Archive-2021

A couple of short walks out on a cold Sunday to capture some infrastructure workings. With work being undertaken on the up and down fast lines just south of Bletchley, including track replacement, three workings were heading back to their base at Bescot. Unfortunately, I only caught two of them due to some late running.

I took my permitted exercise as part of the lockdown III rules around the village on this bitterly cold day. With frost still lingering from the previous night and mist descending it was a very wintry day. My convoluted walk around the village coincided with a number of different workings before I headed home for a warming cup of soup!

I had spotted three unusual workings on my morning trawl of RTT and noted that they were scheduled to be within an hour of each other. I suspected that they were track machines despite two of them indicating that they were optimistically designated as being a 'diesel locomotive trailing 800 tonnes'! I timed my daily COVID walk to coincide with their passages and even the sun played ball!

After some snow fall I wrapped myself up appropriately and took my daily constitutional! With the slow lines closed for various works, including opposite my home in Roade to repair the embankment, I took the opportunity to capture the Sunday 4L48 Tesco Express diverted via the Weedon (the fast) line. Particularly noticeable today was the significant reduction in services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gone (for the moment at least) is the almost continuous passage of Pendolinos, Voyagers and Class 350s with significant waits between services that is something I am not used to here on the southern section of the WCML, even on a Sunday!

I had spotted 5Z20 on RTT early in the morning and noted that it was a Class 56 with a Class 47. It did not leave on time and I thought it was cancelled until, suddenly, it appeared having left Leicester an hour late. After yesterday's snowfall, today dawned very cold and bright so I took a power walk to Roade cutting to observe the train's passing with a chance meeting with David and his wife (members of the RCTS) out from Northampton also for the event.

I had spotted an unusual Caledonian Sleeper light engine movement on RTT and half expected it not to run. However, I was surprised when I logged on early Sunday morning to see that it had left Wembley ahead of schedule and that it was well on its way. As it was such a bitterly cold morning I wrapped up warm and walked smartly across the field from home and within a minute it had arrived and passed with me grabbing a shot over the parapet of the closed Ashton Road bridge. Later in the day, with it even colder, I popped out again in my perpetual desire to get my 10 000 per day paces up just as the water train was passing.

I had various errands to run on this bitterly cold day but I still managed to get out to the lineside at Wilson's Crossing in Northampton for half an hour and took my afternoon walk to coincide with the 4M47 Freightliner passing.

After the bitter cold of last week, the contrast in the weather is quite stark! I took my walk on a positively spring-like day that inspired me to take my camera. I passed the recently re-opened Ashton Road bridge following its lengthy closure for bank reinforcement work.

A short and curtailed trip to Wilson's Crossing with Andy on a positively stunning spring-like morning. This was after Andy had dropped off his twenty-five year old Nissan Serena at my work to be dispatched to the great car park in the sky after failing its MoT in a dramatic style!

Things are not going well this year! With COVID 19 continuing to make life difficult for everybody my railway activity has been curtailed. My first trip of March and we are ten days in - such is the drop-off in trips out! I hope that the better weather and improvements in the COVID situation will inspire me! A nice day, in between the showers, got me out around the village of Roade with my camera over my shoulder.

A particularly cold Sunday afternoon with a keen north-westerly blowing did not deter me from taking my camera on my daily walk. I am glad that I did as I managed my first photograph of one of the Class 730 Aventra units on test. These will soon become a common sight on the route through Roade superseding a number of the Class 350s.

With the Northampton loop line closed north of the town due to extensive and much-needed engineering works in Crick tunnel all freight was being diverted via the Weedon route. I took a couple of hours out to capture some freight working 'off-route' - and the sun played ball!

A smashing early spring day found me heading to Yorkshire with my boss to collect two cars bought blind at auction. Of the two, only one managed the return journey, the other courtesy of the AA after making it just four miles! At least the train journey there from Wellingborough was more reliable. I selected an interesting route via Nottingham, Grantham and York.

