I’m seeing a lot of these two Class 31 locos at the moment. Today they were on 5Z31, a stock working from Kineton to Derby. Approaching the station they slowed down, looking like they were stopping, and I was able to cross the road and make it to the end of the platform for some more shots!
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Some more photos from last month. Once again the 31s are in action with 5Z56 Laira TMD to Washwood Heath, moving 2 barrier vehicles. With no more freight due at Kings Norton, I went to Walsall with the hope of seeing a few trains before catching the train to Wolverhampton, via Darlaston Junction – it only runs once a day!
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31602 & 31601
Still sorting photos from last month. This working was running late but worth waiting for, even the sun was shining. 56302 was being taken from Old Oak Common to Brush at Loughborough.
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More photos from last month. This was the day the new Network Rail crossover was installed at Kidderminster. Three Class 66s are seen, also the tilting wagons used to carry the points. Photos from an SVR train show the exchange siding from a different angle, also the engineer’s train. Only SVR loco photographed was 3650, but a pump trolley was seen in action.
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Exchange siding & train of tilting wagons
Yes, I’m trying to catch up on some of the photos from August which weren’t uploaded. Just another day at Arley.
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50135
It makes a change to see the loco leading, as I think all my previous photos of this train have been with the loco at the rear. I did hear there were problems with the new doors & they only worked if the loco was leading, but don’t know if that was the reason on this occasion. At least it went through Cradley when no other train was at the station, not like what usually happens at Old Hill.
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We don’t get many rail tours round the Dark Side on a weekday, so this was one not to miss. Checking the times, I noticed it was booked into Rowley loop, and as it was running ahead of a stopping train through Old Hill there was the opportunity to catch the “stopper” to Langley Green to see it again. Everything went to plan, I did see it at Langley, although a DMU was at the station as the special approached.
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Langley makes a change from the usual Old Hill shot
A train I rarely see, as the time it runs can be unpredictable (if I’m waiting for it!) but as I had just got off a train at Old Hill and knew it was ready to leave Handsworth, hanging around a few minutes seemed an easy option.
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66727 on 6Z30 Handsworth to Newport docks
The weather was awful & the loco I wanted to see, 46201, did not run, so just a couple of Class 66s and DMUs.
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66101 in the new DBS livery
The line was closed between Droitwich & Birmingham for engineering works in connection with the upgrading of signalling and installation of pointwork. A new facing crossover was being installed north of Stourbridge Junction station and was the reason for the train being here.
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Only 2 photos in this update, this shows 66043 and the signal box, soon to be closed
Leamington is the easiest station for me to see this train & it doesn’t cost too much to get there. Unfortunately it was due rather late in the day and the sun was not in the best position for photos. A few 66s and a couple of 67s were also photographed.
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The clock shows 17.30 – bang on time!
I try & get to Stafford just to see a few electric locos – it makes a change from the usual Class 66s. Just an ordinary day I suppose, but plenty of variety. I seem to remember the last time I was here was when the Duchess was running.
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A pair of 86s heading south
