69. An HST, a Thunderbird & a new unit-29.09.22

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2022 > 69. An HST, a Thunderbird & a new unit-29.09.22

With a day off work and some welcome sunshine on offer, I had a quick scan of RTT to see what was passing during the day. I found three things of interest and captured them all with all running to time. Firstly, a new West Midlands Trains Class 730 was scheduled to pass on a test run, soon afterwards a Class 57 Thunderbird was due on a scheduled logistics move. Later in the afternoon, an HST move from Eastleigh to Crewe was due to pass using the WCML route rather than via the GW Banbury line.
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Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

66564, 09.31 Crewe Basford Hall-Southampton MCT (4O35, 12E), Victoria bridge Another example of an 'almost' photograph with the sun illuminating the fields in the background but with the subject in the shade! 66564 leads Freightliner's 4O35 09.31 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton service. Notice that this Class 66 still wears the large recruitment poster stuck to its flank that it has worn since at least the summer of 2018 so one wonders if getting staff to work for Freightliner is still a problem. Keywords: 66564 09.31 Crewe Basford Hall-Southampton MCT 4O35 Victoria bridge Freightliner
730011, 11.08 Oxley Car-Bletchley TMD (5Q06, 5E), Victoria bridge More new trains being tested but not able to enter service! The Bombardier-built Class 730 Aventuras will be operating in three-car guise, as seen here, around the West Midlands replacing the venerable Class 323s. Later on the 730/1 and 730/2s will be introduced that will operate on the regional route between Euston and Birmingham meaning that the 350/2s and elderly cast-off Class 319s can go off lease. Keywords: 730011 11.08 Oxley Car-Bletchley TMD 5Q06 Victoria bridge Aventura
57308, 12.00 London Euston-Rugby (0Z57, RT), Victoria bridge DRS frequently rotates and moves its Thunderbird Class 57s from location to location on the route of the WCML. I have not photographed these moves very often so was pleased to see 0Z57 running on RTT at about the same time that I was out on the lineside with my camera. 57308 'Jamie Ferguson' is seen about to pass under Victoria bridge in South Northamptonshire as the 12.00 Euston to Rugby move. Keywords: 57308 12.00 London Euston-Rugby 0Z57 Victoria bridge Thunderbird Jamie Ferguson
66567, 09.14 Southampton MCT-Garston (4M58, 6L), site of Roade station Just about managing to dodge the lengthening September afternoon shadows 66567 is seen passing the site of Roade's former station leading then 09.14 Southampton to Garston Freightliner service. I am always a little disappointed when a Freightliner or intermodal train has empty flats behind the locomotive as is seen here making it similar to a light engine may look. Keywords: 66567 09.14 Southampton MCT-Garston 4M58 site of Roade
43058 & 43049, 10.23 Eastleigh Arlington-Crewe HS (5Z58, 4E), site of Roade station An HST returns to the WCML again! However, it's not quite as they used to be when in operation by Virgin Trains! Now rather than being in public service they are utilised by the charter market and very well they are going down too! With 43058 leading and 43049 trailing a recently refurbished and repainted Mk. III coach is sandwiched between the two. The coach is returning from Arlington's at Eastleigh with the train operating as 5Z58 10.23 Eastleigh to Crewe's LSL base. Both these power cars are former EMT ones that both came out of service in May 2021 but now are seen passing the site of Roade station but now on the West Coast route rather than the Midland. Keywords: 43058 43049 10.23 Eastleigh Arlington-Crewe HS 5Z58 site of Roade station HST

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.