Newton Road Signal Box

Class 47s with Autoballasters

2012-01-29T12:22:00.003Z

A short engineers train of five autoballasters passes a misty cold Charlemont Crossing bang on time this morning, with Colas-owned loco 47727 on the front and 47749 trailing.

A refreshing change from the usual EWS/DBS Class 66s!

47802 & 47790 Northern Belle

2011-10-01T09:57:00.001+01:00

The train as seen at Hamstead this morning.

A Mild Tornado

2011-09-22T16:52:00.003+01:00

60163 'Tornado' seen passing through Hamstead early this afternoon, en route as 5Z57 from Crewe Heritage Centre to Kidderminster Severn Valley Railway for this weekends gala.

A Royal car train

2011-09-09T09:40:00.003+01:00

67005 "Queen's Messenger" hauls a train of cartics, some freshly painted, through the Newton Road area on an unusual Sunday evening move from Southampton to Bescot (6M48).

04/09/2011.

Tame Bridge Weekend

2011-09-06T11:33:00.002+01:00

As an add-on to Guroo's earlier posts, this is the view from Tame Bridge of the same moves.

Firstly, we start early on Saturday 3rd September 2011 for 1Z75 06.05 Crewe-Weymouth The Dorset Deltic Explorer hauled by class 55 55022 Royal Scots Grey.

We then move to Sunday afternoon for 1Z51 Holyhead to Euston The Snowdon Ranger with 50044 Exeter hauling WB64, the so called Pretendolino mkIII set, complete with DVT and tailed by 57304 Alan Tracy.

Finally, within 15 minutes of the 50 tour passing, we have 67005 Queen's Messenger on 6M48 12.00 Eastleigh Yard-Bescot DS conveying 8 IPA cartic wagons.

The Snowdon Ranger

2011-09-04T20:01:00.005+01:00

50044 'Exeter' nicely turned out in BR blue colours, heads the Snowdon Ranger through Charlemont at 1700, this being the returning charter from North Wales to London Euston. The stock has been painted in Virgin's Pendolino livery and came complete with Thunderbird engine 57304 on the rear !

Seen passing over rail bridge 21 (which crosses the River Tame) near the old signal box site.

The Dorset Deltic Explorer at Hamstead

2011-09-03T16:32:00.004+01:00

Pathfinders Deltic tour roars through a gloomy Hamstead this morning as an LM Class 170 unit arrives at platform 2 with a Rugeley-bound service.

The photograph could be considered as an art shot or a complete disaster !

1Z75 Crewe - Weymouth with Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey', 0712 03/09/2011.

Steam at Newton Road

2011-09-02T15:29:00.003+01:00

I recently acquired these two photographs (obviously taken from someone's old photo album as there are glue marks on the back of the prints). The photo's author and date of the shots are not known, but these were probably taken during the late 1950s.

Ex-LMS Jubilee 45599 'Bechuanaland' stands outside Newton Road signal box on a sunny day running tender-first on the up line. The loco has a 2A shed plate which denoted Rugby shed in BR days from 1948 - 1963. 2A was then inherited by Tyseley shed from September 1963 to 1973.

The second photo depicts ex-LMS Black 5 45456 approaching the signal box and crossing with a down express. The location is near to the current WL207 signal, where the motorway crosses over the railway between Charlemont Road and Newton Road.

45599 was built by NBLC at Glasgow in 1935 and scrapped at Cashmores, Great Bridge by the end of 1964.

45456 was built at Crewe Works in 1938 and scrapped in Motherwell early 1965.

The Galloway Princess

2011-08-14T16:05:00.004+01:00

A friendly wave from the driver of 47790 'Galloway Princess' as the Northern Belle set storms past bridge 21 at Charlemont just after midday today. The loco has been out-shopped in smart stock-matching cream and brown livery. DRS blue 47501 was at the rear of the ECS move, which was 5Z15 Birmingham International to Crewe.

I was hoping the move would run slightly early to enable a hint of sunlight down the side of the coaches, but in the event the train came late and the sun peeped out between clouds almost directly overhead!

The Settle Moorlander

2011-07-24T10:28:00.003+01:00

A Compass Tours charter train returning to Hereford from Carlisle on the evening of 21st July thunders past Charlemont Crossing at 2035 behind WCRC Class 47 47851. Loco 47804 was bringing up the rear of the train.

Bird End, 1932

2011-07-17T10:00:00.005+01:00

A fascinating postcard photo of Bird End and Charlemont from about 1932. The bungalows (numbered 72 - 78 Charlemont Road) are still there, but much modernised.

