The last scheduled operation of a British Railways steam hauled train took place on the 11th of August 1968. Scheduled booked times were departing from Liverpool Lime Street at 09:10, arriving at Manchester Victoria at 10:36. Departure from Manchester Victoria was at 11:06, arriving Carlisle at 14:56. The return journey departed Carlisle at 15:30, arriving Manchester Victoria at 18:48. Departure for Liverpool Lime Street was at 19:02, arriving at 19:50.

These scenes show the train at Blackburn station, northbound with 70013 Oliver Cromwell and southbound double headed with Class Fives 44871 and 44781.

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	Whilst waiting at Blackburn Station for the final British Railways steam excursion, the first train seen was diesel hauled by D1804 and the first carriage was of LMS origin. Few if any other people photographed this train but this scene is now just as much part of history as the main event.
	First sight of the finale of British Railways main line steam. It is seen here approaching Blackburn Station, passing the west signal box.
	The northbound train hauled by Britannia Class 70013 Oliver Cromwell approaches Blackburn Station. By this time the proper metal nameplates had disappeared and the name was just painted on the smoke deflectors.
	A spirited approach was made into Blackburn Station. Take note of the water tower. This will soon become very significant.
	Once the train had stopped, the audience proceeded to the eastern end of the station for a closer examination of the locomotive.
	Oliver Cromwell was well positioned to take on water from the adjacent water crane but an unforeseen problem was about to occur.
	The chap is somewhat disappointed to find that the well is dry. Fortunately an alternative source of water was located at the western end of the station but this required the locomotive to be detached from the train and run back to the water source as seen in the second picture.
	Returning from a much needed fill of water, the locomotive is reunited with its train and awaits the signal to depart for Carlisle.
	The signal is cleared and the train is ready to depart. There was no problem for photographers moving off the platform, under the supervision of the police. Everybody had the common sense to remain in a safe area.
	The return working was eagerly awaited and on the arrival of the two Black Fives 44871 and 44781, much film was exposed.
	The view from the platform was somewhat restrictive to photographers but there was only one police officer on duty to restrain the enthusiastic crowd on the platform.
	The position on the platform did give an ideal location for a close up view of the locomotives. Eventually though the enthusiasm of the audience overwhelmed the one police officer and numbers of people left the platform for a much more suitable photographic location. See next photo.
	A much more ideal locale for photography. Back in those days, people possessed the great attribute of common sense and kept well clear of the running lines. In today's obsessive (oppressive?) culture of Health & Safety zealots and gratuitous litigation, these scenes would be impossible to capture without subsequent incarceration.
	The end has come. The last operation of British Railways main line steam and the excursion heads off west into the sunset and eventually Liverpool.

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