Manchester Piccadilly to Harwich trains

[ntloop]

I was wondering if anyone knows when the "boat trains" from Manchester Piccadilly to Harwich ceased to operate. I remember as a spotter in the mid 60s traveling on this train, always behind a class 37, from Piccadilly to the first stop at Guide bridge.
For some reason i was suprised to see a photo on a website recently that showed this train still running in 1980, with a class 45 this time.
Did these trains cease with the clousure of the woodhead tunnel? Does anyone know when the train first started and when it finished?

[bramleyman]

I had pleasure in travelling on it in 1976, when it was Class 31 hauled, but sadly, since then, any details I had at the time, are now lost forever.

Hope you get your answer, because it is so frustrating when a question on something of interest like this goes unanswered.

[lesleyholly]

Originally Posted by ntloop

I was wondering if anyone knows when the "boat trains" from Manchester Piccadilly to Harwich ceased to operate. I remember as a spotter in the mid 60s traveling on this train, always behind a class 37, from Piccadilly to the first stop at Guide bridge.
For some reason i was suprised to see a photo on a website recently that showed this train still running in 1980, with a class 45 this time.
Did these trains cease with the clousure of the woodhead tunnel? Does anyone know when the train first started and when it finished?

traveled on it in 1980s usally a class 40 but it then ran via edale 37 also worked on it a change off power was made at sheffield 47 worked the last trains befoere route change to west coast

[stuntman292]

I used to work in Romiley and saw these trains running well into the 80's. I travelled on it once round about 1973. I think it left Man Picc at 13.13. It did not use Woodhead, but went through Romiley and the Hope Valley line, MML, then Melton Mowbray and forever across country to Harwich. Once was enough ! Further trips to Harwich were by WCML then from Liverpool Street, but i'm glad I did it. Until close to the end it had a Gresley "teak" catering vehicle which, if my memory serves me correctly, was painted in BR blue / Grey.

[ntloop]

Many thanks for the responses to my query.

[redudley]

I will put some pics on for you.