42. Trip to Shrewsbury-07.09.16

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2016 > 42. Trip to Shrewsbury-07.09.16
Following our visit to Shrewsbury last month, I vowed that I would re-visit to get some more pictures of the semaphores. A day off work coincided with a reasonable weather forecast so me and my Brompton (Bertie) headed off to the Shropshire town. Off course, the weather did not play ball and it clouded up so I expect that another visit will beed to be arranged sooner than later!
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Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.

350105, LM 08.40 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1W03), Northampton station In glorious September sunshine, 350105 leaves Northampton station working the 08.40 Euston to Birmingham New Street. At this time, I was hopeful that this smashing start to the day would continue throughout. Keywords: 350105 08.40 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1W03 Northampton station
350128, LM 06.49 Crewe-London Euston (2Y00), Northampton station 350128 drifts into platform one of Northampton station . After a brief pause, it will then leave with the 06.49 Crewe to Euston. Keywords: 350128 06.49 Crewe-London Euston 2Y00 Northampton station
66151, 04.18 Felixstowe-Burton-ot-Wetmore (4M07), Northampton station 66151 powers through Northampton station with the 04.18 4M07 Felixstowe to Burton-ot-Wetmore Freightliner. I know that ti is taken into the sun but this is a working that I have few pictures of. Keywords: 66151 04.18 Felixstowe-Burton-ot-Wetmore 4M07 Northampton station
350103, LM 07.54 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (2Y17), Northampton station 350103 has just come to a halt at platform three of Northampton station. This is the train that I took from Northampton to Birmingham New Street, it started out as the 07.54 from Euston. This was the first leg of my trip to Shrewsbury. Keywords: 350103 07.54 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 2Y17 Northampton station
Wolverhampton PSB (BR, 1965) Taken from the train, Wolverhampton PSB is seen just to the south of the station. Even though it looks to be in use, complete with its nameboard, it does nor signal trains and is in use by other rail personal. Keywords: Wolverhampton PSB
158830, AW 09.30 Aberystwyth & 07.24 Pwllheli-Birmingham International (1G25 & 2G25), Shrewsbury station Having arrived at Shrewsbury, 158830 has a generous dwell time at platform four. This allows the crew to change ends and prepare the train to work back out again towards the Midlands. The 158 is forming, with another unit on the rear, the 09.30 Aberystwyth and 07.24 Pwllheli to Birmingham International. The two units came together at Machynlleth to work forward. Keywords: 158830 09.30 Aberystwyth 07.24 Pwllheli-Birmingham International 1G25 2G25 Shrewsbury station
175007, AW 09.21 Cardiff Central-Holyhead (1W92), Shrewsbury station 175007 arrives at Shrewsbury station with the 09.21 Cardiff to Holyhead service. The 1903 Severn Bridge Junction signal box dominates the background along with the substantial Shrewsbury Abbey that was originally founded in 1083 as a Benedictine monastery. Keywords: 175007 09.21 Cardiff Central-Holyhead 1W92 Shrewsbury station
158840, AW 10.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli (1J11 & 2J11), Shrewsbury station Having travelled up from Birmingham International and stopped at Shrewsbury's platform six, 158840 and 158841 crew change ends ready for it to continue the journey as the 1J11 and 2J11 to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, with the service splitting at Machynlleth. It was an enjoyable trip up from Birmingham on this ATW service, I like these units finding them roomy and comfortable. Keywords: 158840 10.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli 1J11 2J11 Shrewsbury station
158841 & 158840, AW 10.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli (1J110 & 2J11), Shrewsbury station 158841 and 158840 form the 10.09 Birmingham International to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. It is seen leaving Shrewsbury station passing some of its signals, namely a pair of up starter brackets, SBJ11 (left) and SBJ20 (right). Severn Bridge Junction signal box can be seen in the background. Keywords: 158841 158840 10.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli 1J110 2J11 Shrewsbury station
