37. The Welsh Central Liner-17.06.17

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2017 > 37. The Welsh Central Liner-17.06.17
A ridiculously early star in the morning and a drive across the country in my Audi TT to the Severn Estuary (Welsh side) to capture The Welsh Central Liner railtour hauled by 55009 'Alycidon'. It was a stunning summer day with temperatures to match. It was also nice to bump into Martin Loader of 'Honda Wanderer' fame at the same spot!
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Images 1-19 of 19 displayed.

150213, AW 07.07 Cardiff Central-Cheltenham Spa (2G52, RT), Purton SO672049 150213 makes its way along by the side of of the Severn Estuary working the 07.07 Cardiff Central to Cheltenham 2G52 service, it is seen passing the village of Purton in Gloucestershire. The substantial house dominating the scene is Purton Manor that offers superb views across the estuary and of the line. Keywords: 150213 2G52 Purton SO672049
150213, AW 07.07 Cardiff Central-Cheltenham Spa (2G52, RT), Purton SO672049 Recent clearance, by a specialist Network Rail team, of the precipitous face seen on the left in this image has opened up this view and many more in the vicinity. Looking a little into the early morning sun, 150213 heads away working the 07.07 Cardiff Central to Cheltenham Spa. The area to the right is the bank of the River Severn between the tiny villages of Purton and Gatcombe in Gloucestershire. Keywords: 150213 2G52 Purton SO672049
158831, AW 07.45 Cheltenham Spa-Maesteg (2L47, RT), Purton SO672049 158831 makes its way along the Severn Estuary approaching the tiny village of Purton with the 07.45 Cheltenham Spa to Maesteg working. The mud flats of the River Severn can just be seen on the far right of the image. Also, the evidence of the extensive tree clearance can be clearly seen on the steep face of the bank in the background. Keywords: 158831 2L47 Purton SO672049
170103, XC 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M92, RT), Purton SO672049 Waiting for trains at this spot was absolutely delightful. It was a perfectly still summer morning and and was all quiet apart from the bird song and the sounds of the River Severn rushing down towards Bristol on the ebb tide. 170103 passes the tiny village of Purton with the 07.45 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. Up until the late 1960s this view would have been dominated by the Severn railway bridge that crosed from Sharpness on the far side where the white building is. It was demolished following it being severely damaged by a pair of drifting barges in October 1960. Soon after this it was twice hit again and deemed beyond economic repair. Keywords: 170103 1M92 Purton SO672049
170103, XC 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M92, RT), Purton SO672049 170103 hugs the Severn Estuary near Purton in Gloucestershire working the 07.45 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. Whenever people think of the UK's coastal railways, the first to come to mind tends to be the South Devon line. However, this section of line in Gloucestershire, whilst not as long, is as dramatic in many respects. Notice the two enthusiasts who have gathered on the breakwater ready for the passing of the Deltic leading the The Welsh Central Liner railtour. Keywords: 170103 1M92 Purton SO672049
70805, 70814, 70813, 70812 & 70803, 07.30 Cardiff Canton-Bescot (0Z98), Purton SO672049 A quadripartite of class 70s make their way along the Severn Estuary passing the village of Purton in Gloucestershire. In lead order they are, 70805, 70814, 70818, 70812 and 70803. All four were making their way as the 07.30 Cardiff Canton to Bescot 0Z98 working. This lofty and commanding position is only possible now due to a massive clearance of the bank followed by a stabilisation programme involving huge cables and pilings. Keywords: 70805 70814 70813 70812 70803 07.30 Cardiff Canton-Bescot 0Z98 Purton SO672049
170109, XC 05.58 Nottingham-Cardiff Central (1V03, 3E), Purton SO672049 170109 runs along the side of the Severn Estuary forming the 05.58 Nottingham to Cardiff Central 1V03 service. This is a little known but stunning section of line that is rarely photographed. Notice the red house in the middle distance. This house was for sale at the time of writing complete with a covered balcony overlooking the railway and the River Severn......perfect, but the wife wouldn't have it! Keywords: 170109 1V03 Purton SO672049
55009, outward leg of The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury (1Z52), Purton SO672049 55009 'Alycidon' is an unusual visitor to Gloucestershire. Here it is seen skirting the Severn Estuary passing the tiny hamlet of Gatcombe with the outward leg of the The Welsh Central Liner charter that started out from Burton-on-Trent and ended up at Shrewsbury via the Welsh Marches line. With the tide out and still ebbing, I watched the estuary emptying like water from a bath as I waited for this train at this superb spot atop the precipitous slope recently cleared of vegetation. Keywords: 55009 The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton on Trent-Shrewsbury 1Z52 Purton SO672049
