The Colonels Rail Photo Gallery http://col23idw.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 South Coast Interlude http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1672412.html Brief visit to The New Forest for Mothers Day. The trains were just a lucky by-product, honest. Friday 20 March 2009: Brief visit to The New Forest for Mothers Day. The trains were just a lucky by-product, honest.

At the head of the Fawley line, Rushington, 66147 leads a mixed rake of FCA, OCA & VGA wagons on the 6B45 MOD service to Marchwood. 3CIG 1498 approaches the platform at Brockenhurst with a service from Lymington Despite the Bideford registered boat, this is Lymington Harbour. A 3 CIG at Barnstaple would be a coup! More nautical themes as 1498 arrives into Lymington Pier. 97 and three quarter miles from Waterloo, 1498 returns from the Pier into Lymington Station for the short journey back to Brockenhurst A shot you can only get from droplight windows ;) Some of the recent flood defence work for the line can clearly be seen in this shot. In the afternoon haze, old meets new. The CIG heads off the Lymington again, as a 444 Desiro arrives with a Southampton bound service. How much longer do the CIG twins have?

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]]> Fri Mar 20 2009 Didcot 20 Feb 2009 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1657055.html Didcot 20 Feb 2009 Saturday 21 February 2009: Didcot 20 Feb 2009

Spring has sprung? 66154 and 66085 rest in the glorious sun at Didcot. I get the feeling the driver of 37667 is getting a little blaise about all the photographers by now.. As one of the many enthusiasts in attendance looks on, 37667 with Stoneblower DR80211 awaits the off with 6Z37 Cardiff-Three Bridges. Not garnishing as many looks as the Tractor, Stoneblower DR80211 on its way to Three Bridges. 66077 storms the avoiding curve with 6E55 Theale-Lindsey tanks. The Flying Banana! 43013 leads 1Z21 Paddington-Derby NMT. 43014 brings up the rear. As the sun fades, 66054+66085 depart with 6M65 Didcot-Carlisle conveying MOD traffic. As 6M65 disappears toward London, 57006 approaches with the Holybourne crude tanks heading for storage. 6Z33 Holybourne-Gloucester Yard arrives, with Advenza branded Looking somewhat tired, 87889 heads off to an uncertain future. This time 87467. The green of the main tank, contrasting nicely with the mouldy green of the solebar and frames. Much amusement on the platform as 6Z33 is delayed due to the wrong route being set... Probably destined for Long Marston and storage, these TEA won't be plying their trade around Hampshire anytime soon. War! Huh! What is it good for? Shunting! 09106 moves loaded Warflats into the yard for a later MOD train to Warminister.

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]]> Sat Feb 21 2009 London Local: January to April 2009 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1649712.html Bits & Bobs taken around The Capital as I potter about and generally try to avoid doing what I should be. Friday 6 February 2009: Bits & Bobs taken around The Capital as I potter about and generally try to avoid doing what I should be.

