The Boston Footex

 

 

Fans of Boston United will no doubt recall Saturday, May 11th, 1985, when the team played Wealdstone in the FA Trophy Final. Many of their followers (and no doubt several rail enthusiasts !) made the journey on a special train from Boston direct to Wembley. 47193 was at the head of the eleven carriage special and is illustrated in the photographs below.

 

 

 

A warning notice strategically placed on the footbridge warns of the

dire consequences of indulging in alcoholic refreshment !

 

 

The crowds gather on the "down" platform awaiting the arrival of the

excursion train. The chasm inbetween the platforms was once

occupied by the "middle roads" for non-stop freights which were

removed c 1975 although, by then, had long fallen out of use.

 

 

47193 duly arrives. It should be noted that all the Great Northern

buildings on the "down" platform were swept away in recent years

following a long period of disuse. The Station Manager's office and

train crew room were once located here but moved to a new

building on the opposite side. The fine GNR buildings were replaced

by a low wall and a couple of "bus shelter" type constructions

- progress ?

 

 

Whilst the passengers boarded, the 47 was detached to run around to

the correct end. Initially this meant heading to Grand Sluice, the box

(long since demolished) being visible in the top view. It then reversed

to run along the "up" line (middle photograph) reversing again at West

Street (bottom photograph), the signal box being clearly visible and

still in use today.

 

 

 

Now in position, 47193 is ready for departure and very unusally ran

"wrong line" the short distance to West Street. The footbridge

has since been replaced by a more modern and less attractive one. Just

visible on the extreme left of the bottom photograph is one of the

large blue enamel station name signs - it too has long since gone,

perhaps now a part of someone's collection ?

 

 

The footex departs for Wembley. Sadly, despite their best efforts,

Boston United lost 2 -1 ! Fortunately, the locomotive is still in use and

currently is part of the Freightliner fleet allocated to Crewe.

 

 

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