Picture of the Day 1 July 2010

Today we stay with the products of Siemens Mobility, with a view of two Class 380 'Desiro' units for First ScotRail undergoing test running on the Wildenrath test track in Germany. The official hand over of the fleet took place on 1 July 2010 at a special event staged at Wildenrath, with the first complete Class 380 due for shipment to the UK in the next couple of months. 22 three car and 16 four-car sets are presently under construction at the Siemens Krefeld assembly plant. The view above taken on 29 June 2010 shows four-car sets No. 380107 on the left and No. 380104 on the right. The set on the right is operating trial runs on the Wildenrath small test loop.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 2 July 2010

Due to recent lineside fires caused by steam locomotives, Network Rail requested a diesel to assist with this working and take most of the strain to prevent the steam engine from emitting sparks. Here WCRC Class 37 No. 37706 works 'inside' No.5029 Nunney Castle on the Cathedrals Express from Clapham Junction to Worcester Shrub Hill. The unusual combination is pictured at Highworth Junction, Swindon, running about 40 minutes late on 1 July 2010.
Steve King steve-king.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 3 July 2010

The London Overground Class 313/1 units are due to be replaced soon by new Bombardier Class 378 sets. Their last stronghold is the London Euston to Watford Junction commuter services along the DC lines. On Saturday 3 July 2010 No. 313134 The Hackney Empire approaches South Kenton with the 13.21 Watford Junction to London Euston services. The Class 313/1 subclass are fitted with extra shoegear to allow for operation in areas with larger than average gaps in the live rail.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 4 July 2010

On 1 June 2010 First Group sold freight operator GBRf to Eurotunnel. GBRf Class 66/7 No. 66711, already devoid of it's cabside and front-end 'First' logos, heads south through Berkhamstead station on Saturday 3 July 2010 hauling a Hams Hall to Felixstowe intermodal service. Apparently the new owner is to retain the much-respected GBRf brand name.
Paul Nash

Picture of the Day 5 July 2010

After months of indifferent operation on the second FGW loco-hauled duty between Cardiff-Bristol and Taunton using Virgin Class 57s under a deal with GBRf, FGW cancelled the contract from Friday 2 July 2010 and started a new contract with DBS providing Class 67s for the service from 5 July. To start the 'new' operation DBS deployed their two celebrity locos No. 67018 in DBS red and No. 67029 in VIP silver. The train is operated in top and tail mode with blue/grey-liveried Mk2s Nos. 5748, 5792, 5769 & 9526. Train 2Y10, the 09.13 Bristol Parkway to Weston-super-Mare is seen approaching its Weston Milton stop on 5 July 2010.
Chris Perkins

Picture of the Day 6 July 2010

On the afternoon of Monday 5 July 2010, Northern Rail Class 323 unit No. 323223 crosses Dinting Viaduct with the 16.01 Hadfield to Manchester Piccadilly service. The viaduct which spans Dinting Vale was opened in 1842 by the Sheffield, Ashton–under–Lyne and Manchester Railway and is 1,455ft. long and made up of five main brick and girder arches each of a 130ft span. It is now the only major engineering feature of the erstwhile 1.5kV DC electric Manchester to Sheffield ‘Woodhead’ line still open.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 7 July 2010

In America light rail operations in the bigger cities is now big business, with modern trams or street cars found in dozens of locations. One of the most impressive networks is operated the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) in and around San Diego, California. Three types of twin-vehicle cars operate on a three line network centered on downtown San Diego offering a fast and efficient method of transit. The service is well used and a true credit to the operators. On 15 June 2010 sets Nos. 3010 and 2040 arrive at Santee with a green line service from Old Town. This line opened in July 2005 and is usually operated by the newest of the systems vehicles the S70, built in Sacramento by Siemens, of which 11 twin-vehicle sets are in operation. Set No. 2040 on the rear is one of 52 SD100 sets.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 8 July 2010