With a light dusting of snow, 66021 arrives into Clapham with 6M44 and a lengthy consist of TTA, MHA/MTA & IGA steel carriers. One of the few Tugs still in service 60065 picks its way across the pointwork on the Windsor lines at Clapham Junction. This is the 6M34 Crawley-Peak Forest empties, a saturday freight treat in South london. PW staff acknowledge the arrival of 66730 with 377501 heading to Derby. A pair of SWT 455 head into Clapham Junction. The recently refurbished trackwork can clearly be seen 5X78 Selhurst-Derby Litchurch Lane. 377501 hauled by 66730. 377501 sandwiched between Portbrook liveried translator coaches 6376+6377. 66139 passes with 6Y41 Eastleigh-Hoo. The front portion off the train is made of Porpoise/Perch rail carrier set, whilst out of view at the rear were some vintage Seacows. 66597 rumbles toward Putney under the District Line bridge with 6M79 Angerstein-Bardon Hill empties. Descending the chord from the District line to the mainline, directly above the loco, can be seen a 4JOP on its way to Clapham from Wimbledon. A colourful Calvalcade of Heritage Traction heads through Putney enroute to Eastleigh from Old Oak Common as 6O88 47580, 50026, 37308 & 50135(035) all do their best to clash horribly with the Windsor bound Desiro. Slightly overpowered for the single van... The pseudo Loadhaul livery on 50035, renumbered as 50135 for the exercise. The plastic sheeting over the nosegrills on powder blue 37308 is clearly visible. Looking like a random collection of stock on a model railway, 66194 brings 6M44 Eastleigh-Wembley through Putney. 58009 is first in the consist. The bright yellow & blue TSO livery on the 58 really stands out amongst the greenery of Putney! With a very well loaded cab 66536 pilots 90041 with 4M81 Felixstowe-Garston. At Willesden Brent the 66 will be removed and used to pilot another electric back The 6L45 Earles-West Thurrock cement PCAs, powered up the incline by 66581 Another Freightliner Electric drag, this time 4M88 Felixstowe-Crewe with 66541 and 90045, the latter still in the original Freightliner Grey/Red Triangle livery. The signal post gives away the location as Gospel Oak. 4M71 Tilbury-Daventry, known as the Sugarliner, the tanktainers for Tate & Lyle being the clue. A immaculate 66431 cruises to a signal stop. Dred 431 basks in the sun as it awaits the road, whilst 150120 sits in the platform on reserve duties. The tanktainers in close up. Too much of the product and I doubt you'd have any teeth to smile with. Double Trouble. 66131+084 provide super power for 6X48 Dagenham-Wembley loaded cars. Thankfully the days bright sun had calmed somewhat or I'd have been dazzled by this pair. 47749 leads 47739 on 6Z48 Burton on Trent to Dollands Moor empty steel carriers. Loaded to 12 wagons and double headed after a few weeks of poor loadings and a single duff. With commuters at West Brompton either dashing for the tube, or waiting for their train, the Dungeness Flask train ambles through unnoticed. 37609+20309 provide traction for 6M95 under the view of Stamford bridge football ground. 66094 crests the incline at South Tottenham with 7L23 Dollands Moor-Dagenham Transfesa Ford parts train. The unique Bardon Blue 66623 With 66035 waiting on the line from Temple Mills, 66536 runs light to Willesden Brent from Tilbury (via the GOBLIN) as 0L75 to collect another Freightliner drag. With the road clear after a ten minute wait, 6M53 Chelmsford-Mountsorrel Self Discharge Train finally gets on its way with 66035 Our first drag of the day, 66541 with 90043 tucked behind and a lightly loaded 4M81 Felixstowe-Garston. With the blazing sun on its nose 66578 heads two Working hard along the freight lines approaching Hendon, 6E38 Colnbrook-Lindsey empty tanks with a Tug in charge, much the rarity now. 60091 with an EWS At a busy West Hampstead on a friday afternoon, 66577 breaks the quiet with another drag, 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford Park. Tucked in behind is 90044. In this shot only the absence of the pantograph would give away this is a diesel dragged 4M87... Catching us unawares 59205 rumbles round from Kensington Olympia toward Acton at Willesden with a ragbag collection of JUA & JTA. The loco was at Hoo earlier but I have no clue as to what this service is. The Acton Shuffle. 66176 comes off the LHS to drop onto the front of a rake of Hanson Hoppers. Behind 66168 waits before dropping on the front of 176 to double head. The only disappointment of the day. 66146 trundles past as 0M65 Didcot-Carlisle Quintuple Header! A DBS loco convoy for weekend engineering work around the capital. 0Y12 Margam-Hoo, from the front 66056/43/66/135/158 59102 in Hanson livery and brand new IIA hoppers pauses with 6L21 West Drayton loop-Dagenham One of the new IIA in 6L21. As can be seen these hoppers are numbering in the RIV range. Highland Stag 66111 creeps behind on 6V51 St Pancras-Acton which was formed of various ex-RMC Hoppers, several of which hadn't been discharged. Maybe problems with these aging wagons? Network Rail's response to passengers daring to travel on the network at weekends? 4L40 Cowley-Purfleet. Two unusual parts to this train. The amazing articulated WIA covered car covers & 66001 one of the 66's not fitted with buckeye couplings. Playing peek-a-boo amongst the bridges at Putney, 6M34 Crawley-Peak Forest empties. Resplendent in Loadhaul 60059 6M95 Dungeness-Willesden rounds the curve into West Brompton with flask wagon 550058, observed by a single enthusiast at the platform end. 37688

