Archive-2024

My wife and I took our traditional New Year's Day trip to the Northampton and Lamport Railway. Unfortunately, their extension south has not yet opened but I read on their website that the Transport and Works Act Order has been submitted to the DfT so maybe 2024 will be the year that they can run end-to-end services into their new station at Boughton.

Returning to work after the extended Christmas and New Year break coincided with two interesting workings passing very close to where I was working in Milton Keynes both within fifteen minutes of each other. As the sun was out, which made a change from the wet and stormy weather that we had been experiencing, I popped to the lineside during my lunch break.

A quick scan of RTT at breakfast time revealed all sorts of juicy workings passing my home village of Roade during the day. Of course, some did not run but a number did so I took no fewer than three separate trips out during the day despite the deteriorating weather!

I coincided my bike ride to Towcester to collect our fully charged car with the passage of a light engine move going south.

The passage of an interesting working through my home village in Northamptonshire just happened to coincide with the time that my wife had decided that were to go out shopping! However, she agreed to sit in the car for a few minutes whilst I took my photograph and I even managed to stretch things out a little to see the following working.

An interesting diversion got me out on a very grey and chilly Sunday afternoon. The diversion was a result of the complete closure of the ECML at Peterborough due to engineering works.

I timed my Saturday afternoon walk to coincide with the passage of yet another Class 730 testing run. After a week of extremely cold weather, it was distinctly warmer on this day despite the grey skies.

I popped out from home having an extra weather-related day off work to capture the passage of one of EMR's Desiros making its regular trip from Kettering to Northampton for examination purposes. I was not prepared for what I observed hauling the train!

At last! I had been attempting to photograph a Class 319 scrap move on several occasions but had been thwarted by various issues such as late running, work clashes and cancellations but today it all came together but it was a shame that it was extremely dark being at just past eight in the morning! On my way to work, I paused at Victoria bridge to witness two more of these units making their final journey to South Wales for their appointment with the scrap man!

A pleasant, if a little chilly, trip with Andy to the county of Rutland to see The East Anglian Push-Pull charter composed of LSL's reproduction ScotRail set complete with a DBSO and 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer'. In the afternoon I took a walk around the my home village to coincide with the passage of a couple of freights.

The first day of the new month brings an unexpected 'double' freight past my home location.

I timed my Sunday walk with the passage of an infrastructure train returning to its base at Bescot. Unfortunately, the sun was once again notable for its absence!

With the complete closure of the ECML at Peterborough again some freight diversions along the WCML that do not normally come our way were scheduled. Not all ran but I did pop out to see the 4L98.

An early morning trip to Milton Keynes to capture The Cumbrian Mountain Express. I met with Andy for this and we were greeted by one of WCR's Class 47s leading the train rather than the normal Class 86 as this was undergoing repairs following a failure on its last run.

A wedding anniversary trip to London with the lovely Mrs. On The Up fast. On the Sunday we reprised ABBA Voyage but in a better position than when we went in September last year. The following night we saw Phantom of the Opera again, for me the second time and for my wife the fifth time (she believes!).

An absolutely awful morning did not prevent me from taking my camera out to see a very late running Sleeper. After running some errands I was able then to see a much-publicised double steam move from Crewe to Southall.

 

Once again the EFL or Carabao Cup is held at Wembley and usually attracts a footex if a team from the north is in the final. Last season it was Newcastle's turn but this year it was Liverpool's who were to play Chelsea. The added bonus was that there were two charters bringing fans from Merseyside but things did not go quite to plane for one train.

On the first day of meteorological spring 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' was scheduled to pass through Northampton with stock for the next day's Steam Dreams London to York charter. I managed to persuade my boss to come with me with him amazed at the number of enthusiasts and all their kit gathered to watch the event.

Another wet morning dawned on the second day of spring! This did not stop me from getting out with hat and waterproof to see the steam-hauled Cheshireman charter. I had intentions of heading further afield to see the train but the weather curtailed my plans.

The transfer of GWR units from Bristol for refurbishment work at Doncaster has started to run via the WCML. I thought when this occurred a few weeks ago (but ultimately did not run) that it was due to the planned closure of ECML at Peterborough but I appear to be wrong. In between Sunday chores at home, I nipped out to capture its passage.

