52. Trip to Sunningdale-27.08.14

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2014 > 52. Trip to Sunningdale-27.08.14

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.

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Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.

66454, 10.08 Lawley Street-Felixstowe North (4J98), Milton Keynes Central station
I managed to get from Northampton to Milton Keynes only for my train to be terminated and for it to then return to Northampton due to ‘operational difficulties’ further south. Whilst waiting for the next train to limp me southwards, 66454 is seen passing working the 10.08 Lawley Street to Felixstowe service. I am not sure how far this freight got before being caught up in the melee!
Keywords: 66454 10.08 Lawley Street-Felixstowe North 4J98 Milton Keynes Central station

221103, VT 12.14 Milton Keynes Central-Glasgow Central 9S65 cancleled from London Euston, Milton Keynes Central station
Due to severe problems in and around Euston Virgin trains were terminating some services early and then returning them north again. 22103 ‘Christopher Columbus’ is seen at Milton Keynes having been terminated earlier and now heading back as the 12.14 to Glasgow Central. Incidents such as this often afflict the railways, it’s part of their operational life, but the key to maintaining passenger confidence is communication. Sadly, this was missing today with my knowledge of the workings railway enabling me to make it to my destination via other routes rather than staff telling offering me advice and information.
Keywords: 221103 12.14 Milton Keynes Central-Glasgow Central 9S65 Milton Keynes Central station Virgin Voyager

350123, LM 11.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1Y27), Milton Keynes Central station
The 11.33 Euston to Birmingham New Street service, worked by 350123, arrives at Milton Keynes. It had not actually started from London but I believe originated from Watford Junction due to chronic issues closing all lines in the greater London area.
Keywords: 350123 11.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1Y27 Milton Keynes Central station London Midland Desiro

321414, 11.24 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central ECS (5K43), Milton Keynes Central station
In order to ease congestion problems caused by the closure of lines close to Euston emergency ECS workings were put into place. Not normally seen during the day out of peak times, 321414 arrives at Milton Keynes to operate a relief service south to get passengers as far towards London as possible.
Keywords: 321414 11.24 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central ECS 5K43 Milton Keynes Central station London Midland Dusty Bin

350235, LM 10.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (12.22 Milton Keynes Central-Watford Junction) (2Y06), Milton Keynes Central station
The 10.54 Birmingham New Street to Euston arrives at a very crowded Milton Keynes station. I travelled on this extremely busy service as far as Watford Junction alighting there as it was not at all clear as to how far the London Midland service would get towards Euston before being terminated due to an ‘operational incident’ close to the station.
Keywords: 350235 10.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y06 Milton Keynes Central station London Midland Desiro

378233, LO 13.21 Watford Junction-London Euston (13.21 Watford Junction-Willesden Junction (2C26), Watford Junction station
As it was clear that my London Midland train to Euston was going to struggle to make it to its destination with warnings from the guard over the public address stating that it was going to be terminated before reaching its destination I opted, along with a number of other passengers, to hop off at Watford Junction. With ticket restrictions now waved I took 378233 working London Overground’s 13.21 service to Euston that itself was terminated at Willesden Junction where I was going to alight to change anyway. The train is here waiting to leave Watford Junction but has yet to have its marker lights illuminated by the driver.
Keywords: 378233 13.21 Watford Junction-London Euston 2C26 Watford Junction station London Overground

Willesden Depot
Taken from Willesden Junction (High Level) station the work underway to expand the adjacent depot appears well underway. With new stock due to arrive that has longer formations greater capacity is required at the North London depot.
Keywords: Willesden Depot

378232, LO 14.01 Willesden Junction-Clapham Junction (14.01 Willesden Junction High Level-Clapham Junction) (2Y63), Willesden Junction High Level station
With lots of people now ‘off route’ due to the closure of the line into Euston for ‘operational reasons’ (that’s as much as we were told!) many people had to alter their travel plans that led to some severe overcrowding. 378232 was already pretty full when it arrived at Willesden Junction (High Level) from Stratford and then had to absorb the passengers desperately trying to make their way to South London. I managed to cram myself on to the service travelling as far as its termination at Clapham Junction; not a pleasant experience it has to be said!
Keywords: 378232 14.01 Willesden Junction-Clapham Junction 2Y63 Willesden Junction High Level station London Overground

Class 455s, SW 14.15 London Waterloo-Haselmere (2P41), Clapham Junction station
A pair of unidentified Class 455s arrives at Clapham Junction working South West’s 14.15 Waterloo to Hasselmere service. I have never travelled on one of these units but I must say that I find them particularly ugly and cluttered in their front end design
Keywords: Class 455s 14.15 London Waterloo-Haselmere 2P41 Clapham Junction station South West Trains

Clapham Junction B signal box, closed (BR, 1952)
Clapham Junction B signal box is a Southern Region Type 15 box that was opened in 1952. It had a relatively short life being closed by BR in November 1980 when the Victoria Signalling Centre was opened. It had a Westinghouse (of Chippenham) electro-pneumatic (so beloved of the Southern!) one hundred and three lever frame. After closure, it was used as an office but I am unsure if it is still used as such now….local advice anybody?
Keywords: Clapham Junction B signal box, closed

3417, stabled, Clapham Junction
In Clapham’s Yard Sidings 4VEP (43) 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ is seen stabled with its ten years old reproduction ‘as delivered’ paintwork now looking a little faded. It is owned by the Bluebell Railway and in the care of the Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) who are likely to completely restore it and return it to mainline operation. However, prolonged storage outside will make this job more difficult to undertake so let's hope that it moves to a more protective location sooner than later.
Keywords: 3417 Clapham Junction 4VEP 3417

458015, SW 14.20 London Waterloo-Reading (14.28 Clapham Junction-Sunningdale) (2C41), Clapham Junction station
The final train of my somewhat tricky journey from Northampton to Sunningdale arrives at Clapham Junction. This would be my first trip on a Class 458 working the 14.20 Waterloo to Reading 2C41 service. I found 458015 comfortable and fast accelerating but the tiny destination screen at the top of the interconnecting door panel is worse than useless!
Keywords: 458015 14.20 London Waterloo-Reading 2C41 Clapham Junction station South West Trains

Richmond signal box (SR, 1940)
Richmond signal box is seen from the train window as we pass by. It is a Southern Railway Type 13 structure built in 1940. Since 1980 it has contained an NX panel (eNtrance-eXit) that now extends as far as Feltham, Acton Wells Junction and to the London Underground lines. It’s future is a little uncertain as there are plans afoot to resignal this area.
Keywords: Richmond signal box

458021 & 458015, SW 14.20 London Waterloo-Reading (2C41), Sunningdale station
The 14.20 Waterloo to Reading 2C41 South West Trains service leaves Sunningdale station being worked by 458021 at the rear and 458015 leading at the front. Notice the large tree growing out of the platform that appears to be encroaching a little too much?
Keywords: 458021 458015 14.20 London Waterloo-Reading 2C41 Sunningdale station South West Trains

Ticket, Northampton-Sunningdale
My rather pricy ticket from Northampton to Sunningdale but as work was paying I was not too concerned!
Keywords: Ticket Northampton-Sunningdale

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