55022

This post (31st August 2010) is composed entirely of pictures of the class 55 locomotive, 55022 Royal Scots Grey, from three different contibutors.

The Deltic locomotive was built at the local Vulcan Foundry (VF number D557) and was delivered to BR on 28th February 1961 - she was numbered D9000. She was officially named at a special ceremony at Edinburgh Waverley in 1962. The 'D' prefix was removed c1970 and she was renumbered 55022 two years later. Withdrawal from service occurred in 1982 and a year later she was purchased by the 'Deltic 9000 Fund' and taken into preservation. Her current home is The East Lancashire Railway and her present owner is Martin Walker of Beaver Sports (Yorkshire) Ltd.

The two light engine shots were taken by John Smith and Ken Young on 24th August 2010. The working was ELR - Crewe; John was at Earlestown while Ken preferred Bank Quay.

On the following day the loco and 13 coaches departed Crewe for Carnforth on a crew training run. On the return run the train stopped at Arpley Yard to obtain enough fuel for the Compass railtour engagement on August Monday (31st August 2010). She then returned to Crewe. Earlier in the day, unfortunately, a second training run had been aborted by DBS, leading to great disappointment among many of us waiting at Winwick.

Geoff Monks took the shot of 55022 on the training run with coaches at Froghall Lane Warrington on August 25th 2010.

Another New Contributor

Today (29th August 2010) we have a new contributor (the 24th) to our blog even though he is a regular at Winwick. Derek Henderson has unearthed some of his Brownie 127 (I think) photos from the 1960's. Even though they are not of the greatest quality I think they have excellent historic value.

The first pic is of Derek himself - recognise him?

The second pic is a montage of three of Derek's shots - a class 40, a class 25, and a steam locomotive, a Stanier class 8F. Derek took all three pics at Winwick in his teenage days.

2 x Class 66/7s and a Class 67

The gypsum working is very popular with photographers even though it runs a.m. presently. This post, 28th August 2010, includes two pics showing the trains headed by the superb GBRf (now Europorte) class 66/7s.

The first is by Ken Young. It was shot at Bank Quay on 24th August 2010 and shows 66714 Cromer Lifeboat heading the famous wagons in wet weather.

John's shot is dated 19th August 2010 and features the 'Metronet' branded 66722, Sir Edward Watkin, on the gypsum working through Red Bank. There are 5, 'Metronet' branded class 66/7s: 66718-22.

I have added a third unrelated shot, although it was taken on the same date as John's. It's by Jeff Nicholls and depicts the 'Royal' purple class 67, 67005 Queen's Messenger, on an engineers working, southbound, through Winwick.

'Lizzie' x 2

We have two pics of 6201 Princess Elizabeth in todays post (26th August 2010); one by John Smith, the other by Jeff Nicholls.



'The North Wales Coast Express' railtour ran Liverpool - Chester - Holyhead and return headed by the Stanier 'Pacific' on 22nd August 2010. John's pic was taken at Earlestown Station, Jeff's at Winwick.


I am adding a third pic taken by Ken Young on 16th August 2010. The location is Bank Quay and the main locomotives depicted are the two EWS (DBS) liveried class 92s, 92001 Victor Hugo and 92031 The Institute of Logistics and Transport. The former was standing in a bay at the station while 92031 thundered by heading an intermodal freight. An EWS (DBS) class 67, 67026, is pictured immediately behind 92001.

20th and 21st Century Trains

The pics in today's post (24th August 2010) cover the 1960's and recent years. They were contributed by Jim Carter (via David Hey), Geoff Monks and Alan Rigby.

The first two pics are from Jim Carter and show steam trains on the Winwick line in the 1960's. The photograph legends are comprehensive and need no further introduction. 'Black 5', 'Britannia' and 'Princess Coronation' class locos are pictured. Left click on your mouse to enlarge each picture and read the legend.

Pic number three is from Geoff Monks. Depicted is EWS (DBS) class 92, 92031 The Institute of Logistics and Transport passing Bank Quay on a Rugby - Mossend working on 16th August 2010. 92001 Victor Hugo and 92031 are the only two of the class that retain old EWS livery.

Alan Rigby's pic is dated 28th April 2006. DRS class 47s, 47802 and 47298, are shown heading an empty intermodal working, northbound, through Winwwick as a 'Pendolino' flashes by on the southbound fast line.

Arpley Yard and Slutchers Lane

The four pics chosen for this post (22nd August 2010) reflect the importance of Arpley Yard to the local and national railway network. The pics are by Alan Rigby, Jeff Nicholls and Geoff Monks.

The first pic, dated 3rd April 2008, is by Alan Rigby. EWS class 37, 37401 is shown in the yard for what looks like minor repairs.

The next two pics are from Jeff Nicholls. The first shows EWS class 37, 37411/D6990 Castell Caerffili / Caerphilly Castle, in BR green livery standing in a similar location to the class 37 in the previous pic. The loco was named by Arriva Trains Wales at a ceremony at Caerphilly on 28th November 2005.

