Picture of the Day 1 March 2008

On Saturday 1 March 2008, preserved Class 86 No. 86259 Les Ross operated over the main line for the first time in preservation when it powered a Birmingham to Preston charter. The outward leg of the tour is seen passing Acton Gate near Stafford.
Jack Boskett www.jacksrailwayphotos.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 2 March 2008

The next order of Freightliner Class 66/5s is nearing completion in Canada and on 1 March 2008 the VERY rare working of a pair under their own power was recorded at Stratford, Ontario, when Nos. 66595 and 66596 were captured undergoing test running through the station. Note the North American temporary headlights on the front end, no UK style buffers and a US style knuckle coupler. The pair had been taken in from the London factory of EMD to complete testing prior to shipping to the UK.
Bruce Douglas c/o of Don McQueen

Picture of the Day 3 March 2008

The new method of operating Network Rail test trains with a Mk2 DBSO at one end and a loco at the other is currently being tested. Between 3-7 March, DBSO 9703, three make up vehicles and Class 31 No. 31233 are booked to operate train 5Z47 10.01 Stafford to Stafford, shown here at Bushbury Junction on 3 March 2008.
Simon Edwards http://simon-edwards.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 4 March 2008

Following last Saturdays naming of DB/Schenker Class 60 No. 60074 Teenage Spirit in honour of the Teenage Cancer Trust, the loco has operated to the West. On 4 March, No. 60074 was captured passing Natton near Cheltenham powering train 6E41 11.22 Westerleigh - Lindsey empty oil. It is interesting to note that this repaint has done away with the EWS brand name, using the DB/Schenker title.
Jack Boskett - www.jacksrailwayphotos.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 5 March 2008

First/GBRF Metronet-liveried No. 66722is seen traversing the Durham Coast line at Dawdon on 4 March 2008 powering the Aberdeen-Doncaster 'mud-oil' tanks. This is the first reported trip via 'the coast' for this train.
Ken Short

Picture of the Day 6 March 2008

Northern Railway two-car Class 150 'Sprinter' No. 150222 emerges from Barmoor Clough Tunnel near Dove Holes with a Manchester to Buxton local service on 4 March 2008.
Charlie Robbins

Picture of the Day 7 March 2008

A very popular recent edition to the South Devon Railway modern traction fleet at Buckfastleigh is Class 122 'Bubble No. 55000 or 122100. The coach has taken several years to restore both externally and inside and is a credit to the preservation movement. The vehicle is seen at Buckfastleigh on 3 February 2008.
Stacey Thew

Picture of the Day 8 March 2008

The 20.40 Inverness to London Euston ScotRail Sleeper service on the night of 07-08 March 2008, powered south of Edinburgh by Class 90 No. 90024 was terminated at Crewe due to operating problems in the Birmingham area. The loco and stock operated mid morning empty from Crewe to Bescot yard and are shown passing Acton Gate near Stafford.
Jamie Squibbs

Picture of the Day 9 March 2008

For the second day running we feature the ScotRail sleeper as our Picture of the Day. Today, 9 March 2008 this double headed empty stock move was captured passing Bourne End north of Hemel Hempsted, running as the 5M16 11.40 Bescot to Wembley. The train was formed of EWS Class 90 No. 90018, Scotrail-liveried No. 90021 and stock Nos. 9803, 6706, 10722, 10610, 10614, 10508, 10600, 10683, 9800, 6707, 10699, 10527, 10523, 10675, 10565, 10580.
Jamie Squibbs

Picture of the Day 10 March 2008

Ex-Great Western Railway 'Modified Hall' No. 7903 Foremarke Hall is seen on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Manor Lane on 9 March 2008 during a gala event on the preserved railway.
Jack Boskett - www.jacksrailwayphotos.fotopic.net

Picture of the Day 11 March 2008

Still painted in full South West Trains livery, Scotrail presently operate sets Nos. 158786 and 158789. On 11 March 2008, set No. 158786 is seen leaving Livingston North with the 13.55 Bathgate to Newcraighall service. The surroundings are covered in concrete dust from the shot-creting of the widened cutting in preparation for redoubling of the tracks.
James Young

Picture of the Day 12 March 2008

On Wednesday 12 March Network Rail registered Class 01 No. 01549 was captured traversing the Caerwent branch in Wales. The industrial loco took over from EWS No. 67026 which has hauled a rake of scrap ex InterCity and Virgin stock from Crewe. The main line loco came off the train at Portskewett and the Class 01 then hauled the train into the MoD base,
Jamie Squibbs

