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Things you see whilst waiting for a Train
Usually there is plenty of time in between photography of moving trains.Here are some of the less than usual things that have caught my eye over the years.(Not in particular date order).
As I arrived here at Pot Lane,Berkley nr Frome to picture '6A24' I was greeted by this unbelievable mess dumped in the road by one of the usual bunch of disrespectful brain-dead inarticulate assholes that live in the local area and persistantly fly-tip around the lanes in this area. What can I say?
..3 october 2023..
Long time rail photographers Bob Foster,Tom Curtis and Mark Few enjoying the cold crisp conditions on the B&H Canal nr Crofton grabbing a few freight workings!
..9 december 2022..
This is a long abandoned Ex-LMS 20T BrakeVan number 4919 slowly disappearing into the undergrowth at the remains of Mells Road Station on the long abandoned (in 1973) Frome to Radstock railway line.Amazingly most of the track is still in place but now fully overgrown.This van is still actually sitting on the track.This station was for a long time the base for a group that were trying to re-activate this line as a preservation project,hence why this van is here.Like this old piece of rolling stock the idea of restoring this line is now completely abandoned.
..4 july 2022..
Experimental BR Mk.I S No.S1000, built by BR (Eastleigh) 1962 in GRP, in BR maroon livery. It never had a Lot number nor a Diagram number. At Mendip Vale, East Somerset Railway, 5 October 2021. The coach consisted of the new GRP body placed on the underframe of Mk.I TSO No.S4378 the body of which was destroyed in the 1957 Lewisham crash but the underframe of which was salved. Although some records show the frame as being from No.S4377 also involved in the Lewisham crash, other records show this frame was crushed and cut up on sight! Although No.S4378 was an express coach, it was decided to design the GRP body as a suburban compartment type as being simpler to mould. It was originally numbered DS70200 in the Departmental range because it was on trial and used only to convey BR staff to Lancing Works. It was later renumbered S1000S and placed into public service on the Hayling Island branch and subsequently the Clapham Jct. - Kensignton Olympia unadvertised service for Post Office workers. Although the suffix normally indicated a coach of pre-Nationalisation design, some trial/non-standard coaches also used the suffix, confusingly! The coach proved entirely successful but it was decided GRP was too expensive to use in production coaches. It carried green livery in BR service so it is not clear why the coach is now in maroon livery and does not carry the suffix in its number. Thank to Hugh Llewelyn for these comprehensive notes…
..5 october 2021..
At the beginning of the month-August this trainset 'HOBC2' created a bit of interest going from Eastleigh to Long Marston behind 37425.However by the 14th it is seen here on the dockside of Southampton Eastern Docks loaded onto trailers ready to be moved onto a ship for export to Canada possibly.The Set being identified by its control wagon DR92258 which was also there ready to go.Pictured from the stern deck of the Marella Explorer Cruise Ship whilst waiting for our Cruise to the Orkney Islands to depart!
..14 august 2021..
At the beginning of the month-August this trainset 'HOBC2' created a bit of interest going from Eastleigh to Long Marston behind 37425.However by the 14th it is seen here on the dockside of Southampton Eastern Docks loaded onto trailers ready to be moved onto a ship for export to Canada possibly.The Set being identified by its control wagon DR92258 which was also there ready to go.Pictured from the stern deck of the Marella Explorer Cruise Ship whilst waiting for our Cruise to the Orkney Islands to depart!
..14 august 2021..
Here is a close look at one of the new 'JNA.s' introduced for 'Cappagh' to use on new flows of aggregates etc.Note they are fully buffered and currently spotless with only a few days of service so far. The train it was on was '6z24' a new working between Bristol West ex-Freightliner depot and Willesden in London.Strange place to load stone when the mendip Quarries are just a few miles away in Somerset?
..14 april 2021..
Here is my hand held attempt at picturing the 'Snow Moon' as this February Full Moon is known..Not too bad for a hand held shot with an EO7D & an 55-250 stm-efs lens.Several test shots were tried and the best unbelievably was exposed at 1250th@F8 at 800-iso...Full Sun settings of a Full Moon!
..26 february 2021..
