36. DRS (Gresty Bridge) Open Day-23.07.16

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2016 > 36. DRS (Gresty Bridge) Open Day-23.07.16

My first visit to DRS's Gresty Bridge depot open day in aid of charity. A very busy event but, nonetheless, very interesting. I took Bertie the Brompton so I could dodge the crowds and also had a ride out to Basford Hall and a little further south to get the signal box that had been passed many times but never actually photographed!

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Images 1-59 of 59 displayed.

350251 & 350113, LM 07.37 Northampton-Birmingham New Street (2Y05), Northampton station
A beautiful start to the day at Northampton station. 350251 and 350113 leave the station with the 2Y05 07.37 to Birmingham New Street.
Keywords: 350251 350113 07.37 Northampton-Birmingham New Street 2Y05 Northampton station

350128, LM 07.33 Northampton-Northampton ECS (5Y52), Northampton station
350128 arrives into Northampton station having travelled the short distance from the Riverside sidings on the other side of the station. This 5Y52 ECS move drifts in to platform one ready to be joined by the 06.54 from Birmingham New Street that will then work forward to Euston.
Keywords: 350128 07.33 Northampton-Northampton ECS 5Y52 Northampton station

66414, 02.57 Felixstowe North-Ditton (4M45) & 350128, LM 06.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (2Y52), Northampton station
Freightliner's 66414 brings the 4M45 02.57 Felixstowe to Ditton through a sunny Northampton station. Waiting at platform one is 350128 that will soon be joined by the 06.54 from Birmingham New Street that will work forward to Euston.
Keywords: 66414 02.57 Felixstowe North-Ditton 4M45 350128 06.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y52 Northampton station

66572, 04.25 Felixstowe North-Lawley Street (4M88) & 350119, LM 06.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (2Y52), Northampton station
Whilst the 06.54 Birmingham New Street to Euston pauses at Northampton, 66572 passes through leading the 4M88 04.25 Felixstowe to Hams Hall. 66572 arrived in the UK in November 2003 and has been a Freightliner locomotive since.
Keywords: 66572 04.25 Felixstowe North-Lawley Street 4M88 350119 06.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y52 Northampton station

66090, 02.19 Peak Forest-Bletchley (6B10), Northampton station
Former EWS 66090 still wears its previous operators livery but with DB vinyls applied to the front and to the cab end. It leads the 02.19 Peak Forest to Bletchley stone train that can usually be caught at about this time on a Saturday morning if it's routed this way rather than via the Midland and Marston Vale line.
Keywords: 66090 02.19 Peak Forest-Bletchley 6B10 Northampton station

350126 & 350103, 08.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street (2Y63), Northampton station
350126 and 350103 wait at Northampton's platform five to work the 08.16 to Birmingham New Street. I took this train as far as Rugby as the first leg of my journey to Crewe.
Keywords: 350126 350103 08.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street 2Y63 Northampton station

57307, stabled Thunderbird, Rugby station
57307 'Lady Penelope' sits in one of Rugby's up facing bay platforms waiting for that 'phone call! It was once of the famous Virgin red Thunderbirds but the work has now been contracted to DRS. The original but now very faded Virgin nameplate is till affixed to the side of the class 57 as a reminder of its past.
Keywords: 57307 Thunderbird Rugby station

350238, LM 07.46 London Euston-Crewe (1U25), Rugby station
350238 leads another Desiro into Rugby station as the 1U25 07.46 Euston to Crewe. My Brompton bike and I took this train to Crewe along with lots of enthusiasts also attending the DRS open day.
Keywords: 350238 07.46 London Euston-Crewe 1U25 Rugby station

323233, NT 10.34 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly (2A85), Crewe station
323233 is seen standing at Crewe's platform one. It will work the 10.34 to Manchester Piccadilly that will go via Manchester Airport. It is looking increasingly likely that these class 323s will be replaced on this route soon as newer electric units are cascaded from other lines.
Keywords: 323233 10.34 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly 2A85 Crewe station

