to notice the contents of the train. It was a Footex, packed to the brim with rowdy 'supporters'. There were scarves at the windows and thugs leaning out of every one, shouting and chanting. Suddenly, before I could move, I was bombarded by a hail of beer cans thrown from the train. With nowhere to hide, I was covered in beer! The 'supporters' (and I seem to remember they were West Bromwich Albion fans) cheered as the train departed. It was clearly hilarious to them. My father was less than pleased and accused me of drinking. I'm not sure he ever believed my story about he bloody football fans! Happy Days! Thanks for posting this!

[@spompey]

A great story....I certainly believe you as in my early recording days I too was often harassed by "Footy" specials....not covered in beer though, something less stomachable.....my best wishes to you, and tell your Dad that it was true, cos it happened to many of us on the front line....Mark

[@robhowett7733]

I worked on track maintenence in the 80s at loughborough and I'm currently setting up an n gauge layout with locos from that era and area, this kind of video gives me great insight as I want to have locos with the correct numbers. Thank you for recording these memories.

[@spompey]

You're most welcome Rob and I hope the layout is a success......Best wishes....Mark

[@colingarwood9971]

Still loving these great memories 👍

[@spompey]

I endeavour to keep them coming Colin....and many thanks....Mark

[@markedgar6437]

Warm and fuzzies there seeing the peak. Was a very common sight in my spotting years 1979 to 1984, so much so I stopped writing their numbers down 😂. Much less common in my spotting years at Leicester was an appearance of a 37 though, that would have been quite an event

[@spompey]

Many thanks for the comment and for watching....Mark

[@paul5491]

Must have been down their at the same time as me!Remember the Baron?

[@markedgar6437]

@@paul5491 no, I was in Wigston mostly at the junction where the London line split to Birmingham

[@carolinecleaveley]

thanks for this and your other films taking me back to my 20s. great to here the original sound of the 125s and a gronk shunting too. 37903 must have been on loan from canton.

[@spompey]

You're very welcome...many thanks for watching and for the comment...best wishes....Mark

[@redmozzy]

Brilliant footage, thanks for sharing. I live in Leicester now but only moved up here in 2001. In 1987, I was just finishing school and in September starting on the YTS on British Rail. I went on to become a signalman in various boxes around the Kent coast until 1999. Privitisation killed the love for me unfortunately.

[@spompey]

You're very welcome...many thanks for watching and for the comment...best wishes....Mark

[@brianwillson9567]

Screaming valentas and throbbing sulzers, wonderful. Pity the peaks had lost the passenger work by then. One day a month work in London in the late 70s meant that I had been hauled by most of the 45/1s on that 99 miles from Leicester. Had to laugh at 58, that ‘wonderful export prospect’ class.Tractors rare at Leicester, but a very good buy for Brit rail, even when going through the re-engining debate.

[@spompey]

Cheers Brian....good useful info......again many thanks...Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

Newly converted 37903 there, out of Crewe Works only that same month. 45022 not long to go, withdrawn thst July

[@anthonycrompton6922]

But reinstated that month as 97409 I think and withdrawn 04/88 also not original nameplate sadly it never originally had a crest being a town

[@johnalford4786]

Brilliant video. I hope you have more like this.

[@spompey]

I certainly do....Many thanks for watching and commenting....best wishes....mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

I used to think they were very noisy, but that sound of an HST going to full power as it departs like at31:08is very evocative

[@spompey]

There is NOTHING that beats it to date....Best wishes Andrei....Mark

[@duncancurtis5108]

Yep. My last Peak at Westbury the same month, up from Taunton on parcels.

[@tonywilson4704]

Great memories of my local station

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Mark

[@petersharp7644]

Some great scenes there. 37903 on that rake of 16t and hopper wagons heading into what I think was Nedham Street sidings and 45022 particularly interesting. Don't recall seeing 08297 at Leicester either. Great memories, thanks for posting!

[@111672balernabz2010]

My home station,always busy depot movements,aggregates traffic, hsts(Sterling service 38 yrs on mml),remember doing the evening loco hauled London st Pancras-Derby,from Leicester behind 45115 "Apollo",about spring 1988??,I think..,by the way Leicester regular 08 was 08697,off Derby.

[@spompey]

Thank you so much for the info and my best wishes...great service to the industry and I hope you have wonderful memories...I know I miss it tremendously, especially the other railway men/women of all grades.....best regards to you...Mark

[@111672balernabz2010]

More ...brilliant

[@HatsuneMiku3D]

I'd just turned 13 when this was taken, I was probably at school at the time of filming lol

[@spompey]

How time goes by....Many thanks and best regards...Mark

[@timstrainvideos142]

great footage!

[@spompey]

Many thanks....best wishes....Mark

[@Roo63]

Brilliant! :)

[@spompey]

Many thanks and much appreciated...Mark

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

nice to see/ Cheers

[@spompey]

You're most welcome and many thanks....Mark

[@MichaelCampin]

That was the day of my 27th Birthday.

[@spompey]

Many thanks and belated birthday wishes ! ....mark

[@Aspen90]

Does the tannoy ever stop?!

[@spompey]

NO.... and many thanks for watching and for commenting....best regards..Mark

[@adammoss5284]

Remember before the overbridge was built and you could cross the track under the swain street bridge to get to the other platform? 😆👍🏻

[@owenevans83]

Good stuff

[@dieseldave3879]

2:00 Peak rail! 🚂👍

[@spompey]

Best wishes....Mark

[@michaelsandford1015]

good

[@spompey]

Many thanks Michael and best wishes....Mark

[@hellooldchap]

A Slug at Leicester?

[@spompey]

Yep But they were not that sluggish once on the go.........best wishes....Mark

[@BenDover-ln6ns]

Yes use to be a regular coal train in to East Anglia from Cardiff, always a CF coal 37. From standards to heavyweights & 9’s.