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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. |
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66554 approaching Whitley Bridge, Yorkshire, with a train of bogie coal hoppers bound for Eggborough
Power Station on 5 February 2003. |
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The new 'Voyager' trains took over all Virgin Cross-country 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 Cross-country from September 2003, a victim of service reductions designed to improve
reliability. |
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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. |