Flood relief

DRS 47501 'Craftsman' at Maryport, with a 'Floodex' shuttle to Workington.
Thu15Apr10

For an explanation of 'Floodex', read on :-

In mid November 2009 a storm of uprecedented ferocity hit the UK, with Cumbria being particularly badly affected.
The amount of water coming down the River Derwent, which runs through Workington, was such that all road/pedestrian bridges were either washed away or badly damaged, resulting in a 30 or 40 mile detour.
A police constable died when the bridge on which he was warning traffic away from collapsed under him.
The only bridge left standing was the railway bridge which carries the Cumbrian Coast Line.
With all road transport links severed between the two halves of the town, Network Rail, in conjunction with the local council, soon put together a plan to construct a temporary two platform station on the north side of the River, on council owned land, to be called Workington North, which was completed in the record time of just over a week.
To augment the regular train service, Northern Rail worked in partnership with Direct Rail Services to provide a free shuttle service between the main station at Workington, and Maryport, about 6 miles and calling at Workington North and Flimby. These began in late November 2009 and lasted until May the following year, by which time a temporary road bridge over the River had been constructed
The train was formed of a set of 3 Mk3 Open Firsts plus a Mk2D BSO, and top and tailed by DRS locos of Classes 37 47 and 57, and known amongst the rail fraternity and rail staff as 'Floodex'. Quite popular, especially when Class 37s produced!