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]]> Fri Feb 6 2009 Newport FMi 16th September 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1580548.html The last official FMi meet of the year at a dry but overcast Newport. Wednesday 17 September 2008: The last official FMi meet of the year at a dry but overcast Newport.

66130 arrives with the 6B24 Didcot-Wentloog MOD working, and the usual odd assortment of wagons. The rear VKA of 6B24, 210527, sports the Lovat Spring mineral water livery. Refreshing! 6M41 Margam-Round Oak with 66094 passes the watchful eye of Mr Lindsell, admiring the local art. South Wales Steel! 66164 6H26 Llanwern-Margam. 6V05 Round Oak-Margam with 66039 thrills the FMi throng. Nodding Donkey Thrash! Beast! It takes two men in the cab to control it's awesome power. See how the seated passenger is overwhealmed by this engineering masterpiece! More meagre pickings. this time 66157 with 6V75 Dee Marsh-Margam. 59001 causes much excitement as it glides through light engine as 0F59 Canton-Merehead after tyre turning. Please insert TUBS!! A sight to strike fear & excitement into any Darksiders heart, 66096 6F53Newport-Uskmouth HAA MGR Hoppers. A little Gronk action. 09017 with the 8F06 Newport-Llanwern trip. More 4 wheeler thrills. This time 66144 with MEA on 6Z41 Newport-Falkland Yard. 66097 opens up as it heaves its train of HTA on 6B86 Portbury-Aberthaw through as 170107 with 1V30 to Cardiff loads up. TUG! 60005 6H27 Margam-Llanwern. With a 158 lighting up its flank, 60024 powers 6B33 Theale Robeston through the station. More Tuggage. 60042 explodes past the 158 with 6V92 Corby-Margam. With the photographs over the important job of Darksiding needs to be done... Also good for a game of name the FMier! Just one toot! 6M17 Newport-Wembley with 66017... Who is that mystery driver? With a varied rake of steel carrying wagons, 6V07 Round Oak-Margam is in the hands of 66037 66120 with more HTA from Portbury for Aberthaw. This time 6B69. Ian prepares to read the coal covered numbers! Gronk on Steel. 09017 returns with empties from Llanwern on 8F11 as Chalky looks on, dictaphone poised! In the gathering gloom an early 6B50 Swindon_newport with 66176 awaits a road into the yard.

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]]> Wed Sep 17 2008 Late Summer '08 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1570550.html Had a very quiet summer (was there one?) so here are a few oddments from the last few months and up to the end of September. Saturday 30 August 2008: Had a very quiet summer (was there one?) so here are a few oddments from the last few months and up to the end of September.

A SouthWestTrains 455 gives the fact away that the 6H50 Willesden-Tunstead cement is off its normal route. 60040 heads into Barnes, to take the line to Kew and thence onto the ECML. Bathed in glorious sun, 60040 33025 opens up as it passes under the District line at Putney, on the way to Weymouth with 33025 creates its own cloud to rival those in the sky! A shiny 73136 can be seen on the rear As 1Z82 Waterloo-Weymouth Dorset Dumpling passes through an almost empty Putney station, the spanking paintjob of 73136

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]]> Sat Aug 30 2008 Water Orton 12/6 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1527430.html A day spent at NWG HQ... Thursday 12 June 2008: A day spent at NWG HQ...

