Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos http://cowgill.fotopic.net/ 42 rows en-gb 60 Autumn 2009 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1772248.html Autumn is here, the leaves are falling from the trees and the Blue Team are back in action trying to keep the rails clean! A selection of pictures covering the 2009 leaf fall season and the DRS water cannon trains out of Stowmarket. This year we have a selection of motive power, pairs of 66s, 57s 37s and 20s. This collection also includes a few other photographs taken while out and about during the same period. Sunday 25 October 2009: Autumn is here, the leaves are falling from the trees and the Blue Team are back in action trying to keep the rails clean! A selection of pictures covering the 2009 leaf fall season and the DRS water cannon trains out of Stowmarket. This year we have a selection of motive power, pairs of 66s, 57s 37s and 20s. This collection also includes a few other photographs taken while out and about during the same period.

The first day out on the mainline for the 20s as 20305 leads 3S63 with 20304 on the rear of the water cannon train heading north through Manningtree 20305 leads 3S63 with 20304 on the rear of the water cannon train heading north through Manningtree 20304 brings up the rear of 3S63 14:02 Colchester to Norwich at Manningtree West Junction 66535 leads 4L97 MX 05:03 Trafford Park-Felixstowe round the curve out of Manningtree station 37601 leads 0Z37 Norwich to Willesden loco move with 37059 and 47802 in tow 57003 leading and 57007 at the rear of 3S60 09:15 SO Stowmarket-Shenfield RHTT at Brantham A grubby 66426 complete with headboard leads 66420 and an RHTT set over the Stour with 3G10 12:05 Stowmarket to Ilford movement to avoid an engineering blockade 66420 leads 3S60 09:21 Stowmarket to Shenfield, 66426 on the rear, looming out of the morning mist as it departs from Stowmarket ~20304 brings up the rear of 3W88 behind 20305 forming 09:26 Stowmarket to Norwich jetting past Lancaster's crossing, Stowmarket 20305 catches the sun leading 20304 and 3W91 Norwich to Lowestoft 20 minutes early through Reedham station 20304 trails the set as 3W91 heads away towards Reedham Junction 170204 runs past Lake Lothing on the approach to Lowestoft 20304 leads 20305 and the water cannon set past Lake Lothing with 3W92 Lowestoft to Ipswich running a few minutes early 20304 draws into Halesworth station on the 3W92 Lowestoft to Ipswich water cannons 20304 waits for the Lowestoft service to arrive before it can leave Halesworth for Ipswich On-hire EWS 90035 heads the 15:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street past Barham EWS 66129 has split it's rake of ex-RMC hoppers and is unloading half of them at Barham after arriving with 6L41 FO-Q 10:18 Mountsorrel-Barham 66954 is illuminated by the setting sun as 4S88 16:07 Felixstowe North-Coatbridge runs through Westerfield GBRf 66703 'Doncaster PSB' catches the last rays of the sun as 4M02 16:43 Felixstowe North-Hams Hall departs from Westerfield DRS 66429 arrives at Shipley with a loaded scrap train from Stockton, this had been an Advenza flow until their recent demise. 66429 has backed it's train of loaded scrap into the sidings at Crossley Evans, Shipley 57007 runs into Colchester with 57003 on the rear of the set forming 3S61 Shenfield to Clacton RHTT train, passing fellow DRS loco 47501 DRS pairing 57007 and 57003 run into Colchester with the down GEML water cannon train (3S61 Shenfield to Clacton) 20305 leads an RHTT set with 20304 on the rear away from Westerfield forming 3W92 MWFO Lowestoft to Ipswich

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]]> Sun Oct 25 2009 That's Yer Lot - North Norfolk Railway Gala http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1664607.html To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Midland & Great Northern on 28th February 1959 the North Norfolk Railway held their biggest ever gala weekends at the end of February and start of March. 5 visiting locomotives together with the resident fleet provided an intensive service with ever changing locomotives at the front end. We went up for the last day of services, starting with bright sunshine and ending with wintry showers! This was also the first time I had sampled the Gresley Quad-Art set since restoration, an excellent job and well worth the Lottery money spent on it! An extra bonus were the 'Rail Replacement Services' operated by the historic fleet of the Eastern Transport Collection. Standing in the sunshine at Holt were a pair of Bristol ECW buses in beautiful condition, both types that transported me to and from school on many occasions - I almost left the rest of the family to go on the train alone so I could rekindle the memories of Bristol Lodekkas, but they had run off with my lunch... Sunday 8 March 2009: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Midland & Great Northern on 28th February 1959 the North Norfolk Railway held their biggest ever gala weekends at the end of February and start of March. 5 visiting locomotives together with the resident fleet provided an intensive service with ever changing locomotives at the front end. We went up for the last day of services, starting with bright sunshine and ending with wintry showers! This was also the first time I had sampled the Gresley Quad-Art set since restoration, an excellent job and well worth the Lottery money spent on it! An extra bonus were the 'Rail Replacement Services' operated by the historic fleet of the Eastern Transport Collection. Standing in the sunshine at Holt were a pair of Bristol ECW buses in beautiful condition, both types that transported me to and from school on many occasions - I almost left the rest of the family to go on the train alone so I could rekindle the memories of Bristol Lodekkas, but they had run off with my lunch...

Shrouded in steam, 76079 moves up the platform to take water - Sheringham BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 76079 takes water at the water crane at the outer end of platform 2 - Sheringham N7 0-6-2T 69671 leads 4F 44422 into Sheringham with a train from Holt LS789 of 1959, A Bristol MW5G of Eastern Counties stands in front of Lodekka LKD229 LKD229 of 1954, the 3rd Bristol Lodekka to be operated by Eastern Counties stands at Holt Station The beautifully restored Gresley Quad-Art set stands in the platform at Weybourne Waiting for the road to Sheringham, J15 0-6-0 65462 stands in the platform at Weybourne BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 78019 draws to a halt at Weybourne Emerging from under the road bridge, 2MT 2-6-0 78019 departs noisily from Weybourne A pair of small 0-6-0s, J15 65462 & L&YR 1300 approach Weybourne with the North Sea in the background B1 4-6-0 1306 'Mayflower' departs from Weybourne with the Gresley Quad-Art set With Weybourne village in the background, 2-6-0 76079 hurries the Quad-Arts towards Weybourne station The N7 and it's train is seen with the sea beyond passing Sheringham Park The old and the new, J15 65462 and 2MT 78019 depart from Weybourne tender first Coupled tender to tender, 4F 44422 and B1 1306 run into Weybourne with a Holt train J15 0-6-0 65462 appears to be emitting steam from everywhere as it approaches Holt Thompson B1 4-6-0 1306 'Mayflower' approaches Holt tender-first with the teak Quad-Arts

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]]> Sun Mar 8 2009 37423 and Caroline on the East Suffolk Line http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1656251.html DRS 37423 and Hastings saloon 975025 'Caroline' have been doing the rounds of the former GER lines this week. Today after a trip to the seaside at Clacton and Walton they headed up the East Suffolk Line. Here are a few views, firstly passing Tuddenham Road east of Westerfield and then waiting for the single line to Saxmundham to clear at Woodbridge. Thursday 19 February 2009: DRS 37423 and Hastings saloon 975025 'Caroline' have been doing the rounds of the former GER lines this week. Today after a trip to the seaside at Clacton and Walton they headed up the East Suffolk Line. Here are a few views, firstly passing Tuddenham Road east of Westerfield and then waiting for the single line to Saxmundham to clear at Woodbridge.

Inspection saloon 975025 'Caroline' is propelled past Tuddenham Road bridge by 37423 forming 2Z38 to Leiston Saloon 975025 'Caroline' is propelled past Tuddenham Road and on to Woodbridge bridge by DRS 37423 975025 'Caroline' stands in the platform at Woodbridge waiting for the single line to Saxmundham to clear 37423 waits with saloon 'Caroline' at Woodbridge with 2Z38 to Leiston DRS 37423 stands idling in the platform at Woodbridge DRS 37423 with 'DRS Anglia On A Mission' headboard at Woodbridge 170207 runs into Woodbridge with a Lowestoft to Liverpool St service 37423 departs from Woodbridge, propelling 975025 'Caroline' with 2Z38 to Leiston 37423 heads away from Woodbridge, propelling 975025 'Caroline' with 2Z38 to Leiston 37423 heads away from Woodbridge, propelling 975025 'Caroline' with 2Z38 to Leiston

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]]> Thu Feb 19 2009 Tornado hits Surrey... http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1654053.html New A1 60163 'Tornado' made it's first runs south of the Thames on 14th February 2009, with a Stram Dreams special to Andover and Eastleigh, out and back to Waterloo. On the same day Merchant Navy 35028 'Clan Line' worked a VSOE train around the Surrey circuit. It was a very cold sunny morning, on the approach to Lyne the road was a skating rink with total loss of traction and steering at a couple of hairy spots. I hope the bloke driving the Volvo that followed an inch from my tail as the MG slid sideways and then overtook me as I was signalling right to tun up to the bridge at Lyne has since been reunited with his single braincell... Sunday 15 February 2009: New A1 60163 'Tornado' made it's first runs south of the Thames on 14th February 2009, with a Stram Dreams special to Andover and Eastleigh, out and back to Waterloo. On the same day Merchant Navy 35028 'Clan Line' worked a VSOE train around the Surrey circuit. It was a very cold sunny morning, on the approach to Lyne the road was a skating rink with total loss of traction and steering at a couple of hairy spots. I hope the bloke driving the Volvo that followed an inch from my tail as the MG slid sideways and then overtook me as I was signalling right to tun up to the bridge at Lyne has since been reunited with his single braincell...

66165 leads the 4O53 Trafford Park-Southampton intermodal slowly up the bank at Lyne south of Virginia Water A1 60163 'Tornado'fills the crisp morning sky with steam as it climbs the grade at Lyne Brand new A1 60163 'Tornado' on it's first run south of the Thames blasts up the grade at Lyne with Steam Dreams 'Valentine's Day Special' Brand new A1 60163 'Tornado' on it's first run south of the Thames blasts up the grade at Lyne with Steam Dreams 'Valentine's Day Special' 450090 brings up the rear of a train from the Guildford line approaching Woking Desiro 450562 arrives at Chertsey with the 12:59 service to Weybridge Merchant Navy 35028 'Clan Line' with a VSOE Victoria-Guildford-Redhill-Victoria excursion south of Chertsey station Merchant Navy 35028 'Clan Line' with a VSOE Victoria-Guildford-Redhill-Victoria excursion south of Chertsey station Freightliner 66504 passes through Chertsey with the 4O02 Lawley Street-Southampton intermodal train Brand new A1 60163 'Tornado' on it's first run south of the Thames storms through Chertsey with Steam Dreams 'Valentine's Day Special' Brand new A1 60163 'Tornado' on it's first run south of the Thames storms through Chertsey with Steam Dreams 'Valentine's Day Special' 159001 departs from Woking on the down main as Network Rail MPV deicer DR98963 / DR98913 runs alongside on the down slow

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]]> Sun Feb 15 2009 40 Years of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1557976.html After visiting the 40th anniversary gala on the KWVR (photos shortly) I dug back through my collection and found a treasure trove of photos from over the last 40 years - visiting locos, those that have long gone, old favourites in different guises and a few surprises. Thursday 7 August 2008: After visiting the 40th anniversary gala on the KWVR (photos shortly) I dug back through my collection and found a treasure trove of photos from over the last 40 years - visiting locos, those that have long gone, old favourites in different guises and a few surprises.

J72 69023 'Joem' with the Centenary Special, 16th April 1967, at Keighley station. This was before the public opening in June 1968. Rebuilt Royal Scot 46115 'Scots Guardsman' was a resident of Haworth from 1966 until 1969, although it never ran on the KWVR, something that may now be put right following it's recent restoration at Carnforth. Haworth Yard, 1966 or 1967. LYR Pug 51218 stands outside the goods shed at Haworth, date unknown but possibly 1976. Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41241 on display at Oxenhope in it's KWVR red livery as carried on the opening day in June 1968. Date unknown, possibly 1976 as the loco was in working order in 1975 when it travelled to Shildon. Robert, Stephenson & Hawthorn 'Ugly' 0-6-0T No 62, buult for Stewart & Lloyds at Corby. Along with two others (57 'Samson' & 63) was a regular performer during the early years of the line. 9F 9-10-0 92220 'Evening Star' enters Oakworth while on loan from the National Railway Museum. Date unknown but believed to be 1976. Super-power over Mytholmes Viaduct, 92220 'Evening Star' leads WD 2-8-0 Swedish Railways 1931 round the curve at Mytholmes, probably 1976. Swedish Railways 1931 WD 2-8-0 runs into Oakworth on a double-headed train (with 92220), probably 1976, it's last year in service in it's Swedish condition. 1931 has now turned into 90733 and has reverted to it's UK as-built outline and now runs in BR livery. Haworth Yard, prior to building the new shed, 34092 & L89 visible. 18th July 1979 4F 0-6-0 43924 in Haworth Yard, behind is Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41241 part way through overhaul behind, losing it's red livery. 18th July 1979 Panner L89 pilots an unnamed 34092 into Oxenhope with a M&GN special train. 23rd March 1980 On a hot summer day 4MT 4-6-0 75078 climbs out of Keighley. 26th August 1981 8F 2-8-0 8431 pulls into Ingrow station with an Oxenhope train. 6th September 1981 A stalwart of this period, USATC S160 2-8-0 'Big Jim' leads 4MT 75078 out of Keighley. 6th September 1981 Almost certainly the oldest loco ever to work on the line, Liverpool & Manchester Railway 0-4-2 'Lion' runs up the headshunt at Keighley. 6th September 1981 4F 43924 catches the evening sun as it pulls in to Oakworth station. 6th September 1981 USA 0-6-0T Dock Tank No 72 wearing it's KWVR livery arrives at Keighley in the rain, 21st March 1981 Manning Wardle 'Lord Mayor' at Ingrow, 5th April 1981 2MT 2-6-2T 41241, now running in BR lined black livery, leads 8F 8431 into Ingrow station. 5th April 1981 USATC S160 2-8-0 'Big Jim' storms into Oakworth station. 5th April 1981 Swindon built LMS design 8F no 8431 emerges from Mytholmes tunnel, heading for Haworth. 5th April 1981 41241 departs from Keighley, 18th April 1981 K1 2-6-0 2005 visitied for the 1982 spring gala, here it leads 4F 43924 up past the Sun Inn. 27th March 1982 Recently returned to service, RSH 'Ugly' No 63 takes water in platform 4 at Keighley. 27th March 1982 A strange pairing of LYR 0-6-0ST 752 and West Country 34092 'City of Well's between Mytholmes and Haworth. 28th March 1982 K1 2005 and 4F 43924 pass lineside fires at Mytholmes. 28th March 1982 34092 'City of Wells' stands blocking the level crossing at Oakworth with a late afternoon train. 28th March 1982 'City of Wells' and RSH No 63 double head a train away from Oakworth station. 28th March 1982

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]]> Thu Aug 7 2008 Airedale & Wharfedale Lines - 1979 and 1980s http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1380329.html There were a number of stations on the route between Whitehall Junction and Apperley Junction, Kirkstall,Newlay & Horsforth and Calverley & Rodley. Little evidence remained by 1980 of these stations, but the most obvious was Calverley & Rodley (equally remote from both of the places whose names it bore). The site of the station is marked by a wide area to the west of the Leeds ring road, location of the extensive goods yard. At Apperley Junction the branch line to Ilkley diverges on the right, climbing steeply away from the main line. Continuing on past Esholt Junction where the line from Baildon trails in on the left, the first station reached is Guiseley. Ilkley station is a shadow of it’s former self, the DMUs used the two platforms forming the southern half of the station. The disused northern platforms were through lines that marched out across the road and on to Bolton Abbey and Skipton. At Esholt, the Leeds-Liverpool canal and the River Aire are both diverted to the north, but the railway dives straight through the hill causing the obstruction, the 1496 yards long Thackley Tunnel providing the direct route. Today he location has been spoilt by the raising of the bridge parapets as part of the electrification work, and the invasion of palisade fencing spoiling the lineside view. Today’s photographer is now denied the delights of sitting on the coping stone alongside the bridge dangling his feet over the edge waiting for the approaching whistle of a class 40 about to leave the tunnel… Continuing along the valley the two track main line passed Thackley Junction box where the the former four track layout was retained, providing two long loops between here and Shipley. The up slow was rarely used and in the photographs has rusty railheads, but the down slow was frequently used to allow freight trains to be held while other down trains passed by. Approaching Shipley, the route returns to double track. Today Shipley Dockfield is a desolate location, with one of the two overbridges removed, the other raised, preventing views of passing trains and high palisade fencing getting in the way elsewhere. A sad end for a favourite spot. A branch trails in on the north side of the main line at Guiseley Junction. This is the link between the main line at Shipley and the Ilkley branch at Esholt Junction south of Guiseley. Surprisingly, the line had a weekly freight service, Menston coal yard was supplied by a train from Bradford Valley Road goods yard. However the line’s finest hour came in the summer of 1981 when Baildon station played host to LNER Pacifics ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ and ‘Flying Scotsman’ as they used the triangular branch line to turn on the ‘North Yorkshireman’ steam specials. The next collection will feature Shipley station and the line to Bradford Forster Square. Sunday 30 September 2007: There were a number of stations on the route between Whitehall Junction and Apperley Junction, Kirkstall,Newlay & Horsforth and Calverley & Rodley. Little evidence remained by 1980 of these stations, but the most obvious was Calverley & Rodley (equally remote from both of the places whose names it bore). The site of the station is marked by a wide area to the west of the Leeds ring road, location of the extensive goods yard. At Apperley Junction the branch line to Ilkley diverges on the right, climbing steeply away from the main line. Continuing on past Esholt Junction where the line from Baildon trails in on the left, the first station reached is Guiseley. Ilkley station is a shadow of it_s former self, the DMUs used the two platforms forming the southern half of the station. The disused northern platforms were through lines that marched out across the road and on to Bolton Abbey and Skipton. At Esholt, the Leeds-Liverpool canal and the River Aire are both diverted to the north, but the railway dives straight through the hill causing the obstruction, the 1496 yards long Thackley Tunnel providing the direct route. Today he location has been spoilt by the raising of the bridge parapets as part of the electrification work, and the invasion of palisade fencing spoiling the lineside view. Today_s photographer is now denied the delights of sitting on the coping stone alongside the bridge dangling his feet over the edge waiting for the approaching whistle of a class 40 about to leave the tunnel_ Continuing along the valley the two track main line passed Thackley Junction box where the the former four track layout was retained, providing two long loops between here and Shipley. The up slow was rarely used and in the photographs has rusty railheads, but the down slow was frequently used to allow freight trains to be held while other down trains passed by. Approaching Shipley, the route returns to double track. Today Shipley Dockfield is a desolate location, with one of the two overbridges removed, the other raised, preventing views of passing trains and high palisade fencing getting in the way elsewhere. A sad end for a favourite spot. A branch trails in on the north side of the main line at Guiseley Junction. This is the link between the main line at Shipley and the Ilkley branch at Esholt Junction south of Guiseley. Surprisingly, the line had a weekly freight service, Menston coal yard was supplied by a train from Bradford Valley Road goods yard. However the line_s finest hour came in the summer of 1981 when Baildon station played host to LNER Pacifics _Sir Nigel Gresley_ and _Flying Scotsman_ as they used the triangular branch line to turn on the _North Yorkshireman_ steam specials. The next collection will feature Shipley station and the line to Bradford Forster Square.

