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Saturday 30 June 2012

Thirteen from Five

The title doesn't lie, there are thirteen pics in this post, 30th June 2012, but from only five contributors. This is because I have had a late influx of June dated pics. Although the final qualifying date for the 'Pic of the Month', June 2012 competition will be July 6th, there will be just one more post before that closing date. This also means that not all of them can possibly be posted. I will endeavour to get as many as I can on the blog (while not neglecting other pre-June pics): here's a start.


WINWICK



First up is a Jeff Nicholls' pic taken at Winwick on 14th June 2012. Depicted is is double heading pair of DRS class 37s, 37609 and 37606, heading a single spent nuclear fuel flask, southbound.

Code - June W12







Shot number two is from Bob McClellan. DBS class 60, 60040 The Territorial Army Centenary, is shown heading coal empties at the Ferry Inn near the Marina. The pic is dated 25th June 2012.

Code - June W13







Our third pic has been sent in by Matthew Chambers. GBRf class 66, 66715 Valour, is pictured at Earlestown "working 6Z69 Doncaster Decoy to Liverpool Bulk Terminal via Crewe." Matthew adds "This was a trial run operating out of Liverpool on the next day with one wagon loaded with biomass; the rest of the wagons were loaded with coal to see if the loco could manage the incline out of LBT."  The pic is dated 16th June 2012.
Code - June W14




The fourth and final pic in this Winwick area section is from Jeff Nicholls. EWS (DBS) class 90, 90018, is shown crossing the Mersey at Twelve Arches on 30th May 2012. The working was Arpley - Crewe, wagons for repair. Nice reflection, Jeff.









ALTERNATIVE UK PICS




David Quayle has sent in an impressive collection of pics from his recent trips around Britain's Heritage Railways. The first one, pic number five, was taken at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway on 20th June 2012. Pictured is ex SR 'U' class 2-6-0, No.1638, one of a pair running on the Bluebell.

Code - June A14





David's next shot, number six, was taken on the West Somerset Railway on 11th June 2012.  Shown at Minehead is ex GWR 2-6-0 loco No. 9351 on a pessenger service. Based on the GWR 4300 class 2-6-2 locomotive, 9351 was rebuilt from No. 5193 of the '5101'  'Prairie', class by the WSR.

Code - June A15





David's third shot, number seven in this section,  was taken on the Mid Hants Railway at Ropley on 18th June 2012. Ex  London Midland and Western Regions of British Railways, BR class '5' 4-6-0, No.73096, is shown alongside Stanier 'Black 5' 4-6-0, No.45379.

Code - June A16





Bob McClellan has sent in pic number eight, of DCR class 56, 56311 dragging class 33, 33103 Swordfish, to the Wensleydale Railway on 28th June 2012. This pic is dated 28th June 2012 and the location was Stenson Junction.

Code - June A17





Bob has also sent in pic number nine, showing DBS TATA steel liveried class 60, 60099, taken at Stenson Junction on 28th June 2012. The working was Westerleigh - Lindsey empty oil tanks.

Code - June A18






Pic number ten features DBS class 66, 66152, on a gypsum working at Wigan North Western on 9th May 2012. The pic has been sent in by Matthew Chambers.








Geoff Monks has supplied pic number eleven, taken at Chorlton on 20th June 2012. The southbound working was a Crewe Basford Hall - Thamesport intermodal and the loco was Freightliner class 66, 66556.

Code - June A19






Our penultimate pic, number twelve, is another from  Matthew Chambers. Pictured is GBRF class 66, 66715 Valour, heading a LBT-Eggborough Power Station working of loaded coal/biomass. Matthew's pic is dated 17th June 2012 and the location was Bamfurlong

Code - June A20




 The final pic, number twelve, is a fourth from David Quayle, this one taken on the Swanage Railway.  Pictured is ex SR re-built 'West Country' class 4-6-2, No.34028 Eddystone, running light engine at Swanage on 17th June 2012.  Southern Locomotives Ltd owns 34028 and also owns, restores, maintains and operates other steam locomotives.

Code - June A21





You have until 2400hrs tonight  to vote for the 'Pic of the Month', May 2012 competition. Even though the voting system has been simplified not enough of you are voting; it's the same eight or nine people every month (we have thirty-seven contributors). Please vote. Just send me the yellow code numbers of the three pics you have chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section, Winwick and Alternatives (UK and World). All May dated pics posted between May 1st - June 6th have such code numbers. My email address is at the top of the blog. You don't have to contribute to vote - if you read the blog you qualify to vote.

