photo galleries // latest additions

 
 DRS Gresty Bridge Open Day - added 17th July 2010
             

37409

' 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

 

66s

  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

             

20306

' 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
             

47765

' 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

 

56097

  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+56312

' 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
             

33002

' 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

 

37037

  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
             

37109

' 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

 

37109

  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

             

37410

' 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

 

46010

  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

             

56097

' The unmistakable characteristics of 56097...

15/05/10

 

 

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

87003

' 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

 

87020 87003

  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

             

87020

' Final photostop of the day and 87020-4 is carefully positioned in the evening sun at Struia.

01/05/10

 

87020

  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

             

87028

' 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

 

87004

  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

             

87004

' 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

 

87004

  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

             

87004

' 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

 

87008

  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
             

20110 20304 20305

' The South Devon Railway's 20110 sits alongside DRS 20304 and 20305 at the Eastleigh 100 event.

05/09

 

33002

 

33002 'Sea King' looking resplendent in Civil Engineers livery stands at Eastleigh Works during the Eastleigh 100 event held during May 2009.

05/09

             

37418

' 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

 

37422

  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

             

37886 37709

' 'The forgotten pair'. 37886 and 37709 stand forlorn at Millerhill WRD awaiting their fate.
Taken with permission...

02/09

 

87002

  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

             

87012

' 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
             

37418

' 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

  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

             

37901

' 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
             

37901

' 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

 

 

   
             
             
 
 North Yorkshire Moors Diesel Gala - added 04th October 2009
             

26007

' Looking fantastic in the early evening sun, 26007 approaches Goathland with the last train of the day from Pickering to Grosmont on the last day of the 2009 NYMR Diesel Gala.

20/09/09

 

37901

  37901 'Mirrlees Pioneer' stands at Levisham with a train for Pickering during the 2009 diesel gala at the North Yorkshire Moors. '901, along with 55022 from the ELR, was guest starring alongside 47580 and 26007.

19/09/09

             

37901

' 37901 stands in Levisham engineers sidings assisting with an ash drop in connection with the installation of a permanent safe walking route from the level crossing to the siding which is shortly to be extended.

20/09/09

 

 

   
             
             
 
 Gloucestershire Warwickshire and Spa Valley - added 17th July 2009
             

37215

' The Growler Group's 37215 stands at Toddington in the sunshine awaiting departure with a shuttle service to Winchcombe during the July Diesel Gala at the
Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway which also featured residents 20137, 24081, 37324, 47105 and 47376 plus visiting 20154, 31162 and 33109.

12/07/09

 

37254

  37254 'Driver Robin Prince M.B.E' stands during a photo stop at High Rocks station as part of 'The Stag & Syphon' charter.

13/07/09

             

37254

' Can you spot yourself...? 37254 with a few embellishments on the front at High Rocks.

13/07/09

 

47376

   Making its return to traffic following major engine repairs, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' stands at Toddington with a departure for Winchcombe during the July diesel gala. This loco is the only
preserved loco to run in full Freightliner grey livery and was repainted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Freightliner in 2005.

12/07/09

             
             
 
 40145 and 47402 - added 10th July 2009
             

40145

' 40145 'East Lancashire Railway' stands at Ramsbottom station awaiting departure with a shuttle service to Bury Bolton Street during the Summer 2009 Diesel Gala. It is hoped that the loco will be forfeiting its 'plates to 37418 in the near future.

05/07/09

 

47402

  Looking good in its weathered and faded BR Blue scheme, 47402 'Gateshead' stands alongside Castlecroft MPD during the East Lancashire Railway's March 2009 Diesel Gala. As of July 2009, 47402 has been taken out of traffic for a repaint into BR Green.

14/03/09

             
             
 
 37418, 66157 and 73140 - added 18th May 2009
             

73140

' 73140 rounds the curve into High Rocks station during the Spa Valley Railway's Spring Diesel Gala. Also operating trains was 37254, two shunters and bizarrely, a track tamping machine!

25/04/09

 

66157

  66157 is viewed from above while shunting a rake of HOA and IIA wagons for loading at Peak Forest.

29/04/09

             

37109 418

' Making its debut in passenger service, 37418 'Pectinidae' stands at Ramsbottom ready for detaching after a short proving/test run from Bury piloting 47402 'Gateshead' following reactivation work.

16/05/09

 

 

   
             
             
 
 More 37s - added 07th May 2009
             

37109 418 901

' As part of the publicity for the forthcoming 'Class 37 Day' at the East Lancashire Railway, a photo call for the line's fleet was arranged with 37109 ex-works in BR Blue following its cosmetic overhaul, 37418 following reactivation work and a repaint into EWS maroon and 37901. All three locomotives will be taking part in the event with a triple header on the last train of the day.

03/05/09

 

37670

  Nearing the end of its cosmetic attention with only the roof left to complete, 37418 'Pectinidae' stands atop a short freight train in the sun at Bury on the East Lancashire Railway.

03/05/09

             

37109 418

' 37418 and 37109 stand side by side at Bury following 37109s unveiling in BR Blue following month long cosmetic overhaul. Both 37s will be featuring in the Class 37 Day on May 30th 2009.

03/05/09

 

37901

  The sole remaining Mirrlees powered Class 37 and baby sister of the Class 60s, 37901 'Mirlees Pioneer' shunts 40135 at Bury.

12/04/09

             
             
 
 37s in The Highlands - added 20th March 2009
             

37401

' 37401 and newly reinstated 37670 stand at Rannoch while working Day 3 of Pathfinder Tours 'The Easter West Highlander' from Fort William to Oban. Unfortunately, due to the failure of 37406, the promised traction only produced on two out of the four days with GM traction for the remainder.

13/04/09

 

37670

  After reinstatement a couple of days previously after a good number of years of open storage and with paintwork reflecting this fact, 37670 'St Blazey T&RS Depot' tails the ECS for Pathfinder Tours 'The Easter West Highlander' into Fort William prior to leading the train to Mallaig.

12/04/09

             

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