37706 & 37668, stabled, Crewe station
Two DRS class 37s stabled at Crewe station. Looking a little forlorn with faded and flat paintwork, 37706 is joined to a much smarter 37668. I really think that this EWS maroon livery is particularly poor and I am not quite sure what message is being sent by adopting this colour?
Keywords: 37706 37668 Crewe station

37423, D213 (40013) & D9009 (55009), on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
I managed to get a shot devoid of people by just being patient for a few minutes. This picture shows a trio of English Electric's finest 37423, D213 'Andania' and with just the edge of its nose in view, D0990 'Alycidon' on display at DRS's Crewe Gresty Bridge open day.
Keywords: 37423 D213 40013 D9009 55009 on-display DRS Gresty Bridge

D9009 (55009) & D213 (40013), on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Two years separate these two English Electric classic locomotives. The slightly newer D9009 'Alycidon' was new in July 1961 and spent its life thrashing up and down the ECML. To the right is D213 'Andania' that was new in June 1959. This type 4 spent its working career on the London Midland Region being withdrawn in 1984 two years after the Deltic.
Keywords: D9009 55009 D213 40013 on-display DRS Gresty Bridge

57007, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
57007 sits on-display at Crewe Gresty Bridge's DRS depot. 57007 was converted by Freightliner in 1999 for use on its trains prior to the squadron arrival of the class 66s. It carried the name ' Freightliner Bond' that was removed in 2008 when its was sold by Freightliner. In its new livery, the former 47332 looks smart and ready for work.
Keywords: 57007 DRS Gresty Bridge

57007, D9009 (55009) & 57301, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
57007, D9009 'Alycidon' and former Virgin Thunderbird 57301 'Goliath' are seen on-display at Crewe Gresty Bridge. Whilst the two 57s are owned and operated by DRS the Deltic is owned by me! Well not quite, but as a life member of the Deltic Preservation Society I feel that I own a bit of it!
Keywords: 57007 D9009 55009 57301DRS Gresty Bridge

37610 & 57305, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
37610 'T.S. (Ted) Cassady 14.5.61-6.4.08' is on-dispaly at Crewe Gresty Bridge with 57305 'Northern Princess' next to it. The class 57 is painted in Northern Belle's attractive Crimson Lake and Cream livery. It is operated by DRS on behalf of Northern belle and can be seen all over the country undertaking these duties.
Keywords: 37610 57305 DRS Gresty Bridge

37716, 37610 & 57305, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
An impressive line up of fine DRS machinery at Crewe Gresty Bridge. 37716 is next to 37610 'TS (Ted) Cassady 14.5.61-6.4.08' with Northern Belle liveried 57305 'Northern Princess' on the right. I know it's an open day so an extra effort is made, but I have always found that DRS pay much attention to keeping their locos. looking spick and span.
Keywords: 37716 37610 57305 DRS Gresty Bridge

37716, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
37716 is on-display at Crewe Gresty Bridge's open day and looks as though it's hi-viz front end has had a coat of fresh yellow paint. 37716 took this number from 37094 early on in 1985. It is amazing that after being service for over fifty years now that it is still going strong undertaking front-line duties.
Keywords: 37716 DRS Gresty Bridge

D1944 (47501), on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
D1944 looks absolutely superb in its freshly applied two-tone green livery. It had recently been disposed of by DRS being bought by Locomotive Services LTD who are based at the old Crewe Diesel Depot. It made the short journey back to Gresty Bridge for its naming later in the afternoon. The Great Western style cast nameplate is seen covered up on the side of the loco. These plates were unveiled later and the loco. was re-named 'Craftsman', the name it had carried when it was numbered 47501 from October 1987.
Keywords: D1944 47501, DRS Gresty Bridge

