Strathwood Lament 1948-1981

We take perhaps the most thorough look yet at this once iconic 1,500v dc route across the Pennines between Manchester and Sheffield drawing from hundreds of previously unpublished photographs.

Inside we examine every one of both the Class 76s and 77s photographically covering many details, livery, numbering, naming, withdrawal and working variations, with even the EM2s on freight. The EF1 class of Bo-Bo banking locomotives are not forgotten either.

We have trawled through countless photographer's collections to reveal many scenes scarcely seen in print before now. Our story starts of course with Tommy in the Netherlands, then we follow the early days of the production locomotives from Gorton Works to firstly Ilford in Essex on test and back onto the Woodhead route proper. Likewise, the Class 77 Goddesses are covered one by one at work, rest and play. Background of their names and their naming are given along with a number of detail photographs for both classes.

Taking a tour of the route with stop offs as we would have done in our spotting days during the period covered to see some of the changes through the years, starting at Rotherwood, we visit the central Sheffield area around not only Victoria station, but Darnall, Woodburn and Tinsley too. Following the line west we visit Wadsley Bridge, Deepcar, Thurgoland, and Penistone before we catch the freight only section from Wath depot & yard. Here we visit Elsecar, Wombwell, Worsborough, West Silkstone, Oxspring and back to snowy Penistone to catch our breath and continue westwards once again via Hazelhead, Dunford Bridge, Woodhead Tunnel, Torside, Hadfield, Dinting including the shed in BR days, Mottram, Godley Junction, Guide Bridge, then a thorough tour of Reddish before a lingering look at Manchester London Road as it morphed into Piccadilly station during the 1960s.

Next we enjoy a look at some the rail tours on the route from the earliest electric one we found in 1953 to the dying days.
Works visits are covered next with views of the Class 76 & 77 or EM1s & EM2s if you prefer at Gorton, Doncaster and Crewe.

Finally we take a good look at their demise and scrapping with views at Crewe Works, Reddish, Booths and Vic Berry's.
Along the way we see the odd Class 04 and J11 steam locomotives even a Cravens DMU on test, not to mention many of the Class 506 EMUs through the years too.
All of these superb and historic photographs are backed up with detailed captions, surely a blockbuster and one not to miss.
256 Pages large format landscape illustrated throughout with black & white photographs and map