Picture of the Day 1 April 2010

Tipton station on the Birmingham to Wolverhampton line reopened six weeks early on Palm Sunday 2010 (March 28) following its £2.5m refurbishment by Network Rail. The London Midland station closed in the middle of last September and was not expected to reopen until May but excellent work by J. Murphy & Sons Ltd. has meant that it has opened well ahead of schedule. The platforms which were originally built in 1852 have been replaced with modern, low-maintenance materials that include a new anti-slip surface and tactile paving so visually impaired passengers know when they are approaching the edge. There is also a new glass and steel waiting shelter on the Birmingham-bound platform and the route from the car park and through the underpass has been improved. On the inaugural day, Class 323 unit No. 323207 arrives at the new station with the 14.22 Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street local service.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 2 April 2010

The two Royal-liveried Class 67s Nos. 67006 and 67005 powered train 1Z64 from Salisbury to Braidhurst Down Loop on 2 April 2010 on the first leg of Pathfinders four day land cruise 'The West Highlander'. This view was recorded at Vigo Bridge.
Matt Wilson www.trainpics.net

Picture of the Day 3 April 2010

The DTG-owned 'Western' Class 52 No. D1015 Western Champion powered the London-Exeter and Penzance-Paddington legs of 'The Royal Duchy' railtour on 3 April 2010. Between Exeter and Penzance the train was powered by 'Black 5' No. 44871 and 'BR Standard' No. 70013. In failing light and heavy rain, the return train 1Z98, the 16.15 Penzance - Paddington is seen approaching Dawlish. For this tour, the far side of the loco was carrying the number and name D1009 Western Invader.
Colin J Marsden

Picture of the Day 4 April 2010

First GBRf/Metronet Class 66/7 No. 66720 Metronet Pathfinder heads North through Harrow and Wealdstone station on 27 March 2010 powering train 4M23 the 09.48 Felixstowe to Hams Hall intermodal.
Barnaby Nash

Picture of the Day 5 April 2010

In what could only be described as 'damp conditions' Freightliner Class 70 No. 70001 storms through Colchester station on 30 March 2010 in charge of the 4M93 14.13 Felixstowe to Lawley Street liner service.
Stacey Thew

Picture of the Day 6 April 2010

Two DRS Class 37s No. 37607 in older style DRS colours and No. 37423 in the latest 'Compass' livery style, power train1Z57 'The Easter Highlander' railtour from Paisley to Stranraer on Easter Sunday 4 April 2010. The picture is taken near to Pinwherry on the single line section between Girvan and Barrhill.
Simon Jones

Picture of the Day 7 April 2010

Leg three of The Great Briton III tour operated on 7 April 2010, when 'Black Five' No. 44871 and Class 7 No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, led train 1Z84, the 15.30 Plymouth to Bristol. In near perfect photographic conditions the pair are seen crossing Cockwood Harbour between Dawlish Warren and Starcross with an immaculate rake of WCRC rolling stock.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 9 April 2010

One of the few Great Western style mechanical signal boxes still left operational in Cornwall is Truro. The box is located at the up end of the station on the north side of the line. On 8 April 2010, an FGW HST led by power car No. 43126 slows for the Truro stop with the 12.06 service from Paddington to Penzance. The train is formed of LA set 03 with power car No. 43197 on the rear. After arrival in Penzance, the train returned to London as the 17.39 departure.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 10 April 2010

One of the principle freight flows along the Welsh Marches line is steel traffic from South Wales to Dee Marsh operated by DBS. Until recently the trains had been a regular Class 60 turn, but by April 2010, the ubiquitous Class 66/0 locomotives had taken over all workings. On Saturday 10 April 2010, No. 66250, the last built member of the original EWS batch, passes a GWR lower quadrant bracket signal at Abergavenny with the 09.30 (6V75) Dee Marsh to Margam empties.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 11 April 2010

