Archive-2014

Our annual trip to the Northampton and Lamport Railway on a chilly and grey New Year's Day. After an awful end to 2013 for our family, we were hoping for a distinctly better 2014!

A quick trip out on my bike to Roade cutting to see the passage of a light engine crew training move.

On a crisp winter's morning, I took an early drive from home to the Midland Mainline to catch the passage of The Deviationer railtour operated by Pathfinder. It was significant as it was the first railtour of the year and it also involved some classic English Electric power in the form of a couple of Class 20s and a 37.

A couple of visits to Milton Crossing separated by two hours with the weather that was totally different. The reason for my twin trips out was that with the Northampton line closed to all traffic, including a loco. hauled ECS move and freight, were going via the Weedon loop.

I had studied RTT and realised that the was a convergence of freight at Roade close to home on this particular Saturday afternoon. If everything went to plan there could be six freights within an hour or so and, amazingly, it all came together! It was a shame that the winter weather did not play ball.

Two trips out on a very bright and chilly winter Saturday. Firstly, early in the morning to see one of the regular CMEs (Cumbrian Mountain Express) and secondly to see the conveyance of some new stock for TransPennine Express. RTT was having a turn on this morning so no services could be identified. Also, unfortunately, on both trips out the low winter sun created some photographic issues, oh. to live near a railway going west to east rather than south to north!

Two railtours for the price of one near to home is no bad thing! Firstly The Buffer Puffer headed south with some English Electric power making itself known to the otherwise quiet Northamptinshore countryside and then, secondly, The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express headed north in its usual slot with some vintage ac traction.

A Class 52 Western out on the mainline was worth a bit of effort! I went out to see it first thing on the Chiltern route near Banbury and then later on whilst my wife and son were spending all our hard-earned money at Bicester Village!

A Saturday ride on my bike to Roade cutting as the sun was out after what seemed like days of rain and there were two interesting light engine moves scheduled.

Following yesterday's DRS light movements through Roade cutting, there was another one today. As it was still relatively bright I hopped on my bike and headed back to the cutting again.

A half-term trip to London with my wife and son. We stayed at the Covent Garden Travelodge making it handy for me to get to Euston and King's Cross stations for two charters on both the Saturday and Sunday mornings.

A bright, cold and frosty morning found me at Blisworth on the Weedon loop of the WCML just north of Roade. The purpose of the run out from home in my Toyota Rav4 was to capture the passage of test another Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express charter.

Another Saturday morning, another Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express! However, this week the weather was pretty grizzly, especially when compared to last Saturday's bright and frosty weather.

What a different day to yesterday; today the sky is clear, the sun is out and it feels positively spring-like! I decided to visit a local bridge that I rarely use to capture the passage of the Sunday 4L98 Tesco Express. The reason that I do not use this spot very often is that it's on a busy road with no pavement across the bridge and that a ladder is needed. Therefore, I have some 'acquired' yellow cones that I use around where I am standing and I have to keep my wits about me!

A brief trip to my old stomping ground at Bath Spa. This time visiting my mum I managed an hour or so at the station whilst my wife and son did a little shopping around the city.

After an appointment at Kettering hospital, I had an hour or so in hand before I was due back at work. So I visited Kettering station and then a couple of other spots between there and Wellingborough.

I rushed back from work a little early in order to capture the passage of an unusual working passing near to home on the WCML hauled by a DCR Class 56. With the clocks to go forward the following weekend, there was ample light to get the photographs.

With the redevelopment of Northampton station now advanced and the station building taking shape I took a visit to the site to take some photographs of developments.

Another week in Norfolk with my wife and son staying at our favourite spot, Kelling Heath adjacent to the North Norfolk Railway. We had a reasonable week of weather and undertook our usual holiday activities.

A beautiful spring Sunday coincided with a rare freight diversion. Normally, the 6Z38 Halewood to Southampton loaded car train went via the GWR route through Banbury and Oxford to Reading. However, today it was coming our way via the WCML.

A trip to Suffolk and Essex with Andy on a lovely spring day. We set off early travelling in Andy's automatic Nissan Micra ending up in the evening on the Thames Estuary at Leigh-on-Sea.

