Thumping Around the North West

Over the course of 3 days. The Hastings Diesel Limited in partnership with the Branch Line Society ran a railtour that started in Tonbridge and ended in Inverness. Starting on 22nd May 2026 the tour ran to Polmont. Comprising of 'Thumpers' 1013+1001. In the first clip they are seen making their call at Wigan North Western running as 1Z30. All was not well with the lead power car. This resulted in the rear 2 power cars from set 1001 being run round at Preston. On day 2. The 'Thumpers' then ran up to Inverness via the Highland Mainline and returned via Aberdeen. The return leg saw them operate as 1Z20 between from Polmont back to Tonbridge on 24th May 2026. Due to engineering works between Wigan and Crewe. The units headed via the most unlikely of routes via The Atherton Line and Manchester. This tour was the first time in 40 years that the former Southern region units had operated and the first evertime that they had ever visited to Scotland