60012 leads a very mixed bag of wagon types on 6D44 bescot-Toton. The rear of 6V92 Corby-Margam can be seen disappearing to the left. More Tuggage! 60039 scurries through 6G21 Stud Farm-Bescot ballast wagons Valenta Power! 43007+43184 rush passed to the Cornish Coast with 9V57 The Officer sheds a tear at the passing of Uniquely liveried 66522 is far from East Londons rubbish, hauling 4E72 Rugeley-Daw Mill Another unique livery, this one a little less colourful. 56311 with the perennially late 4O90 to Grain. Look out for the Dred in the sun! Bathed in sunshine on hire 66422 leads 4G81 Ratcliffe-Daw Mill for Fastline. Note the hard hats in the cab windows. 6M51 Barrow Hill-Rugeley has 66584 for power. Tug 12 returns with 6G45 Toton-Bescot departmental working. The driver seems a little shy...

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]]> Thu Jun 12 2008 Peterborough 11/6 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1527415.html A pleasant day at Peterborough station before meeting an old friend for a few ales... Wednesday 11 June 2008: A pleasant day at Peterborough station before meeting an old friend for a few ales...

66221 brings 6L39 Mountsorrel-Norwich into Peterborough Stranger in the camp. SouthWest Trains 158882 forms the 1M19 to Liverpool Lime St off Peterborough. One of the reliveried National Express pwer cars awaits the off 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe prepares to pass Peterborough with 66184 at the head 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon pauses in the goods lines at Peterborough More Heavy Haul Fredage, 66612 with 6M19 Barham-Dowlow While 170271 hurries away 1L77 to Colchester, 66146 pauses for a crew change with 6M70 Chesterton Junc-Mountsorrel self discharge train Crew changed 66146 continues north. 66100 arrives at Peterborough with 4E25 Bow-Heck Plasmor empties. The train will take up residency for the rest of the afternoon. 4E24 Thamesport-Leeds continues on its way with 66577 after a brief crew stop. 153326 flees north with 2K50 to Lincoln 66037 6E88 Middleton Towers-Peterborough Yard sand train is clear the cross the ECML. Snaking across from the Yard, 66720 leads 4L78 Selby-Felixstowe south.

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]]> Wed Jun 11 2008 June 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1522585.html Flaming or Flipping? Only The Weathermen can tell! Wednesday 4 June 2008: Flaming or Flipping? Only The Weathermen can tell!

Running in the Exploding from the bushes at the end of Platform 4, 37605 heads back north with 1Q14 from Hither Green. 37259 gets in on the smoke laying action as they power off toward Wandsworth Town 73136 Two very different generation of SR Electrics! 73136 comes to a halt (ironically on diesel power), whilst It's entire train of Perch rail carriers visable, 66180 hurries 6Y42 to Eastleigh. 60029 crosses from the Down Fast to the Down Slow with it's lengthy train of Brett JHAs. 6Y91 Cliffe-Purley now blocks the Brighton lines at Clapham Junction as it heads south 60029 6M79 again running in it's later slot at 13:50, this time with 66584 at the helm. 142009 sits on the blocks at Barnstaple, having just arrived with 2B78 from Exmouth. 66003 crosses the High Level at Willesden with what I presum is a late 6Z66 Hitchin-Sheerness 66702 runs light to Wembley to collect a friend... Watching Me, Watching You. Crew training Bubble 960014 returns north after a foray into Euston, as staff on board photograph the photographer! 66003 returns, this time with 6V18 Hither Green-Whatley Having collected 66728, 66702 heads to Eastleigh as 0Y68 Can Can! 86638+86612 power 4M87 to Trafford Park in glorious sun. Triple Headed Colonel Express. 37422 is the meat in a Shed sandwich with 008 and 122 at the head of a lengthy and varied 6M44 Eastleigh-Wembley 60082 leads 67001 on 6M32 Dollands Moor-Wembley 37259 leads 1Q14 across the Windsor Line pointwork at Clapham junction, enroute to Peterborough after another circuitous tour of the south east. More Test Train excitement! 4Q07 enroute to Selhurst from the RTC at Derby passes Clapham, with 31459 in de-branded FM Rail black, and Network Rail Yellow 31602 on the rear. Slightly overpowered for the short rake of Falcons, 6Y42 passes Clapham with 66005+66050 In rail blue, 73208 Running nearly an hour early 67006 (67026 is unseen on the rear) heads back to Ascot with 5Z77. 67026 brings up the rear of 5Z77 VSOE ECS to Ascot 67020 with another ECS to Ascot for the Races. This time the Great Briton set forming 5Z68 from Old Oak Common. 47712 leads 1Z94 Victoria-Ascot tentatively through Barnes. One of the many Ladies Day Specials, with appropriately, a lady in the cab. 47832 brings up the rear, also in the new Stobart livery 1Z94 disappears round the curve onto the Hounslow loop, as commuters on platform 1 await a less luxurious 450 or 455 to London. 66192 rounds the curve into West Brompton, hauling a rag bag collection of hoppers forming 6Z78 Hither Green-Marks Tey empties Bathed in glorious early evening sun, 20306 & 20312 with a single FNA, burble their way to Willesden with 6M95 from Dungeness. 66624 hauls the 6M79 Bardon empties under the bridge for the Wimbledon Branch of the District line at Putney. One day I'll get the double.. 1001 with 1Z10 Hastings-Bournemouth framed by the bridges at Putney as it heads to the seaside. Both power cars A saturday traveller looks on at the noisy diesel interloper, and the rear power car with its small yellow warning panel. The standard gauge buffet car can clearly be seen in the centre.

