Picture of the Day 1 July 2011

The second Class 66/0 to emerge from the DB-S paint shop at Toton in DB Schenker red livery is No. 66097. On 30 June 2011 the loco was involved in a special press event at Didcot power station. The ex-works No. 66097 departs from the power station complex with the 4Z36, the 14.01 Didcot Power Station to Didcot Yard empty coal train.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 2 July 2011

Summer Saturdays in Cornwall see Crosscountry Voyagers working over the Newquay branch, On Saturday 2 July 2011, Voyager No. 220033 can be seen leading a double set formed of eight cars with train 1S47 from Newquay to Glasgow service. It is seen at the popular 'photographers' location of Middleway crossing, near St Blazey. The train will shortly give up the single line electric token at St Blazey signal box before rounding the curve to Par where the train will join the mainline on its long journey to Scotland. Summer Saturdays also see Crosscountry HST and First Great Western HST's working to Newquay, replacing units during the summer months
Alan Peters

Picture of the Day 3 July 2011

The Torbay Express on 3 July 2011 was powered by A1 No. 60163 Tornado, which stood-in for the non-available Duke of Gloucester. The loco, recently outshopped in BR Brunswick green livery and has been working on the west Somerset Railway, looked stunning with a complete rake of Great Western-liveried coaches and its maroon support coach. The return run from Kingswear made amazing time, passing along the Dawlish Sea wall some 15 minutes ahead of schedule, running ahead of a FGW passenger service. In good evening light, Tornado hurries towards Cockwood Harbour past the village of Eastdon.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 4 July 2011

Direct Rail Services Class 47 No. 47810 piloting National Express East Anglia Class 90/0 No. 90011 (with DVT No. 82110 on rear) arrive at Great Yarmouth on 2 July 2011 with empty stock from Norwich to form train 1V43, the 10.43 to London Liverpool Street. 2011 again sees a direct Saturday service between London and Great Yarmouth.
Michael J. Collins

Picture of the Day 5 July 2011

The first visit of a London Midland Class 172/3 unit to Worcester line took place on Tuesday 5 July 2011, when No. 172333 worked the 09.04 test run from Tyseley via Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa. The historic run is photographed arriving at Hagley. The unit is passing underneath the Grade II listed original 1884 GWR canopied footbridge, which was used as the prototype for the OO gauge Hornby Railways model.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 6 July 2011

Following last week's departures of preserved Class 306 No. 306017 and ex-Royal Class 47/7 No. 47799, it was the turn of Class 56s Nos. 56059 and 56095 to depart on 5 July 2011. In foul weather, Class 66/0 No. 66137 is seen with train 6V27 at Oxford Hinksey from Eastleigh. Later the ensemble proceeded at train 6M28 to Bescot.
Paul Davis

Picture of the Day 7 July 2011

LNER A4 Pacific No. 60019 Bittern in its current guise as No. 4492 Dominion of New Zealand approaches Keenes Crossing, shortly after leaving Gloucester on 7 July 2011. The loco was working 'The Cathedrals Express,1Z86, an excursion from London Victoria to Cardiff. After a morning of heavy rain, fortune smiled on the photographer as the sun emerged for the vital few moments.
David J. Smith

Picture of the Day 8 July 2011

Dedicated Northern Belle liveried DRS Class 47 No. 47790 Galloway Princess (with No. 47818 on the rear) is seen passing Tilehurst with the 1Z54 10.45 Southampton Western Docks to Glasgow boat train on 7 July 2011 The use of this loco on the boat train was surprising, as the Northern Belle Pullman Train was also out and about.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 9 July 2011

Spitfore Railtours 'Devonian' tour operated from Doncaster to Paignton on 9 July 2011, on the way west an exhaust fire required the train to by piloted by Class 47 No. 47804 from Tiverton Loop, but while the Devonian Railtour was at Goodrington Sidings Paignton, the exhaust problem was sorted out and the return train 1Z34, 17.25 Paignton to Doncaster was led by 'Deltic' No. 55022 piloting Class 47 No. 47804. This image shows the train slowing to take the loop at Dawlish Warren to allow a following 'Voyager' to pass.
Colin J Marsden

Picture of the Day 10 July 2011

An excellent item of railway photographic work, using a long telephoto lens to show that the LSWR main line has some serious gradients!. The view shows a ten coach Class 444 'Desiro' formation led by set No. 444034 forming the 12.05 London Waterloo to Weymouth service on the approaches to Beaulieu Road in the New Forest National Park on 9 July 2011.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 11 July 2011

