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April 2012
Teenage Spirit on the 6E41 Westerleigh to Lindsey
On the 21st April 2012, DB Schenker's Sky Blue 60074 'Teenage Spirit' powers the 6E41 Westerleigh to Lindsey tanks at Wickwar.
Double-headed Grids work empty scrap to Chaddesden
On the 20th April 2012, in terrible photographic conditions, Grey with yellow cab ends, DCR branding and Railfest Advertisements 56312 leds Ex-Fastline liveried 56302 whilst powering the mighty 6Z34 Cardiff Tidal to Chaddesden empty scrap train at Ashchurch.
Royal Train Coaches tested on the WCML behind 67025
On the 20th April 202, I went to Ansty and photographed DB Schenker's EWS 67025 Western Star hauling the 5Z90 12:00 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Crewe and return Royal Train ECS adjacent to the Oxford Canal. The Royal train coaches were being tested hence the ECS move.
Colas Tamper at Ansty adjacent to the Oxford Canal
Prior to the ECS move, I photographed Colas Rail DR73942 heading north towards Nuneaton at Ansty adjacent to the picturesque Oxford Canal on the 20th April 2012.
Four Fertis Class '56s' finally depart Crewe behind 66847
On the 20th April 2012. Colas Rail 66847 went light engine as the 0Z47 Washwood Heath to Crewe DMD to pick up DB stored locomotives - 56051, 56065, 56078 and 56049 which all still carry faded Fertis livery. The colourful combination is illustrated here at Dunston south of Stafford with 66847 leading Four Grids as the 0Z56 09:33 Crewe to Kingsbury. 56065 and 56051 would then be taken forward by 66847 to Burton Nemesis Rail as the 0Z57 whilst 56078 and 56049 would be dumped at Kingsbury.
Br Large Logo Blue 47580 works Statesman tour
Br Large Logo Blue liveried 47580 leads WCRC 57601 on the 1Z42 06:17 Lancaster to Penzance Statesman railtour at Dunston south of Stafford on the 20th April 2012.
Signal Farce leads to Compass Tour starting an hour late
On the 20th April 2012, Two-Ex Celebrity '47s' in their final days of Virgin both now sporting the WCRC house colours, 47851 (ex-Br Two Tone Green) led 47826 (ex-Inter City) top-and-tailed on the 1Z91 06:27 Kidderminster to Carlisle via the Settle and Carlisle Compass railtours. The train was delayed due to a signal failure resulting in the ECS movement from Worcester leaving over 90 minutes late which ultimately led to the train departing Kidderminster just over an hour late, I photographed the tour flying through Norton Bridge.
Network Rail 70010 works to Mountsorrel...
On the 20th April 2012, Freightliner's 70010 powering the 6U76 Crewe Basford Hall to Mountsorrel Network Rail Yellow ballast boxes at Norton Bridge.
DB Management Train works to Dagenham & Paddington
On the 20th April 2012. DB Schenker branded Silver 67029 powering the DB Management train with DVT 82146 trailing at Marston Green nearing Birmingham International with the 5Z05 07:45 Bescot to Birmingham International. The unique train would then visit Dagenham and London Paddington before returning to Toton.
London Underground Tube Coach 5041 is photographed on a Low Loader on the M42 on the 20th April 2012
66720 makes first visit to South West in Rainbow livery
An unconventional yet striking livery variation is the GBRF 'rainbow' liveried 66720 which is illustrated leading First GBRf liveried 66723 'Chinook' on the 4V94 10:12 Doncaster Robert Roads Shed to Portbury GBRF Biomass train at Charfield on the 16th April 2012. The eye-catching livery was designed by 6 year old Emily Goodman and ex-Metronet Pathfinder 66720 carries a different version on each side, a daytime version (as seen in the photograph above) and a night-time version (which can also be viewed by clicking here)
East Midlands Trains 43076 is hired in by Cross Country
East Midlands Trains 43076 leads Cross Country 43303 on the 1v50 Leeds to Plymouth Cross Country service at Charfield on the 15th April 2012. 43076 was hired in to replace the failed 43301.
DRS 66429 returns the Tesco Express to Daventry
On the 15th April 2012, DRS 66429 leads the 4M36 Wentloog to Daventry Tesco Express at Thornwell.
47812 and 56312 work 6Z56 Cardiff Tidal to Stockton
On the 14th April 2012, Riviera Train's Br Two Tone Green liveried 47812 (D1916) worked a 5Z47 Burton (Nemesis Rail) to Cardiff Canton consisting of six Cargo-D Blue/Grey coaches. The Brush Type 4 then returned north by pairing up with 56312 which had worked the 6Z34 down on Thursday (click here for photographs). 47812 on hire to DCR/BARS leads Railfest advertisement branded 56312 on the 6Z56 13:35 Cardiff Tidal to Stockton empty scrap at Thornwell. 56302 remains in Cardiff Central.
47812 returns with 56312 on empty scrap to Stockton
After working the 5Z47 and with no reports of the 6Z34 Cardiff Tidal to Chaddesden empty scrap moving, it became inevitable that 47812 would pair with 56312 to return north, although 56302 was still left in Cardiff. The 6Z56 13:35 Cardiff Tidal to Stockton empty scrap working replaced the 6Z34, and was led by DCR hired-in Riviera Train's Br Two Tone Green 47812 which worked in multi with BAR's 56312 and is illustrated here running over an hour late a
47812 on hire to DCR hauls 6 coaches to Canton Pullmans
Riviera Trains' Br Two Tone Green 47812 currently on hire to DCR in miserable conditions rounds the curve at Thornwell whilst powering the 5Z47 09:15 Burton Wetmore to Cardiff Canton Pullman Rail consisting of six Cargo D blue/grey coaches on the 14th April 2012. The coaches are believed to be for Arriva Trains Wales although this is unconfirmed.
