Ten UK Alternative Pics

For today, because I have received and continue to receive many UK alternative pics, I make no apologies for concentrating on these pics for today's post, 31st March 2012. Oh... and this is the last day to vote for the 'February Pic of the Month Competition', so please vote if you havn't already done so - you have until 24.00hrs.


ALTERNATIVE UK PICS


First up is a pic from Geoff Monks taken at Sackville Street car park, Manchester. GBRf class 66, 66715 VALOUR, is pictured on a Barton Dock - Felixstowe container working on 27th March 2012.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'







Pic number two is from Ken Young. Featured is the Stanier 'Princess Coronation' class 'Pacific', No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland, liveried in 'Brunswick Green'. The location was Crewe and the date was 29th March 2012.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'






John Smith has sent in pic number three showing track bed renewal being carried out by engineers at Collins Green. In the van is Colas track machine DR76601, Olwen, which can be observed clearly, digging out the track bed, as ten engineeers look on. John's pic is dated 24th March 2012.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




I am using four Severn Valley Railway shots today, two each from David Quayle and Colin Platt - the Gala was held over last weekend.  Pic number four is from David Quayle. Depicted is ex Caledonian Railway (CR) class '812' 0-6-0 tender locomotive, No.828 (57566), double heading with ex LMS 'Jinty' tank, class '3F', 0-6-0T tank engine No.47406, at Highley. The pic is dated 23rd March 2012. The 'Caley Blue' livery is one of the most attractive in my view.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'


The next pic, number five, was also taken by David at the same Gala. Pictured is Stanier 'Mogul' (2-6-0) No.42968, at Highley on the same date, 23rd March 2012.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'





Shot number six has been sent in by Colin Platt and continues our SVR link. Featured is ex GWR' 4500' class 'small prairie' (2-6-2) No.4566, at Hampton Loade. The engine sports the 'Cathedrals Express' headboard. The pic is dated 25th March 2012.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'






Colin's second shot, number seven, features ex LNER Gresley 'A4' class 'Pacific', No.4464 (60019) Bittern. The 'Garter Blue' liveried loco is seen approaching Bewdley on 25th March 2012 with Gresley teak coaches behind.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'





Next up, shot number eight, is from Matthew Chambers. Two class 37s are pictured at Crewe on a Cwmgwrach - Crewe working on 24th March 2012. Matthew's skill at taking low light level shots is exemplary. The locos pictured are DRS class 37s, 37603 and 37606.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




A second shot from Matthew is up next, pic number nine. Virgin liveried class 57, 57304 'Thunderbirds GORDON TRACY', is pictured being coupled to Virgin 'Pendolino' class 390, 390 001 at Wigan North Western, on 28th March 2012.


**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'





Geoff Monks has sent in pic number ten taken on 27th March 2012. Diesel shunter class 09, 09002, is shown taking wagons off a Felixstowe - Barton Dock container working  across Park Road, Trafford Park, Manchester. Geoff has cleverly stitched together two shots to make up a panoramic view with the Kelloggs 'Frosties' tiger in clear shot.

**This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




As I have done for the previous two months I will extend by 7 days (April 7th) the date by which March dated pics can be posted on the blog and thus qualify for the Pic of the Month, March 2012, competition. Whether a particular pic is posted, however, depends on the overall number of qualifying pics  in the 'bank' at post time.

Six Winwick; Five Alternatives

Eleven pics in today's post, 27th March 2012, sent in by eight contributors. I really must compliment  everyone who contributes to the blog as the photography is of an excellent standard, all round.


I need more voters for the 'Pic of the Month, February 2012' and there are just four days left. All qualifying pics between 1st February and March 6th are highlighted in yellow. Email me your choices - Winwick 1st, 2nd and 3rd and Alternatives (UK and World) 1st, 2nd and 3rd please. Just give me the pic number, post date and photographer for each pic you choose. If you wish to view the pics at better resolution use the first set of instructions in slide show options to the right of the blog; the lower slide show is the one to view. Not many people have voted yet so please do so. Remember, anyone can vote, contributors, viewers/readers etc., but once only. My email address is at the top of the blog.