In the background above the roof of the house on the right-hand side can just be seen the buildings of the long-gone Sinkhole Farm, the site now occupied by the 3 eight-storey flats along Meadow Avenue. Above Sinkhole Farm can just be glimpsed another building (very indistinctly) between two trees, these are almost certainly the railway cottages at the crossing along Ray Hall Lane.

The railway itself runs along the centre of the photo, sadly Newton Road signal box being just off-picture on the right. Some signal posts can just be made out using a magnifier. The curve of the River Tame can also be seen above the chimneys of the third and fourth bungalows.

Thirty years after this photo was taken most of the rural background area was flattened and developed into the Charlemont Farm and Bustleholme Estates. Six years after that work commenced on the M5/M6 Ray Hall Motorway Interchange.

Spitfire Railtour 'The Cambrian Coast Express'

2011-07-16T10:32:00.003+01:00

37510 and 37087 double-head this morning's charter across Ray Hall Lane (Charlemont Crossing) in perfect summer weather. Hope the rain will have gone by the time the express reaches Aberystwyth, but somehow I doubt it...

Test Train 2Q88

2011-07-09T19:50:00.003+01:00

...seen passing through Hamstead station with the Birmingham International to Bushbury stage of the schedule. An unusual working for a Saturday, more photo's will shortly be posted on the Park Here photosite.

Loco's were 37610 + 37604 with test coach DB999508.

Bescot Brush 2

2011-07-04T18:46:00.002+01:00

31601 turned up at Bescot on July 4 and spent a few hours stabled on the Virtual Quarry, looking very smart in the sun.

The Mazey Day Cornishman

2011-06-29T22:40:00.002+01:00

31601 + 31190 are seen arriving into Tame Bridge Parkway at 05:19hrs on Saturday 25th June. The Class 31's were about to start their epic 300 mile journey to Penzance working Pathfinder Tours 'The Mazey Day Cornishman.'

The Salopian Viking

2011-06-03T16:58:00.002+01:00

37229 Jonty Jarvis 8-12-1998 to 18-3-2005 (with 33207 on the rear) is seen passing Tame Bridge Parkway while working Spitfire Railtours 'The Salopian Viking' on Saturday 28th May.

Queen's Messenger

2011-05-18T17:53:00.006+01:00

A quick snap of 67005 standing on the Virtual Quarry on May 5.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2011-05-16T14:00:00.006+01:00

For want of anything better to photograph, here's shunt loco 08605 sitting at Bescot south end engineers yard early afternoon of Sunday 15th May. Also parked up in view was the cab control of one of those Perch wagon cwr trains. The whole place has an air of desolation about it, only broken when a ballast train arrives for shunting.

'Settle & Carlisle Statesman'

2011-04-17T19:49:00.003+01:00

47826 & 57601 are seen at Tame Bridge Parkway while working Statesman Rails 'Settle & Carlisle Statesman' on Saturday 16th April.

The Red Shed

2011-04-11T20:12:00.003+01:00

66152 Derek Holmes Railway Operator is seen passing Tame Bridge Parkway working 6E79 14:55 Wolverhampton Steel Terminal to Scunthorpe.

'Settle & Carlisle'

2011-03-27T21:31:00.003+01:00

47773 works the first leg of Vintage Trains 'Settle & Carlisle' to Crewe on Saturday 26th March. The Brush is seen heading north through the fog at Tame Bridge Parkway

37685 + 37676 Pass Hamstead

2011-03-26T14:27:00.002Z

...with a Spitfire Railtour excursion to Holyhead, the 'Holy Oakes'.

Saturday 26th March 2011.

Bath Belle

2011-03-26T14:26:00.003Z

67026 heads the up Northern Belle through Hamstead this morning, around 15 mines after the passage of the Spitfire tour. The Belle was heading to Bath Spa for a lovely day out, shame about the weather ho ho ho!

Class 59 At Bescot

2011-03-18T21:03:00.002Z

59201 Vale of York is caught in Bescot Yard on Thursday 17th March.

Yellow AL6....

2011-03-17T19:34:00.005Z

Having been stabled outside the Down Tower for a few weeks, The Network Rail yellow Class 86, 86901 Chief Engineer, was collected on Monday 14th by 37516.

Dirty DoG

2011-03-06T18:24:00.002Z

In the filthy weather conditions that prevailed late on Saturday afternoon, steam loco 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' creates her own steam-and-smoke storm as she blasts past the former Newton Road Crossing with 1Z72, an excursion train returning to Euston from Shrewsbury.

5th March 2011.

Steamy Windows

2011-03-06T12:08:00.003Z

Saturday 5th March 2011 saw the return of the Salopian Tour from Shrewsbury to Euston hauled by 71000 Duke of Gloucester.
Seen in awful weather from the footbridge just north of Bescot as it pulled away in spirited style from a lengthy signal stop.

