56. A day in the 'Wet' Midlands-14.08.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 56. A day in the 'Wet' Midlands-14.08.19
This particular day must rank up there as one of the wettest days that I have had the displeasure of being out in taking train photographs! Andy and I were supposed to be heading to the Manchester area but scaled back our plans and I am glad we did. We travelled in my Combo van and, almost other things followed the route of the recently electrified line from Walsall to Rugeley Trent Valley.
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Images 1-25 of 25 displayed.

350109, LN 09.18 Birmingham International-Liverpool Lime Street (1F37, 2L), Lea Hall station If this is the new, revised London Northwestern livery then it is a massive improvement on their all-over metallic green variant with just the connecting door painted yellow. The guard nonchalantly leans against 350109 as it prepares to leave Lea Hall station with the 09.18 Birmingham International to Liverpool Lime Street 1F37 service. Keywords: 350109 09.18 Birmingham International-Liverpool Lime Street 1F37 Lea Hall station
66005, 05.07 Southampton Western Docks-Masborough (4E94), Lea Hall station 66005 'Maritime Intermodal One' brings the 05.07 Southampton Western Docks to Masborough Freightliner through Lea Hall station. 66003 was one of the first class 66s to arrive in the UK during August 1998. In its latest reincarnation, the re-paint and re-branding have freshened it up and, along with six other members of the class, it is now working hard, now for Maritime Transport, a British operator based in Felixstowe. Keywords: 66005 05.07 Southampton Western Docks-Masborough 4E94 Lea Hall station
158838 & 150208, AW 07.34 Crewe & 07.50 Wrexham General-Birmingham International (1G93, 2L), Stechford station In a picture that is more reminiscent of mid-January than August, the 07.34 Crewe and 07.50 Wrexham General to Birmingham International passes through Stechford station. I presume that the Wrexham train was formed by 158838 and the Crewe portion by 150208 with the two trains coming together at Shrewsbury. Keywords: 158838 150208 07.34 Crewe 07.50 Wrexham General-Birmingham International 1G93 Stechford station
220016, XC 06.30 Bournemouth-Manchester Piccadilly (1M26, 1L), Stechford station In pouring rain at Stechford station, 220016 creates a lot of spray as it passes at speed with the 06.30 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly. Stechford station was undergoing some significant improvements with a lot of building work taking place. The workers did not look particularly happy in such foul conditions, and, who can blame them! Keywords: 220016 06.30 Bournemouth-Manchester Piccadilly (1M26, 1L), Stechford station
Former carriage & wagon works, Duddeston station Duddeston station was pretty bleak on such a wet and miserable day. The station is somewhat of a shadow of its former self with just two platforms and a shelter but at least the booking office is staffed despite recent proposals to close it. These proposals were overturned with one reason given that a member of staff is needed to assist with wheelchair users. Whilst we were there, the booking clerk did assist on the platform with a wheelchair user who needed assistance; a clear vindication for the ticket office to remain open. In this view, the former carriage and wagon works are seen bricked up and looking a little forlorn. In the foreground is a former platform and in the extensive greenery are a number of sidings. Keywords: Former carriage wagon works Duddeston station
323342, LN 10.16 Four Oaks-Redditch (2R29, 3L), Duddeston station Andy, in his rain-soaked jacket, photographs 323342 arriving at Duddeston station in the centre of Birmingham. It is working the cross-city 10.16 Four Oaks to Redditch service. To the right, the trees mark the spot of the former steam shed and extensive sidings that feature in many contemporary photographs. In their final years, they were used to stable DMUs that were used throughout the West Midlands prior to electrification. Keywords: 323342 10.16 Four Oaks-Redditch 2R29 Duddeston station
170512 & 170508, LN 10.27 Birmingham New Street-Walsall (2A12, 6L), Duddeston station Taken in tricky conditions holding the camera in one hand and my umbrella in the other 170512 and 170508 arrive at Duddesdon station working the 10.27 Birmingham New Street to Walsall service. Despite its rather austere and bare look, Duddeston station was once a significant one. Originally named Vauxhall, a name it carried until 1974, the station was opened in 1837 as the temporary Birmingham terminus of the Grand Junction Railway from Warrington. When the permanent terminus at Curzon Street opened in 1839, that is to become the terminus for HS2, Vauxhall became a goods-only station until it was rebuilt and re-opened in 1869 by the LNWR. It was renamed Vauxhall and Duddeston in 1889. During an air raid in 1941, it received a direct hit and was destroyed being re-built to then burn down in 1955. The present station dates from this time but little remains apart from the entrance hall, ticket office and steps down to the platforms. Keywords: 170512 & 170508, LN 10.27 Birmingham New Street-Walsall (2A12, 6L), Duddeston station
