The (almost) Ayr Extension tour is ‪@locomotiveservicesgroup‬'s first railtour of 2024 from Crewe to Barassie Jn via Glasgow Central using top 'n' tail Class 86101 and 87002 with their Intercity Mk3 coaches. This is also LSL's first tour with dining, which is what I went for!
The train started the day with 5Z29 from Crewe HS to Crewe to pick us up from platform 12. Leaving at 08:12, the tour ran was 1Z29 to Glasgow Central, calling at Warrington Bank Quay; Wigan North Western; Preston; Carlisle and finally Glasgow Central. We were also looped at Carstairs Down Loop to let a Pendo pass.
Passengers where then free to either continue back on the train with 1Z30/1Z31 to/from Barassie Jn (the closest we could get to Ayr because of the hotel fire) to get mileage behind 87002 or stay in Glasgow.
Upon return to Glasgow, the train ran empty to Polmadie DHS to have the coaches' tanks emptied before the return trip.
So, instead of staying at Central, ‪@savage1046‬ and a few others and myself went over to Glasgow Queen St to see a couple of ScotRail HSTs (I've never seen them before).
Finally, the return trip left Glasgow Central at 16:11 back to Crewe as 1Z32, calling at all the outbound stations, but in reverse, getting back to Crewe just after 8pm; travelling about 400 miles in 12 hours.
Twitter: / adamhai63626497
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/1941896...
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