Shades of Red

2011-02-20T20:21:00.004Z

A busy scene from Sandy Lane Bridge of the engineers sidings at Bescot on Saturday 19th February 2011.
DB red 66152 is backing 7G99 Toton-Bescot into one of the sidings passing EWS red 60010 awaiting 0W03 to Westbury on the Sunday. In the distance is the yard shunter, 08605 and 67020, reportedly here for driver training.

Across the other side and way in the distance in the Down Sidings is Ice Breaker 86901 which has been here for some considerable time now.

Units for Store

2011-02-20T20:03:00.004Z

Wednesday 16th February 2011 saw the last of the ex South Eastern 508 units for storage at Donnington RFT pass through the area.
Colas class 66 66843 hauling 5Z51 1219 Rugby Norfrost-Donnington RFT comprising of Porterbrook Translators 6376 and 6377 either side of 508212 and 508207 is seen at Tame Bridge.
The move was scheduled to take place the previous day direct from Gillingham. However, due to the late collection of the translators from Ilford EUMD and hence the late arrival at Gillingham to collect the units, the move was terminated at Rugby

Fugly Ten

2011-02-20T19:55:00.003Z

70010 hauled 4V47 11:15 Rugeley-Stoke Gifford coal empties on Tuesday 15th February 2011 and is seen, running two hours late, entering Bescot Station and again after running round the wagons in the yard.

The Final Curtain Call

2011-02-01T00:02:00.004Z

With the last two service trains terminating at Wrexham on the Friday evening, there was a requirement to get the stock and locos back to Wembley on Saturday 29th January 2011.
This was 5P03 11.23 Wrexham General-Wembley with 67013 leading two sets coupled DVT to DVT with 67012 bringing up the rear.

The train was over an hour late through Bescot but amazingly rolled through in the only patch of sun all day.

And that was it.
All gone.

Goodbye Old Friend

2011-01-31T23:44:00.005Z

With 67012 A Shropshire Lad doing the penultimate 1J83 16:30 London Marylebone-Wrexham and 67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte doing the last 1J84 18:30 London Marylebone-Wrexham, I just had to make the effort to have one last ride.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte rolls into Tame Bridge on 1J84 18:30 London Marylebone-Wrexham for the very last time.
Apologies for the quality of the shot, but trying to take still shots of a moving train in virtually complete darkness is almost impossible.
However, as a record shot, it captures the event.

67014 powers away from Telford Central on the final WSMR service train and disappears into the darkness with much wailing of the DVT's horn.

WSMR R. I. P.

The Final Countdown

2011-01-31T23:31:00.005Z

Not strictly within the remit of this blog as the photographs were taken at Cosford because 1P05 routes via the Stour and not the Grand Junction.

However, as this was the last ever WSMR southbound train to London, I felt it was worthy of inclusion.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte hauled 1P05 13.28 Wrexham General-Marylebone.
Complete with headboard, the train was strengthened to five coaches to accommodate WSMR staff wishing to travel on the last up and down services to be operated by the company.

The Last Day Dawns

2011-01-31T23:24:00.003Z

67014 Thomas Telford hauling 1P03 07:23 Wrexham-London Marylebone, with DVT 82305 on the rear, rolls to a stop at Tame Bridge, the last revenue earning WSMR London bound train to stop there.

The Penultimate Day

2011-01-31T23:08:00.004Z

A study of the two daylight WSMR trains through Tame Bridge on Thursday 27th January 2011 unfortunately resulted in being bowled both times by units.

67001 hauling 1P03 07:23 Wrexham-London Marylebone through Tame Bridge complete with WSMR headboard, with DVT 82301 bringing up the rear.

67012 A Shropshire Lad propelling 1J85 09.24 Marylebone-Wrexham with DVT 82303 leading.

What's in a Name

2011-01-31T22:19:00.003Z

Continuing the photo coverage of the last days of the Wrexham & Shropshire railway, a look at the name's carried by the WSMR liveried class 67 locos that operated the last few services

67012 A Shropshire Lad
A Shropshire Lad is a cycle of sixty three poems by the English poet Alfred Edward Housman.
Named after running a competion in the Shropshire Star newspaper.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte
The Welsh named for Pontcysyllte Aquaduct and was named at Wrexham General by pupils from Froncysyllte County Primary School on 9th July 2008.

67014 Thomas Telford
A Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason, and a noted road, bridge and canal builder. The loco was named at Wrexham on 15th July 2008.

These three, along with 67001 operated all the trains from the announcement until closure.

