45. DRS open day & The Cheshireman-18.07.22

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2022 > 45. DRS open day & The Cheshireman-18.07.22

After a break of two years due to COVID DRS was once again able to open up their facilities to the enthusiast. This year it was the turn of Gresty Bridge at Crewe to throw open its gates. I travelled from Northampton with Mike and enjoyed a super day out in the summer sun. I had a post 13.00 entry ticket finding visitor numbers far more pleasant and manageable than in the past when I usually tended to arrive earlier in the day. Prior to heading to Crewe I nipped out from home to see the passage of the steam-hauled Cheshireman charter that was also seen later on arrival at Crewe. A super day out in convivial company!

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Images 1-28 of 28 displayed.

66592, 03.25 Garston-London Gateway (4L52, 3L), site of Roade station
Until recently taking a photograph from the footbridge that spans the WCML at the site of Roade's former station was easy with a low parapet on the eastward side at least. However, in their wisdom and in an attempt to spoil it for local children (and photographers for that matter) NR deemed it a safety-critical site and installed what appears to be polycarbonate parapet risers thus obliterating any view. Allegedly, this was due to incidents of school children climbing on the parapet. I have lived in the village for over fifteen years now and pass this spot almost daily at all times of the day and have never ever seen any such behaviour; another example of overzealous and ridiculous health and safety actions that will have cost us, the tax payers, yet more of our precious money - rant over! Taken now using my steps, 66592 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' passes the spot working the 4L52 03.25 Garston to London Gateway Freightliner service.
Keywords: 66592 03.25 Garston-London Gateway 4L52 site of Roade station Johnson Stevens Agencies

90015 & 90006, 02.57 Felixstowe North-Garston (4M45, 53E), site of Roade station
As a Class 390 Pendolino heads south at the site of Roade's former station the 4M45 02.57 Felixstowe to Garston Freightliner heads north lead on this day by 90015 and 90006 'Modern Railways Magazine/Roger Ford'. The latter is the only former Greater Anglia Class 90 that moved to Freightliner during 2020 to retain its original name with them more normally retained by the locomotives' owners, in this case, Porterbrook. I think that the Genesee & Wyoming orange livery applied to most of Freightliners' Class 90s looks smart and brings them another lease of life, ironically back on the same tracks that they were introduced to service on back in the late 1980s.
Keywords: 90015 90006 02.57 Felixstowe North-Garston 4M45 site of Roade station Freightliner

66708, 03.15 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park (4M18, 5E), site of Roade station
Since its unveiling and naming on 02.05.22 at Eastleigh this is the first time that I have seen 66708 'Glory to Ukraine' . It is leading the regular morning 4M18 03.15 Felixstowe to Trafford park Freightliner and is passing the site of Roade's former station taken from the colloquially named gravel bridge.
Keywords: 66708 03.15 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park 4M18 site of Roade station Glory to Ukraine

6233, outward leg of The Cheshireman, 06.39 London Euston-Chester (1Z86, 3E), site of Roade station
Making a fine sight with its matching set of LMS crimson stock 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' passes Roade working the outward leg of the Cheshireman charter that left Euston at 06.39 running as 1Z86 heading for, not surprisingly, Chester! Looks can, however, be deceiving with the Duchess not actually doing very much work with just steam emanating from the chimney with 47813 working hard at the rear. With the recent weeks of incredibly dry weather, a steam ban was imminent and it was too risky to have smuts and soot raining down on tinder dry lineside vegetation thanks to a continued lack of maintenance by Network Rail. Notice the inquisitive cat standing stationary watching the train at fairly close quarters seemingly unphased by such a giant noisy machine!
Keywords: 6233 The Cheshireman 06.39 London Euston-Chester 1Z86 site of Roade station Duchess of Sutherland

47813 outward leg of The Cheshireman, 06.39 London Euston-Chester (1Z86, 3E), site of Roade station
Doing what appeared to be nearly all the work at the rear of the train 47813 propels the Cheshireman charter from Euston to Chester with 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' doing very little at the front (out of sight in this photograph). This was dues to the run of very dry weather over the last month or so meaning that lineside vegetation was at risk, but at least this would have done Network Rail's job for them! Dating from 1962 this particular Class 47 has been photographed a number of times by myself in the past, for example, see ..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29751820604/x47129-10-55-london-paddington-newquay
Keywords: 47813 The Cheshireman 06.39 London Euston-Chester 1Z86 site of Roade station