55009, outward leg of The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury (1Z52), Purton SO672049 With its characteristic train of exhaust, 55009 'Alycidon' drifts along the side of the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire past the hamlet of Gatcombe. It was a glorious hot mid-summer's day but that itself brigs photographic problems. The direct and very strong sun does cause problems for the camera's white balance control and pictures take on a hazy look as shown here. This is after some Photoshop tinkering to improve matters! Keywords: 55009 The Welsh Central Liner 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury 1Z52 Purton SO672049
55009, outward leg of The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury (1Z52), Purton SO672049 55009 'Alycidon' leads The Welsh Central Liner along the side of the Severn Estuary between Gatcombe and Purton in Gloucestershire. Running as 1Z52 it left Burton-on-Trent at 05.18 and ended up at Shrewsbury. A beautiful spot to watch a Deltic go by, if a little incongruous! Keywords: 55009 The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury 1Z52 Purton SO672049
55009, outward leg of The Welsh Central Liner, 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury (1Z52), Purton SO672049 An unusual angle and not quite the best positioning for the train but, how ever much I love Deltics, I value my life a little more! Any closer to the edge of the slope and I would have been in trouble so I have had to make do! 55009 'Alycidon' drifts along the side of the Severn Estuary about to pass Purton in Gloucestershire with the outward leg of The Welsh Central Liner railtour. Through the UV haze in the distance the escarpment of the Cotswolds can be made out. Keywords: 55009 The Welsh Central Liner 05.18 Burton-on-Trent-Shrewsbury 1Z52 Purton SO672049
170112, XC 08.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M01, 2L), Gatcombe SO682055 Cross Country's 1M01, the 08.45 Cardiff central to Nottingham, passes the hamlet of Gatcombe just next to the SevernEstuary formed of 170112. The steep bank escarpment in the background has recently been cleared of trees by Network Rail and attempts made to stabilise it. Notice the foot crossing in the foreground, it carries a footpath down onto the foreshore. It's quite a hike to get to it, if you cut and paste the OS grid reference into a mapping programme such as streetmap.co.uk you will see what I mean! Keywords: 170112 1M01 Gatcombe SO682055
170107, XC 06.58 Nottingham-Cardiff Central (1V04, 1E), Gatcombe SO682055 170107 crosses the foot crossing near Gatcombe next to the River Severn in Gloucestershire. Given that this was such a remote spot and one that required a strenuous walk, I was surprised that there were four photographers present! This made it a little crowded on small a hillock that seemed to be one giant ants' nest! Keywords: 170107 1V04 Gatcombe SO682055
Class 150, AW 08.00 Maesteg-Cheltenham Spa (2G54, 1E), Gatcombe SO682055 In a shot reminiscent of many I have taken on the south Devon coast on the sea walls, a class 150 passes the sea wall at Gatcombe in Gloucestershire. Rather than the English Channel to the left, it's the River Severn emptying into the Bristol Channel. As can be seen, the tide is out as the 08.00 Maesteg to Cheltenham passes heading on to its next stop at Gloucester. Keywords: Class 150 2G54 Gatcombe SO682055
170109, XC 09.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M60, 1L), Gatcombe SO682055 170109 passes near to the hamlet of Gatcombe on the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire. The 170 is working the 09.45 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. In past times, the views along this glorious stretch of line could have been enjoyed from the comfort of Mk. 1 coaches with a Peak or a class 47 up front, now passengers have to make do with a DMU....progress, I'm not so sure? Keywords: 170109 1M60 Gatcombe SO682055
170106, XC 08.09 Nottingham-Cardiff Central (1V05, 2L), Gatcombe SO682055 Cross Country 170106 heads away along the side of the Severn Estuary with the 08.09 Nottingham to Cardiff Central. This was a lovely and isolated spot spoilt by millions of ants vying for the same spot as me to watch the trains! Keywords: 170106 1V05 Gatcombe SO682055
170107, XC 10.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M94, 1L), Over SO809192 The last time that I visited this spot was some years ago in the middle of winter. It was a very foggy and cold day, the complete antithesis to this particular day! Over is just west of Gloucester where the railway has just crossed the River Severn. here, 170107 passes working the 1M94 10.45 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. Keywords: 170107 1M94 Over SO809192
158841, AW 11.46 Cheltenham Spa-Cardiff Central (2G55, 1L), Over SO809192 When I last visited this spot in February 2006 it was so foggy that you could barely see the overhead transmission pylon that dominates the background! 158841 heads away from Gloucester past Over with the 11.46 Cheltenham to Cardiff Central 2G55 working. Keywords: 158841 2G55 Over SO809192
60019, 05.00 Robeston-Westerleigh (6B13), Over SO809192 This was the working that I 'pulled over at Over' near to Gloucester to see! It was running extremely late by this point but it was worth the wait. 60019 'Port of Grimsby & Immingham' approaches Gloucester at Over working the regular 05.00 Robeston to Westerleigh oil tankers train running as 6B13. This takes long route up one side of the River Severn though Lydney then back down the other side in order to access its destination that is right next to the M4 motorway just north of Bristol on the old Midland line. Keywords: 60019 05.00 Robeston-Westerleigh 6B13 Over SO809192

Images 1-19 of 19 displayed.