THE END OF THE NOTTINGHAM/LEICESTER SERVICES

 ON

THE SETTLE CARLISLE LINE

BY

©  PETER COOPER

On Saturday 15 May 1982, weekday through services over the Settle-Carlisle line between Nottingham/Liecester (SO) and Glasgow came to an end.  (The final day was Sunday 16 May 1982 – one in each direction).  Through services from St Pancras had already ceased in the mid 70s, and this latest curtailment in passenger services was a first step to the planned closure of the line due to the rapid deterioration of the 106-year-old (then) Ribblehead Viaduct and the vast sums needed to repair it. 

We all know that the Government of the day were not fond of railways, and British Rail was being starved of cash for investment, and that the S&C had been targeted for closure so that money could be saved.  I have a copy of the December 1981 Bulletin of the Divisional Civil Engineer Preston, headlined ‘A Bleak Prospect For Ribblehead Viaduct!’  It also states that the Divisional Budget for 1982 had been fixed at £16M but they were later advised that cuts of almost £1M
had to be made. The rest is history!

At that time I was living in Morecambe and working in Preston, and used to travel each day by train using a runabout ticket (with no time restrictions) because it was the cheapest way to travel.  It also had the advantage that I could use it at weekends to go off for the day!  So on Saturday 15 May 1982, to witness this sad, but nevertheless historic occasion, together with my pal Brian Feather - a great railway enthusiast – travelled over the line. We caught the 0722 DMU from Morecambe to Skipton, which at that time traversed the single line from Bare Lane to Hest Bank. We recorded the following locos on the way:

25320 (LO) on Arpley to Workington freight at Carnforth
25164 (CD) on ballast at Hellifield 

Train services, as shown in table 37 of the BR Timetable 1 June 1981 to 16 May 1982, were as follows:

Down Services

Up Services

Buffet facilities were only available between Nottingham and Carlisle where the buffet car was removed/added (it being marshalled at the front, except on the SO service from Leicester it was marshalled at the rear and attached at Nottingham).  No buffet facilities were available on the 1551(SO)/1600(SX) departures from Nottingham, or the 0925 departure from Carlisle, or on the Sunday services.  The Sunday services did not stop at Settle.  The 1020 service from Nottingham travelled main line from Carlisle, as did the 1150 from Glasgow and the Sunday service both ways.  All other services travelled via the GSWR.

It was a lovely day and as the arrival time was getting closer I walked to the end of the platform to photograph the train’s approach – and how glad I did!  It was not a ‘Peak’ that I saw approach, but the newly named 47535 (BS) University of Leicester (not too much of a disappointment) - what a lovely composition the photo produced with the signal-box and loco pictured, together with the other railway artefacts and Ilkley Moor bah-tat in the background.  It was a picture I have treasured and looked at frequently.

Here we were then; having a ride behind 47535 in Mark 1 stock, plenty of room, buffet car, beautiful scenery, beautiful day – what more could we wish for – (a camcorder would have been nice – don’t be greedy)!  We alighted at Appleby at 1101 and I just and so managed to photograph the departure of 47535.  Our plan was to photograph the final 1150 Glasgow to Nottingham due to arrive at 1401, and the final 0941 (SO) Leicester to Glasgow due to arrive at 1415, which we were to travel forward on to Carlisle.  We had plenty of time to look round and the station hadn’t had the cosmetic make-over that it has had today, and I was fascinated to see the train running board, and three different makes of fire buckets hanging on the side of the up platform waiting-room.  How lucky I was to have the foresight to photograph these – they are now long since gone!  It was also nice to be able to view the lovely memorial pictures and plaque to Bishop Eric Treacey.

The newly-formed Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line Association were giving out leaflets to gain support in their fight against the closure of the line, and BR were issuing a special notice publicising the new timetable and stating ‘The Settle – Carlisle Line doesn’t CLOSE on 15.5.82’. 

Excitement ruled again as the time approached for the arrival of the up service.  However this was soon replaced by anxiety as the pegs both way were pulled off simultaneously and we realised that there was a possibility that both the up and down trains would pass together in the station, or worse still - that our train would arrive first and we would miss seeing the 1150 from Glasgow altogether – the trials and tribulations of railway photography!  However, we needn’t have worried because luck was with us and one of those rare events occurred we all wish for; the 1150 arrived first and it was ‘Peak’ hauled – 45005 (TO) in clean condition – and I was able to photograph its arrival and departure.  On cue, as if rehearsed, the 0941 approached hauled by steam-heat 47219 (IM) and both trains passed just south of the station – stunning and a never-to-be-forgotten moment, four wonderful pictures to be treasured – arrival, departure, approach and passing!

Photo (above): © Peter Cooper. On Saturday 15 May 1982, the driver of 45005 (TO) hauling the final 1150 Glasgow to Nottingham (running a few minutes late) makes a spirited departure from Appleby determined to enjoy his day out!  (A few people are seen leaning out of the window).

Photo (below): © Peter Cooper.  On Saturday 15 May 1982, 85036 is seen at Carlisle working the final 0941 Leicester to Glasgow forward from Carlisle to Glasgow.  (Note that the buffet car has been removed).

We boarded our train for another luxurious leg of the journey – plenty of room, rare haulage, wonderful scenery etc, etc.  Our arrival at Carlisle was at 1455 where we viewed the change of loco and removal of the buffet car, with 85036 taking the train forward.  We stayed at Carlisle until 1639, and the following passenger workings were noted (the few freight workings that ran on a Saturday occurred in the mornings): 

• 87009 City of Birmingham
• 85036 0914 Leicester to Glasgow from Carlisle.
• 47451 (CD) 1502 Carlisle to Stranraer.
• 47405 (GD) 1553 Carlisle to Edinburgh via Newcastle
• 26008 (HA) 1240 Glasgow to Carlisle via the GSWR
• 87008 City of Liverpool 1205 Birmingham to Glasgow
• 86228 Vulcan Heritage 1345 Liverpool to Glasgow/Edinburgh
• 87002 Royal Sovereign 1423 Glasgow to Euston
• 50232 56390 (HT) 1645 Carlisle to Newcastle
• 87027 Wolf of Badenoch 1035 Inverness to Euston ‘The Clansman’ on which we would travel to Lancaster.
• 08844 and 08912 both of Kingmoor Depot were stabled 

Stopping at Oxenholme I recorded DMUs 50661, 59269, 50710, 56343, 51189 and 50400 (all Chester Depot), on a day return excursion to Windermere.

What a wonderful perfect day we had, and looking back, the significance of the day seems much more important now than it did then!  But where were all the enthusiasts I now ask myself?  Certainly, there were some about (including a few travelling on the final through services), but nothing like there would have been today – the trains would have been packed solid!  Does this tell us all something?

Photo (below): © Peter Cooper.  Not related to my article but a train worthy of mention non-the-less. On Friday 14 May 1982, 46037 (GD) is seen at Carlisle with the 1553 Carlisle to Edinburgh via Newcastle.

Any further notes, depot visits, haulage moves, any UK railway related memories from Saturday 15th May 1982 (or indeed any other date) always welcome.

To Where Were You Menu ? ] to Main Menu ? ] to Features Menu ?

Site Maintained & © UD & Clayhead.