After delivering my mum's new camper van to her house in Frome, Andy and I enjoyed a trip back to Northampton via a rather unusual route that I specifically selected in an effort to try and avoid passing through London (for COVID reasons). It started off a really cold but bright day but the weather deteriorated with snow during the latter part of the train journey home!

Following overnight engineering works in the Kings Langley area I spotted four returning infrastructure workings due to pass along the WCML near my home in Roade. Notoriously unreliable, I had half expected not all of them to run but they all did! However, I missed the first one as it ran nearly an hour and a half early passing Roade before I had even spotted that it was underway and I wasn't even dressed! However, despite signallers messing with their paths, I did manage to capture the remaining three workings that included a photographic Class 66 cop.

An hour or so early in the morning on a bright but very cold morning yielded six freight workings and the late running Sleeper. After capturing everything I went home for tea and toast. What a great way to start a day!

A stunning, but very cold, Saturday morning encouraged me out for a walk that just coincided with three freights passing!

A shorter than normal Sunday walk coincided with the passage of a single infrastructure working, unlike last weekend's festival!

Unbelievable! I happened to choose the only dull morning in between a run of stunning, but very cold, spring mornings to head to the MML in order to capture some images of HSTs in their final few weeks of operation. I was also trying to get a photograph of celebrity power car 43102 in its reproduction Swallow livery. Things, like the horrible cold weather, did not go quite to plan getting just one of two HSTs but at least a coffee on the way home with Mike made up for that!

As it's Sunday again there are more infrastructure trains to capture! This time they were starting from a possession of the fast lines just south of my home at Hanslope Junction so I had to keep my wits about me to avoid missing them. Luckily, they both ran on time and it all went to plan. In the afternoon, a mysterious light engine move appeared on RTT and I was intrigued. With no gen or posting on the internet, it was pot luck what it would be. Just before it arrived another enthusiast appeared at my spot and we were pleased to witness a pair of large logo Class 37s pass.

Just over a month after our last foray to North Yorkshire my boss and I headed to Malton to collect another car that we purchased for a customer. As per our previous trip we travelled from Wellingborough via Nottingham, Grantham and York. The journey back was in a very nice Rover 75 that the customer was delighted with!

A few days in Somerset house sitting for my mum and her partner made a pleasant change. It coincided with two significant things, firstly my birthday and secondly the IET/Azuma Class 800 cracking debacle.

I took the opportunity of delivering a customer's car to Wellingborough to capture an HST on the penultimate day of HST operations on the Midland Mainline. Unfortunately, like most of May 2021, the weather was appalling with it being cold, wet and very dull but the event overcame the conditions!

The end of a forty-five year era came on this day with the ending of HST operations leading to and from London. The first commercial HST service commenced on 04.10.76 at the start of the 1976/77 winter timetable with trains running between London and Bristol and South Wales. They ended their days at the end of the 2020/21 winter timetable with the final trains running between London and Leeds on the Midland Main Line. Despite the awful weather more reminiscent of winter than late spring, I went out to capture all four services with Andy joining me in the evening for the final two runs. It was all a bit emotional; very strange considering the disdain that we felt towards these now well-respected trains all those years ago. Interestingly, the first photograph in my collection of an HST was taken almost forty-four years to the day at Bath Spa of set 253015.

On the day that the government's COVID 19 lockdown restrictions were eased slightly Andy and I took advantage by taking a day out. We decided to head for the Doncaster area to capture some freight action and whilst we did get some it was not as prevalent as we had hoped for. Another 2021 spring day with cool temperatures found us dodging yet more showers!

Following the relaxation of some of the COVID pandemic restrictions at the start of the week, a programme (if a little limited) of charters got underway this Saturday. One applauded by many was to restart the highly popular 'Cumbrian Mountain/Coast Express' that always seems to be heavily booked. I got out to see the train pass locally to home in Northamptonshire but was disappointed to see it running nearly two hours late following a problem with the stock before it had even left its Acton base.