A trip 'up north' with Andy to collect my new car. Having owned and run a plug-in hybrid for a year I did not really get on with it very well so decided to go full electric. Having bought the car Andy and I made a day of it heading to Lancaster and then Morecambe to collect it and drive home.

A short weekend break to London with my wife to see the comedian Keith Lemon live at the Palladium. Not the finest show that we have seen in London but it's ticked off the list now!

A run out from home to see an HST private charter passing. For a change, it was not the more usual LSL Blue Pullman set but a former East Midlands set powered by two of railadventure's (sic) power cars.

A busy morning near home with two charters that were, in theory, only fifteen minutes apart from each other but, in practice, that did not quite happen! A short time later an empty coaching stock move also passed and it was all in the sunshine!

Only one photograph today from my Sunday afternoon walk that just so happened to coincide with the passing of a DCR light engine move!

Another overnight trip to London with my wife; we may as well move there at this rate! This time, we stayed extremely central just off Leicester Square and went to see an excellent one-night-only show, Bowie Orchestrated hosted by Leo Green and his band at the Palledium.

Being a life member of the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) I was keen to attend their AGM this year held at the Great Central Railway in a marquee erected in the car park of Quorn and Woodhouse station. The very cold day also featured a complimentary ride behind one of 'our' locomotives.

With the extended Easter weekend came the usual closure of large areas of the network for engineering works. When is Network Rail going to recognise that this outdated method of work must change with leisure travel now being of equal if not more significance than weekday commuter traffic? One casualty of this plan was the closure of the slow lines north from Hanslope Junction through to Northampton in order to finally (?) connect up the new rail-connected Sergo Logistics Park.

An extended trip to London with my wife to celebrate her birthday. Unfortunately, the outward journey from Northampton to Euston did not go quite to plan. I managed to capture a charter from King's Cross on the Saturday morning of our return despite the ECML being strike-riven once again.

An afternoon trip out on my trusty Brompton to capture the passage of a West Coast Railways stock move that was to be steam-hauled throughout. Unfortunately, on the day it was piloted by a Class 47.

A brief morning visit to Corby prior to dropping off my car at the nearby dealership for some warranty work to be undertaken.

As has become the norm for the past few years a charter has operated from Victoria station taking racegoers to Liverpool for the Aintree Grand National. I took a walk through the village to the cutting to capture its passage.

After a very showery day with me outside at work not appreciating the bursts of heavy rain (and hail and sleet at times) I was keen to capture the 5Q62 returning Class 458 from Widness to the Southern. Luckily, the sun played ball and some interesting photographs were captured

An hour or so with Andy above Roade cutting after attending to some repairs to his vacuum cleaners of all things!

On this Sunday afternoon, there were supposed to be two diesel units passing through Roade heading to Wolverton Works for attention. In the event, the GWR one from St. Phillips Marsh did not run but the Northern one from Heaton (Newcastle) did. I took an afternoon walk from home to capture this unusual sight.

Having been unable to see the outward leg of The Royal Windsor Statesman charter in the morning due to work commitments I was able to get out and see it on its return in the early evening. However, the weather had deteriorated with it becoming increasingly grey and dull. Earlier in the afternoon, I also managed to capture the 6V06, a new freight flow passing through my home area.

After what had seemed weeks of relentless rain and really cold weather the wind changed direction and there was some sunshine! To celebrate this event I took a teatime walk through Roade with my camera over my shoulder. Five freights in just less than half an hour was my reward.

Whilst on route to work in Milton Keynes I had cause to pass through Wolverton and spotted a TFW unit waiting to exit the works. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me so two photographs taken on the mobile 'phone had to suffice.

I timed my bike ride on Bertie the Brompton to collect my wife's car from a charging session to coincide with a Northern unit passing close to home heading for attention at Wolverton Works.

On the last day of being in my fifties, I took a walk across the fields from home to Victoria bridge between Roade and Ashton. I pondered during the walk on how time seems to haemorrhaging at an ever-increasing rate. However, the superb warm spring weather made up a little for my mood!

