A Christmas Cracker

Yes it really is a Christmas cracker of a post today, 16th December 2014, with 21 pics to view from six contributors.

WINWICK & ELSEWHERE

First up are five pics from Jeff Nicholls. Number one features a Pendolino unit speeding through Bamfurlong in striking morning light. The pic is dated 25th November 2014.

A second shot from Jeff shows a new loco-hauled Arriva  Trains Wales service connecting Chester - Manchester - Holyhead - Manchester - Llandudno to pass through our patch four times daily, on weekdays. Pictured is class 67, 67001 on a Manchester Picadilly - Holyhead working taken in Culcheth on 15th December 2014. DVT 82308 was at the head.

Pic three from Jeff shows one of the recent DRS class 68s, 68003, on a route learner/driver training exercise through Winwick, on 3rd December 2014.

Jeff's fourth shot of class (EWS) DBS class 92, 92039 Johann Strauss, heading a 'Tesco Express', was taken near Winwick from Burtonwood Road, on 3rd December 2014.

A Christmas Mail working through Winwick is the fifth and final shot from Jeff. At the head is DBS class 90, 90028. The working was Dallam Mail  Depot - Shieldmuir empty vans and the date, 3rd December 2014. 

Next up are five shots from Colin Platt, taken on his visits to the NYMR and the SVR, Number one features Charles Collett's 'Castle' class 4-6-0 No.5029 Nunney Castle heading a passenger service at Beck Hole on the NYMR.  The pic is dated 26th September 2014. 

Next from Colin is a pic of an Oliver Bulleid, 'Light Pacific' (BOB), No.34053 Sir Keith Park (re-built by BR).  The location was Eardington Halt on the SVR and the date, 20th September 2014.

Ex Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway class '7F' 2-8-0, No.88 of Henry Fowler, is up next in Colin's third shot. Pictured approaching Bewdley on the SVR on 18th September 2014.

Next is Colin's pic of Edward Thompson 'B1' class 4-6-0, No.61264 masquerading as class member 61034 Chiru, The location is Grosmont (opposite the shed) on the NYMR and the date, 25th September 2014.










The fifth and final shot from Colin features two locomotives -  BR 'Standard' class '5' 4-6-0, No.73129 and BR Western Region ( Frederick Hawksworth), class '15', 0-6-0 pannier tank, No.1501. The location was Bewdley and the date, 18th September 2014.









Another five shots now follow, these courtesy of Alan Rigby. His first four shots all show different views of East Coast class 91, 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. His first shows the locomotive in York station on 4th December 2014.








A small part of the same side is shown in this pic - the nameplate.  Location and date the same.










Another part of the same side is pictured here, towards the back of the loco. Location and date the same.










The main decal from the opposite side of the loco is pictured here. Location and date the same.

Alan's final shot was taken as East Coast class 91, 91111 Lest We Forget was passing the National Railway Museum in York. The date was the same, 4th December 2014.









John Smith has sent in the next four shots. His first and second show the WCRC class 57s, 57316 (tail) and 57314 (head)  on an Oxley - Carnforth empty coach stock move. This one has 57316 in the foreground, on the tail.







This pic of the same working has class 57, 57314 in the foreground, at the head.










The third shot from John features DBS class 90, 90036 on a Dallam Mail Depot - Shieldmuir  working on 12th December 2014. The location was Winwick.









DRS class 66, 66427 is pictured next in John's fourth shot heading a Carlisle - Crewe empty stock move. The pic is dated 7th December 2014 and the location was Winwick.









David Quayle has sent in the next two shots. His first features the former L&YR class '27', 0-6-0 tender locomotive, No.12322 (52322), of John Aspinall. Gresley 'Streaks' 60009 Union of South Africa and 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley are waiting in the background, at Bury. The pic is dated 18th October 2014.

The second pic from David, shows ex Midland Railway class '4F' 0-6-0, No 43924 of Henry Fowler; it was the first loco rescued from Barry Scrapyard in September 1968. The pic was taken at Bewdley on 9th September 2014.

More from Preserved Railways

As the title describes this post, 2nd December 2014, features several more shots from the Autumn Preserved Railway Galas.


WINWICK & ELSEWHERE


First up are two pics from Bevan Price.  His first shows GBRf class 66, 66749 on an Ironbridge - LBT biomass working at Huyton, on 28th November 2014.








Number two from Bevan depicts two DRS class 20's topping and tailing a Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT). At the head is 20303 with 20304 on the rear. The location was Brough in Yorkshire and the date, 1st November 2014.








