35. The Suffolk & Essex ring-07.06.17

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2017 > 35. The Suffolk & Essex ring-07.06.17

A lovely day out in Suffolk and Essex with Andy. A leisurely day for once in the ever-reliable Combo van.

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Images 1-20 of 20 displayed.

156412, LE 11.01 Marks Tey-Sudbury (2T12, 1E), Bures station
156412 arrives at Bures station working the 11.01 Marks Tey to Sudbury. Bures is located on the rote that Greater Anglia markets as the Gainsborough Line. It used to have a large station building situated where the first lamp post is. Looking at contemporary pictures of the building, it's clear that the small wooden waiting shelter in the foreground is the only remaining part of the building that has survived.
Keywords: 15642 2T12 Bures station

Frontage, Chappel & Wakes Colne station
If there was a prize for a station name, Chappel and Wakes Colne would be a contender to win it! The building is an impressive and substantial brick built structure that is far bigger than would be expected for such a rural location. Whilst Greater Anglia services use one of the platforms, access is not through the building as shown here with passengers having to to walk up to the left and round the building on to the platform. The building and other infrastructure is home to the East Anglian Railway Museum.
Keywords: Chappel & Wakes Colne station

Interior, Chappel & Wakes Colne Signal Box, preserved (GE, 1891)
The delightful and well preserved Chappel and Wakes Colne signal box. It was opened by the Great Eastern in 1891 and has a 38-lever S&F lever frame. Unfortunately, despite being directly adjacent to running lines it performs no signalling duties being open as a museum that is part of the East Anglian Railway Museum.
Keywords: Chappel & Wakes Colne Signal Box, preserved GE, 1891

E56358 & E51213, stabled, Chappel & Wakes Colne station
A preserved class 101 DMU composed of E56358 and E51213 sit at the East Anglian Railway Museum platform at Chappel and Wakes Colne station. This DMU actually worked the line when they were in BR service so have, in a sense, returned home! Today, they operate on the small demonstration line on selected running days.
Keywords: E56358 E51213 Chappel & Wakes Colne station

156412, 11.26 Sudbury-Marks Tey (2T13, RT), Chappel & Wakes Colne station
Greater Anglia's 156412 leaves Chappel & Wakes Colne station with the 11.26 Sudbury to Marks Tey working. The picture is taken from the platform of the East Anglian Railway Museum. It's a little incongruous to have a Network Rail service passing through and stopping at what is ostensively a preserved station. However, it's good to have the railways 'joined up' snd working together to support each other.
Keywords: 156412 2T13 Chappel & Wakes Colne station

156412, 11.26 Sudbury-Marks Tey (2T13, RT), Chappel & Wakes Colne station
Looking south from Chappel and Wakes Colne station sees 156412 leaving with the 11.26 Sudbury to Marks Tey. Even though it can't be seen, in the far distance where the track straightens out it is crossing the impressive 1 000 foot long Chappel Viaduct that crosses the Colne Valley.
Keywords: 156412 2T13 Chappel & Wakes Colne station

East Anglian Railway Museum from footbridge, Chappel & Wakes Colne station
A general view of the East Anglian Railway Museum taken from the footbridge that spans both their running line and that of Network Rail (to the left). Unfortunately, Andy and I did not have sufficient time to explore the museum but I have made a note to self to return sooner than later!
Keywords: East Anglian Railway Museum from footbridge Chappel & Wakes Colne station

White Notley station (& ex.crossing box)
Designed and looking every little bit like a signal box is this structure at White Notley station. It is in fact the ex-crossing box where this and a number of other crossings on the branch were monitored from. Since the branch line was upgraded it became surplus to requirements but has not yet been demolished.
Keywords: White Notley station ex.crossing box

321319, LE 11.48 London Liverpool Street-Braintree (1F22, 13L), White Notley
In tricky lightning, 321319 arrives at White Notley station working the 11.48 Liverpool Street to Braintree. The train is about to cross the level crossing situated immediately prior to the single platform station. Unlike the nearby Sudbury branch, the Braintree one is electrified and enjoys direct services from London, as in the case of this service.
Keywords: 321319 1F22 White Notley

0010.-0321-0319,-LE-0011.0048-London-Liverpool-St.-Braintree-(0001F0022,-0013L),-White-Notley-Station
White Notley station is 41 miles from Liverpool Street. 321319 is stopped at the station but there were no customers today. The station is situated some distance from the village with the same name. It has very limited facilities and no car parking and has the accolade of being Essex's least used station but has an extraordinarily long platform.

