86. A Sunday walk & a freight diversion-09.08.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 86. A Sunday walk & a freight diversion-09.08.20

A very hot lunchtime walk out across the fields to get some Sunday freight action. Unusually, the Daventry to Doncaster Tescoliner was diverted south today to then head north up the ECML from London to its destination. There then followed a returning railtour ECS move, the regular 4L98 and 6M45 followed by a Class 360 drag. All within an hour - not bad for a hot Sunday lunchtime I'd say!

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Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.

Class 221s, VT 11.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1B15, 6E), Victoria bridge
A pair of Avanti West Coast Voyagers make a totally unnecessary journey from Birmingham New Street to Euston. The 11.50 1B15 should not be a diesel unit but an electric; what a total waste of resources. I have asked before but nobody can ever give me a justification as to why such a service is not formed by a Pendolino? The train is seen about to pass under Victoria bridge just south of Roade.
Keywords: Class 221 11.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1B15 Victoria bridge Avantai West Coast Voyager

66031, 11.50 DIRFT-Doncaster iport (4E49, 6E), Victoria bridge
This is a bit of a rarity, in fact, a service that I never actually ever photographed! The 11.50 Daventry to Doncaster iport Tesco Express is seen heading south between Northampton and Milton Keynes. It will continue on to London to then take the north London line to head north again on the ECML. This is all due to some sort of line blockade preventing its normal route being followed. Also, unusually, the DRS operated service is being headed by one of a trio of DB (ex EWS liveried) 66/0s that are being hired in to cover certain workings. 66031 is always recognisable due to its faded white cab roof - a vain attempt to reflect heat away from the driver's area as these locomotives are well known for being chronically hot particularly on days such as this having no air conditioning fitted.
Keywords: 66031 11.50 DIRFT-Doncaster iport 4E49 Victoria bridge DRS EWS DB

66185, 09.46 Dollands Moor-DIRFT (6M45, RT), Victoria bridge
66185 'DP WORLD London Gateway' leads the 09.46 Dollands Moor to DIRFT (Daventry) loaded bottled water train. Unusually, this 6M45 also has some containers in the consist at both the front and the rear. The DB operated Class 66 is also unusual in that it has its nameplates located under the cab windows rather than in the more usual locations on the bodysides.
Keywords: 66185 09.46 Dollands Moor-DIRFT 6M45 Victoria bridge DB DP WORLD London Gateway

66432, 13.09 DIRFT-Ripple Lane (4L48, 6L), Victoria bridge
Operating as regular as clockwork, the 4L48 13.09 Daventry to Ripple Lane and thence to Tilbury passes Victoria bridge just south of the village of Roade. DRS' 66432 is leading the Tesco Express service that does an excellent job in keeping many lorries off the roads.
Keywords: 66432 13.09 DIRFT-Ripple Lane 4L48 Victoria bridge DRS Direct Rail Services Tesco Express

47854 & 57316, 12.23 London Euston-Chester ECS (5Z89, RT), Victoria bridge
A study of train photography in drabness! West Coast Railways livery looks incredibly dull in every condition, even in bright summer sunshine that can lift most trains from their background. 47854 'Diamond Jubilee' and 57316 lead the 12.23 Euston to Chester ECS trip running as 5Z89 through the hot Northamptonshire countryside just south of Roade. The train had operated yesterday's 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' charter and was being taken to Chester ready to work 'The Dalesman' charter on Tuesday.
Keywords: 47854 57316 12.23 London Euston-Chester ECS 5Z89 Victoria bridge WCR West Coast Railways 'Diamond Jubilee'

86259 (DIT), 12.23 London Euston-Chester ECS (5Z89, RT), Victoria bridge
Still wearing its headboard from yesterday's charter train 86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' is dragged at the rear of the 12.23 Euston to Chester 5Z89 empty stock move. Whilst the veteran Class 86 is usually stabled at Rugby there was no time in its path for the train to stop and for it to be detached. I am not sure but I think that it was removed at Crewe as ten minutes was taken there according to RTT. The train then continued through to Chester to be stabled there until operating 'The Dalesman' charter the following Tuesday.
Keywords: 86259 DIT 12.23 London Euston-Chester ECS 5Z89 Victoria bridge Less Ross Peter Pan

47739, 360112 & 47727, 11.22 Ilford EMUD-Northampton EMD (5Q60, 41E), Victoria bridge
47739 leads the 11.22 Ilford depot to Northampton EMD past Victoria bridge in deepest Northamptonshire. The 5Q60 working was conveying Desiro 360112 from its London base to the Siemens depot at Kingsheath in order for modifications to be carried out. These modifications are in order for it to operate on the recently electrified but yet to be live MML where these sets will run between St. Pancras and Corby. Caledonian Sleeper liveried 47727 'Edinburgh Castle/Caisteal Dhun Eideann' is at the rear of the train.
Keywords: 47739 360112 47727 11.22 Ilford EMUD-Northampton EMD 5Q60 Victoria bridge GBRF Edinburgh Castle Caisteal Dhun Eideann

47727, 360112 & 47739, 11.22 Ilford EMUD-Northampton EMD (5Q60, 41E), Victoria bridge
47727 'Edinburgh Castle/Caisteal Dhun Eideann' brings up the rear of the 5Q60 11.22 Ilford EMUD to Northampton EMD past Victoria bridge between Roade and Ashton. Sandwiched in between 47727 and 47739 (leading) is 360112 being taken to Siemens Kingsheath depot for modifications to be undertaken. The train was running over forty minutes early having missed out a strange pathing allowance at Bletchley and by the time it reached me here, it was travelling very slowly.
Keywords: 47727 360112 47739 11.22 Ilford EMUD-Northampton EMD 5Q60 Victoria bridge CS GBRf Edinburgh Castle Caisteal Dhun Eideann

Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.