Picture of the Day 1 January 2008

Former Southern Railway Class M7 No. 30053 which has just been returned to service at Swanage after extensive repairs and presently awaits a repaint was in use on the first day of 2008. It is seen here arriving at Corfe Castle with the 13.10 Norden to Swanage service.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 2 January 2008

A stong south-east hit the south Devon town of Dawlish on 2 January 2008 causing a very rough sea, however, no operating problems were reported to train services. With waves blowing right over the train, an Arriva Trains Voyager passes Dawlish with the 07.05 Leeds to Plymouth service.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 3 January 2008

Recently Freightliner Heavy Haul has been hiring in a Class 66 from DRS. On 2 January 2008, it was the turn of No. 66422 to operate for Freightliner and is seen passing Water Orton at the head of a coal train.
Damon Powell

Picture of the Day 4 January 2008

Above: The end of an era - the final two unrefurbished FGW Class 43s Nos. 43002 and 43003 were hauled as 5Z86 10.35 Landore to Brush Loughbourough for MTU fitting on 4 January 2008. The train, powered by Cotswold No. 47237 passes
Duffryn, South Wales.
Jamie Squibbs

Picture of the Day 5 January 2008

On Friday 4 January, DRS Class 37/5 No. 37515 running as 0Z37 Carlisle Kingmoor to Inverness for snow duties, collided at speed with a road vehicle transporting containers of potatoes on the public level crossing at Whitemoss between Perth and Gleneagles. The impact seriously damaged the loco at its No. 2 end, the DRS driver was injured and after release from the cab was taken to hospital. After an on site investigation, DRS No. 66427 arrived and collected the Class 37, taking it to Blackford up goods loop where it remained until late the following day. It is unlikely that funding will be authorised to repair this loco.
Ronnie Ashton

Picture of the Day 6 January 2008

Two South West Trains Class 158s are still operating for Stagecoach East Midlands Trains. Transferred at the launch of the new franchise, the sets have been seen all over the EMT operating area. On 4 January 2008, set No. 158883 is seen at Lincoln, arriving with the 12.17 from Leicester.
Damon Powell

Picture of the Day 7 January 2008

Above: Western power returned to the Dawlish Sea Wall on 7 January 2008, when DTG-owned No. D1015 which has recently been stabled at Tavistock Junction, was booked to power train 0Z47 10.00 Tavistock Junction to Rugby hauling Colas Class 47 No. 47727 which is in need of OTMR attention. The Western was then bound for tyre turning at Tyseley. However, the train did not depart at 10.00 due to pre-heating problems with the 'Western', these problems were compounded by Rugby being unable to take the train due to on-going engineering work. Eventually a fresh pathway was allocated as the 0Z47 11.30 Tavistock Junction to Tyseley, which is seen some one hour late passing along the Sea Wall at Rockstone Bridge.
Colin J Marsden

Picture of the Day 8 January 2008

One class of EMU that is rarely in the limelight these days are the Hunslet Transportation Projects Class 323 units, which have given sterling service operating suburban duties in Birmingham and Greater Manchester areas since introduction in 1992. On the evening of 7 January 2008, Nos. 323202 and 323205 pause at Birmingham University station with the 19.23 Longbridge to Birmingham New Street service.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 9 January 2008

On 8 January Cotswold operated train 5Z90 from Crewe Basford Hall to Long Marston formed of four Mk2s Nos.9521, 6064, 5971 and 6008 for store. Motive power for the move was provided by HNRC Class 20s Nos. 20901 and 20905 on hire to Cotswold. Complete with 'The Marauder' headboard the train is seen at Bankers Bridge near Bromsgrove. After arrival at Long Marston, the Class 20s worked light to Bristol and will haul a pair of Class 37s from Barton Hill northbound on Thursday 10 January.
Matt Wilson (www.trainpics.net)

Picture of the Day 11 January 2008

One of the two 'Blue Pullman' Class 47/7s No. 47709 is seen being hauled by DRS Class 66 No. 66429 at Derby on 10 January while working light from DRS Carlisle to Derby RTC for a repaint and technical attention.
Carl Westwood

Picture of the Day 12 January 2008

Network Rail de-icing GLVs Nos. 68505, 68504 and 68508 with First GBRf Class 73/2 No. 73204 Janice are pictured in Folkestone Warren forming test train 5Z74, the 13.30 Tonbridge West Yard to Dover on Saturday 12 January 2008.
Brian Stephenson

Picture of the Day 13 January 2008

Engineering work at Low Fell Junction, Newcastle closed both main lines over the weekend of 12-13 January 2008. This was the view recorded on 12 January with EWS Class 66 No. 66154 powering the Redland self-discharge train placing new ballast on the formation before new track was lowered into position.
Ken Short

Picture of the Day 14 January 2008

A rare visitor to Fairwater Yard, Taunton between 12-14 January 2008 was DRS Class 66/4 No. 66425. The loco is seen working with Freightliner Heavy Haul No. 66614 shunting the HOBC formation after arriving back from Chippenham on 13 January. The Class 66/4 departed on Monday 14 January piloting No. 66564 on the 09.57 Taunton Fairwater to Crewe Basford Hall.
Brian Garrett

