37. Up sleeper & trip to London-25.06.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 37. Up sleeper & trip to London-25.06.15
A few days earlier, 87002 had worked a northbound sleeper so it would have to return south again, possibly on an up service. Indeed, postings on the internet the previous evening revealed that it was on the up Highland service. So I nipped out early to catch it locally. This was followed by another trip to London with my wife to see Alister McGowan at The Park Theatre in An Audience with Jimmy Saville. This is one of the finest, most profound and at the same time one of the most disturbing productions that we have ever seen.
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Images 1-10 of 10 displayed.

87002, CS 20.44 Inverness, 21.43 Aberdeen & 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper (1M16), Milton crossing 
 Due to issues with a Class 90, Caledonian Sleeper had to use 87002 'Royal Sovereign' to work a northbound sleeper service on 23.06.15. This meant that the vintage AC electric was somewhat isolated out of position in Scotland and unable to undertake its ecs duties from Wembley to Euston. Rather than run it as a highly inefficient light engine operation it was utilised on the 1M16 up Highland Sleeper. After checking the internet I found that it was indeed leading the train so I popped out from home to see the train passing a rather grey Milton crossing between Roade and Blisworth. Notice that the 87 is in its smart new Caledonian Sleeper livery with branding but that the Mk. III stock is still in the old First Group livery who relinquished the franchise three months previously. 
 Keywords: 87002 20.44 Inverness 21.43 Aberdeen 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper 1M16 Milton crossing Caledonian Sleeper Royal Sovereign
Demolition of old Northampton station 
 Work is now well advanced on the construction of the new taxi rank and turning circle at Northampton station. The three archways are all that remains of the Ray Moorcroft designed 'three cowsheds' of the 1966 rebuilt station. 
 Keywords: Demolition of old Northampton station
Demolition of old Northampton station 
 When the taxi rank and turning circle are complete I bet that the cabbies seen crammed together in the background will be relived. The excavator is busy in the foreground removing the old concrete footings with the area to become part of the car park. 
 Keywords: Demolition of old Northampton station
Demolition of old Northampton station 
 A member of staff works to sort out the electrics under the canopy of the old Northampton station. The re-building and upgrade of the station are virtually complete but very little has been done to increase its train capacity, will the planner s at Network Rail rue the day that this was not looked at? 
 Keywords: Demolition of old Northampton station
66533, 07.39 Felixstowe South-Lawley Street, Northampton station 
 Under cloudy June skies, 66533 'Hanjin Express/Senator Express' passes through Northampton station with the 07.39 Felixstowe to Lawley Street Freightliner service. This locomotive was named two years after it arrived in the UK gaining its nameplates in the summer of 2003. 
 Keywords: 66533 07.39 Felixstowe South-Lawley Street Northampton station Hanjin Express / Senator Express Freightliner
350119, 11.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1W12), Northampton station 
 Our train to London drifts into Northampton station. 350119 is working the 11.33 Birmingham New Street to London Euston 1W12 service. Despite the cloud it is high summer and notice the fly encrusted connecting doors of the Desiro. 
 Keywords: 350119 11.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1W12 Northampton station London Midland Desiro
Caledonian Sleeper poster, London Euston station 
 As the poster proudly proclaims, it's 'all change for the new Caledonian Sleeper'. A new company has taken over operations from First Group, a brand new look, new stock on order to replace the ageing Mk. IIIs with Andy and me travelling with them later in the summer there' a lot to look forward to! 
 Keywords: Caledonian Sleeper poster London Euston station
350112, LM 17.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1W24), London Euston station 
 A busy scene at the country end of Euston station. A Virgin Pendolino arrives to the left whilst anther leaves to the right. Meanwhile, 350112 arrives working London Midland's 17.33 from Birmingham New Street. 
 Keywords: 350112 17.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1W24 London Euston station London Midland Desiro
350112, LM 19.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1Y79), Northampton station 
 It's just past the longest day, it's nearly nine o'clock and it's still light! 350112 has just arrived at Northampton with the 1Y79 19.49 Euston to Birmingham New Street. My wife and I had just alighted from this service having travelled back from London. Another Desiro can be seen stabled in one of the Riverside sidings ready to work an early morning commuter service. 
 Keywords: 350112 19.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1Y79 Northampton station London Midland Desiro
Tickets, Northampton-London Euston-Northampton 
 Our return tickets from Northampton to Euston composed of two advanced singles. 
 Keywords: Tickets Northampton-London Euston-Northampton

Images 1-10 of 10 displayed.