Rambling Railtour

2011-01-29T19:50:00.006Z

Pathfinder's 'The Rother-Don Rambler' tour seen in the bitter cold weather this morning. A Class 66 loco had worked the train from Bristol to Birmingham International, then the two green Class 31s seen here were sent light from Washwood Heath to International to take the tour forward.

1Z27 B'Ham International - Deepcar (Sheffield) 31601 + 31190 (D5613).

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

2011-01-26T19:03:00.005Z

A press release issued on the morning of Wednesday 26 January 2011 stated that the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway was to cease operations on Friday 28th January 2011.

With that in mind, a quick photo shoot of 1J85 09.24 Marylebone to Wrexham service pushed by EWS red 67001 as it paused at Tame Bridge to record the first WSMR train through Tame Bridge after the announcement.

WSMR R.I.P

LUNCHTIME INTERLUDE

2011-01-26T18:57:00.002Z

A quick visit to Bescot at lunchtime on Wednesday 26th January 2011 saw a couple of freights on the move. Firstly 6D44 12.27 Bescot to Toton departmental with 66237 at the head followed by 66526 Driver Steve Dunn (George) hauling 4G91 12.15 Rugeley-Daw Mill empties.

Solitary Coach

2011-01-11T17:03:00.004Z

DRS loco 66422 took a Mk II 'FO' type coach to Eastleigh early on Monday 10th January. The coach, number 3182, was named 'Warwick' and forms part of the Northern Belle train. While I was at the crossing the Bescot South End Engineers Yard shunt engine drew up to Tame Bridge as it shunted a rake of Pway wagons.

The Barmouth Bridge Express

2011-01-08T11:14:00.002Z

...pauses at Bescot station for a crew change, 67030 + 021 double heading the train.

1Z32 Euston - Barmouth, Saturday 8th January 2011.

Mentor Growl

2010-12-01T19:08:00.003Z

Yellow 97's 97304 and 97302 John Tiley top and tailed 975091 Mentor on 1Q18 09.08 Tyseley to Crewe via the local electrified lines on Tuesday 30th November 2010.
They are seen passing Tame Bridge and later, now running 43 early having missed out the Oxley section, running into the UL at Bescot.

Severn Valley Limited

2010-11-23T20:29:00.004Z

Saturday 2nd October 2010 saw LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 5690 Leander take the Severn Valley Limited from Kidderminster to Blackpool.

The train was banked up Old Hill Bank by Pannier 9600 which was detached in Bescot Yard.

The whole ensemble is shown at Tame Bridge

A Real Odd Couple

2010-11-16T21:06:00.003Z

On 03/09/10, 67023 dragged 47812 and some ECS through Bescot. Not exactly my finest shot, but lack of time forced my hand, and it's worth recording, if only for the bizarre array of liveries.

Chopper Action

2010-10-02T23:15:00.002+01:00

20227 + 20189 + 20142 are seen in Bescot Yard waiting to work 0D01 to Doncaster. The choppers eventually left some five hours late. 20189 + 20142 had arrived under the cover of night to be joined by 20227 around dinner time.

Royal Start

2010-09-12T17:32:00.004+01:00

Thursday 9th September 2010 saw HRH Prince of Wales visiting Birmingham to promote his new initiative. It focuses around a new website called Start. The website gives visitors information on steps they can take to create a more sustainable world.

While he was in Birmingham, the empty stock ran to and from Bescot Yard for stabling and is seen here approaching Tame Bridge station with the usual motive power of 67005 and 67006.

Back On Red Alert

2010-08-21T12:07:00.003+01:00

67018 Keith Heller has been used on Wrexham & Shropshire services again this week. The DBS liveried 'skip' is seen arriving and departing from Tame Bridge Parkway while working 1P02 09:07 Shrewsbury to London Marylebone

The Dorset Coast Statesman

2010-08-20T09:16:00.006+01:00

47580 'County of Essex' roars across bridge 21 early yesterday morning with a charter express running from Shrewsbury to Weymouth. Very dull conditions but at least the rain held off ! WCRC-liveried 47826 brought up the rear of the train.

The Cornishman

2010-06-30T23:29:00.003+01:00

56311 and 56312 ARTEMIS pull into Tame Bridge Parkway with the ecs for Pathfinder Tours 'The Cornishman' on Saturday 26th June. The grids were working 1Z80 05:47 Tame Bridge Parkway to Penzance and are at the start of their 305 mile journey into Cornwall.

Photo by K Holmes

The Lakelander

2010-06-22T12:23:00.003+01:00

Nice and early on Saturday 19th June 57601 pulls into Tame Bridge Parkway working Stateman Rail's 'The Lakelander'. Bringing up the rear was 33207 Jim Martin. The diesels worked the first leg from Birmingham International to Carnforth where a steam engine took over for the run to Ravenglass.