NOTE : These monthly competitions are in danger of extinction because of lack on interest. As I have indicated above, only a few people bother to vote each month. If interest does not improve they will be scrapped next year.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Eight Diesel, Three Steam Locos

Just nine pics in today's post, 26th June 2012, reflecting the lousy weather of late leading to a slight drop in contributions. Today's pics are from eight contributors with diesel locomotion to the fore.



WINWICK




First pic is from Jeff Nicholls. It is a scan from a February 1985 slide of a BR, small logo class 47, 47489. The location was Winwick.  Good to see these older pics revitalised by digital means.








Next up, pic number two, is a class 56, 56312, on a Crewe-Kilmarnock empty stock move. Wasn't this the ARTEMIS loco? The pic is from Geoff Monks, the location was Winwick and the date, 25th June 2012.

Code - June W9







Bob McClellan has sent in the next two pics, both of red 'tugs'. Pic number three is of DBS class 60, 60015, on coal duty by the Ferry Inn on 25th June 2012.

Code - June W10







On the same day, 25th June 2012, Bob took pic number four at Sankey Bridges. Featured is DBS class 60, 60054, on another coal run.

 Code - June W11








The fifth pic in this Winwick area section is from yours truly. Taken at Red Bank on 9th March 2012 DRS class 66, 66301 is shown heading an intermodal working. The weather was sunny but the sky backdrop  was very dark resulting in a picture of contrasts.








ALTERNATIVE UK PICS




Pic number six is from David Quayle. Pictured is a double heading duo of steam locos on the Llangollen Railway on 22nd April 2012.  To the fore is Stanier 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No. 44806 with BR 'Standard' class '7' 4-6-2, No.70000 Britannia, behind.







Our seventh shot is from Matthew Chambers, taken at Wigan North Western on 18th June 2012. Two DRS class 57s are shown on a Sellafield - Crewe, spent nuclear fuel flasks working. The locos were 57008 Telford International Railfreight Park June -2009, and 57007.

 Code - June A11





Another 'tug' is up next, pic number eight from David Wood. Shown is EWS (DBS) class 60, 60065 Spirit of Jaguar,  on a coal working at Rainhill on 14th June 2012.

 Code - June A12








Last but certainly not least is a pic of BR 'Standard' class '4', 2-6-4T No.80080, standing next to Bury South Signal Box on the ELR. Barry Rigby's pic is dated 4th June 2012.

Code - June A13











You have just four days left to  vote for the 'Pic of the Month', May 2012 competition. Even though the voting  system has been simplified not enough of you are voting; it's the same eight or nine people every month (we have thirty-seven contributors).  Please vote. Just send me the yellow code numbers of the three pics you have chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section, Winwick and Alternatives (UK and World).  All May dated pics posted between May 1st - June 6th have such code numbers. My email address is at the top of the blog.  You don't have to contribute to vote - if you read the blog you qualify to vote.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Five from Winwick; Six Alternatives

For today, 21st June 2012, I am using eleven pics sent in by nine contributors covering classes of steam, diesel and electric traction.


WINWICK



David Wood has sent in the first pic, taken at Winwick on 20th June 2012. Featured are double heading DBS class 67s, 67022 and 67026 Royal Sovereign, with a Wigan - Arpley working.

Code - June W7





Next up, is a pic from Jeff Nicholls. An 11-car 'Pendolino' unit, 390 157, is shown at Bank Quay with another 9-car unit, opposite. The pic, number 2, is dated 9th May 2012.







Shot number three is another from Jeff Nicholls. The same two class 67s as in David Woods' shot above are pictured at Bank Quay on the same day, 20th June 2012. The locos were both powered but reversed in Jeff's shot.

 Code - June W8





A light engine Colas class 66, 66846 is up next, pic number four, from John Smith. The location was Winwick and the date, 27th April 2012.







Pic number five has been sent in by Alan Rigby and is the last of a sequence I am using taken when the oilseed rape field was in glorious flower. The date was 2nd May 2012 and the location was Winwick. The loco heading gypsum wagons was EWS (DBS) class 66, 66135.










ALTERNATIVE UK PICS




First shot in this section, pic number six, is from Barry Rigby and features ex L&NWR class 'G2' 0-8-0, No.49395, (built in 1921). The location was the East Lancashire Railway at Bury and the date, 4th June 2012.