13th January 1979 31205 runs light engine through the down platform at Guiseley on a winter Sunday morning. Guiseley signal box was unusually cantilevered out over a narrower base unlike the standard Midland Railway designs elsewhere in the area. 28th November 1980 47280 approaches Shipley on a mixed freight train with a light dusting of snow on the ground. Thackley Junction box and signals are visible in the distance. 15th April 1981 40017 would not have been unduly stretched with it’s single loaded 16 ton coal wagon and an LMS Design 20 ton brake van, the locomotive weighed around 100 tons more than it’s train! The weekly Menston coal train passes through Baildon. 15th April 1981 A 2 car Metropolitan-Cammell class 101 DMU runs into Baildon station with an up train from Ilkley to Bradford. 15th April 1981 A Derby built class 108 DMU at Baildon station with a Bradford to Ilkley train. As the Baildon line was not built until some time later than the other lines in the area, it’s architecture is of a different style. Baildon station is contemporary with the Settle-Carlisle line and it’s station buildings share the same design. 17th April 1981 47471 emerges from the blackness of Thackley tunnel with the mid-morning Nottingham to Glasgow service. 22nd April 1981 In comparison with the previous photograph, 31248 has an almost gargantuan train as it heads towards Menston with the weekly coal supply! 13th February 1981 ETH fitted 47487 approaches Thackley tunnel with the morning Glasgow to Nottingham service. 5th June 1981 The prototype 2nd generation lightweight DMU 140001 is seen during it’s first week of network trials at Guiseley. The press launch of 16th June at Bradford Interchange may make it into these pages sometime in the future. 8th September 1981 40106 was the last main line locomotive left still in green livery and Crewe works got out the green paint tin when it finally arrived for overhaul. 40106 has been looped at Thackley Junction (visible in the distance) with a Carlisle mixed fitted freight. The line alongside looks like it had been out of use for some time by this date and the up starter had been removed. 15th September 1981 An afternoon freight train from Kingmoor runs past Shipley Dockfield with 45074 in charge. The bridge visible in this picture has now been removed, although the approach road still exists. 26th September 1981 Most of the Skipton to Grassington branch still survives as a freight only line to serve the Tilcon limestone quarry at Rylstone. 31282 leads 31272 approach Thackley with a Rylstone to Hull block train. 26th September 1981 40138 emerges from the darkness of Thackley tunnel into the sunlight with a Healey Mills to Carlisle Kingmoor mixed vacuum fitted freight train. 26th March 1983 Carlisle Kingmoor depot has borrowed Stratford based 47003 and allocated it to the four carriage stopping service from Carlisle to Leeds on the morning of 26th March. The working is seen approaching the overbridge at Thackley. 21st September 1983 Carlisle Kingmoor shed provided the loco for the morning up train and return working, usually a type 4 and frequently a class 40. On this occasion something a little smaller in the shape of 25044 appeared on the 15:55 Leeds to Carlisle. 24th September 1983 40012 ‘Aureol’ carries a painted nameplate and it’s number on the nose doors. The morning up working is about to enter Thackley tunnel on the way to Leeds. 24th September 1983 Later the same afternoon, 40012 ‘Aureol’ heads the return 15:55 Leeds to Carlisle service out of Thackley tunnel. 8th April 1984 31286 stands on the down main with a train of ballast hoppers, awaiting permission to draw forward and set back onto the Baildon branch at Guiseley Junction. Note that at least the up loop had been removed by this time. 23rd April 1984 47270 with the diesel hauled leg of the ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ passes the down distant signal at Thackley. 92220 ‘Evening Star’ had already passed light engine, taking over the train further up the line. 24th April 1984 A 4 car class 101 Metro-Cammell DMU leaves Thackley Tunnel with a service from Leeds to Morecambe. By this date the former Inter-City & Trans-Pennine DMUs that were providing services had mostly been replaced by conventional sets like this. 24th April 1984 40044 leads the morning Carlisle to Leeds service under the overbridge at Thackley. Note that the nose end doors have been removed giving a cleaner appearance to the front end of the locomotive. 6th August 1984 40135 leans into the curve on the exit of Thackley tunnel with the 15:55 Leeds to Carlisle service. This locomotive is now preserved by the Class 40 Preservation Society at the East Lancashire Railway. 18th April 1987 A refurbished Derby Class 108 DMU runs under the footbridge into Ilkley station with an arrival from Leeds. Like Guiseley, Ilkley’s signalbox was modified from the standard Midland design to fit the available space. 18th April 1987 A Class 108 DMU sits in the remaining part of Ilkley station after arriving from Leeds. Today the station is electrified and the frequent services are formed of 4 carriage electric units, a successful metamorphosis of a quiet branch line. 13th September 1983 D200 / 40122 rounds the curve at the western entrance to Thackley tunnel with the 15:55 Leeds to Carlisle service. 24th September 1983 Crossley Brothers scrap yard at Shipley remains rail connected today. In 1983 a varied collection of bogie vehicles are loaded with scrap as an unidentified class 47 heads east with the loaded working. 15th September 1981 45064 is in charge of a very mixed freight heading north along the Aire Valley at Shipley Dockfield. The group of tank wagons at the head of the train was something a little out of the ordinary. 15th September 1981 Turning and looking the other way from the previous picture gives a view of 45129 with a Glasgow to Nottingham train. ETH fitted Peaks were uncommon on the line, normally staying south of Leeds. The Baildon branch trails in from the right past the bracket signal with Guiseley Junction box in the middle distance. Shipley station is visible straight ahead. 26th March 1983 A former 3-car class 111 unit, now running as a power twin emerges from Thackley tunnel with a Saturday Leeds to Morecambe service. 12th April 1982 40082 passes the site of Calverley & Rodley station with a westbound enthusiasts special. The Leeds ring road crosses the line in the background.

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]]> Sun Sep 30 2007 Leeds City - 1979 to 1984 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1378189.html We begin at the western end of Leeds station, which prior to the major reconstruction of the 1960s was Leeds City, the former LMS station. Following rebuilding, Leeds became a major interchange with services from London Kings Cross via the East Coast Main Line, Trans-Pennine services via both Huddersfield and Bradford, and of course the Midland Main Line both north and south. By 1979 the Thames Clyde Express was but a memory, the Midland services being truncated to a thrice-daily Nottingham to Glasgow train, reversing at Leeds. Although severely rationalised, local services continued to serve Ilkley and Skipton from both Bradford Forster Square and Leeds stations. The eastern approach to Leeds is a much more cramped arrangement than that of the western end. The approach is along a viaduct bordering the southern edge of the city centre, passing Leeds Parish Church to the south. As the Corn Exchange is passed on the northern side of the viaduct the formation begins to fan out to serve the through platforms of Leeds station. On the north side of the station were a series of lower level sidings and platforms which served the large volume of parcels traffic. Between these and the main-line station were platforms 1 to 3. These were the home of the local services to Ilkley, Harrogate, Bradford Exchange and Skipton. At the western exit of the staton the former LNWR lines swing away to the south over a viaduct overlooking Holbeck depot. A connection at the western end of the viaduct allowed Kings Cross trains to join the Wakefield Westgate route from the 1960s. The viaduct is now disconnected from the network at it’s west end and is an electrified dead-end siding, now little used. Whitehall Junction is passed by all other passenger services as they head west and the freight-only line from Holbeck trails in on the left. Almost immediately the lines split; the Midland and North Eastern lines continue straight on, but a sharply curved incline (newly laid in the mid 60s) leads away to the left, used by the Bradford and Huddersfield routes. Today all the Kings Cross services also use this route following the disconnection of the LNWR viaduct described earlier. The next collection of photos to be uploaded will take us on the two former Midland Railway routes to Ilkley and towards Shipley. Wednesday 26 September 2007: We begin at the western end of Leeds station, which prior to the major reconstruction of the 1960s was Leeds City, the former LMS station. Following rebuilding, Leeds became a major interchange with services from London Kings Cross via the East Coast Main Line, Trans-Pennine services via both Huddersfield and Bradford, and of course the Midland Main Line both north and south. By 1979 the Thames Clyde Express was but a memory, the Midland services being truncated to a thrice-daily Nottingham to Glasgow train, reversing at Leeds. Although severely rationalised, local services continued to serve Ilkley and Skipton from both Bradford Forster Square and Leeds stations. The eastern approach to Leeds is a much more cramped arrangement than that of the western end. The approach is along a viaduct bordering the southern edge of the city centre, passing Leeds Parish Church to the south. As the Corn Exchange is passed on the northern side of the viaduct the formation begins to fan out to serve the through platforms of Leeds station. On the north side of the station were a series of lower level sidings and platforms which served the large volume of parcels traffic. Between these and the main-line station were platforms 1 to 3. These were the home of the local services to Ilkley, Harrogate, Bradford Exchange and Skipton. At the western exit of the staton the former LNWR lines swing away to the south over a viaduct overlooking Holbeck depot. A connection at the western end of the viaduct allowed Kings Cross trains to join the Wakefield Westgate route from the 1960s. The viaduct is now disconnected from the network at it_s west end and is an electrified dead-end siding, now little used. Whitehall Junction is passed by all other passenger services as they head west and the freight-only line from Holbeck trails in on the left. Almost immediately the lines split; the Midland and North Eastern lines continue straight on, but a sharply curved incline (newly laid in the mid 60s) leads away to the left, used by the Bradford and Huddersfield routes. Today all the Kings Cross services also use this route following the disconnection of the LNWR viaduct described earlier. The next collection of photos to be uploaded will take us on the two former Midland Railway routes to Ilkley and towards Shipley.

11th July 1979 45075 draws slowly into platform 9 with an ECS from Neville Hill, forming a cross-country service to the south-west. Two barrows full of mail bags await the train. 11th July 1981 45053 still retains it’s split headcode boxes as it waits to take over the Glasgow to Nottingham service at Leeds. 11th July 1979 08369 waits between platforms 8 and 9 with a pair of 57’ gangwayed brakes to be attached to an arriving train at Leeds. A class 47 hides in platform 12 with an eastbound Trans-Pennine service. 11th July 1976 ‘Deltic’ 55012 ‘Crepello’ runs light through Leeds, heading for Neville Hill depot from Holbeck to collect empty stock. Unusually the locomotive then proceeded to work a local service to Bradford Exchange in place of the normal DMU. 19th July 1979 An unidentified class 123 DMU with an evening departure in platform 3. These Western Region units moved to Hull Botanic Gardens to augment the class 124 Trans-Pennine units around this time and were often used on the Morecambe line trains, although a faded memory suggests that this was a Bradford service, possibly continuing to Manchester Victoria. 9th February 1980 37112 and 37096 with a permanent way train at the west end of Leeds on a gloomy winter’s day. Class 37s were relatively rare at Leeds at this time despite allocations at Tinsley, Healey Mills, Immingham and Thornaby. 2nd May 1981 47415 approaches the west end of Leeds station with a delayed service from Liverpool, forming the 10:59 departure to York. 2nd May 1981 40113 has arrived back at Leeds with an excursion train, the train-heating boiler venting steam, a long forgotten daily sight on British Rail. 21st July 1981 I took this an hour or so after watching Bob Willis take 8 for 43 to win the 3rd Ashes Test at nearby Headingley. 47453 enters from the east with a Trans-Pennine service. A Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Works ‘Calder Valley’ Class 110 DMU runs in alongside. These units were built for the hilly route via Hebden Bridge but could be found regularly on services anywhere in the area. 19th December 1981 45048 ‘The Royal Marines’ waits on platform 7 to depart with a cross country service to Paignton. A blue Metro-Cammell class 101 DMU has arrived alongside in the odd little bay that was platform 6. 19th December 1981 47553 stands in a snowy platform 12 with a Trans-Pennine service to Liverpool. 28th December 1981 Deltic 55009 ‘Alycidon’ is readied for departure from Leeds with ‘The Deltic Executive’ special. 28th December 1981 55009 ‘Alycidon’ departs from Leeds for the very last time on the ‘Deltic Executive’ special, heading for Harrogate and York, following the route it regularly followed with the ‘Yorkshire Pullman’ Harrogate portion. 8th February 1982 The Western Region named class 47s were rare visitors to the Leeds area, but here 47077 ‘North Star’ runs round the back of Leeds station with a brake van. 47077 later became one of the celebrity ETH 47s used on the last summer of Virgin 47 hauled services, restored to the same BR Blue livery. 'North Star' has now entered preservation and was restored to its original green livery by Brush at Loughborough before it worked under its own power to Minehead and retirement. 8th February 1982 46052 arrives at Leeds and is routed into platform 12 to form the 12:20 to Liverpool. The Peak looks to be providing plenty of steam for heating the train on a cold winter’s day. 10th April 1984 47555 ‘The Commonwealth Spirit’ descends towards Whitehall Junction with a train from the Huddersfield line. This link was laid in the 1960s when Leeds Central was closed and the Kings Cross services were diverted to Leeds City. Prior to the link being built, London trains used Leeds Central, access to which was from the turnouts immediately behind the train followed the course of the footpath to the right (although on an embankment) and then over the Midland lines which lie behind and to the right of the photographer into Leeds Central station. 20th May 1982 DB975042, a class 122 route learning departmental single unit visits the parcels depot at Leeds alongside platform 1. A wide selection of vans can be seen: a 4 wheel NPV (a CCT for newspapers), plenty of GUVs, BGs & behind the DMU a Southern Railway design PMV van. 20th May 1982 Variety at the eastern end of Leeds. A High Speed Train has arrived on platform 5 from Kings Cross, a Class 108 DMU sits alongside with a local arrival and 47557 is on platform 9 with an eastbound Trans-Pennine train. 14th August 1984 31404 sports one of Finsbury Park depot’s distinctive white bodyside stripes as it arrives with a Hull to Lancaster service. The domed roof of Leeds Corn Exchange rises above the locomotive, familiar to many enthusiasts as the home of the Leeds Model Railway Exhibition for many years. 14th August 1984 We follow 31404 and the Lancaster train along platform 5 back to the west end of Leeds station. Twenty years later the services along the Little North Western are the preserve of two car DMU sets, progress….? 14th August 1984 The chord at Whitehall Junction links Holbeck depot and the Midland lines to Normanton with the junctions to the west of Leeds. 25302 heads a westbound rake of Presflo hopper wagons, viewed from a passing DMU bound for Leeds. 22nd September 1984 Although the loco carries the number 279, the Mk 3 carriage in the next platform is the only clue that this is a 1980s view not one from the early 1970s. 40079 had recently arrived after a spirited run on the morning Carlisle to Leeds service. 22nd September 1984 Departing for Neville Hill with it’s empty stock, 40079 attracts a group of photographers at the east end of Leeds station. 15th November 1980 55013 ‘The Black Watch’ stands in platform 12 with the 09:21 departure for Liverpool. 55013 had been prepared for ‘Rocket 150’ earlier in the year, note the silver cantrail grilles, but 55015 ‘Tulyar’ was the locomotive that actually attended.

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]]> Wed Sep 26 2007 Mid Norfolk Railway Gala - September 2007 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1378112.html The Mid Norfolk Railway promised a pair of DRS visitors for the 2007 gala and so we made our way up to Dereham to see 37688 and 57011 along with locos from the resident fleet. We had a distraction for a few hours caused by 47703 going to Yarmouth and as a result missed seeing the 57 running but when we got back it was parked in the sun at Dereham. Star of the day for us though was recently returned to service 37688 with it's driver who could spot a camera at two hundred yards, lots of clag and growling! Wednesday 26 September 2007: The Mid Norfolk Railway promised a pair of DRS visitors for the 2007 gala and so we made our way up to Dereham to see 37688 and 57011 along with locos from the resident fleet. We had a distraction for a few hours caused by 47703 going to Yarmouth and as a result missed seeing the 57 running but when we got back it was parked in the sun at Dereham. Star of the day for us though was recently returned to service 37688 with it's driver who could spot a camera at two hundred yards, lots of clag and growling!