Some Sunday engineering work was taking place on the slow lines close to home in Roade. This included a ballaster taking several hours to do its work making a repetitive suite of noises that carried across the field to home for the bulk of the day! The closure of the line meant some freight diversions were planned; in the event, only one actually ran in daylight hours. And yes, of course, it was a cloudy day with rain spoiling play!

Yet another Sunday of infrastructure workings passing on the WCML very close to home. The difference this time was that the sun was out and actually quite warm! Of the five that passed, I managed to see four of them but with the lovely weather I didn't mind missing one too much! Thanks again to Mike for the information on the reporting numbers of the two DB operated workings.

In preparation for charter duties the following day an interesting light engine move took place. A pair of GBRf light engines passing through Roade cutting was worth a walk out from home especially as one of them was coming up to fifty-five years old!

An unadvertised private charter composed of VSOE Pullman stock had been organised by GBRf. It ran from Victoria to the Severn Valley Railway via the MML and then across to Birmingham. The haulage was arranged to be 66739 paired with 50049 (outward d.i.t.) and 50007 (return leading). I had intended to see both workings but on leaving Kidderminster in the late afternoon a problem with the stock meant an hour's delay. The charter then ran off route eventually joining the MML too late for me to justify an evening fifty-mile round trip!

Following charter duties yesterday the GBRf light engines returned to thier respective bases at the Severn Valley Railway and Doncaster. I took a couple of walks out from home to capture this working and two other track machine moves along with the regular as clockwork SuO 4L48 'Tesco Express'.

With a good day of weather forecast, Andy and I decided to have a day out to 'play' - as my wife so succinctly puts it! We opted to take advantage of one of the railway's lesser-known secrets, in the form of a day ranger ticket. We bought a West Midlands Day Ranger at the two-together discount price of £19 giving us unlimited travel throughout the prescribed area after 09.30. We managed exactly three hundred miles that included an off-piste burst paid for separately between Shrewsbury and Crewe. We would have covered more mileage but for some lengthy delays in the Kidderminster and Droitwich areas caused by what we believe to be a track circuit failure. In this section of my website I have subdived this event into the ten legs that we undertook.

After a day out shopping with my wife, I made it back home for my afternoon walk that happened to coincide with the passage of a 5V42 ECS working due to be hauled by a pair of WCR Class 47s. I fully expected them to be in top and tail mode but was delighted, and somewhat surprised, to see them pass double heading. I also managed to capture no fewer than five freight trains in the short period prior to the arrival of the West Coast Railways working.

On a beautiful summer morning, I headed to the Oxford to Birmingham line just south of Banbury to capture the passage of the Pullman liveried HST on railtour duties. I really should have checked the internet before I left home as the train was heavily delayed leaving Bristol with a brake fault. By the time I reached King's Sutton and checked my 'phone, it was only passing Keynsham over an hour away! I consoled myself with it being such a lovely warm morning and I actually enjoyed the wait sitting in a summer meadow on my trusty stool watching other trains pass by!

A day trip to Carlisle in order to collect a car and drive it back to Northamptonshire. Andy joined me for this trip enabling us to travel with a discount on our train fares using our Two Together card even though no discounts are applied until after 09.30. The weather was largely good including during the short time that we popped over the border into Scotland.

Following the morning's failed record attempt between Euston and Glasgow Central, the Pendolino was caught in the evening returning, carrying the various invited dignitaries and guests back to the capital. Despite the awful lighting, I ventured out after dinner to capture its passing as I was unable to photograph the morning run due to domestic duties.

As I had to collect a gearbox from a supplier in Essex I decided to invite Andy along for the trip so that we could combine the drive with some railway activity. Luckily, I chose a good day in a run of otherwise recent pretty miserable June days.

