1982-1983

Little change in '82.

Page last updated 31/08/2011

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....however as the pictures will show this changed towards the end of the timetable period.

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PHOTOS:

	45063 runs into platform 2 at East Croydon whilst working 1M64 the 1500 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly. Class 45's were very rare and a welcome change from the usual diet of class 47's. Photo taken 3rd June 1982. Photographer John Atkinson. Used with permission.
	47445 storms along at Ruscombe near Twyford on the West of England mainline with 1M50 the 0920 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly service. Photo taken 7th August 1982.  Photographer Geoff Edwards / Authors collection.
	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.
	47440 storms out of Brighton passing Lovers Walk Depot with the 1500 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly. Mk2abc stock is now the norm in this 1982 view. Photo by the Author.
	Captured in the dark of Crewe station 86327 awaits to depart with 1M64 the 1500 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly. Photo taken 15th February 1983.  Photographer Barrie Watkins / Authors collection.
	47511 'Thames' gets 1M50 the 0920 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly away from Brighton. A Mk2 first class air-conditioned coach leads the train, it would have been interesting to see the rest of the set as the train was still booked for MK1 vacuum braked stock at this date   The station roof is once again shrouded in scaffolding. Photo taken 10th March 1983. Photographer Geoff Edwards / Authors collection.
	Another photo of 47511 'Thames' as it gets 1M50 the 0920 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly away from Brighton and under the footbridge between the signalbox and Montpelier sidings. Photo taken 10th March 1983. Photographer Geoff Edwards / Authors collection.
	47076 'City of Truro' arrives at Coventry with 1M50 the 0920 Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly service. The train is back to Mk1 stock on this April 1983 dated slide. Photographer unknown / Authors collection.
	47509 'Albion' runs through Banbury with 1O74 the 0730 Manchester Piccadilly to Brighton. Photo taken 15th April 1983. Photographer Jim Binnie / Authors collection.