On 8 April 2010 RVEL-operated Class 31 No. 31602 plus ultrasonic track testing vehicles 6263, 999602 and DBSO No. 9703 form train 4Z08, the 17.34 Exeter Riverside to Bristol Kingsland Road passing Beambridge close to the Devon/Somerset Border.
Nathan Williamson

Picture of the Day 12 April 2010

Driving Motor Standard vehicle No. 60176 from East Midlands Trains Class 222 ‘Meridian’ unit No. 222016 has been fitted with a new cab as a temporary replacement for the original one which has been damaged in an accident. On Monday 12 April 2010, the distinctive all yellow cab brightens up a dull day at Chesterfield as the unit forms the 14.55 London St. Pancras International to Sheffield service.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 13 April 2010

Following the demise of Fastline Freight, the wagons operated by the company have been placed into store. On 13 April 2010 Colas Rail Class 47 No. 47739 hauled a rake of wagons as train 4Z47 from Gloucester to Eastleigh Works. The train is seen passing Great Wishford between Warminster and Salisbury.
Gordon White

Picture of the Day 14 April 2010

DBS Class 66/0 No. 66055 is seen passing Stratford station in pouring rain with an empty aggregates train on Saturday 27 March 2010. This is one of the few locos fitted with special uncoupling equipment for Lickey 'banking' duties - note the additional light on the front to assist in these operations. The lights of another 66/0 are reflected in the bodyside. Stratford is certainly a freight hot-spot on Saturdays and recommended for photographers.
Paul Nash

Picture of the Day 15 April 2010

Plaser & Theurer USP5000RT machine No. DR77903 together with Plasser & Theurer P&T 09-3X machine No. DR73115 head west through Bristol Temple Meads station on 14 April 2010 bound for Taunton.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 17 April 2010

Great Western 'Castle' No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, is seen passing Culham, Oxfordshire, on 16 April 2010. Hauling a Vintage trains excursion from Solihull to Slough, as part of the GWR 175 celebrations. WCRC Class 37 No. 37516 was on the rear of the train. The coach behind the loco is former Motorail van No. 96175 which is now a water carrying vehicle. After turning and spending the night at Southall, No. 5043 powered a non-stop Paddington to Bristol and return charter on 17 April 2010.
Steve King steve-king.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 18 April 2010

The first Freightliner Class 70 to power a passenger train was No. 70003 on Saturday 17 April 2010, when the Leeds-Selby-Hatfield-Wakefield-Leeds leg was powered by the 70 and DBS Class 66 No. 66154. The charter, 1Z69, is seen departing from the up slow adjacent to the loading bunker at Hatfield Colliery.
Steve Thompson

Picture of the Day 19 April 2010

‘The Lady Augusta’ of the Heatherslaw Light Railway in Northumberland is seen being turned at Etal station ready to work the 12.30 train to Heatherslaw on Friday 16 April 2010.  In the background is the 14th century Etal Castle, an English Heritage property.
Owen Evans

Picture of the Day 20 April 2010

On Tuesday 20 April 2010, First Trans-Pennine Express Class 185 unit No. 185134 speeds through Gorton in Greater Manchester with the 12.35 Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough service. There is no shortage of railway history in this photograph. The current station was opened by the Great Central Railway in 1906, replacing the original 1841 building. The unit is passing underneath a 1950s era 1.5kV DC gantry from the days of the Manchester to Sheffield ‘Woodhead’ route electrification. The wires were converted to the present 25kV AC operation in 1984. Nearby was the site of the Beyer Peacock Gorton Foundry where between 1888 and 1966 nearly 8000 locomotives were built, including the famous Beyer Garrett steam locomotives and the Class 35 ‘Hymek’ diesel hydraulics.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 21 April 2010

