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The low afternoon sun perfectly illuminates former Silverlink units 321423 & reliveried 321426 as they hurry towards Baylham Level Crossing working NXEA 1P41 (14:30) Stowmarket – Ingatestone service on 15th November 2009. Engineering works between Norwich - Haughley Junction and Electrification works south of Shenfield is the cause of this “truncated” Norwich to London service, and also the reason for deployment of Class 321 units which otherwise are rare visitors “on the metals” north of Ipswich. | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (9) |
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In keeping with an Autumn Sunday, National Express East Anglia 156422 merely “ambles” towards camera in charge of 2W15 (11:12) Cambridge – Ipswich service, seen from opposite the Stone Unloading Terminal and associated sidings at Barham on 15th November 2009. | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (3) |
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If I had to express my one regret with regards to this view, I would selfishly admit that I’d wished I located the spot earlier! The tranquility of the scene is barely disturbed as Arriva Trains Wales units 158828 & 158838 forming the combined (11:38) Pwhlleli / (13:30) Aberystwyth – Birmingham International service hurry away towards Abergwydol on 3rd June 2009. | Miscellany of Favourites – 2009 | (3) |
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Autumn is a particular favourite of mine with a richness of colour bathed in softer light on those fortuitous sunny days. Hence in this and the following two images the “rail subject” is chosen to compliment rather than dominate its surroundings to provide a “seasonal” representation of East Anglia. Here then NXEA 360114 heads away from Hythe (Colchester) working 1N12 (12:32) Liverpool St. – Clacton-on-Sea service on 24th October 2009. | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (2) |
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The Cambrian line is being used to pilot Network Rail’s European Rail Transport Management System project (ERTMS) within the UK, and has acquired Class 37s for utilisation on test trains and similar duties. On 3rd June 2009, 97301 is observed as it leads 5Z97 (11:58) Aberystwyth – Shrewsbury to the east of Machynlleth, alongside the River Dovey and the pastures of Pwllglas. | Miscellany of Favourites – 2009 | (2) |
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Recently commissioned BLS 486506-9 provides an unusual spectacle as it guides its short consist of heavy duty crane with support equipment and ballast cleaning wagons, once again viewed in “perfect conditions” on the approaches to Wattinger Kehrtunnel at Wassen on 25th February 2009. | Gotthardbahn Contrasts & Comparisons – Altdorf, Erstfeld & Northern Ramp Favourites | (2) |
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The view remains immediately recognisable, and the prevailing conditions a “magnet” for enthusiasts both local and from farther afield. At lunchtime on 25th February 2009, SBB Re4/4 11230 leads IR2169 (10:03) Basel SBB – Locarno service passing the “assembled gallery” overlooking its approach to the Wattinger Kehrtunnel at Wassen (Meiggelen). | Gotthardbahn Contrasts & Comparisons – Altdorf, Erstfeld & Northern Ramp Favourites | (2) |
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A rare pairing of SBB Green liveried Re4/4 & Re6/6 locos is noteworthy, however in these conditions most certainly “the icing on the cake of good fortune”! Once again observed heading away from Maienkreuz Tunnel, above Wassen on 25th February 2009, 11309 & 11663 haul a mixed consist of steel coil and H iron section onto the final climb to Göschenen. A local enthusiast was thus able to identify Train ID as 44007 Basel SBB RB – Chiasso Smistamento, having now also reached this spot on cross country skis! | Gotthardbahn Contrasts & Comparisons – Altdorf, Erstfeld & Northern Ramp Favourites | (2) |
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The proprietor of Hotel Frohsinn (Erstfeld) described the conditions as “Postcard Weather”. Apt words indeed! The reward for the arduous “scramble” to a spot at Mätteli (Wassen) was a view of azure skies and snow covered trees over the Maienkreuz Tunnel portal. For the record, SBB Re4/4 11168 leads IR2165 (08:04) Basel SBB – Locarno service through this breathtaking vista on 25th February 2009. | Gotthardbahn Contrasts & Comparisons – Altdorf, Erstfeld & Northern Ramp Favourites | (2) |
