Picture of the Day 1 September 2011

Class 66/4 No. 66417 in painted out Direct Rail Services livery, passes St Annes Bristol on 1 September 2011 powering train 4L32, the 11.00 Bristol to Tilbury Freightliner service.
Ian Gould

Picture of the Day 2 September 2011

There were problems for the railway operators at Birmingham Moor Street on the morning of Friday 2 September 2011, when Class 67 No. 67014 Thomas Telford hauling the 08.37 Chiltern Railways ‘Mainline’ service from London Marylebone was signaled into the through Platform 2 instead of the terminal Platform 4 by mistake, thus blocking the busy line into Snow Hill station. After much deliberation, it was decided to run the empty stock forward to Snow Hill station and then reverse to arrive back to Platform 1 at Moor Street to form the 10.55 return service to London Marylebone from there. The Class 67 and Chiltern Mainline liveried Mark IIIA stock is photographed in glorious sunshine arriving at Moor Street running just ten minutes late. From Monday 5 September the Class 67s and former Wrexham Mk3s start a new life operating fast Chiltern services between London and Birmingham.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 3 September 2011

The site owner had departed from the UK on summer holiday, visiting various points on the western side of the United States, mainly in search of interesting passenger and freight trains. One of the points of visit will be San Diego, where this view of a 'Coaster' service was recorded on 16 June 2010, with a five-car formation departing the city towards old Town with an afternoon train bound for Oceanside. We will be back with daily picture of the day updates from the last week on September.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 25 September 2011

TRC are back from their holidays, so the normal POD will now be posted (usually) daily. An image from our recent trip to the US is today's POD to kick us off - It is doubtful that the new MetroLink bi-level Hyundai Rotem cars would win any glamour awards, with the cab cars likely to win an ugly train contest. However, these are the new crash compliant vehicles now being introduced on the Los Angeles area suburban passenger network. A total of 83 passenger cars and 86 cab cars are now on delivery, with the majority of trains seen in September 2011 having at least one new vehicle in the formation. The new Rotem cars are fabricated in South Korea and shipped to the US for fitting out in Los Angeles. Cab car No. 664 leads a four vehicle train of Rotem stock into Los Angeles Union station on 8 September 2011, powered by a pair of MP36PH-3C locos.
Colin J. Marsden

Picture of the Day 26 September 2011

The Leeds to York (via Harrogate) line is set to benefit from major improvements over the next few years with the Leeds to Harrogate section being resignalled from January 2012, and there is also the long term long term possibility of the route being electrified. Semaphore signalling will remain in use for the time being on the Harrogate to York section and on Wednesday 14 September 2011, Northern Class 144 unit No. 144008 comes off the single line from Hammerton and approaches the ‘signal shed’ at the time honoured scene at Poppleton, with the 12.29 Leeds to York service.
John Binch

Picture of the Day 27 September 2011

Taken on the 25 September 2011 at the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala, Caledonian Railway 812 Class 0-6-0 No 828 brightens a dull morning as it approaches Bewdley South Signalbox with the 11.00 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth service. A magnificent sight not only its first working appearance south of the border but also the first time this locomotive has been seen outside the confines of the Strathspey Railway.
Peter Marsh

Picture of the Day 28 September 2011

During the weekend of the 17-18 September 2011, the East Kent Railway held their EMU gala, utilizing stock owned by the EPB Preservation Group and the Southern Electric Group. Highlight of the weekend was the return to passenger service of the SEG’s 4COR motor coach S11161S from unit 3142 for the first time in over 30 years. The coach has received a lot of attention over the summer but is largely unrestored. There were four return trips on each day. For the 11.30 departure from Shepherdswell, S11161S was coupled to the 2EPB unit 5759 and their restored Motor Luggage Van S68001, the ensemble being hauled to Eythorne by Class 09 No. 09025/D4113 in Connex Livery on one side, and BR Green on the other. From Eythorne, the rake was pushed by the shunter with the COR cab in operation which is believed to be a first in over 40 Years! 4 COR vehicle No. S11161S, 2EPB 5759 and MLV S68001are seen being shunted at Shepherdswell at the end of the days operations on 18 September.
Laurel Arnison

Picture of the Day 29 September 2011

DBS Class 60 No. 60007 has finally been released back into traffic and is the first of the fleet to receive a general overhaul at Toton depot. On 23 September 2011 the loco is seen approaching Severn Tunnel Junction with train 6V05 from Round Oak to Margam formed of covered steel wagons.
Mark V. Pike

Picture of the Day 30 September 2011

Southend Pier boasts the title of the longest pleasure pier in the world stretching 1.33 miles in length. The majority of visitors undertake a trip at least one way on the interesting train service complete with passing loop. This view shows unit Sir William Heygate at the pier head station.
Peter Marsh