Unusual Departure

Author/Source: 

Mark Davidson

Editors Notes: 

As the grey dawn in central Manchester breaking on Sunday 22nd July 2018 indicated that the "long, hot, dry" summer of 2018 was over the Network-wide ban on steam locomotives actually working for their living remained steadfastly in place - as it still is 10 days later! Unusually, a steam rail tour headed by Carnforth's "Black Jubilee" no 45690 "Leander" from Manchester to Holyhead was scheduled to depart from Piccadilly station rather than Victoria and is seen from the roof of the University of Manchester's Charles Street car park. Although the diesel was officially powering the train the Jube's driver made some smoke as he approached the location!

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