I’ve described what I saw at the top of the thumbnail page, but very briefly, the coal train did not make it to the top of the climb, due to slippery rails. Hand sanding did not solve the problem & 66025 was sent to assist. Trains between Stourbridge & Birmingham were delayed by around 4 hours.
66025, the rescue loco, rolls slowly down towards 70004 & the coal train
80072 was rostered to work the Bridgnorth set this weekend, working its first train since arriving at the SVR to assist with Santa trains. Instead of just visiting Arley for our sandwiches, we caught the train to Bewdley & back, probably our only chance before Christmas. 43106 was working the other set & D8188 was also out & seen at Arley.
This was the Edinburgh to Southampton working which, fortunately for me, travels through the Birmingham area, making it an easy train to see. It was a dull day with some drizzle in the air, so not too good for photos.
I wasn’t going to bother with photos today, as it was so dull, but the locos were facing the right way. Nice to see some lights and a snowman or two.
The two locos are seen running through Langley Green to Carnforth to work a Preston to Edinburgh tour the following day. In one of the photos my train home can be seen approaching, good job it was about a minute late – otherwise it would’ve blocked my view and I might’ve missed it and had to wait another 30 minutes for a train!!
D8059 was in use today, collecting some tank wagons from Highley and shunting them into the sidings at Arley. We didn’t stay too long, but believe it was collecting other stock from Kidderminster later in the day. The 2 service trains were worked by 7812 & 2857.
Arriving at Arley
The two Panniers are seen passing through Small Heath, soon after leaving Tyseley, as they head to Loughborough on a Vintage Trains tour. 7752 has been repainted in the London Transport livery which it once carried after being sold by British Railways in 1959.
Yes, the photos are from 9 years ago, you know what I’m like – starting something and never finishing it! The commercial vehicles will follow soon. I didn’t see any programmes for sale, so, as with the cars (uploaded years ago) I’ll probably be stuck with identifying some of the vehicles.
I always liked Sentinels
After photographing the train arriving at Kidderminster, I didn’t wait to see it cross onto the Severn Valley Railway (“we” were fed up with standing around on the bridge – those with short legs can’t see over the top!) and so we headed to Arley for our lunchtime snack. Surprisingly we reached Arley before the departure of 2857, so I did manage to photograph both steam locos running, 42968 being the other and seen arriving at Kidderminster whilst waiting for the tour. 150001 was leading as it arrived at Arley and there was just enough time for a few of the passengers to take some photos before it departed with 150106 being the rear unit.
Approaching Arley, KC just managing to get in the shot
Earlier in the day I photographed the train at Cradley Heath, but now it is seen passing through Stourbridge Junction after running to Bridgnorth & back along the Severn Valley Railway. I was concerned the light would not last, but at iso1600 the photos are acceptable. It is worth noting the tour used the goods loop, no doubt “new track” for many of the passengers
Entering Stourbridge goods loop
Starting from Birmingham, this charity rail tour is seen passing through Cradley Heath & heading for Worcester. From there it would head back up the Lickey Incline for routes around Birmingham and then to the Severn Valley Railway and Bridgnorth before returning towards Birmingham.
Complete with headboard
Had to give Old Hill a miss for this & chose Cradley Heath, as I wanted to catch the following train to Smethwick, hoping the Castle had actually stopped in Rowley Loop. It was in the loop, so there was an opportunity to see it a second time.
Seen here at Smethwick
