'Duke of Gloucester' Steam Loco, Didcot Railway Centre |
Photo: Charles Moorhen The same photo, but in my opinion looking better presented in black and white...more 'Age of Steam'
An excellent example of British Railways Steam traction, Standard Class 8P 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', is seen here on display at Didcot Railway Centre back in June 1988, did not make much of an impression on me when I saw it, apart from appreciating the beautiful condition that it was in, due entirely to the fact that I knew nothing at all about it. However, since doing some research on it, I realise now what an iconic steam locomotive it is.********************************************
From my research here is a basic history of the locomotive:
In a perverse kind of way, it could be said that if it had not been for the horrific 3-train rail crash at Harrow and Wealdstone on the 8th October 1952, which killed 112 and injured 340, Standard Class 8 8P 4-6-2 No 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', would never have been built.
As a result of the Harrow and Wealdstone crash, Stanier 4-6-2 Turbomotive No 46202 'Princess Anne', was damaged beyond repair and a gap had appeared in the Pacific roster for the West Coast Main Line. British Railways, who earlier had turned down a suggestion from British locomotive engineer, Robert Riddles, that an express passenger locomotive in the power class of 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', gave the go-ahead for just such a prototype steam locomotive to be produced.
Weighing in at a colossal 101 tons 5 cwt (without tender) , Crewe-built 71000 'Duke of Glousester', was put into traffic from Crewe North TMD in June 1954.
Beset with problems from the outset, the most significant being poor draughting and excessive water and coal consumption, the locomotive gained a reputation for being erratic and unpredictable and only remained in service for a mere eight years before being withdrawn in December 1962.
Following withdrawal, the cylinder assembly and valve gear were removed and retained by National Collection with the remainder sent for scrap to Woodham's on Barry Island, Wales.
Fortunately, in 1974, the Duke of Gloucester Locomotive Trust acquired the rusting locomotive. Over a number of years restoration work was carried out until reaching completion in the autumn of 1986. Further work was undertaken to bring the locomotive up to the standard requirements for main-line running, and in April 1990 it made its main-line debut.
'The Duke', as it is affectionately known by the railway preservation fraternity, has a website dedicated to it; offering membership to the society, history, merchandise and more. To visit the site click here. Standard Class Locomotive Technical Specifications: (British Railways Classification). Designed: Derby Works. Origin: West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region. Introduced: 1954. Purpose: Express Passenger. Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-2. Number Series: 71000 (Duke of Gloucester) One only. Driving Wheel: 6ft. 2in. Bogie Wheel: 3ft. Length: 70ft. Weight: Engine 101 tons. Tender 55 tons 10 cwt. Water Capacity: 4,725 gallons. Cylinders: (3) 18 in. x 28in. Boiler Pressure: 250 lb sq. in. Tractive Effort: 39.080 lbs. Coal Capacity: 10 tons. Power Classification: 8-P. Don't forget to subscribe to 'Along These Tracks' to get all new posts and updates sent directly to you.
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Thursday 8 February 2018
Class 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' 4-6-2 Steam Loco Didcot 1988 Photo
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Location:England UK
Didcot Railway Centre, Station Rd, Didcot OX11 7NJ, UK
Wednesday 7 February 2018
Class 323214 London Midlands Trains 3-Car EMU Barnt Green 2016 Photo
Class 323214 EMU, Barnt Green Station |
Photo: Charles Moorhen LondonMidlands Trains Class 323 214, allocated to SO - Soho TMD (Birmingham), seen here at Barnt Green station on the evening of the 18 August 2016, was photographed more on impulse than on a definite plan to get a picture of one of these electric multiple units.Class 323214 unit coach numbers are as follows: 64014 72214 65014.
The 323 class of electric multiple units were built between 1992 and 1993.
I had been wandering around the small station, located not far from the summit of the infamous Lickey Incline, when Class 323214 arrived almost silently at platform 3.As I not seen of these EMU's in the flesh, so to speak, I decided to photograph my first example. I managed to take a couple of decent exposures before the train set off into the night on its journey to Lichfield Trent Valley station. And although I was quite pleased with the result, I decided that it would look better and have more atmosphere in black and white.
I'll
leave it up to your judgement as to whether it was the correct
decision to make.
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Location:England UK
Barnt Green Railway Station, Barnt Green, Birmingham B45 8JZ, UK
Tuesday 6 February 2018
Four GBRf Class 66 Diesel Locos Through Wellingborough 2014 Photos
"Four Class 66 locomotives came along as I was about to go home"
I was at the 'London' end of platform two Wellingborough station on the 27th June 2014. Leaning on a section of white wooden platform fencing I gazed across the nearby countryside, trying to decide whether or not to make tracks (no pun intended) for home. Then, a flicker of movement off to my left caught my attention.