A trip to London with my wife to celebrate my birthday. I managed to get out and see two charters during our stay with one being more successful than the other! We had a lovely day at Kew Gardens where we met up with my mother and her partner who had travelled up from the West Country.

After a very wet morning that somewhat stifled my attempts to get out and about by the afternoon the sun had come out so I made the effort to take my walk coinciding with the passage of a unit drag.

It may be an HST but minus any stock!

It may well have been nearly two weeks late but Andy and I succeeded in our quest to get out for a day on our respective birthdays. For mine, we took a few hours east just north of Peterborough. A rather uninspiring day in terms of the weather but it was good to get out and have a catch-up with Andy over some breakfast as well as to see and photograph some trains!

With the Manchester derby taking place at Wembley in the form of the FA Cup Final many fans were travelling from the northwest to London. Avanti West Coast put on an additional relief service from Piccadilly to Euston in addition to LSL operating a charter direct to Wembley. I photographed this on its outward run as well as a few other items of interest at various times during the day.

Having missed the movement of some Class 175 units a few weeks ago I was keen to capture today's move. Despite jobs at home, I was able to track the progress of the train from Swansea and get out just before it passed. In addition, just before it was the HST power car formed 0Z80 and after it a top and tailed freight!

An early morning drive to King's Sutton to get some 'Western' action. For the first day of meteorological summer it was extraordinarily cold with a keen north easterly wind blowing necessitating a return to winter clothing; I even had the heated seat and steering wheel switched on in the car! Never mind, the sound of a pair of twin Maybach MD655 engines roaring through the countryside made up for the cold!

Empty stock moves are a little unusual on a Sunday morning so this one stood out a mile when consulting RTT for my daily check. I was unsure as to what 5Z60 was actually going to be until it passed me as nobody had posted any information or earlier sightings.

I would not normally have gone out after work on such a wet and dull evening but the passage of some steam enticed me! Expecting it to be a locomotive and support coach I was even more pleased that it was composed of a complete rake of stock; the effort paid off!

Up and out at a ridiculously early hour to see the passage of the charter stock for The Settle and Carlisle Steam Special which was starting from Coventry. The early morning light during the summer months has a very special quality but is tricky to get right in terms of exposure and temeprature.

Allegedly, on this day the final Merseyrail Class 777 would be heading north to its new home. As I was working in Milton Keynes near to the line I was able to nip out and see the Railadventure (sic) HSTs heading south to collect the unit from Wembley Yard. Later in the evening, the combo passed close to home heading to Merseyside so I popped out again after dinner on Bertie the Brompton!

A busy Sunday afternoon saw another Northern Class 150 heading to Woverton for repairs and then what, on paper at least, would be a standard ECS move. However, that stock was being top and tailed by a pair of GBRf's smartly repainted former Class 57 Thunderbirds. This fact did not go unnoticed by a number of local enthusiasts!

I said in my introduction to the year that Andy and I hoped to resurrect our annual 'summer trip' that we have not undertaken since before COVID. This year, after some aborted attempts, we managed it! We decided to revisit the superb and scenic Cumbrian coast route but, this time, taking our time rather than rushing as we did on our last visit back in 2013. Andy was keen to capture the mechanical signalling and boxes as his newfound, if a little belated, interest in the subject meant that he took few photographs during our previous visit. We stayed two nights, one in Carlisle and the second in Barrow-in-Furness travelling in my MG EV with charging being completely non-problematic and making for a very cheap six hundred miles of motoring; who said EVs are no good?

A long weekend in London with my wife. We had planned and got tickets to see George Benson at the Proms but due to illness, this was cancelled. As the hotel was already booked we got tickets to see Mrs.Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre as an alternative. Both my wife and I came back with a dose of COVID that knocked us out for a week!

On the first day of being off work and poorly I was determined to get out for a gentle afternoon walk. After dosing myself up I went for an isolated stroll around the village with my camera in my pocket.

Still feeling very poorly I was still determined to get out for a walk in the afternoon. I did so but needed to sit down on a bench on the recreation field halfway through my walk!

The final walk of my week off work feeling pretty poorly found me out with the sun out and no camera just as something interesting was passing! The mobile 'phone was hastily put to use and some reasonable record shots resulted.