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]]> Wed Jun 4 2008 May 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1515343.html Oddments from what promised to be a quiet month... Thursday 22 May 2008: Oddments from what promised to be a quiet month...

66951 brings the 6M80 Dagenham-Calvert 66050 threads 6M44 Eastleigh-Wembley Enterprise through the forest of masts, wires & lineside equipment. Peek-a-boo amongst the bushes! 60063, with a window frame from whats looks like an EWS liveried machine, trundles round toward Acton with 7V71 Cliffe-Acton 67023 waits at Kensington Olympia after loading up the Northern Belle stock for the return to Birmingham. 220018 prepares to stop at Kensington with 1O23 to Brighton 67016 brings up the rear of the Northern Belle stock as it departs Kensington With a Motley collection of JHA/JGA, 66142 comes to a stop in the centre road at Kenny O with 6Z78 Hither Green-Marks Tey empties. With 6Z78 still in the centre road, 6M95 Dungeness-Willesden Brent is forced through the platform road. 20315+20313 provide the Chopper-tastic traction. The two flask were 550059 & 550044. With a mish mash of 4 wheel ballast wagons, 6Y42 Hoo-Eastleigh heads west with 66105. 60063 had worked the inbound 6Y41. Approaching the gloom of the overbridge, 60056 with 12 JUA/JTA forming the 6Z53 Eastleigh-Acton, passing Clapham about 25 minutes late 60075 through Clapham Junction with the empties forming 6Y60 Ardingley-Hither Green Just four wagons for 6Y41 Eastleigh-Hoo, as 66094 negotiates the track workers to the west of Clapham Junction. Bardon Blue Bill Bolsover Brings Bogie Boxes Back Bardon....

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]]> Thu May 22 2008 April 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1490126.html Hopefully shower free, although we have had snow and hail... Wednesday 9 April 2008: Hopefully shower free, although we have had snow and hail...