The Highland Fling

2010-06-18T07:59:00.005+01:00

37608 + 37610 call at Tame Bridge Parkway at the start of their epic tour of Scotland. The tractor's were working Spitfire Railtour's 'The Highlander' from Birmingham International to Inverness.

'Mentor' Test Train

2010-06-15T19:23:00.004+01:00

37259 heads the Mentor pantograph test train through the Newton Road / Ray Hall area late this afternoon. The train had run practically all over the West Midlands where there were overhead wires, and was making it's way to Bescot where the pantograph would be lowered and the combo returned to Crewe. Bringing up the rear was sister DRS loco 37218. Makes a change from the flask train which incidentally hasn't run this way with Class 37s for a good while now...

Southeastern Unit at Tame Bridge

2010-06-13T13:36:00.005+01:00

Here's Southeastern Trains Class 508 unit 508210 passing Tame Bridge (Parkway) behind the bright red 'Maple Leaf' liveried DBS loco 67018 'Keith Heller'.

The unit was sandwiched between two barrier vans and was en route Stewarts Lane - Donnington Freight Terminal for storage. 210 was involved in a derailment at Crowhurst in March 2007.

37425

2010-04-26T01:47:00.002+01:00

One of the cabs of '425, taken while the loco was at Bescot.

Pride Of The Valleys

2010-04-23T17:52:00.002+01:00

37425 stands on the old Reception 7 at Bescot on the evening of Thursday 22 April. The loco is being used for ballast workings on the Cambrian line.

Steel Tug

2010-02-25T16:23:00.005Z

Mainline blue 60011 is seen passing Tame Bridge Parkway bang on time working 6E79 from Wolverhampton Steel Depot to Scunthorpe.

PowerHaul 70 At Bescot

2010-02-24T13:54:00.004Z

General Electric 70002 rolls into Bescot while working 4Z70 08:53 Rugeley Power Station to Stoke Gifford. The loco will run round its train before continuing on its journey.

PowerHaul 70

2010-02-18T11:35:00.004Z

70003 is caught running round its train at Tame Bridge Parkway. The GE locos have been in the area for a while now but this is the first photo to appear on this blog.

Red Alert!

2010-02-18T11:28:00.003Z

For the second day running 67018 Keith Heller has appeared on the WSMR services. Here's the DBS liveried 67 working 1J80 07:33 London Marylebone to Wrexham running around 25 minutes late.

Silver Service

2010-02-14T14:35:00.002Z

67029 Royal Diamond passes Tame Bridge Parkway working a Northern Belle 'Valentine's Lunch' special. The romantics on board were on an out and back trip from Coventry via Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Stoke.

Sunny Sunday Wrexham

2010-01-21T17:22:00.002Z

67013 did the honours with 1P50 on Sunday 17/01/10. The full WSMR-liveried train looks lovely in the sun, seen here approaching Bescot...

6X98

2009-12-17T20:33:00.003Z

An unusual working showing 92042 with a set of angled switch-points carrying wagons running from Wembley to Bescot on Saturday 14th November.

Forgotten Brush with 1Z52

2009-12-17T20:00:00.003Z

Something I had forgotten about posting was the inwards working of 1Z52 to Bescot on Saturday 14th November, which was hauled by two-tone green liveried Tyseley based Type 4 47773. This was the train the Pannier Tanks took charge of from Bescot to Ironbridge and back again, before proceeding to Kidderminster SVR.

Alan's run-round

2009-11-30T20:01:00.005Z

Loco 57303 'Alan Tracy' helps pass some time when waiting for the Pannier Tank SLS Special on Saturday 14th November. Although I assumed the Thunderbird was heading for Rugby as a standby, it was apparently running light from Crewe and back to Crewe via the Soho Road (reason unknown).

Pannier People

2009-11-15T11:08:00.005Z

Enthusiasts gather on Tame Bridge to witness the departure of 0-6-0 Pannier Tanks 9600 + 9466 on Saturday 14th November 2009. The train is pictured crossing Newton Junction from Bescot downside after taking on water, and heading out on the main line for Kidderminster Severn Valley Railway.

Poor photographs taken in poor weather from half a mile away !
.

RHTT

2009-10-18T19:49:00.002+01:00

Earlier this afternoon an MPV jetter was seen by chance from the old Newton Road bridge, heading down towards Bescot.

The machine didn't appear to be water jetting...