It is not often that Class 73 electro diesels are found operating along the Dawlish Sea Wall. However on 8 July 2010 a pair of GBRf-operated locos Nos. 73206 and 73212 were used as coupling barriers for a Class 66 hauled HST stock transfer move from Laira to Eastleigh Works. The Class 73s having drop-head buck-eye couplers are ideal to act as a coupling converter between HST stock with no side buffers and a conventional loco. The train today was formed of off-lease HST buffet cars Nos. 40736, 40725, 40726, 40744, 40738, 40709 and 40745 (from the front) and formed the 5O66 10.00 Laira to Eastleigh. Motive power was provided by Class 66/7 No. 66728. The train is seen travelling very slowly towards Langstone Rock at Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 9 July 2010

ScotRail Railways-liveried Class 156 No. 156500 passes Greenhill Lower Junction with a service for Falkirk Grahamston on 18 June 2010. It was recently announced that the Edinburgh-Glasgow improvement package will go ahead - this will see electrification of the Edinburgh and Glasgow mainline, and the route from Cumbernauld via Grahamston to Polmont as well as to Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane with various other measures including new trains. Work is due to begin soon on wiring the Haymarket tunnel north bore, while wires already extend to Newbridge Junction on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line and via Bathgate. As elsewhere, the scene here at Greenhill will soon change once the wires arrive - get your pictures now.
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 10 July 2010

With narrow boats queuing to enter Harecastle Tunnel (just visible in the distance) below, East Midlands Trains Class 153 unit No. 153311 crosses the Trent and Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove on Saturday 10 July 2010, with the 15.07 Crewe to Derby service. The deep brown coloured canal water is caused by iron ore deposits released from former mine workings in the area.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 11 July 2010

This images shows just how strong the cab end of a Class 43 HST power car actually is. On Saturday 10 July 2010, the 13.06 (1C84) Paddington to Penzance led by power car No. 43041 struck a tree which had fallen over the tracks of the Berks & Hants main line near Lavington. The train hit the tree at near line speed causing extensive damage to the structure of the vehicle. However, the driver escaped with his life only receiving cuts and bruising. The train, after the tree branches, which were right through the cab from side to side were cut free, was hauled at walking pace by Class 59/2 No. 59201 to Westbury where it terminated some five hours late. Passengers were then transferred to another HST for the remainder of their journey. The damaged set was stabled at Westbury to await inspection and transfer to a works (likely Brush Traction) for repair. No. 43041 was coupled to set LA06 and power car No. 43135 which were not damaged.
Mark Few

Picture of the Day 13 July 2010

East Midlands Trains Class 158 unit No. 158852 does its best to brighten up the dull and wet afternoon of Monday 12 July 2010, as it arrives at Matlock Bath with the 16.35 Matlock to Nottingham service. Although now the penultimate station on the single line branch from Ambergate Junction, Matlock Bath was once on the famous ‘Midland Railway through the Peak’ mainline from London St. Pancras to Manchester, where until 1968 crack express trains including the Thames Clyde Express would speed through the station. Today, the station is unstaffed but remains busy particularly in the Summer months by tourists visiting local attractions such as the Heights of Abraham via the nearby cable car.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 14 July 2010

Hired in by GBRf for the day, green-liveried Class 47 No. 47815 Great Western is seen on the approach to Eastleigh on the Chandlers Ford line on 14 July 2010 powering train 5O47, the 11.07 Cardiff Canton to Eastleigh. The train is formed of four Anglia-liveried Mk 2s which have recently been used on the Taunton-Cardiff loco-hauled services prior to the take over of the operation by DBS.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 15 July 2010

Freightliner Class 90 No. 90045 is seen making its northbound debut run carrying the new 'Powerhaul' style livery variation on the WCML, seen passing Barby Nortoft, just south of Rugby on the Northampton loop, powering train 4M88, the Felixstowe to Basford Hall. Our photographer records that after all the recent good weather and sun, this train came along in pretty poor light not too long after a torrential downpour and thunderstorm!
Darren Wetherall

Picture of the Day 16 July 2010

Still carrying its ONE Railway livery with National Express branding, Class 156 No. 156409 heads through Melton Mowbray on 14 July 2010 forming a stock transfer move from Tyseley to Norwich Crown Point. The set had been to Tyseley for a bogie overhaul, and made a pleasant surprise for the photographer in place of the usual staple diet of Arriva Cross Country Class 170s!
Darren Wetherall

