BR in the 1980s - The Alan Harrison Collection Part 32 Heaton Norris & Heaton Chapel (British Rail)

During the summer of 1986, my good friend Alan travelled around the UK, armed with a hefty VHS camera, recording the railway scene. I'm delighted to be able to bring you the results. Part 32 of Alan's adventures begins with a shot of 47491 Horwich Enterprise dragging 87023 Velocity past the defunct signal box at Ashton Moss South Junction with a diverted Glasgow to London Euston working. Such operations were a common sight around this time, when engineering possessions forced Anglo-Scottish expresses away from the WCML. One diversion route took them through Stockport, Ashton Moss, Manchester Victoria and Bolton, with a diesel loco dragging the AC electric DiT. Alan then moves to Heaton Norris Junction, at the Northern end of Stockport Viaduct. We see 47110 and an unidentified Railfreight liveried Class 47 heading for Manchester on the slow and fast lines respectively, before another class 47 drags a Class 87 hauled northbound WCML express onto the diversionary route towards Reddish South. Next we see the unusual combination of a class 31 hauling a Inter City liveried rake of air-conditioned mk2 coaches past the magnificent LNWR warehouse at Heaton Norris. Alan then moves to Heaton Chapel Station. A class 47 heads south on the fast line as a brand new class 150/1, painted in original Provincial Sector livery, arrives with a stopping service to Manchester. A class 31/4 hurries through with a Liverpool bound service from Humberside. Next, a three car Class 108 DMU calls at the station with a service for Buxton. Still lamenting the loss of their much loved BRCW class 104s, Buxton Depot had customised some of their new allocation of 108s with white roofs and black window surrounds. Another class 47 heads south before an HST powers through the station with the daily Plymouth to Manchester Piccadilly IC125 service, the first booked daily working for these trains to the North West. A class 47 heads a dead class 86 northbound as a very much alive 86 heads for Euston. Another 108 heads for Buxton, this time with a blue class 104 centre car as part of the formation. These coaches were superb, not only because they retained a declassified, comfortable first class section right through to withdrawal, but also because of their wonderful wood panelled interiors, complete with plaques informing the passenger from where the wood had been sourced! Another class 87 heads south, followed by a 31/4 on the hourly Humberside to Liverpool service. The HST begins its long journey back to Plymouth as the 108 returns from Buxton. Finally, a class 86 heads a Manchester Pullman service bound for London Euston.
Durante el verano de 1986, mi buen amigo Alan viajó por el Reino Unido, armado con una gran cámara VHS, grabando la escena del tren. Estoy encantada de poder traeros los resultados. La parte 32 de las aventuras de Alan comienza con una toma de 47491 Horwich Enterprise arrastrando a 87023 Velocity más allá de la desaparecida caja de señales en Ashton Moss South Junction con un desvío de Glasgow a London Euston en funcionamiento. Tales operaciones eran comunes en esta época, cuando las posesiones de ingeniería obligaron a los expresos anglo-escoceses a alejarse de la WCML. Una ruta de desvío los llevó a través de Stockport, Ashton Moss, Manchester Victoria y Bolton, con una locomotora diesel arrastrando el DiT eléctrico de CA. Alan luego se muda a Heaton Norris Junction, en el extremo norte del viaducto de Stockport. Vemos a 47110 y un Railfreight sin identificar Clase 47 con librea que se dirige a Manchester en las líneas lenta y rápida respectivamente, antes de que otra clase 47 arrastre un expreso WCML Clase 87 remolcado en dirección norte a la ruta de desvío hacia Reddish South. A continuación, vemos la combinación inusual de una clase 31 que transporta un rastrillo de autocares mk2 con aire acondicionado de Inter City más allá del magnífico almacén de LNWR en Heaton Norris. Alan luego se traslada a la estación Heaton Chapel. Una clase 47 se dirige hacia el sur en la línea rápida cuando una nueva clase 150/1, pintada con librea original del Sector Provincial, llega con un servicio de parada a Manchester. Una clase 31/4 se apresura con un servicio con destino a Liverpool desde Humberside. A continuación, una DMU Clase 108 de tres automóviles llama a la estación con un servicio para Buxton. Todavía lamentando la pérdida de sus amados BRCW clase 104, Buxton Depot había personalizado parte de su nueva asignación de 108 con techos blancos y marcos de ventanas negros. Otra clase 47 se dirige hacia el sur antes de que un HST atraviese la estación con el servicio diario IC125 de Plymouth a Manchester Piccadilly, el primero reservado diariamente para estos trenes al noroeste. Una clase 47 se dirige a una clase 86 muerta en dirección norte mientras una 86 muy viva se dirige a Euston. Otro 108 se dirige a Buxton, esta vez con un auto central clase 104 azul como parte de la formación.