 

As tickets for the DRS Open Day at Kingmoor had sold out by the time I got around to buying them Andy and I had a spare day on our hands. A quick search found that UK Railtours' Westbury Wizzo charter would suit our needs. It was an excellent day out behind D1015 'Western Champion' ending up in my old stomping ground of Westbury where I photographed Westerns in my very early trainspotting days!

As has become the custom, a charter operates from London on the Sunday of the British Grand Prix weekend bringing racegoers from the London area. To give them more time to eat their champagne breakfast the train takes an extended out-and-back route before depositing them at Milton Keynes for onward transportation to Silverstone. Later in the day, I went back out to photograph an empty stock move.

Returning from having my haircut coincided with the passing of a steam engine light engine move rumoured to be LNER Peppercorn Class A2 60532 'Bue Peter'. Indeed, the other gathered enthusiasts at Victoria bridge were rewarded with the sight of the recently overhauled locomotive passing with a support coach.

Two trips out on a rather grey Saturday morning. Firstly, just across the field from home an ECS move heading south and then later in the day, a short drive to the MML to see a Hastings Diesel charter.

Andy and I met up briefly on a Sunday morning to witness the passage of the North West Freighter charter. As the name of the charter suggests later in the day, the charter was to be Class 60 hauled on some runs along infrequently used freight lines in the northwest.

Whenever I am working in Milton Keynes I always have a scan down RTT to see what is passing as I am conveniently located to nip out for a few minutes. Today I spotted an intriguing LSL move that I was keen to see. Later in the day after my blood doning session I took my 'recovery time' at the nearby Roade cutting and was rewarded with some interesting workings within a few minutes.

A short two-night stay in Brighton with the lovely Mrs. On-The-Up-Fast! The purpose was to visit the superb ABBA exhibition held at the pavilion to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of their Eurovision win back in 1974. We travelled by train but rather than using Thameslink from St. Pancras we decided to use TfL to cross London and travel from Victoria.

A short trip out from home on Bertie the Brompton to Roade cutting to capture a few afternoon moves including another Northern unit well away from its home.

A superb Sunday evening found me out in my home village of Roade to witness a veteran DMU passing. It's sobering to think that this unit is now forty years old and still going strong but, for how much longer?

Having undergone an overhaul at Alstom's Widness facility a SWR Class 458 was returning back its DC territory towed by a Class 69.

A short overnight trip to London with my wife to meet my mother and her partner for dinner. It was a hot couple of days but I only managed a few record shots on both days.

An interesting Saturday with three railway activities undertaken. First, I managed to capture the Cumbrian Mountain Express passing close to home before heading over to pick Andy up. We then went to the Marston Vale between Bedford and Bletchley to see the Branch Line Society's Cappagh Capital Campaigner charter. We were hoping to capture the train in the Forder's Sidings loop but things did not go quite to plan on this. Later in the day, with the sun now out, I went for a walk through the village to capture some freight and an infrastructure working.

An early morning out-and-back drive to the MML near Wellingborough to capture the passage of UK Railtours' The End of the Line charter. It was forecast to be a completely cloudy morning but I was blessed with some, what appeared to be, localised sunshine.

With Wolverton Works, now operated by Gemini Rail Services (GRS), there appears to be work coming thick and fast. A regular operation of late has been the movement of Northern Class 15X units for attention. This inward up move usually happens on a Sunday and this day was no exception.

A day off work coincided with the passing of Network Rail's NMT that I managed to see twice. As well as the usual fare there was also a WCR empty stock move later in the day. Unfortunately, the weather was particularly dull that added nothing to the quality of the photographs!

With the sun out, a day off work and a number of freights it would be rude not to take an appropriately timed afternoon walk! Incidentally, except for the photograph of the Class 805, all locomotives captured this particular afternoon are named!

With the weather continuing to be warm and sunny I was again tempted out locally. This time to see one of the now regular Class 360 drags from the MML to Northampton's Siemens Depot via a reversal at Bletchley following traversing the Marston Vale line.

Working again in Milton Keynes near the railway, I found myself by the lineside during my lunch break. I timed it to coincide with the passage of a Class 37 light engine move and a couple of diverted freights.