47596 runs into Wymondham Abbey station after running round it's train 47596 emerges from the mist at Crownthorpe with a Dereham train Stratford 47596, the former 'Aldeburgh Festival' runs past the fields at Crownthorpe 47596 'Aldeburgh Festival' slowly creeps through Yaxham station 47596 crosses the level crossing at Yaxham as it heads north to Dereham Newly returned to service, 37688 'Kingmoor TMD' at Dereham 37688 is ready to depart from Dereham, DRS Anglia headboard on the lamp iron! Another view of DRS 37688 at Dereham DRS 37688 stands ready to leave Dereham with it's first train of the weekend Recently restored 47596 runs back after running round at Dereham English Electric Class 20 D8069 stands in the siding at Dereham station 37688 opens up and begins to growl as the crossing gates open at Yaxham 37688 runs towards Wymondham Abbey at Crownthorpe A rather late running DRS 37688 runs past the fields at Wicklewood A new toy for DRS - 57011, former resident of these parts, now carries DRS compass livery - and very nice too! 57011 stands in the siding at Dereham - will we see the class 57s back in East Anglia regularly? A side view of the DRS Compass livery on 57011 DRS 37688 runs past it's stock at Dereham 37688 runs past the nice example of a GER Saxby & Farmer signal box at Dereham 37688 backs down onto the stock of the 16:00 departure to Wymondham Abbey DRS 37688 hurries along past Crownthorpe in the afternoon sunshine 37688 crosses the road at Wymondham Abbey after running round it's train 37688 'Kingmoor TMD' is lit be the afternoon sun at Crownthorpe with it's last working of the day 37688 heads past the camera at Crownthorpe on it's way back to Dereham

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]]> Wed Sep 26 2007 September 2007 - East Anglia http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1376927.html Ex South West Trains class 170 units are currently being refurbished for First Trans Pennine Express at Clacton and then make their onward journey to Crofton across East Anglia. On 19th September 170308 departed from Clacton and was found to be low on fuel, so an unscheduled stop was made at the Freightliner fueling point at Ipswich (clearly unexpected as several class 66s had to be hurriedly moved out of the way!) before the journey north continued. Cotswold Railways ex Fragonset 47703 has been the regular 'one' thunderbird for most of September and it was called out on the afternoon of the 20th to rescue a set that had been failed with a defective DVT at Liverpool Street. The fine September came to an end just at the same moment and I squelched back to the car at Belstead after getting my shot! 47703 also made it out on the Great Yarmouth drags on Saturday 22nd after some doubt over whether it would run. The first run was missed as we were at the Mid-Norfolk Railway (photos to follow soon) but we caught up with it near Great Yarmouth later in the day. Unfortunately the last run of the day was cancelled as the 47 was hemmed in at Norwich Thorpe as 90011 failed to start up after it's trip to the seaside and 47703 couldn't be released in time for the final drag of the day. Monday 24 September 2007: Ex South West Trains class 170 units are currently being refurbished for First Trans Pennine Express at Clacton and then make their onward journey to Crofton across East Anglia. On 19th September 170308 departed from Clacton and was found to be low on fuel, so an unscheduled stop was made at the Freightliner fueling point at Ipswich (clearly unexpected as several class 66s had to be hurriedly moved out of the way!) before the journey north continued. Cotswold Railways ex Fragonset 47703 has been the regular 'one' thunderbird for most of September and it was called out on the afternoon of the 20th to rescue a set that had been failed with a defective DVT at Liverpool Street. The fine September came to an end just at the same moment and I squelched back to the car at Belstead after getting my shot! 47703 also made it out on the Great Yarmouth drags on Saturday 22nd after some doubt over whether it would run. The first run was missed as we were at the Mid-Norfolk Railway (photos to follow soon) but we caught up with it near Great Yarmouth later in the day. Unfortunately the last run of the day was cancelled as the 47 was hemmed in at Norwich Thorpe as 90011 failed to start up after it's trip to the seaside and 47703 couldn't be released in time for the final drag of the day.

First Trans-Pennine Express 170308 on the fuelling road at Ipswich stabling point 66572 moves off Ipswich stabling point past 170203 66572 waits for permission to leave the stabling point at Ipswich 90007 'Sir John Betjeman' runs into Ipswich with the 13:00 Norwich to Liverpool St service First TPE 170203 beyond Central liveried 15641 Departing Ipswich for a new home at Crofton, newly refurbished First Trans-Pennine Express 170203 170203 departs from Ipswich and heads north 90044 climbs slowly up Belstead Bank with 4S88 16:07 Felixstowe-Coatbridge Freightliner service Fragonset liveried 47703 runs down Belstead Bank in the rain with an ECS to Norwich after DVT 82121 was declared a failure A grubby 47703 leads 90011 towards Breydon Junction with 1V18 Liverpool St - Great Yarmouth Fragonset liveried 47703 approaches Reedham with 1V41 Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street Cotswold's grubby Fragonset 47703 runs into Reedham with 1V41 Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street 47703 opens up as it clears Reedham Junction on it's way to Norwich 90011 comes along for the ride at the rear of 1V41 Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street - a pity it was found to be dead on arrival at Norwich!

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]]> Mon Sep 24 2007 September 2007 - Yorkshire Dales Miscellany http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1375278.html A few photographs taken while passing through Yorkshire on the first weekend of September. Ribblehead viaduct seemed very quiet, a long wait produced only a 4 car 158 north over the viaduct. Driving down the valley the reason was found at Horton in Ribblesdale. 60092 was sat on the bridge where the road passes under the line just north of the station, it had failed with a loaded gypsum train over 3 hours previously and was waiting for assistance to be sent from Carlisle. As we waited a series of detonators exploded as 66185 slowly ran wrong line onto the front of the failed train. After some delay, including waiting for a northbound service to run past on the up line, 66185 put it's shoulder to the grade and slowly began to lift the dead tug and it's train up the hill towards Ribblehead. The main reason for stopping in the area followed, 8F 48151 making a fine display on a northbound special. Finally a few shots at Haworth. I had hoped to see the WD 2-8-0 but it was safely tucked up in the shed, however the chug-chug of a Sulzer type 2 brought back pleasant memories of freight trains around this area 25 years or more ago. Saturday 22 September 2007: A few photographs taken while passing through Yorkshire on the first weekend of September. Ribblehead viaduct seemed very quiet, a long wait produced only a 4 car 158 north over the viaduct. Driving down the valley the reason was found at Horton in Ribblesdale. 60092 was sat on the bridge where the road passes under the line just north of the station, it had failed with a loaded gypsum train over 3 hours previously and was waiting for assistance to be sent from Carlisle. As we waited a series of detonators exploded as 66185 slowly ran wrong line onto the front of the failed train. After some delay, including waiting for a northbound service to run past on the up line, 66185 put it's shoulder to the grade and slowly began to lift the dead tug and it's train up the hill towards Ribblehead. The main reason for stopping in the area followed, 8F 48151 making a fine display on a northbound special. Finally a few shots at Haworth. I had hoped to see the WD 2-8-0 but it was safely tucked up in the shed, however the chug-chug of a Sulzer type 2 brought back pleasant memories of freight trains around this area 25 years or more ago.

Two Northern Rail class 158 units in different liveries run north over Ribblehead Viaduct Another view of two Northern Rail class 158 units in different liveries at Ribblehead 66185 runs slowly wrong line towards Horton after setting off detonators Former Central Trains 158850 leads another in Arriva Northern livery wrong line north from Horton 66185 begins to move failed 60092 'Reginald Munns' up the climb from Horton 60092 had failed on 6M20 04:30 Drax p.s.-Newbiggin and had been sat for 3 hours at Horton awaiting assistance. Stanier 8F 48151 storms up the Long Drag towards Helwith Bridge with the Cumbrian Mountain Express The Worth Valley's 25059 climbs out of Keighley with a Sunday morning service formed of a hauled class 108 DMU The Worth Valley's 25059 climbs out of Keighley with a Sunday morning service formed of a hauled class 108 DMU 25059 draws to a halt in Haworth station on a rainy Sunday morning. 25059 at Haworth station on a rainy Sunday morning.

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]]> Sat Sep 22 2007 A Bit of a Drag http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1331212.html July's collection of photographs. The first group are of 47818 on the summer saturday 'drags' between Norwich and Great Yarmouth on 14th July. The photos were all taken around Reedham and Great Yarmouth, and surprisingly I managed to find a handful of locations that I had not previously used, it pays to keep an eye out for odd little fotpaths that are worth a quick wander down. The following saturday had the rare visit of a pair of EWS 66s to the Sizewell branch with the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour. This was captured at a few locations at Saxmundham and along the branch, together with an Fangio style dash to Cattawade (after walking back the half mile from the last photo spot to the car). Sunday 22 July 2007: July's collection of photographs. The first group are of 47818 on the summer saturday 'drags' between Norwich and Great Yarmouth on 14th July. The photos were all taken around Reedham and Great Yarmouth, and surprisingly I managed to find a handful of locations that I had not previously used, it pays to keep an eye out for odd little fotpaths that are worth a quick wander down. The following saturday had the rare visit of a pair of EWS 66s to the Sizewell branch with the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour. This was captured at a few locations at Saxmundham and along the branch, together with an Fangio style dash to Cattawade (after walking back the half mile from the last photo spot to the car).

47818 drags EWS 90036 on the approach to Great Yarmouth with 5V29 Crown Point to Yarmouth ECS, Breydon Water forms the backdrop. Recently returned EWS 90036 in the consist of 5V29 arrives at Great Yarmouth. 47818 runs round it's stock at Great Yarmouth to form 1V29 Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street. 47818 runs round it's stock at Great Yarmouth to form 1V29 Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street. EWS didn't clean 90036 when it went away to Crewe! Ready for the ride back to Norwich from Great Yarmouth. 47818 heads down the Reedham line at Breydon Junction with 1V29 Gt Yarmouth to London. 156412 still carries 'one' branded Central Trains livery as it works a Gt Yarmouth service out of Reedham. 156417 with Bittern Line 10th Anniversary markings comes off the Lowestoft line at Reedham. 156422 returns from Lowestoft, crossing slowly over Reedham swing bridge. 47818 approaches the divergence of the Lowestoft and Yarmouth lines at Reedham with 1V18 10:00 Liverpool St to Gt Yarmouth. 47818 with newly repainted 90003 in tow on the midday Norwich to Great Yarmouth drag, Reedham Junction. Mk3b DVT 82118 looks a little out of place as it trundles along the single track line towards Berney Arms. 47818 returns with 1V41 13:10 Gt Yarmouth to Liverpool St, approaching Reedham Junction. At the manually operated level crossing, Stop, Look, Listen and do a double take - there's a class 90 on a non-electrified single line! 156412 approaches Breydon Junction with a Yarmouth service off the Acle line. Central liveried 156412 takes another turn along the Berney Arms line with the early afternoon stopping train via Reedham to Norwich. The last train from London runs via Acle, 47818 approaches Great Yarmouth with 90001 in tow. 90001 tucked inside 47818 as they approach the remains of Vauxhall carriage sidings. 47818 on 5V26 ECS to Crown Point, timetabled to run via Acle but heading off down the Reedham line as it often does. 170205 runs into Saxmundham station with a Lowestoft to Liverpool Street service. 66099 enters Saxmundham station with the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour. 66099 draws to a halt at Saxmundham station. 66099 in the up platform at Saxmundham waiting to depart for Leiston. 66100 creeps slowly up to one of the traincrew operated level crossing on the Sizewell branch. Waiting for the gates 66099 brings up the rear of the train as the special rolls across the road. 66100 heads the 'Suffolk Latch' across the road at Knodishall Green crossing. 66100 creeps up the grade towards Leiston as the train clears the road at Knodishall Green. 66099 trails behind the 'Suffolk Latch' as it heads away towards Leiston. Sizewell B PWR power station on the left and the reason the Leiston branch remains - Magnox Sizewell A on the right. 66099 now heads the train as it departs back along the branch at Leiston. 170206 heads up the hill from Saxmundham with a Lowestoft to Liverpool Street train. 66099 catches the light between the trees as it heads up the grade from Saxmundham. 66099 leads the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour south along the East Suffolk Line away from Saxmundham. 66100 trails along at the rear of the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour as it climbs away from Saxmundham. 66099 rattles over Cattawade Viaduct heading back to London with the 'Suffolk Latch' railtour.

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]]> Sun Jul 22 2007 10000hp past Great Stukeley, July 2007 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1316595.html On Sunday 1st July, the last two remaining 87s in service, First GBRf's 87022 Cock o' The North and 87028 Lord President worked a special empty coal wagon movement from Wembley to Doncaster. The showers that were threatening at the time the train was due past had long gone an hour later as the pair passed Great Stukeley cutting, north of Huntingdon. Monday 2 July 2007: On Sunday 1st July, the last two remaining 87s in service, First GBRf's 87022 Cock o' The North and 87028 Lord President worked a special empty coal wagon movement from Wembley to Doncaster. The showers that were threatening at the time the train was due past had long gone an hour later as the pair passed Great Stukeley cutting, north of Huntingdon.

43056 leads an up GNER service south past Great Stukeley. A Hull Trains Meridian set runs south towards Kings Cross. Two First Capital Connect 317s , 317345 leading, head north from Huntingdon. 317337 trails 317345 as the pair run north towards Peterborough. 91116 'Strathclyde' heads north away from Huntingdon with a GNER service. 43113 'The Highlands' leads a down GNER service north past Great Stukeley. 365525 has acquired in First Capital Connect's variation of the current First livery hurries north from Huntingdon. 87022 and 87028 approach on the down slow with 4Z77 Willesden to Doncaster empty coal wagon movement. First GBRf 87022 'Cock o' The North' leads 87028 'Lord President' past Great Stukeley with 4Z77 to Doncaster. 10000hp heads away on the down slow towards Peterborough. 87022 and 87028 with 22 GBRF coal hoppers head out along the down slow at Great Stukeley. 91105 'County Durham' heads north away from Huntingdon with a down GNER service.

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]]> Mon Jul 2 2007 February to May 2007 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1282237.html A spate of blue locomotives around Ipswich during the first few months of 2007. The twice weekly visit of DRS 20s on the Sizewell flasks was surpassed on 10th March with 5 DRS locos in and around Ipswich, 3x20s on the 20/20 Vision railtour to Leiston, with 47501 dropping on to the other end of the train at Ipswich. Coincidentally 66419 was on hire to Freightliner while they awaited to the arrival of the next batch of 66s. Two class 60s made it down the Felixstowe branch during these months, a relatively rare occurrence, and you had to be up early on a cold Saturday morning to see the first one! NENTA railtours no longer have the opportunity of using Fragonset locomotives since the company folded, so a different group of 47s are making an appearance. the pair of green locos have so far slipped past the camera but 47853 'Rail Express', the XP64 locomotive, made a first appearance in May. Last, but not least, Freightliner's aging 86s still made daily appearances at Ipswich, particularly on the Coatbridge train which is almost guaranteed to bring these venerable beasts into the area. Saturday 19 May 2007: A spate of blue locomotives around Ipswich during the first few months of 2007. The twice weekly visit of DRS 20s on the Sizewell flasks was surpassed on 10th March with 5 DRS locos in and around Ipswich, 3x20s on the 20/20 Vision railtour to Leiston, with 47501 dropping on to the other end of the train at Ipswich. Coincidentally 66419 was on hire to Freightliner while they awaited to the arrival of the next batch of 66s. Two class 60s made it down the Felixstowe branch during these months, a relatively rare occurrence, and you had to be up early on a cold Saturday morning to see the first one! NENTA railtours no longer have the opportunity of using Fragonset locomotives since the company folded, so a different group of 47s are making an appearance. the pair of green locos have so far slipped past the camera but 47853 'Rail Express', the XP64 locomotive, made a first appearance in May. Last, but not least, Freightliner's aging 86s still made daily appearances at Ipswich, particularly on the Coatbridge train which is almost guaranteed to bring these venerable beasts into the area.

60055 'Thomas Barnardo' disturbs a crisp morning on 6L02 Scunthorpe to Felixstowe containerised steel, Bentley. 60055 'Thomas Barnardo' runs into Derby Road loop with the Saturday morning Scunthorpe to Felixstowe steel train. 60055 'Thomas Barnardo' heads along the Felixstowe branch at Levington with 6L02 Scunthorpe to Felixstowe containerised steel train. 20313, 20314 & 20315 cross the road at Claydon on the 20/20 Vision tour from Crewe to Leiston. DRS 47501 approaches the Tuddenham Road bridge east of Westerfield with the 20/20 Vision tour. 20313/4/5 trail behind the charter on it's way to Leiston. 90049 and 90042 frame DRS 66419 at Ipswich stabling point. 66419 shows off it's DRS livery in the sunshine at Ipswich. A contrast in GM 66s, Fred 66542 and Dred 66419 at Ipswich. EWS liveried 60043 with 4B27 MO Harwich-Felixstowe South approaches Felixstowe Road on the Felixstowe branch. 66419, on hire to Freightliner, arrives at Ipswich on a late running 4L41 Daventry-Felixstowe. ~66419 waits for the road in platform 3 as an up London train departs from platform 2, Ipswich. DRS 66419 runs out of Ipswich station into the Upper Yard with the 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford Park service. DRS 66419 runs out of Ipswich station into the Upper Yard with the 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford Park service. 66534 'OOCL Express' runs along the Felixstowe branch at Levington with 4L89 MX Coatbridge-Felixstowe South. First Trans-Pennine 185143 heads south on the fast lines at Thirsk. 90012 in the evening sun on the 17:00 Norwich to Liverpool St, Belstead Bank. 86613 & 86627 climb slowly up Belstead Bank with the evening 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge service. 86628 and 86621 in Freightliner green on 4S88 16:07 Felixstowe-Coatbridge, Cattawade viaduct. EWS 66140 hauls an MPV over the river Stour with a 6Z12 Peterborough Yard-Harwich Parkstone Quay working. Shiny new Freightliner 66588 on the 4M94 07:30 Felixstowe-Lawley Street intermodal service, Cattawade. XP64 47853/D1733 'Rail Express' with the late running 5Z48 Ipswich to Old Oak Common charter ECS at Cattawade. 170208 runs away towards Ipswich with a down train. 90010 passes over the foot crossing at Brantham with the 17:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. Freightliner green 86610 leads grey classmate 86614 past Brantham with 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge. 90044 emerges from Brantham cutting with the 4L75 Crewe Basford Hall-Felixstowe freightliner.

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]]> Sat May 19 2007 Growling Up The Valleys - June & July 2006 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1096324.html I had to go on a couple of one week courses to Ystrrad Mynach this summer, a location on the Rhymney branch well known to those with an interest in class 37s. The course hours meant I didn't see the morning up train, although it made a pleasant sound through the open windows of the office. The evening train was a different matter and I managed to see it on several days on each of the two weeks. Local large logo celebrity 37425 is the normal loco, being stabled at Rhymney each night, but it was away for an exam during the second visit so I had the added pleasure of EWS 37417 'Richard Trevithick' in the hot july sun. Thursday 28 September 2006: I had to go on a couple of one week courses to Ystrrad Mynach this summer, a location on the Rhymney branch well known to those with an interest in class 37s. The course hours meant I didn't see the morning up train, although it made a pleasant sound through the open windows of the office. The evening train was a different matter and I managed to see it on several days on each of the two weeks. Local large logo celebrity 37425 is the normal loco, being stabled at Rhymney each night, but it was away for an exam during the second visit so I had the added pleasure of EWS 37417 'Richard Trevithick' in the hot july sun.

