A very wet day at Arley, 3650, 4566, 7812 & 43106 seen in action. On the way home we stopped off at Kidderminster for a look at the new point being installed. This is for the upgraded connection to Network Rail. As I had the camera with the long lens, I was unable to include the crane in the shot, but it is interesting to see how the pointwork comes together.

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Makes a change not to show a loco!

Of note here is the wreath carried by 43106, in memory of Jim Bodfish, who had recently passed away. I see KC crops up again, and Robbie is also in one of the shots (another dog!)

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43106 with wreath on the smokebox

These photos were taken before 34053 had entered traffic. We had a quick visit to Bridgnorth just to see what was happening and fortunately the loco could easily be seen from the footbridge.

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The two locos are seen in the yard

Only had a few hours spare, so just time to get to Kidderminster for a ride behind 3650 to Bewdley. Had intended to travel back to Kidder by train, but the other one had set off before mine had stopped – great! Good job I have a bus pass.

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Only took the one photo

My photo uploads are very hit & miss. I often forget photos I have taken & they don’t get added to the galleries, but last night I came up with a great idea. It might also be of use to people using mobile phones who want to see a selection of photos.

I am going to try & list the photos I have uploaded, but in the order they were taken. For each date, I will list the numbers of the locos seen & include a link to the appropriate gallery. Also included will be  a link to the blog page, which will usually give some details about what was happening. Finally, a “mobile” link, which hopefully will work for people with the more recent mobile phones. The “mobile” link will also be of use to people who just want a quick view of each of the locos.

Any comments appreciated!

This link will take you to the index page

Only a few dates for August 2012 so far, but it will give you some idea what my plan is.

Waiting at Highley for our train back to Kidderminster, a loco was seen approaching from the south, it was 1501 on a test run, its first outing since the recent overhaul. Hopefully it won’t be too long before it is back in traffic.

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Seen at Highley

The Class 87 locos have been overhauled at Long Marston and are on the way to Willesden for test purposes before heading to Bulgaria. Also seen are a couple of freights during the hour or so I was there.

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The convoy pass through Kings Norton

I made sure we arrived at Arley before the arrival of 34053 on the first train from Bridgnorth, and the sun was shining! It was hauling 9 coaches, and on the return journey pulled away from Arley without any trouble. 50135 worked the first diesel round trip, 50031 on the second, 43106 on the Limited also had 9 on, as the obbo was on the rear.

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The photo has to be of 34053

7812 was to meet Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins at Kidderminster. The smokebox had been painted gold and the loco was carrying Bradley Manor nameplates. Also seen at Arley were D821 on the diesel turn, 4566 & 3650.

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7812 as Bradley Manor approaching Arley

34053 Sir Keith Park hauled its first service train on August 22nd, it was at the Bridgnorth end of the train, with 2857 at the other end. I was hoping it would work the same train the following day, as we had arranged to go to Highley and I would be able to get some photos of it. Making sure I had finished lunch in plenty of time, I waiting by the Engine House, camera at the ready. First photos show it approaching, then a mad dash to get in front of the train, ready for departure. After a struggle to get the train on the move, the other photos show it heading away towards Bridgnorth, with a little assistance from 2857.

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This was the first attempt to start the train

It seems a long time since the last one but I finally manage another photo update! The Chiltern bubble car had run to Moor Street from Aylesbury in the morning and was booked to run to Kidderminster in the afternoon. Unfortunately, late running upset the schedule and my plans went wrong, it didn’t even stop at Cradley Heath on the return run and my view from the other platform was blocked by another train.

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Rolling down through Old Hill

Pannier tank 3650 has now been turned & faces south. It is seen arriving at Highley before we caught the train back to Kidderminster.

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Plenty of people waiting on the platform!