170634, LM 11.47 Shrewsbury-Birmingham New Street (1G29), Shrewsbury station London Midland's 170634 is stabled in Shrewsbury's bay platform six. Presently, it will work the 11.47 to Birmingham New Street. Keywords: 170634 11.47 Shrewsbury-Birmingham New Street 1G29 Shrewsbury station
158830, AW 09.30 Aberystwyth & 07.24 Pwllheli-Birmingham International (1G25 & 2G25), Shrewsbury Station 158830 prepares to leave Shrewsbury station working the 09.30 Aberystwyth and 07.24 Pwllheli to Birmingham International. There are a number of journeys by train that I have on my 'to-do' list and this is one of them. From the heartlands of the Midlands to the rugged coast of west Wales must be a fascinating route to follow. Keywords: 158 830 09.30 Aberystwyth 07.24 Pwllheli-Birmingham International 1G25 2G25 Shrewsbury Station
175008, AW 10.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Milford Haven (1Y39), Shrewsbury station ATW's 175008 pauses at Shrewsbury working the 10.30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven. The question is, what would the station announcer call, platform seven A or seven B? Keywords: 175008 10.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Milford Haven 1Y39 Shrewsbury station
170501 & 170509, LM 11.05 Birmingham New Street-Shrewsbury (1J12), Shrewsbury station Vintage signalling is still in operation at Shrewsbury and no more so than at the up end of the station. To the left is SBJ5 up main home for Severn Bridge Junction and to the right SBJ11, the up main home for Severn Bridge Junction. This is an unusual signal as both arms are wooden centre pivoting type with unique placing of the spectacles. These dwarf arms are usually used where space is a problem, such as on Worcester Foregate station, quite why they were installed here remains a mystery where there's plenty of room. In the background, 170501 and 170509 approach Shrewsbury with the 11.05 from Birmingham New Street. Keywords: 170501 170509 11.05 Birmingham New Street-Shrewsbury 1J12 Shrewsbury station
170509 & 170501, LM 12.47 Shrewsbury-Birmingham New Street (1G33), Shrewsbury station Just catching a little bit of sunshine as it breaks through a chink in the cloud, 170509 and 170501 rest between duties at Shrewsbury before working the return 1G33 12.47 to Birmingham New Street. Keywords: 170509 170501 12.47 Shrewsbury-Birmingham New Street 1G33 Shrewsbury station
158834, AW 11.10 Birmingham International-Holyhead (1D13), Shrewsbury station 159834 negotiates the trackwork as it approaches Shrewsbury station passing Severn Bridge Junction signal box. It is forming the 11.10 Birmingham International to Holyhead service. This is another through route that I have on my 'to-do' list Keywords: 158834 11.10 Birmingham International-Holyhead 1D13 Shrewsbury station
150229, AW 12.25 Shrewsbury-Crewe (2K54), Shrewsbury station With a smile from the dispatcher, 150229 leaves Shrewsbury station working the 12.25 local stopper to Crewe. CJ53 starter signal is pulled off permitting the train to proceed off to the right towards Crewe. Keywords: 150229 12.25 Shrewsbury-Crewe 2K54 Shrewsbury station
158819, ECS for 09.23 Holyhead-Birmingham International (1G32), Shrewsbury station 158819 waits at Shrewsbury's platform four for the arrival of the 09.23 from Holyhead. This service will join with the 158 to work forward as the 1G32 to Birmingham International. Notice the works being undertaken to repairs and conserve Shrewsbury station. It's an on-going battle to maintain Victoria infrastructure such as this but is something that has to be done. Keywords: 158819 09.23 Holyhead-Birmingham International 1G32 Shrewsbury station
158832, AW 09.23 Holyhead-Birmingham International (1G32), Shrewsbury station 158832 creeps into Shrewsbury station with its connecting door already open working the 1G32 09.23 Holyhead to Birmingham International. It is about to but-up to the rear of 158819, that is just out of view to the left. Both units will then work forward to International station. Keywords: 158832, AW 09.23 Holyhead-Birmingham International 1G32 Shrewsbury station