Code - June A7







Shot number seven features Freightliner 'PowerHaul' class 70, 70014, northbound through Chorlton with five ex Railtrack wagons. The pic is from Geoff Monks and dated 20th June 2012.

 Code - June A8






Shot number eight is of an ex GWR  2-6-2 Prairie tank locomotive, No.4566, taken at Highley on the SVR. The pic is dated  23rd March 2012 and was sent in by David Quayle.










We focus on two other Freightliner 'PowerHaul' class 70 locos in shot number nine, this one from Matthew Chambers.  70019 is shown behind 70015 on a Carlisle - Crewe working on 18th June 2012. The location was Wigan North Western.

 Code - June A9





The tenth pic is from Dave Harris. The 'Northern Belle' empty passenger stock is  shown in Dave's shot, en route from Neville Hill to Crewe. The location was Highfield Moss and the date, 10th June 2012. The loco is DRS, (Northern Belle livery) class 47, 47832 Solway Princess. Dave points out that the concrete base in the foreground is ready for the installation of a mast. BTW masts are now in place on the Chat Moss route.

Code - June A10





The final shot, number eleven, is a second from Matthew Chambers. BARS class 31 31190, (D5613) in BR green, is shown light engine at Wigan North Western, on 28th May 2012.







Only one person has bothered to vote so far for the 'Pic of the Month', May 2012 competition. Please vote. The voting system is simpler than ever - just send me the yellow code numbers of the three pics you have chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section, Winwick and Alternatives (UK and World). All May dated pics posted between May1st - June 6th have such code numbers. My email address is at the top of the blog. If you are reading this post you are eligible to vote, contributor or not.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Another 'Baker's Dozen'

This month has become another washout with respect to photography, hence the lack of June dated shots to date. Thirteen pics in today's post, 16th June 2012, sent in by eleven photographers; steam, diesels and electrics.




WINWICK



First up is a pic from Jeff Nicholls taken on 14th June 2012. Jeff was sleep walking for this one which came through Winwick at 06.45hrs. Pictured is ex LMS Stanier 'Pacific', No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland, with support coach.

Code - June W5






Next, pic number two, is a shot of Colas class 47, 47739 Robin of Templecombe on a Birkenhead TMD - Kilmarnock Barclay working comprising a dmu move. A translator coach is at each end of the unit. The pic is from Dave Harris and it was taken on 6th May 2012.






John Smith has sent in pic number three, taken at Red Bank on 26th May 2012. EWS (DBS) class 92, 92036 Bertolt Brecht, is shown heading a familiar intermodal working.







A dmu unit is up next, pic number four from David Wood. Class 158s are the least common of the dmu's seen at Winwick. Pictured is Arriva class 158, 158841 travelling southbound, on 9th May 2012.





Paul Holland has supplied shot number five, taken at Arpley on 18th May2012. Pictured in a busy scene are EWS (DBS) class 60, 60045 The Permanent Way Institution, EWS (DBS) class 66, 66181 and class31,  D5613 (31190).







Pic number six is from David Wood. DBS red liveried class 60, 60015, is shown at Rainhill on a LBT-FFPS coal working. The pic is dated 14th June 2012.

Code - June W6








ALTERNATIVE  UK  PICS




Pic number seven, the first in this section, is from Barry Rigby. Depicted is a 'Statesman' tour heading through Horton-in-Ribblesdale on 14th June 2012. The loco is class 47, 47580 County of Essex, sporting a 'Diamond Jubilee' union flag.

Code - June A5




The eighth shot is from Matthew Chambers and features double heading DRS class 57s, 57002 and 57004, heading spent nuclear fuel flasks through Wigan North Western, on 23rd May 2012.







Geoff Monks has supplied our next pic, number nine, taken Daresbury on 14th June 2012. Preserved electric class 86, 86259 Les Ross, is pictured on the Euston - Carnforth leg of a railtour to Carlisle. Steam loco, Duchess of Sutherland, was booked for the Carnforth - Carlisle - Carnforth legs.


Code - June A6



Another of Barry Rigby's shots is up next, pic number ten. East Midlands 'Meridian' class 222, 222 012, is shown at Clay Cross on 23rd May 2012. The working was Sheffield - St Pancras.







