photo galleries


Class 87s in Bulgaria in 2011 - added 10th October 2011

	'	87006 stands at Stara Zagora station at the head of the final day of PTG's 'Great Bulgarian Track Bash 3' which saw the 87 lead from Varna to Sofia via Stara Zagora and Plovdiv. 05/10/11	87006 stands at Chirpan during a photostop. 05/10/11

	'	7006 stands at Septemvri in the last of the days sunlight during another photostop. The careworn loco is starting to show evidence of its previous lives, with yellow and orange in evidence on the front end plus Intercity and BR blue appearing on the bodysides. 05/10/11	87007 carrying Cotswold Rail grey livery stands at the head of a train of calcium carbonate tanks in Pirdop yard having arrived earlier in the day. This loco is notable in having had square buffers fitted at some point during its stay in Bulgaria. 05/10/11

	'	87007 was moved onto another road in the yard at Pirdop enabling this shot of '007, '012 and '003 to be had. 05/10/11	One of the first two locomotives exported was 87012 (along with 87019) in early 2008. Still retaining its Network SouthEast livery with 'Bulgarian Railroad Company' branding which is in remarkably good condition in comparison with other members of the fleet, the loco stands in Pirdop yard awaiting further work. 05/10/11

	'	87033 and 87026 stand on an unwired road at Pirdop. 87028 can be seen in the distance, which was leading a lineup of 87013, 87022 and 87008. 05/10/11



North Norfolk Diesel Gala - added 1st July 2011

	'	20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' - currently on loan to the North Norfolk Railway from HNRC (who acquired it as part of a swap deal for 25191) - leaves Weybourne with a service for Sheringham. 26/07/11	On an extended holiday away from its base at the South Devon Railway, 37037 stands at Sheringham after arriving with a train from Holt. Complementing the maroon stock perfectly, the loco has become nicely weathered and complete with the station building gives a nice period feel to the image. 26/07/11

	'	37037 stands in the headshunt at Sheringham running round its train. The reconnection of the NNR to the national network has involved extending the headshunt through the town square to join Network Rail metals behind where the photographer is standing. 26/07/11	37037 draws up to the coaching stock ready to form one of its last workings of the day. No apologies for yet another photo of '037, as in my opinion it looks fantastic! 26/07/11

	'	With the blue sea in the background, the secondman looks back to make sure he's still got all of the train in tow as 37510 makes its presence known climbing the bank en route to Weybourne from Sheringham with 20118 inside acting as translator. 26/07/11	Not something you see every day! Failure of the unique LEV1 railbus vehicle necessitate a rescue by 37510. The combination stands at Holt awaiting further movement to Weybourne for repairs. 26/07/11



DRS Class 20s - added 21st April 2011

	'	Formerly 20075 and named 'Sir William Cooke' and part of the BRT fleet based at Bescot until conversion for DRS at RFS(E) in Doncaster in the late 1990's, 20309 stands on display at Crewe Heritage Centre during the April 2011 'DRS weekend'. 17/01/11	20309 stands at Crewe Heritage Centre during the April 2011 'DRS weekend'. 37683 can be seen behind which is stored on site. 17/01/11



East Lancs 2010 Spring Diesel Gala - added 21st March 2011

	'	37109 tops the Ski Jump leaving Bury on the East Lancs Railway during the Spring 2010 diesel gala. 06/03/10	With the suburbs of Bury in the background, 47402/D1501 tackles Broadfield bank on the way to Heywood during the East Lancs Spring 2010 diesel gala. 06/03/10

	'	Resplendent in Laira blue livery and not yet carrying 'Thunderer' nameplates, Hanson Traction's 50008 starts to ascend the Ski Jump during the ELR 2010 diesel gala. 06/03/10



90045 1K39 Euston-Crewe - added 17th January 2011

	'	For the first time since loco hauled services ended (90042 and 90046 spent some time on hire to West Coast in the late 1990's) Virgin have moved away from DB Schenker and turned to Freightliner for motive power for their one remaining loco hauled set which is seeing increased use at the time of writing as a result of Pendolino shortages. Powerhaul liveried 90045 stands at Stafford with 1K39 Euston-Crewe. 17/01/11



Class 37s at Bo'ness - added 3rd January 2011

	'	Back in traffic after an engine overhaul which has seen the loco out of traffic for around 2 years, 37175 stands at Bo'ness after making a comeback as part of the lineup for the SRPS Diesel Group's Class 37 Golden Jubilee event. 02/01/11	Also part of the lineup for the SRPS Class 37 Golden Jubilee event was 37685 - which has previous Scottish connections, being one of the sleeper pool locos - from West Coast Railways. Seen here under the trainshed at Bo'ness during an evening photo charter. 02/01/11



Bits and Pieces - added 28th November 2010

	'	Recent arrival at Crewe Heritage Centre is former Carnforth resident 37108. Part way through transformation from West Coast maroon to BR Blue, the locomotive stands next to DRS owned 37683 at the Class 37 50th Anniversary event. 27/11/10	37108 and 37683 at Crewe Heritage Centre. 27/11/10