A daily occurrence 30 years ago, today the sight of a British Rail blue liveried Class 31 on the main line is a rare sight indeed. In this view we see Class 31/1 No. 31106 passing Longport, Stoke on Trent on Sunday 10 July 2011 with train 3Q04, the 15.32 Derby RTC to Carlisle test train consisting of coaches 6263 and 999602 with DBSO No. 9703 on the rear.
Cliff Beeton

Picture of the Day 13 July 2011

National Express East Anglia Class 153 unit No. 153309 Gerrard Fiennes departs from Felixstowe on Tuesday 12 July 2011, with the 15.28 service to Ipswich. The station, originally called Felixstowe Town, was opened on 1 July 1898, and is now but a shadow of its former self, with just Platform 2 in use. The Grade II listed station building which has been converted into the ‘Great Eastern Square’ shopping mall can be seen in the background. The current platform is now situated the other side of the car park from the original station giving it a somewhat isolated appearance. Following the expansion of Felixstowe Docks in the 1960s the station was busy with Freightliner services which had to reverse at the station. However, goods facilities were withdrawn on 5 December 1966, and when the direct line to the docks from Trimley was reopened in the 1970s, all sidings were removed leaving just a single line terminus.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 14 July 2011

The humble diesel shunter is often overlooked in favour of larger, more powerful motive power. This picture of Drewry Class 04 No. D2334, in plain BR green seen here in Cheddleton yard at the Churnet Valley Railway on  25 June 2011, could have been taken in the 1950s before the introduction of the "wasp end stripes" which became standard.
Cliff Beeton

Picture of the Day 15 July 2011

2011 has seen a huge number of changes within the Class 66 fleet. This is the former FastLine No. 66305, now with Direct Rail Services but seen here on hire to Freightliner. The loco is a revised DRS livery is seen departing from Eastleigh with train 4O51, the 09.58 Wentloog (Cardiff) to Southampton Maritime on 13 July 2011.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 16 July 2011

Melton Mowbray station on the Leicester to Peterborough line was refurbished in 2011 with new glass in the platform canopies, resurfaced platforms, improved disabled access to the barrow crossing, a full repaint and a new footbridge to replace the life expired original. The smart new station is photographed on Friday 15 July 2011, as GBRf Class 66/7 No. 66718 Gwyneth Dunwoody slows down to enter the loop with the 10.27 (6L24) Mountorrel to Whitemoor Virtual Quarry loaded stone train.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 17 July 2011

A long way from home! Part of the loan from London Midland to First Great Western for the summer, London Midland-liveried Class 153 No. 153325 approaches Par station on Wednesday, 13 July 2011, coupled to the hybrid set No. 153399 (formed of a 153 and one coach of a Class 150), operating as the 09.36 Exeter (St Davids) to Penzance stopper. London Midland-liveried No. 153333 was also in Par station at the same time, waiting to form a service to Newquay.
John Stretton

Picture of the Day 18 July 2011

One sure way to attract the crowds to Devon is to advertise that A1 no. 60163 Tornado is going to power the Sunday Only 'Torbay Express' On Sunday 17 July 2011 No. 60163 is seen powering towards Teignmouth with the 09.15 service from Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear.
Nigel Curtis

Picture of the Day 19 July 2011

Ex Colas Class 66/8 No. 66845, now numbered into the GBRf Class 66/7 series as No. 66746 but still retaining un-branded Colas-livery, heads west through Twyford on 18 July 2011 powering the 6V36 Bow Olympia to Appleford spoil working. This scene will change in the next few years with the introduction of overhead power equipment on the Great Western Mainline forward from Airport Junction. So - get your photos while you can.
Nathan Williamson

Picture of the Day 20 July 2011

On 19 July 2011 National Railway Museum owned Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard was moved back from Locomotion at Shildon for display at the NRM York. At one time it was scheduled that from this week, it was going to Germany but this seems to have fallen through. No. 5972 Olton Hall (Hogwarts Castle) hauls No. 4468 Mallard past Beningbrough just north of York as train 5Z66, the 10.44 Shildon to York NRM.
Robin Patrick

Picture of the Day 21 July 2011

The days of Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) signaling on the East Suffolk Line are now numbered. Network Rail have been forced to surrender the radio frequencies used on the system by the end of 2012. The signaling will be replaced by a simplified colour light system controlling train movements from signal to signal rather than using continuous signaling. The new signals will be in operation by October 2012. At Saxmundham signal box which currently controls the line, the RETB signaling equipment will be removed and new interlocking installed. On Wednesday 20 July 2011, National Express East Anglia Class 156 unit No. 156412 retaining Central Trains green livery departs past Saxmundham signal box with the 14.57 local service to Ipswich. The train is passing a temporary speed restriction sign warning drivers of the preliminary work which has just begun.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 22 July 2011

