After restoration at Tyseley, 86259 hauled its first train in preservation on March 1st 2008 when Vintage Trains ran the 'Les Ross Daytripper' (operated by the West Coast Railway Company) from Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street.
Just arrived in New Street from Soho depot where 86259 had been for a couple of days to be put on the wires and given 'fitness to run'. Tyseley's 47773 had taken the stock to Soho earlier and 86259 was attached to lead into New Street.
.
Bob Meanley, chief engineer of Tyseley Loco Works and the leader of the restoration project, poses with a tiny loco owner.
With the Rotunda building and the Odeon Cinema partially visible in the background, the daytripper waits to depart from New Street's platform 2.
Back of loco owner - front and side of loco! (Photo: Adrian Spurrier)
The view from platform 6 at New Street (Photo: Adrian Spurrier)
8:39 a.m. Passing Aston in the Birmingham suburbs. (Photo: Adrian Spurrier)
Highlighting the roof furniture, 86259 is back on the Stour line 'steaming' through Smethwick. (Photo: John Binch)
Richard Meanley 'produced' the psychedelic headboard - very 60s - just right! "Les Ross's Daytripper" passing Moss Pit, near Stafford, and about to join the West Coast Main Line. (Photo: Jamie Squibbs)
Running as 1Z86, the train went via Perry Barr and Soho with stops at Wolverhampton, Stafford and Crewe, where there was time to take photos - and this is V.I.P. passenger, Ellie, the BRMB radio listener whose idea the naming was. Who knew it would come to this?
In the cab and in the Lime Street tunnels.
11:38 a.m. We come to a stand on platform 6 at Lime Street. Its time for a photo of photographers.
There is a turning tour, via Preston and Crewe, and 86259 is now on the rear while 47773 leads out of Lime Street.(Photo: Clive Hanley)
Preparing to leave Liverpool on the return section of this first outing for 86259 in preservation.
Entering Crewe for the third time today!
(Photo: Clive Hanley)
556 p.m. Passsing Aston on the homeward journey, 10 minutes from New Street. (Photo: Adrian Spurrier)
In Tyseley works yard, a week after the 'Daytripper' event, and Chiltern's 'bubble car' is being used for route-learning. It has an unusual addition, and the psychedelic headboard did a few days' intensive travelling around the West Midlands!