Grid 56312 ventures down to South Wales on Scrap
BARS operated 6Z34 10:40 Chaddesden Sidings to Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap worked on the 12th April 2012 in the hands of Railfest advertisement branded 56312 complete with yellow cab ends and DCR branding. The Grid had worked yesterday from Shipley to Chaddesden and continued south today, photographed here at Thornwell. Below: The Grid speeds through Newport on the 6Z34.
AGI 59005 works the heaviest freight working in the UK
Aggregate Industries liveried 59005 rounds the curve at the popular Crofton location powering the mighty 7A09 Merehead to Acton Yard jumbo trainthe heaviest freight working in the UK on the 11th April 2012.
Hanson 59104 works Wednesdays only Theale to Whatley
Hanson liveried 59104 storms through the picturesque Crofton adjacent to the Kennet and Avon Canal powering the mighty 7C31 09:45 Theale to Whatley stone empties in a lucky patch of sunshine on the 11th April 2012.
70000 'Britannia' leaves the WSR in readiness for tomorrow's Cathedrals Express
70000 'Britannia' creeps through Crofton powering the 5Z31 Bishops Lydeard to Southall Support coach move on the 11th April 2012. The steam loco will work tomorrows Cathedral Express from London Victoria to Bristol Temple Meads tomorrow.
Clan Line works the VSOE Excursion to Bristol
35028 Clan Line glides through Crofton powering the 1Z95 London Victoria to Bristol Temple Meads VSon the 11th April 2012.
Colas 47739 makes a nostalgic sight departing Llanwern with several steel wagons for Washwood Heath
On the 11th April 2012, Colas Rail's 47739 Robin of Templecombe went light engine as the 0Z47 ex-Washwood Heath to Llanwern exchange sidings to pick up nine covered steel wagons. I photographed 47739 departing Llanwern at Bishton hauling the 6Z47 14:14 Llanwern to Washwood Heath. The Brush type 4 will take the wagons tomorrow to Long Marston for storage. I also photographed the nostalgic consist at Thornwell near Chepstow.
Double headed GBRF '66s' on the Biomass at Charfield
Europorte GBRf liveried 66733 leads GBRf liveried 66701 hauling the 4V94 Doncaster to Portbury Biomass train at Charfield on the 6th April 2012.
66424 powers a mega late Good Friday Tesco Express
DRS 66424 powers the 4V38 Daventry to Wentloog LESS CO2 Tesco Express at Thormwell on the 6th April 2012.
DB Schenker's 66155 works the Redcar on Good Friday
On the 6th April 2012, DB Schenker's EWS 66155 powers the 4E66 Margam to Redcar loaded coke at Naas Crossing, Lydney.
DB 60079 powers the mighty 6B13 on Good Friday
DB Schenker's 60079 rounds the curve at Gatcombe powering the 6B13 Robeston to Westerleigh loaded murco bogie tanks on the 6th April 2012.
DRS '37s' visit Newport to turn Scottish tour ECS around
On the 5th April 2012, DRS 37608 leads 37069 top-and-tailed on the 5Z26 Crewe CS to Exeter St Davids ECS at Newport in platform 4. The train went into Newport station to reverse the stock, therefore the MK2 TSO was now at the rear of the train facing Cardiff. The Growlers had missed out their scheduled stop in Hereford to allow enough time for the turnabout to be completed without running late. The ECS was for Pathfinder's Scottish Excursion from Exeter St Davids to Dumbarton, Stranraer and Oban over the Easter Weekend. There are some further photographs of the ECS in Newport below:
DB Schenker '60s' to the rescue as 66086 and 60007 fail
On the 4th April 2012, DB Schenker's 60063 made a rare appearance on the 6V67 Redcar to Margam loaded Coke due to the failure of 66086 which had failed near Broadholme, Derby whilst working the train. 60063 was sent to rescue the train and led the shed dead in train and the consist all the way to South Wales. The eye-catching consist is photographed at Duffryn near Newport. 60079 was sent as the 1Z99 Llanwern to Gloucester to rescue failed 60007 which was typically hauling the 6B13 Robeston to Westerleigh loaded murco bogie tanks. The Tug had been experiencing power problems since Pontyclun and eventually failed with a loss of power at Gloucester. I photographed the double-headed '60s' at Charfield with 60079 leading 60007 and running about 213minutes late.
66433 works 4Z38 Daventry to Wentloog Tesco Express
On the 2nd April 2012, DRS 66433 leads the 4Z38 Daventry to Wentloog off the M48 Severn Bridge near Chepstow. A fatality in the rugby area led to the cancellation of the 4V38 and the creation of the later timed 4Z38. 66431 was originally working the 4V38 but only got as far as Rugby before being dragged back to Daventry by another '66' due to the farce. 4Z38 was later worked by 66433.
Tesco Express diverted via due to Lydney Line Closure
Due to the closure of the Lydney line, the Tesco Express was diverted via the Severn Tunnel to Wentloog and diverted via the marches on return on the 1st April 2012, although the train runs via the marches mondays-fridays anyways, the earlier sunday timings presented a golden opportunity to photograph the train on the marches route in daylight. DRS' ex-fastline 66304 speeds through Ponthir powering the 4M36 Wentloog to Daventry Tesco Express.
Metronet 66718 hauls empty box wagons to Doncaster
GBRF's Metronet liveried 66718 powers the 6Z33 Cardiff Tidal to Hexthorpe empty box wagons at Llandevenny on the 1st April 2012.