Photo Class 31187 British Rail UK Diesel Loco Whitemoor Yard 1989

Photo Class 31187 Diesel Locomotive Whitemoor Yard

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

In the red, grey and yellow of the British Rail Railfreight livery, Class 31187 diesel locomotive photographed on sidings at Whitemoor rail Yard near March railway station, Cambridgeshire, next to an unidentified loco of the same class and livery in May 1989.

For more detailed information and a variety of images of the Class 31 diesel locomotive, please visit this post elsewhere on this blog - Photos, Article Class 31 Diesel Loco 'A British Rail Workhorse'.

 

 

 

Class 31187 (front) hauling a ballast train at Helpston crossing, 1989.  Photo: DEAN M66A - flickr.

 

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.

 

Class 31 Locomotives on YouTube:
Class 31 Video Compilation - 2011 to 2019.

Class 31s Mainline Finale and into Preservation.

Class 31 Memories of Lime Street.

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Photo BR Class 37057 D6757 UK Diesel Loco Whitemoor Yard 1989

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

This photo of a careworn British Rail Class 37 37057 UK diesel loco was taken in 1989 amongst the weed-strewn sidings of March TMD, Cambridgeshire.

 

During a trainspotting trip to March station, where I photographed a number of diesel locos and dmus, I found out about nearby Whitemoor Yard and decided to take a quick look.

After a short walk I was inside the yard.  There didn't seem to be any staff about, well none that I could see, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to grab a couple of shots while I had the chance.

The result is seen above.  Not the best photo in the world, it was taken on a 35mm film camera loaded, unfortunately, with out-of-date film - but at least it was a record of the day.

In the background can be seen a couple of Class 45 'Peak' locos, possibly waiting for their final trip along the tracks to the scrapyard, while to the right stands a Class 31 diesel loco in Railfreight livery.

UK diesel loco Class 37057 originally numbered D6757, known as an English Electric Type Three, was built in October 1962 and at one time carried the name, 'Viking' .  

The locomotive survived the fate of languishing in a scrapyard and is currently owned by Colas Rail.  

Class 37 Locomotives on YouTube:

Class 37057 and 37610 at Retford.

Class 37057 leads test train out of Ayr.

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Photo Class 205028 BR DEMU Train Eastleigh Train Station 1989

British Rail Class 205028 Diesel Multiple Unit, Eastleigh

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Photo of DEMU Class 205028 3-car unit UK passenger train, looking in a sad state of affairs due to the rundown of British Rail prior to privatisation, standing alongside a near-deserted platform at Eastleigh station, Hampshire.

205028 escaped the death sentence of the scrapyard and is now, unrestored, at the heritage Dartmoor Railway, Devon.

The diesel shunter in the background. to the right of the picture, is 09025 carrying the unofficial name 'Victory'.  

The class 09 loco  diesel shunter was built at Horwich Works by LYR/LMS/British Railways in 4/1/62.  

After years of service, 09025 was finally withdrawn on the 31/8/2005 and is now preserved on the East Kent Railway.

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Blog update:

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Photo Class 45133 British Rail Peak Diesel Loco Whitemoor Depot 1989

BR 'Peak' Class 45133 Diesel Locomotive at Whitemoor Yard, March

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

'Peak' UK diesel locomotive Class 45133, in BR Blue livery, is seen in a sorry, dilapidated state, waiting on sidings at Whitemoor Yard, near March station in Cambridgeshire; a prime candidate for the scrapyard?

 

Thankfully, the cutter's torch was destined not to touch this impressively strong diesel locomotive.

D40 (45133) was used to test the abilities of this class of 127 diesel locomotives by hauling 16 coaches up the notorious Lickey Incline, between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove station in Worcestershire, on the 20th September 1961...it was successful!

Sulzer Type 4 Class 45133, which held the original number D40 after production, was built at the BR Derby Works in July 1961 and went on to give 26 years of service across various regions with BR.

In October 1990 the locomotive was sold into preservation with the Class 45/1 Preservation Society and is based at the Midland Railway, Butterley.

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Blog update:

Previous posts are now easier to find.  

All blog posts are now listed alphabetically on the right side of your screen; under the heading, 'Previous Photo Posts'.


"I hope this makes your search easier".

Photo Class 31124 and 31102 BR Diesel Locos Double Heading 1989

BR Class 31124 and 31102 Diesel Locomotives, Whitemoor Yard

Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Back to the year 1989 for a nostalgic look at two UK British Rail Class 31 diesel locomotives double-heading.

 

Class 31124, in BR Blue livery, leads this duo with Class 31102, in BR Railfreight livery, following.  In a cloud of blue diesel exhaust smoke - it appears that 31124 is providing the sole power - the pair exit Whitemoor Yard near March station, Cambridgeshire, in May 1989.

This Class 31 photo was taken from the road bridge over the tracks not far from March station.

Red asterisk identifies location of Class 31's in above photo
Image: Google Maps

When I visited March railway station in 1989 for a spotting trip, I was totally unaware that Whitemoor Yard even existed.  I was not until I noticed the occasional diesel locomotive using a track in the distance.

After a short walk I found the yard, and was glad that I did.  

Staying well clear of the working tracks I was able to photograph some 'Peak' locomotives lined up for scrap as were a couple of Class 08 shunters.  I returned later in the evening before heading home an was able to photograph another 'Peak' as the sun was going down behind it.  

That particular photo is available elsewhere on this blog by clicking here.

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.

 

Don't forget to subscribe to  'Along These Tracks' to get all new posts and updates sent directly to you.

Blog update:

Previous posts are now easier to find.  

All blog posts are now listed alphabetically on the right side of your screen; under the heading, 'Previous Photo Posts'.


"I hope this makes your search easier".

Photo BR Class 08466 and Class 37's Bescot Station England 1989

Class 08466 and Class 37 Locos, Bescot Station

Photo: Charles Moorhen

Back to the 20th century and a cold day at Bescot yard on the 17th March 1989.  In those days I was using a Russian-made Zenith EM 35mm film camera to capture a British Rail Class 08 shunter and two Class 37 locos.  A far cry from the versatility of today's digital cameras.  But, great fun nonetheless.

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In the foreground is Railfreight Class 08466, built in October 1958, is seen pottering about Bescot sidings.  

Behind 08466, in the middle, is Class 37271 with Class 37890 in the distance.

Diesel shunter Class 08 08466 was withdrawn on the 30th September 2010 and subsequently scrapped at CF Booth, Rotherham.


Don't forget to subscribe to  'Along These Tracks' to get all new posts and updates sent directly to you.

Blog update:

Previous photo posts are now easier to find.  

All blog posts are now listed alphabetically on the right side of your screen; under the heading, 'Previous Photo Posts'.


"I hope this makes your search easier".