Charlemont Farm

2009-10-18T19:44:00.007+01:00

The present day Charlemont Crossing (formerly Newton Road level crossing) takes it's name from the original Charley Mount area, about 600 yards "up the hill" from the railway alongside Charlemont Road. Charlemont Farm itself existed here until the early 1960s when the land was purchased by West Bromwich council and the modern day Charlemont Farm Estate was constructed. Charlemont Bowling Club now occupies the site of the farm main building. The original farm can be seen in picture one, from an old postcard dated 1932.

Just a few hundred yards from the farm was built the grandiose Charlemont Hall in 1758. The hall encompassed around 90 acres, and existed until 1948 when demolished. In postcard picture two the hall had become somewhat shabby as can be seen in this 1930s photo taken from Charlemont Crescent.

Both the farm and hall would have provided birds-eye views over rolling fields of the Grand Junction line in former times...
.

37203 Revisited.

2009-10-08T17:40:00.002+01:00

I first posted this a few years ago but why not have another look at this fine machine running onto Bescot Down Local on 22 January 2001?

The loco still stands but a short distance from this location....

Quarry shunt....

2009-10-05T14:09:00.004+01:00

08632 standing on Bescot Virtual Quarry on Sunday 27 September. The loco was the South End shunt engine.

The dedicated quarry shunt engine diagram (0T93) was withdrawn a few years ago and the recent ending of the North End shunt loco job means that there is now only one Class 08 duty in Bescot, the South End jocko, 0T92. This engine can now often be seen shunting between the yards.

Newton Wrexham

2009-09-21T11:07:00.004+01:00

WSMR loco 67013 "Pontcysyllte Aqueduct" bursts under the old Newton Road bridge with the up 1123 Wrexham - Matylebone service on Tuesday 18th August.

This location was the precise site of the third and final Newton Road station, but no visible trace remains of the station or of the two covered walkways which led down to the platforms from either side of the bridge.

The station closed in 1945 and the bridge was rebuilt in 1964.
.

Signalman's view.

2009-09-14T00:07:00.006+01:00

of 66142 on the hump end of Bescot Down Side.

Notice that all the points are now hand operated. Previously they were power operated from the hump panel in the Down Tower.

Tower through the window....

2009-09-06T12:20:00.003+01:00

The distinctive shape of Bescot Down Tower, 37203 providing the frame.

37669 on the move.

2009-08-18T01:04:00.003+01:00

The welcome sight of 37669 in the consist of 6D44 from Bescot ES to Toton on Monday 17....

Seen here at Pleck Junction, 669 was always a healthy 37, only taken out of traffic because of wheel flats. Open storage has not done much for the locomotive's appearance but reactivation is not a difficult proposition.

CONSTELLATION CONVOY

2009-08-16T11:31:00.008+01:00

Tuesday 11th August 2009 saw another move of refurbished electrics off Long Marston. Running as 0Z87 15.28 Long Marston-Crewe it managed to leave 2 hours early and combined with not stopping at Worcester and Bromsgrove as booked was almost 3 hours early through New Street.

The first set of shots were at Tame Bridge, where the convoy just rolled through and, strangely, turned onto the goods loop at Bescot. This was not a booked move and the convoy say behind the station for almost 90 minutes apparently waiting a path from Bushbury before finally getting away still almost 120 minutes early. The lower shots are from the north end foot bridge at Bescot.

The move consisted of GBRf 66 66728 Institution of Railway Operators towing 86701 Orion and 86702 Cassiopeia, which were formally 86205 and 86260.

Electric Traction Ltd (ETL) launched its first pair of overhauled "Constellation" AC Class 86 locomotives for hire. The two locomotives, now reclassified as 86/7s and numbered 86701 and 86702, have been given major exams by ETL and Europhoenix at Long Marston and recertified for 110 mph running. Both locomotives have been repainted into ETL's house colours of grey and red, and have been named "Orion" and "Cassiopeia" respectively. The pair will be offered for trials with a number of interested operators.

37 GALA

2009-08-16T01:03:00.004+01:00

Thursday 13th August 2009 was 37 day at Bescot. Otherwise than 37669 sat in the down sidings awaiting a tow to Toton, 37425 had come down overnight on transfer to Crewe for exam and OTMR fitting. With no gen on the move time and a previous move of 60's having left at 15.15, it seemed like a good time to arrive. Unfortunately the move took place a few minutes early which mean not being in position for the shots. 37425 is seen heading north, sandwiched between 92030 and 66161 running as 0Z23 15.15 Bescot-Crewe.

On the same afternoon there was also a stock move, which was 5Z88 09:40 Eastleigh Works-Crewe Coal Sidings, consisting of 37059, 37608 and 3 mkIII coaches. This was due through the area around 14.30 but was 3 hours late getting away from Eastleigh as 37608 wouldn't start and in the end 37059 provided the power alone. As it turned out, some spirited running reduced the lateness to 2 hours and the train is seen heading north from Bescot with the driver hanging out of the cab for the portrait shots.