Looking up I saw a Class 66 diesel locomotive creeping along the freight-only line towards me. "This will do" I thought. "I'll grab a photo of this and then head home.
GBRf Class 66717 Wellingborough Photo: Charles Moorhen |
However, loco, GBRf Class 66717 'Good Ol' Boy'' came closer, I realised that it was not on its own. It was, or so I believed, double-heading with GBRf Class 66729 'Derby County'.
Great! I thought. A good photo to end the day with.
But there was more to come.
GBRf Class 66729 Wellingborough Photo: Charles Moorhen |
In the middle of what I soon discovered was a fairly long train, GBRf Class 66738 'HUDDERSFIELD TOWN' was now passing in front of me. "This has to be a it" I said aloud to myself.
As there is a bend in the track at that location I did not have a clear view.
GBRf Class 66738 Wellingborough Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Lo and behold there was still one more Class 66 to come. The tail-end-Charlie turned out to be, Class 66731 'Interhub GB'.
GBRf Class 66731 Wellingborough Photo: Charles Moorhen |
In my excitement to capture all four locos, I was sure that I'd hurried the whole thing and the images would not be as good as I hoped.
However, seeing them on the PC monitor later, I was glad that
However, seeing them on the PC monitor later, I was glad that
I'd decided to hang on at Wellingborough station for those extra few minutes.
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Location:England UK
Wellingborough, Midland Rd, Wellingborough NN8 1NA, UK
Monday 5 February 2018
Class 350120 London Midlands Trains EMU Lichfield Trent Valley Station 2014 Photo
Class 350120 'Desiro' EMU, Lichfield Station |
Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Desiro Class 350120, built between 2004 and 2005 and allocated to NN - Northampton King's Heath EMUD, in London Midlands Trains livery, pulls into Lichfield Trent Valley station, Staffordshire, heading for Crewe on the 7th July 2014.
Class 350120 unit coach numbers are as follows: 63780 66830 66880 63730.The Class 350 electric multiple units operated by London Midlands Trains would have their livery changed on the 10th December 2017 when the London Northwestern Railway took over the franchise.
As Class 350 120 eases alongside the platform, a Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino EMU tilting train flashes past on the adjacent track heading south.
Video Clip - Two Class 350 EMUs Passing at Bletchley Station
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Location:England UK
Lichfield City, Station Rd, Lichfield WS13 6HX, UK
Sunday 4 February 2018
Class 66765 GBRF Diesel Locomotive Wellingborough 2015 Photo
Class 66765 GBRF Diesel Loco |
GBRf Class 66765 Loco Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Class 66765 diesel locomotive in two-tone GBRf livery, and allocated to GBRf Peterborough, enters Wellingborough station on the freight-only line on the 28th July 2015, heading towards Bedford.
At the same time, East Midlands Trains Class 222 018 dmu, built between 2003 and 2005 and allocated to DY Derby Etches Park T&RSMD, enters the station alongside platform 1 heading north.
222 018 Wellingborough |
Photo: Charles Moorhen
East Midlands Trains Class 222 018 DMU (above) on a previous occasion enters Wellingborough station from Kettering heading towards Bedford.
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Location:England UK
Wellingborough, Midland Rd, Wellingborough NN8 1NA, UK
Friday 2 February 2018
Night Photo Class 67013 Chiltern Railways Alstom GM Diesel Loco Banbury 2014
Class 67013 Diesel Locomotive, Banbury Station |
Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Chiltern Railways Class 67 013 locomotive, one of a class of 30 produced, is seen here at Banbury station on the evening of the 13th January 2014, hauling a rake of silver liveried Mark 3 coaching stock.
Class 67013 was built in March 2000 and is allocated to CE - Crewe International Electric T&RSMD.
Between July 2008 and December 2013 the locomotive carried the name 'Dyfrbont Ponycysylite' .
Between July 2008 and December 2013 the locomotive carried the name 'Dyfrbont Ponycysylite' .
An example of an hourly-run service operated by Chiltern Railways between Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street station.
Built between 1999 and 2000 the Class 67 locomotives operating these Chiltern Railways services would eventually be replaced by Class 68 locos built between 2012 and 2016.
Class 68013 Locomotive Photo: Train of the Week blog |
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Location:England UK
Banbury Railway Station,Station Approach, Banbury OX16 5AB, UK
Tuesday 30 January 2018
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.*****************************************************************************
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:
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Location:England UK
Bescot Stadium railway station, Walsall, UK
Night Photo Class 390128 'City of Preston' Virgin Trains Pendolino EMU Rugby 2016
Class 390128 'City of Preston' Pendolino EMU, Rugby Station |
Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Virgin Trains Pendolino Class 390 128 'City of Preston' EMU, built by Alstom, stands in Rugby station on the evening of the 25th August 2016; the same rainy night that I had photographed locomotives EWS Class 66013 and Freightliner Class 66502. Class 390128 unit coach numbers are as follows: 69128 69428 69528 69628 65328 68928 68828 69728 69828 69928 69228.
