1982-1983

Little change in '82.

Page last updated 05/01/2009

INTRODUCTION:

Little change to the timetable in the 1981 mainly some minor re-timings at intermediate stations. The afternoon departure from Brighton was earlier at 1500 but same timings from Reading arrival in Manchester was 15 mins late an overall 35 minute deceleration.

TIMETABLE and ROUTE:

Both trains were routed via East Croydon, Kensington Olympia (not calling ), North Pole Junction, Old Oak East Junction then Reading and the Thames Valley. The morning service from Brighton ran via  Solihull, Bordesley Junction and St Andrews Jct,. The afternoon service ran via Coventry but strangely didn't call at Banbury, Leamington or Birmingham International. The loco change was at Birmingham New Street.  The Saturday night service from Manchester Piccadilly was, after Coventry routed via the West Coast Mainline.

At this point in time there were just two local trains between Clapham junction and Kensington Olympia in the morning at 0812 and 0845 with two returning in the afternoon at 1636 and 1707. Formed class 33/1 and 4TC all other moves to and from Olympia were as ECS.

LOCOMOTIVES:

The diet of class 47's continued. The train was booked for class 47/4's but as both sets of coaches were dual heat the odd steam heat loco would appear. Any suitable ac electric could haul the train north of Birmingham New Street. Engineering work diversions could see some rare traction, see the photos below. Occasional failures would see class 33's or class 73's substitute on the Southern.

June saw some 'Peak' haulage on the daytime train from Manchester, this lasted a week or so and strangely would reoccur over the following couple of years.

The Saturday night service from Piccadilly changed from electric to diesel traction at Mitre Bridge. The Diesel loco came light engine from Selhurst Depot departing at 0313 Sunday morning, Departure from Mitre Bridge was at 0400. There is a good chance that this train would have class 33 or 73 haulage.

STOCK:

The Working Timetable timing loads are shown as D315/E315 which equates to 9 cars. The day time set was now booked for airbraked Mk2abc vehicles.  The overnight set retained its all Mk1 consist.

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PHOTOS:

	45063 runs into platform 2 at East Croydon whilst working 1M64 the 1500 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly. Photo taken 3rd June 1982. Photographer John Atkinson. Used with permission.
	47191 accelerates between East & South Croydon with 1O74 the 0730 Manchester Piccadilly to Brighton. Photo taken 28th September 1982. Photographer Graham Walker. Used with permission.
	47509 'Albion' runs through Banbury with 1O74 the 0730 Manchester Piccadilly to Brighton. Photo taken 15th April 1983. Photographer Jim Binnie/ Authors collection.