Archive-2013

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2013
Not a fine year starting just two weeks after the tragic death of my father in a road accident. Despite the devastation, as time slowly moved on, I developed a kind of inner calm and a greater sense of positivity that looking back now was somewhat cathartic. Also in January, I had an operation to put right the damage caused by my own accident twenty-four years earlier. The death of my father meant that my amazing wife and I had to deal with his affairs including his house that was located in the West Country some distance from where we live in Northamptonshire. With everything going on my railway activity was squeezed a little but I still managed to get out with my camera slung over my shoulder. The death of my father made me realise that time really ought to be called on my career with a change of direction needed as priorities changed. My ever-supportive wife worked it through with me and the decision was made that the next year, 2014, should be the one when things move on - for both of us.
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1. New Year's Day on the NLR-01.01.13 Our New Year's Day customery trip to the Northampton and Lamport Railway got us out of the house on this very bright but cold morning. There was no steam in action this year but a bit of Class 3 haulage made up for that in my eyes but I am not so sure that the visiting 'normals' would have felt the same.
Our New Year's Day customery trip to the Northampton and Lamport Railway got us out of the house on this very bright but cold morning. There was no steam in action this year but a bit of Class 3 haulage made up for that in my eyes but I am not so sure that the visiting 'normals' would have felt the same.
2. 5Z76 Tangmere stock move-03.01.13 It's the third day of the year and there's already steam around on the mainline, if only in the form of a piloted stock move! I nipped out from home in my Nissan Qashqai to Wilson's Crossing near Kingsthorpe to the north of Northampton. The weather played ball which made a change with lovely strong winter lighting.
It's the third day of the year and there's already steam around on the mainline, if only in the form of a piloted stock move! I nipped out from home in my Nissan Qashqai to Wilson's Crossing near Kingsthorpe to the north of Northampton. The weather played ball which made a change with lovely strong winter lighting.
3. The Enigmatic Logistician-12.01.13 A day of two halves! In the morning I drove to the MML just north of Bedford hoping to capture the Class 37 hauled Enigmatic Logistician charter. This was supposed to be heading south towards London taking in various odd sections of track before heading north along the WCML in the afternoon. However, failure of one of the 37s severely curtailed the tour with it seen in the afternoon heading wrong way along the WCML trying to salvage something from the original scedule.
A day of two halves! In the morning I drove to the MML just north of Bedford hoping to capture the Class 37 hauled Enigmatic Logistician charter. This was supposed to be heading south towards London taking in various odd sections of track before heading north along the WCML in the afternoon. However, failure of one of the 37s severely curtailed the tour with it seen in the afternoon heading wrong way along the WCML trying to salvage something from the original scedule.
4. 0Z86 LE move-24.01.13 Having had my operation, plastered up and on crutches did not prevent me from getting out on this snowy day; what an incongruous sight it must have been! An interesting lash-up of locomotives was the attraction and, no, I did not tell Mrs. Ontheupfast what I had done with her thinking that I was at home watching daytime TV resting with my leg elevated!
Having had my operation, plastered up and on crutches did not prevent me from getting out on this snowy day; what an incongruous sight it must have been! An interesting lash-up of locomotives was the attraction and, no, I did not tell Mrs. Ontheupfast what I had done with her thinking that I was at home watching daytime TV resting with my leg elevated!
5. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2 & Northampton-02.02.13 A drive out to a delightful two-track section of the southern section of the WCML near Weedon on a cold and frosty winter's morning to photograph the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2. With my leg plaster now removed following an operation the return walk along the canal towpath to my chosen spot was a slow and painful affair but was part of my physiotherapy programme!
A drive out to a delightful two-track section of the southern section of the WCML near Weedon on a cold and frosty winter's morning to photograph the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2. With my leg plaster now removed following an operation the return walk along the canal towpath to my chosen spot was a slow and painful affair but was part of my physiotherapy programme!
6. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2-09.02.13 After the sparkling weather of last week when I went to photograph the Cumbrian Mountain Express this Saturday was very cold and dismal. Still, a Class 86 on the mainline is a Class 86 on the mainline so I had to go out and record its passage!
After the sparkling weather of last week when I went to photograph the Cumbrian Mountain Express this Saturday was very cold and dismal. Still, a Class 86 on the mainline is a Class 86 on the mainline so I had to go out and record its passage!
7. Bath-12.02.13 A few photographs were taken around Bath whilst my wife undertook some retail therapy! The purpose of our visit to the West Country was to deal with some of my late father's affairs.