The next shot has been sent in by Geoff Monks. Pictured is 'Northern Belle' liveried class 47, 47790 Galloway Princess leaving Bolton on 20th November 2014 with a Buckshaw Parkway - Manchester Victoria Christmas 'Special'. The train was for Christmas shoppers, operated by Northern Rail using hired DRS stock. On the tail was DRS class 47, 47818.





The following four shots are from Jeff Nicholls. The first is a Pendolino shot taken at Bank Quay on 18th November 2014; 390 034 was on a Euston - Glasgow service.











Jeff's second pic is of DRS class 47, 47818 again; same Christmas shopping 'Special' as above but taken at Preston on the same date, 29th November 2014.  Class 47, 47790 was up front.




The same 'Special again is pictured next from Jeff with 47790 at the head passing through Lostock Station near Bolton. 47818 on the rear. The date was the same, 29th November 2014.









Next is a preserved class 40 from Jeff, simply numbered 345. The working was Southport - Saltburn and the location was Ladybridge, near Bolton.








Colin Platt has sent in the next four shots taken at the NYMR recently. First up is a shot taken at Waters Ark (just before Goathland) on 27th September 2014. Pictured is Gresley 'Streak' 4-6-2 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, on a passenger service.







Next from Colin is the back end of the same train with ex Lambton Hetton & Joicey Collieries' 0-6-2T locomotive hard at work pushing. The date was obviously, the same









Colin's third shot features the Churchward '2800' class 2-8-0 No.2807 visiting the NYMR from the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway (GWR). The occasion was the GWR themed Gala which also featured a 'Castle' (No.5029 Nunney Castle) and a class '1500' pannier tank (No.1501). The location was approaching Goathland and the date, 27th September 2014.





The '2800' class 2-8-0 is again featured in Colin's fourth shot taken at Goathland Station on 2nd November 2014. Also in the pic is the ELR class 25, D7628  Sybilla arriving with a service from Pickering. The pic is dated 2nd October 2014.







The final three shots are from David Quayle's visits to two Preserved Railways. Gresley 'Streak' No.60009 Union of South Africa is up first heading a Parcels Charter on the ELR. The location was Ramsbottom and the date, 15th October 2010.






Next from David is a busy shed scene on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway at Haworth. The pic is dated 11th October 2014 and David was up very early in the morning for the shot.








Finally, two Gresley 'Streaks' are featured in this ELR shot from David - 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley on the left and 60009 Union of South Africa waiting in Bury Station, on the right. The pic is dated 18th October 2014.

Steam, Diesel and Electric Traction.

Sorry for the delay in posting but I have been experiencing problems with my computer and 'Blogger' lately. This post, 24th November 2014, features 'Black Fives', a 'Streak', 'sheds', a 'skip' and other examples of traction.


WINWICK AND ELSEWHERE


First up are a couple of shots from John Smith taken at Winwick on 16th November 2014. This one shows Arriva DVT 82307 on a Holyhead - Longsight test run. 'Skip' (class 67) 67013 is on the tail, pushing.






John's second pic shows the same train from the reverse direction.









The following two shots are from Geoff Monks. His first was taken at Hargrave on 22nd November 2014 and features 'A4' class 4-6-2 No.4464 Bittern on the 'Cathedrals Express' running Euston - Chester.






Geoff's second pic features double heading 'Black Fives' 4-6-0s Nos 44871 and 54507 also taken at Hargrave on the same date. The working was Bristol - Crewe.







Next are four shots from Ieuan Wood. His first shows a Castleton - Bristol working with the same two 'Black Fives' at the head, as above. The shot was taken at Newton on 21st November 2014.







Ieuan's second shot is of the 'Streak' again, No.4464 Bittern, taken at Chorlton on the same date as in Geoff's shot above, 22nd November 2014.





Number three from Ieuan is EWS (DBS) class 66 ('shed') 66084, on a Trafford Park- Bescot  intermodal. The location was Chorlton and the date, 22nd November 2014.





Ieuan's fourth and final pic features Freightliner class 90, 90048 at Chorlton again, on 22nd November 2014. The working was Crewe - Ipswick intermodal.






 Now, two shots from Jeff Nicholls both of class 57s and both at Crewe. The first depicts 57304 Pride of Cheshire in sparkling DRS livery on the evening of 18th November 2014.







Next is WCRC class 57 57001, on a Tyseley - Carnforth empty stock move. WCRC class 47, 47832 was dead in tow behind the class 57. Jeff adds that the 47 had recently been repainted in WCRC colours following acquisition from DRS; date as above, 18th November 2014.




Two more from Jeff, both taken at Earlestown on 12th November 2014. First up is a rare sight at Earlestown - a class 390 Pendolino - diverted via the Earlestown - Newton - Parkside Junction route.







