113. Wellingborough in torrential rain-23.12.20

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 113. Wellingborough in torrential rain-23.12.20

After visiting Mike to wish him a merry Christmas I was determined to visit Wellingborough station as I was halfway there and had not been for some months. The weather was foul with subsequent flooding affecting the area but the transformation of the MML station was all but complete. For many years the MML and stations like Wellingborough and Kettering were regarded as somewhat as railway backwaters. However, the route has been quadrupled again making it the longest section of continuous four line track in the country from St. Pancras all the way to Kettering North Junction. The fourth platform at Wellingborough has been reinstated and is now open and the lines are energised but are not enjoying electric services yet as staff training is being undertaken. Unfortunately, the historic Midland Railway glazed canopies on platform one have yet to be reinstalled.

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Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.

Looking north along platforms 3 & 4, Wellingborough station
The first time that I have stood this far east on Wellingborough station! The recently remodelled and extended platform three is seen from the totally new platform four. The original brick island-building remains as does the northern section of the platform but all the rest are new. I must give some credit to the design and construction of the steps and lift towers that incorporate facing brickwork similar to much in this area of the country being of a Northamptonshire ironstone material.
Keywords: Looking north platforms 3 & 4 Wellingborough station

222009, EM 11.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras (1B36, 2L), Wellingborough station
A number of new photographic opportunities have been opened up with the reopening of platform four and the extension of platform three at Wellingborough station. Due to the heavy rain and the limitation of taking photographs under an umbrella I could not explore them all! However, 222009 is seen arriving at the station working the 11.12 Nottingham to St. Pancras EMR service. On any other normal day, two days before Christmas, the station and this train would be busy but this is 2020 and as such very few passengers were on the train.
Keywords: 222009 11.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras 1B36 Wellingborough station EMR East Midlands Railway

222009, EM 11.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras (1B36, 2L), Wellingborough station
A wide angled photograph showing the completely new view from the north end of Wellingborough's rebuilt and reinstated platform four. Whilst facilities on the other platforms are generous those on this new one are a little limited with just some benches and a small bus shelter style waiting room adjacent to the footbridge. 222009 is about to depart south with the 11.12 Nottingham to St. Pancras service in torrential rain that prevailed throughout the day.
Keywords: 222009 11.12 Nottingham-London St. Pancras 1B36 Wellingborough station EMR East Midlands Railway.

222008, EM 11.45 Nottingham-London St. Pancras (1B38, 5E), Wellingborough station
Taking a photograph under an umbrella in torrential rain is tricky and with lighting like this, it is even more of a technical challenge! Looking like early morning or later in the day this photograph was actually taken at 12.30! It shows 222008 at pace passing through Wellingborough station with the 11.45 Nottingham to St. Pancras service. It will not be long until yet more new trains will replace these Meridian units on this route with the completion of the electrification. Unbelievably, these units have been in operation for nearly seventeen years now; where has that time gone?
Keywords: 222008 11.45 Nottingham-London St. Pancras 1B38 Wellingborough station EMR East Midlands Railway

Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.