A few photographs were taken around Bath whilst my wife undertook some retail therapy! The purpose of our visit to the West Country was to deal with some of my late father's affairs.
8. Bugbrooke-16.02.13 A few photographs taken at Bugbrooke in lieu of the Cumbrian Mountain Express that was my intended target! Unfortunately, a camera malfunction at the vital moment meant that I missed capturing the charter but, these things happen!
A few photographs taken at Bugbrooke in lieu of the Cumbrian Mountain Express that was my intended target! Unfortunately, a camera malfunction at the vital moment meant that I missed capturing the charter but, these things happen!
9. Roade Cutting-17.02.13 A foggy and cold Sunday morning with mainline diversions encouraged me out locally on my bike to Roade cutting. Whilst I was there, the fog started to lift and the sun came through completely changing the atmosphere.
A foggy and cold Sunday morning with mainline diversions encouraged me out locally on my bike to Roade cutting. Whilst I was there, the fog started to lift and the sun came through completely changing the atmosphere.
10. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express-23.02.13 Another Saturday morning so it's another Cumbrian Mountain Express! A quick walk across the field from home sees me photographing the train from one of my more favoured spots for capturing down trains.
Another Saturday morning so it's another Cumbrian Mountain Express! A quick walk across the field from home sees me photographing the train from one of my more favoured spots for capturing down trains.
11. Blisworth-02.03.13 (Sat) The intention was good but things went wrong due to a train delay! I decided to go out and see the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express again but was up against another timed commitment. Unfortunately, with a delay incurred at Milton Keynes, I had to leave the train for another day but it was a dreadful day anyway.
The intention was good but things went wrong due to a train delay! I decided to go out and see the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express again but was up against another timed commitment. Unfortunately, with a delay incurred at Milton Keynes, I had to leave the train for another day but it was a dreadful day anyway.
12. The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express & Northampton-09.03.13 I managed a quick photograph of the Cumbrian Mountain Express (unlike last week's debacle!) before heading to Northampton to drop my son and some of his friends off at the station for their Scout trip to London.
I managed a quick photograph of the Cumbrian Mountain Express (unlike last week's debacle!) before heading to Northampton to drop my son and some of his friends off at the station for their Scout trip to London.
13. Roade Cutting in the snow-24.03.13 After some late winter heavy snowfall and a burst of extremely cold weather I took a walk to Roade cutting to observe how the railways were coping. My finger was rather 'trigger happy' with a lot of photographs taken so, in a break from my usual way of annotating the photographs I have simply labelled the trains seen with no extra commentary.
After some late winter heavy snowfall and a burst of extremely cold weather I took a walk to Roade cutting to observe how the railways were coping. My finger was rather 'trigger happy' with a lot of photographs taken so, in a break from my usual way of annotating the photographs I have simply labelled the trains seen with no extra commentary.
14. NLR -31.03.13 A very cold Easter visit to the Northampton and Lamport Railway with my wife and son. As usual, we parked in the delightfully named Merry Tom Lane and walked to the station where we visited the excellent bookshop (AKA the Emporium), had a snack and observed what locomotives were operating to please the Easter weekend visitors.
A very cold Easter visit to the Northampton and Lamport Railway with my wife and son. As usual, we parked in the delightfully named Merry Tom Lane and walked to the station where we visited the excellent bookshop (AKA the Emporium), had a snack and observed what locomotives were operating to please the Easter weekend visitors.
15. Trip to Edinburgh-02-04.04.13 An Easter break to Edinburgh with my wife and son in part to celebrate another of her 'special' birthdays; I'm not saying which one but she was born half a century ago if that helps! After leaving the car parked at Peterborough we traveled the ECML all the way. A super trip but for the really cold weather, unseasonally so but Easter is particularly early this year.
An Easter break to Edinburgh with my wife and son in part to celebrate another of her 'special' birthdays; I'm not saying which one but she was born half a century ago if that helps! After leaving the car parked at Peterborough we traveled the ECML all the way. A super trip but for the really cold weather, unseasonally so but Easter is particularly early this year.
16. The Marylebone Flyer-06.04.13 A trip out in my wife's Audi on a bright but chilly April morning to see the steam-hauled Marylebone Flyer charter passing on the Chiltern Mainline just south of Banbury. It was just warm enough on the way home to have the roof down on the car with me being grateful for the heated seats and a scarf wrapped around my neck!
A trip out in my wife's Audi on a bright but chilly April morning to see the steam-hauled Marylebone Flyer charter passing on the Chiltern Mainline just south of Banbury. It was just warm enough on the way home to have the roof down on the car with me being grateful for the heated seats and a scarf wrapped around my neck!
