Freights at Ashchurch

[MattW]

Just a couple from the other day, weather was rubbish and man-flu struck but thought I ought to get out to the lineside.

66425 with a Daventry-Wentloog Tesco train


66716 taking some redundant HST stock for store at Long Marston


DRS 68016 and a classmate with a Bridgwater-Crewe flask working

[TimBrown]

Thanks for posting these lineside Ashchurch shots, always amazed at the speed of the Tesco train 1,500 tons at 75 MPH creating its own wind from the slipstream. Surprising that details of the nuclear waste trains are available on line with Realtimes trains and actual passing times on its journey to the North West, even low grade radiation can be dangerous to our well being in the wrong hands. HST's are creating a load of interest now that they will no longer be operating with GWR over the North Cotswold Line, but a number of CrossCountry sets are still working up and down trains through Ashchurch.

Thinking about Stagecoach woes, they and Mr Branson made a right mess of the East Coast Mainline, but I was always impressed with the South West Trains operation in Stagecoach hands, well kept clean stock and running to time (in the main). Midland Mainline seemed satisfactory whenever I used their services in the past too.

Perhaps Stagecoach should make an offer for the DB Schenker operation, test their nerve and marketing skills in the difficult rail freight market now that German State Railways, Deutsche Bahn, want to pull out of their commitments in the UK?

[MattW]

Cheers Tim - I'm making the most of my current time off! Suppose I should do some buses too!

[MattW]

Some more for you.….

66425 again


This is a light load even by the usual nuclear flask standards!


Test coach Caroline being propelled by 37409


47593 light Goodrington -Crewe


NMT/ Flying Banana pausing at Malvern Wells

[TimBrown]

Here are some taken at Fernhill Heath at teatime yesterday;
Ex GOBLIN Gospel Oak to Barking 172003 recently transferred to West Midlands Railway to work locally.

That yellow HST test train which covers big mileages between London, West Wales and the Midlands most days of the week.

A cavalcade from Leicester to The Severn Valley Railway in preparation for the Diesel Gala this weekend 16-18 May.

Also for the Gala a Class 50 and Class 31 running up from Eastleigh to Kidderminster.

[MattW]

Nice one Tim. Thank goodness for modern tech, you can get info on workings you would otherwise never have known were running!

[TimBrown]

Nice one Tim. Thank goodness for modern tech, you can get info on workings you would otherwise never have known were running!

Here are some photos of the cavalcade of preserved locomotives and heritage stock from Severn Valley Railway to Hotchley Hill (East Leake) passing through Worcester Shrub Hill this morning at 09-10 am.

[MattW]

I meant to go out to catch that but forgot it was on. Any idea why it went down to Gloucester to reverse?

[TimBrown]

I meant to go out to catch that but forgot it was on. Any idea why it went down to Gloucester to reverse?

The general thought this morning was that one of the Class 47's was left at Gloucester, but I cannot confirm this!

[MattW]

Cheers Tim