Railway Photo Gallery
September 2007
Click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.
4th September 2007 - GCR
Class 27 Charter
Back in the 1960's, you would have regularly
found this loco, class 27 number D5401, on 15C (Leicester Midland). It was never
actually allocated there, but would have been a regular visitor while allocated
to either Cricklewood, London (Midland) Division or Nottingham Division. Anyway,
this was an EMRPS photo charter with the 27 (sporting a fresh set of half yellow
panels) on the GCR's windcutter rake. For authenticity, we had just the one
brake van on the rear, and none at the front. So we had the authentic train, all
we needed was plenty of sunshine and we were in for a top day. The sun played
ball, every location was nailed in sun, and we all went away with a hat full of
shots. A big thank you to the participating photographers for supporting the
event and helping to raise £1000 for the GCR. A special thank you to the GCR
volunteers and staff and to our train crew who were brilliant on the day. A
fantastic double track mainline photo charter that only the GCR can provide -
brilliant.
Please note that the class 27 is actually painted a slightly wrong shade of green and the photos shown here have been adjusted to a shade closer to BR Brunswick Green.
7th September 2007 - Local
Shot
I made a local move over to Thurmaston for
33202 on a stock move from Brush. This caught fire and so didn't turn up, but I
managed this shot of a 66 hauled coal set while I was waiting.
11th September 2007 - Ped
Goes Back to It's Birthplace
A late evening shot of 31454 backing a power
car for refurbishment into the Brush Traction Works in Loughborough. The sun was
pretty much on it's knees by the time the train arrived, but there was enough
light for an OK record shot.
14th September 2007 - Ped
Goes Back to It's Birthplace - And Brings a Friend!
Another opportunity to photograph a train
reversing into Brush with another power car for refurbishment. This time 31454
was topped by pink ped 31601.
15th September 2007 - 40145
and 37906
A very long day which started with a top shot
of 40145 near Buxton. Then it was off to the Severn Valley Railway for an EMRPS
night shoot with 37906. This event was organised to help raise money for the SVR
flood appeal and to raise a bit of dosh for 37906. A big thanks to all involved
at the SVR, the support crew of 37906 who did a top job, the participating
photographers, the EMRPS lighting crew and to Ian for doing all the organising.
It may have been a very long day, but it was a top day!
16th September 2007 - Down
the Tube!
A day trip down to London for a railtour with
a 4 car 1938 tube train. The tour was in three parts, I photographed the first
and third and rode on the second. The tour took the train into the disused
Charing Cross terminus of the Jubilee line (3 times), and also took in parts of
the Metropolitan, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines. I also took the opportunity to
grab a few shots of some 1967 Victoria Line stock before it is replaced. It was
a top day, but I was amazed by all the lineside 'photographers', most of whom
seemed to be content with taking shots outside in the sun but from the shadowed
side of the train - what's the matter with ya!
23rd September 2007 - The
Foxfield Rat
A unique opportunity to stage an EMRPS photo
charter with an ex BR mainline loco at the Foxfield Railway near Stoke on Trent.
The loco in question was class 25 D7629, and we had the opportunity to run the
loco on several freight trains up the 1 in 19 Foxfield bank, and also stage a
night shoot with Foxfield Colliery as a backdrop.
The daytime part of the photo charter was unfortunately in cloud, and we didn't
get any sunny shots during the day. The sight and sound of the 25 climbing the 1
in 19 was awesome though! We also nearly lost the night shoot when the rain
started and blew out some of the lights. Thankfully, the situation was rectified
and we eventually managed 3 decent scenarios before it was time to pack away.
From a photographic point of view, the night shot of the 25 with the headstocks
as a backdrop made the whole day worthwhile.
I would like to thank Mark Fowler for the use of his 25, and all the staff at
Foxfield who put in a lot of effort to ensure that the photographers got what
they wanted. My usual thanks go out to the participating photographers for
supporting the event, and special thanks go to the EMRPS lighting crew for an
exceptional job lighting not just the train, but also the headstocks in
conditions that could be described at times as a 'little bit damp'!
28th September to 1st
October 2007 - Blackpool Illuminations
A few days in Blackpool for the
Illuminations. Tram output and visitor numbers were well above what they were
during the same weekend last year. Saturday was the highlight with 40 trams out
over the course of the day.
28th September - A Few Night
Shots to Start the Ball Rolling!
After driving up from Leicester during the
early evening, there was time for a few night shots at Cleveleys and Fleetwood
Ferry before the night was out.
29th September - Seeing
Double!
Over the course of this day, 40 trams saw
use, the highlight of which was the use of both Coronation cars 304 and 660. I
have no shortage of shots of 304, but 660 has been elusive with me in the past,
so I was grateful to get some shots of it at last. It's day nearly ended early
though when it failed with an air fault at North Pier in the morning. Top marks
to the crew and the engineers who limped it back to depot, fixed it and sent it
out again - and it stayed out until midnight! A great day for tram variety, but
the sun only made occasional appearances.
30th September - Quiet
Sunday
I spent most of the day doing family stuff,
so there weren't many photographs taken during the day. It wasn't very sunny
either which didn't help stir up much enthusiasm for getting the camera out of
the bag. I did however manage to get a few night shots of trams at Foxhall
during the evening.
1st October 2007 - Last Day
of a Short Break in Blackpool
I started the day with an early morning drive
down into Blackpool. I should have seen three trams during this journey, but I
only saw one. Something must have gone wrong, so I headed for the depot to find
718 sitting in Hopton Road having trashed its pantograph as it left the depot
with the 0553 for Fleetwood. All other trams were trapped in the depot, and by
the time 718 was pushed clear, the tram timetable had gone out of the window.
Cue 703 on a short working to Thornton Gate with some rather nice dawn skies to
boot. The rest of the day was pleasant and was rounded off with some rather nice
sunshine in Fleetwood just before I set off back to Leicester.