17. Crewe-Wembley Footex-07.04.13 After an extremely cold start to April, the weather has finally started to warm up a little. This improvement in the weather coincided with the Football League Trophy Final also known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. With Crewe Alexandra playing Southend United a footex was chartered to take Railwaymen supporters to Wembley.
After an extremely cold start to April, the weather has finally started to warm up a little. This improvement in the weather coincided with the Football League Trophy Final also known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. With Crewe Alexandra playing Southend United a footex was chartered to take Railwaymen supporters to Wembley.
18. Surrey, Hampshire & West Sussex trip-08.04.13 A 'big' day out with Andy exploring some lines in the south. Travelling in Andy's white Nissan Micra automatic we started off our day in GW territory (just) at Sandhurst before heading south towards Farnham and Petersfield ending up on the south coast at Havant. Then we headed east along the coastway line finding a lot of interesting mechanical signalling at Littlehampton and Bognor. We ended up in the evening at Dorking before heading for home; a really interesting day.
A 'big' day out with Andy exploring some lines in the south. Travelling in Andy's white Nissan Micra automatic we started off our day in GW territory (just) at Sandhurst before heading south towards Farnham and Petersfield ending up on the south coast at Havant. Then we headed east along the coastway line finding a lot of interesting mechanical signalling at Littlehampton and Bognor. We ended up in the evening at Dorking before heading for home; a really interesting day.
19. The Moonraker & The Heart of Wales-13.04.13 A short run out from home in my Nissan Qashqai on a chilly Saturday morning to catch the passage of The Moonraker steam-hauled charter. Whilst the sun played ball the bank of dark cloud behind me was moving ominously close as the train approached!
A short run out from home in my Nissan Qashqai on a chilly Saturday morning to catch the passage of The Moonraker steam-hauled charter. Whilst the sun played ball the bank of dark cloud behind me was moving ominously close as the train approached!
20. The Cathedrals Express & Northampton re-development-20.04.13 A two-spot morning of railway activity split by a trip to the local DIY store and getting an MoT done of the car. Firstly, I stood in the fields to watch 'Tornado' pass with The Cathedrals Express charter and secondly, I spent a short while at Northampton station recording some scenes prior to its demolition and redevelopment. Oh. yes, by the way, the car did pass the MoT!
A two-spot morning of railway activity split by a trip to the local DIY store and getting an MoT done of the car. Firstly, I stood in the fields to watch 'Tornado' pass with The Cathedrals Express charter and secondly, I spent a short while at Northampton station recording some scenes prior to its demolition and redevelopment. Oh. yes, by the way, the car did pass the MoT!
21. Welshpool & Llanfair Railway & Historic Shrewsbury-27.04.13 A morning and evening trip out to see the outward and returning Welshpool and Llanfair Railway and Historic Shrewsbury charter operated by UK Railtours. The morning trip I did on my bike and the evening one by foot.
A morning and evening trip out to see the outward and returning Welshpool and Llanfair Railway and Historic Shrewsbury charter operated by UK Railtours. The morning trip I did on my bike and the evening one by foot.
22. OZ20 convoy-30.04.13 The prospect of a Deltic passing through Roade cutting close to home on a weekday afternoon was enough to encourage me to do the unthinkable and take some unofficial time off work! I left early and headed straight for the cutting and stood there in my suit and tie waiting for the convoy to pass of which the Deltic was, hopefully, leading!
The prospect of a Deltic passing through Roade cutting close to home on a weekday afternoon was enough to encourage me to do the unthinkable and take some unofficial time off work! I left early and headed straight for the cutting and stood there in my suit and tie waiting for the convoy to pass of which the Deltic was, hopefully, leading!
23. Quainton Road Spring Steam Gala-06.05.13 A Bank Holiday visiting Waddesdon Manor enabled an additional visit to the nearby Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road. They had a gala day with return DMU trips through to Aylesbury. My wife, son and I had a lovely day helped by some super spring weather.
A Bank Holiday visiting Waddesdon Manor enabled an additional visit to the nearby Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road. They had a gala day with return DMU trips through to Aylesbury. My wife, son and I had a lovely day helped by some super spring weather.
24. Trip to London-10-12.05.13 A birthday weekend trip to London with my wife and son. As usual, we stayed at our neighbour's second home in Kensington that is very handy and incredibly generous of them as well as saving us expensive hotel costs! We travelled down courtesy of Southern from Milton Keynes to Kensington Olympia.