Two walks out from home to the lineside today found me in the morning photographing another 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. Later, around lunchtime, as the sun had decided to put in an appearance, I went out to capture the passing of a Class 37 on a light engine move.

With the Northampton route closed for engineering work, the Weedon line was carrying all the traffic. This included a little freight and the returning light engine from yesterday's 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'.

Leaving home to go shopping with my wife just happened to coincide with the passage of two interesting workings. I managed to persuade her to stop briefly on the way for me to indulge in my interest; it was all over in just ten minutes and we then went on our way!

My wife and I took a much needed short break in the prolonged period of time marked by the absence of holidays! As usual, we travelled from Northampton by rail but were badly affected by some appallingly badly communicated issues that led to train cancellations and delays on the outward journey courtesy of London Northwestern.

Having returned from Liverpool earlier in the day I popped out again after dinner in my Combo van to see the return of 'The Cheshireman' charter hauled by 'Tornado'. After a gloomy grey day the cloud melted away and I was rewarded with some superb evening light at my chosen location.

On a glorious Saturday, the first of a week of hot summer weather, my walk to the village garage for provisions happened to coincide with the passage of an unusual Saturday afternoon infrastructure working.

On a belting hot Sunday afternoon that was a precursor to a week-long run of superb summer weather, I took a walk across the fields from home to capture the 5Z72 empty coach stock move from Willesden to LSL at Crewe. I was not expecting it to be double-headed and on the fast line - that was a couple of added bonuses!

Today I had planned to get my first sighting and photograph of a Class 69 (former Class 56) as one was due to be dragged from Tonbridge to Bescot. Unfortunately, something went wrong with just a lone Class 66 heading north on the WCML. Never mind, I consoled myself with a couple of infrastructure trains and a Class 57!

Timings for 'The Thanet Thunderer' charter had proved tricky to get so I was unsure until the morning of the event as to where to go and at what time. Realising that it was traversing the Marston Vale line from the Midland to the LNWR routes I considered going there but then settled on the popular spot at Old Linslade just north of Leighton Buzzard; so did a number of other enthusiasts!

Orion is in the process of launching its new logistics service to link London with Scotland via the WCML. As part of the exhaustive preparations, a test run took place from Euston to Hams Hall near Birmingham. At the moment, the converted class 319 is not running under its own power but is being hauled by a ROG Class 57. Running in daylight hours, something that I don't think that it will be doing when in full operation, I nipped out from home before breakfast to see it pass.

Another morning walk but the weather was distinctly better than when I did the same thing last week! This time in my forty-five minute walk I spotted and photographed five freights passing Roade.

On yet another appallingly dark and dismal August morning (something that has characterised the summer of 2021) I took a drive from home to the Midland Mainline just south of Market Harborough to capture the passage of 'The Settle & Carlisle Pullman' being worked by LSL's super Pullman liveried HST. I was keen to get it away from the intrusive wires of the recently completed electrified route as far as Kettering and Corby hence my trek! After a coffee in Market Harborough, I visited the recently re-modeled station in preparation for the arrival of the wires.

Just one photograph in this collection! The passage of a Colas light Class 67 engine is a little unusual near home close to the WCML so I combined it with my Sunday afternoon walk.

On yet another grey day, one of what seemed like a week’s worth, I went out with Andy for a day around north Staffordshire travelling in his Nissan Micra that I had just managed to MoT for him at work. This is a section of the network that I have never ‘linesided’ but one that I have travelled on many, many times. It was even more appealing in places as there are sections of it that have not succumbed to the dreaded palisade fencing that always seems curious to me. It also offered a lot of freight opportunities many of which were different to my usual digest of Freightliners that I see further south on the WCML close to home!

Today represented GBRf's third attempt to get 69001 from Tonbridge back north and the pressure was on them as the following day it was to be used to haul a leg of the company's epic three-day-long railtour. This would be the first time a Class 69 would haul a passenger train of any kind. For me, it was my second attempt to capture a member of the class and after what seemed days of overcast weather even the sun put in an appearance!