	'	37667, along with 37510, was provided by DRS for the Crewe Heritage Centre Class 37 50th Anniversary event and is seen here in the winter sun with a layer of grime following use on the East Anglian RHTT circuits throughout November. 27/11/10	The second of Freightliners new heavy haul locomotives, 70002, leaves Ellesmere Port Manisty Wharf with a loaded coal working for Fiddlers Ferry Power Station. This is a regular diagram for Class 70s. 23/08/10



DRS Gresty Bridge Open Day - added 17th July 2010

	'	Refurbished by HNRC at Barrow Hill, 37409 stands at Gresty Bridge during the 2010 DRS Open Day. Named 'Lord Hinton' at the event after the former head of the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) who were responsible for building Britain's nuclear infrastructure, a name quite fitting as this loco is set to play a big part in the forthcoming nuclear power station decommissioning programme in the future. 10/07/10	Following the closure of Fastline Freight, the five Class 66s employed on the operation have been stored as surplus at Gresty Bridge awaiting a new leasee. 10/07/10

	'	The Class 20 fleet seems to have an uncertain future with DRS following the removal from traffic of the majority of the fleet. 20306 is seen here inside the shed awaiting a decision on its future. 10/07/10



ELR Summer Diesel Gala - added 17th July 2010

	'	In need of some external TLC but in full working order internally, 47765 stands in Baron Street Yard at the East Lancashire Railway after taking part in the summer diesel gala. Stabled behind are 50015 and 50044. 04/07/10	Visiting from the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) along with 47765 and making its first foray away from 'home' since its restoration was completed, 56097 stands at Heywood awaiting departure for Bury and Ramsbottom during the 2010 summer diesel gala at the East Lancashire Railway. 04/07/10



56311 and 56312 at Bristol - added 17th July 2010

	'	56311 and 56312 stand in the sun at Bristol Temple Meads with a Pathfinder Railtours excursion to Penzance for the Mazey Day local celebrations. This was the first long distance test run for 56311 (formerly 56057) following an engine swap with 56114 at Washwood Heath. 26/06/10



South Devon Diesel Gala - added 17th July 2010

	'	Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2010, 33002 departs from Staverton with a train for Totnes during the summer diesel gala at the South Devon Railway. 13/06/10	Having gained full yellow ends for the gala only, D6737 (or 37037 in new money) stands at Totnes awaiting departure for Buckfastleigh in the evening sun during the South Devon Railway 2010 summer diesel event. It is anticipated that 37037 will be taking part in the Mid Norfolk Railway's Class 37 Golden Jubilee event in September. 12/06/10



Various - added 3rd June 2010

	'	Running wrong line, 37109 passes Hagside Level Crossing on the Manchester Metrolink with an engineering train bound for Whitefield bank. In contrast to previous engineering works, the trains, saw traction and drivers provided solely by the East Lancs Railway with rakes of wagons provided by DB Schenker. 06/02/10	Further down the line, 37109 rounds the bend into Radcliffe station before entering the worksite. 37418 was on the rear providing assistance up the bank. 06/02/10

	'	The use of 37410 as carriage heater at Stoke on Trent Marcroft Works has ended and the loco is now dumped at the end of the works' headshunt with an uncertain future. Note taken from a public viewpoint. 22/05/10	Former resident of the Llangollen railway, 46010 makes a pleasant sight with a matching rake of coaches arriving at East Leake on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) during the recent Summer Diesel Gala. This was the first gala featuring the 46 following return to traffic. 15/05/10

	'	The unmistakable characteristics of 56097... 15/05/10



Magnificent Seven to the Black Sea - added 17th May 2010

	'	With a backdrop unlike anything seen in the UK apart from maybe on the classes old stomping ground when passing through the Lune Gorge, the second photostop of the tour and 87003-0 stands at the rural station of Bunovo, which is 60km from Sofia by rail, en route to Pirdop for the first loco change. The Bulgarian additions of a cowcatcher, rear view mirrors and sideways facing horns do give the locos a rather alien appearance when compared with their traditional British look however compared to sitting in a scrap yard, that's a small price to pay! 01/05/10	The former 'North Briton' and 'Patriot' stand side by side at Pirdop during the shunt manoeuvre which saw 87020-4 replacing 87003-0 on the railtour. Pirdop is one end of the well beaten track for the type in Bulgaria, seeing use on trainloads of calcium carbonate and copper between here and Razdelna towards the coast. 01/05/10

	'	Final photostop of the day and 87020-4 is carefully positioned in the evening sun at Struia. 01/05/10	A close up of the cab highlighting some of the Bulgarian modifications; the cowcatcher, the rear view mirrors, the sideways facing horns, the new pantograph without arc horns and not least the moveable kitchen style chair in the cab which seems to be a feature of most Bulgarian locos! 87020-4 again at Struia. 01/05/10

