Leg 2, Leicester-Nottingham (27mi)

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2022 > 20. East Midlands Day Ranger-23.03.22 > Leg 2, Leicester-Nottingham (27mi)

After an interesting wait at Leicester observing some locomotive movements in and out of UKRL's extensive depot at the site of the former diesel depot to the north of the station, we travelled with EMR to Nottingham. Again, the train was lightly loaded which was to become a feature of most journeys taken on this day reinforcing that the railways are far from returning to normal after COVID.

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Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

56081, 56312, 56104 & 47843, stabled UKRL depot
An impressive collection of heritage traction is on view at UKRL's Leicester base seen from the station platform end. The row of Grids to the left is made up of 56081, 56312 and 56104 with 47843 taking centre stage. UK Rail Leasing describes itself as 'a dynamic and innovative rail vehicle engineering, fleet management and train care service provider' according to their website. All we enthusiasts know is that they can satisfy our nostalgic need for old diesels on the mainline; thanks to them for that!
Keywords: 56081 56312 56104 47843 stabled UKRL depot Grid Duff

73970 & D6863, shunting, UKRL depot
There were some stock movements taking place at UKRL's facility whilst Andy and I were standing on the platform end of the nearby station. One of the moves involved D6863 (also numbered 37136 and 37905 in previous lives) bringing one of Caledonian Sleeper's converted EDs out of their depot and back in on another road. Between us, Andy and I believe that the CS locomotive was 73970 but stand to be corrected by anybody who knows better!
Keywords: 73970 D6836 shunting UKRL depot

222006, EM 09.02 London St. Pancras-Sheffield (1F20, RT), Leicester station
222006 'The Carbon Cutter' arrives at Leicester station working the 09.02 St. Pancras to Sheffield EMR service. This view, taken from the station's open footbridge, reveals the 1980s carbuncle of a station that replaced an equally poor affair that had once boasted a rather grand overall roof removed many years previously. All that remains of the Midland station built between 1892 and 1894 and designed by the respected Charles Trubshaw is the grand frontage and entrance hall that has been suitably restored. This can be seen stretching from side to side in the top left hand of this photograph with its superb glazed roof.
Keywords: 222006 09.02 London St. Pancras-Sheffield 1F20 Leicester station The Carbon Cutter

D6836, shunting, Leicester station
With its reproduction green paint scheme now looking somewhat faded D6836 makes a number of shunting moves in and out of UKRL's Leicester depot. Released into traffic in April 1963 this member of the class operated all over the country being based variously at York, Landore, Hull Dairycoates, Healey Mills and Tinsley. When numbered 37905 it also carried the name 'Vulcan Enterprise' for ten years from 1987 until 1997. It was withdrawn in 2005 being rescued from the breakers to enter preservation on the Battlefield Line finally being reinstated in 2011.
Keywords: D6836 shunting Leicester station

222020, 09.05 London St. Pancras-Nottingham (1D21, RT), Nottingham station
Our next train as part of our East Midlands Day ranger stands at Nottingham station. Andy and I travelled aboard 222020, working the 09.05 St. Pancras to Nottingham, to its destination from Leicester. Notice on the nose cone of the Meridian that there is evidence of a previous number applied in a slightly larger font with a rather smaller but much brighter yellow warning panel painted on no doubt when the unit received its EMR house livery.
Keywords: 222020 09.05 London St. Pancras-Nottingham 10.20 Leicester-Nottingham 1D21 Nottingham station

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.