An unusual 12 car 159 formation in an unusual spot! With the SWML closed south of Clapham Junction, 1L21 Waterloo-Exeter St Davids is diverted via Richmond 47804 clags under the road bridge at Barnes with 1Z22 Sheffield-Canterbury. 47787 on the rear of 1Z22, caught through the signal gantry on the down lines. 66570 4E44 Millbrook-Leeds pauses for a crew change at Eastleigh. While the gent seems more interested in my, the pushchair based tot keenly observes 66162 arriving from Fawley with 6B42, consisting of fuel TTA Watching me, watching you, watching trains. 66098 exits the yard with 4B36 intermodal service to Southampton Western Docks. 66501 220 001 in the new 08482 engages in a spot of light shunting More usual to my Clapham haunts 455919 hurries south. The working: 5B39 Wimbledon Park-Bournemouth T&RSMD 66162 prepares to take a rake of Typically hitting a rare dull spot in the day, 60054 arrives with the 6O41 from Westbury, a complete rake of Falcons. Octopi Close up of detail on one of the YDA 210306, the sets generator wagon To much excitement to the gallery on Platform 1, 47727 passes through the station to the yard as 0Z47 Exeter-Eastleigh-Yard The Colas Duff trundles into the yard Another Freightliner crew change, this time 4M61 Southampton-Trafford Park with 66517. 158889 waits to leave with 2S35 to Salisbury. Hauling mainly With a much better load than the previous photo, 4O51 Wentloog-Southampton headed by 66541 Ladies! Freightliner cavalcade continues! 66589 4O54 Leeds-Southampton 66162 arrives with the 6V62 Fawley-Tavistock Junction 66611 arrives with 6O49 Neasden-Wool sand empties 60054 leaves the yard with a short rake of Salmons and FDA forming 7V41 Eastleigh-Westbury Another named Fred. 66503 08804 aka 66726 catches the rays with 73208+73206 66193 struggles away from Eastleigh in an impressive display of clag with 6M57 Wool-Watford loaded sand. The uniform rake of PGA of 6M57 4M20 Eastern Docks-Castle Bromwich WIA car carriers heads north with 66172, as 377310 waits to leave with 1Y20 Brighton-Southampton. Both have circuitous routes to their destinations. 59104 snakes 7O40 Merehead-Eastleigh off the Romsey branch and across the mainlines. 153318, freshly refurbished awaits the road as 5Z53 Eastleigh-Bristol. Not Penzance as stated.... Gronk 648 rumbles past in the rain. 60048 heads north with a rake of MRA 66727 with 4L48 intermodal to Felixstowe Pausing in the sun, 66129 about to head off with 6D95 steel. A visually enhanced GBRf hopper on 6F93 66551 arrives with a binliner Ahhh, smug mode! Someone's happy about seeing 66596 66544 arrives with coal hoppers from the north...the beginning of a Fred Invasion! 66520 arrives with MJA, as 66551 waits with the bins What's going on behind me?! Obligatory More Freds! More Coal! 66514 heads north as Mr Terrace walks off 0Z44 57009 flies through to Stowmarket for a Stoneblower move. 66118 in late afternoon sun. 6E84 Middleton Towers-Monk Bretton sand.

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]]> Wed Apr 9 2008 Colonel's Clapham Compendium April 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1485541.html Possibly my last dedicated Clapham Collection :( Tuesday 1 April 2008: Possibly my last dedicated Clapham Collection :(

A grubby 66425 stands in for the more usual Freightliner 66 on the 6M79 Angerstein-Bardon Hill Running around half an hour late 66057 threads the mixed consist of 6M44 along platform 3. FCA, IGA and just visible at the rear TTA. Note the nose end adornments on the loco for Lickey Bank work. It also happens to be my last EWS 66! 66005 arrives with the 6Y42 from Hoo. A mixed rake of Seacows, Salmons, and Autoballasters are visible here. 66137 & 6M44 lose the race into Clapham to a juniper on a service from Reading. The cages area on the right contains the remains of the brick outbuildings which could once be found on the Putney ends of platfoms 3-6. Demolished to make way for the forthcoming lifts. With the whole of 6Y42 visible, 66125 heads off to Eastleigh with it's load of CWR. 66084 arrives with 6M44, a long train of FCA with a handful of TTA at the rear. A brace of Road Railers can be seen on the right, in the incredibly rarely used Kensington Sidings. Piggies Back! 2405+2410, sans 73, hum through Clapham as 5A42 Eastleigh-Brighton Lovers Walk. 6Y42 Hoo-Eastleigh, with two GBRf liveried FEA, and two sets of JJA Autoballasters. 66105 provides traction. 66585 As 66585 brings the two Pigs through, the road railers can be seen in the Kensington sidings, which is being used to construct pointwork. 5Z80 Eastleigh Works-Wolverton, conveys two Wessex Electrics for modifications before reuse in Sussex. Observed by waiting commuters more used to 450s and 455s, the train slowly passes through. The fenced area to the right is where a small brick building once sttod, razed to make way for the new lifts. The Goodbye, but not for long.. 66238 negotiates the forest of 66050 rumbles the GEFCO empty Car Carriers forming 6O41 through Clapham Junction

