21. The Stratford Flyer-01.04.23

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2023 > 21. The Stratford Flyer-01.04.23

A pleasantly relaxed later start than is normally the case to drive to Leicestershire to witness the passing of The Stratford Flyer charter that started out from Norwich and ending up at, errrr, Stratford-on-Avon! Another grey and dull day to start off April following a very wet and miserable March.

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170106, XC 09.52 Birmingham New Street-Leicester (1K09, RT), Elmesthorpe SP471958
The 09.52 Birmingham New Street to Leicester CrossCountry service passes the village of Elmesthorpe between Hinckley and Narborough. I am standing atop some concrete steps that straddle a fence at a rare thing, a public foot crossing. The sighting of trains from this direction was not very good given the proximity of the road bridge that carries the B581 over the railway. This nearly caught me out when I arrived with a train from this same direction catching me unawares as I was crossing with the driver giving me an additional blast on the horn!
Keywords: 170106 09.52 Birmingham New Street-Leicester 1K09 Elmesthorpe SP471958 CrossCountry Turbo

44932, outward leg of The Stratford Flyer, 06.04 Norwich-Stratford-on-Avon (1Z70, RT), Elmesthorpe SP471958
A pretty dismal picture of Black 5 44932 as it passes Elmesthorpe between Hinckley and Narborough with the late-running Stratford Flyer charter. Leaving Norwich at 06.04 and running as 1Z70 it was now fifteen minutes delayed after a problem in the Whittlesea area east of Peterborough. It was moving at a fair pace here but not working particularly hard and with neither of the obligatory blows of the whistle heard for the approach to this foot crossing and the other just the other side of the M69 motorway bridge beyond the rear of the train. It might seem a bit of a waste driving a seventy-mile round trip for this disappointing photograph but when the car is electric and the journey cost a total of £1.71 in energy it makes more sense and is justifiable!
Keywords: 44932 The Stratford Flyer 06.04 Norwich-Stratford-on-Avon 1Z70 Elmesthorpe SP471958 Black 5

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