Next is EWS (DBS) class 66 (shed) 66301, on a Carlisle - Crewe route learning exercise.









Next are four pics from David Wood. First is a shot from Acton Bridge taken on 3rd November 2014. Pictured is Norther Rail class 319, 319380.







David's second shot shows GBRf class 66, 66742 ABP Port of Immingham Centenary 1912-2012, on a biomass working at Earlestown on 18th November 2014.







Huyton Quarry was the location for David's third shot taken on 19th November 2014. Pictured is First Trans Pennine class 185, 185101.








David's final shot shows Freighliner (leased from DRS) class 66, 66419,  at Folly Lane Runcorn on 3rd November 2014.

Scots Guardsman - Past and Present

In today's post, 11th November 2014, the Fowler/Stanier 4-6-0 steam locomotive, No.46115, is featured in two eras - the 1960's and in modern preservation. 

WINWICK & ELSEWHERE

First up in this post is a pic from Alan Rigby. DBS 'tug' 60020 is shown with FFPS-LBT coal empties, at Huyton Quarry, on 11th November 2014.

Next are four pics sent in by Ieuan Wood. The first two show the 'Northern Belle' Pullman train at Parkside Junction. This one features class 57, 57305 Northern Princess, at the head of the train.  

Ieuan's second shot shows the train from the tail with class 57, 57312 Solway Princess to the fore. Both pics are dated 9th November 2014. 

A track cleaning machine is pictured next, in Ieuan's third shot. DR98904 is shown at Newton-le-Willows on 9th November 2014.

The fourth shot from Ieuan features class 60, 60099, on a Tunstead - Lostock stone working at Newton-le-Willows, on 9th November 2014.

Jeff Nicholls has sent in the next three pics. A Stone-Crewe engineers working passed through Winwick and went on to Springs Branch to turn round. This pic shows the north-bound working with Freightliner class 66, 66591 on the tail. Jeff took this shot at a remarkable iso setting of 4000.

Jeff's second shot taken from the rear again shows the south-bound working with Freightliner class 66, 66513 on the tail. Both shots were taken on 29th October 2014. This was taken at a mere iso 800.

A third pic from Jeff features double-heading DBS 'tugs' 60062 Stainless Pioneer and 60020. The former had failed at LBT and 60020 was sent out to the rescue. The working was coal for FFPS and the date, 15th October 2014.

The following four pics are described briefly in our blog title. The ex LMS 'Royal Scot' class '6P' (BR '7P) 4-6-0, No.46115 Scots Guardsman was one of a class of 70 built from 1927 by Henry Fowler (rebuilt by William Stanier). This pic was taken at Winwick on 7th November 2014 when the loco and support coach passed through in driving rain. The locomotive is owned, in preservation, by the WCRC and operates on the main line.

David's second pic is a close up of the same Carnforth - Southall working, on the same date. 

Pic three from David features Carlisle Kingmoor shed on 30th January 1966 ('Scots' were withdrawn from service between 1962 and 1965). A rusting, forlorn No.46115, Scots Guardsman, is in the centre. To the left is BR 'Britannia' class 4-6-2 No.70042 Lord Roberts with rebuilt 'Patriot' class 4-6-0, No.45530 Sir Frank Ree, to the right.

David's fourth shot shows Scots Guardsman at Perth on 9th July 1965.

The next three pics are also from David Quayle and depict more of his recent trip to the ELR Gala. Taken at Bury on 18th October 2014, Gresley 'Streak' No.60009 Union of South Africa is shown on a passenger service. 

The same locomotive 60009, is pictured on a Parcels Charter on 15th October 2014, at Irwell Vale.

Double-heading locos 12322 (52322) and 13065 (42765) are pictured at Ramsbottom on 18th October 2014. The former is ex L&YR class '27', 0-6-0 tender locomotive, of John Aspinall. The latter is an ex LMS Hughes/Fowler 'Crab' 2-6-0.  

The final 2 shots in this post are from David Wood. Up first is GBRf class 66, 66760 on a biomass working, at Whiston on 20th October 2014.

The last, but not least pic from David features First Trans Pennine class 185, 185133, at Whiston on 10th November 2014.









ADDENDUM


Two pics, taken on 5th November 2014, by Jeff Nicholls are added (12th November) after the post was completed. Both are monochrome interpretations representing past times. The first shows EWS/DBS class 66, 66060 inside Crosfields with an empty gypsum working.









The second shot features EWS/DBS class 92, 92041, passing Wades scrap yard at Winwick with the Tesco intermodal.