150282, AW 10.18 Shrewsbury-Crewe (2K50), Gresty Bridge
ATW's 150282 passes the entrance to Gresty Bridge depot working the 2K50 10.18 Shrewsbury to Crewe. I wanted to get a couple of shots through the Gresty Bridge gates as this is a view that is not normally available. Notice that the fine weather of earlier had given way to cloudy and humid conditions.
Keywords: 150282 10.18 Shrewsbury-Crewe 2K50 Gresty Bridge

66423, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
A depot today is a very different place to what it was in the 1970s! The floor inside DRS's Gresty Bridge is so clean you could eat your lunch off it! Maybe the staff had done a through clean-up for the occasion but I think that there is a different approach to how work environments like this are managed in today's H & S orientated world. 66423 has been a DRS locomotive since it arrived on UK shores in September 2007.
Keywords: 66423 DRS Gresty Bridge

68020, on-display, DRS-Gresty Bridge
Cabbing 2016 style! A queue of enthusiasts wait on the steps in order to access 68020 'Reliance' inside DRS's immaculate Gresty Bridge depot. The depot opened nine years ago in 2007 having been originally been built by the GWR as a wagon repair shop. The wall and window to the left gives clues to its earlier life.
Keywords: 68020 DRS-Gresty Bridge

57310, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
57310 is a former Virgin Thunderbird that carried the named 'Kyrano'. It still carries it Dellner retractable couplings as DRS have now taken over the contract to provide Thunderbird support for the WCML. Now in DRS livery, 57310 now is named 'Pride of Cumbria' reflecting DRS's northern heritage.
Keywords: 57310 DRS Gresty Bridge

47712, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
47712 has had a fascinating history of names, operators, liveries and I don't think that the story is over just yet. Here inside Gresty Bridge depot it is all ready to be re-named later in the afternoon. The 1966 built class 47 has been repainted into BR ScotRail blue stripe livery and is be renamed 'Lady Diana Spencer' a name it carried from 1981 to 1995. It is currently in the care of the Crewe Diesel Preservation Group.
Keywords: 47712 DRS Gresty Bridge

57312, 37604 & 37716, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Outside on-display at Crewe Gresty Bridge are 57312 'Solway Princess', 37604 and just putting in an appearance over on the right is 37716. 57312, formally named 'The Hood', was one of Virgin's Thunderbirds evidenced by that it still retains it Dellner retractable couplings covered by a protective tarpaulin.
Keywords: 57312 37604 37716 DRS Gresty Bridge

57312 & 37604, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Another view of 57312 'Solway Princess' and 37604 on-display at Crewe's Gresty Bridge depot. Also picture with no infiltration by other enthusiasts. With a little patience it is possible to get a shot like this despite the hundreds of people attending and wandering about.
Keywords: 57312 37604 DRS Gresty Bridge

57312 & 37604, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
A broadside of 57312 'Solway Princess' resplendent in its Northern Belle livery. I have photographed this loco. a number of times hauling excursions around the network. Despite the lack of other people getting in the shot, the reflections of many can be seen in the glossy paintwork of the class 57.
Keywords: 57312 37604 DRS Gresty Bridge

57312 & 37604, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Another view of 57312 'Solway Princess' and 37604 on-display at DRS's Gresty Bridge open day. 37604 was new in February 1961 as D6707 and was used on the Great Eastern lines. Under TOPS it became 37007 and 37506 in 1985. Its final incarnation into 37604 took place in 1995.
Keywords: 57312 37604 DRS Gresty Bridge

37610 & 57305, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Northern Belle has three locomotives in its attractive and classy livery. 57305 'Northern Princess' stands next to 37610 on-display at Gresty Bridge's open day.
Keywords: 37610 57305 DRS Gresty Bridge

37612 & 37716, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
Two different versions of DRS's livery on-display at Gresty Bridge. At the back is 37612 looking fairly tired in the original DRS livery. In the foreground is 37716 wearing its new compass DRS styling.
Keywords: 37612 37716 DRS Gresty Bridge

