38. Irchester-16.05.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 38. Irchester-16.05.19
With an hour or so to spare prior to a curry night with some friends, I stopped off at Irchester on the Midland Main Line. After yesterday's stunning weather, things had returned to type! It was interesting to note that little has changed with regards to the electrification and re-installation of the second relief line since my last visit in October. However, the major work being undertaken was the removal of the old A45 bridge that was causing huge inconvenience to people using the road.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

222009, EM 17.00 Sheffield-London St. Pancras (1C67, 1L), Irchester SP927667 In very different weather and light to yesterday's crisp blue and clear skies, 222009 heads south with the 17.00 Sheffield to St. Pancras working. I took this picture at Irchester, just south of Wellingborough in order to demonstrate the huge crane being used by the contractors installing a new bridge for the westbound A45 who's temporary access road crosses the field directly behind the train. Since my last visit in October 2018, the scene has changed very little indicating that progress remains a little slow..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/25047595204/x222018-12-00-sheffield-london-st Keywords: 222009 17.00 Sheffield-London St. Pancras 1C67 Irchester SP927667
222008, EM 17.50 London St. Pancras-Melton Mowbray (1M44, 3L), Irchester SP927667 222008 passes Irchester just south of Wellingborough with the 17.50 St. Pancras to Melton Mowbray. This is the second direct train of the day between the two places with the first going up early in the morning. Both trains take the Corby route and are the only regular passenger workings on the stretch of line between Corby and Manton Junction that cross the superb Harringworth viaduct. Keywords: 222008 17.50 London St. Pancras-Melton Mowbray 1M44 Irchester SP927667
222003, EM 18.02 London St. Pancras-Sheffield (1F60, 31L), Irchester SP927667 This photograph is taken from the huge new bridge installed a couple of years ago that carries a footpath over the line at Irchester. It's not one of Network Rail's most attractive structures but it does offer some new views of the MML at this location between Wellingborough and Bedford. 222003 and another unidentified Meridian is descending from Sharnbrook summit forming the 18.02 St. Pancras to Sheffield. There were issues between Kettering and Leicester as all trains were heavily delayed, with this one arriving thirty-one minutes late. Keywords: 222003 18.02 London St. Pancras-Sheffield 1F60 Irchester SP927667
222102, EM 18.05 London St. Pancras-Lincoln Central (1D62, 8L), Irchester SP927667 With the Northamptonshire village of Irchester in the background, 222102 is at full line speed in the descent from Sharnbrook summit with the 18.05 St. Pancras to Lincoln. Whilst the railways persist in referring to Lincoln station as 'Central' I do not as it seems somewhat silly as there is only one station in the town and it has been this way since St. Marks closed in thirty-four years ago! In this photograph, note the reinstated up and down relief lines that have been laid. Of the two, only the right-hand track is in use as the left (to be the up slow) is not yet connected ending abruptly just behind me in a sea of ballast. Keywords: 222102 18.05 London St. Pancras-Lincoln Central 1D62 Irchester SP927667
43050, EM 17.45 Nottingham-London St. Pancras (1B69, 4E), Irchester SP927667 With a dramatic sky after a run of beautiful spring days heralding a change in the weather at Irchester near Wellingborough on the MML. The 17.45 Nottingham to St. Pancras HST service is led by power car 43050. This power car was part of a number of extra ones introduced on to the Western Region in the summer of 1977 as part of set 253025. Notice the encampment at the top of the field in the background. This is associated with the extensive and somewhat disruptive works replacing the old A45 bridge in the distance. The original bridge that carried the westbound carriageways was the one being replaced it having been demolished a few weeks earlier forcing all traffic onto the eastbound bridge. Keywords: 43050 17.45 Nottingham-London St. Pancras 1B69 Irchester SP927667
222005, EM 17.29 Sheffield-London St. Pancras (1C70, 1E), Irchester SP927667 222005 forms the 17.29 Sheffield to St. Pancras fast working past Irchester just south of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. Notice the base of the huge crane that is to be involved with the lifting into place of the pre-fabricated concrete arches that can be seen to the left. These will span the railway and carry the westbound carriageway of the A45. The electrification of the MML continues in its random manner here with gaps and spaces. In addition, the relaid up relief line is laid here but stops abruptly just prior to the bridge in the distance. Keywords: 222005 17.29 Sheffield-London St. Pancras 1C70 Irchester SP927667
222006, EM 18.19 London St. Pancras-Sheffield (1F63, 25L), Irchester SP927667 222006 'The Carbon Cutter' passes Irchester on the MML working the 18.19 St. Pancras to Sheffield 1F63 working that arrived at its destination, like all other trains late, in this case, twenty-five minutes adrift. In this view, the stanchions are complete with the registration arms turned through 90 degrees awaiting the stringing of the wiring. At the moment, trains can be photographed with no obstruction, but once the various wiring is installed this view will be compromised. Keywords: 222006 18.19 London St. Pancras-Sheffield 1F63 Irchester SP927667
43480, EM 18.37 Corby-London St. Pancras (1P41, 10L), Irchester SP926665 Whilst I was walking back to the car at Irchester, the 18.37 Corby to St. Pancras HST passed heading south. I managed a side-on photograph teetering on top of a style! Former Grand Central power car 43480 'West Hampstead PSB' leads the train looking very smart in its revised East Midlands livery. If I was taking an evening train from Corby to London, this would be the service that I would choose over a class 222 Meridian every time! Keywords: 43480 18.37 Corby-London St. Pancras 1P41 Irchester SP926665
43484, EM 18.37 Corby-London St. Pancras (1P41, 10L), Irchester SP926665 43484 brings up the rear of the 18.37 Corby to London St. Pancras HST working. It is seen passing Irchester having just made its Wellingborough stop. On a dull spring evening in a rather monotonous green environment, the revised East Midlands Trains livery stands out rather well. Notice that this power car has buffer beams fitted indicating that it was one of the fourteen selected to work on the ECML as surrogate DVTs prior to the full introduction of the class 82 DVTs way back in 1987. When they were dispensed with the control equipment was removed but the buffer beams remained. Keywords: 43484 18.37 Corby-London St. Pancras 1P41 Irchester SP926665

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.