150258 runs up the valley with a Cardiff to Bargoed service, just south of Bargoed. 150258 returns back down the valley with a Cardiff train. 37425 witha symphonic growl toils uphill towards Bargoed after a brief halt further down the hill. 37425 runs round at Rhymney. 150284 runs into Bargoed with a terminating service. 37425 approaches Bargoed with the Cardiff to Rhymney train. 37425 crosses Bargoed viaduct on the way to Rhymney. 142083 runs south at Bargoed with a Cardiff train. 37417 'Richard Trevithick' in the late afternoon sun heads towards Bargoed with the evening Cardiff to Rhymney. 37417 'Richard Trevithick' waits to set back into the headshunt at Rhymney station. Another view of 37417 'Richard Trevithick' as it propels the stock back onto the headshunt at Rhymney station. 37417 'Richard Trevithick' runs across a bridge south of Pontlottyn.

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]]> Thu Sep 28 2006 An Afternoon Around Didcot - 8th April 2006 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1096297.html A pleasant hour or so at a couple of bridges east of Didcot produced these photographs in April this year. It's quite a while since I spent any time around the WR, there were still regular loco hauled trains at the time - things have certainly become more colourful, although I'm not sure if anything else has improved! Thursday 28 September 2006: A pleasant hour or so at a couple of bridges east of Didcot produced these photographs in April this year. It's quite a while since I spent any time around the WR, there were still regular loco hauled trains at the time - things have certainly become more colourful, although I'm not sure if anything else has improved!

Refurbished 166209 passes South Moreton with an up stopping train. An up express formed of a First GW Inter City 125 approaches South Moreton with Didcot power station behind. An up High Speed Train heads away from South Moreton. Adelante 180107 runs along the up fast line as it departs from Didcot. A High Speed Train and DMU 165107 race each other on down trains approaching South Moreton. 66154 starts away from a signal stop with a down engineers train. An Inter-City 125 runs across the slow to fast crossovers as it departs from Didcot. A High Speed Train accelerates away from Didcot on the up fast line. A down express approaches Didcot on the fast line. A Virgin Voyager approaches Didcot with a down train. 166217 runs past Moreton Cutting West with a down stopping train. A Virgin Super-Voyager crosses over from the slow to the fast lines as it departs from Didcot. Class 66s stabled alongside Didcot station, 66154, 66056 & 66031 from left to right. HST power car 43037 'Penydarren 2004' at the tail end of an up service. HST power car 43037 'Penydarren 2004' departs at the tail end of an up train.

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]]> Thu Sep 28 2006 The Fowey Pony - 29th May 2006 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c1095672.html While on holiday in the south west at the end of May we arranged to end up at Golant at the same time as the sun and Fowey Pony with 4MT 2-6-0 76079. The rest of Cornwall were trying to park in Golant at the same time, so James and I sent Carole off with the car to tour the area while we settled on the terrace of the Fishermans Arms to await the train with appropriate refreshments...! Wednesday 27 September 2006: While on holiday in the south west at the end of May we arranged to end up at Golant at the same time as the sun and Fowey Pony with 4MT 2-6-0 76079. The rest of Cornwall were trying to park in Golant at the same time, so James and I sent Carole off with the car to tour the area while we settled on the terrace of the Fishermans Arms to await the train with appropriate refreshments...!

76079 approaches Golant harbour with the Fowey Pony special. 4MT 2-6-0 76079 drifts past Golant Harbour with the Fowey Pony. Ian Riley's 2MT 2-6-0 76079 passes Golant. 37411 'Caerphilly Castle' growls past Golant Harbour heading back to Lostwithiel. Rhymney branch celebrity 37411 'Caerphilly Castle' passes Golant with the return Fowey Pony. 37411 was not much longer for this world, it was put into store by the end of the following week rather than be put through an exam.

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]]> Wed Sep 27 2006 East Anglian Relics http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c912215.html This collection will grow as I get the chance to add photos from time to time. A view of East Anglian railways when Stratford depot and semaphore signals ruled supreme. Monday 3 April 2006: This collection will grow as I get the chance to add photos from time to time. A view of East Anglian railways when Stratford depot and semaphore signals ruled supreme.

20th April 1979: 31013 stands outside the works at Stratford. 3rd October 1981: Stratford really went to town with 47583 in the summer of 1981, here seen departing fom Norwich with a London train. 6th March 1982: 47539 waits to depart from Liverpool Street with the 09.30 to Norwich. The loco had recently been transferred to Stratford and was yet to be got at by the paint shop... 12th February 1981: 31205 waits to depart from Norwich with an evening parcels train. 1st March 1987: A pair of unidentified class 37s head south over the River Stour at Cattawade. 30th July 1983: 47584 'County of Suffolk' runs into Ipswich with a down train as the evening sun lights up the pre-electrification station. 12th February 1981: Norwich Thorpe pilot 03158 draws the stock of a recently arrived London train out of the platform. 12th February 1981: You don't get many of these to the pound, a Stratford namer with a blue roof! 47583 'County of Hertfordshire' at Norwich recently out of Crewe after conversion to 47/4.

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]]> Mon Apr 3 2006 Needham Market Blockade, March 5th 2006 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c912170.html The Great Eastern main line was closed each weekend during March 2006 between Ipswich and Diss for relaying around Needham Market. A series of trains were dispatched from Whitemoor in an anticlockwise direction via the Bishops Stortford line and then up through Ipswich on Saturdays, returning to Whitemoor via Bury at regular intervals during Sunday. Sunday 5th March was a bright blustery day, but deceptively cold as anyone standing on top of a bridge for two hours in deepest Suffolk can confirm! The locomotives this weekend were a mixture of GBRf and EWS 66s, although Freightliner 66s and a class 60 put in an appearance later in the month. This group of photographs were mostly taken between Stowmarket and Elmswell, each train's halt at Haughley Junction giving the car driver an advantage over the train, I would like to apologies to the distressed residents of Haughley for the strange antics of one car that Sunday... Monday 3 April 2006: The Great Eastern main line was closed each weekend during March 2006 between Ipswich and Diss for relaying around Needham Market. A series of trains were dispatched from Whitemoor in an anticlockwise direction via the Bishops Stortford line and then up through Ipswich on Saturdays, returning to Whitemoor via Bury at regular intervals during Sunday. Sunday 5th March was a bright blustery day, but deceptively cold as anyone standing on top of a bridge for two hours in deepest Suffolk can confirm! The locomotives this weekend were a mixture of GBRf and EWS 66s, although Freightliner 66s and a class 60 put in an appearance later in the month. This group of photographs were mostly taken between Stowmarket and Elmswell, each train's halt at Haughley Junction giving the car driver an advantage over the train, I would like to apologies to the distressed residents of Haughley for the strange antics of one car that Sunday...

66713 heads west from Haughley Junction to Whitemoor with a mixed rake from the Needham Market possession. 66713 in the morning sunshine heads back to Whitemoor. Looking west along 66713's train as it emerges from Haughley bridge. Redundant track panels on 66713's Needham to Whitemoor train. 66711 opens up as it pulls away from Haughley Junction with a rake of empty 4 wheel opens heads for Whitemoor. 66711 with a rake of empty 4 wheel opens heads for Whitemoor from Needham Market. 66711 heads towards Wetherden on it's way west. 66707 'Sir Sam Fay' approaches Wetherden bridge with empty bogie opens from Needham Market. 66228 is caught with the sun behind it north of Stowmarket. 66228 creeps between Stowmarket and Haughley Junction with a heavy train from the Needham Market possession. 66228 approaching Wetherden, ballast handlers and flats for concrete sleepers make up most of the long train. The tail of 66228's train with concrete sleepers and ballast handling equipment. 66228's train heads west, the ballast handling vehicles bring up the rear. 66714 stands at the limit of the possession at the south end of Stowmarket station waiting to leave for Whitemoor. At Badley Hill, between Needham Market and Stowmarket, Balfour Beatty ballast tampers and liners wait to go over the down line towards Needham Market. 66066 has arrived at Badley Hill, new ballast is being unloaded by grab onto the down line out of sight of the camera.

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]]> Mon Apr 3 2006 Sheds in the Dales http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c912025.html 17th February, half term and a quick morning trip up Airedale turned into an extended chase around the Dales, yet again the journey back for a meal was delayed by a train on the Grassington branch! After a brief call at Shipley we headed for Hellifield where three varieties of 66s put in an appearance. The southbound Freightliner Heavy Haul was checked at Hellifield and must have been held as it followed us through Skipton as it carried on towards the Aire Valley power stations. An EWS empty coal train that had been waiting at Skipton then headed north, so we couldn't just ignore it could we... Then, just as were about to head back, another 66 appeared on an empty rake of hoppers bound for Rylstone quarry - well what would you do...? Monday 3 April 2006: 17th February, half term and a quick morning trip up Airedale turned into an extended chase around the Dales, yet again the journey back for a meal was delayed by a train on the Grassington branch! After a brief call at Shipley we headed for Hellifield where three varieties of 66s put in an appearance. The southbound Freightliner Heavy Haul was checked at Hellifield and must have been held as it followed us through Skipton as it carried on towards the Aire Valley power stations. An EWS empty coal train that had been waiting at Skipton then headed north, so we couldn't just ignore it could we... Then, just as were about to head back, another 66 appeared on an empty rake of hoppers bound for Rylstone quarry - well what would you do...?

26th August 1981: 40057 approaches Hellifield with what appears to be a rake of sheeted china clay opens, at about the same spot that 66544 was seen 25 years later. 66014 runs through Shipley with the 6E77 Hunterston-West Burton Power Station loaded coal train. Freightliner Heavy Haul 66544 approaches Hellifield from the north on the 6E73 Hunterston-Drax coal train. GBRf 66716 speeds north past Hellifield with the 4M52 West Burton to Newbiggin gypsum containers. After being held further down the line, 66544 runs through Skipton with the 6E73 Hunterston-Drax p.s. 66544 runs through Skipton on it's way to Drax power station. EWS 66071 rushes north past Hellifield with 6S70 Gascoigne Wood-Ayr empty coal train. After being looped at Skipton, EWS 66229 leaves with the 6S67 Gascoigne Wood-Hunterston empties. 66030 runs slowly along the Grassington branch at Scale House with the 6D72 Hull Dairycotes-Rylstone Quarry empty hoppers. 66030 approaches journey's end with the 6D72 Hull Dairycotes-Rylstone Quarry.

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]]> Mon Apr 3 2006 Around Ipswich, January and February 2006 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c911998.html A small collection of photographs taken during the seemingly continual gloom of early 2006. The pair of EWS class 90s on hire to Crown Point both required exams during early 2006, so EWS provided 90028 (formerly named 'Hertfordshire Railtours') as a temporary replacement while they each went to Wembley. 90028 is seen here on it's first working, at the down end of the 15:30 from Liverpool Street on 26th January and then again a few days later on it's own. Elsewhere we have the return of the heritage electrics that had spent several months at Norwich, this time they had the company of FM Rail's pet 47 'Myrddin Emrys'. Monday 3 April 2006: A small collection of photographs taken during the seemingly continual gloom of early 2006. The pair of EWS class 90s on hire to Crown Point both required exams during early 2006, so EWS provided 90028 (formerly named 'Hertfordshire Railtours') as a temporary replacement while they each went to Wembley. 90028 is seen here on it's first working, at the down end of the 15:30 from Liverpool Street on 26th January and then again a few days later on it's own. Elsewhere we have the return of the heritage electrics that had spent several months at Norwich, this time they had the company of FM Rail's pet 47 'Myrddin Emrys'.

FM Rail pet 47145 'Myrddyn Emrys' hauls 73138, 89001 & 84001 back to Barrow Hill after their extended stay at Norwich. EWS 90028 runs into Ipswich on it's first working as a 'one' locomotive. 90028 stands in Ipswich station on the 14:30 ex Liverpool Street. 90028 waits to depart from Ipswich with the 14:30 ex Liverpool Street. 90010 dead on the rear of 90028's train (TDM Fault) as it departs from Ipswich. 90028 on loan from EWS climbs Belstead Bank with the 12:00 from Norwich. 66106 scurries past Belstead light engine heading south. Cotswold 'one' liveried 47818 provides Thunderbird power for the 12:00 from Liverpool Street on Belstead Bank.

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]]> Mon Apr 3 2006 An Archive Winter Wonderland - 1979-81 in the snow http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c906790.html Putting the gallery of photos of 55019 together reminded me that it was a snowy December day exactly 25 years before on 28th December 1981 that the final BR Deltic tour ran around the old West Riding haunts with 55009 'Alycidon' on the 'Deltic Excutive'. I have added a varied selection of other wintery photos from 1979 to 1981 to complete this collection, almost everything shown here is long gone now... Wednesday 29 March 2006: Putting the gallery of photos of 55019 together reminded me that it was a snowy December day exactly 25 years before on 28th December 1981 that the final BR Deltic tour ran around the old West Riding haunts with 55009 'Alycidon' on the 'Deltic Excutive'. I have added a varied selection of other wintery photos from 1979 to 1981 to complete this collection, almost everything shown here is long gone now...

31 205 passes through Guiseley's down platform on the Ilkley branch - 13th January 1979. 47 280 with a Healey Mills-Carlisle freight in light snow aspproaching Shipley - 28th November 1980. Viewed from Shipley’s disused platform 1, a Metropolitan-Cammell 2-car class 101 DMU draws to a halt with a Keighley to Bradford Forster Square working - 25th April 1981. A late April fall of snow is disturbed by 55002 ‘Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry’ with the Deltic Preservation Society’s ‘North Briton’ special for Carnforth and Carlisle - 25th April 1981 45048 ‘The Royal Marines’ waits on platform 7 at Leeds with a cross country service to Paignton. A blue Metro-Cammell class 101 DMU has arrived alongside in the odd little bay that was platform 6 - 19th December 1981 47 553 awaits departure from platform 12 at Leeds with a Liverpool train - 19th December 1981. Last Deltic to Leeds, the headboard is placed on 55009 'Alycidon' - 28th December 1981. 55009 waits to depart for the last time around the Harrogate loop - 28th December 1981. The final sight at Leeds of a Deltic in British Rail service after being daily visitors for 20 years - 28th December 1981. 85 002 on the 12.55 Birmingham-Liverpool Lime St at Stafford - 23rd February 1981. 86 007 at Stafford with an up relief train (you don't see them today!) - 23rd February 1981. 81 005 enters Stafford on the delayed 12.23 Manchester-Bristol. Who remembers class 304 EMUs like that on the left? The bounciest ride known to man! - 23rd February 1981. 85 004 with the 14.23 Manchester-Swansea takes the Norton Bridge line at Stone - 23rd February 1981. 40019 runs through Shipley Dockfield with an up mixed freight off the Settle Carlisle line - 28th November 1980. 40153 leads the Heysham to Hull ammonia tanks east past Shipley Dockfield - 28th November 1980. Manchester Victoria station pilot 25 213 with a failed class 108 DMU - 19th December 1981. 55009 'Alycidon' runs light out of York towards the depot - 28th December 1981.

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]]> Wed Mar 29 2006 December 2005 - Napier Symphony http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c906752.html While in Yorkshire over Christmas we made sure that we caught up with the Deltic Preservation Society's railtour with 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier'. The train ran from Derby to York and reversed before heading across the Diggle route to Lancashire. We had intended to see the first leg at Hillam Gates, but as we drove up noticed that the photographers there were looking north, and then we saw a large blue locomotive creeping away north - a Deltic, a bad start!!! Anyway what's the point of having 120hp under the bonnet if you can't scare the living daylights out of the distant relatives living in those parts, so we shot off to Sherburn station, and found ourselves waiting for quite some time, perhaps not all of those 3300 horses under the Deltic's bonnet were being used. 'Royal Highland Fusilier' crept through Sherburn at little more than walking pace, and certainly didn't bring back any memories of Deltics on full bore... :-( Off up the road to Church Fenton for the second leg. An amusing moment was when everyone's phones / Blackberries / PDAs all chirped a the same time as the message that 55019 had just left York reached the waiting masses. Then some plonker arrived with a tripod and parked himself halfway down the platform, he really ought to see his doctor about that hearing problem... This time there was no mistaking it, a gentle rumble in the distance grew to a wonderful crescendo as 'Royal Highland Fusilier' hammered through Church Fenton and leaned into the Leeds line curve, THAT's what they used to sound like! Wednesday 29 March 2006: While in Yorkshire over Christmas we made sure that we caught up with the Deltic Preservation Society's railtour with 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier'. The train ran from Derby to York and reversed before heading across the Diggle route to Lancashire. We had intended to see the first leg at Hillam Gates, but as we drove up noticed that the photographers there were looking north, and then we saw a large blue locomotive creeping away north - a Deltic, a bad start!!! Anyway what's the point of having 120hp under the bonnet if you can't scare the living daylights out of the distant relatives living in those parts, so we shot off to Sherburn station, and found ourselves waiting for quite some time, perhaps not all of those 3300 horses under the Deltic's bonnet were being used. 'Royal Highland Fusilier' crept through Sherburn at little more than walking pace, and certainly didn't bring back any memories of Deltics on full bore... :-( Off up the road to Church Fenton for the second leg. An amusing moment was when everyone's phones / Blackberries / PDAs all chirped a the same time as the message that 55019 had just left York reached the waiting masses. Then some plonker arrived with a tripod and parked himself halfway down the platform, he really ought to see his doctor about that hearing problem... This time there was no mistaking it, a gentle rumble in the distance grew to a wonderful crescendo as 'Royal Highland Fusilier' hammered through Church Fenton and leaned into the Leeds line curve, THAT's what they used to sound like!

55019 runs slowly through Sherburn on one engine with the DPS Fusilier Farewell railtour. An unidentified class 220 Voyager south through Church Fenton on the Milford line. 158 805 runs south through the middle road at Church Fenton. An unidentified class 220 Voyager passes through the middle at Church Fenton. 158 781 with a covering on snow on the gangway passes south at Church Fenton. 158 903 catches the sun as it departs from Church Fenton for York. 55019 approaches on the Leeds line with the DPS Fusilier Farewell special. 55019 approaches on the Leeds line with the DPS Fusilier Farewell special. It doesn't get any better than this... 55019 brings back memories storming south through Church Fenton in the snow. An unidentified class 220 Voyager heads for York on the down Leeds line.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Wed Mar 29 2006 October 2005 (after a long delay...) http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c906694.html After a long absence, I thought I should deal with the backlog of photos. A mixture of pictures from October 2005 around Suffolk (and a bit of North Essex). We start with the surprise resurrection of 47s by Freightliner for a short period during the Autumn,rather puzzling as they were putting 57s into store at the same time. DRS took root in Stowmarket goods yard for a few months and ran water cannon trains around Suffolk and Norfolk using pairs of 20s, not to be outdone EWS used 66s out of Parkeston Yard on their leaf busters. This is followed by a trip out to see the late John Peel commemorated by Cotswold Railways with 47813 being named at Bury St Edmunds. Finally a visit to Ipswich to see how the other half live as the Orient Express Pullman rake came to town for the day; the eventual destination for the day out was to Felixstowe, sadly the final part of the journey was by bus, so the Pullmans didn't make it down the branch. Wednesday 29 March 2006: After a long absence, I thought I should deal with the backlog of photos. A mixture of pictures from October 2005 around Suffolk (and a bit of North Essex). We start with the surprise resurrection of 47s by Freightliner for a short period during the Autumn,rather puzzling as they were putting 57s into store at the same time. DRS took root in Stowmarket goods yard for a few months and ran water cannon trains around Suffolk and Norfolk using pairs of 20s, not to be outdone EWS used 66s out of Parkeston Yard on their leaf busters. This is followed by a trip out to see the late John Peel commemorated by Cotswold Railways with 47813 being named at Bury St Edmunds. Finally a visit to Ipswich to see how the other half live as the Orient Express Pullman rake came to town for the day; the eventual destination for the day out was to Felixstowe, sadly the final part of the journey was by bus, so the Pullmans didn't make it down the branch.