Picture of the Day 15 January 2008

The AC Loco Group Class 86/1 No. 86101 has now entered service with the Cargo D Mk3 blue/grey passenger set and DVT No. 82115 on selected London Kings Cross-Doncaster services for Hull Trains, covering a short fall in stock with one Class 222 out of traffic. On 14 January 2008 the loco is seen at the back of the Kings Cross to Doncaster Hull Trains service at Harringay.
Wayne Radford

Picture of the Day 16 January 2008

Following a long period out of use (July 2007) DRS No. 66411 Eddie the Engine returned to work on 16 January 2008 following repairs at Crewe and Carlisle. The loco powered train 4Z43 from Carlisle to Haverton Hill and is seen passing Plawsworth near Newcastle.
Ken Short

Picture of the Day 17 January 2008

After being dumped at Meldon Quarry since the autumn of 2007, Cotswold-operated 'Peak' No. 45112 was transferred to Gloucester on 17 January 2008, hauled via Exeter by Class 31 No. 31454. The train, running as the 0Z45 13.37 Meldon Quarry - Derby (which terminated at Gloucester) is seen passing Cowley Bridge Junction, Exeter.
Stacey Thew

Picture of the Day 19 January 2008

The Isle of Wight railway should be a popular choice for enthusiasts this year, with the roll-out on 18 January 2008 of the first of the lines six Class 483 units in 'heritage' livery. Set No. 004 painted in 1940s London Underground burgundy and cream is seen at Ryde St Johns Road station forming a launch special on 18 January. on the left is set No. 008 which is scheduled for repainting in a few weeks. Behind the restored set is Ryde Works where the refurbishment was carried out.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 20 January 2008

The Network Rail track test trains continue to traverse the UK network 'top and tailed' by DRS Class 37s. On 16 January 2008 No. 37059 (with 37608 on the rear) emerge from the tunnel at Southampton powering train 1Q14 a Serco test train bound for Salisbury and Andover.
Mark Pike

Picture of the Day 21 January 2008

Ilkley railway station opened as a terminus in 1865 and is currently used by 811,000 passengers annually. On 15 January 2008, Class 333 unit No. 333010 stands amid building work for the station concourse refurbishment scheme with the 14.40 service to Leeds.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 22 January 2008

Recently taken over by Cotswold from Porterbrook/Freightliner Class 57/0 No. 57005 is seen working for Cotswold Rail powering train 6Z98, the12.40 Long Marston to Bescot on Monday 21 January 2008 formed of refurbished TEA wagons. The train is seen bursting out of Rainbow Hill tunnel and heading towards Droitwich Spa .
Matt Wilson

Picture of the Day 23 January 2008

DRS Class 66/4 No. 66423, on hire to First GBRf due to a loco shortage, was in use in the North East on Friday 18 January 2008. The loco is seen powering a rake of the recently introduced high-capacity First GBRf coal hoppers on a Tyne Dock to Drax working close to Tyne Dock.
Ken Short

Picture of the Day 24 January 2008

The first pair of the new Class 450 High-Capacity Desiro sets No. 450548 and 450555 stand in the bay platform at Weybridge on 24 January 2008 after arrival of the 12.22 service from Waterloo. See news story for full details.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 25 January 2008

On 25 January 2008, a further move of refurbished HST stock operated from Bombardier Derby to Laira depot. Motive power for the train formed of vehicles, 41009, 41010, 42012, 42360, 42013, 42014, 44004, formed between barrier cars 6336 and 5737 was Cotswold Type 4 No. 47237. Complete with Advenza Freight headboard the train is seen passing Northway near Ashchurch.
Jack Boskett

Picture of the Day 26 January 2008

On Friday 25 January FGW powercar No. 43144 was on test from Laira when it operated coupled 'back to back' with No.43122 on a test run over the Devon banks to Newton Abbot and return. The pair are seen passing Kerswell on the foothills of Dainton on their return to Laira.
Stacey Thew

Picture of the Day 27 January 2008

For any student of semaphore signalling, Bognor Regis station in West Sussex still has much to offer. On Saturday 26 January 2008, Southern Class 377/4 unit No. 377473 passes a fine example of London, Brighton and South Coast Railway designed bracket starter signals as it arrives with the 14.28 service from Littlehampton.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 28 January 2008

It has now been confirmed that the four Class 37/0s under conversion at Barrow Hill for Network Rail for use on the ERTMS (European Railway Traffic Management System) project are to be reclassified as 97/3 and numbered in the 97301-304 series. the first complete loco No. 97301, the former 37100 is seen at Barrow Hill on 26 January.
Ryan Tranmer

Picture of the Day 29 January 2008

Having just left the Heart of Wales line, Class 153 No. 153367 enters Craven Arms station on a dull Monday, 28 January 2008, with train 2M51 the 09.15 Swansea to Shrewsbnury service. Note yet another variant of Arriva Trains livery.
John Stretton

Picture of the Day 30 January 2008

The first picture showing the new Advenza Freight branding applied to No. 47237 on 29 January, was captured on 30 January when No. 47237 towed withdrawn Nos. 47316 and 47033 from Gloucester to Stockton for scrap. The convoy which included barrier coach 9488 and 31 No. 31454 on the rear, is seen passing Natton near Ashchurch.
Jack Boskett

Picture of the Day 31 January 2008

For the last couple of days, Worcester yard has been the home of three off-lease Class 87s, Nos. 87022, 87002 and 87028 on the way from Wembley to Long Marston for store and possible export. The trio were hauled on 31 January 2008 by 47805 for the remainder of their journey to Long Marston.
Jamie Squibbs