Manchester Rail Travel Society
History
A group of enthusiasts including Frank Cronin and Bernard Crick formed the Manchester Rail Travel Society (MRTS) in 1966 with the intention of acquiring a 'Jinty', the LMS standard shunting tank locomotive. To raise funds, the MRTS promoted a number of 'end of steam' rail tours, and also co-promoted four rail tours in conjunction with the emergent Severn Valley Railway Society.[1] Two of the joint rail tours in 1968 were partly hauled by LMS Stanier 8F 48773, then still a BR-owned locomotive.[2] One tour also featured future SVR 'Black Five' 45110.
As a result of this relationship, 47383 became the 5th locomotive to join the SVR, arriving by road from Blackwell A Winning Colliery in May 1968 some two years before the official opening.[1]
On 26 November 2016 the surviving MRTS headboard was used on Frank Cronin's final driving turn before his retirement from the footplate[3].
List of rail tours organised by the MRTS
The following rail tours were organised by the MRTS. Links are included to tour details on Six Bells Junction.
Date | Tour name | Route (steam only) | Notes | Web | SVR News |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 Nov 1966 | Three Counties Special | Round tour from Manchester | 5 steam locos used including 47383 double headed. | SBJ | |
25 Mar 1967 | Hants & Dorset Branch Flyer | Round tour from Southampton | 4 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
28 Oct 1967 | Preservation Special | Round tour from Stockport | MRTS/SVRS, 4 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
25 Nov 1967 | Lancs & Yorks Rambler / Mancunian | Round tour from Leeds | 60019 Bittern | SBJ | |
20 Apr 1968 | North West Tour | Stockport - Liverpool | MRTS/SVRS, 6 steam locos used. 45110 worked Stockport to Stalybridge double headed. 48773 worked Bolton-Stockport. |
SBJ | |
27 Apr 1968 | North West Tour | Stockport - Liverpool | SVRS/MRTS, 6 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
28 Jul 1968 | Farewell to B.R. Steam | Round tour from Manchester Vic. | SVRS/MTRS, 6 steam locos used. 48773 worked Rose Grove to Manchester via Copy Pit |
SBJ |
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SVR Stock Book 9th Edition
- ↑ SVR News 11
- ↑ 'Frank Cronin '50 years' ', SVRLive, 26 November 2016 (retrieved 19 September 2021)