doug1944
master brummie
Hi
Does anyone remember the evening Motorail train (I think it went on Sat) which carried peoples cars in vans whilst the passengers had sleeping berths. It left Sutton going north via Lichfield and because of the slippy start through the tunnel was always assisted in the rear by a banking (or `pusher`) engine. We used to wait for the banker to come back on the other line through the station, the loco crew had big grins on their faces as they knew that they had given a good show for the spectators. Plenty of steam, smoke and wheelslip ! I remember that the Porter (Johnny Forsythe, a wonderful Irish chap) used a lighted `Evening Mail` instead of a lamp to send the Motorail away ! I think this service ran from late 1950`s until mid 1960`s. Anyone got photo`s?
Does anyone remember the evening Motorail train (I think it went on Sat) which carried peoples cars in vans whilst the passengers had sleeping berths. It left Sutton going north via Lichfield and because of the slippy start through the tunnel was always assisted in the rear by a banking (or `pusher`) engine. We used to wait for the banker to come back on the other line through the station, the loco crew had big grins on their faces as they knew that they had given a good show for the spectators. Plenty of steam, smoke and wheelslip ! I remember that the Porter (Johnny Forsythe, a wonderful Irish chap) used a lighted `Evening Mail` instead of a lamp to send the Motorail away ! I think this service ran from late 1950`s until mid 1960`s. Anyone got photo`s?