Jeff's second pic is of an Arpley workhorse, EWS (DBS) class 08, 08389, shot in the yard in 2009 (exact date not known).

The final shot was taken close to the yard at Slutchers Lane, on 24th October 2007 - the photographer was Geoff Monks. Freightliner class 66, 66623 Bill Bolsover, in the unique 'Bardon Aggregates' livery, was working a lunchtime coal train, Ellesmere Port - Fiddlers Ferry P.S.

Welsh Steam 'Special'

Ken Young, David Wood and Jeff Nicholls are represented in today's post (20th August 2010) with a steam railtour and two coal workings.

The first pic in this post is from Ken Young, taken on 23rd July 2010 at Winwick. Ian Riley's 'Black 5', 44871, is depicted sporting 'The Cambrian' headboard, working a support coach to Machynlleth for the popular, summer steam 'Special'. 'The Cambrian' is running Machynlleth-Porthmadog and sometimes Pwllheli, between July 26th and August Bank Holiday Monday.

David's pic is dated 22nd April 2010 and shows Freightliner class 70, 70006, running towards Arpley Yard with loaded coal hoppers for Fiddlers Ferry P.S.

A second coal train is shown next. Jeff's shot is dated 25th March 2010 and features EWS (DBS) class 59, 59201 Vale of York, after it had just run round at Walton Yard. A feature of this loco is a commemorative bell, attached to the front of the cab above the windows, which cannot be seen when the loco is running in reverse.

2 Class 66s and a Class 60

The three pics in today's post (18th August 2010) are all from Geoff Monks.

The first shows a 'Malcolm' liveried class 66, 66405, on a southbound, intermodal working through Winwick on 26th October 2006. Geoff adds that the loco is no longer with DRS and has been replaced with 66412.

Pic number two was taken at Bank Quay, early morning, on 11th August 2010. Freightliner class 66, 66518, is shown northbound "on the (normally) up loop presumably because the signaller didn't want to delay the slightly late running Voyager (Birmingham NS - Glasgow) any further".

The final shot, taken at Winwick on 2nd February 2007, depicts one of only two, Load Haul liveried class 60s, 60059 Swindon Dalesman, working empty coal hoppers, northbound, at Winwick. Load Haul was one of four BR freight companies acquired by EWS in 1996. EWS was taken over by Deutsche Bahn in 2007 and rebranded to D.B. Schenker in 2009.

Another Three from Three

Three of our most recent and regular contributors are featured today, 16th August 2010, with three pics showing four different locos.

Alan Rigby has supplied the first pic. Ginsters (the cornish pasty people) liveried class 158, 158821, is depicted at Winwick on 25th January 2006. As class 158s are infrequent at Winwick today, this one and others like it must have been an attraction for railway photographers a few years ago.

A pic of class 47 dragging a class 66 is next. Ken Young photographed Colas class 47, 47739 Robin of Templecombe 'dragging' an empty logs train headed by Colas class 66, 66841, 'dead in train'. Ken shot this scene at Winwick on 6th August 2010.
The third pic in this post is from John Smith. The shot of class 47, 47270/1971, Swift, in BR blue livery was taken at Earlestown on 8th August 2010. It was on the tail of 'The North Wales Coast Express' headed by the black Duchess (see the previous post for details). The class 47 is owned by BREL - Boden Rail Engineering Ltd., - but is certified for lease to the mainline. It was liveried in BR blue in 2008 on the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford, and co-numbered 1971. Its present home is Washford Heath.

Treble-heading class 20s

In this 14th August 2010 post I am using three pics from regular contributors. These include one from Jeff Nicholls showing treble-heading class 20s.
Jeff's shot was taken on 26th August 2006 at Winwick Junction. DRS Class 20's, 20309, 20306 and 20314, were heading a Pathfinder Tour 'The Rutland Renegade' working the route Preston-Kettering-Preston.

Ken Young's pic of the WCRC class 33, 33207 Jim Martin, was taken at Winwick on 23rd July 2010. The loco was working empty WCRC passenger stock.

The final shot in this post is from John Smith. The black 'Duchess' has been photographed at or near Winwick several times recently. In John's pic the Stanier 'Pacific' 6233, Duchess of Sutherland, is heading the Liverpool-Holyhead 'North Wales Coast Express' through Earlestown Station on 8th August 2010.

More from the 1960's

It is time for reflection again. In this post (12th August 2010) the 1960's are re-visited through the camera of J.R. Carter (via David Hey). Jim lived in Leigh and was a BR fireman on the footplate of steam locomotives - based at Patricroft Shed? Anyone with info about Jim please email me at the address at the top of the blog. If you have visited David Hey's website (linked a few months ago at the right hand side of the blog) you may have seen a section devoted to Jim's photography.

I don't really need to add any information as Jim's legends are quite comprehensive although 46225 Duchess of Gloucester is not in the National Collection (she was broken up in 1964). Many of Jim's photographs were taken at Winwick and here are two of his pics. At least two more will follow in due course.

