Northampton Cobbler services

[tubemad]

Hello all,

I read on the file uploaded today, NSE Euston to Northampton (fast)

"the afternoon 'Down Cobblers' train to Northampton. The actual 'Cobblers' services ended in May 1990"

This may be correct, but were the Class 90s with VTMK2s and DVTs also Cobbler services? I ask as me partner who wrote the above activity would probably not have a clue what it is, and I can't remember if it is a fast one or not.

It got me curious really, because I did a few of these Class 90s to Northampton in 2005, and us enthusiasts called it the Cobbler service, but I can't remember if it called anywhere or if it was a proper fast service to Northampton??

Can anyone else here remember the Virgin Trains version of the Cobbler, and can anyone remember when the service started either as all I can think of is that it ended in 2005 or 2006.


James.

[expressboy1983]

All I've found is this. Although I've not had much of a look around the site so it might be worth you looking Jay.

http://87015aewn.wordpress.com/2011/04/ ... -1w99-003/

I'm also curious about the livery that the 321 is wearing, because that doesn't look like Silverlink to me!!!

[AndyUK]

...I'm also curious about the livery that the 321 is wearing, because that doesn't look like Silverlink to me!!!

Looks like First Great Eastern, perhaps Silverlink were short and it's on loan.

Andy L

[tubemad]

Thanks for the link Simon, very useful!

The 321s were indeed on loan from Ilford, equally the Silverlink ones ended up on the Great Eastern too, I believe these were permanent transfers when the 350s came in? Been some time I forget now.

I can't find much diagrams or calling points, though I may be able to find the times and calling points using that site now I have dates

[yorkie]

Hello all,

I read on the file uploaded today, NSE Euston to Northampton (fast)

"the afternoon 'Down Cobblers' train to Northampton. The actual 'Cobblers' services ended in May 1990"

This may be correct, but were the Class 90s with VTMK2s and DVTs also Cobbler services? I ask as me partner who wrote the above activity would probably not have a clue what it is, and I can't remember if it is a fast one or not.

It's a nickname for a fast train for Northampton commuters, however enthusiasts only used the term to describe a proper train, ie loco hauled.

It got me curious really, because I did a few of these Class 90s to Northampton in 2005, and us enthusiasts called it the Cobbler service, but I can't remember if it called anywhere

No, it's an unofficial name.

or if it was a proper fast service to Northampton??

Depends how you define 'proper fast' I suppose!

Can anyone else here remember the Virgin Trains version of the Cobbler, and can anyone remember when the service started either as all I can think of is that it ended in 2005 or 2006..

It's not a 'proper' train any more but Virgin do run a service... http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C57079/2012/10/5