Back on the platform

[Kite159]

I never gave much thought to that pacer pic until the next day and yeah I was pretty happy with it. Reminds me a bit of when they used to unveil Bullys Special Prize on Bullseye Imagine winning a pacer

And I kind of agree on the photos. I've just spent half hour going through my collection of 66s and removing those that are of poor quality, especially where I have multiple shots of the same loco!

As for you not enjoying a pacer album.....I best have a re-think on your Xmas present this year

A photo album of every 155 I suggest

 

[The_Train]

A photo album of every 155 I suggest

Haha, why's that?

 

[alexf380]

I really enjoyed that one, Mr Train. Those pesky IETs really are taking over the east coast now aren't they! Also surprising to see another Sam Fender fan amongst us. Didn't think anyone else had heard of the fella

 

[The_Train]

I really enjoyed that one, Mr Train. Those pesky IETs really are taking over the east coast now aren't they! Also surprising to see another Sam Fender fan amongst us. Didn't think anyone else had heard of the fella

Glad you enjoyed it mate and yeah the East Coast is already very different. Given the popularity of these IETs it won't be long before all we have on our network are IETs and 66s

Love Sam Fender. He came up as recommendation on Deezer last year and I've loved everything he's done so far. A definite Glastonbury headliner of the future.

 

[Kite159]

Haha, why's that?

Because who doesn't love a 155?

 

[The_Train]

Because who doesn't love a 155?

To be fair, they are not units I've ever had much of an opinion on either way. I do love a dogbox though so I suppose I have to love the 155's for giving us those

 

[xotGD]

Because who doesn't love a 155?

I used to be stuck with a 150 most mornings. When it dropped a 155 it was a cause for celebration!

 

[433N]

Looking through an album of pictures of every Pacer would be worse than being subjected to a relative's holiday photos!

I'm hoping Mr_Train doesn't mind indulging me in a short response to this.

Bela Tarr's Satantango opens with 8 minutes of footage of cows (www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXRxosazh6g). It is a piece of cinema that I'd watch over any amount of Bond film anytime .

Besides, surely an album of 79 Pacers would be better than an album of 309 Growlers.

 

[xotGD]

Besides, surely an album of 79 Pacers would be better than an album of 309 Growlers.

There's only one way to find out!

https://www.class37.co.uk/gallery.aspx

 

[Far north 37]

Time to crack on with a few more updates and having left you with my 317 winner whilst it was in a foreign land, it was around a week later on the 20th January that I ventured out next. It was only the short walk to the local as I'd spotted a 0Z92 move from Crewe to Wembley and I was under the impression that it may be a locomotive of interest to me. My impressions were correct as CS liveried 92018 rolled through on it's way to the capital. There was also a Norwich Crown Point to Crewe Electric which was by now only 30 minutes away so I decided to hang around in the hope that it was a required GA 90. I settled myself down at the south end of P3/4 and bizarrely the first two sheds I saw were 66124 and 66125, the former with the Cliffe Vale empties and the latter with an intermodal to London Gateway. Both were duds but it was interesting that I should get consecutive numbers! They would actually be the only sheds I saw during this short stint as the Felixstowe to Trafford Park working made for a pleasant surprise - not only was it a pair of 86s which is a nice sight in itself, it was winners 86637 and 86609 which made for a superb sight
FLT 86s by The_Train

That takes me to having sighted 18 of the 21 class 86s that were intact when I started the hobby up again. Unfortunately since then 86229 has been turned into a tin can so that's never going to be sighted and unless I catch 86251 being moved to the scrapyard then I'm unlikely to ever see that either. So that just leaves 86632 as the final active loco of this class to find.....

(Also, as an aside to this report the above pic gives me an opportunity to ask a question I've been meaning to ask for a while. For those of you who like to take pics of every loco/unit, would you class both locos as being photographed in the above pic as only one is entirely clear or would you have needed to take a 2nd snap of the 2nd loco as it went by? - I know this will probably boil down to preference once again but I'm always intrigued to find out how others work)

Anyway, back to the task in hand and it was over to the Norwich to Crewe working next and my hopes that it would be a winning GA 90 being moved were dashed as it was 90014 which I had previously seen at both Norwich and Ipswich but I did grab a winner still and it was a much better winner as 37401 went into the book as it hauled the 90 to Crewe Electric
37401 and 90014 by The_Train

The following day, I was heading back from town when a quick check of RTT showed a Wembley to Crewe 5Z91 working. I suspected it may be 92018 at the helm as it had gone down the previous day but I decided to head onto the platform anyway. My first sighting was actually 350404 which was my first sighting of this unit in it's new LNWR livery and working on their network. 390156 also went by in it's new Avanti livery before my classic electric traction came by with duds 90028 and 90036
90s on the fasts by The_Train

90036 has been out on test for the new Blackpool-London GC workings over recent days so I assume the next time I see it through Stafford will be under a different guise than as a container hauler.

