Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathbyteacup
But as EWS states there, there are problems with clearences brining main line locomotives onto the Metrolink network, certainly in the city centre where the OHL is far too low for a mainline loco to fit under (I believe EWS had to bring their locos in via the connection at the ELR).
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Indeed they did. Indeed, all the ballast and rails used for the relaying of the Bury line came over East Lancs metals. If I remember correctly, they used to use a mainline engine to haul them from Hopwood groundframe, through Heywood, down Broadfield Bank and in to Bolton Street. They'd then attach a cut down 08 to the back, and shunt the wagons in some sidings, specially laid for the purpose, down by the steam shed at Baron Street. Whether the mainline diesels (either 60s or 67s, I forget which) actually made it on to metrolink metals I'm not sure.
In the very early years of Metrolink, they held a depot open day, and one of the exhibits was Gothenburg, which got to the depot under it's own power. It was apparently chosen as it was the only steam engine on the line which would fit under the over head wires.