3. The Deviationer-11.01.14

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2014 > 3. The Deviationer-11.01.14
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.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

222001, EM 07.29 Sheffield-London St. Pancras (1C20), Irchester Junction SP922673 Pioneer Meridian 222001 'The Entrepreneur Express' begins the climb from the Nene Valley, seen in the background, to Sharnbrook summit working the 07.29 Sheffield to St. Pancras service. During winter and periods of heavy rain, the Nene Valley often floods creating the huge natural lakes that in turn become a haven for wildlife. This natural process of the floodplain doing what it is naturally designed to do prevents flooding elsewhere causing problems unless the planners have permitted development in these areas! Keywords: 222001 07.29 Sheffield-London St. Pancras 1C20 Irchester Junction SP922673 EMT East Midlands Trains The Entrepreneur Express
66230, 07.27 Mountsorrel-Radlett (6C31), Irchester Junction SP922673 66230 leads the 07.27 Mountsorrel to Radlett loaded stone train away from Wellingborough, seen in the background, on the now singled and bi-directional slow line. The wagons are still crossing the second viaduct that crosses the Nene Valley and river of the same name. The fast lines cross the other viaduct that is slightly lower named The Fourteen Arches so should the pair named The twenty-Eight Arches? Notice the recently installed fencing. I am surprised this type has been installed with Network Rail's crass obsession to install palisade fencing at every opportunity. Whilst this scene appears to be one of bucolic peace and quiet looks can be deceiving as a short distance behind me is the very busy A45 dual carriageway. Keywords: 66230 07.27 Mountsorrel-Radlett 6C31 Irchester Junction SP922673
222021, EM 07.04 Lincoln-London St. Pancras (1B21), Irchester Junction SP922673 With the arc of the newly installed fencing almost matching the curve of the train an interesting photograph is taken just south of Wellingborough as the MML crosses the Nene Valley. 222012 is working the 07.04 Lincoln to St. Pancras one of the two services per day that link the cities. Plans have been submitted to create a whole new housing area (not just a mere estate) on the land in the background to the left of the transmission pylon so this scene is set to change considerably if they are approved. Also, two years ago the DoT announced plans to electrify the whole of the MML by 2020 so the dreaded masts will also ruin this attractive view of the line. Keywords: 222021 07.04 Lincoln-London St. Pancras 1B21 Irchester Junction SP922673 EMR East Midlands Railway Meridian
20302, 20305 & 37194 outward leg of The Deviatoner, 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings (1Z20), Irchester Junction SP922673 Rather annoyingly I have managed to partially obscure the front of the subject behind an errant tree but I like the interest in the rest of the photograph so it has made the cut. 20302 and 20305 lead the outward Deviationer railtour with 37194 on the approach to the fourteen arch viaduct that spans the Nene Valley just south of Wellingborough. The town can be seen in the background with the tower of St. Mary the Virgin and the spire of All Hallow's Churchs clearly visible. Keywords: 20302 20305 37194 The Deviatoner 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings 1Z20 Irchester Junction SP922673 English Electric
20302, 20305 & 37194 outward leg of The Deviatoner, 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings (1Z20), Irchester Junction SP922673 Taking the bi-directional slow line The Deviatoner railtour begins the climb towards to Sharnbrook summit having just crossed the Nene Valley just south of Wellingborough. With 20302 and 20305 running in their usual nose to nose formation 37194 brings up the rear. Unfortunately, towards the end of the day after some convoluted moves, the Class 37 failed with a burst coolant pipe thus meaning some 'wrong line' running at Trent Junction in the evening. Keywords: 20302 20305 37194 The Deviatoner 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings 1Z20 Irchester Junction SP922673 Pathfinder Tours
20302, 20305, outward leg of The Deviatoner, 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings (1Z20), Irchester Junction SP922673 Catching the early morning winter sunshine 20302 and 20305 get The Deviatoner railtour away from Wellingborough on the approach to Irchester. The Pathfinder tour was the first on the network for 2014 that ran as 1Z20 leaving Crewe at 06.22 for, ultimately, Ely Papworth sidings via some rare tracks and routing. This location is known as Irchester Junction even though there has been no actual junction for many years. The branch to Higham Ferrers via Rushden diverged to the left just beyond where the Class 20s are seen with a signal box set back into the embankment. Keywords: 20302 20305 The Deviatoner 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings 1Z20 Irchester Junction SP922673 Pathfinder Tours
37194 outward leg of The Deviatoner, 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings (1Z20), Irchester Junction SP922673 Dead in tow 37194 brings up the rear of the outward leg of Pathfinder's The Deviatoner railtour as it comes off the fourteen arch Nene Valley viaduct between Wellingborough and Irchester. Unfortunately, 37194 was to disgrace itself later in the day with a burst coolant pipe necessitating some changes to the schedule. Keywords: 37194 The Deviatoner 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings1Z20 Irchester Junction SP922673 Pathfinder Tours
37194, outward leg of The Deviatoner, 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings (1Z20), Irchester Junction SP922673 About to celebrates its fiftieth birthday (16.03.14) 37194 brings up the rear of The Deviatoner railtour running as 1Z20 from Crewe to Ely's Papworth sidings. The train is seen on the bi-directional slow line at Irchester Junction just south of Wellingborough. The warehouse roofs of Rushden's Sander's Lodge industrial estate can just be seen on the horizon. Keywords: 37194 The Deviatoner 06.22 Crewe-Ely Papworth Sidings 1Z20 Irchester Junction SP922673 DRS Direct Rail Services Pathfinder Tours
222009, EM 08.20 Derby-London St. Pancras (1C22), Irchester Junction SP922673 East Midland Trains 222009 passes IrchesterJunction working the 1C22 08.20 Derby to St. Pancras service. The Meridians have settled into frontline service on the MML very well along with some older HSTs but they will be replaced following the recent announcement by the Minister of Transport, Justine Greening, that the electrification of the line will take place and be completed by 2020, we'll see! Keywords: 222009 08.20 Derby-London St. Pancras 1C22 Irchester Junction SP922673 EMT East Midlands Trains

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.