4 August 1968

Train 1Z78 was 'Farewell to Steam No.1' organised by the Stephenson Locomotive Society. Motive power from Manchester Victoria was two 'Black Fives' 44871 and 44894. Enthusiasts are all over the tracks after taking pictures and now getting on the train. 

44871 and 44894 waiting to get under way on the first stage of the steam worked section, to Huddersfield. 

1Z78 was followed at Manchester Victoria by 1Z79 'Farewell to Steam No. 2'  with 44874 and 45017 which took the same route as 1Z78. 

Stanier 8F 48476 and B R Standard class 5 73069 were rostered for 1L50 which was the RCTS special. It started at London Euston, arrived late at Manchester for the steam part of the trip then  got later and later during the course of the day.  The two locos are standing on the banker road at Victoria station. They took the special to Blackburn via Oldham Mumps, Rochdale, Bury and Bolton. 

Another view of Stanier 8F 48476 and B R Standard class 5 73069 with a class 25 diesel in the background.

B R 'Britannia' Pacific 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' and 'Black Five' 44781, unlined, arrived before the 1L50  special and were motive power for 1Z74, the Locomotive Club of Great Britain special. They headed it from Victoria to Blackburn direct via Bolton. 

'Black Five' 45305 had arrived light from Lostock Hall shed coupled with 70013 and 44781. It is seen here waiting to go to Cheetham Hill carriage sidings to collect the stock for the B R sponsored special on which I travelled. In the background 73069 on  the delayed RCTS special 1L50 is just getting underway.   

Look at the crowd! Spilling off the end of the platform, albeit with a British Transport Police presence. 1Z74 left about 45 minutes late after 1L50 had at last departed. 

1Z74 is leaving. The interesting vehicle in the siding is a 'NEPTUNE SYSTEM' railcar used for track inspections. 

45305 has arrived back at Victoria with 1T85 

B R's  'Last Days of Steam' special. 

Another view of 45305 before departure, due away at 14.20. 

The train ran on a circular route shown in 'The Railtour Files' as:  Manchester Victoria - Deal Street Jn - Ordsall Lane Jn - Eccles - Parkside Jn - Newton-le-Willows - Earlestown - St Helens Junction - Huyton - Olive Mount Jn - Edge Lane - Bootle Jn - Hall Road - Birkdale - Southport  South Jn - St Lukes - Meols Cop - Burscough Bridge - Wigan Wallgate - Ince - Hindley Jn - Crow Nest Jn - Dobbs Brow Jn - Walkden - Brindle Heath Jn - Pendleton - Windsor Bridge - Manchester Victoria. 

I had a ticket so was aboard the train when it left Victoria. 

At Wigan Wallgate 1T85 crossed 1Z79 with 44874 and 45017 on their way back to Manchester Victoria via Bootle and Rainhill. 

44874 and 45017 wait for the right away from Wigan Wallgate after a stop for water. 

Upon departure the train will pass under the bridge carrying the West Coast main line between Wigan North Western station and Preston. 

45305 fills up  from the other water tank at Wigan Wallgate. The goods yard is in the background. 

45305 passes Wigan Gas Works with the North Western Gas Board's Ruston & Hornsby 88DS four-wheel diesel in the siding. 

Back at Manchester Victoria 45110 was the designated spare engine in case of failure by another loco.  Accounts from the day suggest it was not called upon to do anything. 

Early evening in Manchester Victoria as  44871 ,with 44894 behind, on 1Z78 and 45305 on 1T85 at adjacent platforms receive plenty of attention from passengers and onlookers. 1Z78 departed for Stockport where an electric loco took over for the journey to Birmingham. 

1Z79 with 44874 and 45017  followed 1Z78 to Stockport whilst 45305 left light engine for 10D Lostock Hall loco shed.

Here today, gone tomorrow. Sunday 4 August 1968 was the very last day you could see this steamy scene - 48476 with 73069 out of sight wait to depart on their special 1L50 while 44781 behind 70013, which is not in view, heads 1Z74. 

There will be passengers at Manchester Victoria the next day waiting for trains, but no steam. Wonder how many travellers knew that on this historic date?  And did the Daily Express mention the BIG news in Monday's paper - the end of BR steam? 

Each a glimpse and gone for ever.....'From A Railway Carriage' by Robert Louis Stevenson