Next up was the 5Z91 working from Wembley and it was indeed 92018 hauling a rake of ex CS coaches to Crewe H.S for onward delivery to their new homes on preserved railways
92018 by The_Train

I made a quick check on RTT and a Crewe Basford Hall to Nottingham Eastcroft working had gone in to the schedules so I hung around for another 15 minutes or so to see Colas 67027 hauling required 56094 back to base camp
56094 by The_Train

A decent few days and all 4 winners are what I would describe as good winners, especially those 86s considering the fact that these locos are living on borrowed time. Next up was my first real outing of the year...…...

Another good read as always i need 86632 one of my last two with 86612.

 

[The_Train]

Another good read as always i need 86632 one of my last two with 86612.

Is 632 active at the moment? Should probably make an effort to nab it if it is.

Interestingly 86251 (along with 90050) was moved to a different resting place in Basford over the weekend. I think I read that they have been moved closer to the FLR offices - does that make it any easier to see from the main lines and more importantly does it make it easier for road transport to take the sorry pair away?

 

[86247]

86632 was seen at Maryland on 27/2/20 according to trainlogger so it's still active, but their can't be much time left for the 86/6s. Interestingly 86612 was at Stratford the day after.

 

[Far north 37]

Is 632 active at the moment? Should probably make an effort to nab it if it is.

Interestingly 86251 (along with 90050) was moved to a different resting place in Basford over the weekend. I think I read that they have been moved closer to the FLR offices - does that make it any easier to see from the main lines and more importantly does it make it easier for road transport to take the sorry pair away?

Yes it worked 4L89 from basford hall to ipswich earlier with 86605 86608 and 86637 in regards to 90050 believe its moved to the depot for further component recovery not sure how visible it is.

 

[xotGD]

Component recovery? No way! 90050 on its way back, especially for those of us who require it for haulage

 

[86247]

I'm sure 90050 has got a cracked frame from the fire damage it sustained. Be a case of get what u can from it and scrap the empty shell. Think most of us need it for haulage me included.I remember me and my mate went in the cab at one of the crewe works days. happy days.

 

[Kite159]

Yes it worked 4L89 from basford hall to ipswich earlier with 86605 86608 and 86637 in regards to 90050 believe its moved to the depot for further component recovery not sure how visible it is.

You can view it if you happen to go past on the goods lines, looked a sorry sight when I saw it on Saturday

 

[The_Train]

Yes it worked 4L89 from basford hall to ipswich earlier with 86605 86608 and 86637 in regards to 90050 believe its moved to the depot for further component recovery not sure how visible it is.

According to TOPS and RTT it looks like 632 is heading into the Stafford area now so that's another opportunity missed at least I know its still working but I guess I best get out sooner rather than later to get it ticked off

 

[The_Train]

You can view it if you happen to go past on the goods lines, looked a sorry sight when I saw it on Saturday

I guess you were on a special of some sort on Saturday then mate? Or have Avanti opened up a new route

 

[Kite159]

I guess you were on a special of some sort on Saturday then mate? Or have Avanti opened up a new route

Pathfinder tour to Manchester
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53306/2020-03-07/detailed

 

[The_Train]

Pathfinder tour to Manchester
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53306/2020-03-07/detailed

Nice! Good outing?

 

[Kite159]

Nice! Good outing?

It was a good little gricers tour for freight bits in Manchester

 

[Techniquest]

I meant to comment the other day, when I read your latest reports, but yeah I'm seemingly always busy lately and I didn't get around to it somehow. However, I did rather enjoy the reads, not that I expect anything less from your reports!

I do have to comment though on the lack of character on the ECML that you mentioned, now the Azumas have mostly taken over the route. In a way, yeah I suppose I'd have to agree, there's less variety over there these days. However I also have to disagree, as the main places of interest from a spotter's point of view will still have variety. Peterborough and Doncaster will still have a mix of TOCs and fleets running through the areas, and York's going to be even better than it was in my opinion.

Yes we've no longer got HSTs screaming away under that roof, but we do have 68s and that's certainly a fine choice by me. When I look back at the fumes emitted by HSTs, and let's be fair the clouds of exhaust fumes that would often erupt after a lengthy idle could be quite significant, and compare it to what we have now, the difference is huge. And as unpopular an opinion as it is, I don't really care much for the 91s and MK4 sets, so I'll be happy to see them go.