NAUGHTY CHILD

2009-08-15T23:46:00.004+01:00

Having received an overhaul and a fresh coat of DB red paint, 37419 was released to traffic on the 7th August and headed for Scotland to work a tour to the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Having worked light from Toton to Bescot and then gone DIT to Warrington, the 37 was entrusted to an 800 tonne train to Scotland. However, this was obviously too much for it as it failed on Beattock causing major WCML chaos and had to be rescued by a 92 and dumped at Millerhill for the weekend.

It made it's way, dead, back to Warrington and then Bescot and was taken in 6D44 17.26 Bescot to Toton for repair and is seen leaving Bescot behind 66192 on Wednesday 12th August 2009.

STAYING PUT

2009-08-15T23:43:00.004+01:00

With DB’s need to get a usable pool of 37’s ready for the leaf-fall season, 37669, which had been out of use at Margam for years, came up to Bescot on an overnight Immingham freight on Thursday 13th August 2009. Parked in the down sidings all day, the 37 was due to move to Toton for possible re-use or spares recovery on that evenings 6D44 17.26 Bescot-Toton departmental freight. However, plans must have changed, as the 37 stayed put as 66084 powered 6D44 through Bescot station in pleasant evening sunshine.

CREW CHANGE

2009-08-15T22:59:00.005+01:00

As an extra to Guroo's post on the Northern Belle running from Leeds to Stratford. They are seen stopped at Bescot for a change of crew.
Guroo obviously had more luck with the sun at Hamstead that I did here.

Bescot assortment

2009-08-15T20:52:00.003+01:00

Nick saw an amazing assortment of rail vehicles at Bescot on Saturday morning...

All photo's copyright N. Broome.

Rising Star

2009-08-15T19:53:00.005+01:00

Another outing for the Northern Belle set, this time running from Manchester to Stratford-on-Avon (I think) as 1Z83 earlier today.

The train stopped at Bescot for traincrew relief, and is here seen approaching Hamstead with 67027 "Rising Star" purring nicely on the front. By the time tail-ender 67002 "Special Delivery" had passed the sunshine decided to hide itself behind a cloud.

A small bonus to see two "namers" on the train, but I don't think the old EWS livery suits 'em too well, wonder what they'd look like in all-over blue ? (cue website "Fictitious Liveries"...).
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Hamstead Wrexhams

2009-08-15T19:48:00.005+01:00

1J85 Marylebone - Wrexham seen passing Hamstead today.

DVT 82304 leads the train with 67015 providing the power.

The Devon & Cornwall Explorer

2009-08-07T13:56:00.003+01:00

Nice and early on Saturday 1st August 47843 Vulcan and 47812 roll into Tame Bridge Parkway while working Compass Tours 'The Devon & Cornwall Explorer'.

Charles Dickens and the Nacco tanks

2009-07-24T18:54:00.005+01:00

Another shot at the Friday-only 6O60 Bescot - Dollands Moor Nacco tanks, in sunshine this afternoon but only just, the clouds and rain closed in mere minutes later as can be seen in the final shot. The silver tanks are now turning a rusty red colour.

The loco was 92022 "Charles Dickens" complete with red nameplate...

North End Electric Visitor...

2009-07-21T23:57:00.005+01:00

Making a rare visit of a Class 90 to Bescot Downside, here is 90028 at the Hump End of the yard on Tuesday 21 July. The loco had arrived from Crewe with a dead Class 66, later returning to the Cheshire EMD light loco.

Class 90s are not often seen in the yard, unlike Class 92 locos which are regular visitors.

Still standing on the former Arrival and Engine Release roads are the withdrawn Class 08s and 37s that have been there for some time now.....

Silver Bullet

2009-07-17T19:02:00.005+01:00

In the continuing atrocious rain and dark conditions prevalent this afternoon, and framed by ugly steel fencing, electric loco 92012 "Thomas Hardy" picks up speed over rail bridge number 21 after leaving Bescot Downside with the Fridays-only 1555 6O60 Nacco tanks destined for Dollands Moor via Wembley.

Freights decimated !

2009-07-17T09:05:00.004+01:00

With the loss of 4M90/4O90, 6G70/6E79, 0G63/6G63, 6G62/6A42 and the once-a-week flasks 6M67 more often than not running via Barnt Green and Sutton Park, the freight scene on the Grand Junction line south of Bescot is looking very bleak indeed, with only freightliner 4L90, 6M99/6E08 and maybe 6A15 ballast to Forders left as regular runners in daylight hours !