A pleasant late afternoon walk to Roade cutting to capture the passage of the interesting 5Q74 unit drag. This drag was on RTT for this day and the next one, a Saturday, but I suspect that the latter will not run. (PS I was correct, just the Friday one ran)

After a long warm and dry summer spell, the weather broke with cool temperatures and rain just in time for me to see the Grampian Highlander charter! I decided on an unusual move to see it by taking an early morning train to Birmingham New Street and then a local to Bescot Stadium station. Thinking that I would be on my own, I was wrong with plenty of others also choosing this spot to see the immaculate and matching pair of Class 50s lead the charter through the rain!

Another South Western Railway unit drag passing close to home encouraged me to get out and away from gardening chores at home!

I cannot understand where this year has gone. Time has haemorrhaged away to the point where it is the first day of September! The first day of autumn was hot and bright so I went out for a lunchtime walk to coincide with the passage of the up and down DRS operated 'Tesco Express' services.

At either end of the day, two interesting workings passed close to home which happened to coincide with me being out. Unfortunately, it was a very dark and grey late summer day (or is it actually autumn now?)

It was a normal Sunday with nothing special, or so it seemed on both counts! Then, I noticed mid-morning that an STP (Short Term Plan) had been slotted into the timetable showing as an HST. Secondly, I noticed at lunchtime that there were all sorts of delays in the Berkhamstead area with the down slow showing as blocked with stationary trains all around the area except for the up slow. making enquiries it appeared that some OHL had been brought down with other lines appearing to be affected. A Thunderbird move there and back from Rugby was also noted running as 1Z99. All trains were facing heavy delays including the mysterious HST move noted earlier.

A day of two interesting workings passing close to home in Roade. Firstly, an early charter The Eastriggs Eolper and second an LSL steam-hauled stock move from Crewe to Southall. To add to the occasion the sun was out with it being a super early autumn day in mid-September.

Having photographed The Eastriggs Eloper yesterday in full sun at the start of a glorious day the returning ECS is seen on a very different afternoon!

Working only half a day due to a dental appointment I was able to get out for two interesting workings in the afternoon. Another HST move was followed by a Greater Anglia test train - again, another smashing afternoon.

As I was working close to the WCML in Milton Keynes I had a scan of RTT to see what was about during the day. The only thing that I picked up was an early afternoon 0Z44 working from Wembley yard to Kidderminster SVR. I took a short walk from my work place to the line and was joined by a member of the Network Rail staff from their nearby headquarters so I knew that the train was to be something interesting!

With a dull and grey September dawning, I was not really inspired to go out and photograph the passing Cumbrian Mountain Express but I did. Later in the day after the sun came out a light engine Class 37 caught my attention.

A return trip to Worcestershire with Andy travelling in his ageing Nissan Micra to once again experience the joys of GWR semaphore signalling at its finest, but for how much longer? Unfortunately, the weather was pretty dismal but this did not spoil the day too much!

An afternoon walk through the village coincided with the passage of a light engine move.

I am not too sure what possessed me to go out and see the Class 86 hauled Cumbrian Coast Express on such a dull and miserable autumn morning!

Following railtour duties the previous day (The Cumbrian Coast Express), the Class 86 returned to its usual storage location at Rugby.

A cold early morning drive to Harrowden Junction on the MML near Wellingborough to capture the passing of The West Highland Pullman HST charter.

My work in work in Milton Keynes on a very grey and foggy October day coincided with the passage of an interesting working conveying a pair of the long-stored Class 321s from Wembley Yard to Wolverton. I took my morning break to coincide with its passing.

I was intrigued when I heard a light engine class 37 heading south whilst outside in the garden. ON investigation I found that it was heading to Wolverton and that later on in the morning it was heading north again with some stock of some kind to Carlisle. Keeping a carfull eye on the signalling out of the Works I dashed out when they turned green permitting a train to depart.

After some logistical adjustments caused by the dense fog that had descended over Northamptonshire the previous night Andy and I met at my house and walked to a local spot in Roade to capture the passing of another LSL Bue Pullman charter.

A smashing autumn afternoon off work coincided with one of the drags of SWTs' refurbished Class 458s heading back to third rail territory. And, with the clocks about to change, this is probably one of my last opportunities to capture one of the RHTT 'squirters' passing at tea time.