A birthday weekend trip to London with my wife and son. As usual, we stayed at our neighbour's second home in Kensington that is very handy and incredibly generous of them as well as saving us expensive hotel costs! We travelled down courtesy of Southern from Milton Keynes to Kensington Olympia.
25. Footexes & Bletchley PSB visit-18.05.13 A very busy day packed with railway activity. Firstly, there were some interesting local footexes both in the morning and then returning in the evening in association with the 2012/2013 League 2 playoff final at Wembley. In between these, there was an open afternoon at the just-closed Bletchley PSB that Andy and I could not resist!
A very busy day packed with railway activity. Firstly, there were some interesting local footexes both in the morning and then returning in the evening in association with the 2012/2013 League 2 playoff final at Wembley. In between these, there was an open afternoon at the just-closed Bletchley PSB that Andy and I could not resist!
26. The Cumbrian Mountain Express-25.05.13 Unusually the Cumbrian Mountain Express was running on a weekday. Never one to miss an opportunity to take a photograph of a charter I went to work via Victoria bridge hoping that it would be running to time - it was!
Unusually the Cumbrian Mountain Express was running on a weekday. Never one to miss an opportunity to take a photograph of a charter I went to work via Victoria bridge hoping that it would be running to time - it was!
27. 6Z91 flyash empties-30.05.13 The half-term holiday enabled me to get out and photograph the Didcot power station to Calvert flyash train. Being operated by a small fleet of DCR Class 56s made it worthwhile making the trip to Buckinghamshire. I was accompanied by my son which made a pleasant change.
The half-term holiday enabled me to get out and photograph the Didcot power station to Calvert flyash train. Being operated by a small fleet of DCR Class 56s made it worthwhile making the trip to Buckinghamshire. I was accompanied by my son which made a pleasant change.
28. The Canterbury Tales Express & Milton Malsor-31.05.13 A nice late spring day coincided with the passage of a charter passing close to home. I had plans to see it on its outward and return run but things did not go quite to plan!
A nice late spring day coincided with the passage of a charter passing close to home. I had plans to see it on its outward and return run but things did not go quite to plan!
29. The Lakelander-01.06.13 It may be the first day of meteorological summer but the weather did not comply! However, this did not stop me from walking from home to see The Lakelander charter.
It may be the first day of meteorological summer but the weather did not comply! However, this did not stop me from walking from home to see The Lakelander charter.
30. 4L48 freight-02.06.13 A regular Sunday freight that passes through Roade on the southern WCM is the 4L48 'Tesco Express'. It is always worth watching, even more so today as the sun was out!
A regular Sunday freight that passes through Roade on the southern WCM is the 4L48 'Tesco Express'. It is always worth watching, even more so today as the sun was out!
31. The Cheshireman-06.06.13 I popped out in the evening to see the returning Cheshireman charter but things were a little different to what was planned and I'm glad that I did not go to see it on the planned route near Northampton as I had intended!
I popped out in the evening to see the returning Cheshireman charter but things were a little different to what was planned and I'm glad that I did not go to see it on the planned route near Northampton as I had intended!
32. Victoria Bridge event-10.06.13 On arriving home from work I noticed that all trains appeared to have been halted on the four lines of the WCML across the filed. Indeed, I could see a stationary Pendolino from the driveway; I went to investigate.
On arriving home from work I noticed that all trains appeared to have been halted on the four lines of the WCML across the filed. Indeed, I could see a stationary Pendolino from the driveway; I went to investigate.
33. The Cumbrian Mountain Express-20.06.13 The Cumbrian Mountain Express was again working on a weekday. I managed to capture it on the way to work but it was a shame that, despite it being the day before the summer equinox, the weather was so dull.
The Cumbrian Mountain Express was again working on a weekday. I managed to capture it on the way to work but it was a shame that, despite it being the day before the summer equinox, the weather was so dull.
34. Longest day evening at Milton Malsor-21.06.13 2013's longest day was a bright, warm and sunny one that fell on a Friday. This meant that I could go out after dinner to a local favoured spot for evening photography at Milton Malsor. Unfortunately, Network Rail has installed the dreaded palisade fencing at this spot so a ladder is now a requirement.
2013's longest day was a bright, warm and sunny one that fell on a Friday. This meant that I could go out after dinner to a local favoured spot for evening photography at Milton Malsor. Unfortunately, Network Rail has installed the dreaded palisade fencing at this spot so a ladder is now a requirement.
