By now those rare tracks were coming thick and fast. Stoke P2 was traversed in the usual direction, but then the weaving started, first a step or two to the right to cover the Up Goods, and then a jump or three to the left at Cliffe Vale Jn to cover the rest of the Down Goods to Grange Jn; there was no hands on the hips at any point. This was an incredibly rare move, a Kev Adlam 'on the day surprise', special formerly used by freight trains from Cockshute Sidings, the local yard, to Crewe etc. This came as a surprise/shock to some who joined later at Crewe and then rather wished they had gone to Stafford instead!

Not wanting everyone to become too excited too early, it was time for a rest, in the form of 20 minutes or so in Alsager Up and Down Goods Loop with more crossovers 'fore and aft', waiting for a pair of EMT Class 153 DMUs and an LM Class 350 to pass. So on to Crewe for our first reversal in P12 where the tailgunner fired up in magnificent style, with the rest of the participants now boarded. Heading south and west, Gresty Bridge TMD came into view; it rather felt as though the train was leaning to the left as many tried to see any brand new Class 68s, however only 68030 was visible. Crossing to the Down Salop Siding/Through Siding [NB: Some line names have changed since TRACKmaps.] it was time for a bit of hokey-cokey, in and out of the Headshunt and then the Gresty Lane Down Arrival Siding, both locomotives taking their turn. Unfortunately, someone at Crewe Pre-Assembly Depot hadn't read the script and a Track Machine was in the path of our intended routeing … one for another day there. By now stomachs were starting to rumble and the promised 09.50 start time for bacon rolls caused a mass stampede to the buffet. Fortunately those in Coach 'H', the only coach south of the buffet (your roving reporter included) had a much shorter queue to negotiate. The tour manager, needing to get back to base in Coach 'A', was even heard to talk of requiring rare lines through the buffet queues.

Next it was time for the longer route to Warrington, but being a BLS tour, clearly a more interesting journey than those Pendolinos would take. Via the Down Salop, out of the darkness there is light, the Down Manchester Independent tunnel leading us on to Sandbach, to cover the Middlewich line with its 20mph line speed. Passenger lines were rejoined at Northwich West Jn, before Hartford CLC Jn to Hartford Jn [which has lost its 'LNW' name suffix] was used back to the WCML. Warrington P4 was negotiated in fine style, with the much sought after slip back to the Down Fast at the north end of Bank Quay being covered, before an extended run to Preston via Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows.

The intended routeing at Wigan via the Down Slow, Passenger Loop and back to P5 was scuppered by slightly late running of the tour and also a Virgin service, so it was a flyer to Preston behind the Class 66. Not an issue, but best to go slow, Slow lines that is at Balshaw Lane Jn, and then like being in third class, the sought after Down Goods from Skew Bridge Jn (actually the whole train was first class!). What's happening here, weren't we supposed to stop there as the train cruised through Preston RES (Rail Express Systems - parcels, post and charters for the young members) platform, and just kept going? I think it was either one of those, 'the driver needs to collect his sandwiches from the Preston Power Box' moments or he wanted to get a finer view of St Walburge's Catholic Church at Preston Fylde Jn from the Shunting Line. Top 'on the day' bonus track and shows the need to stay awake and pay attention at all times. We then cover the Down Slow and Up Goods to reach the booked route.

Then it was off to our first destination Ormskirk 'termini', unusually loco-hauled, passing the beautiful village of Rufford and a bouncy bus, Class 142, and various barges stationed in Fettlers Wharf Marina. The Good Beer Guide was reviewed and a village pub noted for future reference. Our Up arrival at Ormskirk was actually 'down' by a few minutes, and with the particularly short platform, stewards ensured that no-one opened an incorrect door and fell out. Following the short interlude which included passengers trying to get the elusive photo of the advertised 13.24 to Preston with the Class 68 in the background, it was time to get the Cat to the Dock with a change of headcode and direction.

Over the PA, there was even an announcement that the buffet was closing as the track to the dock was so rare the buffet staff didn't want to miss it. More 'out of the darkness there is light' moments as we exited Fishergate Tunnel on the Preston Dock branch and over the A5072 at Strand Road level crossing, weaving our way alongside the River Ribble to beyond the Ribble Steam Railway Riverside station platform. Photographers lined the route looking for that perfect Big Cat or Shed shot.

Even Big Cats can be unsteady on their feet but, after slipping (even on dry rails with sanders in use), we safely made our way back up the 1:29 incline to station level at Preston, powering off to our final destination of Liverpool Lime Street. Again routed via the Slow lines we finished off the Up Goods to the south of Preston and the Up Slow to Balshaw Lane Jn. Hitting top pace on the Up Fast, the cheetah-like Class 68 took us to Wigan and then via Springs Branch Slow Lines Jn, on to the St Helens line for our final highlight of the day, Ravenhead Down Goods Loop. All went to plan and we were tickled by seeing the left feather being given and taken, allowing the red pen to come out for many. Finally the run to Liverpool Lime Street arriving 16.02, for the train to 'when empty return to Crewe'. This was for its main purpose over the next few days, the annual Three Peaks Rail Challenge by Rail.

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