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Two decades of West Coast Railways

by

Sam Hewitt

–

JUNE 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of West Coast Railways’ (WCRC) first main line operations.

The charter specialist was granted its operating licence in April 1998, and ran its first trains as an open access operator in June of that year.

West Coast Railways Class 47s and 57s are now being used to power the ‘Northern Belle’, rather than DRS Class 57s and 68s. On May 6, No. 47772 crosses Arkholme Viaduct on the Settle Junction to Carnforth line, heading the empty stock of of the ‘Belle’ from Doncaster to Carnforth. CAMERON WALKER

WCRC now operates several hundred trains per year, many of which are hauled by its own steam locomotives, or privately owned machines.

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It also operates a fleet of diesel locomotives, including two Class 33s, six Class 37s, 12 Class 47s and five Class 57s (plus many others stored or under repair), and a diverse collection of ex-BR coaching stock.

Read more in the June issue of The RM – on sale now!

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About the Author

Sam Hewitt is the Digital Content Editor at Mortons Media Group. Email: [email protected]

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