Aston Signalling Centre signal box (ex Vauxhall Shunt Frame) (BR, 1957) When I last took a photograph of the former Vauxhall Shunt Frame signal box in 2016 from a passing train I stated that I doubted that I would take a better picture, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/25576130404/aston-signalling-centre-signal-box However, on this wet and miserable day using my long ladder I have managed a better picture, if a little compromised by the growth of saplings, of the British Railways built 1957 box now named Aston Signalling Centre. Notice the St. Andrew's stadium of Birmingham City FC in the background to the right of the box. Keywords: Aston Signalling Centre signal box ex Vauxhall Shunt Frame 1957)
350375, LN 12.01 Walsall-Wolverhampton (2W26, 4L), Hamstead station Yes, it's still teeming with rain! 350375 'Vic Hall' arrives into Hamstead station working the 12.01 Walsall to Wolverhampton service. This class 350 was named at Watford Junction ten days previously to celebrate the retirement, after fifty years of service, of career railwayman Vic Hall, see.... https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/17829774.train-named-iconic-railwayman/ Keywords: 350375 12.01 Walsall-Wolverhampton 2W26 Hamstead station
350124, LN 11.22 Wolverhampton-Walsall (2A21, 5L), Hamstead station The 11.22 Wolverhampton to Walsall 2A21 service arrives into a wet Hamstead station formed by 350124. Hamstead station was opened as Hamstead and Great Barr by the Grand Junction Railway on 4 July 1837. It once had some sidings that were served by a tramway from the Hamsted colliery that closed in 1965. Keywords: 350124 11.22 Wolverhampton-Walsall 2A21 Hamstead station
60020, stabled, Bescot yard 60020 'The Willows' sits stabled in Bescot Yard at the head of coiled steel train. The engine was switched off and I am not sure what working it was, can anybody advise? Apologies for the poor quality of the picture, it was taken on full zoom through the pouring rain. Keywords: 60020 Bescot yard
350236, LN 11.15 London Euston-Rugeley Trent Valley (2H64, 2E), Bescot Stadium station Since the timetable changes from May, London Northwestern now operate through trains to and from Rugeley Trent Valley via Birmingham with a reversal at New Street where the eight-car units usually split or join. Here at Bescot Stadium station, 350236 arrives in the pouring rain with the 11.15 Euston to Rugeley Trent Valley service. In the background to the left is the iconic RAC control room that towers above the adjacent M6 motorway between junctions eight and nine. Keywords: 350236 11.15 London Euston-Rugeley Trent Valley 2H64 Bescot Stadium station
323210, LN 13.31 Walsall-Wolverhampton (2W32, 1L), Bescot Stadium station I like the new livery applied to West Midlands Trains to their ageing class 323 fleet. 323210 arrives at Bescot Stadium station forming the 13.31 Walsall to Wolverhampton. I am taking this picture sheltering from the rain under the footbridge at Bescot Station, something I spent the day doing in a vain attempt to stay dry! Keywords: 323210 13.31 Walsall-Wolverhampton 2W32 Bescot Stadium station
350236, LN 14.19 Rugely TV-London Euston (1Y58, 1E), Bloxwich station The rain seems to have eased a little into a drizzle at Bloxwich station. 350236 arrives with the 14.19 Rugeley Trent Valley to Euston service, a train that will travel via Birmingham New Street where it will join another unit and reverse to continue its journey via the conventional route down the WCML. The wiring of the Chase Line, as it is referred to, was completed in April 2019 with the new service pattern commencing from the May timetable change. The intensity of services on this line, one that was seen as a bit of a backwater for many years, was a pleasant surprise. Keywords: 350236 14.19 Rugely TV-London Euston 1Y58 Bloxwich station
Former siding to Imperial Smelting, Blioxwich SJ994016 A reminder of Bloxwich's industrial past is still in evidence on Fryers Road that passes through an industrial estate to the west of the town. This track, laid into the road, led from the mainline behind where I am standing, into a former smelting facility. There appears to be planning to develop the former factory site for housing so I suspect that the tracks will be consigned to history soon. Keywords: Former siding to Imperial Smelting Blioxwich SJ994016
350234, LN 12.24 London Euston-Rugeley TV (9K60, RT), Landywood station 350234 has taken nearly three hours to make the journey from Euston to reach Landywood station. It is seen leaving the staggered northbound platform forming the 12.24 to Rugeley Trent Valley. If I was a resident of Rugeley and wanted to get to London I suspect that I would choose one of the hourly services that take the Trent Valley route on a train to and from Crewe rather than go on the infinitely slower and stopping route via New Street. However, as a local, I also think that I would welcome the much enhanced electric services to and from the West Midlands that have been available to me since the May timetable change. Keywords: 350234 12.24 London Euston-Rugeley Trent Valley 9K60 Landywood station