	'	Day Two and 87028-7 stands at Razdelna before detaching from the rake of coaches having worked the short distance from Varna that morning. 87004-8 waits patiently alongside to replace the former 'Lord President' which, like 87022 and 87006 also in Bulgaria - still carries remnants of DRS and GBRf livery due to the good condition of the paintwork when initially sent abroad. 02/05/10	Loco number 4 and appropriately it is 87004-8 to work for the majority of the next two days. Immaculately carrying BR Blue livery with cast BZK operator crests, 'Britannia' - which has only been in Bulgaria a matter of months being exported from the UK in November 2009 - took us to Varna Ferryboat, a line which has reportedly not seen a passenger train for 15 years, then on to Veliko Turnovo via a number of photostops. 02/05/10

	'	It's the end of Day Two and 87004-8 shunts the stock at Veliko Turnovo prior to being put to bed for the night but not before a wash and brush up by the loco crew. No. 4 has received celebrity status since it was learned that it hauled the royal train - hence the BR Blue livery and Britannia name being reapplied - so much so that the loco now carries its own dedicated washing bucket and cleaning brush. 02/05/10	At the end of a beautiful mountain climb which on a heavy load would undoubtedly have taxed 'Britannia' but load 3 certainly didn't, 87004-8 runs round its train at Gabrovo. Judging by the state of the trackwork, this vast expanse of yard hasn't seen any kind of train other than the unit operated passenger service for a good number of years and is the last thing you'd expect to find at the end of such a convoluted bit of railway! 03/05/10

	'	A lunch stop on the final day of the tour, en route back to Sofia, sees 87004-8 'Britannia' resting at Kazanluk in the sunshine. The difference in gauge profile between the British loco and foreign stock is particularly evident here and has allowed roof mounted horns to be installed on the 87s - relocated from the recess in the cab roof now occupied by the high intensity headlights. Shots such as this may not be possible in the not too distant future as BZK have aspirations to export a couple of ex-BR coaches to operate with 87004-8 on railtours in Bulgaria. 03/05/10	Nearing the end of the tour and 87008-9 stands at Sarantsi awaiting a late running local passenger train from Sofia to Varna to pass. The former City of Liverpool was one of the first exports from the UK, leaving - along with 87007 and 87026 - by rail via the Channel Tunnel in June 2008. Thanks to the PTG, all the BZK loco crews and especially Mario Evstatiev for a cracking few days...we will be back soon! 03/05/10



A few oldies (and a few not so old!) - added 22nd February 2010

	'	The South Devon Railway's 20110 sits alongside DRS 20304 and 20305 at the Eastleigh 100 event. 05/09	33002 'Sea King' looking resplendent in Civil Engineers livery stands at Eastleigh Works during the Eastleigh 100 event held during May 2009. 05/09

	'	During the May 2009 'Class 37 Day' at the East Lancashire Railway, an ex-works 37418 'Pectonidae' runs round its train at Ramsbottom. 05/09	A stored 37422 stands inside Eastleigh Works during the 'Eastleigh 100' event held at the Hampshire works in summer 2009. The former 'Robert F Farlie' had, by this time, failed once again with engine troubles and was transferred over from its storage location at the adjacent Eastleigh TMD for the event. 05/09

	'	'The forgotten pair'. 37886 and 37709 stand forlorn at Millerhill WRD awaiting their fate. Taken with permission... 02/09	During the Easter 2006 blockade of the WCML as part of the upgrade, the GBRf operated mail services were diverted to run via the East Coast Main Line. This also coincided with removal of the Class 325 motor vehicles after suffering from mechanical problems necessitating loco haulage with the GBRf fleet of 87s utilised. With freshly applied gold buffers, 87002 stands awaiting the road North at Peterborough while working 1S04 London-Sheildmuir. 04/06

	'	To commemorate its last workings in the UK before shipping to Bulgaria - via the Channel Tunnel - 87012 The Olympian was bedecked with Scottish Saltires on the buffers by the 'Wembley Paintbrush'. The former 'Couer de Lion' passes Carlisle working 5Z48 Polmadie-Wembley conveying a defective Class 325 unit. 06/06



East Lancashire Railway Diesel Running Day - added 02nd February 2010

	'	During the January 2010 'Type 4/5' diesel running day at the East Lancashire Railway, 37418 tails a service to Heywood led by 55022 'Royal Scots Grey'. 09/01/10	55022 'Royal Scots Grey' arrives at Irwell Vale on the East Lancashire Railway with a train for Heywood during the winter diesel day 2010. This event saw the debut of a re-preserved D9016 'Gordon Highlander' which is set to provide its good engine to '22 allowing a return to main line passenger operation. 09/01/10

	'	DB Schenker liveried 66152 with 66250 DIT scales the ski jump after leaving Bury with 6Z41 to Warrington Arpley after delivering a long welded rail train to the East Lancashire Railway for the forthcoming Metrolink track renewal contract. 30/01/10



A break in the clouds... - added 29th November 2009

	'	Looking fantastic in the winter sunshine with a dark sky in the background, 37901 shunts at Bury in preparation to haul a freight train at the November 2009 'diesel theme day' at the East Lancashire Railway, its final day of operation in the 2009 season. 05/11/09