45. The Oxford 175 Express & 175 Luncheon Circular-15.06.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 45. The Oxford 175 Express & 175 Luncheon Circular-15.06.19
After an appalling week of weather with five days of what seemed like continual rain, a slight break coincided with the Oxford 175 Express and Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular to celebrate, as the names suggest, 175 years of the railway between Didcot and Oxford. The tour was composed of four parts all hauled by 7029 'Clun Castle'.

Leg one - 1Z50 Solihull to Oxford then hauled back to Oxford Parkway by D1755.
Leg two - 1Z70 Oxford Parkway to Princess Risborough via Didcot and Greenford Junction.
Leg three - 1Z71 Princess Risborough to Oxford then to Didcot to turn on the triangle and back to Oxford.
Leg four - 1Z65 Oxford to Solihull.

A great day out dodging the rain showers with Mike travelling in his Audi A3.
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Images 1-17 of 17 displayed.

221129, XC 05.45 Sheffield-Reading (1V81, 4E), Warkworth SP476394 221129 has just left Banbury, that can be seen in the background, with the 05.45 Sheffield to Reading service. The picture is taken from the top of a retaining wall of a bridge that carries the M40 motorway. So, the largely rural scene is not as quiet as you may imagine with vehicles thundering just a few feet behind where I am sitting! Keywords: 221129 05.45 Sheffield-Reading 1V81 Warkworth SP476394
7029, outward leg of the Oxford 175 Express, 06.53 Solihull-Oxford (1Z65), Warkworth SP476394 7029 'Clun Castle' powers its way away from Banbury heading south with the Oxford 175 Express. This train left Solihull at 06.53 and was making the short trip to Oxford where it then led a round trip via London to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the railway arriving at Oxford. Unfortunately, the exhaust from 7029 has imposed somewhat on the photograph, I was hoping that it would have been a little more behind it as the wind was blowing from the south east, perhaps it was the effect of the M40 motorway embankment crossing the line that is behind me? Keywords: 7029 Oxford 175 Express 06.53 Solihull-Oxford 1Z65 Warkworth SP476394
D1755, outward leg of the Oxford 175 Express, 06.53 Solihull-Oxford (1Z70), Warkworth SP476394 D1755, at the rear of the Oxford 175 Express, passes a spot on the M40 motorway embankment near to Warkworth south of Banbury. I am led to believe that this railtour proved popular due to the fact that the class 47 was not going to be on the rear of the train for the second part of the day. However, passengers were to be disappointed is it remained on the back of the train for the whole day. In April 1984, I had haulage behind D1755, then as 47541 'The Queen Mother', on the 23.50 Inverness to Glasgow Queen Street sleeper. Keywords: D1755 Oxford 175 Express 06.53 Solihull-Oxford 1Z70 Warkworth SP476394
165102, GW 09.09 Banbury-Dictot Parkway (2V21, 2L), King`s Sutton station In a welcome burst of sunshine, Great Western's 165102 pauses at King's Sutton station working the 09.09 Banbury to Didcot Parkway service. Since the new timetable was introduced this return shuttle service operates extends to Didcot throughout the day. This route is as far north as Great Western operate with Banbury feeling a little like an outpost to the operator! Keywords: 165102 09.09 Banbury-Dictot Parkway 2V21 King`s Sutton station
66005, 04.11 Wakefield Europort-Didcot (4O43), King`s Sutton station In its relatively new livery, 66005 'Maritime Intermodal One' leads the very lightly loaded 04.11 Wakefield Europort to Didcot 4O43 through King's Sutton station. There were some boxes on this train, mainly towards the back, but it was disappointing to see so much fresh air being carried on a train that was part of a new contract. The train is operated for Maritime Transport LTD by DB with five dedicated class 66s having been painted into the distinctive livery for the purposes of the ten-year contract that began in April 2019. Keywords: 66005 04.11 Wakefield Europort-Didcot 4O43 King`s Sutton station
66542, 07.03 Birch Coppice-Southampton (4O05), King`s Sutton station 66542 sweeps through King's Sutton station leading the 07.03 Birch Coppice to Southampton Freightliner. On the down platform remains the original Great Western waiting shelter complete with its canopy roof; a remarkable survivor. King's Sutton station is one of only six in the county of Northamptonshire and, out of all of them is the least used with 65 400 passengers using the station during 2017/18. As such, it also featured in one of All the Stations least used stations videos, see..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inbE3xgJrVQ Keywords: 66542 07.03 Birch Coppice-Southampton 4O05 King`s Sutton station
221129, XC 09.45 Reading-Newcastle (1E32, 4L), Tackley station 221129 approaches Tackley station, that is just behind where I am standing, forming the 09.45 Reading to Newcastle service. Despite appearances, I am in a safe position standing the right side of the fence, at a user-operated crossing that leads to the Oxford Canal. Keywords: 221129 09.45 Reading-Newcastle 1E32 Tackley station
165102, GW 10.00 Didcot Parkway-Banbury (2M20, RT), Tackley station Seen earlier at King's Sutton, 165102 is now arriving at Tackley station with the return 10.00 Didcot Parkway to Banbury Great Western service. Opened relatively late in 1931, Tackley station has basic facilities and is well maintained. It has no car parking facilities, something that residents probably curse as the roads leading to the station are narrow and somewhat inappropriate for the parking of cars; let's hope passengers are relatively local and make their way to the station by foot or bike. Keywords: 165102 10.00 Didcot Parkway-Banbury 2M20 Tackely station