Former Hednesford No. 1 signal box (LNW, 1877), preserved The Chase Line from Walsall through to Rugeley had a number of mechanical signal boxes and semaphores but was one that eluded me for many of years. The boxes were replaced in 2013 when the West Midlands Signalling Centre took over control of the line and the boxes were disposed of pretty quickly afterwards denying me the opportunity to photograph them, all except for this one! This is the former Hednesford Number 1 box that was rescued at the eleventh hour before demolition and brought the short distance to its new location here at Hednesford Park. Whilst it no longer signals trains, it has been superbly well restored and is now sees community use ostensively by young people. It is really positive that our heritage is being re-cycled in a manner such as this rather than simply destroyed as happens all too often. Keywords: Former Hednesford No. 1 signal box LNW 1877 preserved
350249, LN 14.46 London Euston-Crewe (1U39, RT), Rugeley Trent Valley station The rain has all but stopped now, for the first time all day! With the bulk of the closed Rugeley power station seen through the murk in the background, 350249 takes the steeply cambered track into Trent Valley station with the 14.46 Euston to Crewe service. After following the Chase Line for the last hours or so with its winding double track, the vast expanse of the Trent valley WCML route seemed absolutely huge by comparison! Keywords: 350249 14.46 London Euston-Crewe 1U39 Rugeley Trent Valley station
66598, 15.13 Toton North Yard-Crewe Basford Hall, Rugeley Trent Valley station Following hot on the heels of a Euston to Crewe London Northwestern service 66598 passes through Rugeley Trent Valley station as the 15.13 Toton North yard to Crewe Basford Hall light engine move. A friend, who has access to TOPS, was unable to identify the working number of this loco. movement, if anybody can fill in the gap I would appreciate it. Keywords: 66598 15.13 Toton North Yard-Crewe Basford Hall Rugeley Trent Valley station
66517, 14.03 Ditton- Felixstowe North (4L92), Rugeley Trent valley station With the rain starting again, 66517 passes at speed through Rugeley Trent Valley station leading the 14.03 Ditton to Felixstowe Freightliner service. This was not the ideal position to capture this train but it was moving too quickly for Andy and me to get ourselves to a better spot on the station. Keywords: 66517 14.03 Ditton- Felixstowe North 4L92 Rugeley Trent valley station
66705, 14.17 Trafford Park-Felixstowe North (4L18), Rugeley Trent Valley station What's this....is this the sun coming out? After a day of pretty relentless rain, the sun has just broken through the cloud but it is still actually drizzling. GBRF's 66705 'Golden Jubilee' heads the 4L18 14.17 Trafford Park to Felixstowe Freightliner through Rugely Trent Valley. When just over a year old, in June 2002, it was named to celebrate the queen's fifty years on the throne, it has carried this name ever since. Keywords: 66705 14.17 Trafford Park-Felixstowe North 4L18 Rugeley Trent Valley station
390005, VT 15.02 Blackpool North-London Euston (1A93, 5L), Rugeley Trent Valley station 390005 'City of Wolverhampton' passes Rugeley Trent Valley in dramatic lighting forming the 15.02 Blackpool North to London Euston. To date, this is my first photograph of a Virgin Blackpool service. The black sky behind the train was to deliver yet more rain after a brief respite when the sun actually put in an all too brief appearance. Keywords: 390005 15.02 Blackpool North-London Euston 1A93 Rugeley Trent Valley station
57308, 15.20 Crewe Gresty Bridge-Rugby LE, Rugeley Trent Valley station 57308 'Jamie Ferguson' trundles southwards as the 15.20 Crewe to Rugby light engine move. DRS now operate the contract that places the Thunderbird locomotives at strategic locations the length of the WCML. They are in a position to rescue a failed Pendolino or Voyager in order to keep the line in operation with the minimum of fuss. Throughout the week, there are various light engine moves between the places where they are stabled as seen here at Rugeley Trent Valley station. Keywords: 57308 15.20 Crewe Gresty Bridge-Rugby Rugeley Trent Valley station
390047, VT unidentified down working, Rugeley Trent Valley station 390047 takes the cambered reversed curves at Rugeley Trent Valley station. Unfortunately, I was unable to identify this working as RTT had a 'turn' for a couple of hours and was not displaying any Virgin Train down services. After a period of about fifteen minutes of dry weather when the sun actually reminded us of its existence, it had started the rain again capping off the end to a thoroughly miserable day! Keywords: 390047 down working Rugeley Trent Valley station
Former goods shed, Rugeley Trent Valley station Now in use as industrial premises, the former goods shed at Rugeley Trent Valley is seen. The wrought iron canopy has lost its glazing but it is good to see it still spanning the space between the main building and the outside wall. Keywords: Former goods shed Rugeley Trent Valley station

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