68008, 06.38 Crewe Gresty Bridge-Wembley Yard (0A68, RT), Northampton station
Here is one member of DRS' fleet that will not be in attendance at their Gresty Bridge open day! 68008 'Avenger' waits on Northampton's centre road for a unit to clear out of section so that it can continue its light engine journey south. It is the weekly 0A68 06.38 (or thereabouts) Gresty Bridge to Wembley Yard move that sees the locomotive heading to London to spend the next week or so in operation for Chiltern. On arrival another Class 68 returns north back to Crewe for servicing and an exam.
Keywords: 68008 06.38 Crewe Gresty Bridge-Wembley Yard 0A68 Northampton station DRS Avenger

350248, LN 08.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1W05, 3L), Birmingham International station
A record shot of our first train north from Northampton to Crewe, the 08.49 Euston to Birmingham New Street. Mike and I travelled aboard 350248 from Northampton as far as Birmingham International where it is seen making ready to leave.
Keywords: 350248 08.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1W05 Birmingham International station London Northwestern Desiro

390002, 09.43 London Euston-Preston (9P55, 9L), Birmingham International station
390002 'Stephen Sutton' arrives at Birmingham International working the 09.43 Euston to Preston service. Mike and I took this Pendolino service to Crewe taking the longer and slower route via New Street rather than the Trent Valley however, this was what split ticketing had deemed was the cheapest way to make the journey. The Avanti West Coast service was very busy as are many of what used to be regarded as 'off-peak' services with commuter trains much quieter as a result of the changing dynamic of train travel post-COVID something that will need to be addressed unless there is a wait to see if the previous travelling patterns will return and prevail.
Keywords: 390002 09.43 London Euston-Preston 9P55 Birmingham International station Stephen Sutton

HS2 site, Birmingham Curzon Street
The development and construction of the HS2 Birmingham terminal continues close to the city centre. Notice the tiny 1883 Curzon Street building completely dwarfed by the surrounding buildings and the development itself. The historic building is to be retained and become part of the huge HS2 terminus. I took another image from a train window back in 2017 before any developments had begun, see .... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25077288404/former-curzon-street-station
Keywords: HS2 site Birmingham Curzon Street

6233, outward leg of The Cheshireman, 06.39 London Euston-Chester (1Z86, 3E), Crewe station
I saw and photographed the outward leg of The Cheshireman charter earlier in the morning passing Roade. On arrival at Crewe Mike and I caught up with the train as it had been sitting at the station for some time waiting to leave for the final part of its journey to Chester. It is seen leaving Crewe now working more than it was earlier in the day when 47813 was doing nearly all the work at the rear of the train. Look at all the crowds on the platform end all eager to get their shot or video of the train departing. The majority of these enthusiasts would be attending DRS' Gresty Bridge open day.
Keywords: 6233 The Cheshireman 06.39 London Euston-Chester 1Z86 Crewe station Duchess of Sutherland LMS

67025, 09.51 Holyhead-Crewe CS (5K67, 2L), Crewe station
This was a train that aroused considerable interest among the gathered enthusiasts at Crewe station. 67025 arrived southbound at platform six and sat there for some ten minutes or so with continued announcements over the station tannoys that the train was not in service and that passengers should not be joining it! It had just arrived with the 5K67 09.51 Holyhead to Crewe Carriage Sidings empty stock move that appeared to be some sort of staff training operation judging by the five TfW staff members crammed into the leading cab of the 67.
Keywords: 67025 09.51 Holyhead-Crewe CS 5K67 Crewe station

66303, 68006, 37425, 37419 & 57312, on display, Crewe Gresty Bridge
Except for 57312 (in the foreground), every one of the DRS locomotives seen in this photograph is named! On the extreme left, 66303 'Rail Riders 2020' is seen complete with a group trying to recruit new members on the other side of the locomotive. 68006 'Pride of the North' is next in line wearing its new green wrap livery stating 'Powering a Greener Britain'. This locomotive was formerly named 'Daring' with these plates put up for auction during the day but I cannot help but think that the penny-pinching vinyl plates applied to the side of the locomotive are a little disappointing. The two Class 37s are 37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob' and 37419 'Carl Haviland'.
Keywords: Rail Riders 2020 Pride of the North Daring Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob Carl Haviland 66303, 68006, 37425, 37419 57312 Crewe Gresty Bridge