This low flying Helicopter passed overhead whilst I was at Clink Road Junction. Owned by 'Wessex Power Distribition' its registration G-WPDC tells me it is a 1999 Electrocopter EC135P-1. Note the large video camera mounted on the nose.It seemed to be flying the route of 25-KVA pylons that follow the railway south-west at this point.A sort of airbourne NMT I suppose!
..5 february 2021..
Here is a close-up of one of the new 'Touax' owned 'HOA' hoppers currently on lease to Mendip-Rail/Freightliner/G&W'.This particular bogie wagon being 81706774065-1.Today was my first sighting on these new additions to the Mendip wagon fleet.They look quite nice now but after the grafitti idiots leave their marks all over them plus the passage on time i expect they will look pretty awful!
22 june 2020..
Brand-New JNA Box-Wagons from a lease company called Touax' seen in the consist of '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..26 february 2020..
This is the approach to Cranmore Station on the line from White's Crossing before Network Rail did the clearance ready for a railtour due along this line on the 16th of march 2019.Check out the next picture to see the amount of work required to clear the line.Yes the rails were already there! The only real reference point is the small 'stop board'
..Summer 2018..
For once GWR has a genuine excuse for late running and replacement buses! This is Westbury North Junction adjacent to Westbury Power Signal Box where the entire track layout is being replaced and upgraded c/w new signalling and track circuits.The entire station area is a massive worksite which will remain closed until 3rd of January.
..24 december 2018..
Westbury Station has been closed entirely from the 23rd December until the 3rd of January 2019 to allow a complete replacement of the track work and signalling equipment on the North Junction.Sadly the opportunity to re-instate the long lost and badly needed trackless platform back into use has been omitted.This real improvement to the infrastructure here at Westbury would have made quite an improvement to pathing of trains in the busy periods.Something GWR badly needed to address--but didn't!
..24 december 2018..
This picture was a prelude to a fun-filled 15 minutes as this Reid-Freight articulated lorry c/w its load of a JLE-Well Wagon negotiated the difficult bridge over the railway here at Campbell Road on the approach to the entrance to Eastleigh Works.Thanks to the trailer having rear wheel steering controlled by a man walking behind,the load was slowly moved around the two right angle bends on this bridge very expertly.A very interesting operation to watch!
..22 october 2018..
Here are a couple of Network-Rail operatives trying out a shiny brand new piece of rail mounted equipment.As far as I can work out it is a 'Single Rail' UltrasonicTester.It would appear these workers were just playing around with it gaining familiarity. Viewed in Westbury Up-TC Yard.
..29 august 2018..
So just what is being done about the serious trespass problem in the Marshalling Yards in the Capital ????? Look at this mess on an HTA wagon on '7C77 today,this is not the work of a few minutes.The scumbags that did this were probably there most of the night fully equippent with portable compressers and long ladders etc.And what are the hypocritical Railtrack 'Thought Police' doing about it,they are certainly not patrolling these yards with any vigour.All mouth and no action I would say.The joke is when those three individuals got terminated in London a month or so ago apparantly it wasn't their fault so says a certain radio broadcaster !!!!!!!! As far as I am concerned that is 3 less idiots we need to worry about wasting public resounces trying to catch......
..24 july 2018..
The driver looks on with a wry smile on his face as a pair of women staff here at Truro struggle to unload a couple of quite bulky packages from the rarely used Parcels section of the HST-Power-Car 43078.Note the other male member of staff kindy holding the door handle as a gesure! The train was '1C41' the 06:00 from Paddington going down to the end of the line at Penzance.43053 was the rear P/C.
..6 june 2018..
The third wagon is todays make-up of '7O40' the 13:35 from Merehead to Eastleigh was this Orenstein & Koppel 1989 built JNA No-OK19311.Why anybody would want to waste probably over 30-quids worth of spray paint to do this defacing is really a mystery.Plus the hastle of carrying a ladder and a satchel full of spray cans around in the dead on night for what ??????? For sure this was done whilst the wagon was parked up overnight somewhere in London,probably Acton.Viewed as the train was passing Upton Scudamore going to Eastleigh fully loaded from Merehead as '7O40'.
