Photo Class 170205 Abellio Greater Anglia Turbostar DMU Train Ely Station 2014

Class 170205 Greater Anglia Diesel Multiple Unit, Ely Station

Class 170205 at Ely         Photo: Charles Moorhen

UK Class 170205 diesel multiple unit, (DMU) UK passenger train, in Abellio Greater Anglia Trains blue and white livery disgorges its passengers at Ely station in June 2014.

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Photo Class 43075 East Midlands Trains HST Intercity 125 Cab Front

East Midlands Train Class 43075 Intercity 125, Wellingborough

Photo: Charles Moorhen

A colourful close-up photo of freshly repainted UK Class 43075 Intercity 125 High Speed passenger train cab front taken at Wellingborough station.

It was purely the collection of rich colours that prompted me to take this photo, plus the fact that it suits the pointed shape of the Class 43 so well.   A real improvement on the early Midland Mainline livery that was a common sight for a number of years on this line.

East Midlands Trains Class 43075 diesel power unit was built at Crewe Works in January 1976.

The locomotive's depot is Neville Hill T&RSMD (Leeds).

 

SCRAPPED:

The end of the line finally came for East Midlands Trains Intercity 125 power car 43075 when, on the 27th October 2021, along with power car 43061, it was towed by diesel locomotive Class 57312 from Long Marston to Newport to be disposed of at Sims Metals.  The two power cars were the first to be sent for scrapping that had not been involved in an accident.

News Update;
Seeing East Midlands Trains colourful livery of red, white, orange and red flashing along the railway tracks, will soon become a thing of the past.

Abellio will take over the East Midlands Trains franchise on Saturday 18th August 2019. The Class 43 HST Intercity 125 and Class 222 diesel multiple unit will gradually be phased out by brand new Hitachi trains that will be a variant of the bullet-nosed Class 800 bio-mode DMU.

The new trains will have a lavender livery and be branded with 'EMR' on both sides.

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Photo Class 31173 British Rail UK Diesel Locomotive Peterborough 1988

BR Class 31173 Diesel Loco, Peterborough

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

A close up view of UK British Rail Class 31173 diesel locomotive in BR Blue livery pulls into Peterborough station hauling a train of postal coaches, an operation long since confined to history and memory, in 1988.

Class 31173 was built at Brush Traction, Loughborough, in February 1960.  The locomotive was withdrawn from British Rail service on the 14th April 1989 and subsequently scrapped at MC Metals in Glasgow.

 

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive Historical Note:

Whilst hauling a train in which Queen Elizabeth II was travelling on 4th January 1961, D5667 (31240), broke down south of Cambridge.

  

Two onboard Brush fitters, on hand to deal with any mechanical problems that may occur, were unable to fix the problem and a steam loco had to be sent for in order to rescue the stricken diesel adding over an hour to the completed journey.

 

 

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Night Photo Class 43157 Yorkshire Evening Post Intercity 125 Peterborough 1988

Class 43157 Intercity 125, 'Yorkshire Evening Post' Peterborough Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

UK Class 43157 'Yorkshire Evening Post' Intercity 125 High Speed Train is seen in this night photo at Peterborough station in December 1988.

 

According to the NREA 'The Spotter's Companion' for 2004, Intercity 125 43157 had by this time lost its name.

Note the Post Office trolleys on the platform to the right of the picture.  These, and the Post Office workers who made use of them, were once a very common sight on railway stations throughout Britain. 

Now, just a part of railway history.

Diesel power unit Class 43157 has now been re-numbered and is operating as one of the Cross Country Trains fleet as Class 43357.  Its name has been removed.

                                                Class 43357 in Cross Country Livery



The Peterborough train image (top) was the first long exposure night photo of a train that I had ever taken.  I used a Pentax 35mm camera.

Not possessed of a tripod at the time, I had to improvise with a platform trolley, similar to the example to the right of the picture, and balance the camera upon that to get the shot.   




