Manchester Rail Travel Society
History
In mid-1966 three Manchester-based enthusiasts, Peter Blunn, Frank Cronin and Bernard Crick, set out to acquire a Midland Railway 2441 Class 'Jinty' of 1899 vintage. However the last examples had been withdrawn from service and sold for scrap before they could raise the purchase price. The three formed the Manchester Rail Travel Society (MRTS) and set out to acquire a more modern Fowler Jinty, the LMS standard shunting tank locomotive of 1924 design instead.[1].
An agreement to acquire 47383 from BR was reached in November 1966 (the locomotive was part of a 'package deal' negotiated by the ARPS which also included BR 4MT 75029, 34023 Blackmoor Vale, 35028 Clan Line and Worsdell J27 65894).[1] 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.[2] Two of the joint rail tours in 1968 were partly hauled by LMS Stanier 8F 48773, then still a BR-owned locomotive.[3] One tour also featured future SVR 'Black Five' 45110. Mainly as a result of this relationship, the SVR was to become the locomotive's new home in preservation. It arrived at Bridgnorth by road on 3 May 1968, becoming the 5th locomotive to join the SVR, some two years before the SVR's official opening.[1][2]
On 26 November 2016 the surviving MRTS headboard was used on Frank Cronin's final driving turn before his retirement from the footplate.[4]
The Society has no website, social media or other public image.
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 November 1966 | Three Counties Special | Round tour from Manchester | 5 steam locos used including 47383 double headed. | SBJ | |
| 25 March 1967 | Hants & Dorset Branch Flyer | Round tour from Southampton | 4 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
| 28 October 1967 | Preservation Special | Round tour from Stockport | MRTS/SVRS, 4 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
| 25 November 1967 | Lancs & Yorks Rambler / Mancunian | Round tour from Leeds | 60019 Bittern | SBJ | |
| 20 April 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 April 1968 | North West Tour | Stockport - Liverpool | SVRS/MRTS, 6 steam locos used. | SBJ | |
| 28 July 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 |