35. Silverstone GP specials-30.06.13 Two local tips out on this last day of June. Both were to see the now-regular British Grand Prix charter bringing racegoers to and from the south and east to Northamptonshire. The British Grand Prix appeared a little earlier than is usual in the calendar this year with Mercedes' Nico Rosberg winning after a dramatic race with all sorts of tyre failure issues and safety car deployments with Pirelli coming in for much criticism.
Two local tips out on this last day of June. Both were to see the now-regular British Grand Prix charter bringing racegoers to and from the south and east to Northamptonshire. The British Grand Prix appeared a little earlier than is usual in the calendar this year with Mercedes' Nico Rosberg winning after a dramatic race with all sorts of tyre failure issues and safety car deployments with Pirelli coming in for much criticism.
36. Mallard 75 & The Yorkshireman-06.07.13 On a super summer morning, Andy and I popped over to the Midland to see a steam-hauled Yorkshireman charter. In addition, a chartered HST also passed unusually using the slow line.
On a super summer morning, Andy and I popped over to the Midland to see a steam-hauled Yorkshireman charter. In addition, a chartered HST also passed unusually using the slow line.
37. Sheringham-10-12.07.13 I had three work days at Sheringham so took full advantage in between jobs to capture some images of activity around the station of the North Norfolk Railway. It was a shame that the weather was so grey and dull!
I had three work days at Sheringham so took full advantage in between jobs to capture some images of activity around the station of the North Norfolk Railway. It was a shame that the weather was so grey and dull!
38. Victoria Bridge-15.07.13 I took a pleasant evening walk after dinner to Victoria bridge a short distance from home.
I took a pleasant evening walk after dinner to Victoria bridge a short distance from home.
39. Harrowden Junction-18.07.13 To celebrate a colleague who was leaving work a curry night was arranged in the nearby town of Higham Ferrers. As it was such a smashing summer's evening I left home a little early so I could spend an hour or so at Harrowden Junction to capture what was about. Oh. yes, and it was a very convivial evening giving or colleague a good send-off!
To celebrate a colleague who was leaving work a curry night was arranged in the nearby town of Higham Ferrers. As it was such a smashing summer's evening I left home a little early so I could spend an hour or so at Harrowden Junction to capture what was about. Oh. yes, and it was a very convivial evening giving or colleague a good send-off!
40. The Cardigan Bay Panorama-20.07.13 A quick nip across the field from home to capture the passage of UK Railtours' Cardigan Bay Panorama charter. Originating from Euston with a Class 90 the interesting action was later on in the itinerary when a pair of Network Rail Cambrian Line ERTMS project locomotives hauling the train.
A quick nip across the field from home to capture the passage of UK Railtours' Cardigan Bay Panorama charter. Originating from Euston with a Class 90 the interesting action was later on in the itinerary when a pair of Network Rail Cambrian Line ERTMS project locomotives hauling the train.
41. The Pennine North Eastern Explorer-24.07.13 A mid-week charter organised by Compass Tours saw a pair of 37s starting out from Milton Keynes heading for Durham. Before a meeting, I just had time to get to the lineside close to home.
A mid-week charter organised by Compass Tours saw a pair of 37s starting out from Milton Keynes heading for Durham. Before a meeting, I just had time to get to the lineside close to home.
42. The Borders, Cumbria & North Merseyside-25 & 26.07.13 For our summer trip this year Andy and headed to the far northwest. Our two-day trip found us just fringing into southwest Scotland (vowing to return at some time in the future*) and then surveying the magnificent Cumbrian Coast line with an overnight stay in a questionable hotel in the centre of Lancaster. On the return, we took a short afternoon/evening detour into Merseyside. We travelled in Andy's battle-worn Nissan Micra automatic that despite its looks, served us well! Finally, for once the weather played ball with some good sunshine.
For our summer trip this year Andy and headed to the far northwest. Our two-day trip found us just fringing into southwest Scotland (vowing to return at some time in the future*) and then surveying the magnificent Cumbrian Coast line with an overnight stay in a questionable hotel in the centre of Lancaster. On the return, we took a short afternoon/evening detour into Merseyside. We travelled in Andy's battle-worn Nissan Micra automatic that despite its looks, served us well! Finally, for once the weather played ball with some good sunshine.
43. 0Z56 LE move-27.07.13 The passage of a veteran Class 56, even if it was a light engine, was worth taking a walk from home despite it interrupting home decorating - much to the disapproval of my wife!
The passage of a veteran Class 56, even if it was a light engine, was worth taking a walk from home despite it interrupting home decorating - much to the disapproval of my wife!
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