On 21 July 2011, DRS provided Class 37/4 No. 37423 to power Network Rail inspection saloon No. 975025 Caroline on a run from Waterloo to Exeter. The train operated as 2Z02, departing from Waterloo at 09.30 and travelling via Richmond, Reading and Basingstoke to gain the LSWR route to the the west. The train, with saloon leading, is seen passing Templecombe.  After spending the night at Exeter, the saloon and loco worked empty back to Derby on 22 July. 
John Mills

Picture of the Day 23 July 2011

It is a long time since a Class 87 last stood under the iconic overall roof at York. However on 23 July 2011, No. 87002 Royal Sovereign pauses briefly awaiting signals hauling special 1Z48 a GBRf staff special from Retford to Edinburgh and return. At the other end of the train Class 86/1 No. 86101 Sir William Stanier was attached to provide lead power on the return journey.  An enterprising and delightful formation bringing some colour to the East Coast Main Line.
Peter Marsh

Picture of the Day 24 July 2011

The First Great Western (FGW) Class 165/1 and Class 166 units introduced by Network SouthEast in 1992 still work London Paddington to Oxford and Newbury services, and look set to continue to do so after the end of the current FGW franchise in 2013. On Saturday 23 July 2011, Class 166 unit No. 166213 (11.07 Oxford to London Paddington) passes a Class 165/1 (11.22 London Paddington to Oxford) at Ruscombe. Although externally very similar, the Class 165/1 units were built by BREL York, while the Class 166 units were built by ABB York (BRELs successor) and are air conditioned, making them more suitable for semi-fast and express services.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 25 July 2011

Northern Class 153 No. 153352 working as 5G01 from Sheffield to Boughton Junction, becomes the first ever Class 153 to traverse the route from Shirebrook to High Marnham on 21 July 2011, when it went to the High Marnham Test Track for trials with sanding equipment. The photo shows the '153' passing Thoresby Colliery signalbox en route to Boughton Junction. It was due to take part in trials at Tuxford Station after the fitting of test sanding equipment. Previously in the week Class 142 No. 142031 was also used for sanding trials.
Chris Booth

Picture of the Day 26 July 2011

GWR 2884 class 2-8-0 No. 3802 brings the 11.00 from Llangollen into picturesque Berwyn station on Saturday 23 July 2011.  The chain bridge across the River Dee in the background was recently sold to the local council for £1.00 as the cost of repairs was beyond the means of the Chainbridge Hotel.  At present it is not useable, but restoration is planned.
Owen Evans

Picture of the Day 27 July 2011

On 27 July 2011 DBS EW&S-liveried Class 60 No. 60049 was given the job of powering train 6B13, the 05.05 Robeston to Westerleigh loaded bogie tanks. Formed of 29 TEA bogie wagons, the train is seen taking the eastbound through line through Newport station at 09.45. After passing Newport the train is routed via Gloucester to travel south on the Gloucester-Bristol line to gain access to the Westerleigh terminal.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 28 July 2011

A verdant Hope Valley vista: Photographed from the top of the 1,562ft summit of Lose Hill on Tuesday 26 July 2011, Clough Farm and Nether Moor form the imposing background as Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66525 approaches its journey’s end at Earles’s Sidings (Hope) with empty cement tanks from Weaste (Eccles).
John Binch

Picture of the Day 29 July 2011

WCRC have recently bought Class 47/7 No. 47746 which was stabled at Long Marston for a number of years, it is seen here sandwiched between WCRC Class 57/6 No. 57601 and ex-Cotswold Rail/Advenza Class 47 No. 47237 passing through Lower Moor on the Cotswold line between Pershore and Evesham on 28 July 2011, the convoy was bound for Carnforth.
Jack Boskett

Picture of the Day 30 July 2011

After a lengthy closed period for refurbishment, Network Rail has re-opened the Kent Viaduct between Arnside & Grange-over-Sands on time. This view of the imposing structure shows DBS Class 67 No. 67028 passing over slowly with the 1Z36 06.06 Cardiff Central to Carlisle charter on 27 July 2011.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 31 July 2011

One of the most popular steam locos in traffic, No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth makes a volcanic departure from Carlisle station with a returning Cumbrian Mountain Express on 30 July 2011 and heads for the S&C route, over which the New Measurement Train (from where this image was recorded) has just come.
Andrew Royle