THE BUXTON SPA EXPRESS

On 29th April 2006, the 5305 Society organised a trip to Buxton. Since their own loco was not available, ex-LMS ‘Jubilee’ Class 4-6-0 5690 ‘Leander’ deputised and hauled the train throughout from Tyseley to Buxton and return. There are tow routes remaining into Buxton, the former Midland Railway main line to Manchester, which is now just a freight only line to Buxton, and the former LNWR route from Manchester via Whaley Bridge. The two lines actually cross at Chapel-en-le Frith.

LE03 : the outward and return route took the train along the Hope Valley line from Sheffield, and the train is seen here pulling away from the North Junction at Chapel-en-le-Frith on the former Midland route.

LE04 : a short way on from the previous picture, 5690 is about to pass under the LNWR route prior to entering the 2 mile long Dove Holes Tunnel.

LE05 : in glorious sunshine, 5690 climbs out of Buxton on the LNWR route towards Manchester.

LE06 : as LE05.

LE07 : in order to return along the Hope Valley line, the train had to make a circuit through the Manchester suburbs, and a couple of hours later is seen within a few miles of where it had been leaving Buxton approaching the junction for the Hope Valley line at Chapel-en-le-Frith.