47303, once again in front line service, passes on the 4L41 Daventry to Felixstowe Freightliner, Belstead. 156402 still retains it's temporary white livery as it stands in the sidings at Ipswich. 66573 about to pass under Felixstowe Road with what is assumed to be a 4L95 Ditton to Felixstowe North service although the timetable records it as Mondays excepted. 66159 approaches Felixstowe Road with the 6R82 Harwich to Felixstowe South intermodal train. 20313 leads a rail head treatment train through Wetherden on a misty Saturday morning, 20315 brings up the rear. 20315 at the rear of a DRS powered water jetting train, 20313 at the far end. 66216 at the rear of a Parkeston Quay to Southend rail head treatment train at Mistley, 66142 at the far end. 66142 runs through Manningtree station as a down Norwich train approaches. 66216 alongside Anglia DBSO 9701 at Manningtree station. A good view of a former Anglia DBSO no 9701 at the head of a Norwich train. 90005, recently named 'Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson', departs from Manningtree with the 09:00 Liverpool Street to Norwich service. 47813, named 'John Peel' earlier in the day at Bury, heads for Norwich on the 'New Musical Express', Gallows Hill near Needham Market. 47714 brings up the rear of the Wolverhampton to Norwich 'New Musical Express' charter at Gallows Hill. 90014 passes Gallows Hill at speed with the 13:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 67013 in the sunshine at Ipswich station at the rear of the Orient Express stock. A view of the VSOE Pullman carriages in platform 2 at Ipswich station. 170208 runs into Ipswich past 66041 and the VSOE set. 66041 stands in platform 2 after arrival with the VSOE Pullman train. Railfreight Distribution liveried 90036 runs into Ipswich with the 12:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street service. Railfreight Distribution liveried 90036 runs into Ipswich with the 12:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street service. A pair of Anglia DBSOs, 9708 & 9714 in the sun at Ipswich, an increasingly rare sight. 90046 departs from Ipswich at the head of the 4M87 Felixstowe to Trafford Park freightliner service. 90046 on the 4M87 to Trafford Park passes 66534 'OOCL Express' arriving with the 4L41 from Daventry. 66534 'OOCL Express' stands in Ipswich station waiting for the road into the yard.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Wed Mar 29 2006 Norfolk Community Railfest, September 24th 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c703422.html To coincide with the AGM of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACORP) a weekend of events was held in Norwich and the local branch lines. The weekend was kicked off with a special from Liverpool Street behind 87019 'ACORP', the first use of a class 87 on a passenger train on the GEML. The train was top and tailed by 87019 and 87007, the latter working the return journey in the evening. A display of locomotives was put on alongside Norwich station, with a variety of classes, most of which were unusual or first-time visitors to Norwich. In addition to the display at Norwich, 47714 was outstationed at Lowestoft and 47818 at Great Yarmouth to provide a presence alongside the stands at those stations. Linking everything were special trains, advertised to be top and tailed by FM Rail's 33103 and 31452. Arriving at Norwich after the 87s had arrived we discovered that the first run to Yarmouth had been cancelled following an ETS failure on 31452. Anticipation rose with the news that 45112 was being attached to the set in place of the 31, but apparantly the 45 was removed after it had been coupled to the stock as it was outside the safety case that the trains were running under. Instead 47832, freshly repainted in the new FM Rail livery was used instead. Good weather throughout Saturday brought out the crowds. In late July Gavin Morrison and myself were the only people on Haddiscoe Bridge to see the last of the Lowestoft Air Show specials leave in perfect sunshine, on Saturday the same location had a football crowd, the back row of cameramen standing on stepladders to get their shots... Sunday 25 September 2005: To coincide with the AGM of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACORP) a weekend of events was held in Norwich and the local branch lines. The weekend was kicked off with a special from Liverpool Street behind 87019 'ACORP', the first use of a class 87 on a passenger train on the GEML. The train was top and tailed by 87019 and 87007, the latter working the return journey in the evening. A display of locomotives was put on alongside Norwich station, with a variety of classes, most of which were unusual or first-time visitors to Norwich. In addition to the display at Norwich, 47714 was outstationed at Lowestoft and 47818 at Great Yarmouth to provide a presence alongside the stands at those stations. Linking everything were special trains, advertised to be top and tailed by FM Rail's 33103 and 31452. Arriving at Norwich after the 87s had arrived we discovered that the first run to Yarmouth had been cancelled following an ETS failure on 31452. Anticipation rose with the news that 45112 was being attached to the set in place of the 31, but apparantly the 45 was removed after it had been coupled to the stock as it was outside the safety case that the trains were running under. Instead 47832, freshly repainted in the new FM Rail livery was used instead. Good weather throughout Saturday brought out the crowds. In late July Gavin Morrison and myself were the only people on Haddiscoe Bridge to see the last of the Lowestoft Air Show specials leave in perfect sunshine, on Saturday the same location had a football crowd, the back row of cameramen standing on stepladders to get their shots...

87019 'ACORP Association of Community Rail Partnerships' passes through Diss at speed with the 1G88 08:28 Liverpool Street to Norwich special. Cotswold Railways 87007 brings up the rear of 1G88 at Diss as the train heads for Norwich. 'one' liveried 156407 approaches Whitlingham Junction with a Lowestoft train. FM Rail 33103 'Swordfish' approaches Whitlingham Junction with the first Yarmouth special of the ACORP weekend, 1G02 11:03 Norwich to Yarmouth running around 20 minutes late after having to replace the class 31 on the far end. DRS 37069 sits in the middle road under the roof at Norwich Thorpe, an added attraction for the ACORP weekend. The National Railway Museum's 84001 in the lower dock at Norwich. 84001 and DR98959, a Network Rail sandite MPV, Norwich. The familiar outline of DPS Deltic 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier', Norwich. Making it's final public appearance, 86235 'Crown Point' joined the display at Norwich. EWS provided 67020 to add to the display alongside Thorpe station. A Peak returns to Norwich, 45112 looks like it ought to be heading a freight back to March! Fragonset liveried 31452 'Minotaur' in disgrace! A failure earlier in the morning leading to the cancellation of the first Yarmouth special, replaced by 47832. 86235 'Crown Point' and 67020, Norwich. 73138 makes an unusual sight at Norwich Thorpe. D1023 'Western Fusilier' was the first visit of a Western to Norwich. A general view of the display, D1023, 31452, 86235 and 67020 with 55019 just creeping in on the left. The sleek lines of GNER 89001 in the Royal Dock at Norwich. D1023's distinctive cab profile from the trackside. An electric collection at Norwich, an MPV, 84001, 89001, 73138 and nearest the camera 86235. DRS 20313 at Norwich during the ACORP festival. 45112 'The Royal Army Ordnance Corps' at Norwich during the ACORP festival. 47832 'Driver Tom Clark OBE' approaches with the 1G03 12:42 Great Yarmouth to Norwich, Whitlingham Junction Fragonset liveried 33103 'Swordfish' runs into Reedham station with the 1G04 13:29 Norwich to Lowestoft ACORP special. Fragonset liveried 33103 'Swordfish' runs past Reedham station with the 1G04 13:29 Norwich to Lowestoft ACORP special. 33103 'Swordfish' runs towards Reedham Junction with the Lowestoft train. A close-up view of the new FM Rail livery carried by 47832 'Driver tom Clarke OBE' as it runs through Reedham at the back of the Norwich to Lowestoft ACORP special. 47832 'Driver Tom Clark OBE' makes a fine sight in the sun at Reedham Junction on the rear of the Lowestoft ACORP special. 47832 trails behind the Lowestoft train at Reedham Junction. FM Rail 47832 'Driver Tom Clark OBE' approaches Haddiscoe Bridge at the head of the 1G05 14:23 Lowestoft to Norwich ACORP special. Cotswold Railway's 'one' liveried 47818 on display at Great Yarmouth station during the ACORP weekend. Fragonset 33103 'Swordfish' approaches Reedham Junction with the final Yarmouth special of the day, 1G06 15:16 from Norwich. Fragonset 33103 'Swordfish' at Reedham Junction with the final Yarmouth special of the day, 1G06 15:16 from Norwich. FM Rail 47832 'Driver Tom Clark OBE' runs behind the 1G06 15:16 Norwich to Great Yarmouth at Reedham Junction. A final look at 47832 heading away towards Yarmouth, Reedham Junction.

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]]> Sun Sep 25 2005 Goodbye Anglia 86s - 20 Years of Ipswich electrics http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c678457.html Almost a year after the official Farewell tour, 86235 will be finally retired after the 17th September. I will not be around to record the event, so instead I have put together a gallery of electric trains on the GEML since the wires to Ipswich were turned on in 1985. Not only are there the class 86s that have served the line for 20 years, but also some of the EMUs that are long gone, the past liveries of the Freightliner 86s and 90s, and even the only 87 to run on the line until the recent visits of 87007/8. Some of the class 86s were still in their original livery when they moved to the line (Doncaster & English Electric delivered the last locos in Rail Blue), since then they have gone though around 6 detail variations of Inter-City livery and then Anglia. Thankfully none of them acquired 'one' livery! The Freightliner service also managed a few additional variations that can be seen in this group of photographs - even including early 1960s Electric Blue! The late lamented class 309 units are here too, who remembers 'Jaffa Cake' livery? These units were the cutting edge of technology when they were introduced on the Clacton line in 1962, and while they survived I preferred to travel in them than the Mk2 carriages on the Norwich trains, hopefully the plans to rescue the remaining set will succeed. There are also a few shots of the EWS & Freightliner 90s that Anglia used as it tried to overcome the problems of the aging class 86 fleet. The AC Locomotive Group has plans to return 86101, 213 & 401 to the main line, hopefully an 86 will be back on the GEML to Norwich before too long... Sunday 4 September 2005: Almost a year after the official Farewell tour, 86235 will be finally retired after the 17th September. I will not be around to record the event, so instead I have put together a gallery of electric trains on the GEML since the wires to Ipswich were turned on in 1985. Not only are there the class 86s that have served the line for 20 years, but also some of the EMUs that are long gone, the past liveries of the Freightliner 86s and 90s, and even the only 87 to run on the line until the recent visits of 87007/8. Some of the class 86s were still in their original livery when they moved to the line (Doncaster & English Electric delivered the last locos in Rail Blue), since then they have gone though around 6 detail variations of Inter-City livery and then Anglia. Thankfully none of them acquired 'one' livery! The Freightliner service also managed a few additional variations that can be seen in this group of photographs - even including early 1960s Electric Blue! The late lamented class 309 units are here too, who remembers 'Jaffa Cake' livery? These units were the cutting edge of technology when they were introduced on the Clacton line in 1962, and while they survived I preferred to travel in them than the Mk2 carriages on the Norwich trains, hopefully the plans to rescue the remaining set will succeed. There are also a few shots of the EWS & Freightliner 90s that Anglia used as it tried to overcome the problems of the aging class 86 fleet. The AC Locomotive Group has plans to return 86101, 213 & 401 to the main line, hopefully an 86 will be back on the GEML to Norwich before too long...

A few days before putting this gallery up I was thinking that 86s were history when these two turned up! 86607 heads to Ipswich with the 4L75 MX Trafford Park-Felixstowe as 86610 and a classmate approach on the 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge. In March 1994 87101 'Stephenson' worked into Ipswich on a container train, being diagramed for the same work as the Class 90s. Here it is alongside the station. 16th March 1994 87101's nameplate. 16th March 1994 87101 'Stephenson' sports a 'Not To Be Moved' sign. 16th March 1994 All 3 Freightliner electric classes together at ipswich, all in Railfreight Distribution livery. 16th March 1994 86242 'Colchester Castle' catches the evening sun on Belstead Bank. 9th July 2003 86215 runs over Manningtree Crossing with a down Norwich train. 2nd July 2003 Following the withdrawal of 86220, 86215 now carried the name 'The Round Tabler', here seen at Liverpool Street alongside 37109. 28th June 2003 By 2003 Freightliber class 90s were operating some of the Norwich trains; 90042 at Ipswich. 17th June 2003 By 1999 privatisation heralded the final livery of the local 86/2s. 86221 'BBC Look East' runs into Ipswich. 6th August 1999 An oddity, 86254 is Rail Express Systems livery at Norwich Thorpe. This livery can currently be seen on 90019 on GEML trains. 23rd March 1996 86237 'University of East Anglia' climbs Belstead Bank with the 18:00 off Ipswich. 22nd August 1995 Whilst 90s are daily vistors on container trains, 90150 seen here at Bentley is not in the active Freightliner fleet and is stored out of use. 21st August 1995 By 1996 Freightliner had begin to apply it's own livery to the class 86. This view of Ipswich shows three different liveries on the 86s, note 86605 'Intercontainer' in the 'Channel Tunnel' variant of Railfreight grey. 13th June 1996 An 86/2 runs into Ipswich from Norwich. 7th March 1991 90 027 stands light engine in the centre road at Ipswich. Look at the background, 37s, 31s... 7th March 1991 Was this the first time a class 90 hauled a Norwich train? 90031 backs onto a failure at Ipswich for the remainder of the journey to Norwich. 11th February 1991 86220 is now named 'The Round Tabler' and carries Inter-City Swallow livery. It has succumbed to the bad weather and sits lifeless at the back of it's train. 9th February 1991 86412 'Elizabeth Garrett Anderson' is the leading locomotive of this pair on Belstead Bank. 6th June 1989 An unidentfied 86/2 runs up Belstead Bank with a London train. 23rd July 1990 86235 'Novelty' runs up Belstead Bank with an express, note the early Mk2 BFK behind the loco. 2nd June 1989 86426 was repainted into Electric Blue to celebrate 21 years of Inter-City services; here it is on Belstead Bank. 2nd June 1989 A pair of class 86/4 locomotives in different variants of Inter-City livery leave Ipswich with a freightliner train. 1st June 1989 On Saturdays in the late 1980s, 309s ran services to Norwich. Not until the recent use of 317s as thunderbird units have EMUs run this far north on the GEML. 319601 stands at Norwich, 29th May 1989 86238 'European Community' stands gleaming awaiting departure from Norwich. 29th May 1989 An unidentified class 86/2 brings a rake of mixed Blue/Grey and Inter-City carriages down the bank into Colchester station. Date not recorded, late 1985 or early 1986. A class 86/2 runs throough Colchester with a Liverpool Street service, date not recorded, late 1985 or early 1986. 309614 in BR Blue/Grey leads a classmate in London & SE Sector 'Jaffa Cake' livery into Colchester with a down train. Date not recorded, late 1985 or early 1986. Evening commuter trains at Ipswich, with 312797 on the left and 308136 on the right. Date unrecorded, believed to be early 1986. 86 241 'Glenfiddich' arrives at Colchester with a down Norwich train, the 86 would work as far as Ipswich. 31st July 1985 Who remembers 3rd rail EMUs in Essex? 313035 in the east end bay at Colchester North with a stopping train to Clacton. It was a 313 that ran away and tried to go paddling at Walton around this time. 31st July 1985 86212 'Preston Guild' in the first variant of Inter City livery in the old Liverpool Street station. 24th September 1985. An 86 in Liverpool Street before the bulldozers moved in and tore it apart. 86212 'Preston Guild', 24th September 1985. 86220 'Goliath' has backed on to an up train at Ipswich, taking over from 47573 which had brought the train from Norwich. 13th November 1986. 86232 'Harold Macmillan' crosses the Stour at Cattawade with an up train. 1st March 1987 An unidentified blue 86/2 in Brantham cutting with a down train. 1st March 1987 In Network South East livery, 309 622 trails a down semi-fast to Ipswich, looking from Brantham towards Bentley. 1st March 1987 An Inter-City liveried class 86/2 with an up train at Brantham. 1st March 1987 309612 approaches Manningtree station from the Harwich branch in 'Essex Express' branded 'Jaffa Cake' livery. 9th September 1987 86218 'Planet' rushes past Stratford with a down Norwich train. 9th September 1987 86 207 'City of Lichfield' heads towards Ipswich through Brantham cutting. Thank you to those who identified the locomotive from the picture. 16th April 1988 86219 'Phoenix' runs under Brantham bridge with an up train. 16th April 1988 Long before the days of push-pull, 86214 'Sans Pareil' backs down onto a London train at Norwich. 23rd April 1988 86248 'Sir Clwyd' in the full yellow end variant of Inter City livery at Norwich. 23rd April 1988 86221 'BBC Look East' leaves Ipswich tunnel and passes the old locomotive shed. The friendly yard foreman used to let me take photographs here as I lived just outside the yard gate and was well known to them! 25th February 1989 Class 302 Electric Parcels Unit 302990 and a class 101 unit in the bay platforms at Ipswich. 11th February 1991 By the summer of 2004, 'one' had taken over and were now using both EWS and Freightliner class 90s. EWS 90018 stands in Ipswich station with an Inter-City liveried rake. 10th July 2004 An unidentfiied Anglia 86 crosses Cattawade viaduct, 10th July 2004 On the last day before the Ipswich tunnel blockade severed the line, a class 86 crosses the River Stour at high tide. 10th July 2004 86220 'The Round Tabler' at Ipswich. 22nd February 2000

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sun Sep 4 2005 August 2005 - Another Northern Interlude http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c675981.html Over the August Bank Holiday weekend 8P 4-6-2 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' was seen at Scout Green on the climb to Shap, putting up an impressive performance. The journey back went via the Settle Carlisle, but sadly the wonderul lighting at Ribblehead did not coincide with a train. After ringing ahead to say we would be back shortly, we saw an empty train bound for Swinden Quarry stood at signals near Cononley. A quick change of plans and we popped in to Skipton and then followed the train up the Grassington branch in ever improving weather. Sunday morning was a return trip to Skipton to see 45407 with a working from Leeds to Carlisle. Friday 2 September 2005: Over the August Bank Holiday weekend 8P 4-6-2 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' was seen at Scout Green on the climb to Shap, putting up an impressive performance. The journey back went via the Settle Carlisle, but sadly the wonderul lighting at Ribblehead did not coincide with a train. After ringing ahead to say we would be back shortly, we saw an empty train bound for Swinden Quarry stood at signals near Cononley. A quick change of plans and we popped in to Skipton and then followed the train up the Grassington branch in ever improving weather. Sunday morning was a return trip to Skipton to see 45407 with a working from Leeds to Carlisle.