[@twsoundclick]

Brought up as a child in Heaton Norris. Remember the sidings at the rear of Lloyd Street - full of steam engines 😀

[@kartwheelkarl]

Were they the old Midland Railway sidings O&E, the ones on the the way into Tiviot Dale station? A friend of mine had a house overlooking those.

[@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782]

I worked at Lex on the A6, from memory there was a fantastic bakers on Lloyd Street where we all went to at lunch time. I spent most of my lunch hours on Bowerfold Bridge back in the late 80s/ early 90s, happy days.

[@richardturnbull6333]

Ahh... The days when trains were real trains... absolutely loved watching this... thankyou ... from Richard in Newcastle upon Tyne.

[@kartwheelkarl]

You’re welcome Richard. Really glad you’re enjoying the collection.

[@NedPooleD818]

47 609 FIRE FLY can be seen at 3:13- this loco had the great two part nameplate:-)) Excellent video- I’ve never seen 31s move so fast!!

[@formidable38]

Its seems strange now seeing them on class 1 passenger turns!

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Ned. Piccadilly to Stockport was a great place to get in some serious thrash behind all manner of locos. It was amazing how many round trips and loco haulage cops you could get in in a day! They used to fly through Heaton Chapel and past the biscuit works!

[@NedPooleD818]

@@kartwheelkarl Yes Picc- Stockport was the Northern equivalent of Birmingham NS - International!!!It was great bashing between the two and you always picked up something rare:-) To think we used to get all this entertainment for free (or rather the price of a day return!!)

[@PerthMRC]

I am really enjoying this collection. Delighted each time a new video appears. Thanks for taking the time to upload them.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Waverley. I'm really pleased you're enjoying Alan's films. It's comments like yours that make the work involved in getting the films to KZbin worth the effort.

[@ThePanzer6]

Love the liveries of this era Corporate Blue gradually giving way to Railfreight, Intercity Red Stripe and Provincial Sector

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks for the great comments Daniel. I agree, this was a great time to be watching trains. At the time, everything suddenly seemed incredibly colourful, after years of corporate blue. Mind you, looking at the variety of bright and colourful liveries around today, it all seems very toned down doesn’t it? Really glad you’re enjoying the collection.

[@ThePanzer6]

@@kartwheelkarl Yes does seem a tame when comparing British Rail 1980s liveries to that of the 21st Railway Companies.

[@philipholt9112]

Hi.I like the video.I did 50yrs on the footplate at edgeley shed in1961.Iwas a driver.at longsight at this time Regards.Phil.

[@kartwheelkarl]

I think have might have asked you this before Phillip but did you know my Grandad Harry Brown during your time at Edgeley?

[@philipholt9112]

@@kartwheelkarl Hi,it's Phil when was your Grandad at edgeley I was there from 1961 1962 till 1964 I moved to Trafford Park shed 1964 back to edgeley till we closed Regards Phil.

[@kartwheelkarl]

@@philipholt9112 my grandad worked out of edgeley as a guard until it closed. He then went to McVities until he retired in the early eighties.

[@philipholt9112]

@@kartwheelkarl Hi,thanks for that and yes I did know him brings back memories of the 60s thanks Regards Phil.

[@lincolnarmasols283]

Absoultely beautiful video

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Lincoln and I agree, Alan did a great job with this collection didn't he?

[@Shadow78UK]

Can imagine many a rail enthusiast living in Reddish South and Denton were surprised seeing those electric drags.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Absolutely James. I used to work in a school that was alongside the line between Stockport and Reddish. The kids got used to me being distracted every time a freight went past. Would have been great to have seen these passing!

[@v2factoryman]

What a great portfolio, Heaton Chapel was my local station from 1996 onwards.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Andy - really glad you’re enjoying the collection. I lived in Heaton Moor for a while around 2008 and so used Heaton Chapel a lot. It was still a great old station, with loads of character. Sadly, by then, the great variety of motive power had disappeared, but pendos and voyagers still whizzed through at great speed.

[@v2factoryman]

@@kartwheelkarl My favourite era is the proper BR Blue, just before Sectorisation, but it's still great to see such a variety of loco hauled services and occasional1st generation DMUs. I will gradually get round to viewing the other footage when I have time. I play in two bands and we've not gigged for 14 months, just getting bookings coming in now, so rehearsals beckon.

[@kartwheelkarl]

@@v2factoryman Good luck with the rehearsals Andy, and I sincerely hope life gets back to normal for you all very soon. Most of our family still live back in the UK so we’ve been following events over there very closely. And I still watch my beloved Stockport County every week on KZbin. County have been playing in empty stadiums whilst our stadiums over here in Australia have been back at full capacity for months... COVID has so far had very little affect on our lives (thank god!). It’s unbelievable and heartbreaking to see how badly COVID has affected the UK.