68009, on display Crewe Gresty Bridge
68009 'Titan' looks very smart on display at Crewe Gresty Bridge as it basks in the summer sunshine. It is hard to believe that this locomotive is coming up for ten years old now......where has that time gone?
Keywords: 68009 Titan on display Crewe Gresty Bridge

Damage, 88002, on display, Gresty Bridge
88002 'Prometheus' appears to have had an issue judging by the damage sustained to the bodyside just behind the cab door, Examination of the damage appears to be electrical in nature with some burning and arcing extending on to the door itself. If anybody can shed any further information on what occurred I would be grateful.
Keywords: Prometheus Damage 88002 on display Gresty Bridge

66422, on display, Crewe Gresty Bridge
Earlier in the day, 66422 was named 'Max Joule 1958-1999'. This name was previously applied to 20303 that prior to that was carried by 20301. Max Joule was one of DRS’s founders and its Managing Director until his untimely death in 1999. Notice the Mornflake cereal mill in the background one of Crewe's larger employers and one of Crewe Alexandra football club's sponsors located, off course at their ground on Gresty Road!
Keywords: 66422 Max Joule 1958-1999 Crewe Gresty Bridge

57304, on display Crewe Gresty Bridge
In this view, taken inside the former GWR wagon repair shed at Gresty Bridge, there appear to be very few visitors about attending the DRS open day. However, looks can be deceiving as I must have just managed to press the shutter at the right time! 57304 'Pride of Cheshire' was on display and open for visitors to climb into the cab, indeed close inspection reveals some people inside. Prior to it's life with DRS 57304 was one of Virgin's Thunderbirds named 'Gordon Tracy', under TOPS it was numbered 47055 (later 47652 and 47807) and a regular performer throughout the West Country during my early spotting days, for example, seen near Taunton in 1980, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29441745804/x47055-10-27-london-paddington-paignton
Keywords: 57304 on display Crewe Gresty Bridge Pride of Cheshire

Nameplate, 66424, on display, Crewe Gresty Bridge
The second naming of the day at DRS' Gresty Bridge open day was 66424 'Driver Paul Scrivens 1969-2021'. After a short but emotionally driven couple of eulogies by DRS' Tim Howlett and Paul’s sister, Emma the plate was unveiled to a resounding round of applause from those gathered around. Paul was a career railwayman whose love of the industry ran deep in his blood but who tragically died at the untimely age of fifty-two in 2021.
Keywords: Nameplate 66424 on display Crewe Gresty Bridge Driver Paul Scrivens 1969-2021

88001, 37218, 37401, 37419 & 37425, on display, Crewe Gresty Bridge
Another photograph taken at DRS's Gresty Bridge open day that reveals more sensible numbers attending than in previous years. In the past I have had to wait patiently, camera to the eye, waiting for a gap in the hoards of other enthusiasts to get 'that shot'. No waiting this time around so perhaps attending in the afternoon, with a post 13.00 ticket was the way to go! In this photograph, 88001 'Revolution' lines up with 37218, 37401, 37419 'Carl Haviland' and 37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob'.
Keywords: 88001 37218 37401 37419 37425 on display Crewe Gresty Bridge Revolution Carl Haviland Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob

Rail House, Crewe
At the time of writing Crewe is one of the bidding rail centres hoping to become the home of Network Rail's replacement GBR. I am not sure if Rail House forms part of their bid but it is certainly a feature of Crewe's skyline and one that is familiar to many a rail enthusiast over the years. Indeed, it features in one of my photographs taken back in 1977, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23615827404/x47501-24036-24073-crewe-diesel-depot At the present time, it does not appear to be used very much and there have been some grand plans to turn it into flats that have been rejected by the local planning authorities.
Keywords: Rail House Crewe

170531, EM 14.38 Newark Castle-Crewe (1K69, 7L), Crewe station
Adding a blast of purple to the scene at Crewe station 170531 has just arrived at platform three with the 14.38 from Newark Castle. I really like this bold livery applied to EMR's trains making them really stand out. The last time that I saw this particular unit was at Norwich back in October 2021, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30020851265/vinyl-170531-em-11-40-nottingham
Keywords: 170531 14.38 Newark Castle-Crewe 1K69 Crewe station

