A Selection of Railway Photos and Videos, mostly from the Midlands

Watching the local BBC news at about 08.30, it was announced that trains were delayed at Old Hill by about 30 minutes - due to slippery rail conditions. I thought that's blown my chances of getting to Kings Norton to see the 47 & 56 running down to Cornwall later in the morning. Not long after, a 'phone call to say the coal train was stuck at Old Hill (thanks Rog!) so grabbing a camera I hurried off up the road to see if the train was still there. From the brow of the hill I could see the rear wagons of the train near the road bridge & hoped they were not moving. Walking close to the station I knew the loco would be past the end of the platform so continued up the road to the canal bridge and was able to see the loco. The driver was trying to start the train, the engine revving & various clanking & grinding noises could be heard as wagons inched forward, and then stopped. After a few photos I followed the pathway across the canal & could see the loco through the fence. Network Rail staff had sanded the rails and several attempts were made to start the train - easing back slightly then forwards, but only managing to move a short distance. More sanding & more starts, but it was obvious the loco could not get enough grip, even though the rails were well sanded and dry. In 45 minutes it had moved forwards about the length of the loco! I then decided to walk to the top of the tunnel to wait & see what happened. An hour & a quarter later, 66025 rolled down from the tunnel, coupled up, and after 10 minutes the train was on the move.