Coal back on the Lancie.
 

Freightliner have started a short term flow of coal from Ferrybridge power station to Fiddlers ferry power station, the train departs Ferrry at about 11am and runs via Hebden Bridge and Manchester Vic.
It's a fair while since coal has gone over the pennines.

On 18/02/1985 we road learned Fiddlers Ferry Power Station from HM.
We used the bubble car to do this with an Inspector from York.
The route we went was via Hebden Bridge to Man Vic, to Warrington Yards via Ashton Moss.
The train had to run round twice at Warrington to gain access th the road to FF.
On arrival at FF there could be 4 or 5 MGR's in front of you, and each discharge lasted 1 hour.
When your train was empty the route was reversed back to HM.
It was not unusual to book off in 18+ hours. This was in the days before Hidden and other regulations.
We had Class 56 engines on these jobs.
The link below is from my 1985 diary showing the weeks commencing 10/17th Feb. 1985.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/868c9278525313

The entry for Monday 11/02/85 is for 6Z39 from Stanlow Oil Terminal to Hunslet East Bulk Fuel with
56021 as the train engine.
The Saturday 16th is in HM Yards preparing the brake vans for the Saturday/Sunday Ballast Jobs.

Does anyone know what time this train would come through Man vic?
Although not a very nice station anymore, it is great for spotting.

I think it runs Mon to Fri and comes through Vic about quater past 2 ish.