66. Final day of XC HSTs-not!-18.09.23

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2023 > 66. Final day of XC HSTs-not!-18.09.23

A bit of a flop of a day for a number of reasons! Andy and I had intended to get out to see the final HST services operated by CrossCountry. However, despite being advertised as an HST the 1V50 working was pulled and, ostensively, this is what we went to see. The final down working, the 1E73 utilised the two celebrity power cars but was too late passing through our area of the country! Add to this it rained and there was little traffic of interest about meant that I only took eight photographs. However, at least Andy and I had a catch-up and we enjoyed our Costa break in Tamworth!

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Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.

170618 & 170116, XC 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M92, 1L), Harlaston bridge SK210086
A rather backlit position sees CrossCountry's 170618 and 170116 pass Harlaston bridge between Burton-on-Trent and Tamworth working the 07.45 Cardiff to Nottingham service. This is one of CrossCountry's strengthened units created by pairing a three-car unit with a two-car one. However, with no inter-connection facility on the Turbo units manning the services is a bit of a conundrum.
Keywords: 170618 170116 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham 1M92 Harlaston bridge SK210086 CrossCountry Turbo

221123, XC 05.24 Plymouth-Edinburgh Waverley (Cancelled from Leeds) (1S23, 6L), Harlaston bridge SK210086
The 1S23 05.24 Plymouth to Leeds CrossCountry service passes through some pleasant countryside near the village of Harlaston in Staffordshire. Unfortunately, passengers aboard 221123 were to have their journey rudely interrupted at Leeds where the train was cancelled due, unfortunately (according to RTT at least) 'to a person being hit by a train'.
Keywords: 221123 05.24 Plymouth-Edinburgh Waverley Cancelled from Leeds 1S23 Harlaston bridge SK210086 CrossCountry Voyager

66200, 05.06 Southampton Western Docks-Masborough (4E94, 14E), Willow Bottom Lane bridge SK209088
A badly smoking diesel locomotive is not a good look for a modern railway seemingly to trash its environmental credentials. Many of the earlier Class 66s, that are now well over twenty years old, appear to suffer from the malaise of excessive exhaust emissions and 66200, seen here, appears to be one of them. It is seen leading the 05.06 4E94 Southampton to Masborough intermodal working. The rural scene is in the southwestern corner of Staffordshire at the delightfully named Willow Bottom Lane bridge near the village of Harlaston
Keywords: 66200 05.06 Southampton Western Docks-Masborough 4E94 Willow Bottom Lane bridge SK209088 EWS DB Cargo

221130, XC 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth (1V50, 2L), Willow Bottom Lane bridge SK209088
An HST would have fitted perfectly in this spot near the village of Harlaston in Staffordshire and this was our intention if CrossCountry had not substituted one for this, 221130! Up until last week, the 1V50 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley to Plymouth was an HST turn but with today being CrossCountry's last day operating these iconic trains Andy and I made the journey to capture the penultimate train but it was not to be. In the end, the final working was the down 1E73 16:27 Plymouth to Leeds with power car 43008 (Intercity swallow livery) leading with 43007(as built BR livery) that passed this part of the country after darkness.
Keywords: 221130, XC 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth 1V50 Willow Bottom Lane bridge SK209088 CrossCountyry Voayager

66503, 09.32 Wembley Yard-Hams Hall (4M41, 3L), Warter Orton
After being disappointed with our quest to capture an HST on their last day of operation Andy and I headed for Water Orton to photograph some freight. On arrival 66503 ‘The Railway Magazine Celebrating 125 years, 1897-2022’ appeared leading the 09.32 Wembley Yard to Hams Hall Freightliner. The 4M41 normally originates from London Gateway so I am unsure as to why today it was starting from Wembley. This is my first photograph of 66503 since its rededication on 09.08.23 where the ‘Celebrating 125 years, 1897-2022’ plate was added in a ceremony at Freightliner’s Midland Road depot in Leeds. After this freight had passed it started to rain and a quick look at RTT revealed little more for some time; the day was not improving!
Keywords: 66503 09.32 Wembley Yard-Hams Hall 4M41 Warter Orton Freightliner The Railway Magazine Celebrating 125 years, 1897-2022

196003, LN 12.40 Leamington Spa-Nuneaton (2G79, 1E), Coventry Arena station
Andy was keen to stop off at Coventry Arean station as it was not one that he had been able to tick off in his book. With Coventry City's ground, previously the Ricoh Arena, to the left 196003 departs working the 14.40 Leamington to Nuneaton service. As can be seen from the sky and the wet platforms, it had indeed been raining further dampening our enthusiasm for this particular day out!
Keywords: 196003 12.40 Leamington Spa-Nuneaton 2G79 Coventry Arena station West Midlands Railway

390001, 12.35 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A39, 3L), Cathiron SP4667783
The classic and ever-popular location just to the north-west of Rugby known locally as Cathiron has become Andy and my 'go-to' location on our return from some recent trips; today was no exception. 390001 'Bee Together' heads south on the up fast line working AWC's 12.35 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston 1A39 service.
Keywords: 390001 12.35 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A39 Cathiron SP4667783Bee Together Avanti West Coast AWC Pendolino

66605, 07.55 Tunstead Sidings-Northampton Castle Yard (6B71, 13E), Cathiron SP4667783
The 6B71 Tunstead to Northampton Castle Yard is not a working that I have many images of as it arrives from the north and I am south of Northampton. When it ran as 6M92 Andy I caught it between Crewe and Stafford back during the Covid year of 2021, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30018777695/x66757-09-15-tunstead-northampton Today 66705 is hauling the train and is seen passing Caithorn a short distance north-west of Rugby on the Trent Valey route.
Keywords: 66605 07.55 Tunstead Sidings-Northampton Castle Yard 6B71 Cathiron SP4667783

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