“The Chopper Topper Returns” - 4 X Class 20 - Northfield, Barnt Green, Lifford West Junction

Pathfinder Tours ‘Chopper Topper Returns’ tour ran on 2nd July around large parts of the West Midlands, Shropshire and Gloucestershire.
These views show the working around the Birmingham area in the morning of the tour.
Firstly, waking up South West Birmingham with the sound of English Electric Type 1 music, “The Chopper Topper Returns” is seen on the fast line at Northfield as it heads SW out of Birmingham on the morning of 2nd July 2022.
With 2 class 20s at each end of the stock, BR green no 20007 leads London Transport retro liveried 20142 with BR blue pair 20207 and 20189 bringing up the rear. This was the 0640 Burton to Gloucester leg.
The train had just been given a clear signal following a cross Country Turbostar and was heading for its next pick up point at Barnt Green.
Later on at Barnt Green 20189 and 20205 have just climbed the Lickey and are seen here running north through Barnt Green as they lead the 0902 Gloucester to Shrewsbury leg of the tour. Shortly after passing through the station it ran into Cofton loop prior to heading to Kings Norton.
At Kings Norton it went into the yard via the up and down reception sidings - this being the place where RHTT trains and workings are normally based at so obviously don’t see passenger workings. After that it ran through platform 4 at Kings Norton (normally only a southbound platform) and then continued to very unusually run on the southbound line through the tunnel under the Pershore Road to Lifford West Junction, by the Lifford Curve.
In these final views we can see 20189/205 powering ‘wrong line’ towards Lifford West Junction and then crossing over at the little used junction to head to Bournville and New Street via the normal northbound line.
After getting to Shrewsbury via most of the West Midlands the tour then heads back towards Gloucester via New Street, the Kidderminster line via Droitwich and then a final stagger back up the Lickey once it’s gone dark to Burton.
#railway
#chopper
#class20
#pathfindertours
#choppertopperreturns
#railtour
#20189
#20142
#20007
#20205

[@andrewjohnfox]

Thanks for posting and some different and unusual locations. An enjoyable day out for those on board and this tour visited Kings Norton (where I used to live) and later Donnington Railfreight (near to where Iive now), the only train ever to have done this as far as I know!

[@dbrailways]

Thanks, yes it was unusual to see a train heading ‘wrong line’ out of Kings Norton and using the crossover at Lifford Junction. Glad it was a good day.