..20 april 2018..
Whilst waiting around here at Cowleaze Lane in Bratton for the Class-47 hauled Charter '1Z87' this friendly Robin was flitting around quite happily within 6 feet or so.Too good an opportunity to miss really for a spot of 'Twitching'.Here seen on the Bridge Buttress where it briefly perched.Note the specks of moisture on its head and tail and the minute spots of rain that were falling at the time of the shot!
..2 december 2017..
Here is a still largely original condition Ex-National Power 'HJA' bogie hopper wagon,even retaining NP branding! This was the colour style when introduced in 1994 to match the then new 59/2 series of 6 locomotives.Those loco's lost this livery many years ago (Which is an incredible pity) but these wagons seen here in use on '6M20' from Whatley going up to St-Pancras serve as a reminder of that brief period in UK freight history.
..5 october 2017..
Here is a wild Purbeck Deer with its young Fawn crossing the new Swanage -Wareham extension nr Cateye Crossing which is quite a well wooded area.Note the nicely manicured track work here c/w neatly cleared drainage.Something that NR should take note of for the main Network!
..20 june 2017..
This is the long closed remains of Bridport-West Bay Station.Now in use as 'The Station Kitchen' Restaurant. Located here now is this quite historical ex-GWR Toplight Brake Corridor 3rd originally constructed at Swindon in 1911(106 yrs ago).The original number was 2370 (Lot No 1180) but is now numbered DW709 which was its final number as a departmental vehicle when it was a tool-van and part of the Worcester brakedown train-set.
..21 may 2017..
This 'Road-Railer '888' registration 'K319PCV' provided some passing entertainment here a Campbell Road at Eastleigh.It was removing the dismantled '3rd-rail' that used to run into the locomotive depot here.Long de-eneregised many years ago it served no useful purpose so today was the day for its recovery.
Here is the infamous Network-Rail London & SE Patrol Helicoper operated by PDG-Helicopers.The Registration G-NLSE on this Eurocopter AS355F2 is owned by Network-Rail.It made several flights above me here at Wylye looking of trespassers in the 30 minutes before 60103 passed by.On this pass I gave them a friendly wave indicating this was the 2nd time I had seen it pass overhead!-------------------Jerks!
..28 may 2016..
Here are 4 'Old School' Seacows bogie-ballast hoppers still playing their part in infrastructure work on todays railways.Almost all have been either exported,scrapped or even consigned into preservation.So to see these wagons still in daily use is quite refreshing.Here they are attached to the rear of an MOBC-set hauled by 66546 going to Westbury-VQ from Fairwater Yard for a ballast top up as '6C72'.Also along for the ride are a couple of far more modern JNA's.
..25 march 2016..
This location is about as close as you can get these days to the now abandoned Westbury-LaFarge Cement Works and its iconic doomed 400ft tall Chimney.No exhaust has risen from this monster-flue since April 2009 when the plant ceased production for the last time.Built in 1962 it was announced just last week that it is to be demolished so ending its 53 year existence to date..No doubt that will take place sometime in 2016 after the rest of the site has been cleared.The White Horse on the hill overlooking this location will almost certainly be jam packed with spectators when the final destruction takes place!
..30 september 2015..
On the 'up' platform at Pilning is a memorial plaque to Jonathan King, a gentleman who had a vested interest in the retention of the station at Pilning. The Plaque was placed here in honour of Jonathan King, a resident in Pilning who most weeks took the morning parliamentary train (SO) from Pilning en route to Bristol, Weston, Salisbury or Weymouth. He travelled anywhere that had a historical or railway event. He planned his journeys carefully so that he could return to Pilning on the afternoon train. He was keen to keep the plight of Pilning station in the public eye. He is presumably largely responsible for the 80+ yearly footfall. Regretfully now after his passing those 2 trains now see virtually no passengers. RIP Mr King. Update------In Autumn 2016 the footbridge was removed to make way for the projected electrification through the Severn Tunnel thus closing permanently the 'down' platform.A strange situation with no trains now calling here going west towards S-Wales.How long it survives as a working station is certainly now open to debate--------A pity.