8P Pacific 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' climbs past Scout Green with the Citadel Express bound for Carlisle. A view of Ribblehead Viaduct in the sun from the Chapel-le-Dale road. 60001 'The Railway Observer' climbs past Embsay Junction with the 6G66 S0(Q) Redcar to Rylstone empty hoppers. 60001 'The Railway Observer' approaches with empties from Redcar to Rylstone. 60001 'The Railway Observer' heads up the valley with the 6G66 S0(Q) Redcar to Rylstone empty hoppers. 60001 'The Railway Observer' passes with empties from Redcar to Rylstone. 60001 nears journey's end as it creeps up to Swinden Quarry with the 6G66 S0(Q) Redcar to Rylstone empty hoppers. Another view of 60001 as it nears journey's end. 60001 'The Railway Observer' at the north end of the loop in Swinden Quarry after arriving from Redcar. 150148 heads a down Morecambe train away from Skipton on a Sunday morning. Black Five 45407 with the 'Dalesman' Leeds to Carlisle special just after departing from Skipton.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Fri Sep 2 2005 August 2005 - Silver Locos Around Ipswich http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c675018.html August's East Anglian photographs. The month started and ended with notable silver visitors. Early in the month, newly repainted Cotswold 87007 paid a return visit to Crown Point and then spent a day working between Norwich and Willesden swapping DVTs. Network Rail got themselves into a bit of a mess diagramming a track recording train to Felixstowe with top and tailed 67s - which are banned from the branch! After half a day with the train sitting in Ipswich Yard, Cotswold came to the rescue and provided 47813 and 47316 to work the train along the branch. Interestingly DRS 37s seem to have become the regular motive power for this train on branch lines around the country, perhaps we will see them in Suffolk. DRS have been running all over the entire East Anglian system with a pair of 20s on weedkilling trains. Mostly these were late at night, but one evening an earlier schedule allowed them to be captured in fading light at Manningtree. The pair were stopped on the main line for a Harwich train to cross in front of them, a perfect rendition of a 'Duet for turbochargers' by English Electric when they pulled away brought back a few memories! Finally, Network Rail were back with the track recording train at the end of the month, silver EWS pet loco 67029 leading as it careered through Manningtree at what seemed to be a very optimistic speed for a facing junction... Friday 2 September 2005: August's East Anglian photographs. The month started and ended with notable silver visitors. Early in the month, newly repainted Cotswold 87007 paid a return visit to Crown Point and then spent a day working between Norwich and Willesden swapping DVTs. Network Rail got themselves into a bit of a mess diagramming a track recording train to Felixstowe with top and tailed 67s - which are banned from the branch! After half a day with the train sitting in Ipswich Yard, Cotswold came to the rescue and provided 47813 and 47316 to work the train along the branch. Interestingly DRS 37s seem to have become the regular motive power for this train on branch lines around the country, perhaps we will see them in Suffolk. DRS have been running all over the entire East Anglian system with a pair of 20s on weedkilling trains. Mostly these were late at night, but one evening an earlier schedule allowed them to be captured in fading light at Manningtree. The pair were stopped on the main line for a Harwich train to cross in front of them, a perfect rendition of a 'Duet for turbochargers' by English Electric when they pulled away brought back a few memories! Finally, Network Rail were back with the track recording train at the end of the month, silver EWS pet loco 67029 leading as it careered through Manningtree at what seemed to be a very optimistic speed for a facing junction...

Newly repainted in Cotswold livery, 87007 returns to the GEML with OZ87 Oxley to Crown Point light engine movement, Brantham. 90045 on the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge freightliner train, Brantham. The sun is out at 90047 nears journey's end with the 4L75 MX Trafford Park to Felixstowe, now a regular class 90 duty. 90001 at Brantham with the 1P55 17:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street 'one' Anglia service. Cotswold Railways 87007 with a pair of Mk3 DVTs 82125 & 82104 and 90004 in tow on a working from Crown Point to Willesden. 87007 runs through Ipswich station with Mk3 DVTs 82105 & 82136 returning from Willesden to Norwich Crown Point. Mk3 DVTs 82105 & 82136 are hauled by Cotswold Railways 87007 through Ipswich station from Willesden to Norwich Crown Point. Freightliner green 90041 stands on the headshunt at Ipswich station. 66514 passes Levington with a rather short 4L95 MX Ditton to Felixstowe North service. 156418 in 'one' branded Central Trains livery with the lunchtime Ipswich to Felixstowe service. 47316 'Cam Peak' approaches Levington with the Serco / Network Rail inspection train, 47813 is on the rear end. 47813 returns with the Serco / Network Rail train at Felixstowe Road by the Shepherd and Dog pub. 47316 'Cam Peak' brings up the rear of the Serco / Network Rail train. 47714 runs past Manningtree returning to Norwich after a day's thunderbird duties at Colchester. 20312 leads a weed killing train into Manningtree after restarting from a signal halt on the main line, 20313 brings up the rear of the train. A weed killing train runs through Manningtree, 20313 at the tail, 20312 at the far end. RES 90019 'Penny Black' with the 08:30 from Norwich at Brantham. 360112 runs towards Ipswich with a morning down train, Brantham. 317305 runs into Manningtree station on it's way up from Ipswich. 317335 in WAGN livery runs behind 317305 as they head through Manningtree for Colchester. EWS silver liveried 67029 leads a track recording train through Manningtree at speed. 67029 heads away from the camera toward the crossing at Manningtree. 67020 in standard EWS livery at the rear of the London to Norwich track recording special. 90045 catches the sun on Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge freightliner service.

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]]> Fri Sep 2 2005 Wansford, Nene Valley Railway - August 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c674981.html Wansford station is a favourite watering hole on the way back from the North; it has facilities and attractions that set it apart from other service areas on the A1...! On August Bank Holiday Monday B1 'Mayflower' and Class 14 D9523 were sharing duties, alongside a certain blue tank engine. These photographs were taken during an hour's break at the station. Thursday 1 September 2005: Wansford station is a favourite watering hole on the way back from the North; it has facilities and attractions that set it apart from other service areas on the A1...! On August Bank Holiday Monday B1 'Mayflower' and Class 14 D9523 were sharing duties, alongside a certain blue tank engine. These photographs were taken during an hour's break at the station.

A general view of Wansford shed, 31271, the Swedish 'B' class 4-6-0 and 5MT 4-6-0 73050 prominent. B1 1306 'Mayflower' runs into Wansford station from the east. Note the headboard, on 30th September 1967 1306 hauled the last steam-hauled Yorkshire Pullman from Bradford Exchange to Leeds. Class 14 D9523 runs past the magnificent signal box at Wansford with an arrival from Orton Mere. D9523 runs across the road and into Wansford. B1 4-6-0 1306 'Mayflower' departs from Wansford with an afternoon train for Orton Mere. D9523 runs light across the level crossing. D306 'Atlantic Conveyer' D306 and 56057 'British Fuels' inside the shed. Newly restored 56057 'British Fuels'. A view of the Stratford Cockney Sparrow plate on 31271's cab. 31271 'Stratford 1850-2001' in Railfreight Construction livery. Another view of of 31271 'Stratford 1850-2001'. Nameplate of 31271 'Stratford 1850-2001'.

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]]> Thu Sep 1 2005 July 2005 - Duffs To The Seaside http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c634999.html July's East Anglian photographs. The Summer Saturday extras to Great Yarmouth are now in full swing, with top and tailed class 47s reported on several occasions, needless to say not on the weekends I went hunting them! Two events stand out as the highlights of the month. The first was the annual Greene King charter to Yarmouth, with 86235 dusted off and put out to assist 47810 'Porterbrook'. 47810 then went and failed at Yarmouth and turned 47828 into a class 153 (see the captions for more information). The Lowestoft Air Show means top and tailed 47s on the Lowestoft line. Thursday was very gloomy, preventing many of the aircraft from flying, but an indifferent forecast for Friday was well wide of the mark and the price of some cracking shots was sunburn due to not wearing a hat. 'Cam Peak' at Haddiscoe was well worth it, everyone else had given up and gone home! Elsewhere the EWS class 90s continue to keep 'one' out of the mire and the Sizewell flask train finally put in appearance for the camera. Woodefordes brewery is positioned equidistantly from the Cromer and Acle lines, it is quite easy to drop in every time you pass on the way from one line to the other; this is a particular help when the 47s fail, don't turn up, turn into 153s (twice), sneak past early when you have stopped at the pub at Reedham Ferry for an ice cream (that's all, honest)... I still don't know why I drive up and down the A140 in the pursuit of all this... Saturday 30 July 2005: July's East Anglian photographs. The Summer Saturday extras to Great Yarmouth are now in full swing, with top and tailed class 47s reported on several occasions, needless to say not on the weekends I went hunting them! Two events stand out as the highlights of the month. The first was the annual Greene King charter to Yarmouth, with 86235 dusted off and put out to assist 47810 'Porterbrook'. 47810 then went and failed at Yarmouth and turned 47828 into a class 153 (see the captions for more information). The Lowestoft Air Show means top and tailed 47s on the Lowestoft line. Thursday was very gloomy, preventing many of the aircraft from flying, but an indifferent forecast for Friday was well wide of the mark and the price of some cracking shots was sunburn due to not wearing a hat. 'Cam Peak' at Haddiscoe was well worth it, everyone else had given up and gone home! Elsewhere the EWS class 90s continue to keep 'one' out of the mire and the Sizewell flask train finally put in appearance for the camera. Woodefordes brewery is positioned equidistantly from the Cromer and Acle lines, it is quite easy to drop in every time you pass on the way from one line to the other; this is a particular help when the 47s fail, don't turn up, turn into 153s (twice), sneak past early when you have stopped at the pub at Reedham Ferry for an ice cream (that's all, honest)... I still don't know why I drive up and down the A140 in the pursuit of all this...

170204 in front a pair of Freds,m 66569 nearest the camera at Ipswich station. 66716 'Willesden Traincare' with the 4M23 Felixstowe to Hams Hall intermodal running up through the down main platform at Ipswich. 90049 on the 4M87 Felixstowe to Trafford Park service at Brantham. A stranger, 2-car 170272 still in Anglia livery has just come off the Manningtree North curve from Harwich. 47810 'Porterbrook' approaches Haughley Green with the annual Greene King Bury to Yarmouth charter. 86235 runs into Diss station with the Green King charter, another 'last run'...? 47810 'Porterbrook' being hauled through Diss at the rear of the Greene King charter. 156407 approaches Whitlingham Junction with a Sheringham line service, in interim 'one' branded Central livery. 47810 'Porterbrook' approaches Whitlingham Junction with the Greene King charter to Great Yarmouth. 47828 'Joe Strummer' passes Whitlingham Junction with the 1V29 Yarmouth to London summer Saturday service. 90006 'Roger Ford' trundles along at the back of the up Yarmouth train at Whitlingham Junction. 156422 in 'one' livery about to pass beneath the A47 Norwich southern bypass on a Lowestoft service. 156422 returns from Lowestoft at Reedham Junction. Balfour Beatty have done an excellent job of spoiling the classic view of Reedham, 156412 passes with a Lowestoft train. The signals went off right on time, ears strained for the sound of a 47 on the Liverpool St to Yarmouth, then 153309 came round the corner... 47810 was to have run round at Yarmouth and would have then dropped on the back of the London to Yarmouth to take the ECS to Crown Point. But - 47810 got stuck at the buffers, preventing any other loco hauled trains being handled by Yarmouth. 47810 'Porterbrook' stands immobile at Great Yarmouth after the reverser failed while running round the Greene King charter. 47828 ran light to Yarmouth later in the day and brought 47810 back with the charter in the evening. 156422 crosses the wilds of Halvergate Marshes with a Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Acle service at Stracey Arms. 'one' liveried 156422 departs from Acle with a service for Norwich. A hybrid unit temporarily reformed with vehicles from 156402 & 419 departs from Norwich Thorpe. 86235 'Crown Point' stabled (for the last time?) at Norwich Thorpe station. The familiar outline of an 86 is seen past a DBSO at Norwich, 86235 out for perhaps the last time? 90006 'Roger Ford' with the delayed 1P49 16:00 from Norwich at Long Lane bridge, Tharston near Tasburgh RES 90019 'Penny Black' enters Diss in the sun with the 1P51 16:30 from Norwich. 90011 with a down train on Cattawade bridge. 66541 catches the sun on Cattawade bridge with the 4M92 Felixstowe to Lawley Street freightliner service. 156417 arrives at Great Yarmouth with a train from Norwich via Acle. 47813 runs into Great Yarmouth with 90002 in tow with the ECS for the Saturday morning through London train. 47813 backs down onto it's train past the signal box at Great Yarmouth. 47813 has run round it's train and will now set back, pushing the class 90 to the buffers to get the DBSO into the platform. 90002 looks a little lost in the platform at Great Yarmouth, not a wire to be seen! 153314 leads 153309 into Reedham station with a train from Lowestoft. 156417, earlier seen at Yarmouth is now on a Lowestoft train at Reedham station. 47813 approaches Reedham station with the Great Yarmouth to London train. 47813 runs through Reedham station with a rake of Mark 3 carriages forming the morning Great Yarmouth to Liverpool Street through train. 'one' liveried 47818 approaches Berney Arms halt with the Saturday Liverpool St to Great Yarmouth train, 90004 is tucked in behind the 47. 20306 leads 20315 up Belstead Bank with a single flask on the Mondays only 6M69 Sizewell-Willesden. Newly repainted in Freightliner Green, 90046 on Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge service. 47714 leads the empty stock of the Lowestoft specials out of the sidings at Norwich. 47714 approaches Whitlingham Junction with the 1G92 09:48 Norwich to Lowestoft Air Show extra. 47316 'Cam Peak' trails along at the tail of the Lowestoft extra as it passes Whitlingham Junction. 47316 'Cam Peak' runs onto Reedham Swing Bridge with the ECS returning from Lowestoft. 47714 runs along at the tail of the ECS from Lowestoft as the train heads towards Reedham Junction. 156418 in 'one' branded Central Trains livery crosses Reedham Swing Bridge with the 10:50 from Lowestoft to Norwich. 156418 in 'one' branded Central Trains livery runs round the curve from Reedham Swing Bridge to Reedham Junction with the 10:50 from Lowestoft to Norwich. 'one' liveried 156416, strengthened by the additional of a 153 car, runs alongside the New Cut towards Haddiscoe with the 11:57 from Norwich to Lowestoft. GBRf 66716 'Willesden Traincare Depot' passes Wroxham signal box with the 6A33 North Walsham-Harwich condensate tanks. 47316 'Cam Peak' runs under the footbridge into Reedham station with the 1G93 15:58 Lowestoft to Norwich extra. Anglia liveried 47714 trails behind the 1G93 15:58 Lowestoft to Norwich extra as it passes through Reedham station. An unidentified 'one' liveried class 156 crosses the river at Reedham with the 15:57 Norwich to Lowestoft service. The up starter at Somerleyton station, a concrete 'lattice' post upper quadrant semaphore.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sat Jul 30 2005 Worth Valley Diesel Gala - June 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c602274.html The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's diesel gala, always one of the best organised events each year, was blessed with excellent weather for the weekend. All the main services were operated by visiting locomotives, DRS providing 33029 and 37605, 31452 from FM Rail, a pair of 73s from the Severn Valley, the East Lancashire's class 24 and last, but by no means least, 37214 making it's public debut after restoration at Carnforth. Sunday 3 July 2005: The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's diesel gala, always one of the best organised events each year, was blessed with excellent weather for the weekend. All the main services were operated by visiting locomotives, DRS providing 33029 and 37605, 31452 from FM Rail, a pair of 73s from the Severn Valley, the East Lancashire's class 24 and last, but by no means least, 37214 making it's public debut after restoration at Carnforth.

FM Rail 31452 'Minotaur' runs south through Damems station. Class 24 D5054 rolls across the level crossing at Damems with a train for Keighley. D5054 rolls through Damems station with a train for Keighley, Saturday afternoon. A Southern pair in the Dales, DRS 33029 and preserved E6005 double-head a Keighley bound train shortly after departure from Oxenhope, Saturday afternoon. East Lancashire Railway D5054 between Haworth and Oxenhope on Saturday afternoon. DRS 37605 leads FM Rail 31452 'Minotaur' with a Keighley train just north of Oxenhope, Saturday afternoon. DRS 37605 leads FM Rail 31452 'Minotaur' with a Keighley train just north of Oxenhope, Saturday afternoon. DRS 33029 leads preserved E6005 into Oxenhope station on Saturday evening. 33029 runs back into the station yard at Oxenhope. Oxenhope yard with 33029 and 37214 visible. 37214 running round on the bank at Keighley, 33029 visible waiting in the distance. DRS 33029 running round on the bank at Keighley, 37214 visible waiting in the distance on the train. Type 3 pair 33029 and 37214 depart from Keighley on Sunday morning. 37214 and 33029 come off the loop at Oxenhope, D5054 visible on the left. 37214 and 33029 come off the loop at Oxenhope. E6006 trails E6005 into the platform road at Oxenhope, a contrast in early blue electric liveries. 37605 leads 31452 out of Mytholmes tunnel on their way to Haworth and Oxenhope, Sunday morning. 37605 leads 31452 out of Mytholmes tunnel on their way to Haworth and Oxenhope, Sunday morning. D5054 runs down the line below Haworth station with a Keighley train. A pair of 73/0s, E6005 leads E6006 into Haworth station on Sunday morning. D5054 departs from Keighley with another train for Oxenhope, Sunday morning. 37214 rolls down the hill into Keighley with an arrival from Oxenhope, Sunday afternoon. D0226 'Vulcan' brings a shuttle train from Ingrow down the bank into Keighley. 37214 raises echoes from the surrounding buildings as it climbs away from Keighley, Sunday afternoon.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sun Jul 3 2005 A Northern Interlude - Settle to Carlisle June 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c602127.html A diversion on the way to the Keighley & Worth Valley's diesel gala allowed us to see a Colchester to Carlisle steam excursion. It's quicker by road, we had about 2 hours extra in bed before departing and still got there with an hour to spare! Ian Riley's pair, 4MT 2-6-0 76079 & Black 5 45407 were in charge as they passed us at Selside, looking comfortably in charge. We popped in at Helwith Bridge, somewhere I had not been to for over 20 years, to see how things had changed, then chased a class 60 south with an empty gypsum train. Interestingly I have found three old photographs taken at the same locations 20 years or more since which are included here to show how things have (or have not) changed. Sunday 3 July 2005: A diversion on the way to the Keighley & Worth Valley's diesel gala allowed us to see a Colchester to Carlisle steam excursion. It's quicker by road, we had about 2 hours extra in bed before departing and still got there with an hour to spare! Ian Riley's pair, 4MT 2-6-0 76079 & Black 5 45407 were in charge as they passed us at Selside, looking comfortably in charge. We popped in at Helwith Bridge, somewhere I had not been to for over 20 years, to see how things had changed, then chased a class 60 south with an empty gypsum train. Interestingly I have found three old photographs taken at the same locations 20 years or more since which are included here to show how things have (or have not) changed.