An Easter family outing to our local preserved line, the Northampton and Lamport Railway. We took our bikes and had a ride along the Brampton Way that follows the route of the line for a short distance on the former Northampton to Market Harborough line closed by BR in 1981.

My wife son and I took and May Day Bank Holiday break to Grantham. We stayed at a Travelodge just off the A1 not far from the ECML that enabled me to make two brief lineside visits.

A trip to the Nene Valley Railway's diesel gala and then the short distance to the ECML to see the final and return leg of The Highlands and Islands Explorer charter being hauled by 60009 'Union of South Africa'. As it was such a smashing late spring day I borrowed my wife's Audi A3 convertible to enjoy some roof-down motoring!

A Sunday visit to Roade cutting on my bike to capture the regular 4L48 Tesco Express and the passage of one of Network Rail's massive infrastructure trains. Another beautiful spring day following yesterday's grand weather!

A beautiful spring evening encouraged me to get out after dinner to capture the passing of the returning Northern belle private charter from London to Manchester.

An unusual early evening working on the WCML just near to my home was flagged up so I popped out after dinner. 60009 'Union of South Africa' was being piloted with stock from Southall to Kidderminster. Whilst this is not unusual in itself, the timing was being sandwiched in on a Friday evening during the peak period, quite an achievement for the train planners!

To celebrate my fiftieth birthday and my retirement from my full-time employment in education my wife son and I spent a very enjoyable week in York. We did all the usual things and also met up with family and, of course, we travelled by train!

A short stop-off on the MML just north of kettering whilst driving to pick my son and his friend up from a local badminton tournament.

Andy popped over early so we went out to see the passage of another Cumbrian Coast Express hauled by 86259. Unfortunately, the weather did not play ball being a particularly dull June morning.

For my father's day present my wife and son arranged a driver experience for me on the Northampton and Lamport Railway. No mainline diesel or large steam locomotive here so I had to make do with a Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0 shunter 'Sir Gyles Isham'! Thanks to the railway, my wife and son for a great day out.

On the way home from work I called in at Wilson's crossing near Northampton to capture the outward annual Three Peaks Challenge charter. Unfortunately, whilst up on my ladder, the palisade fencing and I had a disagreement with me coming off the worse necessitating a trip to casualty after the picture had been taken off course! After some stitches and swallowing some powerful painkillers I came to the realisation that I had been very lucky by merely slicing a two-inch gash the length my index finger cutting through the tendons and nerves; I was probably pretty close to cutting it right off! A massive thanks to a fellow enthusiast who helped me pack my camera gear up whilst I attempted to stem the flow of blood with a lens cloth and some cable ties that I happened to have in my bag and also to the casualty team at Northampton General hospital who dealt with me very professionally and quickly; thumbs up the NHS. People would never realise how dangerous our hobby is, perhaps it should come with a safety warning!

With my finger still pulsing and wrapped up like the archetypal cartoon injury I made my way to Roade cutting for the passage of a bit of a rarity this far south a Class 56. It may have been just a light engine but with the sun out it was well worth a walk out from home.

I went out to observe the return of the Three Peaks Challenge charity charter through Roade cutting. Unlike last Thursday when I saw its outward move there were no disasters!

Two local trips out to see the passage of The Midlander railtour passing near to home hauled by 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland'. In the morning I popped to nearby Gordon's Lodge and later in the day to the cutting. Unfortunately, for flaming June the weather was poor with grey and leden skies.

An early evening test train was scheduled to pass near to home with a Network Rail Class 31 in charge. With the use of these veteran locomotives becoming less frequent I was determined to re-schedule dinner to get out and see it!

With me now having submitted my resignation letter I have become a little de-mob happy! I have started to take my camera to work and then to nip out locally for an hour or so when time permits. Normally I would be filling every moment at work with future planning but this is now not necessary of course! Today with some summer sunshine I went to a bridge that I have never actually visited before just near Wellingborough's Finedon Road industrial estate

As has become the norm over the past few years a charter operates on British Grand Prix day to bring race followers from London in some style. After running down from London and simply depositing them at Milton Keynes (for onward transportation by road to Silverstone) the Northern Belle makes an extra run north to Northampton for a reversal giving passengers more time to enjoy their grand champaign breakfast! I managed to get a number of photgraphs of the train both on its outward and return run in the evening. The crowd of one hundred and twent twy thousand spectators watched Nico Rosberg win the race for Mercedes.