..19 september 2015..
This is the Bath-Spa end of the Bathampton-Loops at Meadow Farm Bridge showing the relaying procedure including polystyrene waterproofing and lowered trackbed.Note the side-tipper actually depositing its load.The engineering train will then move forwards and repeat the operation until it is empty.
..11 august 2015..
This is the view over the listed bridge at Bathampton looking towards Bath-Spa.Complete track replacement/lowering of both running lines plus the loop here is taking place during the month long full occupation by Network-Rail all in the name of Electrifiction..This includes some remodelling of Bathampton-Junction.An extreemly big job with very little room for time over-run!
..11 august 2015..
This must be a pretty unique operation? Due to the siding arrangement at its destination Birdport on the East-Usk Branch all I/C trains are required to be pushed from the rear from East Usk Yard with this old 'ZUA' Shark DB993876 still showing its old and tatty Loadhaul livery from many years ago leading.The Shunter-Man stands on the lead balcony and is in radio contact with the locomotive crew on 66137 which is just visible on the rear whilst it moves down the branch to the destination sidings.The working originated from Margam (07:30 off) as '6H35'.
..18 march 2015..
'Excuse me Mister'--Is there a steam train coming? Errrrrrr-------actually yes there is! Here is the assembled Gallery waiting for the rare appearence of an LNER B1 Class 4-6-0 No 61306 with '1Z51' from Paddington heading for Cardiff.The location is the concrete footbridge at Ashbury Crossing in Shrivenham.Amazingly this is the first time I have seen a Thompson-B1 in steam since 1965 when I viewed one hauling a fitted freight going south away from York! I only had to wait another 50 years!!!!!!
..01 march 2015..
Whenever Castle-Cary is mentioned people immediately think of the crowds that invade it once a year by rail for the Glastonbury Pop Festival and also assuming for the rest of the time it is simply a sleepy backwater with few passengers...Not So! Every working that stopped here whilst I was observing, discharged many passengers and also collected loads as well.Here is the scrum (About 40 people) that have just left '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington heading for Plymouth. Power-Cars 43130/43036 are the unseen traction for this FGW Cattle-Train.
..13 february 2015..
This one is a first for me working out of Whatley-Quarry.A single 'HOA' freshly reliveried in the Schenker-Red turned up at Westbury-Yard a week or so ago.It has now found its way into the set of mainly 'HOA-s' used on the Whatley to St-Pancras circuit.It is tagged onto the rear of '6M20' viewed here slowing on the approach to Westbury during its journey eventually up to London.The working was hauled by 66144 still in full EWS garb.
..06 february 2015..
Excuse me Mr---Is there a Steam Train coming ????????? Well actually no! It is a pair of Colas-56's and unbelievably the sun is out! This is a quick shot of the strength of the photographic gallery at Circourt-Bridge waiting for the pair of Grids...A total of approximately 20 people were gathered here...Amazing!
..06 december 2014..
The recent introduction of buckeye coupling only 'HTA' hoppers onto local stone workings was hindered initially by the lack of a pair of HTA-D' type wagons which incorporated traditional drawgear and buffers.Since all the local Class-59's are currently fitted only with conventional couplings a pair of FY 'JHA' End-Wagons were added to the set to make the train compatable with the local traction. Here is a view of '7C31' hauled by 59001 running over Fairwood-Junction nicely showing the rear FY-'JHA'.
..10 october 2014..
Here are the remains of the main deck of the old Footbridge at Highworth-Junction shortly after it was dismantled. It is obviously going for scrap as it has been torched into three pieces.The approach steps still remain in situ but no doubt will be dismantled in the next few days.So there goes another piece of Swindons railway past,into the melting pot. Electrification????? Is is really necessary? I think not!
..01 october 2014..
Here is a piece of ancient graffiti at Ladydown nr Trowbridge referring to '5Z31' which was hauled by 31203 that passed here on 11th March 1999 just about 17 years ago.The handwriting looks very familier!!! To see that working passing here on that day 17 years ago click HERE
..19 august 2014..