175007, AW 16.31 Manchester Picadilly-Milford Haven (1V54, 1E), Crewe station
Transport for Wales' 175007 leaves Crewe station working the 16.31 Manchester Picadilly to Milford Haven service. This inter-regional service takes six hours covering a distance of nearly three hundred miles giving an average speed of fifty-eight miles per hour.
Keywords: 175007 16.31 Manchester Picadilly-Milford Haven 1V54 Crewe station TfW Transport for Wales

66710, 15.04 Birch Coppice-London Gateway (4L68, 33L), Rugby station
On arrival at Rugby station on our return journey the 4L68 15.05 Birch Coppice to London Gateway was standing at platform six. With the driver standing talking to an enthusiast on the platform in the evening sunshine 66710 'Phil Packer' rests prior to continuing its journey southwards.
Keywords: 66710 15.04 Birch Coppice-London Gateway 4L68 Rugby station GBRf Phil Packer

Nameplate, 66710, 15.04 Birch Coppice-London Gateway (4L68, 33L), Rugby station
The cast nameplate (unlike some very poor vinyl versions now being applied) on the flank of 66710 'Phil Packer BRIT' as it sits in the evening sun at Rugby station. The 66 leading the 4L68 15.04 Birch Coppice to London Gateway was having a crew change hence its wait at platform six. Phil Packer's story is an interesting and inspirational one that can be read on his website, see.... https://www.philpacker.com/.
Keywords: Nameplate 66710, 15.04 Birch Coppice-London Gateway 4L68 Rugby station Phil Packer BRIT

350258 & 350236, LN 17.33 Crewe-London Euston (1U40, 4L), Rugby station
Mike and travelled aboard 350258 and 250236 working the 17.33 Crewe to Euston service from Crew to Rugby where it is seen leaving in some glorious evening sunshine. With it being such a warm day we were grateful tha the air conditioning on the front carriage of 350258 appeared to working well but it does not always do so on these units if one walks through a unit from carriage to carriage noticing the very hit and miss nature of its reliability throughout!
Keywords: 350258 350236 17.33 Crewe-London Euston 1U40 Rugby station London Northwestern Desiro

350262, LN 18.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (2Y42, 28L), Rugby station
The final train of our journey back from Crewe to Northampton arrives at Rugby's platform five. Mike and I travelled aboard 350262 working the 18.14 Birmingham New Street to London Euston train. This is not a great photograph as it is taken smack into the evening sunshine but it continues my tradition of photographing every train travelled on come what may!
Keywords: 350262 18.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 2Y42 Rugby station London Northwestern Desiro

Ticket, Crewe-Sandbach
What's this...a ticket to Sandbach from Crewe? This was purchased for the princely sum of £3.50 to act merely as a platform ticket. As I had a ticket for the 17.33 departure from Crewe gateline, staff would not permit me access until the 16.33 had departed, thinking I may try to get on this train instead. As Mike and I had arrived back at the station at 16.15 I did not fancy waiting around until I was allowed on the platform! I took great glee in showing the particular member of staff the valid ticket that permitted me access that she grudgingly did but I still think that she thought I was going to catch the earlier train. It's a shame that passengers need to be treated like this and made to feel guilty about their presence on the station platforms.
Keywords: Ticket Crewe-Sandbach

Ticket
Another super and well-desingned ticket for DRS' 2022 open day at Crewe's Gresty Bridge depot. I think that the post 13.00 entry ticket meant that there were far fewer people as it certainly felt a lot quieter and less frenetic than usual. Mike and I had a smashing day out that included a very agreeable ice cream while looking at all the locomotives on show; here's to next year!
Keywords: ticket

Tickets, Northampton-Crewe-Northampton
As Mike made his way to Crewe using a Day Ranger ticket with a senior person's discount applied I used split ticketing to get the best fare. It cost me £35 return with the outward journey via New Street (changing at International) and the return via the Trent Valley (changing at Rugby). I somehow accidentally opted for e-tickets which is something that I prefer not to have hence the image shown downloaded from my 'phone.
Keywords: Tickets Northampton-Crewe-Northampton

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