In another escape from work I headed to Harrowden Junction between Wellingborough and Kettering. I found that the road bridge had been closed with work taking place to renew it in preparation for the forthcoming electrification. Also, the early stages of the new slow line and complete rebuilding of the junction were observed. Unfortunately, the contractors were not keen on me taking photographs with a minor confrontation ensuing with the threat from one of them to call the BTP regarding my presence on a public road in a public place. Needless to say, I carried on taking my photographs and no police attended the scene!

Despite having just over a month of my contract left and having sent in my resignation letter I stood by my colleagues and took part in a day of industrial action relating not to pay but to conditions of service and work load issues. Making good use of my time I went to Northampton station and enjoyed seeing two brand new trains, the Royal Train and taking photographs from the lofty heights of the new and temporary footbridge installed as part of the rebuilding of the station.

Three railtours on one day found me out locally on the WCML near to Milton Keynes and around Roade.

Whilst my son was at his piano lesson I took a short trip to nearby Victoria bridge on the WCML on what was a glorious summer's evening with lovely lighting. Unfortunately, in the time I was there no freight passed.

With a good day of weather forecast, I decided to head to the Litchfield area as there were some places near to the city that I wanted to visit. Rather than drive I decided to take the train from Northampton and took my bike. It turned out, for the large part, to be a hot and sunny day as forecast and I managed to cover what I had intended.

A pleasant Sunday coincided with the closure of the Northampton line and the regular SuO 4L92 Tesco Express was consequentially diverted via Weedon.

Following enjoying a Tom Jones concert at Newmarket Racecourse we spent the following day in Cambridge. Whilst my wife and son did some shopping I was permitted to visit the station.

An interesting half an hour in Roade cutting that culminated with the passage of 34067 'Tangmere' passing light engine heading south. For once, the sun shone and it was a pleasantly warm afternoon.

A day trip to London with Mrs. On The Up Fast in order to see a slightly controversial production called Great Britain at the National Theatre.

An interesting ECS move took place very close to home in Northamptonshire that enabled me to take a break from the dreaded housework and take a walk across the field to capture it!

In between chores at home I nipped out in the early afternoon to photograph the passage of a Class 68 near home. I am not a particular fan of photographing light engine moves but with the class being so new I made the extra effort.

For our summer trip this year Andy and I headed north to the fabled Settle & Carlisle. I had not surveyed the line since the 1980s so was keen to return to see how things had changed. Following this we headed east along the delightful Tyne Valley toward Newcastle and then returned down the Durham coast ending up at Darlington in the evening. Travelling in Andy's ageing automatic Nissan Micra we took an overnight stay at Haydon Bridge

I had business to attend to in Wiltshire with relation to my late father’s house. On the way I took a short break near Bradford-on-Avon at one of my old stomping grounds. With First Great Western diverting their services due to preparatory electrification works taking HSTs were using the Avon Valley route.

I took a trip to Sunningdale to collect a car for work purposes. Unfortunately, things did not quite to plan as all trains south towards London were being canceled or terminated early due to an ‘operational’ incident’ according to the announcements. Unfortunately, this meant a quick rethink following a late arrival at Watford Junction. I took a Class 378 to Willesden Junction and then another to Clapham. Finally, somewhat later than planned I managed to get to Sunningdale and had an enjoyable drive home in a very early BMW 3 Series Compact.

Even when nipping out to photograph my wife’s car in preparation for its sale I could not resist a couple of railway photographs at nearby Victoria bridge! The photographs must have done their job as her Audi A3 sold to the first viewer from Yorkshire who traveled all the way down to collect it after having it professionally inspected.

The curiously named 'AC/DC Highway to Hampshire' private charter was operated by GBRf being run to raise money for their chosen charity for this year Leukameia and Lymphomo Research. As it was a glorious late summer day I took the opportunity to spend a little extra time in Roade cutting as there was a surprising amount of other traffic for a Sunday afternoon.

