Whitmore Water Troughs

I reckon it was my sister's fault. In July 1961, then aged 15, she went with her friend Fiona on a holiday in the West Highlands of Scotland. And naturally travelled by train. The journey involved a change of trains at Crewe in each direction. On her return, on Saturday 29th July 1961, I was asked by my parents if would travel up to Crewe to ensure that she changed from the Perth to Euston service, due Crewe shortly after 4 pm, on to a Birmingham bound train, and to accompany her home.

Well, I didn't need asking twice, so off I went to Birmingham New Street to get on the first train bound for Crewe. This turned out to be the 9.35am Bournemouth to Manchester & Liverpool that was already standing at platform 7. An ex works Black 5, no 45021, from Speke Junction shed, paint hardly dry, was backing down on to the train, which comprised 12 coaches. There was one slight problem, the train was advertised as setting down only. But nobody seemed to be taking any notice. I located myself in a compartment in the first carriage, where I hoped to listen to the sound of a hard working engine. I was not disappointed. The train was first stop Crewe, and left New Street in an easterly direction, then travelled via Aston and Bescot, joining the more usual route at Bushbury Junction. The signs were good from the outset. Between the various service slacks, the engine was worked hard.

Once past Stafford, the running was excellent, and with the speed nicely over 60 mph, we were heading for Whitmore, the summit of the line. My joy and enthusiasm for the sounds from the engine was observed with interest from a gentleman who was also occupying the compartment. He was a "Gentleman of the cloth" if that is the right expression. Why was I so enthusiastic ?, he asked. I explained that the engine had a heavy load, and was working hard to keep to schedule. To illustrate the point, I crossed to the compartment, and opened both toplights wide, so that he could hear the engine. We had just reached Whitmore summit, and had not fallen below 63 mph. But I momentarily forgot that once we were on the short level section past Whitmore station, there was a set of water troughs.

Too late!. As I rushed to close the windows, in came the deluge of water. The "Gentleman of the cloth" became a rather "Wet Gentleman of the cloth". Fortunately, he saw the funny side.

And so I was into Crewe nicely on time.

The Perth train was a little late, and I met the girls, and we caught the next train back to Birmingham, again hauled by a Black 5. What a splendid way to spend a Saturday afternoon.




		Above: a set of LMS Water Troughs.