2002 was a year of big changes on Virgin Trains' cross-country network, with the Class 47 locomotives being displaced, after 40 years service, by new 'Voyager' units. Three of this year's five pictures show the old order on Virgin CrossCountry.
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Early in the year, as in many previous years, weekend West Coast Main Line services between Preston and Carlisle were diverted over the Settle to Carlisle line. This picture shows 47744 "Royal Mail Cheltenham", hired from EWS, hauling Virgin's diverted 10.42 Birmingham International to Edinburgh service past Blea Moor on 16 February 2002. |
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A pair of Class 325 mail units, numbers 325004 and 325002, approaching Colton Junction, south of York, with the 16.01 Willesden to Edinburgh, on 24 May 2002. These units are owned by Royal Mail, and were out of use for most of 2004 following the ending of transport of mail by train. A new mail service using these units, operated by GBRf, commenced on the West Coast Main Line in December 2004. |
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The last regular Class 47 passenger working to Newcastle was a service from Bristol and return (to Birmingham on Saturdays). 47817 "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers" awaits departure from Newcastle on Saturday 25 May, with the 17.56 to Birmingham. This service went over to Voyager operation during July 2002. |
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Virgin Trains' 09.15 Aberdeen to Plymouth service crossing Stockport Viaduct, and approaching the station on 4 June 2002. The leading power car of the High Speed Train is 43195. |
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South West Trains Class 458 no.8010 at London Waterloo on 27 December, with the 11.22 to Reading |