It took me a good while to adjust to the IETs being all over the place on the GWML, but they've grown on me and I'm perfectly happy with having them as an HST replacement. I spent a while, on my long journey from Reading to Hereford recently, looking back at how it used to be on the route between Oxford and Worcester. Short platforms, manual doors on HSTs, much less double track, semaphore signalling and much less accessible stations. It seems such a backwards world compared to what it's like now, with stations like Honeybourne and Charlbury far bigger than they used to be. Service is also far more regular, and a lot less wasting time at Evesham for trains coming off single line sections.

It still happens, of course, and inevitably will until we finally have double track through to Norton Junction, but that's an entirely different discussion. Same for the other end, double track through from Wolvercot Junction to Charlbury would be ideal too. Again, an entirely different topic...Point being, I eventually adjusted to the new fleet and I'm sure everyone on the ECML will too.

Back to the ECML character thing, I remain convinced it will retain that for a very long time yet. It's not just the trains that give it character, it's the stations and staff too. I was watching Geoff Marshall's recent video on Acklington last night, and that station really does have character to it, a really big rural station feel as if it's on the Heart of Wales or similar. Yet it's on the ECML. Similar I found when I did Chathill a few years back, its charm and character is not likely to change any time soon.

Even then, the infrastructure in general brings character to the ECML. York station is obviously one of the big symbols of the ECML, Newcastle too. They've both got their quirks and unusual operations, such as the York avoiding line and the two ways into and out of Newcastle. Then there's the Royal Border Bridge, another infrastructure highlight, and even Retford gets special mention in my opinion, what with its unusual little link from the northbound platform to the Sheffield line underneath it with what are effectively two single line spurs.

I'm sure I could go on for ages about the ECML, even though it's not a route I really enjoy or use much, but I'm sure my point's been made. In my opinion, the route still retains its character even though the IC trains have been mostly modernised.

 

[Skymonster]

@The_Train - I seem to recall one of your next planned outings is to the Chinnor and Princess Risborough gala in a couple of weeks, so I presume you are aware the class 58 isn’t happening now (if that was the influencing factor)?

 

[The_Train]

I meant to comment the other day, when I read your latest reports, but yeah I'm seemingly always busy lately and I didn't get around to it somehow. However, I did rather enjoy the reads, not that I expect anything less from your reports!

I do have to comment though on the lack of character on the ECML that you mentioned, now the Azumas have mostly taken over the route. In a way, yeah I suppose I'd have to agree, there's less variety over there these days. However I also have to disagree, as the main places of interest from a spotter's point of view will still have variety. Peterborough and Doncaster will still have a mix of TOCs and fleets running through the areas, and York's going to be even better than it was in my opinion.

Yes we've no longer got HSTs screaming away under that roof, but we do have 68s and that's certainly a fine choice by me. When I look back at the fumes emitted by HSTs, and let's be fair the clouds of exhaust fumes that would often erupt after a lengthy idle could be quite significant, and compare it to what we have now, the difference is huge. And as unpopular an opinion as it is, I don't really care much for the 91s and MK4 sets, so I'll be happy to see them go.

It took me a good while to adjust to the IETs being all over the place on the GWML, but they've grown on me and I'm perfectly happy with having them as an HST replacement. I spent a while, on my long journey from Reading to Hereford recently, looking back at how it used to be on the route between Oxford and Worcester. Short platforms, manual doors on HSTs, much less double track, semaphore signalling and much less accessible stations. It seems such a backwards world compared to what it's like now, with stations like Honeybourne and Charlbury far bigger than they used to be. Service is also far more regular, and a lot less wasting time at Evesham for trains coming off single line sections.

It still happens, of course, and inevitably will until we finally have double track through to Norton Junction, but that's an entirely different discussion. Same for the other end, double track through from Wolvercot Junction to Charlbury would be ideal too. Again, an entirely different topic...Point being, I eventually adjusted to the new fleet and I'm sure everyone on the ECML will too.

Back to the ECML character thing, I remain convinced it will retain that for a very long time yet. It's not just the trains that give it character, it's the stations and staff too. I was watching Geoff Marshall's recent video on Acklington last night, and that station really does have character to it, a really big rural station feel as if it's on the Heart of Wales or similar. Yet it's on the ECML. Similar I found when I did Chathill a few years back, its charm and character is not likely to change any time soon.

Even then, the infrastructure in general brings character to the ECML. York station is obviously one of the big symbols of the ECML, Newcastle too. They've both got their quirks and unusual operations, such as the York avoiding line and the two ways into and out of Newcastle. Then there's the Royal Border Bridge, another infrastructure highlight, and even Retford gets special mention in my opinion, what with its unusual little link from the northbound platform to the Sheffield line underneath it with what are effectively two single line spurs.