On a glorious late summer day (the first of a run of such weather as it transpired) I took an afternoon walk across the fields from home. As I had missed the passage of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' the previous day I was determined to record the returning light engine at least!

Being off work for a week or so and unable to go far from home enabled me to get out across the fields to capture some of the more interesting daily moves on the WCML. Today an 0E52 light engine originating from Leicester caught my eye that indeed did turn out to be a ROG operated Class 37. Just behind it was a track machine and a little later some freight including one hauled by a 'cop' Class 66!

On a beautiful early autumn morning with a chill in the air and some mist hanging about I took a lovely walk across the fields from home to capture the passage of the up Highland Sleeper. Later in the day, I popped out again to see former LMS 4-6-0 46100 'Royal Scot' passing in preparation of railtour duties the following day.

Another glorious autumn morning with some mist and fog hanging about as the sun was rising got me out again with my camera over my shoulder to capture the up Sleeper.

I spoke too soon......! Today's 'Caledonian Sleeper' blew up again with an incredibly late arrival into London some two hours adrift! Also today, the run of smashing late summer (or is it early autumn?) weather ended with cloudy skies and cooler temperatures.

A mid-morning walk across the field from home to see the passage of a Northern unit from Merseyside heading to Wolverton for attention.

A characteristically foggy September morning found me out early close to home for the passage of two charters to the north west.

Once again I went out to witness the passage of the 0Z88 light engine move following railtour duties the previous day.

Whilst attending a local car show at the Milton Keynes Museum in nearby Wolverton I nipped out for a decent coffee and a couple of railway photographs as the sun was out. I had a minor camera malfunction that was entirely my own fault. I have included the errant image as a reminder to me and others to check settings in that time that we have whilst waiting for a particular train!

On a particularly wet and miserable day after a fantastic few weeks of warm and sunny weather, Andy and I chose to go to the first day of the Severn Valley Railway's autumn diesel gala! Due to the awful weather, we decided to purchase a couple of ranger tickets rather than lineside the event.

A short two-day trip to my mum and her partner in Frome. I drove down to Somerset in my trusty Combo van stopping off at Westbury on the way. On the return, I had an hour just after sunrise between Frome and Westbury on a stunning morning.

A long weekend to London with my lovely wife, my superb son and his smashing girlfriend marked my first visit to the capital since the start of COVID19 some eighteen months ago. I must admit to having some uneasy feelings but face coverings were widely worn, cleaning and sanitation appeared to be widespread and, despite the crowds returning, it seemed pretty safe.

My wife and I again visited Norfolk for a week's break staying at Kelling Heath. Whilst the weather was not fantastic the sun did put in an appearance and it was pleasantly warm throughout. Unlike our stay last year, the North Norfolk Railway was open and operating services but there were limitations imposed relating to access to their stations that did seem a little draconian given the general easing of COVID restrictions.

On a bitter and grey autumn morning, I nipped out from home to see the passage of 'The Yellow Submarine' charter that was scheduled to run via the 'fast' Weedon route rather than via Northampton. I was surprised at the number of enthusiasts out to see it pass given that it was just a couple of Class 67s!

With a Monday off work on my hands and the threat of some sunshine, I had a look at RTT to see what was about passing through my home village. There was plenty of normal freight scheduled but with the addition of a number of other interesting workings. I made a number of short trips out at different times during the day to capture some of the activity.

On a foul morning, I headed to Wellingborough in my Combo van to see 'The Royal Highland Pullman' being operated by the nanking blue painted HST set. Despite the awful weather, the station was busy with enthusiasts also eager to see the train that has quickly adopted a cult status.