After servicing Andy's Nissan Micra we [ooped out for a coffee and to photograph a couple of freights in the village. It was a glorious autumn day with the colours really beginning to come on at last.

The cull has begun! London Northwestern announced some time ago that the 350/2 sub-class would be going off-lease as the new Class 730 Aventra entered service. Of course, this has taken much longer than anticipated but the process has, at last, begun. Last week three units went to Wolverton Works and today, one of those was sent north having had its identity removed.

A very dull autumn afternoon found me out locally to capture, ostensibly, a Northern unit move to Wolverton but in doing this I managed to photograph a number of freights and an interesting light engine move. Due to the grey and drab weather, the quality of the images is poor with Photoshop having to work hard!

A. Sunday morning walk through the village to see an infrastructure working making its way back from its overnight work site to Bescot yard.

Despite the relentless dull and grey weather that had been prevailing for over a week now I was determined to get out on this Saturday morning! There was plenty to see including a Class 86 hauled charter, two returning units from Wolverton and a light Class 37. Also, to celebrate my one hundredth trip of 2024 I was able to have a Costa coffee and breakfast!

 

After nine days of unprecedented anticyclonic gloom with not a sign of the sun, it finally put in a little weak appearance! This coincided with the return of the stock from yesterday's Blackpool Can-Can charter so I could not resist a short walk out to see it.

A dull and grey morning found Andy and I heading to the ECML between Sandy and St. Neots to see one of the Christmas White Rose steam-hauled charters running on this day. Amazingly, north of Peterborough this charter would be followed by the second charter of the same name hauled by 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' - what a treat for the enthusiast!

Despite it being a bitterly cold late autumn day I took a walk around the village in between my chores! Unfortunately, I missed two unusual workings but that's how our hobby goes!

Another case of train photography madness took place on this morning. With named storm Bert fast approaching I took the crazy decision to go out in virtual darkness to see the steam-hauled Cheshireman charter pass close to home. Given the cold and damp weather, I anticipated some exhaust from the Black5 and that in itself was well worth the effort! It wasn't long before I returned home for a cup of tea and some shelter.

Taking a week off work to undertake some decorating found me taking a break from my tasks to get out and see the passing of a steam-hauled empty stock move passing through the village.

For the second day on the trot, I took a break from my home decorating responsibilities to capture the passage of a rare working whilst the ceiling emulsion was drying! Rather than steam, as per yesterday, today it was veteran Class 37 towing some redundant EMUs from Wolverton Works to Long Marston.

 

Yet another very dull and grey December day found me out for a short time between decorating! I popped out on Bertie the Brompton to capture the passage of the 5Z72 returning steam-hauled empty stock from Southall to Crewe that was seen outward on Monday but then in bright sunshine! 

A quick check of RTT indicated a possible stock move would be taking place coinciding with me working close to the WCML in Milton Keynes. Indeed, it did run so I took a short break and a walk from my work job to the line complete with my trusty step ladder to elevate me over the parapet of the Redway bridge.

This day out with Andy was significant on two counts. Firstly, we vowed at the start of 2024 that we would have a railway-related activity at least once per month throughout the year and this one completed this task. Secondly, it was also Andy's birthday that is something else that we both try to celebrate with a railway activity in both of our cases. It was a shame that the weather was so poor but, nonetheless, we had a smashing day out with Andy copping two stations meaning all those in Suffolk have now been visited.

For the first time since last summer, my wife and I took a short break in London. We saw a matinee of The Duchess (as in The Duchess of Malfi) staring the excellent Jodie Whittaker and then some Christmas shopping. I also managed an early morning trip to King's Cross for some charter activity.

I took an afternoon walk to coincide with a returning LSL HST set.

During an hour's walk around the village on the first day of my extended Christmas break I captured a variety of workings including a Northern interloper and a triple-header - who said the modern railway is a boring one!

 

The shortest day of the year saw a neat swapover of units at Wolverton Works. An ex-West Midlands Trains Class 323 came down from Allerton for a refurb. and paint with one having had the work completed returning to Merseyside in its new Northern livery. Incidentally, six months ago on the summer solstice Andy and I were 'up north' having a smashing time!