As well as Chesterfield, we went farther afield from time to time. Sheffield of course a favourite, either Midland -where Python Michael Palin started his interest in trains or Victoria which was electrified to Manchester via the Woodhead Tunnel.

The Manchester line was the only main line electrified at 1500V d.c and was operated using Class EM1 (Tommy) or EM2 Electric locos like 27000 pictured here.

Sheffield Midland was still largely steam as below.

From time to time a friendly driver would let you go on the footplate, and on one memorable occasion I was allowed -against regulations – to travel on the footplate back to Chesterfield. Unfortunately I have no memory or record of which locomotive it was- though it would have been on a local service, and I suspect the heat etc would have put off any ideas of becoming an engine driver.

Our other regular expedition was to Retford on the East Coast Main  Line from Kings Cross  to Edinburgh. We went by bus as the train journey involved about 3 changes. The main reason was to see the main line steam such as A4’s (nicknamed Streaks because of the streamlining), A3’s like the Flying Scotsman and other high speed passenger locos. But it was a case of the ‘old and the new’ because this was the beginning of the diesel age and in particular the Deltic. Below are an A4 and below it, the prototype Deltic in its distinctive colours.

An A4 on the Capitals Limited

Prototype Deltic

I also did some Western Region spotting on holidays to Devon, but more of that county later.