Picture of the Day 13 March 2008

Pioneer Class 323 unit No. 323201 became the first member of its class to be refurbished and reliveried into the new London Midland livery at Wolverton in February 2008. The unit re-entered service in early March. On Thursday 13 March, the unit runs alongside the Worcester and Birmingham Canal as it leaves Birmingham University station with the 11.33 Longbridge to Lichfield City service. Refurbishment of the remaining 25 London Midland Class 323 units is expected to be completed by October this year.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 14 March 2008

Advenza Freight No. 57005 powered a further powercar move from Brush Traction to FGW at Landore on 14 March 2008. The loco powered train 5Z46, 11.10 Brush-Landore formed of Class 43s Nos. 43133 and 43175 with barrier car No. 6336 coupled between. The transit move is seen passing Undy. Jamie Squibs

Picture of the Day 15 March 2008

The Chilterns were blessed with 'top and tail' DRS Class 47s, Nos. 47802 and 47712 powering the Stobart Pullman on Saturday 15 March 2008, working train 1Z94, the 08,16 Letchworth to Stratford upon Avon, bringing some welcome loco haulage to the Chiltern route. The train is seen near High Wycombe
Paul Davis

Picture of the Day 16 March 2008

On Sunday 16 March, First GBRf operated a driver training run from Shieldmuir to Ayr and return, formed of Class 47 No. 47848 hauling 'Railnet' EMU No. 325006. The train is seen passing Falkland Yard, Ayr.
Simon Jones

Picture of the Day 17 March 2008

EWS Class 92, 92022 Charles Dickens arrives at Newark North Gate on 15 March 2008 powering train 1Z54, the 07.25 King's Cross-Newcastle Pathfinder Tours 'Choppington Changer'. No. 92022 was booked to take the train forward to Doncaster where it was replaced by Fastline Frieght Class 56/3 No. 56303.
Derek WIlson

Picture of the Day 18 March 2008

We look at the West Somerset Railway for today's 'Picture of the Day". It shows the unusual combination of visiting engines "Black Five" No. 45110 and "Super D" No. 49395, which make a fine sight as they approach Crowcombe Heathfield powering the 12.45 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard on 14 March 2008.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 19 March 2008

Network Rail Class 31s Nos. 31602 and 31233 top and tail track inspection coach No. DB999508 through Stratford on 19 March 2008 forming train 1Q15 from Ferme Park to Colchester via Purfleet. The train is seen pulling off the North London Line and joining the Great Eastern local track heading east.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 20 March 2008

Driver training has continued this week for the launch of the new Wrexham to London Marylebone service which will use hired-in EWS Class 67s and Mk3 stock. The Banbury-Marylebone WSMR training runs have used Class 67s Nos.  67021 and 67016 top and tail of three Mk3s, two FOs and a sleeping coach. Our photographer thinks this is the first time Mk3 sleeping stock has operated over this route. The train is seen near High Wycombe on 18 March 2008.
Paul Davis

Picture of the Day 21 March 2008

Pictures these days of the London area of the Great Western main line with overhead electrification seem to be rather few and far between. However, on 17 March 2008 FGW Local No. 165118 pulls off the Greenford branch at West Ealing and joins the 'up' local line towards Paddington. In the background under the bridge is the Plasser track machine workshops.
Charlie Robbins

Picture of the Day 22 March 2008

Easter on the Isle of Wight this year while sunny was a little chill, especially for the open top bus seen here meeting the train at Ryde Esplanade on 21 March. Just one of the Isle of Wight sets, No. 006 still sports dinosaur livery and this is scheduled to be repainted into red by summer.The Isle of Wight rail network from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin is mainly single line, with a double track section between Ryde Esplanade and Smallbrook Junction and a passing place at Sandown. The section over Ryde Pier uses one line. The second track over the pier is used for a summer peak 'shuttle' service between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade.
Stacey Thew

Picture of the Day 23 March 2008

After working a charter yesterday from Cardiff to Chester and return, the Northern Belle Pullman train spent the night at Newport, before returning north on Easter Sunday. Powered by EWS VIP-liveried Class 67 No. 67029 the train is seen passing Ponthir between Newport and Cwmbran, bound for Crewe.
Jamie Squibbs

Picture of the Day 24 March 2008

We go back in time 14 years for today's Picture of the Day. The view is at Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren and shows the first Transrail liveried pairing to traverse the Sea Wall, when on 10 September 1994 Nos. 56044 and 60097 powered the 10.35 St Blazey to Newport ADJ air braked freight service formed of a short rake of demonstration wagons. the wagons and locos had been on display at St Blazey to mark the launch of Transrail.
Colin J. Marsden