158829 & 158828, AW 11.30 Aberystwyth & 09.43-Pwllheli-Birmingham International (1G35 & 2G35), Sutton Bridge Junction 158829 coupled to 158828 working the 11.30 Aberystwyth/09.43 Pwllheli to Birmingham International joins the Welsh Marches Line just, south of Shrewsbury at Sutton Bridge Junction, from the Welshpool line. This junction remains a bastion of mechanical signalling with many semaphores and a smashing box just behind where I'm taking the picture from. In the foreground is a pair of shunting disk signals with white diamonds that have recently been added. This indicates that the lines that they protect have track circuits. Keywords: 158829 158828 11.30 Aberystwyth 09.43 Pwllheli-Birmingham International 1G35 2G35 Sutton Bridge Junction
175115, AW 11.21 Cardiff Central-Holyhead (1W93), Sutton Bridge Junction 175115 approaches Shrewsbury from the south at Sutton Bridge Junction forming the 11.21 Cardiff Central to Holyhead service. Even though this scene looks rural, it is in fact far from it being in the suburbs of Shrewsbury and distinctly urban. There ar a superb collection of semaphores here four of which are on view. The line off to the right is the Welshpool line that extends to the Welsh coast. Keywords: 175115 11.21 Cardiff Central-Holyhead 1W93 Sutton Bridge Junction
175003, AW 10.40 Holyhead-Llanelli (1V95), Sutton Bridge Junction With the sun trying its hardest to cut through the grey cloud, 175003 accelerates away from Shrewsbury past Sutton Bridge signal box working the 10.40 Holyhead to Llanelli service. This lovely GWR box is a little hidden way but is kept busy operating the signalling for the junction over which a fair number of trains pass. Keywords: 175003 10.40 Holyhead-Llanelli 1V95 Sutton Bridge Junction
153323, AW 09.33 Swansea-Shrewsbury (2M08), Sutton Bridge Junction Nearing the end of its journey traversing the Central Wales Line, 153323 passes Sutton Bridge Junction signal box working the 09.33 Swansea to Shrewsbury. This 118 mile journey passing through some beautiful countryside has taken this train just over four hours, and what a way to spend those hours! Keywords: 153323 09.33 Swansea-Shrewsbury 2M08 Sutton Bridge Junction
158831, AW 12.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli (1J15 & 2J15), Sutton Bridge Junction ATW's 158831 has been signalled by Sutton Bridge Junction signal box to take the Welshpool line on the bracket to the right of the train. It is just passing over the first set of points that takes it momentarily on to the down fast for it then head away from the Marches line to the west. The signal post to the left has a smaller horizontally striped subsidiary arm below the distant. This is necessary to give a driver special information about the section ahead. When off, a letter C (calling on), S (Shunt ahead) or W (Warning ahead-proceed with caution) will be displayed. Keywords: 158831 12.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth Pwllheli 1J15 2J15 Sutton Bridge Junction
175110, AW 12.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Milford Haven (1V42), Sutton Bridge Junction 175110 leaves Shrewsbury past Sutton Bridge Junction forming the 12.30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven. The area behind the train was once occupied by an area of extensive yards but like so much of the railway network, this has been sold off and now built on, in this case by an estate composed of small office units and a large Jaguar dealership. Keywords: 175110 12.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Milford Haven 1V42 Sutton Bridge Junction
170634, LM 13.05 Birmingham New Street-Shrewsbury (1J16), Shrewsbury station 170634 arrives into Shrewsbury station with the terminating 1J16 13.05 from Birmingham New Street. Look at the weather, just as I return to the station to go home, the clouds start to clear and the sun comes out! Keywords: 170634 13.05 Birmingham New Street-Shrewsbury 1J16 Shrewsbury station
150229, AW 14.24 Shrewsbury-Crewe (2K58), Shrewsbury station The young man wandering along the platform was a little worse for ware! Station staff did their best to cajole him off the station and away from travelling on a train but he was persistent! I am not sure if he wanted to get on 150229 and leave at 14.24 for Crewe, he wasn't sure either; but let's hope he sobered up and got where he wanted without any further problems! Keywords: 150229 14.24 Shrewsbury-Crewe 2K58 Shrewsbury station
