Revisiting Old Haunts.
The week commencing 22nd June seen some pretty nice weather over the UK, and as such I made the most out of it.
As viewers to this site have probably guessed, I am also into my road transport as well as rail and aviation, and the 23rd June seen a visit to one of favourite locations where I go for trucks, the location is Packington Lane near Coleshill in Warwickshire, which spans the M6 Toll as well as the normal M6, I haven't been here for a bit though as work was underway to turn this section of the M6 into a so-called smart motorway. Luckily work is now complete, and subsequently overgrowth was cut back which has actually opened up the shot making it better than it previously was, I didn't venture to the bit that spans the M6 Toll as nothing much really uses it.
A Beverley Transport Services MAN unit heads a boat load past the Packington Lane overbridge, complete with it's escort vehicle.
For the few hours I was there, it was noticeably quieter than it usually is, one thing that was apparent was the lack of coaches, again owing to restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic that is currently causing mayhem in the UK as well as abroad.
Pics from the day (420 in total), with hauliers such as Eddie Stobart and Turners featured, can be found HERE
Revisiting Old Haunts Part Deux.
Following the session from the 23rd June, I was at a bit of a loose end, and wasn't sure where to go, the sun was out, it was warm and as such I was going to go somewhere, but where??.
Some gen was received that 60010 was being taken from Crewe IEMD to Toton for attention, and 67001 and 67002 was doing the honours in taking the stricken loco back to base, that for me, was the deciding factor; Barrow Upon Trent in Derbyshire, which is on the freight-only line between Sheet Stores Junction and Stenson Junction. Again, this is one location which I haven't been to for some considerable time, in fact according to my records, it was May 2017 since I last came here, and indeed Stenson Junction. I never visited Stenson Junction on this occasion, but hopefully at some point in the not too distant future I will go back there.
67001 leads a crippled 60010 through Barrow Upon Trent, with 67002 tail gunning on the rear.
Upon arrival, a glance at RTT seen that there was some decent stuff due through, although there was a gap of about 90 minutes about lunch time, so you may ask "What did you do for 90 minutes??". As it happens, it's an ideal time to go and get fed and watered, in this case the services on the A50 by Willington has everything you need, from a shop in the Shell garage which appeared to be well stocked to several fast food outlets, all bar one being shut because of Covid, hopefully we'll see them return in the not too distant future. KFC was the only one open, even then it was a drive-thru only operation.
The 90 minutes is ample time to whip across to the services to get supplies, and of course to take care of your toilet needs before returning to Barrow Upon Trent - of course it is also within reach of Stenson Junction too for those that are there.
With a satisfied hunger and thirst, it was back to Barrow Upon Trent for the afternoon shenanigans, according to one of the lists; 66415 was allocated to 4O95 Leeds - Southampton, alas 66547 materialised instead. I was hoping for 66415 as it is now in the Genesee and Wyoming livery whereas 66547 is still in bog standard Freightliner Green. Still never mind, always another time eh??.
Once everything had passed Barrow, it was time to move on.....
Revisiting Old Haunts: Part 3.
OK, so where does one go after visiting Barrow Upon Trent??, there was really naff all worth going to Stenson Junction for, besides the sun would be in the completely wrong place for stuff coming North, not that there was anything anyway apart from your usual diet of CrossCountry Voyagers and Turbostars. In fact the only ideal place to go in the area at that time of the afternoon is Elford, near Tamworth, which again it has been a few years since I last visited although the timing on this day would be about right for when the Kingsbury - Lindsey tanks would be rattling past after discharging it's load at the Warwickshire oil terminal.
Into the car I went and took the most direct route I could; straight down the A38 to Alrewas and then turn off to take the scenic route to Elford.
Now usually the main shot at Elford is an occupation bridge at the bottom of Elford Loop - ideal to film something leaving the loop which nowadays is the oil traffic waiting a path into Kingsbury, or something heading North as the line is on a more adequate axis compared to Stenson Junction. Alas, I really couldn't be bothered to walk down to the bridge; the temperature was touching 30° and I had exhausted all of my liquid refreshment at Barrow Upon Trent, so I took the lazy option; drive to Portway.
Whilst Portway is still adequate, you can't get a full length train in owing to a road over bridge a bit further down the line, as well as the associated overgrowth. Portway is also a farmers bridge, but, despite the ongoing Covid pandemic, is still open for people to use. Personally, I do ask that ANYONE who does visit the bridge, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do take your rubbish home with you and not just leave it - same with the occupation bridge at Elford too.
A pleasant hour was also spent at Portway, as not only did the outbound and inbound tanks make an appearance, but I also had the Small Heath - Tunstead empty box wagons go by too which was a bonus.
60059 passes Portway with the return 6E59 Kingsbury - Lindsey empty bogie tanks. As you can see, the road bridge and overgrowth restricts the shot marginally but it's still a good place to go to.
After these had passed, it was home time again.
Revisiting Old Haunts; Part 4.
Another day which seen glorious weather, this time I headed down the A5 to the M1/M45 Junction, just inside Northamptonshire, again it's been about 2 years since I was here last so it was nice to get to. Usually, this bridge does attract a number of people at times, but, despite the good weather, I was on my own.
Eddie Stobart Scania R450 "Isabelle Elise" heads South down the M1. The M45 from Coventry is seen joining from the right.
I then took a quick visit to Daventry International Railfreight Terminal for a couple of Northbound freight services, which included a pair of Class 86 electric locomotives which are due to be phased out soon by Freightliner. The location was known as Barby Nortoft in old money but D.I.R.F.T has somewhat encroached the surrounding area over the last few years.
86632 and 86607 rattle past D.I.R.F.T. working 4M87 Felixstowe - Trafford Park freightliner. 86632 was new to the rail network in April 1966 as E3148, and 86607 was new in August 1965 as E3176.
As ever, once I had my fill of action, it was back home I went. I do have intentions to visit these locations again in the future but when exactly I don't know, soon hopefully :).
Cheers
James