WINWICK


First up, pic number one, is Dave Harris's pic of DRS class 37s, 37069 and 37611 with two spent nuclear fuel flasks behind them. The location was Red Bank and the date, 24th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic if the Month, March 2012'




Next, pic number two, has been sent in by Bob McClellan. Taken at Earlestown on 25th October 2011 class 60, 60010, is shown heading empty coal hoppers (to LBT?).






Shot number three is from Colin Platt.  Class 57 of WCRC, 57601, is shown on the tail of  a 'Statesman Rail' Special on 16th April 2011. WCRC class 47, 47826, was at the head. The headboard read 'The Statesman' and it ran Gloucester - Carlisle and return. The location was Red Bank.



David Wood has sent in pic number four, 'hot off the press', taken today 27th March 2012. Depicted is TATA steel liveried class 60, 60099, heading a coal run near Monks Crossing on the Fiddlers Ferry line.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic if the Month, March 2012'


EWS (DBS) class 66, 66082, is featured next in shot number five, from Jeff Nicholls. The location is Monks Siding and the light engine was heading towards Warrington. This pic is dated 29th February 2012.






The sixth and final shot in this Winwick area section is from Bob McClellan. Bob rightly describes the class 150, 150113 in his shot, as "a hand-me-down foisted on the Northern franchise". We seem to get a lot of left-overs from other rail companies. The unit up front is a class 142 'Pacer' ('nodding donkey'). The pic is date 23rd March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic if the Month, March 2012'


ALTERNATIVE UK PICS

 Pic number seven, first up in this section, is from Matthew Chambers. Pictured at Stafford on 24th February 2012, is GBRf class 66, 66716 Locomotive and Carriage Institution Centenary 1911 - 2011, on an intermodal working.




Pic number eight is from David Quayle, a regular visitor to the UK's heritage railways. David was at the Severn Valley Railway's Gala  over the last weekend and has sent in some of his shots; here are two of them. This one is of ex GWR 'Manor' class 4-6-0, No.7812 Erlestoke Manor, working in the fog on 24th March 2012. The location was Bewdley.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives  'Pic if the Month, March 2012'




David's next shot, number nine, is  a close up of ex LNER 'A4' class 4-6-2, No 60019/4464 Bittern. This was also taken at Bewdley but two days earlier, 22nd March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic if the Month, March 2012'







Oakenshaw, Wakefield is the location for shot number ten, from John Smith. EWS (DBS) class 60, 60027, is pictured heading fuel oil tanks on a Doncaster-Leeds working, on 4th April 2007.






The eleventh and final shot has been sent in by Matthew Chambers. In his shot two locos are standing side by side, Freightliner class 66, 66955 and EWS (DBS) class 92, 92003 Beethoven. The location was Stafford and the date, 24th February 2012.

UK and Canada

This post, 24th March 2012, comprises ten pics from nine contributors and features locomotives from our Winwick area, other parts of the UK and from Canada.


Just six days left to vote for the 'Pic of the Month, February 2012'. All qualifying pics between 1st February and March 6th are highlighted in yellow. Email me your choices - Winwick 1st, 2nd and 3rd and Alternatives (UK and World) 1st, 2nd and 3rd please. Just give me the pic number, post date and photographer for each pic you choose. If you wish to view the pics at better resolution use the first set of instructions in slide show options to the right of the blog; the lower slide show is the one to view. Not many people have voted yet so please do so. Remember, anyone can vote, contributors, viewers/readers etc., but once only. My email address is at the top of the blog.


WINWICK


The first pic is from Geoff Monks. Featured is the TATA steel liveried class 60, 60099, on the lunchtime FFPS - LBT (via Ditton) empty coal working. The location was Barnard Street, Sankey Bridges and the date, 22nd March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.





Next, pic number two, shows the Malcolm liveried class 66, 66434 on a container working, Daventry - Coatbridge. The location was Twelve Arches, the photographer was Alan Rigby and the date was 14th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'

David Quayle has sent in pic number three, taken while he was waiting for a train at Warrington Bank Quay on 17th March 2012. The coal working was headed by Freightliner class 66, 66526.

 ** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




EWS (DBS) class 60, 60065 Spirit of Jaguar, has been prominent in our area for quite a while and here is further evidence, if it was needed. Taken on 14th March 2012, the loco is shown heading a coal working at Crosfields, Warrington; the photographer was David Wood.

 ** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




An unusual Winwick shot is up next, pic number five, from Bob McClellan. Bob has captured two  class 390 Pendolinos and a class 221 Super Voyager in the same shot and very close together, but separated. His pic is dated 23rd March 2012.

 ** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'

Pic number six is from myself. EWS class 59, 59201 Vale of York, is featured heading steel strip wagons, northbound through Winwick, on 29th January 2010. The engine is working in reverse as a bell is attached to the front end.






ALTERNATIVE UK PICS



Pic number seven, the first in this section, is from David Wood. The location is Rainhill on a very foggy day, and the resulting pic has a unique ambience. The 156xxx dmu was photographed on 6th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'



John Smith has forwarded another of his Hatfield/Stainforth pics, as pic number eight. Depicted is EWS (DBS) class 66, 66130, on a Immingham - Ferry Bridge Power Station coal working on 25th March 2008.






The next pic, number nine, is from Barry Rigby. Pictured is Freightliner 'PowerHaul' class 70, 70006, on a coal working through Acton Bridge on 13th March 2012.


 ** This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'



ALTERNATIVE WORLD PICS



Pic number ten, the only one in this section, was taken by Ieuan Wood in Vancouver, Canada, on 5th August 2011. The locos shown are Nos, 8014 and 8016 but no further details are provided.

From Winwick to Berlin

In today's post, 20th March 2012, we have pics from our Winwick patch, others from elsewhere in the UK and finally, a pic from Germany - eleven pics in total from six contributors. We have also passed the 50,000 hit mark, so well done to everyone involved with our blog (started January 2010).


WINWICK


I have the last two, banked pics of the double heading 'Castle' + 'Princess' up first, (makes nine in total on the blog) from Barry Rigby and myself. Hopefully this draws to a conclusion the story of this well patronised photographic opportunity. For full details of the pair, 5043 and 6201, go to the post of 10th March. Pic number one, from Barry shows the duo at Winwick.


** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'



Pic number two is from myself. I took the pic at Red Bank, Newton - le - Willows, just a little north of Winwick. Both pics are dated 9th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




The third and fourth pics are from John Smith. Featured is the 'Northern Belle' special which ran Stoke - on - Trent / Shrewsbury via Manchester Victoria. Pic number three shows DRS,  (Northern Belle livery) class 47, 47832 Solway Princess, at the head of the train.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'



Pic number four, John's second, shows the same train from the rear with DRS (Northern Belle livery) class 47, 47790 Galloway Princess, on the tail. Both pics were taken at Newton- le-Willows Station and both are dated 17th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'




Geoff Nicholls has sent in pic number five, showing no fewer than five locos, three class 57s and two class 90s near Arpley Yard on 25th January 2012. The 57s are Virgin liveried 57308 Thunderbirds TIN TIN,  57307 Thunderbirds LADY PENELOPE and Arriva liveried, 57313. The class 90s are both EWS (DBS), 90018 and 90036.





ALTERNATIVE UK PICS

John Smith supplied the next pic, number six. Freightliner class 66, 66549, is pictured at Hatfield/Stainforth with Drax Power Station - Immingham empty coal hoppers on 25th March 2008.










Pic number seven features an ex GWR '14xx' class 0-4-2T passenger tank locomotive, normally resident on the Peak Forest Railway, but photographed on the GCR by David Quayle. The location is Quorn & Woodhouse and the date, 29th January 2011.









Next up, pic number eight, is from Matthew Chambers. Network Rail (NR) class 97, 97301 (ex 37100) is shown at Wigan North Western Station on 2nd April 2010. Four refurbished class 37 locos are used by NR, as class 97s, to monitor the ETRMS signalling system. The European Rail Traffic Management System is a Europe-wide standard for train control and command systems.