158839, AW 12.30 Aberystwyth-Shrewsbury (1J40), Shrewsbury station 158839 comes to a halt at Shrewsbury having worked the 12.30 from Aberystwyth. This picture gives an impression of the mock Tudor architecture that is such a feature of Shrewsbury's grand station. As can be seen, it is undergoing an extensive renovation programme. Keywords: 158839 12.30 Aberystwyth-Shrewsbury 1J40 Shrewsbury station
158820, AW 11.27 Holyhead-Birmingham International (1G40) & 158823, 13.08 Birmingham International-Holyhead (1D14), Shrewsbury station 158820 comes to a halt at Shrewsbury forming the 1G40 11.27 Holyhead to Birmingham International. I took this train to the end of its journey as the first leg of my trip home. Behind it, 158823 and a classmate pause working the 13.08 Birmingham International to Holyhead. Keywords: 158820 11.27 Holyhead-Birmingham International 1G40 158823 13.08 Birmingham International-Holyhead 1D14 Shrewsbury station
08805, stabled, Soho depot Looking very smart in its Railfreight livery, 08805 is seen stabled at Soho depot. Built at Derby works in 1960 and released into service as D3973 it started its working career at Gloucester then moving to the Birmingham area where it has remained since. It is used to shunt units and occasionally coaching stock at the Soho depot. Keywords: 08805 Soho depot
Birmingham New Street PSB (BR, 1966) Birmingham New Street PSB is seen from the train as it enters the station. The corrugated concrete Brutalist structure was Designed by Bicknell & Hamilton for BR (WR) in 1965. As the Birmingham Post wrote 'it's unapologetically bunker-like structure is an honest expression of its utilitarian function'. It stands five storeys high above track level giving no clue of the hive of activity that exists within its four walls apart from a small sign above the first floor. It is grade II listed so this controversial structure is likely to remain intact even after it has been rendered redundant when the West Midlands signalling centre opens. Keywords: Birmingham New Street PSB
150264 & 158820, AW 16.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli (1J23 & 2J23), Birmingham International station Having arrived at Birmingham International on this train, within a few minutes, the crew had changed ends and the train was was being prepared to work back to Wales again, despite what the destination blind is saying! With 150264 leading 158820 the 16.09 to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli will leave platform five in about ten minutes. Keywords: 150264 158820 16.09 Birmingham International-Aberystwyth & Pwllheli 1J23 2J23 Birmingham International station
323213, LM 15.39 Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International (2I19) & 390134, VT 14.43 London Euston-Edinburgh Waverley (9S80), Birmingham International station Whilst 390134 'City of Carlisle' waits at Birmingham International working the 14.43 Euston to Edinburgh, 323213 arrives with the terminating 15.39 from New Street. International station is a busy station that will no prizes for its attractive design. However, as a functional structure, it does what its supposed to do be it getting visitors to and from the NEC or on their holidays from Birmingham International airport. Keywords: 323213 15.39 Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International 2I19 390134 14.43 London Euston-Edinburgh Waverley 9S80 Birmingham International station
390047, VT 15.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1B64), Birmingham International station The second leg of my journey home from Shrewsbury arrives at Birmingham International station. 390047 arrives into International station with the 15.50 from New Street to Euston that I took this as far as Rugby. Keywords: 390047 15.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1B64 Birmingham International station
350115, LM 15.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (2Y16), Rugby station The third and final leg of my journey home returning from Shrewsbury arrives at Rugby station's platform six. London Midland's 350115 is working the 15.54 Birmingham New Street to Euston that I took as far as Northampton. Keywords: 350115 15.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y16 Rugby station
Tickets, Northampton-Shrewsbury-Northampton My tickets for the day were split, in both directions, at Rugby. A total fare of £26 is not bad I suppose of an off-peak return.

Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.