Cab Rid No 41 – Bury to Manchester Victoria

This dvd, Cab Ride No.41, is a compilation of the ever changing lines into Bury (Lancashire).

We start with a BR cab ride from the town’s inter-change station into Victoria and return. We filmed these outward from Victoria but have reversed the order to help continuity. From Bury we continue north to Ramsbottom and then to Rawtenstall, this is of course on the preserved East Lancashire Railway, the northern extension from Ramsbottom is yet to re-open to the public.

Part One – 09.45 Bury to Manchester Victoria.
Calling at Bury, Radcliffe, Whitefield, Besses-o’-th’-Barn, Prestwich, Heaton Park, Bowker Vale, Crumpsall, Woodlands Road and Manchester-Victoria. On the 20th September 1990 Driver John Deluther, Inspector Walter Wood and Public Relations Officer Steve Young are on train, our traction is Class 504 EMU 504-458 arranging in Victoria at 10.08.

Part Two – 09.00 Manchester Victoria to Bury.
The reverse of Part One aboard the same unit but with Driver Peter Kingston at the controls. This line is of course to be swallowed up by the controversial light rapid system for Manchester, Victoria station has already been cannibalised to let ’Trains’ turn sharp left into the city’s streets and onto Altrincham line. From May 1991 through trains will be curtailed and many of the unique class 504 side pick up third rail EMU’s will go for scrap.

Part Three – Bury (Bolton Street to Ramsbottom).
On the preserved East Lancashire Railway, calling at Summerseat, the only intermediate station, during the diesel gala on the 7 October 1990. We view our traction Green Class 40 D335 owned by the Class Forty Preservation Society before hopping aboard. The locos controls are also explained briefly at Summerseat.

Part Four – Ramsbottom to Rawtenstall West.
Filmed to assist driver training on the yet to re-opened northern extension of the East Lancashire Railway in the unique Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) Gemini.

Please note: No Railscene ‘crew’ were allowed on board, the conversation is only between ELR   volunteers.