January 2nd 2012 seen my first train photograph of the month to appear on my site, this was 97301 (37100) on the Network Rail structure gauging train working 1Z06 08:54 Derby RTC - Grove Park Down Reception Sidings, I went to to one of my regular haunts of Lea Marston, a road over bridge that crosses the main Derby - Birmingham Line near the village of Lea Marston in Warwickshire. 

IF IT DON'T GO ONE WAY, IT GOES T'OTHER:

Lea Marston is on one side of a triangle of lines being Water Orton - Kingsbury one side, whilst the Water Orton - Whitacre Junction line forms the opposite side. These are linked by the Whitacre Junction - Kingsbury Junction line, which is predominantly a freight only line, although certain freight trains are booked via this line, they can indeed go via Lea Marston (or the main as its referred to in enthusiast circles) and also vice-versa this has indeed caught out a few people in the past including myself.

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5 days later, I was out again, this time at Tamworth Railway Station, for 47828 working 1Z40 08:17 Manchester Piccadilly - Kensington Olympia "Northern Belle" train, this was operating in Top N Tail formation with classmate 47818 both of which now in the house colours of Carlisle-based operator Direct Rail Services. The lighting - although adequate - wasn't helped by the shadows of the constructed car park at Tamworth Station being cast over the running lines, although the situation does improve as the year goes on and the sun gets higher in the sky. After this, I headed a couple of miles further North to Elford Loop, this was to see my first overhauled Class 60 locomotive, 60091 working the 6M57 07:17 Lindsey - Kingsbury loaded bogie tanks, as with 99.9% of occasions, the train went into Elford Loop to await a path into Kingsbury, this is common practice for the oil trains going to Kingsbury as they await the exit of the previous train. This stop in the loop enables photographers to head to the next road accessible bridge down the line; Willow Bottom Lane or more commonly known as Portway, again I had ample time to get there and set up my camera and also my video camera too :) .  

NOTE:

As of 17/02/12 60007, 60074, 60079 and 60091 have been overhauled by DB Schenker with classmate 60063 to follow shortly. With the exception of 60074, they have all been painted in the house colours of DB Schenker's oll over red livery, whilst 60074 is in the powder blue livery with DB Schenker branding.    

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11th January, and I took a ride to Barrow On Trent, just North of Willington although this location is on another freight only line between Stenson Junction and Sheet Stores Junction near Toton, this was to get another attempt at 60091 this time working 6E54 10:34 Kingsbury - Humber empty bogie tanks, again, the sun was out and the light was somewhat perfect this was of course until 70011 rolled up working 4Z68 Ratcliffe Power Station - Crewe Basford Hall empty coal hoppers and completely blocking the shot, needless to say it was still held at the red signal guarding the approach to Stenson Junction when 60091 came along. I still managed a shot of the tug but not what I expected. Still, I raced round to Stenson Junction which is a stone throw away for a shot of 70011 which was successful. Staying around for a bit I also managed shots of 66061 and 66186 on 6D44 11:09 Bescot - Toton departmental and 6M96 TX-Q 05:50 Margam - Corby loaded steel coils. Afterwards, I went to Elford Loop for Colas-liveried 47739 Robin of Templecombe and 47727 Rebecca working the 6M08 11:52 Boston Docks - Washwood Heath loaded steel. This train has since been rerouted via Leicester and Nuneaton back to Washwood Heath.

This was all the photting done for January as then the weather turned and it was not really ideal for 2 wheels.