Class 68 power unit, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
A power unit from a class 68 on-display at Gresty Bridge open day. The engine (referred to as a prime mover in today's parlance) is made by Caterpillar hence painted in this, their house colour. The C175 16-cylinder 3 800hp diesel Engine is claimed to give an incredible 7.5 million running hours.
Keywords: Class 68 power unit DRS Gresty Bridge

20303 & 20305 on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
20303 'Max Joule 1958-1999' and 20305 sit nose to nose at DRS' Gresty Bridge open day. These veterans of the network were built in 1962 and 1961 respectively. There design and flexibility means that they have proved to be particularly useful for some specialist work that DRS still has contracts for; but, for how long?
Keywords: 20303 20305 DRS Gresty Bridge

20303, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
The blunt end of 20303 'Max Joule 1958-1999' on-display at Gresty Bridge open day. This is the more common and preferred driving end of the class 20s as driving in the other direction does not give such good visibility. The nameplate is carried in the more unusual position of the cab end. It is named after the former DRS manager.
Keywords: 20303 DRS Gresty Bridge

175008, AW 11.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Camarthen (1V41), Gresty Bridge
Taken through the access gate to Gresty Bridge, 175008 goes away from the camera with the 11.30 Manchester Piccadilly to Carmarthen. After the beautiful blue skies of earlier in the day, it has turned into a poor afternoon with a lot of cloud.
Keywords: 175008 11.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Camarthen 1V41 Gresty Bridge

Various locomotives, on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
A general view of DRS' Gresty Bridge open day. As well as some visiting locomotives, the picture does show some of DRS' broad portfolio of stock including class 20s, 37s, 47s and 57s. Despite all the modern new locomotives on their books, they still have use for motive power that is well over fifty years old; but, for how long one wonders?
Keywords: Various locomotives DRS Gresty Bridge

D9009 (55009), on-display, DRS Gresty Bridge
D9009 'Alycidon' looks superb on-display at Gresty Bridge open day. There place in Britain's railway history needs no introduction!
Keywords: D9009 55009 DRS Gresty Bridge

86607, 86613 & 86639, stabled, Crewe Basford Hall
After visiting DRS Gresty Bridge's open day I rode my bike up to Basford Hall and, along with lots of other enthusiasts who made the journey on foot, had a look to see what was visible in the huge yard. Three Freightliner class 86s are seen waiting for their next duties, from left to right, 86607, 86613 and 86639
Keywords: 86607 86613 86639 Crewe Basford Hall

Basford Hall Junction signal box (LNWR, 1897)
This is one of a handful of surviving signal boxes still in use on the WCML but their numbers are being reduced constantly and I suspect that this one will be rendered redundant soon. Not a great picture of Basford Hall Junction signal box as this was the closest that I could get to it. It controls the access to the huge Basford Hall Yard complex and was built by the LNWR in 1897.
Keywords: Basford Hall Junction signal box

390126, VT 10.43 London Euston-Edinburgh (9S60), Casey bridge, Basford Hall Junction
390126 'Virgin Enterprise' just catches a few rays of rather flat sunshine as it approaches Crewe with the 10.43 Euston to Edinburgh. The picture is taken from Casey bridge where a minor road crosses the line just near to Basford Hall Junction.
Keywords: 390126 10.43 London Euston-Edinburgh 9S60 Casey bridge Basford Hall Junction

390045, VT 11.40 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H66), Casey bridge, Basford Hall Junction
A fellow enthusiast gets her shot of 390045 as it approaches Casey bridge just south of Basford hall Junction. After the frenetic activities at Gresty Bridge open day with hundreds of enthusiasts vying for a spot to get their pictures, the relative peace at Casey bridge was relaxing!
Keywords: 390045 11.40 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H66 Casey bridge Basford Hall Junction

