MILTON KEYNES DRIFTER - MILTON KEYNES to LONDON EUSTON



INTRODUCTION

What is it?	Observations and haulages during 1987 travelling from Milton Keynes Central to London Euston with occasional journeys to Chesterfield and back and a few days out.

Why 1987?	I joined British Rail as a parcels clerk on the 6th January 1987 at London Euston and lodged in Milton Keynes and travelled back to my home town of Chesterfield on long weekends - my last day was 31st December 1987 when I transferred to Stockport - this is the story.

Does it have a purpose?	It is a year in my life - other than that no, not really, except that it is an insight into railway workings that have now disappeared.

Why is it called Milton Keynes Drifter?	I like the sound of it! And for a whole year I drifted backwards and forwards!

HAULAGE SYNOPSIS

Class 81	All 22 class 81s were in existence but surprisingly only 7 were "scored". 002 005 006 011 017 019 022

Class 82	No class 82s were on express passenger turns but a few worked empty stock moves.

Class 83	No class 83s were on express passenger turns but a few worked empty stock moves.

Class 84	All class 84s had been withdrawn by this time.

Class 85	All 40 class 85s were in existence and just over half, 21, were "scored". 002 003 004 006 008 009 010 011 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 025 028 035 038

Class 86	98 of the original 100 class 86s were in existence and 92 were "scored" including all the extant 86/4s. 211 and 429 were wrecked at Colwich and some were allocated to Great Eastern line services. The 6 "required" were: 206 214 219 221 222 244

Class 87	All 36 class 87s were in existence but only 29 were "scored" including 101 twice. The 7 "required" were: 005 009 010 012 013 014 022 I still need 014 - it is currently in Bulgaria - I remain hopeful!

Class 310	Except for unit 071 all the other 310s were in existence from 046 to 095, 49 in total. At the end I still "required" 11 of them listed below but I avoided them if at all possible! The 11 "required" were: 049 050 052 057 058 071 076 077 086 092 094