2. The Shakespearean Sonnet positioning move-21.02.25

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2025 > 14. Trip to London-19-22.02.25 > 2. The Shakespearean Sonnet positioning move-21.02.25

After a day at Greenwich, we headed back to our hotel. Whilst my wife took a couple of hours of rest, I headed to Euston and travelled north to a busy Watford Junction to see the terminating 5Z57 Class 20-hauled Shakespearean Sonnet positioning move. There were many enthusiasts gathered on the platform end on this wet, windy and dark Friday evening, many of whom were young lads; the next generation of enthusiasts.

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Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.

350369, LN 16.09 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central (2K43, 4E), Watford Junction station
Using my Oyster account to the full limit of its validity I travelled from Euston to Watford Junction on a London Northwestern service. In the pouring rain at Watford Junction, the rear of the 16.09 Euston to Milton Keynes is seen worked, at the rear, by 350369.
Keywords: 350369 16.09 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central 2K43 Watford Junction station London Northwestern Desiro

377701, SN 16.51 Watford Junction-East Croydon (2O55, 2E), Watford Junction station
I lament the withdrawal of Southern services from Milton Keynes that stopped a few years ago, as we used to use them regularly as an easy alternative way to reach Central London (Kensington Olympia). Now they start from and terminate at Watford Junction using the bay platform ten. The 16.51 to East Croydon is seen worked by Electrostar 377701. Notice the mural in the background that appears to feature a Class 319 in a London Midland livery.
Keywords: 377701 16.51 Watford Junction -East Croydon 2O55 Watford Junction station Southern Electrostar

730018, LN 16.39 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central (2K45, RT) & 730022, LN 16.41 Tring-London Euston (2T50, RT), Watford Junction station
On the very southern section of the West Coast Mainline the Class 730 takeover is taking shape. They have been in regular service for over a year now on local stopper services, but do not go any further than Milton Keynes. To the left, 730018 is working the 16.39 Euston to Milton Keynes whilst to the right 730022 is departing with the 16.41 Tring to Euston service.
Keywords: 730018 16.39 London Euston-Milton Keynes Central 2K45 730022 16.41 Tring-London Euston 2T50 Watford Junction station London Northwester West Midlands Trains

20205, 20007 & 20142, 13.54 Kidderminster SVR-Watford Junction positioning move (1Z57, 6E), Watford Junction station
It's not very often that one sees a triple-headed English Electric train on the mainline, let alone on the busy West Coast Mainline just north of London! At a wet and dismal Watford Junction, the 13.54 ex Kidderminster SVR positioning move comes to a halt for the passengers to alight and make their own way onwards with the train now running empty stock to Wembley Yard as 5Z27. The trio of locomotives is led by 20205, 20007 and 20142 'Sir John Betjamin' with HST power cars 43430 and 43468 out of sight on the rear. Within a few minutes the platform was absolutely packed with enthusiasts who had alighted from the train; I don't know what Watford Junction knew quite what had hit it!
Keywords: 20205 20007 20142 13.54 Kidderminster SVR-Watford Junction positioning move 1Z57 Watford Junction station Sir John Betjamin

20142, 20007 & 20205, 17.28 Watford Junction-Wembley Yard ECS (5Z57, RT), Watford Junction station
With three thousand horsepower available, the 17.28 Watford Junction to Wembley Yard ECS run should have an easy and straightforward trip through the North London suburbs worked by 20142 'Sir John Betjamin', 20007 and 20205. Notice the throng of enthusiasts gathered on the platform end to witness the lively departure, many of whom had travelled on the train from Kidderminster. The following day, the locomotives and stock would work The Shakespearean Sonnet charter from Paddington.
Keywords: Sir John Betjamin 20142 20007 20205 17.28 Watford Junction-Wembley Yard ECS 5Z57 Watford Junction station Chopper

43480 & 43468, 17.28 Watford Junction-Wembley Yard ECS (5Z57, RT), Watford Junction station
As the 17.28 Watford Junction to Wembley Yard ECS gets away from its starting point led by a trio of Class 20s (20205, 20007 and 20142 'Sir John Betjamin') a pair of Rail Adventure HST cling on to the rear! 43480 and 43468 were powered on and had probably been providing ETH to the train during its run up from Kidderminster. With a mass of enthusiasts gathered on the platform end, the train disappears off into the murk on a dismal Friday evening.
Keywords: 43480 43468 17.28 Watford Junction-Wembley Yard ECS 5Z57, Watford Junction station Railadventure HST

730002, LN 16.15 Tring-London Euston (2T48, 2L), London Euston station
Touching in and out I maximised Oyster validity by travelling from Watford Junction right into Euston on the 16.15 ex Tring service. This marked my first journey aboard a Class 730 since their introduction in late 2023. I found the units fast accelerating and roomy, but as for the lighting, I found it extremely bright with the LEDs bringing an intensity that was, for me at least, verging on being too much! 730002 stands on the blocks at Euston having terminated.
Keywords: 730002 16.15 Tring-London Euston 2T48 London Euston station

Images 1-7 of 7 displayed.