Picture of the Day 17 July 2010

On Saturday 17 July 2010 railway history was made when the first steam hauled passenger train departed from Birmingham New Street station for around 44 years, when preserved LMS 4-6-2 No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth powered a Vintage Trains charter to London Euston. The dramatic departure was captured from the bridge crossing the station at the south end.
Matt Wilson www.trainpics.net

Picture of the Day 18 July 2010

DBS Class 67 No. 67021 (with No. 67020 trailing) leads one of the four 'Golfex' trains on the evening of Saturday 17 July 2010, running as train 1Z14 17.36 Dundee to Edinburgh Waverley. These trains were operated in connection with the Open Golf at St Andrews. The train is seen climbing past Jamestown viaduct with Inverkeithing as a backdrop as it heads to the summit of the Forth Bridge before dropping down grade towards Edinburgh.
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 19 July 2010

For enthusiasts of narrow gauge industrial steam, diesel and internal combustion engine locomotives, the 2ft system at the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre near Arundel in West Sussex is well worth a visit. Currently, over 25 locomotives are in the collection, although not all are in working order. On the afternoon of Sunday 18 July 2010, 1905 Bagnall 2-4-0T works No. 1781 Polar Bear (formerly with the Groudle Glen Railway on the Isle of Mann) departs with a full load of passengers from Brockham station. In the background, 1917 Bagnall 0-4-0ST works No. 2067 Peter (ex-Cliffe Hill Quarry Co, Leicestershire) rounds the curve towards Amberley with a demonstration freight train.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 20 July 2010

The DBS-operated Crewe electric depot is now the dumping ground for a number of withdrawn main line locos, including a number of Class 56s. On 10 July 2010 Fertis-liveried No. 56031 and Loadhaul-liveried No. 56083 pose in the depot yard pondering their final fate.
Cliff Beeton

Picture of the Day 21 July 2010

Riviera Trains Class 47/8 No. 47812 blends into the landscape of Battlesbury Hill near Warminster on Tuesday 20 July 2010, as it hauls the 10.02 (5Z47) Crewe up (LNWR) Carriage Sidings to Eastleigh East Yard empty stock move. The train consisted of coaches 3144 (Mk. I First Open (FO)), 21245 (Mk. I Corridor Brake Composite), 3141 (Mk. I FO), 5276 (Mk. IIA Standard Open (SO)), 4901 (Mk. I SO), 1863 (Mk. I Miniature Buffet), 3121 (Mk. I FO), 3107 (Mk. I FO), 3098 (Mk. I FO), and 80041 (Support Coach). The photograph was almost ruined when Class 66/0 No. 66143 and the 14.45 (6V41) Eastleigh to Westbury Yard departmental service stopped at a signal check a few minutes before 47812 passed. Fortunately, the train managed to pull away with seconds to spare! The last few wagons can just be seen at the extreme left.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 22 July 2010

Another new livery visits Devon for the first time. Having only been transferred from London Midland to First Great Western on the 18 July 2010, Class 150/1 No. 150125 found itself paired with Class 153 No. 153370 on the 05.26 Bristol Temple Meads to Newquay on 21 July 2010. The train is seen departing from Totnes. The pair stayed together the entire day working Par to Newquay services. This is the first of a batch of Class 150/1s to be transferred to FGW from London Overground and London Midland.
Nathan Williamson

Picture of the Day 23 July 2010

We stay at Totnes for a second day with Picture of the Day. On Friday 23 July 2010, the Network Rail New Measurement Train visited Plymouth on an out and back run from London Paddington. The return train, 1Z19, the 10.01 Plymouth to Paddington is seen passing Totnes formed fro the front 43013, 977995, 977994, 977993, 975814, 977984 and 43014.
Nathan Williamson

