56103, etc!

MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 20:22 Friday 15th May 2020

Some from yesterday and today chasing 56103. Light to Cardiff, then empty stock to Long Marston, I'm not sure whether for storage or refurb. Seen at Ashchurch, Abbotswood, Pershore and Norton Jn.
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Also 66722 with an Avonmouth - Penyffordd cement working at Abbotswood
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And finally a southbound XC HST at Besford.
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TimBrown
Posts: 1280
Joined: 05:59 Monday 4th July 2016
Location: Worcester

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by TimBrown » 12:01 Saturday 16th May 2020

Thanks Matt for the pictures of 56103, I haven't been line side for many weeks since the Covid 19 lock-down just used the car once a week to Tesco's at The Lyppards for the weekly shop - felt guilty giving it a run back via Martin Hussingtree and Ombersley but now we are allowed to travel will have a look at one or two easy-access country venues and watch the rail activity. Probably not allowed on the stations yet unless travelling to work; I am reliably informed that British Transport Police are actively patrolling Shrub Hill and Foregate making sure nobody breaks the rules - golden days!

The Class 56 and Class 58 were built to haul heavy coal MGR trains and I have memories of a few trips to Retford watching the East Coast Main Line on the high level and MGR trains roaring up and down the low level underneath feeding large power stations. Now coal is a dirty word and the other main heavy haul traffic in form of steel from South Wales is all but gone too.

TimBrown
Posts: 1280
Joined: 05:59 Monday 4th July 2016
Location: Worcester

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by TimBrown » 14:14 Saturday 16th May 2020

Way back in 1 July 1990, Pathfinder Railtours organised a number of freight locomotive hauled enthusiasts passenger trains running between Birmingham New Street and Bristol temple meads. I managed to time some of these trips against mileposts, and attach a sample as they are quite an eye opener;
Gloucester 150 1 Jul 1990 001.jpg
Note the Class 58 running close to 90 MPH with 12 coaches, the pair of 37s in the mid 90's MPH and the Class 56 romping over the top of Lickey incline at 60 MPH albeit with light 6 coach load - still quick though!
Gloucester 150 1 Jul 1990 002.jpg
Gloucester 150 1 Jul 1990 003.jpg
Gloucester 150 1 Jul 1990 004.jpg

MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 21:15 Saturday 16th May 2020

Excellent, great days. I'm only sorry I wasn't so interested back then! 90mph with a 58 must have been some experience :shock: 8-) 8-)

chason
Posts: 242
Joined: 14:24 Friday 22nd July 2016
Location: Bromsgrove

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by chason » 13:27 Sunday 17th May 2020

Fascinating stuff. Many thanks Matt and Tim.

MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 20:11 Sunday 17th May 2020

Hoping to get out and do some more over the coming weeks.

MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 21:03 Wednesday 20th May 2020

Here's a few more for you.

37025 'Inverness TMD'
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ROG 47813 'Jack Frost' powers up
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GBRf 66709 with a Clitheroe-Avonmouth cement train.
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TimBrown
Posts: 1280
Joined: 05:59 Monday 4th July 2016
Location: Worcester

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by TimBrown » 10:59 Thursday 21st May 2020

Excellent shots Matt, but 'Jack Frost' definitely not to Euro 6 exhaust emission standard, putting out more NOX in a minute than the average diesel car in a year; however in the past I have timed a number of Class 47 doing 100 MPH on passenger trains down the same stretch of line as your photo.

MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 11:15 Thursday 21st May 2020


MattW
Posts: 979
Joined: 20:42 Sunday 3rd July 2016
Location: Cornwall

Re: 56103, etc!

Post by MattW » 09:15 Thursday 28th May 2020

Down at Grange Court, south west of Gloucester. This is where the line to Ross-on-Wye diverged until closure in 1964. Some good info here - note that the up loop was still extant in 2005, but has since been abandoned.
http://northwood-green.net/GCJ/index.htm

Here's a Robeston-Westerleigh fuel train headed by 60063.
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