Disused Chelmsford signal box (GE, 1885)
This is a picture that caused much consternation! Notice the two security operatives on the platform, they took a particular dislike to Andy and I taking pictures on the station. This was despite that we had been permitted access by Greater Anglia staff at the gateline to do exactly that. I had the all too common 'you can't take pictures here - yes, I can actually' conversation across the platforms with them then radioing their control. Either way, it's good to see that Chelmsford's 1885 Great Eastern signal box is still intact in its lofty position above the station roof. Even more lofty when you realise that the station itself is elevated above street level.
Keywords: Chelmsford signal box

360111, LE 13.58 London Liverpool Street-Colchester Town (2F54, 1E), Chelmsford station
I find these class 360s a particularly ugly design! Here, 360111 arrives at Chelmsford station forming the 2F54 Liverpool Street to Colchester Town. Andy and I were being watched by two security operatives as we took this picture. They had earlier challenged me about the taking of pictures on the station being not allowed, as usual, I challenged them on this advising them to check policies and protocols relating to station photography, they were little taken aback seeking then to radio their control.
Keywords: 360111 2F54 Chelmsford station

Ingatestone signal box (GE, 1907)
Ingatestone box is located south west of the station just next to the level crossing. It was erected by the Great Eastern Railway in 1907 to control the signalling but has now be downgraded to a crossing box with a mini-panel in October 1996. Despite it being modernised, it's nice to see that it still has a traditional name baord.
Keywords: Ingatestone signal box

360103, GE 14.18 London Liverpool Street-Clacton (1N26, 1E), Ingatestone level crossing
Horribly back-lit but with a bit of Photoshop fettling a presentable image has been produced! 360103 forms the 14.18 Liverpool Street to Clacton working. It is seen approaching Ingatestone station about to cross the level crossing.
Keywords: 360103 1N26 Ingatestone level crossing

360119, LE 13.52 Ipswich-London Liverpool Street (1Y43, RT), Ingatestone level crossing
Great Anglia 360119 departs from Ingatestone station with the 13.52 Ipswich to Liverpool Street. The station opened at this location in 1846, there had been previous station at Ingatestone but it was closed after a legal dispute and this one built.
Keywords: 360119 1Y43 Ingatestone level crossing

Plaque, Laindon station
I wonder how many people look up as the go to the barbers or catch a train from Laindon station and see this plaque? Joan Sims was probably best remembered for her roles on the Carry On films but she did a huge amount of other work too. She was born and grew up at Laindon station as her father was the station master. She is reported to have started her career early entertaining the passengers before she went on to graduate from RADA in 1950 and the rest, as they say, is history. She died aged 71 in June 2001.
Keywords: Plaque, Laindon station

Frontage, Laindon station
Laindon station frontage in Essex. It is a three platform station with trains running to and from Fenchurch Street in London. It opened in 1888 and it most famous resident was the daughter of a former station master, the actress Joan Sims.
Keywords: Laindon station

357314, CC 15.34 London Fenchurch Street-Shoeburyness (2B96, RT), Warley Hall Lane TQ606878
C2C operated 357314 forms the 15.34 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness working between West Hordon and Upminster. It's passing a particularly narrow and busy little bridge on Warley Hall lane.
Keywords: 357314 2B96 Warley Hall Lane TQ606878

357010, 15.50 East Ham EMUD-Laindon ECS (5N05), Warley Hall Lane TQ606878
the 15.50 East Ham EMU dept to Laindon ECS running as 5N05 passes Warley Hall Lane bridge just east of Upminster.
Keywords: 357010 ECS 5N05 Warley Hall Lane TQ606878

357034, CC 15.27 Shoeburyness-London Fenchurch Street (2B11, RT), Warley Hall Lane TQ606878
With the summer sun shining down on the Essex countryside, 357034 passes Warley Hall Lane bridge between Laindon and Upminster with the 15.27 Shoeburyness to London Fenchurch Street. This was the last shot of the day before Andy and I headed for home after another successful day on the lineside!
Keywords: 357034 2B11 Warley Hall Lane TQ606878

Images 1-20 of 20 displayed.