HOPE VALLEY HOBO - Sheffield to Stockport



INTRODUCTION

What is it?	Observations and haulages during the first three months of 1988 travelling from Chesterfield/Sheffield to Stockport and back.

Why 1988?	I moved from London Euston to Stockport for British Rail as a parcels clerk on the 4th January 1988. I lived in Chesterfield and commuted from there each day to Stockport through the Hope Valley with class 31/4s the main traction - my last day was 26th March 1988 when I transferred to Chesterfield - this is the story.

Does it have a purpose?	It is three months 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 Hope Valley Hobo?	I like the sound of it! And travelling through the Hope Valley at 6 o'clock in the morning in the darkness of winter behind a class 31 with the windows wide open for maximum sound effects you feel like a hobo!

HAULAGE SYNOPSIS

General	The vast majority of workings were East Anglia/Sheffield-Liverpool Lime Street jobs. The booked motive power was Immingham-based ETH class 31/4s and bearing in mind it was winter no non-heat 31s were used (unfortunately).

Class 31	There were 69 ETH class 31/4s in existence and in just three months 47 different ones were "scored". 406 409 410 411 412 414 415 416 417 418 420 421 423 424 426 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 437 438 439 441 442 443 444 445 448 449 450 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 469

Class 47	16 class 47s haulages were also had with 14 different locos, all ETH. 406 436 440 458 459 476 525 539 544 555 569 575 645 647