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]]> Tue Apr 1 2008 March 2008 http://col23idw.fotopic.net/c1469108.html All those photos that I haven't taken while loafing at Clapham Junction ;) Monday 3 March 2008: All those photos that I haven't taken while loafing at Clapham Junction ;)

1Z86 Thomas Hardy Circular from Northampton (started from Watford junction due to an icident on the WCML) rounds the curve and the branch to Fawley on its way to Weymouth. 47802 really hammers through Rushington into the New Forest with the newly liveried Stobart Pullman stock 47712 brings up the rear, as the train approaches the site of the old Ashurst Level Crossing I see you! Waiting to head down to Dollands with the late Bari, 92011+92036 hide behind the scrapyard at Willesden. The 4033 Trafford Park-Dollands Moor (for Bari) can be seen sitting on the curve to Kensington, awaiting the road. The two locos hiding to the right Another one! 92029 brings the return Bari, 4M32 Dollands Moor-Trafford Park past the outgoing service as it continues to wait. Somehow I think the Tug would get right of way here! 60031 potters round the curve from Kensington to Acton with 7V71 Cliffe-Acton loaded sand. 66193 passes Rushington on the Fawley line with 10 TTA forming 6V62 Fawley-Bristol. 60034 approaches Water Orton at speed hauling 6M96 Margam-Corby coil service. Heading back to Derby RTC from Taunton 31459+31601 pass Water Orton as 0Z31. 66108 provides power for 6V92 Corby-Margam steel empties. With the rear of 6V92 disappearing round the curve 6D44 Bescot-Toton departmental is almost upon us with 66156 Time for the Green Team. 66570 has nearly reached it's destination of Lawley St with 4M94 from Felixstowe. It's MBA casting long shadows, 6Z59 Margam-Healey Mills hammers through with 66020. A single SPA breaks up the otherwise uniform BDA on 6E79 Wolverhampton-Scunthorpe empty steel. Tug 076 with freshly loaded MRA for one of the many engineers possesions this Easter weekend no doubt. Train is 6Z31 Bardon Hill-Crewe Basford Hall. Early Evening Surprise! With the sun setting, 6G45 Toton-Bescot arrives with a mixed train of Autoballasters, and three locos, 66156+66228+66217 The setting sun catches the locos, whilst the tail lamp pierces the gathering gloom. With rakes of VGA in the yard 08664 shunts a warwell and a bitumen TTA 47727 rounds the West Curve at Didcot with 6Z47 Hinksey-Stoke Gifford. The colourful Colas train with 47727 at the head. 6Z47 disappears onto the GWML, while The Officer resplendant in his Chelski hat, and Chris in his Arsenal hat, no doubt discuss the previous nights Chelsea-Spurs game judging by the look on tThe Officers face ;) Tug 12 hammers through Didcot with 6B33 Theale-Robeston 66134 rounds the curve with 4O21 Washwood Heath-Eastleigh, while a 66186 is hardly struggling with an extremely lightly loaded 6V38 Marchwood-Didcot MOD working. 08664 shunts VGAs in the yard 66116 brings a very well loaded 6V27 Eastleigh-Hinksey into the yard. A pair of FDA in the 6V27 A very battered OBA 110082 brings up the rear. West Coast Railways 47245 sits between turns at Clapham Junction. 66106 heads 6M44 through Clapham, with fully loaded FCA, and out of shot empty IGA steel carriers. 6Y42 Hoo-Eastleigh, comprising Rudds & Seacows, threaded through Clapham by 66193 With two track workers inspecting the ever troublesome pointwork onto the Windsor lines at Clapham Junction, 59101 rumbles past with 6V67 Sevington-Whatley

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]]> Mon Mar 3 2008