Class 57, Kirkby Stephen Once again in 2003, weekend services on the West Coast Main Line were diverted via Settle for a few weeks early in the year. This year, Virgin Class 57 locos (rebuilt Class 47s) made their debut on these services. This picture shows 57304 "Gordon Tracy" near Birkett Tunnel, south of Kirkby Stephen, with the 12.16 Glasgow Central to London Euston on 23 March.
Class 66 at Whitley Bridge 66554 approaching Whitley Bridge, Yorkshire, with a train of bogie coal hoppers bound for Eggborough Power Station on 5 February 2003.
Class 220 Voyager at Liverpool The new 'Voyager' trains took over all Virgin CrossCountry services during 2003. Waiting to depart from Liverpool Lime Street on 12 July is set 220027 on the 10.04 to Reading. Liverpool ceased to be served by Virgin CrossCountry from September 2003, a victim of service reductions designed to improve reliability.
Class 317 Stansted Express at Roydon During the early 2000s the Stansted Express service was operated by West Anglia Great Northern using Class 317/7 units. This is 317729 passing through Roydon station with the 11.00 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport on 17 February.
Class 86 at Euston Virgin West Coast ended their regular use of Class 86 electric locomotives during the year. Just a few weeks before withdrawal, 86247 "Abraham Darby" stands at Euston at the head of the 15.40 to Liverpool, on 6 September.

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