News Update:
Seeing East Midlands Trains colourful livery of red, white, orange and red flashing along the railway tracks, will soon become a thing of the past.

Abellio will take over the East Midlands Trains franchise on Saturday 18th August 2019. The Class 43 HST Intercity 125 and Class 222 diesel multiple unit will gradually be phased out by brand new Hitachi trains that will be a variant of the bullet-nosed Class 800 bio-mode DMU.

The new trains will have a lavender livery and be branded with 'EMR' on both sides.

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Photo British Rail Blue Class 31168 UK Diesel Loco Bletchley 1988

Class 31168 Diesel Locomotive, on Bletchley Sidings Waiting To Be Scrapped

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Looking in a sad state of affairs, with its rusty bodywork and oil-soaked underframe, UK British Rail Class 31168 diesel loco in BR Blue livery stands on the sidings at Bletchley station.

Sandwiched between two other Class 31s, 31168 which was built at Brush Traction, Loughborough, in February 1960, was withdrawn from service on the 20th December 1991 and subsequently scrapped on the 31st May 2001.

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive Historical Note:

Whilst hauling a train in which Queen Elizabeth II was travelling on 4th January 1961, D5667 (31240), broke down south of Cambridge.  

 

Two onboard Brush fitters, on hand to deal with any mechanical problems that may occur, were unable to fix the problem and a steam loco had to be sent for in order to rescue the stricken diesel adding over an hour to the completed journey.

 

 

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Photo Class 31146 BR Diesel Loco Railfreight Livery March Station 1989

  Class 31146 Diesel Locomotive, March Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

British Rail Class 31146 UK diesel loco, in BR Railfreight livery, hauls an empty freight train between the deserted and weed-strewn platforms of the single-line March railway station, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.

 

Class 31146 in November 1959 at Brush Traction, Loughborough, and once carried the name Brush Veteran.

This diesel locomotive was withdrawn from service on the 24th March 2000 and scrapped on the 1st July 2004.

 

 

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive Historical Note:

Whilst hauling a train in which Queen Elizabeth II was travelling on 4th January 1961, D5667 (31240), broke down south of Cambridge.  

 

Two onboard Brush fitters, on hand to deal with any mechanical problems that may occur, were unable to fix the problem and a steam loco had to be sent for in order to rescue the stricken diesel adding over an hour to the completed journey.

 

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Photo BR Class 31130 UK Diesel Loco and BR Brake Van Wellingborough 1990s

British Rail Class 31130 Diesel Locomotive, Wellingborough

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Running virtually 'light' UK British Rail Class 31130 diesel locomotive, in BR Railfreight livery, hauls a lone former British Railways brake van through Wellingborough station on a summer's day in the 1990s.

 

Built in 1959 at Brush Traction, Loughborough, UK, Class 31130 was  originally number D5548 and based at Ipswich shed.

31130, now carrying the name Calder Hall Power Station, is one of two Class 31 diesel locomotives based at the Avon Valley Railway, Bath Road, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS30 6HD.

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive Historical Note:

Whilst hauling a train in which Queen Elizabeth II was travelling on 4th January 1961, D5667 (31240), broke down south of Cambridge.  

 

Two onboard Brush fitters, on hand to deal with any mechanical problems that may occur, were unable to fix the problem and a steam loco had to be sent for in order to rescue the stricken diesel adding over an hour to the completed journey.

 

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Photo Class 222001 East Midlands Meridian DEMU Train Wellingborough 2011

Class 222001 Diesel Multiple Unit, Wellingborough

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

On a bright summer's day, East Midlands Trains Class 222001 UK diesel multiple unit (DMU), flashes at speed through a virtually deserted Wellingborough station on its way north on a passenger service from London St. Pancras in September 2011.

News Update:

Seeing East Midlands Trains colourful livery of red, white, orange and red flashing along the railway tracks, will soon become a thing of the past.