Picture of the Day 24 July 2010

Despite being used as a "Christmas tree" ever since it was moved to Ashford Chart Leacon, Class 442 No. 2409 has completed its first mainline outing for a good few years following refurbishment at Wolverton. On 23 July 2010, It is seen racing through Paddock Wood running as the 5Z42 09.36 Chart Leacon to Chart Leacon (via Tonbridge) test run. Class 73/1 No. 73141 was coupled on the rear as insurance
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 25 July 2010

National Express East Anglia Class 90/0 No. 90013 was named The Evening Star at Ipswich station on 23 July 2010. The loco was named by the Mayoress of Ipswich Jane Chambers, the Editor of the Evening Star Nick Pickover, the local MP Ben Gummer and National Express customer service director Andrew Goodrum. The event was to mark the 125th anniversary of the local Ipswich newspaper. The loco was specially cleaned, but not repainted for the occasion. The naming party are seen posing by the plate after unveiling.
Tony Christie

Picture of the Day 26 July 2010

On 24 July 2010 privately owned 'Deltic' No. 55022 Royal Scots Grey rekindles a once familiar sight as it waits to depart from platform 5 at York station powering a GBRf private charter from Newcastle to Scarborough and return via Doncaster RMT.
Peter Marsh

Picture of the Day 27 July 2010

It's 20 years since Class 322 deliveries began. The First of the Class No. 322481 is pictured on 31 May 2006, soon after becoming the first of the class to undergo refurbishment for First Scotrail for use on the North Berwick branch. The train is seen about to join the ECML at Drem Junction with a North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley service. Note the pink banding at the front of the train, subsequently modified to a darker red and with a white upper portion - 322481 was the only unit to carry this livery variation. The Class 322 units will once more move south in 2011, when Class 380 units commence operations on the North Berwick branch - as a point of interest, the New Siemens units will be the first brand new trains to operate the branch since it opened in 1849!
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 28 July 2010

A most extraordinary stock move took place in the city centre of Liverpool on the morning of Wednesday 28 July 2010, when Carriage No. 3, the only surviving motor coach of the famous Liverpool Overhead Railway (LOR) was taken from storage in Bootle to its new home at the Museum of Liverpool, which is due to open in 2011. With the Liver Building in the background, the coach stands in the museum yard just after arriving by low loader. The coach became the first exhibit to arrive at the new museum and once taken inside it will be displayed on the first floor; the same height that it would have travelled when in service! The LOR, affectionately known as the ‘Dockers’ Umbrella,’ was opened in 1893 and became the world’s first elevated railway. It was built to ease congestion along the length of the docks, and later the residential areas of Seaforth Sands and Dingle. The railway closed in 1956.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 29 July 2010

Taken at high a ISO with a 50mm prime lens, DBS Class 66 No. 66221 passes the new Armadale station on the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link with a rail train at 21.43 hours on 27 July 2010. The original Armadale Station site is behind the photographer, while the new station is situated further east to comply with regulations regarding station curvature.
Our photographer comments "digital SLRs coupled with quality lens certainly open up image opportunities previously unobtainable".
Jim Young

Picture of the Day 30 July 2010

The Scarborough Spa Express (SSE) and Scarborough Flyer have now both commenced their summer holiday timetable. As regards the SSE, this is undertaking a different route to previous years and not including the York, Leeds, Harrogate Circle. Instead the train in both the morning and evening is now routed York, Castleford, Wakefield Kirkgate/Westgate and Woodlesford where stops are made to pick up passengers. As a result there are opportunities twice a day to relish the sight and sound of a steam departure from Wakefield Westgate along the main line to Leeds Whitehall Junction. On 28 July, the SSE was in the hands of Black 5 No. 45407 (minus nameplates) and is seen arriving at Wakefield Westgate. An Arriva Cross Country 'Voyager' is seen in platform 1 with the 11.24 to Plymouth.
Peter Marsh

Picture of the Day 31 July 2010

DBS red-liveried Class 59/2 No. 59206 is about to pass under the Severn Bridge near Chepstow with the 6B13 Robeston to Westerleigh "Murco" tanks on 28 July 2010. A service which the locomotive operated each day during the last week of July.
Roger Coleman