A glorious September day coincided with me being off work and so I made two forrays to the nearby WCML. Firstly, before breakfast, I went out early to see the Highland sleeper pass; with the rapidly shortening days, this will probably be the last opportunity to capture it this year. Later in the day, and just before my blood doning session I went out again to see the passage of an interesting trio of classic traction heading north.

A pleasant weekend in London with my wife and sone meeting up with my mum and her partner for the Poms in the Park event in Hyde Park. The Saturday happened to coincide with two charters at King's Cross and Liverpool Street within a short time of each other so whilst others did other things I went to see them!

A bit of a waste of time in one way but a steam charter stopping at Northampton in two directions made things a little better!

The slow lines south of Northampton near to home in Roade were closed due to engineering works being undertaken that I went to have a look at. Later on in the morning, we went to the Northampton and Lamport Railway (NLR) for a walk on a smashing autumn morning.

My wife and I undertook a short break to London ostensibly to attend a Kate Bush concert at the Apollo Hammersmith. The concert was magnificant with my wife and I staying at a smashing hotel close by and near to Kensington Olympia.

A trip to Birmingham with my wife to collect her new car.

Returning from my late father's house in Wiltshire I took a 'comfort' break at South Marston just west of Swindon. The sun was out on this pleasant Autumn afternoon with me capturing an up and a down freight within fifteen minutes.

Our annual holiday to Norfolk found us staying at Kelling Heath again. We enjoyed some lovely autumnal weather and did the usual activities. I took plenty of photographs on the North Norfolk Railway as well as when we went on the train to Norwich

On a typically foggy November day, I ventured to Roade cutting to capture the passage of The Northern Belle charter carrying passengers from Liverpool to Euston.

Another foggy and dull November morning found the up and down slow lines between Hanslope Junction and Northampton closed for engineering works. It happened that one of the worksites was opposite my home in Roade. So, with hi-viz visible from the kitchen window through the murk I ventured across the field to capture the action.

An overnight trip to the NEC at Birmingham with my wife to see and appreciate the fantastic Peter Gabrial, an artist that I have loved since my earliest interest in music back in the 1970s. We travelled up by train after work on Friday and stayed overnight at a hotel on the NEC complex. We tried to avoid the madness of yet another American import, something dubbed Black Friday when people flock to buy items that they think that they actually need (and often can't afford) being conned into doing this by very clever and subversive marketing strategies; utter madness!

A day trip to Bristol with Andy to collect a new car that I bought 'blind' from eBay. Armed with work's trade plates we went from Northampton to Temple Meads taking a taxi from there to the Easton area of the city. As it worked out, the Saab 93 estate was actually fine and we spent the rest of the day taking a slightly circutous route back to Northampton via my late father's house near Bradford-on-Avon. We enjoyed a super curry at The Raj Restaurant on Chippenham's Station Approach.

Our usual pre-Christmas visit to London with my wife and son. As well as our annual trip to the Royal Albert Hall for the tennis masters event we also saw the superb play, East is East at the Trafalgar House Studios. On Saturday night I nipped out to capture the returning The Lindum Fayre charter at Kings's Cross.

Whilst working at my later father's house I took a lunchtime break popping out to see the passage of a charter on the nearby GWML. I chose a spot just west of Box on a doomed footbridge that was about to be removed in preparation for the forthcoming electrification.

Please note, of course as it was to turn out, the works to remove the bridge was a total waste of time with the cancellation of the electrification west of Thingley Junction announced in November 2016.

On the summer and winter equinoxes, I try to get out and take some railway photographs. On the 2014 winter equinox I took a walk to Roade cutting to take a few photgraphs on what was actually a pleasant winter's day.

On the penultimate day of the year my wife and son spent some time shopping in the beautiful city of Bath. I spent a very happy hour or so at the surprisingly busy station, a place I wiled away much time at in my youth as a schoolboy spotter. Then it was Westerns, 50s and first-generation DMUs; today things are somewhat different!

As this is my last entry for 2014 may I wish all my readers a very happy new year and raise a glass to 2015!