West Coast Class 47 No. 47804 prepares to leave Whitecross loop on the Edinburgh-Glasgow main line on 16 May 2008. With the Royal Scotsman season (this year including a programmed UK wide tour) about to begin, and the news that WCRC are to provide traction for Whestrails' summer weekend Edinburgh - Fort William trains (as well as steam and diesel tours from other Central Scotland locations) - 2010 is shaping up to be promising in the loco-hauled area up in Scotland.
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 22 April 2010

For enthusiasts of electric (and diesel) multiple unit stock, Clapham Junction has to be one of the best locations to visit, with thousands of trains passing through the station every day. On the 'Southern' side examples of Class 377, 442, 455, 456 and 460 can be seen, while on the South West Trains side, examples of Classes 158, 159, 444, 450, 455 and 458 are frequently seen. On the Transport for London 'London Overground' network, the new Class 378 sets will be found. This is a view taken from the London end of the Southern platforms at 12.11 on 22 April 2010. it shows from left to right a SWT Class 444 No. 444043, and Southern Class 377s Nos. 377462, 37716 and 377204 on the Southern tracks.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 23 April 2010

More Class 70 history was made on 21 April 2010 when No. 70003 became the first of the class to work to Immingham, and also the first to pass through the photographers home town of Scunthorpe. It worked train 4G70, the 09.30 Hunslet to Immingham hauling a rake of HHA hoppers as a trial run. It then returned as train 4G71, the 12.55 (retimed to 13.37 due to late running). The returning train is seen approaching Scunthorpe.
Steve Thompson

Picture of the Day 24 April 2010

BR Southern Region 'Hastings' DEMU No. 1001 glides over Frampton Mansell Viaduct in the Stroud Valley working the 'Severn Explorer' excursion from Hastings to Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway on 24 April 2010.
Jack Boskett

Picture of the Day 25 April 2010

A model landscape. On Saturday 24 April 2010, First Great Western Class 166 unit No. 166218 trundles though the picturesque Vale of Evenlode near Charlbury on the North Cotswold line with the 11.21 London Paddington to Great Malvern service.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 26 April 2010

Viewed from the country end of Paddington station on 23 April 2010, the Network Rail New Measurement Train (NMT) with power car No. 43062 nearest the camera, departs from the station area as train 1Z21, the 13.30 Paddington to Derby (via Bordesley).
Andrew Royle

Picture of the Day 27 April 2010

Between it's duties on one of the Fife circle loco-hauled runs, DBS red-liveried Class 67 No. 67018 has been a regular on the Edinburgh binliner recently. The loco is seen passing St Germains level crossing on the ECML between Prestonpans and Longniddry with the loaded 6B45 Powderhall to Oxwellmains on 26 April 2010. In the background are the stacks of Cockenzie Power Station - where the very first MGR trains operated when BR were pioneering that method of operation.
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 28 April 2010

A new £1.1m carriage washing plant was officially opened at National Express East Anglia's Ilford depot on 28 April 2010. The original washing plant was in a poor position for present day working, so a new bi-directional wash plant has been built on the arrival/departure line to the main depot. NXEA took a small group of rail press on a special 13.40 Liverpool Street to Ilford depot formed of Desiro No. 360115 which passed through the wash plant on arrival. The set then made a special run through the washer to demonstrate its operation.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 29 April 2010

Public services on the newly remodelled East London Line between New Cross/New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction resumed around midday on Tuesday 27 April 2010. London Overground Class 378 four-car Electrostar No. 378154 performed the inaugural run, and was appropriately adorned for the occasion. It was seen later in the afternoon at 13.23 approaching the new station at Haggerston en route to Dalston Junction.
Andrew Bartlett

Picture of the Day 30 April 2010

With Saltley driver Alan Bunclarke at the controls, Colas Class 47/7 No. 47749 Demelza leaves a trail of clag over Westbury as it passes Hawkeridge Junction, running as the 6Z47 12.25 Westbury Yard to Donnington Rail Freight Terminal on 29 April 2010. The consist was a rake of ex-Jarvis rail recovery wagons, presumably going for storage.
Mark V. Pike