26. A second forbidden walk!-02.04.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 26. A second forbidden walk!-02.04.20

I broke the rules today by taking a second walk. However, as it was across the field from home and that I only saw a distant dog walker I feel that this posed no risk. The purpose of my law-breaking was to get a picture of a Class 37 making a light engine move back from Wolverton to its Leicester base.

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Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.

325014, 11.20 Crewe TMD-Willesden (5A91), Roade cutting, Hyde Road bridge
Following regular maintenance at Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot (Crewe IEMD) there is a Fo path on the busy WCML's timetable allowing a DB operated Class 325 to return to its operational base the Princess Royal Distribution Centre (PRDC) between Wembley and Willesden. Passing Roade's Hyde Road bridge 325015 leads two other units as the 5A91 Crewe to Willesden working. Contrary to what many believe these units are not based on the highly successful Networker units despite sharing the same nosecone design. They are, in fact, a Class 319 from top to bottom meaning that they have proved to be reliable units since their introduction in 1995.
Keywords: 325014 11.20 Crewe TMD-Willesden 5A91 Roade cutting Hyde Road bridge Royal Mail Networker Class 319

350234, LN 15.25 Northampton-London Euston (2Z44, 3E), between Roade & Ashton
Passing the fields between the villages of Roade and Ashton in Northamptonshire, 350234 works the 15.25 Northampton to Euston 2Z44 service. Close examination of the image reveals that the destination screen on the side of the carriages state Northampton rather than Euston. However, with the travel restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 crisis, I suspect that there are not many passengers to be confused by the error.
Keywords: 350234 15.25 Northampton-London Euston 2Z44 between Roade & Ashton London Midland Desiro

350263 & 350116, LN 14.24 London Euston-Northampton (2Z33, RT), between Roade & Ashton
The 14.24 Euston to Northampton, running as 2Z33, passes between Roade and Ashton in south Northamptonshire. The shuttle service, that will return to Euston pretty soon on arrival at Northampton, is formed of 350263 and 350116.
Keywords: 350263 350116 14.24 London Euston-Northampton 2Z33 between Roade Ashton Desiro London NorthWestern

66544, 12.57 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe North (4L57, 6E), between Roade & Ashton
The 4L57 12.57 Birch Coppice to Felixstowe North passes the open countryside between Roade and Ashton just south of Northampton. This side view of 66544 shows off the huge Commonwealth Co-Co bogies and the underslung fuel tank that has a capacity of 6,400 litres.
Keywords: 66544 12.57 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe North 4L57 between Roade & Ashton Freightliner

37800, 15.40 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Leicester LIP (7E), between Ashton & Roade
Having run down from Leicester to Northampton in the morning to collect a unit and take it to Wolverton, 37800 'Cassiopeia' returns to its base. It does seem rather a waste of resources for the veteran Type 3 to travel a total of one hundred and sixteen miles to drag an EMU, that could have run under its own power (?) just fourteen miles! Unfortunately, I missed the drag in the morning as my wife and I were out for our daily exercise so the returning light engine will have to suffice.
Keywords: 0 15.40 Wolverton Centre Sidings-Leicester LIP between Ashton & Roade Cassiopeia Rail Operatins Group ROG Pheonix

Route of SMJR & bridge, Roade
This view across the countryside very near to my home in Roade reveals a phenomenon that occurs a couple of times a year - the revealing of the route of the former Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway (SMJR) in the freshly ploughed field. With the farmer having just scrubbed out the oilseed rape that failed to flourish due to the incredibly wet winter, he has just ploughed the field and planted some spring barley. With the tilled soil just drying out a little shows the lighter strip where the line used to run emerging from the twin arch bridge on Ashton Road. It's amazing that over forty years after the line was abandoned and structures removed that the route still stands out in this manner. Google Earth also reveals the line again from the air but with further structures such as embankments and lines of trees for further reference.
Keywords: Route of SMJR bridge Roade Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway

Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.