SPECIAL TRAIN HADFIELD TO EDGE HILL

On Sunday 9th September Northern Rail ran a special Stakeholders' Train from Hadfield to Edge Hill. The train carried invited passengers - the merry band of volunteers who support Northern in this area - and Northern Managers. It has been an annual tradition of Northern to thank volunteers at an event such as this. Previous destinations have included Bridlington, Morecambe, The Worth Valley Railway and the East Lancs. Railway. Friends of Hadfield Station had bedecked the station in bunting to mark the event and the flowers planted earlier in the summer provided a most attractive backdrop. There was a real air of excitement as the two Class 156's pulled in - very rare visitors to the Glossop line! FOGS were represented by John LeG., John K., Penny and Neil. Also joining the party was Matthew who had been asked to don his Victorian Station Master's outfit to add some fun to the train! It was a lovely morning as the train left at 9.41 calling at selected stations to Guide Bridge then taking the rare passenger route to Stockport calling at Denton and Reddish South stations that normally only see a service once a week on a Friday.There were some very surprised householders en route who clearly thought they had woken up on the wrong day!!! From there to Piccadilly and towards Liverpool via Chat Moss where signs of the new electrification were in evidence. Lots of banter on board the train as many passengers knew fellow friends. We were in the good company of Val and Derek from Chapel who shared our humour! It was nice to see some of the Personnel at Northern whom we know best including our own Manager Theo, his boss Paul, Route 28 Star Dwayne, Pete Gerring and area Boss Mark Barker. Mark's excellent souvenir booklet was well received as was the Quiz! On arrival at Edge Hill one of the 156's was named George Bradshaw by a member of his family and Northern Rail's popular Area Director Lee Wasnidge. After that lots of time to take tours in vintage buses to destinations including tunnels and The Beatles! Time too for lunch, a visit to explore Metal in the buildings at Edge Hill, admire the newly created garden and listen to the music. "Does the train stop at Merseyside?" proved a popular and appropriate number! The return train left at 15.53 for the same route home arriving back at Hadfield at 17.37 on time to the minute! Not an easy job squeezing a special train into the single track Dinting triangle and, on this occasion, the special was unable to call at Glossop on both outward and return journeys. Chris Strogen took the excellent accompanying photos of the 156 Special traversing Dinting Viaduct at 17.30 as it returned home highlighting not only the train but the extensive repair works evident now on the Viaduct. We thank Northeren for their generous hospiltality in providing the train and the event - a really good day out! We doubt whether any other rail company would go to the lengths of Northern in creating such a happy event for the benefit of their volunteers.