I worked on 31s in the late60s & early 70s a then they were a good engine even @ 75 mph.
Worked ECS with 12-14 on out of Kings Cross with little trouble.

On March 16th 1993, we started the electrification of Leeds/Bradford/Ilkley/Skipton roads.
We collected the trains from the Depot at Donny.
At first we had Class 31s on the jobs, but these engines were rusting to bits, always failing shutting down, and could not pull the skin off a rice pudding.
After a month these time expired locos were removed from these duties, and replaced with Class 47's, which was a marked improvement on the 31's.
At this time, class 31's were on Sheffield to Cleethorpes jobs, with 4 coaches, cos thats all they could manage..
Dont forget that these engines may have been ok in 1970, but 23 years later, they were on the slide.

thats pritty dam good......:)

Morning mate, I am sure I speak for all us when I say Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.

48111

I too have had very severe family problems in the recent past, and I would not wish what me and my wife had to contend with on anyone.

Well as we work the "Daily trip" of life, we never know what we will pick up along the way.
I am sure there are many of us who can relate to some family tragedy or massive problem.
I know I can.


48111

Yes Peter, and having had to deal with personal tragedy makes us more sympathetic to others when tragedy or misfortune strike.

Absolutley mate.

Do I hear the words Class 31s, Oh how I rember the days of the
Liverpool-Blackpool Northwest Express always almost hauled by a Class 31.

The best place for Class 31 Traction theese days is in my Veiw anyway the Nene Valley Railway with 31108.

In reality the Preserving of such fantastic Lomotives is good but in someways premature thogh being very few and far between Loco Haulage arrorund but yet it seems to be on the increase.

Most recently i exprerinced the WAG Express between Crewe & Chester spot on id say.

We at Saltley worked regularly on class 31's on the Birmingham-Norwich-Birmingham trains in the days before class 156/158 were put on these trains.
We quite often had six coaches on these services and a good 31 just about managed to keep time,if you got a "ropy" one then you could forget all about running to time !On odd occasions we used to get a class 25 instead and they too made hard work of it,but you got a much better "ride" with a 25 although if there was any rough bits of track you certainly knew about it!