This is 91115 Blaydon Races at King's Cross with the 09.30 to Edinburgh. My train, with 43274 a'front, can be seen alongside
Departure from King's Cross was on time. On the way I noted 67008 as the King's Cross thunderbird, and 08596 at Bounds Green. To the north of Peterborough station were several loco's, including 66044, 66742 and 3 class 20's - 20901, 20096 in BR blue livery and 20304. The weather today was cold and grey with snow on the ground. At Doncaster I saw 66200, 66588 with a southbound freightliner, and at Wakefield Westgate 91132 with a southbound express that had the purple 'Flying Scotsman' liveried DVT on the front. Arrival at Leeds was on time at 11.48.
43274 after arrival at Leeds
After getting my West Yorkshire Day Rover I headed back to the platforms to board Voyager 220 012 on the 12.11 to Plymouth, (07.50 Ex Glasgow Central), which I took back to Wakefield Westgate. Returning from there on HST 43305 + 43207 with the 12.31 to Leeds (10.35 from London King's Cross). Then it was Super Voyager 221 126 to Wakefield on the 13.11 to Penzance (09.00 from Glasgow), returning behind 91108 with the 13.31 to Leeds (11.35 from King's Cross).
221 126 calls at Wakefield Westgate with the 09.00 Glasgow Central - Penzance
From Leeds I then decided to head for Wakefield Kirkgate aboard 158 902 on the 14.05 Leeds-Nottingham. This running non-stop via Normanton. On the way passing Leeds Midland Road Freightliner depot where several 66/5's were parked, including 66513, 66536, 66598 and 66953. Further south we passed 66568 just north of Normanton with a northbound freightliner.
158 902 calls at Wakefield Kirkgate with the 14.05 Leeds - Nottingham
142 084 awaits departure from Wakefield Kirkgate with the 14.31 to Knottingley
150 272 calls at Wakefield Kirkgate with the 13.50 Sheffield - Leeds
I returned from Wakefield to Leeds aboard 150 272 with the 13.50 Sheffield-Leeds (14.28 at Wakefield), on the way passing 66206 with a southbound tanker train, just to the south of Leeds. At Leeds I then decided to head for Bradford Interchange, which I did aboard 158 756 with the 14.13 York-Blackpool North (14.53 at Leeds).
158 756 waits to depart Bradford Interchange with the 14.13 York-Blackpool North
180 107 HART OF THE NORTH stands at Bradford Interchange waiting to work Grand Central's 15.37 to London Kings' Cross via Halifax and Wakefield Kirkgate
After a wait of just 10 minutes or so returned from Bradford to Leeds aboard 158 753 on the 13.29 Blackpool North-Leeds (15.19 at Bradford Interchange). At Leeds I saw Battle of Britain liveried 91110 BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT depart with the 15.45 to King's Cross.
158 753 after arrival at Leeds with the 13.29 Blackpool North - York
I then decided to have a little stroll around the city centre and watch some buses...
Articulated bus 10040 on route 95 to the University
Gemini 37720 on route 4A to Pudsey, boards passengers outside the train station
Optare Spectra no.627 in Leeds city centre on a service to Wakefield
Back onto the trains and it was getting into rush hour and thus very busy. A large crowd awaited the 16.40 to Manchester Piccadilly (15.40 from Hull) which arrived in the less than capable hands of 2-car 170 301, a former South-West Trains unit. It was crowded but nevertheless I got a seat and I took it to Huddersfield. At Huddersfield there were delays of around 45 minutes to some eastbound services. There was an announcement of a 'freight train derailment' in the Salford Crescent area, which was blocking that line. This turned out to be 47500 catching fire on the rear of an Ardwick-Carnforth ECS move by charter train operator West Coast Railways.
185 144 calls at Huddersfield with the 15.35 Manchester Airport-Scarborough, due Huddersfield at 16.27. This was running about 40 minutes late and was very crowded when it left Huddersfield.
144 016 at Huddersfield, ready to form the 17.31 stopping service to Leeds
I eventually opted to get 144 016 back to Leeds on the 17.31 stopping service, which eventually departed at 17.45 due to awaiting some of the delayed eastbound Trans-Pennine services to go past, that was my final unit move of the day. Back at Leeds I saw Cross-Country HST 43285 + 43304 with the 12.24 Plymouth-Glasgow Central, this was due to depart at 18.07 but was running around 20 minutes late. These are former Midland Mainline 43085 and former Virgin Cross Country 43104 County of Cleveland. After having a coffee I boarded my train back to London, the 1A50 19.45 Leeds-Kings Cross, propelled by 91107.
91107 at Leeds with the 19.45 to London King's Cross
On the way back I noted Union Jack liveried 47580 light engine at Doncaster and 66732 at Ferme Park. Arrival at King's Cross was on time at 21.56. There at King's Cross were 67008 again, Flying Scotsman liveried 91101, 91120 and HST 43208 + 43257 departing with the 22.00 to Newcastle. My final ride of the day was aboard Gemini WVN11 on the 259 from King's Cross to Manor House.