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I include this image with a certain sense of irony! A combination of an attractive backdrop, Autumn sunshine and contrasting sky provided all the necessary ingredients when from a distance this locomotive came into view running in the path of 6X98. Unfortunately for the photographer, only EWS 66104 ambled towards the camera on the outskirts of Wigton on 2nd October 2008, presumably running as light engine (0X98) Workington – Carlisle Yard in lieu of the anticipated “Rail Train” (see DS_SCB_10). | The Border & Its Backwaters | (2) |
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Also photographed crossing the River Esk at Metal Bridge, First Scotrail 156445 heads towards Carlisle with (15:48) Glasgow Central – Newcastle service on 11th August 2008. | The Border & Its Backwaters | (2) |
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An unexpected bonus for me at least, its running confirmed by the appearance of a “local” enthusiast and photographer. Presumably nearing the end of its operating season, “The Royal Scotsman” provides a splendid site, with West Coast Railways 47804 also adding suitable “audible and visual accompaniment” as it heads south from Inverness, passing Wester Feabuie on 22nd October 2008. | An Autumn Miscellany | (1) |
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Biaschina Spirals (Giornico): Having been first photographed on the top level, ETR470 Pendolino unit reappears a couple of minutes or so later now on the middle level. In this descent it has also performed a complete turn through 360 degrees. | Gotthardbahn - May 2007. | (1) |
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Biaschina Spirals (Giornico): Perhaps another 3 minutes pass before ETR470 unit 7 emerges from G. Travi tunnel to continue its journey south working CIS155 Zurich – Trieste Centrale “Cisalpino” service on 22nd May 2007. Photographers note: - Shame about those mast shadows! | Gotthardbahn - May 2007. | (1) |
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NXEA now hires two class 47 locos from DRS to cover for its “Thunderbird” duties. In the midst of a “busy” day on 23rd October 2009, 47501 heads south once again towards Lancaster’s Crossing, near Stowmarket, en route for Shenfield to act as standby and rescue loco for the evening peak. The morning had previously seen rescue of 90012 and its stricken 1P17 (08:00) Norwich – Liverpool Street, returning it as 5P00 Colchester -Norwich Crown Point. | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (1) |
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Still resplendent in its former W.A.G.N. livery albeit now with obligatory “National Express” decals, NXEA Class 317/6 unit 317649 heads away from Littlebury at the rear of 2H16 (09:28) Liverpool St. – Cambridge service on 17th August 2009. | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (1) |
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Equally pleasing therefore was the appearance of NXEA liveried 321303 at this same spot south of Kelvedon on 3rd August 2009, however the working remains a mystery at least to myself. Following closely behind 1N08 (10:08) Liverpool St. – Clacton on the day, the evidence of open top lights suggest that the unit had at least recently been in service, even if the cab destination board is less than forthcoming on this occasion!! | An East Anglian Gallery – 2009. | (1) |
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SBB Re4/4 loco 11155 and EC111 (09:04) Basel – Venezia Santa Lucia service emerge from the Mühren Tunnel, to the south of Gurtnellen, on the ascent of the “Northern Ramp” to the Gotthard Tunnel photographed on 6th September 2006. | Switzerland - September 2006 | (1) |
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SWT also operate services between Bristol and London, running via the Avon and Wylye Valleys to Salisbury and thence Waterloo. Under gathering cloud, SWT Class 159 unit 159006 passes Bishopstrow with (15:52) Bristol Temple Meads – Waterloo on 20th June 2007. | West Wilts, Mendip & The Avon Valley | (1) |
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A franchise commitment of Cross Country Trains was the promise to address issues of overcrowding on its most popular services. As a consequence some daily diagrams are now allocated recently acquired HST sets to increase capacity. One such service is 1S51 (12:21) Plymouth – Edinburgh, seen south of Bromsgrove on 7th May 2009, as the driver applies the “power” to rear power car 43357 prior to the ascent of the Lickey Bank. | A West Midland Collection- May – July 2009. | (1) |