Abellio will take over the East Midlands Trains franchise on Saturday 18th August 2019. The Class 43 HST Intercity 125 and Class 222 diesel multiple unit will gradually be phased out by brand new Hitachi trains that will be a variant of the bullet-nosed Class 800 bio-mode DMU.

The new trains will have a lavender livery and be branded with 'EMR' on both sides.

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Photo Class 31108 'Eastenders' UK Diesel Loco Northampton 1990s

British Rail Class 31108 Diesel Locomotive, Northampton Sidings

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

UK British Rail diesel loco Class 31108 in BR Railfreight livery is seen stabled overnight on the weed-strewn sidings adjacent to Northampton station in the late 1980s early 1990s.

31108, original number D5526, was built by Brush Traction, Loughborough, on the 16/04/ 59.

Between 23/05/09 and 25/05/09 Class 31108 locomotive made a guest appearance at the 'Eastleigh 100' Works Open Weekend.

The diesel loco was withdrawn from British Rail mainline service on the 27/09/91 and is now preserved at the A1A Group, Butterley, near Ripley, Derbyshire.

Class 31108 was featured in an episode of 'Eastenders' (BBC1 tv) when 'Janine's' car is stuck on a level crossing...(Link).  

Filming took place at Wansford on the Nene Valley heritage Railway. 

Class 31 Diesel Locomotive Historical Note:

Whilst hauling a train in which Queen Elizabeth II was travelling on 4th January 1961, D5667 (31240), broke down south of Cambridge.  

 

Two onboard Brush fitters, on hand to deal with any mechanical problems that may occur, were unable to fix the problem and a steam loco had to be sent for in order to rescue the stricken diesel adding over an hour to the completed journey.

 

 

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Photo Intercity 125 Class 43057 HST Train in Swallow Livery Wellingborough 1990s

Class 43057 Intercity 125, Wellingborough Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Approaching Wellingborough railway station, UK Intercity 125 High Speed Train Class 43057 in 'Swallow' livery, as it heads for its destination of London St. Pancras.

In 1988 Class 43057 this train was carrying the name, 'Bounds Green'.  

Please note the oil-stained wooden crossing sleepers and lack of end-of-platform safety barriers in this pre-privatisation photo.  

Crossing sleepers such as these were once commonplace across the British Railway network, enabling station staff to move items by hand trolley from one platform to another.  

Although intended for railway station staff only, it was not unusual for passengers to use these crossings rather than walk up the steps of the station footbridge.

The two 'lollipop' lights only a few metres from the front of Class 43057 Intercity 125 carries a sign which reads, 'Caution  Cross Only When Light Showing'.

News Update:

Seeing East Midlands Trains colourful livery of red, white, orange and red flashing along the railway tracks, will soon become a thing of the past.

Abellio will take over the East Midlands Trains franchise on Saturday 18th August 2019. The Class 43 HST Intercity 125 and Class 222 diesel multiple unit will gradually be phased out by brand new Hitachi trains that will be a variant of the bullet-nosed Class 800 bio-mode DMU.

The new trains will have a lavender livery and be branded with 'EMR' on both sides.

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Photo London Midland Trains Class 321412 EMU Train Wolverton 2000s

Class 321412 Electric Multiple Unit, Wolverton Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Electric multiple unit, (EMU), passenger train Class 321412, in London Midland Trains livery, waits at Wolverton station in Buckinghamshire with a service from London Euston to Northampton.

The Class 321 EMU fleet of 117 units were built between 1988 and 1991.  These passenger trains superseded the Network South East Class 317 units that themselves had replaced the old and worn out British Rail Class 310s.

Wolverton was once well-know for the Carriage and Locomotive Works since being established in 1938 by the London and Birmingham Railway Company.  Part of the works stood approximately where the block of flats in the background now stand.

Nowadays Wolverton Works is much reduced but remains notable as the home of the British Royal Train. 


