55. Yet more Scottish diversions!-25.05.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 55. Yet more Scottish diversions!-25.05.20

Due to engineering works for the second day on the trot the Anglo Scottish 'Tesco Express' Freightliners were diverted south to London before heading north again on the ECML. However, today, both the up and down workings passed within an hour of each other bringing two double-headed express freight services.

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88005 & 68015, 14.20 DIRFT-Mossend (4Z45, 9E), Hyde Roade bridge
In glorious late-spring sunshine, which is unusual as it's a Bank Holiday weekend, 88005 'Minerva' leads 68015 through Roade cutting taken from Hyde Road bridge. The 4Z45 14.20 Daventry to Mossend 'Tesco Express', as it is dubbed, is on a lengthy diversion running south to London, then taking to heading north again on the ECML adding considerable mileage to its journey. Whilst the Class 88 is in DRS Compass livery the Class 68 is one of Chiltern's that are leased from DRS. These services have all had a diesel tucked in behind the leading electric so I wonder if there is part of the journey where the overhead power is switched off for engineering works...advice anybody?

I have been advised by my spotting companion Mike that the Class 68 is in the consist due to power supply issues in the northeast. When this diversion ran last week the working timetable was much reduced so there was less of a demand on available power that could be supplied from the catenary but now that traffic has increased to around 75% the diesel is used to ease the train through the troublesome areas that Network Rail have yet to upgrade.
Keywords: 88005 68015 14.20 DIRFT-Mossend 4Z45 Hyde Roade bridge DRS Direct Rail Services Tesco Express Minerva

390156, VT 15.08 London Euston-Warrington Bank Quay (1S78, 5E), Ashton Road bridge
Wearing its Avanti West Coast livery 390156 'Pride and Prosperity' races on the down fast past Ashton Road bridge just south of Roade working the 15.08 Euston to Warrington Bank Quay. Whilst the train carries the reporting number of 1S78 it is terminating at Warrington due to engineering works somewhere north of the Cheshire town including a complete closure of the line in the Borders.
Keywords: 390156, VT 15.08 London Euston-Warrington Bank Quay (1S78, 5E), Ashton Road bridge Avanti West Coast Virgin Pride and Prosperity

88010 & 68016, 06.18 Mossend-DIRFT (4Z27, 8E), Ashton Road bridge
Having seen 88010 'Aurora' and 68016 yesterday afternoon, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29048920804/x88010-68016-14-10-dirft-mossend they are seen again returning leading the 4Z27 06.18 Mossend to DIRFT. The train is seen about to pass under Ashton Road bridge just south of Roade passing the currently closed Amco Giffen (for Network Rail) worksite to secure the slipping embankment. These weekend Anglo Scottish heavily diverted workings are set to continue for a few more weeks as engineering work continues in the Borders necessitating the complete closure of the WCML between Lockerbie and Carstairs.
Keywords: 88010 68016 06.18 Mossend-DIRFT 4Z27 Ashton Road bridge Tesco Express Aurora

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