I'm sure I could go on for ages about the ECML, even though it's not a route I really enjoy or use much, but I'm sure my point's been made. In my opinion, the route still retains its character even though the IC trains have been mostly modernised.

Nice post mate and some very valid points, particularly regarding the character of the line itself. My thought process was regarding a lack of HST's on the line which I will always find a sad omission whenever I venture over that side of the world

 

[The_Train]

@The_Train - I seem to recall one of your next planned outings is to the Chinnor and Princess Risborough gala in a couple of weeks, so I presume you are aware the class 58 isn’t happening now (if that was the influencing factor)?

I appreciate the heads up as always mate

It wasn't an influencing factor, the Deltic was the thing that actually caught my eye originally as I've never seen one operational. The 58 was going to be a major bonus but I've actually decided to not bother now anyway as I can see these sort of events being cancelled in the coming weeks and I'd rather limit my chances of coming into contact with this virus anyway (more because I wouldn't want to pass it on to my parents as opposed to being overly concerned about me having it)

Here's hoping the 58 makes some appearances elsewhere

 

[xotGD]

the Deltic was the thing that actually caught my eye originally as I've never seen one operational

That might explain your positive opinion of HSTs!

 

[The_Train]

That might explain your positive opinion of HSTs!

My positive opinions of HSTs are because they are amongst the greatest machines ever produced

 

[xotGD]

My positive opinions of HSTs are because they are amongst the greatest machines ever produced

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that!

 

[The_Train]

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that!

I'll agree to that

 

[The_Train]

Well after my trip to Doncaster at the end of January, it was into February before I found myself back on the platform when on the 3rd I spotted that the 5P55 Coton Hill to Crewe H.S working that had teased me for weeks before by starting and then turning back was actually running. I ventured across to the local just in time to spy 350401 in its new LNWR colours for the first time before dud 66126 went by on it's way to Daventry working for DRS on loan from DB. The working I had gone out for was soon coming by and the bad news was that it was dud 45231 "The Sherwood Forester" but, although not being a massive steam fan, I always find seeing a bit of steam as good news. If my memory serves me right, this run was part of ongoing testing of the loco after it had received some treatment. There wasn't anything spectacular showing on RTT so I decided to call it a day there but on my walk home, duds 90028 and 90036 went past with a late running 4M25 Mossend to Daventry.
Steam at Stafford by The_Train

A week or so later, whilst perusing railway forums I caught wind of a move that was very much of interest to me - a move from Bury on the ELR to Alton down in Hampshire. I made sure to get to the station in good time for this one as I expected one or 2 people to be there and sure enough the platforms were fairly busy with camera's. I took my place at the north end of P1 as it was pathed through the fasts and from here managed a dud shed, a dud 70007 and dud 325013 along with the usual plethora of units. Having been held outside the station for around 5 minutes, the star of the show was chugging in as 60103 "Flying Scotsman" made it's way to the Mid-Hants Railway. Amazingly, it had taken me nearly 2 years after getting back into the hobby to see this fantastic machine and the driving team didn't disappoint as they put on a bit of a steam show as it entered the station - unfortunately this coincided with my position and meant my pics showed half a loco as the rest disappeared into the cloud of steam I'm sure you all know what she looks like anyway

3 days later and I was back again for a very short stint. In fact, it was one working that tempted me out yet again and this time it was a modern classic. I cut things a bit fine in terms of getting to the station and only had a few minutes before 86401 passed through in it's Caledonian Sleeper colours as it made it's way from Wembley to Carnforth Steamtown and it's new home with West Coast Railway Company
Off to a new home by The_Train

There was another freight working within the next few minutes so decided to hang around to see dud 66568 head north with 4M81 Felixstowe to Basford Hall.

Another week flew by and it was yet another solitary working that caught my eye on RTT on the 21st February with rumours afoot that it could well be the latest acquisition of Locomotive Services heading for their new home. The beauty of this working was the planned layover over in P6 so it was over the footbridge I went to grab my favoured spot over there and it wasn't too long before the maps showed me that the working was indeed heading into P6, however a quick turn to the signal also showed me that it was being pathed straight through - might as well have sent it through 5?!?!? Anyway, that wasn't the important thing, what was important was the sound of the chopper as 20096, dud for everything including haulage after myself and @47403 enjoyed a bit of chopper action at the ELR last summer, lead required for everything 20107 through and if that sight wasn't enough 37667/D6851 brought up the rear of the 3 loco working in it's fantastic BR Green livery
Locos Galore!!!! by The_Train

There was no time to hang around as it was Friday and Friday afternoon is all about cleaning so it was straight off home after seeing that but was well worth the wander across to the station for. 3 winners from this little catch up, but not a bad 3 winners if I do say so myself!!!