Wolverton railway station historical note:
It was at Wolverton railway station in Buckinghamshire, on the 9th September 1845, that bare-knuckle fighter, Bendigo, stepped from a carriage of a London & Birmingham Railway train surrounded by a horde of his supporters.

His destination was the nearby town of Newport Pagnell where it was arranged that he would take part in an illegal fight with Ben Court.

At the last possible moment, for various reasons, the venue was switched to the village of Lillington Lovell, 4 miles north of Buckingham.


The match went ahead with Bendigo being heralded the winner after 96 gruelling rounds.

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Photo British Rail Intercity 125 HST Class 43048 Wellingborough

Class 43048 Intercity 125, Wellingborough Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

UK HST Intercity 125 train Class 43048, in Intercity 'Swallow' livery, disgorges its passengers as it waits at Wellingborough station to continue its journey to the north.

At the time of writing, (2019) Class 43048 carries the name, 'T.C.B. Miller MBE'.

It is plain to see that this is a pre-privatisation scene by the uniform that the guard is wearing as he waits by the open carriage door.  

Note the lack of safety barriers at the platform ends which have become commonplace at railway stations todayl

I wonder how many local people from the Wellingborough area, or indeed those who sped through this once busy former Midland Railway station, can remember the BMC-branded (British Motor Corporation) water tank in the background at the far left of the picture?
This no doubt became a useful landmark during a journey between London and the North.

Sadly, the iconic tower had long since disappeared remaining only in the memory.

 

News Update:

Seeing East Midlands Trains colourful livery of red, white, orange and red flashing along the railway tracks, will soon become a thing of the past.

Abellio will take over the East Midlands Trains franchise on Saturday 18th August 2019. The Class 43 HST Intercity 125 and Class 222 diesel multiple unit will gradually be phased out by brand new Hitachi trains that will be a variant of the bullet-nosed Class 800 bio-mode DMU.

The new trains will have a lavender livery and be branded with 'EMR' on both sides.

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Photo BR Class 73005 Diesel Electric Loco 'Mid-Hants Watercress Line' 1989

  British Rail Class 73005 Diesel Electric Locomotive, Eastleigh Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

British Rail UK electro-diesel locomotive, Class 73005 in BR Blue livery, carrying the nameplate, 'Mid-Hants Watercress Line', is seen here waiting at Eastleigh railway station in 1989.

A total of 49 examples of the Class 73 locos were built between 1962 and 1967.

The class 73/0 were built at British Railways Eastleigh Works, with the 73/1 sub-class  constructed by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry.

Throughout their working life they were operated by British Rail, Eurostar, Gatwick Express, GB Railfreight and South West Trains.

Class 73205 used on Gatwick Express services

GB Railfreight Class 73

Class 73130 Used for various duties by Eurostar

                              South West Train Class 73109

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Photo Class 50036 'Victorious' UK Diesel Loco in BR Blue Livery 1989

Class 50026 Diesel Locomotive 'Victorious', Shrub Hill Station

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

UK British Rail diesel locomotive Class 50036, bearing the nameplate 'Victorious' after a Royal Navy aircraft-carrier, stands in BR Blue livery at Shrub Hill station, Worcester, in May 1989, after pulling in with a rake of Network South East liveried coaches.

Although Class 50036 - original numberD436 -  was out-shopped in standard blue livery, it did in fact carry two other liveries; large logo BR blue, and BR blue with grey roof.

The Class 50 locomotives were dubbed with the nickname 'Hoovers' due to their shape and the noise they made whilst in operation.  However, others maintain that the nickname was in fact attached to the 50's by staff at Paddington station.  

50036 'Victorious' was named on the 16th May 1978.

On the 10th May 1987, the loco had the 'honour' of operating the final loco-hauled service from Paddington to Worcester.

Class 50036 was withdrawn from service on the 12th March 1991 and scrapped at Booth-Roe scrapyard , Rotherham, in July 1992.

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