Following a severe weather event that included a fifteen-minute intense storm burst, the railway through Roade came to a halt! The destruction following a fairly narrow and defined track went roughly southwest to northeast through Northamptonshire causing chaos with many fallen trees and damage to property. The railways once again proved their lack of resilience to such events with the catenary shredded by a number of fallen trees. It has been said before but the simplest way to ease this problem is for Network Rail to get crews out to the trackside and cut down errant trees. This will also alleviate the perennial leaf fall issue that on the same day has been provisionally blamed for causing the crash between a SWT unit and a GWR unit at Salisbury later in the evening.

I had to visit north Wales, Chester and then Winsford to collect some car parts for work. Encompassing a little work and play I took the opportunity to stop off and get a few railway images despite the miserable weather!

An interesting couple of hours exploring the lost railways to the east of Northampton with Mike. We also took in the delights of the recently reopened Engine Shed student union building at the University of Northampton's (UON) Riverside campus.

On a dull November afternoon, I took a walk across the fields from home at about the time that there is a burst of freight activity - according to the working timetable at least! Luckily today, everything ran to time so I was able to bag five freights in less than an hour to then head home for tea and cake!

On a ridiculously dull and dark morning, I took a quick dash in my Combo van up to Watford (Northamptonshire as opposed to Hertfordshire) to capture the outward leg of 'The Cheshireman' charter. I wanted to try out a spot that I have been meaning to visit for a few years, an isolated foot crossing where I expected no others to be present. However, ten minutes prior to the train's arrival I was joined, in an amazing coincidence, by a former pupil of mine Damien Le Maistre and his friend Hayden Legge of HomeMoviePerson fame who had both ridden to this spot from Wellingborough leaving way before first light! After being almost bowled by a unit heading south the steam passed but it was not working particularly hard with the diesel on the back appearing to be giving it a good old shove!

With the preparations for the construction of Roade's much awaited bypass underway, the contractors have cleared a section of the former Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway (SMJR) trackbed. With the contractors absent, I took one of my regular village walks to the site to discover what the extensive clearance had revealed.

A short run out to a spot just south of Market Harborough with Andy to capture the passage of the steam-hauled 'York Yuletide Express'. The weather was absolutely appalling with snow, wind and rain all in the mix that seriously brought into question the sanity of our foray! However, with the added bonus of another charter, a catch up with Andy over breakfast and a visit to the Northampton and Lamport Railway on our return journey afterwards, I think that it was worthwhile!

A visit to Frome for an early Christmas weekend with my mum and her partner. My wife and I travelled by train from Northampton via the usual Birmingham and Bristol route.

Just prior to nipping back to work for a few hours there was a 3Q41 mail train run by newbie operator Orion. Despite the incredibly dull day, I stopped off in the village of Roade to witness its passage.

Four freights in thirty minutes on a Sunday lunchtime was a strong enough attraction to get me out from home on what was a very foggy and cold December day! Unfortunately, I missed one hearing it pass through the fog over the field and the other simply did not leave Wembley Yard; never mind, it got me out for a walk at least!

Continuing my unwritten tradition of getting out on the shortest and longest day of the year to take some photographs took me to Wellingborough. This short trip out on the winter equinox followed a visit to Mike to exchange festive greetings and to enjoy a short catch up. The weather was characteristically dull and cold!

On a foggy and miserable Christmas Eve, I took a morning walk across the muddy fields from home. Despite not expecting to see much I did sling my camera over my shoulder and, in the end, I am glad I did!

After what seemed like weeks of dullness the sun came out on the last day of 2021! I had to work in the morning but we were permitted to leave just after lunch so I popped up to Wilson's Crossing just north of Northampton for an hour or so. As well as the sun it was an extraordinarily warm day with the temperature reaching the dizzy heights of fourteen degrees Celcius. In fact, this was to become the warmest New Year's Eve on record according to the Met. Office.

A Happy New Year to all my readers and here's to a much improved 2022 (I think that I said much the same thing last year!).