4MT 2-6-0 76079 and 5MT 4-6-0 45047 climb towards Selside with a special for Carlisle. 4MT 2-6-0 76079 and 5MT 4-6-0 45047 climb towards Selside with a special for Carlisle, Penyghent looms over the view on th left. 4MT 2-6-0 76079 at Selside with a special from Colchester to Carlisle. Ian Riley's main line pair 4MT 2-6-0 76079 and 5MT 4-6-0 45047 pass Selside with a special for Carlisle. An unidentified class 156 crosses the River Ribble at Helwith Bridge with a southbound Leeds train. 60072 'Cairn Toul' in Mainline grey on the 6E13 Newbiggin to Knottingley empty gypsum containers at Helwith Bridge. 60072 'Cairn Toul' in Mainline grey on the 6E13 Newbiggin to Knottingley empty gypsum containers departs along the Little north Western line at Hellifield. 60072 'Cairn Toul' with the 6E13 Newbiggin to Knottingley empty gypsum containers runs south through Cononley station between Skipton and Keighley. 24 years earlier on 4th April 1981, Ian Storey's Stephenson link motion Black 5 No 4767 pilots the same Black 5 (then numbered 5407) uphill past Selside. 26th August 1981, A4 Pacific 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' departs from Hellifield with a Cumbrian Mountain Express, at almost exactly the same spot as 60072 was seen in 2005 (although from a different viewpoint). 20th February 1982, 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton' crosses the Ribble at Helwith Bridge, a wonderful view no longer obtainable due to tree growth. I used to cycle to take these photographs, I must have been a lot fitter and thinner at the time!

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sun Jul 3 2005 June 2005 - Suffolk, Norfolk & a little bit of Cambridgeshire http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c602066.html A collection of photographs from June 2005 around East Anglia. The Class 150s finally left 'one', being replaced by Central Trains class 156s, currently in a range of liveries. The Class 86s spent most of the month out of use on the GEML, being replaced by EWS class 90s 90019 and 90036 adding a spot of colour to the region. However at the end of the month 86235 returned to use following a bad few days for the 'one' 90s. Whether they will be seen again is unclear, 'one' intends to stand them down from the 1st of July. The highlight of the month was a pair of Cotswold Railways 87s working an ECS train to Crown Point and returning a week later to Oxley. June was a month of missed opportunities, mainly due to the Highways Agency cutting me off from the rest of the world during the week by causing congestion on the A14 Orwell Bridge. If it hadn't been for the bridge, you would also be able to see photographs of the Sizewell flask train running again after a long break, 47818 in the sun on a Norwich train and more of the 86s - all of them were seen while trying to get to the right spot :-( Sunday 3 July 2005: A collection of photographs from June 2005 around East Anglia. The Class 150s finally left 'one', being replaced by Central Trains class 156s, currently in a range of liveries. The Class 86s spent most of the month out of use on the GEML, being replaced by EWS class 90s 90019 and 90036 adding a spot of colour to the region. However at the end of the month 86235 returned to use following a bad few days for the 'one' 90s. Whether they will be seen again is unclear, 'one' intends to stand them down from the 1st of July. The highlight of the month was a pair of Cotswold Railways 87s working an ECS train to Crown Point and returning a week later to Oxley. June was a month of missed opportunities, mainly due to the Highways Agency cutting me off from the rest of the world during the week by causing congestion on the A14 Orwell Bridge. If it hadn't been for the bridge, you would also be able to see photographs of the Sizewell flask train running again after a long break, 47818 in the sun on a Norwich train and more of the 86s - all of them were seen while trying to get to the right spot :-(

156419 about to depart from Norwich for Lowestoft in 'one' branded Central Trains livery. DRS 47802 and Cotswold Rail 47828 'Joe Strummer' stand in the dock at Norwich Thorpe. 156422, recently repainted in 'one' livery, passes Whitlingham Junction with a Great Yarmouth train. 156402 in white undercoat with 'one' branding passes Wroxham signal box with a Sheringham to Norwich train. 90041's green livery catches the sun as it climbs Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge freightliner. 90019 'Penny Black' in Ipswich station, on hire to 'one', on the 11:30 from Liverpool Street. 90016, on long-term hire to Freightliner from EWS, gleams in it's Freightliner Green paint at Ipswich station. 90016 at Ipswich. 90001 runs into Ipswich with a mixed rake of Mk3 carriages on the 12:30 from Norwich. 90005 is lit by the low evening sun at Manningtree station on the 18:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. The ex-Virgin Mk3 rake behind 90005 is lit by the evening sunshine at Manningtree. 321446 in 'one' Great Eastern livery brings up the rear of a Liverpool St to Harwich International service as it negotiates the crossover at Manningtree. 66570 is granted perfect lighting as it races through Manningtree on the 4V30 Felixstowe to Cardiff Wentloog freightliner, well worth the trip! 66022 'Lafarge Charnwood' rolls down past Wherstead with the 6L02 Scunthorpe to Felixstowe containerised steel train. 60013 'Robert Boyle' with the Barham-Peak Forest empties passes Barham on it's way back from Ipswich yard. 66571 rolls through March station with the 4L85 Stourton to Felixstowe freightliner. 66043 runs north light-engine on the ECML down slow line at Great Stukeley. Happy smiley 365518 heads north on the down fast at Great Stukeley. 170393 runs south with a Hull to Kings Cross service, Great Stukeley. 66022 'Lafarge Charnwood' approaches Kennet with the Saturday 6E69 Felixstowe to Scunthorpe intermodal train. 66716 'Willesden Traincare Centre' runs through Haughley with the 4L78 Selby to Felixstowe intermodal service. 156409 still carries Regional Railways livery as it passes with a service from Cambridge to Ipswich. RES red 90019 'Penny Black' crosses Cattawade bridge with the 17:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 90045 makes a change from the usual class 86s on the 4L75 Trafford Park to Felixstowe, Cattawade. 66572 runs over Cattawade bridge with the 4V30 Felixstowe to Cardiff Wentloog freightliner. EWS 90036 in Railfreight Distribution International livery crosses the River Stour on the 18:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street service. 66140 approaches Levington with a well loaded 6R82 Harwich to Felixstowe South intermodal service. 57005 'Freightliner Excellence' emerges from behind the trees to make the slow descent into Felixstowe South with the 4L85 Stourton to Felixstowe South freightliner service. 90045 with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge freightliner climbing slowly up Belstead Bank. 66570 runs through the site of Bentley station with the 4V30 Felixstowe South to Cardiff Wentloog. 90012 runs south past Brantham on a day of disruption on the GEML. 66710 is over 90 minutes late as it passes Brantham with the 6A33 North Walsham to Harwich condensate tank train. EWS 90036 in Railfreight Distribution livery climbs Belstead Bank with the 17:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street train (as seen in the July 2005 issue of Entrain magazine) 90015 descends Belstead Bank with the 17:00 from Liverpool St to Norwich. Grey 86622 leads green 86621 up Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge freightliner, normally a class 90 turn. Cotswold Railways 47810 'Porterbrook' returns light through Brantham after spending the day as Colchester thunderbird. 321362 leads a train from Liverpool Street as the setting sun lights up the front end at Brantham. Strangers on the GEML, 87007 with 87008 DIT behind deliver 4 ex Virgin Mk3 carriages from Polmadie to Norwich Crown Point, passing Brantham as the sun goes down on the longest day. Warm light from the setting sun lights up 90007 as it propels the 20:00 from Liverpool Street past Brantham. An unidentified Virgin Red class 90 crosses the pointwork at the down end of Manningtree station with the 17:30 from Norwich. 66576 sets the rails singing as it races into Manningtree with the 4V30 Felixstowe to Cardiff Wentloog freightliner. Expected to be withdrawn on 1st July, 86235 'Crown Point' crosses the Stour with the 18:30 from Liverpool Street. 66712 crosses the River Stour with the 4M23 Felixstowe-Hams Hall intermodal service. 90003 'Raedwald' on the bridge at Cattawade with the 11:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street. RES 90019 'Penny Black' and a rake of Virgin Mk3s crosses the Stour on the 12:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. Freightliner green 90041 hauls the 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford Park service past Cattawade in the sunshine. Cotswold Railways pairing 87008 & 87007 cross the Stour at Cattawade with an ECS working from Crown Point to Oxley, Wolverhampton, returning after working down the previous Tuesday evening. Cotswold Railways pairing 87008 & 87007 cross the Stour at Cattawade with an ECS working from Crown Point to Oxley, Wolverhampton, returning after working down the previous Tuesday evening.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sun Jul 3 2005 North Norfolk Railway, Spring 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c601936.html A family holiday in Norfolk allowed some creative route planning to give opportunities for encounters with North Norfolk Railway services! The Essex Locomotive Society's WD 2-10-0 and the railway's own J15 0-6-0 were working the services. A first view of the partially restored Metro-Cammell DMU was also possible with it forming the end of day diesel services. Sunday 3 July 2005: A family holiday in Norfolk allowed some creative route planning to give opportunities for encounters with North Norfolk Railway services! The Essex Locomotive Society's WD 2-10-0 and the railway's own J15 0-6-0 were working the services. A first view of the partially restored Metro-Cammell DMU was also possible with it forming the end of day diesel services.

WD 2-10-0 90775 approaches the bridge over the A149 coast road with a train for Holt. WD 2-10-0 90775 passes the photographer and is about to cross the the A149 coast road. The class 101 DMU approaching the road bridge on Kelling Heath, heading for Holt. WD 2-10-0 90775 runs light into Weybourne at the end of the day's work. A three-quarter rear view of 90775 from the footbridge at Weybourne. The Metro-Cammell DMU runs into Weybourne from Sheringham. The Metro-Cammell DMU stands in Weybourne under the footbridge. The Class 101 DMU in Weybourne platform as the J15 approaches in the distance. J15 0-6-0 65462 runs tender-first into Weybourne with the last steam train of the day. WD 2-10-0 90775 rounds the curve on Kelling Heath, climbing from Weybourne towards Holt. WD 2-10-0 90775 runs downhill in the distance, with Weybourne mill and the sea beyond. WD 2-10-0 90775 heads back to Weybourne with a distant train across the fields.

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Sun Jul 3 2005 Some days it all goes pear shaped..... http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c545192.html Network Rail's Iris II class 101 unit was working in the area on 18th May, and was to depart from Colchester at 17:50 for stabling at Ipswich overnight. I decided to go to Brantham and photograph the unit as it came out of the cutting north of the A137, but while sorting myself out on site I heard a train approaching from the south and missed the early running Trafford Park to Felixstowe with a pair of 86s in the sun. At 5:45 the up Norwich passed and I wandered back to the occupation crossing to capture the Felixstowe to Coatbridge which usually follows 5 minutes behind the up express. I heard a class 90's horn in the distance and readied myself. 90016 approached, a pleasant surprise as I had missed one of the green 90s on Saturday at the same location - then - running almost 10 minutes early, the distinctive raspberry sound of a DMU came from behind as Iris II came past, with me in the wrong spot and totally ruining the shot of 90016. I decided to call it a day, go home, have a beer and support West Ham for the evening :-( Wednesday 18 May 2005: Network Rail's Iris II class 101 unit was working in the area on 18th May, and was to depart from Colchester at 17:50 for stabling at Ipswich overnight. I decided to go to Brantham and photograph the unit as it came out of the cutting north of the A137, but while sorting myself out on site I heard a train approaching from the south and missed the early running Trafford Park to Felixstowe with a pair of 86s in the sun. At 5:45 the up Norwich passed and I wandered back to the occupation crossing to capture the Felixstowe to Coatbridge which usually follows 5 minutes behind the up express. I heard a class 90's horn in the distance and readied myself. 90016 approached, a pleasant surprise as I had missed one of the green 90s on Saturday at the same location - then - running almost 10 minutes early, the distinctive raspberry sound of a DMU came from behind as Iris II came past, with me in the wrong spot and totally ruining the shot of 90016. I decided to call it a day, go home, have a beer and support West Ham for the evening :-(

Twice in one week at the same spot! 90014 ruins the picture as 66113 approaches on the 6L02 Scunthorpe-Felixstowe containerised steel train. 170206 emerges from the cutting at Brantham with a down train - the view I had intended for Iris II 90016 approaches with the 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge, but what's this barging in on the picture? Pure chance that they ended up nose to nose at this spot, nothing to do with the photographer! It'll be back another time I suppose...

Published in Martin Cowgill's Standard Gauge Photos

]]> Wed May 18 2005 May 2005 - Great Eastern Main Line & Felixstowe Branch http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c542796.html Nothing much out of the ordinary in this collection, but the sunny mornings have been encouraging me out of bed earlier on a Saturday... Only a couple of oddities early in the month, a 2-car 170 on the GEML and 86501 hurrying off up the main line light engine on a Saturday. DRS 'Wednesdays' means route-learning along the Essex branches and a day out at the seaside for 47802. As the month wore on, a pair of EWS 90s arrived at Crown Point to replace the 86s, but both 86235 and 86232 continue to defy the Grim Reaper. 26th May was black Thursday for 'one' 90s, three failures, but still no sign of the EWS 90s displacing the 40 year old veterans. The following day, with excessive heat causing overhead problems together with more failures, saw a pair of class 317s make at least two return journeys on Liverpool Street to Norwich services. Monday 16 May 2005: Nothing much out of the ordinary in this collection, but the sunny mornings have been encouraging me out of bed earlier on a Saturday... Only a couple of oddities early in the month, a 2-car 170 on the GEML and 86501 hurrying off up the main line light engine on a Saturday. DRS 'Wednesdays' means route-learning along the Essex branches and a day out at the seaside for 47802. As the month wore on, a pair of EWS 90s arrived at Crown Point to replace the 86s, but both 86235 and 86232 continue to defy the Grim Reaper. 26th May was black Thursday for 'one' 90s, three failures, but still no sign of the EWS 90s displacing the 40 year old veterans. The following day, with excessive heat causing overhead problems together with more failures, saw a pair of class 317s make at least two return journeys on Liverpool Street to Norwich services.

DBSO 9707 leads a complete Anglia rake towards Ipswich past Bentley. 90043 'Freightliner Coatbridge' with the 4M87 Felixstowe-Crewe service passing Bentley. 90044 with what was probably the early 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe running early past Bentley. 66131 passes the site of Bentley station with the 6Y54 Harwich-Ipswich Yard fuel tanks. 170207 beneath a dramatic sky passing Bentley with a down service. 66543 climbs Belstead Bank in the sun with the 4V30 Felixstowe-Cardiff Wentloog freightliner. 66125 runs into the low sun with the 6A53 Felixstowe-Harwich paper train, Belstead Bank. 66081 departs from Westerfield with the lunchtime 6X57 Felixstowe South-Healey Mills paper train. 66515 at Westerfield with the 4M92 Felixstowe South-Lawley Street freightliner. 66007 departs from Westerfield with the 6A53 Felixstowe-Harwich paper train. 66152 enters Ipswich Yard with the lunchtime 6X57 Felixstowe South-Healey Mills paper train. 90015 approaches Ipswich as 66152 sits on the Ipswich Yard headshunt, East Suffolk Junction. 66113 runs through Brantham cutting with the 6L02 Scunthorpe-Felixstowe containerised steel train. 66533 'Senator Express' passes Brantham with the 4L95 Ditton-Felixstowe freightliner service, Brantham. Unusually 170272 appears on the GEML with an up train, probably related to additional services being provided for the Ipswich Town vs West Ham play-off match. 90013 passes above the fields at Brantham with the 08:30 Norwich to London service. 90006 in it's darker painted 'one' livery with the 09:00 Norwich to Liverpool St, Brantham. 66190 with three tanks forms the 6Y54 Harwich-Ipswich yard fuel train. 86501 unexpectedly appeared light-engine heading towards Colchester, not a timetabled movement. 170203 heads north through Bentley. 90042 seen through the greenery at Bentley on the 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe, rostered for 2x86s. 66190 returns through Bentley with the empty fuel tanks for Harwich. 90015 runs along the embankment at Bentley with the 10:30 from Norwich. 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' descends Belstead Bank with the 4L25 Hams Hall-Felixstowe intermodal service. 90044 on Belstead Bank with the 4L97 Trafford Park-Felixstowe freightliner service. 57011 'Freightliner Challenger' runs along the branch line with the 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe North service. 66579 is well into it's stride crossing the River Stour at speed with the 4V30 Felixstowe-Cardiff Wentloog freightliner, Cattawade. 86235 'Crown Point' propels the 18:00 Liverpool Street to Norwich across the River Stour at Cattawade. DRS 47802 descends Belstead Bank returning to Norwich after a route learning trip to Walton & Clacton. DRS 47802 on Belstead Bank with a route learning trip returning from Walton & Clacton, it is believed that DRS have won the contract for the autumn leaf clearing trains in the area. 90015 climbs Belstead Bank with a complete former Virgin Mk3 rake on the 12:30 from Norwich. 90002 draws in to Ipswich station on the 14:00 Norwich to Liverpool St as 90005 waits with a down train alongside. 90002 stands in Ipswich station waiting with the 14:00 Norwich to Liverpool St. 86639 leads 86627 out of Brantham cutting with the 4L75 Trafford Park-Felixstowe North freightliner. 90044 with a late-running 4S88 Felixstowe North-Coatbridge passes Brantham. 90003 'Readwald of East Anglia' caught in the sun with a down express at Brantham. 66570 heads into Brantham cutting with the 4V30 Felixstowe South-Cardiff Wentloog freightliner. 170206 runs along the embankment towards Brantham in the evening sunlight. 66187 hauls the 6A53 Felixstowe South-Harwich paper train past Brantham. 90013 is silhouetted against the evening sun with a down express at Brantham. 66574 runs through the site of Bentley station with the 4L56 Cardiff Wentloog-Felixstowe freightliner. 90008 crosses the river at Cattawade with the 08:30 from Liverpool Street. 66248 crosses the River Stour with the returning 6A55 Ipswich Yard-Harwich empty fuel tanks. 170207 on the bridge at Cattawade with a down service from London Liverpool St to Ipswich. 90047 takes the 4M87 Felixstowe South - Crewe over the Stour at Cattawade. 90011 propels the 12:00 Liverpool St to Norwich across the River Stour at Cattawade. Living on borrowed time, 86235 'Crown Point' with the 12:30 from Norwich, still in service despite the deliver of 90016/34 on hire from EWS on the 20th May. 47802 waits in the middle at Ipswich on a DRS route learner special to Southend. DRS 47802 with a route learning special to Southend runs through the middle road, Ipswich. 47802 departs from Ipswich light engine with a route learner to Southend.