Here's 66086 with the 6M99 Immingham - Wolverhampton steel coil service which has been retimed to depart Bescot at 0928 and is the only remaining train running to the steel depot...

The Welsh Highlander

2009-06-09T22:12:00.003+01:00

In poor light (and catching quite a few out) 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcombe arrives into Bescot late in the evening on Saturday 6th June. The Castle was about to be replaced by Class 47 No. 47773 for the final leg back to Tyseley.

Shed On Tour

2009-06-08T19:29:00.003+01:00

66060 hauls UK Railtours 'Kidderminster & Long Marston Open Day' charter through a very wet Tame Bridge Parkway on Saturday 6th June. The 66 hauled the train as far at Stafford were 90029 took over for a fast run back to London.

Steam Aftermath

2009-06-07T19:22:00.003+01:00

Can anyone guess which steam locomotive left this veil of smoke and steam hanging over Newton Road ?

You could win an all-expenses paid trip down the River Tame in a raft made out of barrels and old pallets...

Sir Nigel Gresley

2009-06-07T13:48:00.004+01:00

Ex-LNER A4 Pacific number 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" emerges from a thicket of wires and masts on the straight-mile approach to Tame Bridge early yesterday afternoon with a tour running from Paddington to Chester.

The express was delayed for about 45 minutes in the Aston area due to a person on the line, and then a backlog of Cross City and Walsall-bound local services, which ensured that yours truly got a thorough soaking in the continuous rain...

Class 37s on tour again

2009-06-07T13:41:00.005+01:00

In complete contrast to the sunny weather on show last Saturday morning, 37401 double-headed with 37670 roar past Charlemont Crossing in atrocious dark and rainy conditions early on Saturday 6th June, with Compass Tours Preston to Paignton charter express train.

Electric Blue

2009-05-30T08:06:00.005+01:00

This mornings tour from New St to Ravenglass utilising electric loco 86259 "Les Ross", emerges from the undergrowth at Newton Road with full sidelit sunshine.

Bulgarian Vans and a Pink Floyd Can

2009-05-15T14:01:00.003+01:00

Despite the atrocious weather, it would've been rude not to record the latest exportees en rote from Long Marston-Crewe for electrical testing. 47727 is shown hauling 87020, 87033, 87029 and 86250 through a rainy Bescot running as 0Z87 Worcester Yard-Crewe on 15/05/09

Down in the dark...

2009-05-11T21:00:00.005+01:00

Even though 1Z24 was running around 10 minutes early on Saturday night the charter returning to Gloucester had to be photographed at ISO 1600 such was the darkness enshrouding the afforested Charlemont Crossing, resulting in horrendous "noise" on the final shot !

47851 "Traction Magazine" was heading the express, with 47798 "Prince William" bringing up the rear...

37069 and 37609 on test

2009-04-14T18:56:00.004+01:00

More Class 37s seen on 14th April 2009 were these two DRS examples working a test train which was recording track defects, running from Derby to Didcot. The train had already travelled to Bescot and then after the traincrew had changed ends proceeded to Bushbury where the traincrew once more changed ends, and is here seen storming past the Charlemont Crossing right away for Didcot.

37069 and 37609 top and tail four yellow Network Rail coaches. Is this the set that the "new" departmental Class 97 loco's are supposed to be working ?
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37401 at Bescot

2009-04-14T18:47:00.004+01:00

37401 seen parked up at Bescot on 14th April, shortly after running in light from Warrington (0Z98).

67013 tops 67014 to Wrexham

2009-04-14T18:46:00.003+01:00

On Easter Monday 13th April 2009 the 1J82 service from Marylebone to Wrexham was double-headed with 67013 + 67014, due to 14 having developed some sort of engine or traction fault. Here the pair are seen heading north past the undergrowth at Newton Junction, the location of a former signalbox of the same name (closed December 1965). Not the best shots in the world due to my restricted viewpoint...

90 on the Northern Belle

2009-04-07T20:35:00.003+01:00

Saturday 4th April saw the 2009 Grand National take place at Aintree and the usual array of specials ran to get the punters there in style. Unusually the Northern Belle was hauled by a 90 rather than a 67, so here is 90039 leading the special through Tame Bridge with 67008 bringing up the rear.

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley

2009-03-21T09:32:00.004Z

A couple of grabs from video of the "Severn Valley Limited" steam tour of 21st March 2009, with the ex-LNER locomotive seen just north of Hamstead.

Stock Taking

2009-03-14T12:37:00.002Z

47804 works 5Z47 08:13 Carnforth to Kidderminster (SVR) over Newton Road crossing on Friday 13th March.