David Quayle has sent in pic number nine, his second, showing ex LMS class '4F' 0-6-0 locomotive, No.43924. The location is Keighley on the K&WVR; the pic is dated 12th February 2012.








Pic number ten, the last one in this section, is from Matthew Chambers. The Virgin 'Pendolino' liveried class 82 DVT, 82126, is depicted at Boarshead, Wigan on 18th November 2011. The working was a charter to Euston.






ALTERNATIVE WORLD PICS



Pic number eleven, the only one in this section, is from Jeff Nicholls. Jeff takes us to Germany for the shot, to Berlin Hauptbahnhof Station, to be precise. The train depicted is a German preserved dmu VT08 50. The pic is dated 4th April 2006.






Congratulations to both John Smith and Jeff Nicholls on posting 200 pics each on our blog. Keep up the good work guys.

Five from Winwick, Six Alternatives

No more explanation required, just read the title. However, nine contributors are represented today, 16th March 2012, with a pot pourri of pics.


WINWICK


First up is that loco again, Charles Collett's 'Castle' class 4-6-0, No.5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, on this occasion with WCRC class 47, 47500, up front. This pic, number one, is from Jeff Nicholls and was taken in the evening at Bank Quay on 10th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.








The second pic is from John Smith. Featured is WCRC class 47, 47237, on an empty stock move northbound through Winwick, on 2nd March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.






A double heading diesel pairing is up next, pic number three, from Alan Rigby. WCRC class 47, 47854, is shown dragging Fertis liveried class 56, 56018, out of Arpley Yard to Burton Wetmore Sidings on 14th March 2012.

 ** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.






David Wood's picture, number four, shows the same consist from the reverse direction, with the dragged class 56 to the fore. The location is twelve arches and the date, 14th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.




The fifth pic is from yours truly and changes the theme a little bit. After the 45043/6201 consist had travelled through Red Bank on 9th March 2012, they were followed a little later by this track machine. It is a Plasser & Theurer tamper, liveried in Colas colours, and fitted with a trolley.

 ** This pic qualifies for Winwick 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.




ALTERNATIVE UK PICS

Its 'the Earl and the Princess' again but photographed a long way from our Winwick patch, at Greenholme, by Barry Rigby. This is pic number six (first in this section), taken on 10th March 2012. This pairing has featured regularly in the two previous posts where more details are included.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives  'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.




A brand new Freightliner 'PowerHaul' class 70, 70020, is shown in pic number seven, a second shot from Barry Rigby.  It was passing through Acton Bridge with a Ditton - Felixstowe container working on 13th March 2012. Barry adds that you could almost 'smell the paint' on the new loco as it roared past.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.




A class 90 is next, pic number eight, from Dave Harris. Freightliner class 90, 90049, is pictured arriving at Crewe with the Fridays only, Virgin loco hauled relief service, from Euston to Crewe. It was the 'Pretendolino' MKIII set; the date was 9th March 2012.

** This pic qualifies for Alternatives 'Pic of the Month, March 2012'.




The Fowler/Stanier rebuilt 'Royal Scot' class 4-6-0 loco, No.46115 Scots Guardsman, is up next in pic number nine, from David Quayle. The 'Scot'  is pictured heading  'The Cotton Mill Express' near Glazebury on 17th July 2009.

Matthew Chambers has sent in pic number ten. The defunct Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Company is represented with class 82 DVT, 82304,  at Wrexham General Station on 12th September 2009.










The final pic, number eleven, is a second from John Smith. EWS (DBS) class 66, 66091, is depicted with a Scunthorpe - Crewe engineers (rails) working at Hatfield/Stainforth, on 25th March 2008.







Don't forget to vote for the 'Pic of the Month, February 2012'. All qualifying pics between 1st February and March 6th are highlighted in yellow. Winwick Area 1st, 2nd and 3rd and Alternatives (UK and World) 1st, 2nd and 3rd please. Just give me the pic number, post date and photographer for each pic you choose. If you wish to view the pics at better resolution use the first set of instructions in slide show options to the right of the blog.