108. Engineering possession at Roade-15.11.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 108. Engineering possession at Roade-15.11.20

Following an engineering possession on the fast lines near Blisworth that involved track replacement, two trains were seen stationary on the morning's OpenTrainTimes live feed. They were both shown as being very close to my home in Roade so, as I had to nip out, I stopped off to see where they were. I managed to photograph both of them and then after my chores, I saw them returning to their respective depots later in the day.

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Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.

66587, engineering train after overnight possession at Blisworth, Ashton Road bridge
Taken from Ashton Road above the WCML just south of Roade 66587 'As One, We Can' is seen at the head of an engineering train. Despite appearances, the train is stationary being held by a Network Rail mobile signalman who had placed the red lamps astride the tracks just the other side of the bridge. The train had been sitting there for some time having recovered track panels and ballast following overnight work about two miles north of this location near Blisworth. This is my first photograph of the 'pink one' and it certainly brightens up an otherwise dark and dreary scene!
Keywords: 66587 engineering overnight possession at Blisworth Ashton Road bridge As One, We Can

66587, engineering train after overnight possession at Blisworth, Ashton Road bridge
With the mobile signalman having been given permission to release the train he has removed his lamp from the track and is standing clear. 66587 'As One, We Can' then gets its engineering train slowly away to run under a number of red signals as far as Hanslope Junction some three miles south of this location. Following a short wait there it then headed to Bletchley where the loco. ran round ready to return its train back to Crewe Basford Hall later in the day. I have opted for this deliberately wide-angled view at Ashton Road bridge to show off the recently completed works to stabilise the embankment.
Keywords: 66587, engineering train after overnight possession at Blisworth, Ashton Road bridge As One, We Can

66553, engineering train after overnight possession at Blisworth, Ashton Road bridge
Leading a rake of JNA wagons loaded with used ballast eventually going for recycling at Bescot 66553 moves at walking pace along the up fast at Roade within sight of the previous train being led by 66587 'As One, We Can'. Whilst the first train left the section of possession at Hanslope Junction 66553 was to be held for some time by the mobile signalman just under Ashton Road bridge on which I am standing.
Keywords: 66553 engineering overnight possession at Blisworth Ashton Road bridge Freightliner

Class 390, VT 09.16 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street (1F11, 5L) & 66553, engineering train after overnight possession at Blisworth, Ashton Road bridge
With the possession still in place on the fast lines (the Weedon loop) all trains were being diverted via Northampton. An unidentified Class 390 Pendolino passes Ashton Road bridge near Roade working the 09.16 Euston to Liverpool Lime Street train. Meanwhile, a mobile signalman under the control of the signalling centre holds 66553 leading a long engineering train following a possession of the fast lines over the previous night. Soon, the Class 66 would be released to make its way under red signals to Hanslope Junction where it would pass from the fast to the slow lines and head to Bletchley to run round and layover for an hour or so. The fast lines could then be handed back and normal services could resume.
Keywords: Class 390 09.16 London Euston-Liverpool Lime Street 1F11 66553 engineering train possession at Blisworth Ashton Road bridge Avanti West Coast Freightliner

66587, 09.49 Hanslope Junction-Crewe Basford Hall (6Y60, 21E), site of Roade station
Having been involved in an overnight possession near Blisworth 66587 'As One, We Can' had gone south to Bletchley earlier in the morning where the loco. had run round. It is seen passing Roade in some pleasant November sunshine leading the 6Y60 09.49 Hanslope Junction to Crewe Basford Hall made up of a combination of JNA (ballast), IEA-A (ballast) and FEA (track panels) wagons. The one-off livery was applied to 66587 back in June 2019 to commemorate Freightliner’s partnership with ONE (OceanNetworkExpress) a new global container shipping company whose distinctive boxes are becoming increasingly common on Freightliner and Intermodal services. At the unveiling and naming ceremony held at Southampton docks, it was also announced that all the Freightliner liveried Class 66s would steadily turn from green to a new black and orange livery with the company having been acquired by Genesee & Wyoming. So far, limited progress has been made with this. Thanks to Mike for the reporting number.
Keywords: 66587 09.49 Hanslope Junction-Crewe Basford Hall site of Roade station As One, We Can

390128, VT 10.57 Preston-London Euston (1A16, 5E), site of Roade station
With further clearance having taken place for the installation of a missing link of palisade fencing below where I am standing, 390128 heads south past the site of Roade's former station with the 10.57 Preston to Euston. After a dull start to the day the sun has come out but it looks as if we are in for a shower given the dark and ominous sky behind!
Keywords: 390128 10.57 Preston-London Euston 1A16 site of Roade station Avanti West Coast Pendolino

66553, 10.25 Hanslope Junction-Bescot up engineers (6Y62, 10E), site of Roade station
66553 leads a rake of loaded wagons containing tons of used ballast that is being taken for cleaning and recycling. The 6Y62 10.25 Hanslope Junction to Bescot is seen passing Roade. I took a bit of a gamble estimating that the Class 66 would fit between the signal and the stanchion and as can be seen here it does, by the skin of its teeth! Thanks to Mike for the reporting number.
Keywords: 66553 10.25 Hanslope Junction-Bescot up engineers site of Roade station

Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.