85. Grand Central's 5Z90 move-07.08.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 85. Grand Central's 5Z90 move-07.08.20
Another much-anticipated running proving popular with photographers was Grand Central's 5Z90 from Widnes to Wembley with the return working running to Crewe in the early hours. It was even more interesting as it was a double set of its refurbished Mk.IVs with two DVTs and double-headed by a pair of its 90s. Unfortunately, the weather did not play ball with some extremely tricky lighting on what was the hottest August day since 2003.
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221109 & 221108, VT 18.30 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1D80, 26L), Banbury Lane bridge After a belting hot day (the warmest August day since 2003) the cloud has really built and all but obliterated the sun which is a good thing here on Banbury Lane bridge as this view would be strongly backlit had it been out. 221109 and 221108 head south working the 18.30 Birmingham to Euston service. In the middle distance level with the third coach there was a level crossing and, until September 1988, a lovely and somewhat remote LNWR signal box. After the closure of the box, the crossing was converted to an automated CCTV version monitored by Rugby PSB, that survived for a few years to be replaced by the larger bridge on which I am standing with an associated road diversion that opened in 2004. Keywords: 221109 221108 VT 18.30 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1D80 Banbury Lane bridge Avanti West Coast Voyager
90026, 90020, 82230, 17.20 Widnes Transport Tech-Wembley Inter City depot (5Z90, 5L), Banbury Lane bridge Running a few minutes late Grand Central's newly painted 90026 and 90020 lead the 17.20 Widnes Transport Tech. to Wembley Inter City depot test train running as 5Z90. It is seen in awful lighting at Banbury Lane bridge just south of Bugbrooke on the Weedon mainline. The train is formed of two complete sets of Grand Central Mk.IV stock (ex LNER) with their DVTs also in the consist. 82230 is the one directly behind the locomotives with 82201 further back. After a belting hot day it had clouded up into a humid evening. In fact, it had been raining a few minutes before the arrival of the train with the sun then conspiring to come out a minute before its passing. This has created a very backlit 'glint shot' that has needed a fair bit of Photoshop work to make it presentable. Incidentally, the train ran in reverse formation back from Wembley to Crewe in the night. Needless to say, I did not go out to see it! Keywords: 90026 90020 82230 17.20 Widnes Transport Tech-Wembley Inter City depot 5Z90 Banbury Lane bridge Grand Central
390005, VT 18.55 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly (1H04, 6L), Wright's Lane bridge The yellow milepost in the middle distance puts this location, Wright's Lane bridge, between Gayton and Rothersthorpe at sixty-four miles from Euston. 390005 'City of Wolverhampton' has taken just about forty minutes to reach this location working the 18.55 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly Avanti West Coast 1H04 service. The sun has just managed to get through the cloud that enveloped the sky on this extremely hot day turning it into a humid evening and night. Keywords: 390005 18.55 London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly 1H04 Wright's Lane bridge Avanti West Coast Pendolino City of Wolverhampton
390103, VT 18.15 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A62, 20L), Wright's Lane bridge Making good use of its tilting capabilities 390103 sweeps around a number of reverse curves on the Weedon loop avoiding Northampton. It is hurrying south working the 18.15 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston service and is seen about to pass under Wright's Lane bridge near the village of Gayton. I am not a fan of 'glint shots' finding them to be a little hackneyed but I do quite like this one it has to be said! Keywords: 390103 18.15 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A62, 20L Wright's Lane bridge Avanti West Coast Pendolino
390056, VT 18.58 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (9G40, RT), Wright's Lane bridge This location at Wright's Lane bridge near the Northamptonshire village of Gayton is one that I visited many times during the final years of operation of Virgin West Coast's locomotive-hauled trains. However, due to the monotony of Pendolinos and Voyagers and, more importantly, the installation of palisade fencing I have not been here for a long time. However, on returning from seeing Grand Central's test train I stopped off for a short while. Whilst the fencing still ruins the attractiveness of the location it does remain a smashing spot for a late afternoon or evening train. 390056 powers past working Avanti's 18.58 Euston to Birmingham New Street service. Keywords: 390056 18.58 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 9G40 Wright's Lane bridge Virgin Avantai West Coast

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.