45. Another 'freight walk'-11.05.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 45. Another 'freight walk'-11.05.20

Once again I timed my daily walk with the passing of a few freights on the local WCML. In addition to this, there was a track machine moving sedately along the down slow that had to be carefully pathed as the up and down fast lines remain closed now for an unprecedented second week.

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Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.

390009, VT 13.28 London Euston-Wolverhampton (9G08, 5L), between Roade & Ashton
The weather has changed quite dramatically! This time last week I was out walking in shorts and a T-shirt - now it's slacks, a sweater and my winter coat is out again! With a keen easterly wind blowing, a dramatic skyscape has created an interesting backdrop between Roade and Ashton as 390009 'Treaty of Union' heads north with the 13.28 Euston to Wolverhampton.
Keywords: 390009 13.28 London Euston-Wolverhampton 9G08 between Roade & Ashton Virgin Pendolino Avanti West Coast

DR73936, 13.00 Watford London Concrete-Fenny Compton sidings (3E) & 390001, VT 12.45 Wolverhampton-London Euston (1B52, 2L), Victoria bridge
Colas operated Plasser & Theurer tamper number DR73936 heads north along the down slow line at Victoria bridge as the 13.00 Watford London Concrete to Fenny Compton move. The photograph is taken just as 390001 'Bee Together' passes with the 12.45 Wolverhampton to Euston Avanti West Coast service.
Keywords: DR73936 13.00 Watford London Concrete-Fenny Compton sidings 390001 12.45 Wolverhampton-London Euston 1B52 Victoria bridge Avanti West Coast Pendolino Bee Together

66506, 12.16 Lawley Street-London Gateway (4L46, 17E), Victoria bridge
Freightliner's 66506 'Crewe Regeneration' leads the 12.16 Lawley Street to London Gateway 4L46 past Victoria bridge. Since it arrived in the UK in June 2000 it has only ever worn the green Freightliner livery and nameplate that was applied a month after its arrival. I find it astonishing that a locomotive such as this has become a fixed part of our railway scene and has been in operation for twenty years now; where has the time gone?
Keywords: 66506 12.16 Lawley Street-London Gateway 4L46 Victoria bridge Crewe Regeneration Freightliner

Recently re-applied bridge number Victoria bidge
Taking full advantage of the prolonged COVID has enabled the closure of the up and down fast Weedon lines and all sorts of work has been taking place. A team was working at Victoria bridge over the previous weekend that saw the structure cleared of the ivy that was gradually enveloping it and this has opened up former photographic views. In addition, a survey has taken place of the bridge that saw the fresh application of its bridge number as seen here.
Keywords: Recently re-applied bridge number Victoria bridge

Survey markings, Victoria bridge
When I arrived at Victoria bridge I thought that somebody had been vandalising it with what appeared to be paint marks the length of the brickwork. On closer inspection, I realised that they were markings applied as part of a bridge inspection identifying some degradation of the structure. By far the worst is shown in this image with some severe cracks on the mortar and the whole section developing quite a lean. I suspect that the bridge, which is one of my favourite haunts, will undergo some repair work. In addition to this survey work, a huge area of ivy had been removed from the other end of the bridge. The main trunk of the invasive and destructive plant was lying on the embankment below and pretty substantial it was too!
Keywords: Survey markings Victoria bridge

66426, 13.51 DIRFT-Purfleet (4L48, 10E), Victoria bridge
DRS' 66426 leads the 4L48 Daventry to Purfleet 'Tesco' as it is colloquially referred to past Victoria bridge in south Northamptonshire. The last time that I photographed this locomotive it was in a slightly different state, see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/27161231804/x66426-68006-display-drs-open-day
Keywords: 66426 13.51 DIRFT-Purfleet 4L48 Victoria bridge

66522, 09.25 Southampton MCT-Garston (4M28, 6E), Victoria bridge
I have not been able to take photographs from this position on Victoria bridge near Roade for some years due to the rampant and explosive growth of ivy. However, over the previous weekend, a team had been working on the bridge to clear the ivy and undertake some survey work of the structure. I was excited that I took this image of 66522 leading the 09.25 Southampton MCT to Garston Freightliner that I took it 'wrong side' of the sun!
Keywords: 66522 09.25 Southampton MCT-Garston 4M28 Victoria bridge Freightliner

66094, 14.47 DIRFT-Dollands Moor (6M45, 103E), Hyde Road bridge
Making its usual racket as it passes through Roade cutting is the 14.47 Daventry to Dollands Moor 6M45 seen from the village's Hyde Road bridge with 66094 leading. This train runs empty with the Cargo Waggons (Sic) resonating and creating a very characteristic sound that usually draws the attention of the 'normals' should they happen to be crossing a bridge when it passes!
Keywords: 66094 14.47 DIRFT-Dollands Moor 6M45 Hyde Road bridge bottled water

Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.