Caroline

For this post (10th August 2010) I am concentrating on the Network Rail, Control Inspection Saloon 975025, Caroline, and its appearance at Earlestown on Wednesday 4th August 2010. The saloon was originally built in 1958 at Ashford (frames) and Eastliegh (body) as S60755, a trailer restaurant buffet vehicle, part of a 'Hastings' 6B DEMU . The car was numbered 975025 c1978 when it was converted to the General Manager's Saloon for the Southern Region. After other uses the vehicle was moved to Derby in 1999 where it was overhauled by Fragonset Railways Ltd., and moved to Network Rail.

In the two photographs from John Smith the saloon is being pushed or pulled by DRS class 37, 37409 Lord Hinton through Earlestown Station. The locomotive was named by the grandson of Lord Hinton at a special DRS Open Day at Crewe in July 2010. Lord (Christopher) Hinton was responsible for the design of Calder Hall Nuclear Power Station, officially opened by H.M.The Queen on 17th October 1956.

72 minutes at Red Bank

This post (8th August 2010) is about 72 minutes that Ken Young and John Smith spent at Red Bank (just south of Winwick) yesterday morning, 7th August 2010.

At 08.39hrs Ken photographed the Tesco express container intermodal headed by class 92, 92017. This locomotive (formerly named Shakespeare) was repainted in Stobart Rail blue and white livery in 2009 and renamed Bart the Engine; affectionately known as 'Bart the Spark' by enthusiasts. Fiddlers Ferry Power Station is in the background.

Ken's second picture was taken at 08.44hrs. Freightliner class 66, 66507, was photographed working empty coal hoppers from FFPS, northbound.

John's first pic in this post was timed at 09.17hrs. A 'Pendolino' unit thundered past as a class 175 appeared on the distant branch line from Newton -le-Willows/Earlestown on its way to Winwick Junction, just down the track. (A 'Super Voyager' unit appeared next at 09.34hrs).

John's next pic was timed at 09.39hrs and features another Freightliner class 66, 66554, on a second empty coal hopper working, northbound, from FFPS.

At 09.51hrs John took the fifth picture. A WCRC class 47, 47245 is shown heading 'The Lakelander' railtour empty return stock Newport - Carnforth. WCRC class 47, 47760, was at the rear.

Moral - if you want the traffic, get up early .....

Classes 66, 67 and 92

In this post (6th August 2010) I am using pics from our three most regular contributors - Alan Rigby, John Smith and Jeff Nicholls.

Alan's shot was taken on the low level line at Bank Quay and shows Freightliner class 66, 66611, working loaded coal hoppers. The date was 6th March 2008.

The second shot is from John. The early morning Tesco intermodal is depicted as it stormed through Winwick on 4th March 2010. At the head was class 92, 92015 D.H.Lawrence.

The final pic is Jeff's - the 'Royal' purple class 67, 67005, Queens Messenger, is shown working a northbound railtour of mainly Virgin coaches. The date was 21st June 2009; the location was Winwick. According to Jeff the 'Special' originated at Hooton and travelled up the S&C line.

Top 'n' Tail x 2

In this post (4th August 2010) I am featuring two pics from two contributors. The freight trains in both pics comprise a locomotive at the head and another at the tail.

The first pic is from Jeff Nicholls. Freightliner class 66, 66529 is shown heading the Friday working from Ashton-in-Makerfield through Winwick on 2nd July 2010. On the tail is Freightliner class 66, 66621.

Ken Young has supplied the second pic taken at Latchford Sidings on 13th July 2010. EWS (DBS) class 66, 66200 Railway Heritage Committee, is depicted heading the 'Cartic' with EWS (DBS) class 67, 67027 Rising Star, on the tail.

Another Four from Four

Four more contributors for our first August post (2nd August 2010) - yes, you really are keeping me busy.

Number one pic is from Geoff Monks. Class 52, D1015 Western Champion is shown heading a Westbury - Appleby railtour up the WCML. The date was July 31st 2010 and the location, Froghall Lane, Warrington.

The second pic is from Jeff Nicholls and features DRS class 66, 66429, taken close to Winwick Junction on 17th April 2009.

Pic number three is from Alan Rigby. Riviera Trains class 47, 47853/D1733 Rail Express is pictured heading Virgin stock through Winwick on 26th February 2006. Riviera Trains purchased the locomotive from Porterbrook Leasing in October 2002 and retained the XP64 turquoise-blue livery and nameplate (named after the Rail Express magazine).

A steam special is running this Saturday, Liverpool - Shap -Carlisle - Settle - Liverpool, headed by 6233 Duchess of Sutherland according to UK Steam Info (today), but by 6201, Princess Elizabeth, according to other sources. The route is through St Helens Central. I was amazed when looking through the 278 photos on our blog, to date, to find none of LMS 'Princess Royal' class 4-6-2, 6201, Princess Elizabeth. Well here is one by yours truly. Taken last year as she stormed beneath the gantry at Winwick on 16th August heading the 'North Wales Coast Express'.