66098, 10.07 Morris Cowley-Southampton Eastern Docks (4O40), Radley SP527002 A regular working that contains hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of Minis for export has just left their birthplace at the BMW/Mini Cowley factory a few miles from this spot here close to the village of Radley. The 10.07 Morris Cowley to Southampton Eastern Docks runs as 4O40 and on this day is being led by 66098. It was a very dull day now with threatening clouds blowing from the west. In addition, the walk to this field really set my hayfever off with me struggling to see through the viewfinder; the things that we do in pursuit of our hobby! Keywords: 66098 10.07 Morris Cowley-Southampton Eastern Docks 4O40 Radley SP527002
165130, GW 12.31 Didcot Parkway-Oxford (2L30, RT) & 165121, GW 12.36 Oxford-Didcot Parkway (2L33, 1L), Radley SP527002 A coming together of Great Western units just north of Radley in Oxfordshire. Under leaden skies, 165130 is working the 12.31 Didcot to Oxford whilst, to the right, 165121 is working the 12.36 Oxford to Didcot. Both these services cover the ten-mile journey, stopping at all three intermediate stations, in just over fifteen minutes. Notice the photographer on his ladder the other side of the line waiting for the passing of 7029 'Clun Castle'. Keywords: 165130 12.31 Didcot Parkway-Oxford 2L30 165121 12.36 Oxford-Didcot Parkway 2L33 Radley SP527002
7029, outward leg of the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular, 12.38 Oxford Parkway-Princes Risborough (1Z70), Radley SP527002 The driver and fireman of 7029 'Clun Castle' were working the locomotive hard as it left Oxford; we could see the exhaust for some distance and, I for one, thought the driver was bound to shut-off before it got to us here in a field just north of Radley. However, as can be seen, this was not the case and the train was kept under power until it passed Radley station where other photographers stated that there was little exhaust! The Castle is leading the outward leg of the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular to celebrate the opening of the railway at this actual location in 1844. Passengers were treated to this run to Didcot, then a dash along the GWML to Greenford, a nip around to South Ruislip and finally a run back along the Chiltern Line to Princes Risborough. Keywords: 7029 Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular 12.38 Oxford Parkway-Princes Risborough 1Z70 Radley SP527002
802022, GW 11.52 London Paddington-Oxford (1D31, 15L), Radley SP527002 Approaching journey's end, the 1D31 11.52 Paddington to Oxford passes Radley under grey skies that were just starting to produce yet more rain! The train is formed by one of the five-car class 802 IETs number 802022. Not so long ago this would have been an HST or even a Turbo unit, and, before that a set of coaching stock hauled by a class 47 or even a 50! You decide on what you would prefer, needless to say, for me it would not be the IET because of its awfull seating. Keywords: 802022 11.52 London Paddington-Oxford 1D31 Radley SP527002
66567 & 70008, 08.50 Crewe Basford Hall-Southampton (4O29), Radley station The 08.50 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton Freightliner speeds through Radley station hauled by 66567 and, dead in tow, 70008. After a sunny start to the day, it had reverted to type with thick black cloud rolling in and now it was starting to rain again. This was a shame as there was an event in the garden of the adjacent Bowyer Arms to celebrate the 175 anniversary of the opening of this line between Oxford and Didcot Keywords: 66567 70008 08.50 Crewe Basford Hall-Southampton 4O29 Radley station
Notice the Bowyer Arms, Radley A notice attached to the fence of the Bowyer Arms pub that is just next to the station in the Oxfordshire village of Radley. There were a number of events in the pub garden to commemorate 175 anniversary of the opening of the Didcot to Oxford line in 1844. There was a very informative exhibition of photographs and artifacts that were thankfully under gazebos as the rain had just started to fall again as it did then for the next hour or so in spectacular style! Keywords: Notice the Bowyer Arms Radley
168110, CH 14.35 London Marylebone-Oxford (1T39, RT), Oddington SP542160 After an hour or so of torrential rain that nearly persuaded us to turn for home, 168110 passes near to the village of Oddington with the 14.35 Marylebone to Oxford Chiltern service. The picture is taken from one of the recently constructed bridges that cross the stretch of line between Bicester and Oxford that itself has undergone huge upgrading as the first phase of the long-awaited east-west route; will it ever be finished? Keywords: 168110 14.35 London Marylebone-Oxford 1T39 Oddington SP542160
168327, CH 15.06 London Marylebone-Oxford (1T41, 5L), Oddington SP542160 After the rain comes the sun! 166327 leads another unit past Oddington forming the 15.06 Marylebone to Oxford service. The photograph is taken from a new and substantial overbridge near Oddington. The bridge, that replaced a user-worked crossing, carries a single-track road that leads to just five properties. Whilst the views of the new double track are clear and open, looking at the saplings already growing trackside and out of sight at the base of the bridge embankments, I suspect that in a few years shots like this will not be possible. Keywords: 168327 15.06 London Marylebone-Oxford 1T41 Oddington SP542160
7029, return leg of the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular, 15.45 Princes Risborough-Oxford (1Z71), Oddington SP542160 7029 'Clun Castle' rushes past Oddington between Oxford and Bicester with the returning Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular railtour running as 1Z71, the 15.45 Princes Risborough to Oxford. There is very little exhaust from the Castle that is a shame as, despite the welcome sunshine, the mid-summer light has created a very contrasty image with very deep shadows. Whilst Photoshop has been used to tinker with the image, it is still somewhat unsatisfactory. Keywords: 7029 Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular 15.45 Princes Risborough-Oxford 1Z71 Oddington SP542160

Images 1-17 of 17 displayed.