66528, 11.57 Daventry-Coatbridge (4S44), Casey bridge, Basford Hall Junction
The 4S44 11.57 Daventry to Coatbridge Freightliner is about to pass under Casey bridge just south of Crewe's Basford Hall by 66528 'Madge Elliot MBE - Borders Railway Opening 2015'. It's a shame that I could not get a lower vantage point at this location to avoid the cursed wires cutting through the locomotive, oh. the perils of photographing under 25kV catenary!
Keywords: 66528 11.57 Daventry-Coatbridge 4S44 Casey bridge Basford Hall Junction

350376, LM 12.36 Birmingham New Street-Liverpool Lime Street (4F43), Casey bridge, Basford Hall Junction
350376 is slowing for its stop at Crewe as it passes Casey bridge near to Basford Hall Junction forming the 12.36 Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street. Another 'through the wires' shot but a better view was not available due to restricted access caused by lineside growth.
Keywords: 350376 12.36 Birmingham New Street-Liverpool Lime Street 4F43 Casey bridge, Basford Hall Junction

Ex
When Nantwich signal box closed in 2014, its future looked bleak with it going the same way as the others on the Shrewsbury to Crewe line. However, a bid to preserve it was put together involving a minister, a chapel and a miniature railway! This all fell through so an alternative plan was hatched involving OCL, a railway training academy in nearby Crewe. On a January night in 2016, the box was split in half and transported the short distance to its new location here at OCL at its Weston Road site in Crewe. After some work to repair the base, it was reunited with the top and it is the process of being fitted out again as a fully functioning box. It's good to see the 1948 LNWR designed Type IV box preserved and serving a purpose again.
Keywords: Nantwich Station signal box

37706 & 37668, stabled & 390119, VT 12.40 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H67), Crewe station
The rear of 390119 waits at Crewe station having arrived with the 12.40 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. This is one of the Manchester services that does not travel by the more usual and faster Stoke route. In the shadows over on the far left of the image 37706 and 37668 can be seen.
Keywords: 37706 37668 390119 12.40 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H67 Crewe station

45690, 12.10 Carnforth Steamtown-Crewe Heritage Centre (5Z93), Crewe station
The crowds vie for a spot to get a picture of 45690 'Leander' as it arrives at Crewe station having worked the 12.10 Carnforth Steamtown to Crewe Heritage Centre 5Z39.
Keywords: 45690 12.10 Carnforth Steamtown-Crewe Heritage Centre 5Z93 Crewe station

390114, VT 13.47 Liverpool Lime Street-London Euston (1A42), & 175114, AW 09.10 Milford Haven-Manchester Piccadilly (1W57), Crewe station
390114 'City of Manchester' waits at Crewe station forming the 13.47 Lime Street to London Euston. To the right 175114 is ready to leave with the final leg of its journey to Manchester Piccadilly as the 09.10 from Milford Haven
Keywords: 390114 13.47 Liverpool Lime Street-London Euston 1A42 175114 09.10 Milford Haven-Manchester Piccadilly 1W57 Crewe station

390011, VT 13.07 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street (1F17), Crewe station
390011 'City of Lichfield' arrives at the southern end of Crewe station working the 1F17 13.07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street. Whilst Crewe remains somewhat of a magnet for enthusiasts, today it was particularly busy due to the Gresty Bridge open day that I had attended earlier.
Keywords: 390011 13.07 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street 1F17 Crewe station

390011, VT 13.07 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street (1F17) & 390016, VT 11.40 Glasgow Central-London Euston (1M12), Crewe station
A passing of Pendolinos at Crewe station. Whilst 390011 'City of Lichfield' pauses working the 13.07 Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, 390016 passes through the centre road with the 1M12 11.40 Glasgow Central to Euston.
Keywords: 390011 13.07 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street 1F17 390016 11.40 Glasgow Central-London Euston 1M12 Crewe station

221101, VT 13.10 London Euston-Chester (1D87), Crewe station
221101 'Louis Blériot' arrives into Crewe watched by a throng of enthusiasts who had gathered to visit DRS's open day at Gresty Bridge. The Voyager is working the 13.10 Euston to Chester.
Keywords: 221101 13.10 London Euston-Chester 1D87 Crewe station