Shot number eleven has been sent in by Colin Platt. Several of his NYMR pics have featured recently and here is another, of ex LNER Gresley 'A4' 4-6-2, No.4464 Bittern. The location was Pickering and the date, 4th May 2012.







Two of David Quayle's shots finish off this section. Pic number twelve shows ex GNR Gresley class 'N2', 0-6-2 tank loco No 1744 (BR 69523) at Llangollen dragging a passenger working on 22nd April 2012.






David's next shot, number thirteen, was taken on the SVR at Bewdley on 24th March 2012. It shows  ex LNER, Gresley 'A4', No.4464 Bittern, and ex NER 'Jinty' tank No.69023 rather cleverly framed by a coach end, and the back end of an ex GWR prairie tank.









I have received no votes yet for the 'Pic of the Month', May 2012 competition. The voting system is simpler than ever - just send me the yellow code numbers of the three pics you have chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section, Winwick and Alternatives (UK and World). All May dated pics posted between May1st - June 6th have code numbers. My email address is at the top of the blog. Everyone reading this post is eligible to vote, contributor or not.


Monday 11 June 2012

Duchess x Four

It's all in the title. Today's post, 11th June 2012, comprises twelve pics, four of which depict the 'Duchess' steam loco, No.46233. Eleven contributors are represented.



WINWICK



First up is Jeff Nicholls' shot of the Stanier 'Pacific' No.46233, Duchess of Sutherland, passing northbound through Winwick in the pouring rain, on 9th June 2012.  The PMR railtour, 'The Royal Scot', was working Milton Keynes - Carlisle and return with the 'Duchess' on the Crewe - Carlisle - Crewe legs.


Code - June W1





Pic number two, featuring the same railtour, is from Geoff Monks. The location and date were the same as above.

Code - June W2







The third pic is from Alan Rigby. Featured is a NRTT (Network Rail Test Train) passing southbound through Winwick, on 2nd May 2012. The lead loco is class 43, 43013 with 43062 on the tail.












Pic number four is from Dave Harris. Depicted is preserved class 47 diesel, 47580 County of Essex, (now with the union flag on the side, a feature of Stratford-based locos) on the tail of Crewe - Carnforth empty coaching stock working. Up front was WCRC class 47, 47854, recently named Diamond Jubilee. Dave's pic is date 4th June 2012.

Code - June W3




The Brunswick Green 'Duchess' is again featured in pic number five, this one from Colin Platt. It is the same working as the previous two pics, but in reverse. The location was Red Bank and the date was the same, 9th June 2012.

Code - June W4







ALTERNATIVE UK PICS





The sixth shot is from Paul Holland and is another of his 'retro look' shots. Pictured is the Fairburn 2-6-4 tank loco, No.42085, leaving Lakeside Station on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, near Ulverston, pulling an observation coach(?). Paul's pic is dated 4th June 2012.

Code - June  A1





Pic number seven is the first of two sent in by Barry Rigby. BR 'Standard' class '4', 2-6-4 tank loco No.80080, is shown at Bury on the ELR. The date was 4th June 2012.


Code - June A2






Ieuan Wood has sent in shot number eight, taken at Holyhead on 3rd June 2012. The loco is Arriva liveried class 67, 67001.


Code - June A3






Barry Rigby's second shot, pic number nine, was taken at Horton-in-Ribblesdale on 2nd June 2012. This is our fourth shot featuring the Stanier 4-6-2, No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland.



Code - June A4





Matthew Chambers has sent in pic number ten showing three DRS class 37s, 37604, 37606 with dead in tow, 37611. The location was Bamfurlong and the date, 18th May 2012.









Pic number eleven features a class 40 diesel, D335 and a class 37 diesel, 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer, standing at Bury on the East Lancs Railway. The pic is dated 3rd March 2012 and the photographer was Ken Young.








The final pic, number twelve, is from Paul Boyland. It is another of his father's shots taken in the early 1960s at Acton Bridge. Pictured is Stanier class '8F' 2-8-0 No.48569 on a goods train. Paul is one of the trainspotters in the group on the platform.  No.8569 was one of a group built by the North British Locomotive Co for the War Department between 1940-42.







Voting has started for the 'Pic of the Month', May 2012 competition. The voting system is simpler than ever -  just send me the yellow code numbers of the three pics you have chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each section, Winwick and Alternatives (UK and World). All May dated pics posted between May1st - June 6th have code numbers. My email address is at the top of the blog. Everyone reading this post is eligible to vote, contributor or not.