Rail Blue - Classic Diesel Traction Around Liverpool

[vorlonb3]

Lovely classic footage there,though where was the Peak going per chance? seems remote.....

[acw71000]

Not sure where the tour originated from but I filmed her on the lines around Birkenhead Docks

[imcadam121]

1989.the year that i commenced me railway careeer aged 16.

it's a different industry now.

[acw71000]

Very true, the rail industry is probably unrecognisable from those days

[imcadam121]

@acw71000

yeah.

it's certainly more fragmented & costs the taxpayer nearly 4 times more!

[MonochromeLoco]

A real pleasure Austin. It's a damn sin that it isn't still this way. I ain't been to Lime Street since I was a boy. i bet its nothing but units and Virgin trains these days. I had the pleasure of taking 87032 'Kenilworth' to the end of the platform and back too. Great days. Keith

[acw71000]

Thanks Keith, as you say no variety now and I bet you can't wander about freely either these days!

[thehoff1982]

does anybody have footage of the wcml through runcorn in the 80's? i grew up watching hst's, 304's, the APT and peaks roaring past.

[Bignadim]

they still used these Peaks upto 1990 as I used them to go to college from Huddersfield to Leed ocassionally field study trips to Liverpool or manchester so thanx for this vid

[acw71000]

Thanks, glad it brought back a few memories for you

[TimRuffle]

Footage like this almost justifies YouTube's existence on its own. It reminds me of catching the train to Lime Street to visit my grandfather. Remembered very fondly- as is Grandpa.

I often think it a great pity that I didn't have a camcorder when I lived in Durham overlooking the ECML. I'd have had hours of footage like this with Deltics, Peaks, 40s and other classes slogging up the hill away from the station. Probably no O-levels though so it might be just as well.

[acw71000]

Thank you, its rather nice I think when a video can trigger such good memories of your grandfather. On balance, I would agree that your O-levels were far more important than capturing footage of trains. No doubt the memories of them are still clear in your mind.

[pinza55007]

this takes me back in time. added to faves and liked.

[acw71000]

Thanks, only seems like yesterday doesn't it? Thanks also for jogging the memory about the class 304's

[pinza55007]

@acw71000 indeed it does. i have a couple of slide shows posted on my channel that might be of interest. they are mostly from the mid 80's as br blue started giving way to railfreight grey or intercity etc..

[rickwilson1984]

what is that beauty at 5:48?

[acw71000]

I've completely forgotten what class these became, I knew them as the Crewe electrics, they ran the local service between Liverpool and Crewe

[pinza55007]

@rickwilson1984 i believe that was a class 304.

[ICLOK]

bl&&dy great and thanx

[acw71000]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it

[ICLOK]

@acw71000

Just sad its all gone... the rail blue era was good.... nice trip down mem lane and i just sad i never got a vid camera back then... good job you did... cheers

[acw71000]

Thanks, it was a good era. I just wish the cameras around at the time had the quality you can get today

[bgnukem]

The railway used to be a much more interesting place....

[acw71000]

I certainly think so but probably look at it through rose tinted specs. I'm sure modern day enthusiasts enjoy the current scene

[slider2732]

I got married soon after that era, so those scenes are very familiar to this Cheshire traveller. Good to see a 304 too ya know, I remember them as 4 car with compo's !

[acw71000]

I used to love the springy seats in the 304's and the engines whining away, glad to have brought back a few memories for you.

[acw71000]

Thanks, I remember that 37431 always seemed to be on duty whenever I was filming!

[BRU11ROAD]

I totally agree with you not a pendolino or voyager in sight proper trains the way they should be these are the sort of scenes that can now be only seen on a model railway or you tube

[acw71000]

Yes and there must be so much unseen footage from people who don't upload to YouTube

[lonelywolf1966]

long live the days of loco hauled trains!!! who needs emu/dmu's thanks for this brings back memories of a wasted(not by me!!) youth

[acw71000]

You're so right, much better to travel behind a loco than in a sardine can. Thanks for your comments

[vorlonb3]

Some nice shots there and memories long gone too. Seen the 45 a a few times and the 37's over at doncaster. Railcars may be more reliable but give me a loco+MK2 coaches anyday, more comfy, tables and more stable at high speed....

[acw71000]

Thanks, yes you are so right about loco and coaches, felt like a proper train, glad you enjoyed the memories

[acw71000]

That's a shame, there seemed a bit more variety back then.

[spotterr50021]

5/5 great video nice to see the old stuff when i go spotting you see the same old crap 66 its nice to come home and see some good old stuff on you tube the good old days

[acw71000]

Thanks very much, I must admit I find it hard to get too enthusiastic about modern loco's.

[type2thrash]

These were the days!! Didn't like much about the 80's but loved the BR Corperate blue era! *****

[acw71000]

Quite agree, terrible times but great livery.

[dieselmanmike]

Large logo BR Blue is my favourite era, so this was a real treat for me, thanks for posting !

[acw71000]

Thanks very much, they were good times.

[Framptonjoe]

Good memories there thank you. Was in the 'pool for a while in the late 80s. Good to see loco hauled trains as well, bored of multiple units. Always loved the Peaks.

[acw71000]

Thanks, agree how boring multiple units are, suppose thats 'progress' for you!!

[robmasterman]

Brilliant Vintage and in Widescreen, ....this brought back some memories Austin, I remember seeing 37431 being named 'Sir Powys/County of Powys' at Llandrindod Wells on the 17th June 1987..5* Bob

[acw71000]

Thanks Bob, frightening how the years pass so quickly. 37431 became something of an old friend as everytime I filmed the 'Cardiffs' she was the rostered loco. Where I used to live you could hear them growling up from Edge Hill, fantastic sound.

[GreatWestern175]

I remember seeing 37s and 47s back during the early to late 90s, this really does go back along. Excellent archive material here.

[acw71000]

Thanks, I go back longer than I thought!!

[mecrazy5]

when did BR finnesh?

[acw71000]

Around 1996

[NN2Blue]

Excellent compilation - thank you for sharing 5*

[acw71000]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it