221108, VT 14.35 Chester-London Euston (1A45), Crewe station
221108 pauses at Crewe having not long departed from Chester, 21 miles away, with the 14.35 to London Euston. Whilst these units are fine for short journeys, their suitability for long distance journeys is questionable.
Keywords: 221108 14.35 Chester-London Euston 1A45 Crewe station

156404, EM 15.07 Crewe-Derby (1K18), Crewe station
EMT's 156404 sist in Crewe's platform four waiting to leave with the 15.07 to Derby. I took this train as far as Stoke-on-Trent as the first part of my journey home. Note, Bertie the Brompton bike in the left of the image.
Keywords: 156404 15.07 Crewe-Derby 1K18 Crewe station

156404, EM 15.07 Crewe-Derby, Stoke-on-Trent station
Having arrived at a quiet Stoke-on-Trent station I alighted from this train, the 15.07 Crewe to Derby 1K18. I had travelled from Crewe with my trusty Brompton bike on 156404.
Keywords: 156404 15.07 Crewe-Derby Stoke-on-Trent station

158788 &153384, EM 14.42 Derby-Crewe (1K17), Stoke-on-Trent station
An East Midlands combo arrives at Stoke-on-Trent station. The first two carriages are unit 158788 with a single car 153384 bringing up the rear. Notice the contrasting liveries of the two units. They are woking the 14.42 1K17 Derby to Crewe.
Keywords: 158788 153384 14.42 Derby-Crewe 1K17 Stoke-on-Trent station

220022, XC 15.07 Manchester Piccadilly-Bristol Temple Meads (1V61), Stoke-on-Trent station
222022 is a relatively short distance into its journey as the 15.07 Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol Temple Meads. It is seen pausing at the nicely renovated Stoke station that has been somewhat rationalised by the removal of its centre through lines.
Keywords: 220022 15.07 Manchester Piccadilly-Bristol Temple Meads 1V61 Stoke-on-Trent station

390137, VT 14.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H30), Stoke-on-Trent station
Being filmed by a couple of young enthusiasts, 390137 'Virgin Difference' departs from Stoke-on-Trent station. It is working the 1H30 14.20 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly.
Keywords: 390137 14.20 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H30 Stoke-on-Trent station

390119, VT 15.15 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A49), Stoke-on-Trent station
The second train that was part of my rather convoluted journey home arrives at Stoke-on-Trent station. 390119 arrives at Stoke with the 15.15 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston that I took as far as Milton Keynes Central. Interestingly, I saw this particular Pendolino a short time earlier at Crewe on its down working to Manchester.
Keywords: 390119 15.15 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A49 Stoke-on-Trent station

350264, LM 15.54 London Euston-Northampton (2N79), Northampton station
350264 has just arrived at Northampton station with the 15.54 from Euston. I took this train up from Milton Keynes Central as the final leg of my journey back from Crewe.
Keywords: 350264 15.54 London Euston-Northampton 2N79 Northampton station

350112, LM 15.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (2Y88), Northampton station
350112 basks in the afternoon summer sun at Northampton with the 15.54 Birmingham New Street to Euston. After a lovely start to the day, it clouded up when I was at Crewe only for the sun to come out again when I arrived back at my starting point!
Keywords: 350112 15.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y88 Northampton station

Entry ticket, DRS Gresty Bridge open day
The rather nicely done entry ticket fro DRS's Gresty Bridge open day. They always seem to make an effort with their tickets, well done to the designer of this one and for their Photoshop skills!
Keywords: Entry ticket DRS Gresty Bridge open day

Ticket, Crewe-Northampton (NB outward ticket taken by gate machine!)
My return ticket from Crewe to Northampton via Milton keynes. The outward journey's ticket was swallowed by an over zealous ticket machine at Crewe station's gate line that was extraordinarily busy!
Keywords: Ticket Crewe-Northampton

Images 1-59 of 59 displayed.