[@Thunderer0872]

At Heaton Chapel the 47 going through before the 150 unit is 47609 Firefly, The reason I know is that it was named on a show by you know who, who 'fixed it for you'... nuff said, The name plate was Fire and Fly on separate plates with an orange banding as seen if you look closely.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Good spot Gus, and thank you for the great comment. I’d forgotten about Firefly’s double nameplate.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Fabulous footage happy memories 👍🏻

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Stevie. Really happy to be bringing back such great memories for you.

[@Georgeasaurus2001]

This stuff is fascinating, keep em coming

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks George. Really pleased you're enjoying the collection.

[@theovanstaden5766]

Love the BR blue era, great video!

[@kartwheelkarl]

Youand me both Theo. Really glad you're enjoying the collection.

[@TheAudiostud]

As always "Great Work, Well Done"

[@kartwheelkarl]

Thanks Audiostud. Really glad you're enjoying the collection.

[@angeltransportpjects]

7:30 A highly intriguing rake in tow. Looks like First Class Mk 2E or 2F stock painted as Standard Class stock. Looks like some sort of Railtour working with the headboard type thingy on the Class 47. Also 12:00 - Class 86/2 towing the Manchester Pullman.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

look at this the 47 on the passenger train is following the other 47 on the passenger train

[@kartwheelkarl]

47s everywhere BRE. Wonderful wasn't it?

[@philipholt9112]

Hi Me again when this video was made that's when I was a driver.

[@limeyfox]

Fascinating video. I wonder if the 47 dragging the 86 at Heaton Chapel is Euston-Liverpool service, would make sense if the WCML was shut at Weaver Junction.

[@kartwheelkarl]

Good thinking Limeyfox. That would certainly explain it, and it would fit it with why the Anglo scots were going via the Denton line.

[@ClydebridgeStation]

At 3:19 we just catch a glimpse of 47609 FIRE FLY. This would've been a better choice of recipient of the GWR 150 green than 50007. It later became 47834, in Intercity swallow livery. And, it's on my layout in its swallow livery!

[@kartwheelkarl]

Wasn’t Fire Fly rather unique because of its double nameplate as well CS? Great comments again. Thank you and glad you’re enjoying the collection.

[@ClydebridgeStation]

@@kartwheelkarl Yes it was. And I'm enjoying the collection. My layout is set 1989-91, so these trains are part of my era, sectorisation. Great collection Alan had, I just wish I'd met him!

[@ricjuk]

What's the between the headcode lights on the front of the 47 at 7:30?

[@kartwheelkarl]

Good spot Ricjuk. I hadn't seen that. I'm afraid I can't offer an answer though as to what it is! I wonder whether anyone else knows?

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

look at that the loco hauled train is catching up with the dmu which has left the platform

[@AstraGTE1991]

Great video. My local station, the traction is a bit different now. Very boring!!

[@kartwheelkarl]

Very, very different eh Astra? Pendos and sprinters and 323 emus just don't have e same appeal do they? Really pleased you're enjoying the collection.

[@mroscar323_6]

If only you could get down to track level at heaton norris jn now

[@kartwheelkarl]

Haven’t been there for many years Oscar. I seem o remember the last photo I took there being from an overbridge in about 1990 - a 37/9 on a Cardiff to Manchester if I remember rightly. So I’m guessing trackside access wasn’t possible then.

[@soundseeker63]

Nice vintage BR footage. Anyone know why the electrics were being dragged?

[@kartwheelkarl]

Glad you're enjoying the films Soundseeker. Please look at blurb for the explanation of the drags over the Denton line. Another viewer has suggested that the 86 being dragged 86 through Heaton Chapel may be bound for Liverpool. If the blockage was between Crewe and Weaver Junction, that would explain both diversionary routes.

[@dominicfletcher3114]

Cracking videos I think the date is Sunday 15/06/1986 and the rail freight liveried 47 is 213

[@kartwheelkarl]

.??How??? Delighted you're enjoying the films Dominic, and very impressed you can identify the railfreight 47. But I need to ask.... how??? Were you out and about around school uh Manchester day?

[@dominicfletcher3114]

kartwheelkarl a quick look on 1980s time warp site for that day has 47 213 working into Manchester on that day with 110 it would be interesting to know what the no heat 47 is on the drag though as no others are listed

[@AndreiTupolev]

That 31 was notable even among 31s for the amount of oil staining. Nice comment about the Sprinter. "You b*st*rd". :d

[@mattval6293]

Lol bowled 3:20

[@kartwheelkarl]

Great shot of a 150 in original condition don't you think Matt?

[@mattval6293]

@@kartwheelkarl ohh yes love a 150 too