And got fairly wet in the process!
Once again, dashing between sudden downpours, I managed to scamper with camera and tripod from one platform to another in order to get this shot. Thinking all the time...I'm going to trip over, I'm going to trip over!
How hectic it all seems at the time when one is trying to set up a tripod and adjust the camera to the correct settings for a night photo, while all the time being aware that the time for the train to depart and the camera to record the scene is quickly running out.
But, all said and done, I believe that is was worth it in the end!
***********************
Looking at the amount of artificial light in the photo above, it started me thinking.
When one considers how brightly lit railway stations are nowadays, it is difficult to imagine how stark the comparison would be with the standard of lighting back in the days of the Victorian railways, and how hazardous it must have been travelling at night back then.
During the Victorian era, station name-boards, although larger than they are today, were difficult to see at the best of times. Especially from a moving train at night, maybe in fog, or worst of all - both.
The style that the Victorians favoured was dark lettering on a lighter background - not the ideal choice for sign which would instantly catch the eye. And at night the sign would be illuminated by the feeble glow from a gas lamp.
The unfortunate result of this combination led to a large number of instances whereupon rail passengers alighted from a railway carriage only to find that they had done so at the wrong station.
However, far more serious were the occasions which led to a number of serious injuries and fatalities resulting from an unsuspecting passenger stepping from a railway carriage, only to find that there was nothing beneath their feet fresh air; the train having merely stopped temporarily at a signal.
Without doubt today's railways have a lot to answer for, one way and another, but it has to be said that at least we are safer and more fortunate than many of our Victorian predecessors were.
Just a passing thought.
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uk trains 2016,
virgin trains emu photo
Location:England UK
Rugby, Mill Road, Rugby Railway Station, Rugby CV21 3LA, United Kingdom
Saturday 27 January 2018
Photo Chiltern Railways Trains Assorted Diesel Rolling Stock Aylesbury Depot
Assorted Diesel Traction, Aylesbury Depot
Class 165 025 DMU, Ruston Diesel Locomotive 01509, and Class 117 DMU Photo: Charles Moorhen |
A collection of the old and the new photographed at Aylesbury Rail Depot, Buckinghamshire.
From left to right is Chiltern Railways Class 165 025 DMU; one of a total of 39 trainsets for 165/0 with a further 37 trainsets for 165/1.
*************************************************************
At the centre is Class 117 960301 DMU used by Chiltern Railways for departmental purposes.
Owned by Chiltern Railways, on the right is Ruston diesel locomotive, No. 01509, 'Lesley'.
From an entirely personal perspective, I love the collection of brand new axles in the bottom right-hand corner of the picture which was taken from the railway station footbridge.
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Location:England UK
British Rail Station Station Way, Aylesbury HP20 1RU, UK
Thursday 25 January 2018
Photo British Rail Liveried Class 310086 4-Car EMU Northampton 1988
Class 310086 British Rail EMU, Northampton Train Station |
Photo: Charles Moorhen |
Class 310 086 EMU British Rail commuter train, in standard British Rail blue livery, is seen waiting at platform 2 of Northampton railway station in June 1988 with a destination board that reads 'special'.
This class of non-corridor electric multiple unit was replaced on the Euston to Birmingham service in 1987 by the unattractive, box-shaped Class 317, which itself was superseded by the Class 321 and then by Class 350.
On the 11th October 1984 Class 310 310086 & Class 310 310067, forming an eight-car 17:54 service from Euston to Bletchley, was involved in a serious accident with a freight train.
The freight train, headed by Class 86 86006 & Class 85 85035, collided with the electric multiple unit.
The driver of the passenger train had passed a signal at danger.
Three passengers died as a result of the collision and the driver of the passenger train, along with 17 others, were injured.
Following refurbishment in 1985, the Northampton-line Class 310's continued in service until eventually being withdrawn between 2001 and 2002.
Class 317327 EMU in Network Southeast livery, Northampton. Photo: Charles Moorhen |
The Class 317 4-car electric multiple unit replaced the Class 310's on the Euston - Birmingham service.
The Class 321 4-car electric multiple unit (321437 seen above in Silverlink livery) subsequently took over from the Class 317 units.
Photo: Charles Moorhen
Class 350104 Waits at Rugby Station |
The Desiro Class 350 4-car electric multiple units subsequently replaced the Class 321 units on the Euston to Birmingham line.
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Location:England UK
Northampton, Northampton NN1 1SP, UK
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