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]]> Mon May 16 2005 Ipswich and surrounding area, April 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c496385.html April and a selection of photographs, mainly on the GEML south of Ipswich. Plenty happening on 'one', failed class 90s being rescued by Cotswold 47s, a variety of liveries and a total of 3 class 86s in use on a single day. Not to be outdone, Freightliner managed to join in the 'least reliable class 90 of the week' competion! Later in the month Fragonset sent a few locos to the area to give a bit of variety. Sunday 10 April 2005: April and a selection of photographs, mainly on the GEML south of Ipswich. Plenty happening on 'one', failed class 90s being rescued by Cotswold 47s, a variety of liveries and a total of 3 class 86s in use on a single day. Not to be outdone, Freightliner managed to join in the 'least reliable class 90 of the week' competion! Later in the month Fragonset sent a few locos to the area to give a bit of variety.

'one' liveried 90004 with the 17:30 Liverpool St to Norwich passes the foot crossing at Falstaff Manor, Bentley. 86501 slowly climbs Belstead Bank with the 4M87 Felixstowe to Trafford Park freightliner service. 90003 with the 'one' rake of very mixed Mk3s runs up Belstead Bank, 1P35, 12:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 47813 still carrying First Great Western livery with an ECS / dead class 90 to Crown Point runs down Belstead Bank. A rather scruffy 90012 trails behind 47813 with it's pantograph down after disgracing itself at Liverpool Street. 170201 with the 15:47 Peterborough to Liverpool St train passes Falstaff Manor crossing, Bentley. 86232 'Norfolk & Norwich Festival' was a surprise on the 1P53 17:00 Norwixh to Liverpool St, Falstaff Manor crossing, Bentley. 90043 'Freighliner Coatbridge' heads for it's namesake with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge service. 86621 & 86627 lead the 4L75 Trafford Park to Felixstowe around the curves at Bentley. 86232 'Norfolk & Norwich Festival' crosses Cattawade bridge with the 16:30 Liverpool St to Norwich. 170204 crosses the river Stour with an up service at Cattawade. 66536 is towed by 86609 and another (612?) across Cattawade bridge with 4L75 Trafford Park to Felixstowe freightliner. 66549 tows a failed 90016 (on long term hire from EWS) across Cattawade bridge on the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge. 90011 in it's unbranded Virgin livery on the 17:30 Norwich to Liverpool St, Cattawade. 66123 with the 6x57 Felixstowe South to Healey Mills paper train runs alongside Felixstowe Road. 66567 runs along the Felixstowe branch at Levington with the 4L89 Coatbridge to Felixstowe North freightliner. A thunderstorm blows up as 90047 climbs Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge. 90011 catches the evening sun on Belstead Bank on the 17:30 Norwich to Liverpool St. 170208 heads towards Manningtree in the morning sunshine, Bentley. This working was later involved in a fatality approaching Forest Gate, the unit ending up at Ilford with damage to this end. 90049 with a freightliner service running out of it's normal path, probably on the 4L95 Ditton to Felixstowe, Bentley. 321316 with an up service passing Falstaff Manor, Bentley. 90003 'Raewald' with the 09:00 Liverpool St t Norwich, Bentley. 90009 in Virgin livery with the delayed 09:00 Norwich to Liverpool St, Bentley. 90013 with the 09:30 Norwich to Liverpool St passes Bentley in the morning sun. 86501 passes Bentley with the 4M87 Felixstowe to Crewe service. 170205 makes a splendid sight in the sun descending Belstead Bank. 86235 'Crown Point' climbs Belstead Bank with the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool St service. 321316 descends Belstead Bank in the sunshine. Newly reinstated 86234 'Suffolk' descends Belstead Bank with the 10:00 Liverpool St to Norwich. 90015 climbing Belstead Bank with the 10:30 Norwich to Liverpool St. 90005 with the 11:00 Norwich to Liverpool St on Belstead Bank. 86232 'Norfolk & Norwich Festival' with a short Virgin Mk3 rake descends Belstead Bank, 11:30 Liverpool St to Norwich. 47832 in Fragonset branded First GW green runs through Ipswich on the 5Z47 Oxley to Norwich ECS special. 47709 'Dionysos' trails the top-and-tailed 5Z47 Oxley to Norwich ECS special through Ipswich. The scruffy, unreliable 90012 with a complete Virgin Mk3 & DVT rake passes Brantham on the 18:00 from Norwich. 66572 rounds the curve at Brantham with the 4V30 Felixstowe-Cardiff Wentloog freightliner service. 57011 'Freightliner Challenger' passes Levington Crossing in the sun with the 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe North service. 66536 catches the sun on the 4E50 Felixstowe South-Leeds at Levington crossing. 66185 with an almost empty 6R82 Harwich-Felixstowe South intermodal train at Levington. 86232 hauls a rake of Mk3s through Brantham with the delayed 17:00 from Norwich. 170203 in evening light passes Brantham with an up train. 90011's former Virgin red is beginning to look a little scruffy as it passes Brantham with the 09:00 ex Norwich. 90010 with a mixed Mk3 rake heads for Ipswich with a down train, the 09:00 from Norwich. Pioneer class 90 no 90001 with an Anglia Mk2 rake passes Brantham on an up train, the 09:30 ex Norwich. Following an accident to 170208 two weeks previously 2-car 170270 was reformed with the centre car from 170208. This is the reformed unit's first working, note the livery differences. 86613 & 86607 pass Brantham with the 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe freightliner service. 66185 returns to Harwich with the 6A55 Ipswich yard-Harwich empty fuel tanks. 86609 leads 86627 up Belstead Bank with the 4S88 Felixstowe to Coatbridge service. 66185 draws the 6X57 Felixstowe South-Healey Mills paper train towards East Suffolk Junction after a signal stop. 66076 descends from Westerfield towards East Suffolk Junction with the 6X57 Felixstowe South-Healey Mills paper train.

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]]> Sun Apr 10 2005 A brief look at Colton Junction, 2nd April 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c495887.html Colton Junction is the location where the York to Leeds line and the ECML diverge, following the closure of Challoners Whin Junction after the ECML was diverted in the 1980s. These few photographs were taken on the way back from Barnetby. The very hazy conditions were not conducive to good photography, nor was the habit of the other line becoming busy as soon as we wandered over to a spot suitable for only one of the lines... Sunday 10 April 2005: Colton Junction is the location where the York to Leeds line and the ECML diverge, following the closure of Challoners Whin Junction after the ECML was diverted in the 1980s. These few photographs were taken on the way back from Barnetby. The very hazy conditions were not conducive to good photography, nor was the habit of the other line becoming busy as soon as we wandered over to a spot suitable for only one of the lines...

Unidentified Virgin 220 Voyager with an up train along the ECML at Colton Junction. Unidentified Virgin 221 Super Voyager on the ECML at Colton Junction. 66014/192/171 head south along the ECML at Colton Junction. First Trans-Pennine 3 car set 158806 head for Leeds at Colton Junction. A GNER HST heads north at Colton Junction on the 1S19 14:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen service. A GNER 'Mallard' refurbished set runs south at Colton Junction in 1E16 13:30 Edinburgh to Kings Cross service.

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]]> Sun Apr 10 2005 Barnetby, Saturday 2nd April 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c495838.html A couple of hours were spent at Barnetby station, between Immingham and Scunthorpe, on the first Saturday in April. The photographs show the regular procession of class 60 and 66 hauled colal and iron ore trains between the two locations. A regular passenger service can also be seen, provided by Central Trains and First Trans-Pennine, both using class 158 units. Sunday 10 April 2005: A couple of hours were spent at Barnetby station, between Immingham and Scunthorpe, on the first Saturday in April. The photographs show the regular procession of class 60 and 66 hauled colal and iron ore trains between the two locations. A regular passenger service can also be seen, provided by Central Trains and First Trans-Pennine, both using class 158 units.

66101 with the 6M84 Immingham to Ketton MEA coal train enters Barnetby from the east. 60500 'Rail' leads 4 other 60s and a 66 light through Barnetby station. 158796 calls at Barnetby with a Cleethorpes service. 66213 with the 6C76 Imingham to Scunthorpe coal hoppers enters the up loop at Barnetby. 60036 'GEFCO' on the 6K24 Santon to Immingham empty iron-ore tipplers runs through Barnetby. 158797 in Central Trains livery leaves Barnetby for Cleethorpes. 60021 'Star of the East' runs east through Barnetby with a rake of HAA coal hoppers. Arriva blue liveried 153357 leaves Barnetby for Cleethorpes as 66045 approaches. 66045 with a rake of EWS bogie hoppers runs into the up loop at Barnetby, 153357 seen in the distance. First Trans-Pennine 158769 enters Barnetby with a service from Cleethorpes.

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]]> Sun Apr 10 2005 Not a good day for DBSOs - 13th March 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c461425.html Not \'one\' of the better days for timekeeping on the Great Eastern main line, not because of Sunday engineering works, but because the ex ScR Mk2 DBSOs had a bad day. Both 86232 and 90006 were photographed at the wrong end of their trains. 86232 was running over 30 minutes late which caused more delays with it\'s return working from Norwich. This was seen later (not suitable for a photo) top-and-tailed with a \'one\' liveried 90 at the up end and 86232 at the down end. Sunday 13 March 2005: Not \'one\' of the better days for timekeeping on the Great Eastern main line, not because of Sunday engineering works, but because the ex ScR Mk2 DBSOs had a bad day. Both 86232 and 90006 were photographed at the wrong end of their trains. 86232 was running over 30 minutes late which caused more delays with it\'s return working from Norwich. This was seen later (not suitable for a photo) top-and-tailed with a \'one\' liveried 90 at the up end and 86232 at the down end.

90006 'Roger Ford / Modern Railways' runs up Belstead Bank with the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. Another view of 90006 'Roger Ford / Modern Railways' climbing Belstead Bank with the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 153306 'Edith Cavell' runs downhill at Belstead. 86232 coupled to the down end of it's set on the delayed 09:30 from Liverpool Street, Belstead. Another view of 86232 'Norfolk & Norwich Festival' with it's failed DBSO, Belstead. 86232 runs downhill towards Ipswich at the down end of it's set, Belstead. 90001 with a mostly Inter-City liveried set runs down Belstead bank with the 10:30 Liverpool Street to Norwich. It's Virgin colours becoming rather tatty, 90011 climbs Belstead Bank with the 11:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 321314 heads towards Ipswich with the 11:02 from Liverpool Street, Bentley Hall crossing. 90006 at the down end of it's Anglia set approaches Bentley Hall with the 12:00 from Liverpool Street.

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]]> Sun Mar 13 2005 Another Interesting Suffolk Saturday - 12th March 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c460626.html Another sunny day, so it\'s off to Brantham with the camera. I had that most frustrating experience of watching the train I was going to photograph pass by as I hurried up the field to the place were I was going to stand - so no photos of the EWS 66 on the Harwich fuel tanks... I had received a message that a route learning special was going to Leiston and back with 31190, so I decided to go to Westerfield to see it pass through. Busy traffic, and an idea for another location (which was no good) meant I arrived at Westerfield to see the 31 drift across the road in front of me! Well what would you do? I put my foot down and ended up at the rural backwater that is the Saxmundham to Leiston branch, after all I had nothing else planned for the day... Saturday 12 March 2005: Another sunny day, so it\'s off to Brantham with the camera. I had that most frustrating experience of watching the train I was going to photograph pass by as I hurried up the field to the place were I was going to stand - so no photos of the EWS 66 on the Harwich fuel tanks... I had received a message that a route learning special was going to Leiston and back with 31190, so I decided to go to Westerfield to see it pass through. Busy traffic, and an idea for another location (which was no good) meant I arrived at Westerfield to see the 31 drift across the road in front of me! Well what would you do? I put my foot down and ended up at the rural backwater that is the Saxmundham to Leiston branch, after all I had nothing else planned for the day...

90006 'Roger Ford / Modern Railways' passes Brantham on the 09:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 90006 with the 09:30 up service from Norwich passes Brantham. 90041 runs downhill past Brantham with the 4M87 Felixstowe to Crewe intermodal service. 90003 'Raedwald' propels the 09:30 Liverpool St to norwich past Brantham. 170202 in 'one' livery heads north past Brantham 90004 with a rake of Anglia Mk2 carriages on the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street, Brantham. 86232 'Norfolk & Norwich Festival' crosses the Stour at Cattawade. 86232 crossing the River Stour with the 10:30 Norwich to Liverpool Street. 321312 runs slowly over the river at Cattawade under a brooding sky. 31190 stands at the platform of the former Leiston station. 31190 noses out over the main road through the middle of Leiston. 31190 'Gryphon' crossing the main road at Leiston. The crossing gates have been closed behind 31190 on it's way to the exchange siding at Leiston. 31190 approaches the level crossing at Knodishall on the Leiston branch. 31190 draws to a halt to allow the crew to open the gates at Knodishall. 31190 waits for the crew to open the gates over the minor road at Knodishall. 31190 creeps over the road at Knodishall on it's way back to Saxmundham. 31190 is seen approaching another manual crossing on the Leiston branch. 31190 stands by the roadside as the crossing gates are opened by the crew. A cheery grin from the driver as 31190 crosses the road on the return journey. 31190 is ready to depart for Saxmundham, Ipswich and eventually Norwich. 31190 runs alongt the embankment near Martlesham between Woodbridge and Bealings. Returning down the East Suffolk line, 31190 heads for Westerfield as it passes Martlesham.

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]]> Sat Mar 12 2005 Belstead Bank and Ipswich - 6th March 2005 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c453931.html The sun was shining through the window this morning, so an hour spent at one of my favourite local spots seemed a good idea. Belstead Bank is a mile or two south of Ipswich with a climb facing up trains. The bonus of a couple of Sunday works trains added some variety to the procession of 90s. Sunday 6 March 2005: The sun was shining through the window this morning, so an hour spent at one of my favourite local spots seemed a good idea. Belstead Bank is a mile or two south of Ipswich with a climb facing up trains. The bonus of a couple of Sunday works trains added some variety to the procession of 90s.

66227 runs down Belstead Bank, south of Ipswich with an engineer's spoil train. This view is from the foot crossing a couple of hundred yards north of the bridge. 90001 in the lighter revised 'one' livery leads the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street up Belstead Bank. Another view of 90001 on the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool Street. GBRf 66703 'Doncaster PSB 1981-2002' runs down the bank with a Network Rail ballast train. GBRf 66706 'Nene Valley' tails the Network Rail ballast train. 153322 'Benjamin Britten' runs slowly down Belstead Bank, coming to a halt at the signal just north of the A14 bridge. A class 321 runs down Belstead Bank with the 10:02 Liverpool St to Ipswich service. 'one' liveried 90015 runs away down Belstead Bank with a short rake of Anglia carriages on the 10:30 Liverpool St to Norwich. 90013 approaches the foot crossing on Belstead Bank with the 11:00 Norwich to Liverpool St service. Another view of 90013 with the 11:00 Norwich to Liverpool St service. A collection of front ends alongside Ipswich station. Class 86s may be coming to end on passenger services through Ipswich, but there are still plenty on Freighliner duties!

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]]> Sun Mar 6 2005 Ipswich - August 2004 http://cowgill.fotopic.net/c453221.html A parcel arrived one Saturday morning in August, it contained a shiny new Nikon D70. I must have been tied up on the Saturday as I didn\'t get to point it anything on rails until the following day! These photographs were taken whilst getting to know the camera, mostly on a Sunday morning during the Ipswich Tunnel blockade. Saturday 5 March 2005: A parcel arrived one Saturday morning in August, it contained a shiny new Nikon D70. I must have been tied up on the Saturday as I didn\'t get to point it anything on rails until the following day! These photographs were taken whilst getting to know the camera, mostly on a Sunday morning during the Ipswich Tunnel blockade.

37609 at Ipswich, the DRS 37 had failed with a speedometer fault a couple of days previously and was dumped here awaiting rescue. 37609 - In another guise this loco was not a stranger to the area, as 37115 it worked the final Liverpool St to Lowestoft service 20 years previously. Ipswich stabling point full of Freighliner 66s. The tunnel was closed at this point so all the trains were running cross-country diesel hauled. 47270 in Freightliner green on Ipswich stabling point. An unusual view of Ipswich station. While the tunnel was closed a walkway was built between the up ends of platforms 2 and 3. It looksl ike the centre road and platform 3 haven't seen much use recently. 153314 'Delia Smith' approaches East Suffolk junction with a train from the Bury St Edmunds line. 170208 leads a Norwich train away from Ipswich. On Sundays during the blockade the services were all handled by units. 170204 passes Ipswich Yard with a Norwich to Ipswich service. 150257 in Anglia colours runs along the Felixstowe branch at Levington.

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