From Saturday the 17th to the 24th railways pretty much took a back seat whilst I enjoyed a holiday with the wife on this Cruise Ship (Thompson Dream-55000 tons) in the Mediterranean visiting France/Italy and Spain.All very nice,all inclusive, so after a week I think I had had enough food and drink to last several months! The ship is seen in Livorno (For Pisa)-Italy.
..20 may 2014..
It's amazing what passes overhead whilst you idle away your time waiting for some traction action! Here is a twin-seat Micro-Lite reg-G-BZSX that was droning around.Its home base is near York but I somehow doubt it flew all that way! The Pilot was very friendly,waving furiously as it passed overhead.
..15 april 2014..
Here in the Carpark of Knottingley Depot is a preserved 'HAA' MGR wagon that were until a few years ago so common here in Yorkshire on trains supplying the local Power Stations with coal. Of the total of 11162 built to this design almost all are now scrapped with a few being rebuilt using the underframes only.This example B350002 was the third one manufactured and along with two others {B350000 and B350001) are possibly the only ones left in existence.They were replaced with more modern high capacity bogie hoppers of various designs.
..13 march 2014..
This is the very bust scene at the Freightliner Depot at Southampton-Maritime.The two newly installed Loaders (fully branded to reflect ownership) were working constantly loading and unloading Liner Trains both incoming and outgoing.The size of the gantries can be gauged by the comparative size of the pair of 'Tanktainers' that were both in motion whilst this shot was taken.Additional capacity has now been added,not only by the much more efficient handling capability of these state of the art cranes but by dint of the back overhang which adds a further track for loading and unloading.
..05 september 2013..
Here is a bit of a Hidden-Gem!.The Yatton to Wells Branch was closed way back in 1963.Somehow the station buildings here at Sandford and Banwell survived intact as an integrated part of a stone-mason business that finally went bust as few years ago.Consequently the area was redeveloped as a sheltered housing complex and the grade-2 listed station buildings were superbly restored to complement the surroundings.A small length of track holds a Mk-1 coach and a couple of open-plank wagons whilst the entire platform area's are now fully restored to its former GWR condition.No trains will ever run past this station again but a short visit is recommended. For a more detailed account of the history of this project click HERE
..22 june 2013..
Whilst waiting in the lane at Ram-Hill nr Coalpit Heath for some railway action this friendly Robin was hopping around barely 6 to 10 ft away.I'm no Twitcher but a nice picture in the sunlight of this pretty little bird was not to missed! I was going to mention it on 'Twitter' then I realised I dont subscribe to that crap!
..28 january 2012..
Whilst I was splashing around in a very muddy waterlogged field recording the rare working with the pair of Colas-47s on the Merehead-Branch I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a pair of equally rare Lesser-Spotted Head-Dippers performing a mating ritual in the railwayline hedgerow.I only managed one shot before they were disturbed and fluttered away! I think their species names were 'darrenus brookus' and 'stevus mcmullinus' A right rare pair!(lovely plumage)
..14 january 2012..
Hanson JHA Hopper 19841 appears to have suffered a heavy graffiti attack from a Single-Helix Sub-Intelligent Low-Life who has spent his Job-Seekers allowance on Paint and a Ladder.Pity his 'Tag' was not his house-number and post-code,then even the failtrack police could find him!
..28 july 2011..
In all the years I have been going to the Berkley-Marsh area near Frome I though I had seen it all! Fridges,Piles of Tyres,burned out Range-Rovers,even a wrecked (obviously stolen)Triumph-Stag but this one went straight into the top-ten at Number 1. A 16ft Rowing Boat had been launched down the embankment next to where there is now one of those hated Radio-Masts.Paradoxically barely a day later it was gone,almost certainly removed by the local 'Travellers' for resale.Probably the first time they have cleared up some 'fly-tip' instead of dumping it......................
..15 june 2009..
The pot of gold at the end of this particular rainbow is the value of the fuel in this single 'TEA' bogie tank.Assuming it was loaded of coarse but in fact it is empty and on its way back to Robeston in the evening empties from Westerleigh seen here passing the village nr the Oil-terminal. At a rough estimate at todays prices (including taxes) about £135,000:00p's worth !!!!!!