NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 120
Chester General Station
Michael L. Roach
In Part 113 I arrived at Ruabon at 5.11pm on 4 July 1964 and stayed just a short time photographing two trains. What to do next? Start heading back south towards my holiday bed at Gloucester on the 4.30pm Birkenhead to Paddington at 5.43pm and have an hour or two at Shrewsbury or Hereford? No, I decided to press on to Chester General, a half hour journey, behind a Brush Type 4, which was running 11L. This was a good decision as it turned out. Although I have been back to Chester several times since, and nearly always by train, the half hour I spent at Chester that evening turned out to be my only visit to the station in steam days. Although there were diesel-hauled expresses and DMU’s around Chester in 1964 there was still a fair amount of steam passing through the station both east-west and north-south. I headed back south at 6.25pm behind Jubilee 45660 Rooke hauling 4C.
The first railways arrived at Chester in 1840, but the present station opened to passengers in 1848 as a joint station and was known as Chester General from 1875 to 1969.
The station was designed by Francis Thompson (1808-1895) the architect of the Chester & Holyhead Railway in the Italianate style, which Brunel often used. The station is now Listed Grade II*. The history of railways arriving at Chester and opening passenger stations is complicated so I would refer you to Wikipedia for more detail.
The first railways arrived at Chester in 1840, but the present station opened to passengers in 1848 as a joint station and was known as Chester General from 1875 to 1969.
The station was designed by Francis Thompson (1808-1895) the architect of the Chester & Holyhead Railway in the Italianate style, which Brunel often used. The station is now Listed Grade II*. The history of railways arriving at Chester and opening passenger stations is complicated so I would refer you to Wikipedia for more detail.
In this first view is Black 5 4-6-0 no. 44993 of 12A Carlisle Kingmoor Shed with 10C on the 2.35pm Holyhead to Birmingham New Street, due to leave Chester at 6.10pm and reach Birmingham at 8.48pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Two minutes after the last photo Britannia 70045 Lord Rowallan of 6J Holyhead Shed enters Chester General on the 5.10pm Liverpool Lime Street to Holyhead train – a 3-hour trip from Chester. Note the bags of mail on a Saturday evening. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Jinty 47389 of 6A Chester Shed was station pilot on the evening of 4 July 1964. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Jubilee 45660 Rooke of 6A Chester Shed is ready to depart Chester with the 5.37pm Birkenhead to Shrewsbury train. In the summer of 1964 the last train of the day SO was the 8.55pm off Birkenhead went to Paddington and conveyed sleeping cars. The train ran seven days a week. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
It is now 7.45pm and 45660 has arrived at Shrewsbury. The engine is still wearing a 6D Shrewsbury shedplate where it was stationed until June 1964. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Largin 153
Roger Geach
Just a shot showing how open Largin was on 15th May 2010 with a couple of 153 units (I never liked them at all!). Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks as always Roger. This high level shot is now, predictably, completely obscured by trees, although thankfully a small clear spot still exists further down the bank.
Moving Clay whilst the sun shines
Jon Hird & Mark Lynam
Running slightly later than usual due to additional 'Boardmasters' traffic on the branch, GBRf 66759 is about to pass beneath Treffrys Aqueduct near Luxulyan with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay. 10.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The later path worked to Marks advantage at Golant, with the tide rising and the sun moving round to enhance his photo of 66759 crossing the causeway, almost at journeys end. 10.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
At 1838 66759 once again crosses the Golant Causeway, heading for Lostwithiel and Goonbarrow with the train of empties. 10.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Mark, a super day for it.
Then & Now
at Cam & Dursley
Ian Thomas
A HST passes Cam & Dursley working a Penzance to Edinburgh service. 18.07.1996, copyright Ian Thomas.
30 years later - and from the opposite direction - comes another HST, this time 43025 working last weekends Manchester - Paignton excursion. 08.08.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Ian - 1996 certainly doesn't feel like 30 years ago!
Boardmasters Special
Jon Hird
9-car GWR IET unit 802113 crosses a rather parched Kerrow Moor with an additional 1231 Newquay - London Paddington service, taking home revellers who'd enjoyed a weekend at the Boardmasters Music Festival near Watergate Bay. 10.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
August 1976
Part 11
Roger Winnen
A 4Rep Southern Unit at Eastleigh. 03.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Units receiving attention at Eastleigh Works. 03.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
73101 at Eastleigh. 03.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
73s and 33s at Eastleigh. 03.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.