45108 heads north through Market Harborough with an express from London St Pancras, 12th May 1979. Although Market Harborough is today firmly on the Midland it was also the junction for the former London a North Western Railway, Northampton – Peterborough line which ran parallel at this point. The Market Harborough – Peterborough section was closed in the mid 1960’s and all that is left in this photograph is the siding on the far right, however the junction and line to Northampton survived (which can be seen behind the first three coaches) until the early 1980’s. An interesting anomaly is that by this point in time the area is controlled by the London and North Western Railway signal box (Market Harborough No. 3, seen in the background) with both the Midland Railway signal boxes (Market Harborough No.1 and Market Harborough No.2) having been abolished. 45108 was originally D120 and was built at Crewe in 1961. It would be associated with the Midland Main Line for virtually all of its twenty six years of service. 45108 became derailed at Cricklewood in July 1987 and following re-railing was sent to Stratford for evaluation of the damage. With the class being rapidly withdrawn repair of the relatively minor damage was not sanctioned and 45108 was withdrawn on the 4th August 1987. 45108 would survive withdrawal to be purchased for preservation and can currently (June 2009) be found at the Midland Railway Centre.
45108 heads north through Market Harborough with an express from London St Pancras, 12th May 1979. Although Market Harborough is today firmly on the Midland it was also the junction for the former London a North Western Railway, Northampton – Peterborough line which ran parallel at this point. The Market Harborough – Peterborough section was closed in the mid 1960’s and all that is left in this photograph is the siding on the far right, however the junction and line to Northampton survived (which can be seen behind the first three coaches) until the early 1980’s. An interesting anomaly is that by this point in time the area is controlled by the London and North Western Railway signal box (Market Harborough No. 3, seen in the background) with both the Midland Railway signal boxes (Market Harborough No.1 and Market Harborough No.2) having been abolished. 45108 was originally D120 and was built at Crewe in 1961. It would be associated with the Midland Main Line for virtually all of its twenty six years of service. 45108 became derailed at Cricklewood in July 1987 and following re-railing was sent to Stratford for evaluation of the damage. With the class being rapidly withdrawn repair of the relatively minor damage was not sanctioned and 45108 was withdrawn on the 4th August 1987. 45108 would survive withdrawal to be purchased for preservation and can currently (June 2009) be found at the Midland Railway Centre.
30th June 2009
On this day in History –Toton – 20th February 1972
John's Railway Gallery @ fotopic.net
45130 awaits departure from Leicester with a northbound express, 12th May 1979. 45130 was originally D117 and was built at Crewe in 1961. It was one of fifty Peaks selected in the first half of the 1970’s to lose there train heating boiler for electric train heating becoming 45130 in 1974. After twenty six years service predominantly on the Midland Main Line it would fall victim to the large class 45/1 fleet reduction that took place in May 1987 when twelve were condemned (almost 25% of the peaks modified with electric train heating). After lingering almost five years 45130 eventually reached MC Metals, Glasgow and was broken up in March 1992.Previous | NextPassing a fine array of semaphore signals at Dunfermline Lower 20184 and 20216 head for the Fife collieries after unloading at Longannet Power Station, 14th April 1977.

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From Gerard Flannery at 2009-06-30 11:41:40 : I can remember the "old" St Pancras.My first visit was on the 10/7/77 and I will never forget there was a line up of three Peaks waiting under the great Train shed,all waiting to head off north.I seen the 3rd Carabinier for the first time on this day as well as 45 060 Sherwood Forrester.The light purple Nameplate of 060 looked very cool.

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