Railways

Posted in Railways on Monday 7th March 2005 at 11:25pm


The final day of my long weekend, and despite reports that engineering works might run over I found things running smoothly on arrival at the station. A very chilly morning, and to be honest I was feeling less than fantastic. Quite pleased to get aboard the warm, if as ever solidly wedged 0832 Voyager. Equally cold at Bristol where First Great Western staff took their time about opening the doors on the ex-Midland Mainline set.

Plan was to spend most of the day at Didcot, with a diversion to Oxford including a quick pass of Hinksey Yard. Quiet and pleasant trip up to Didcot, where rather unexpectedly a couple of 60s were lurking on my arrival. As I arrived at the end of the platform, a Freightliner working zoomed gracefully around the curve - no chance of a photograph of that one.

60009 stabled at Didcot
60009 stabled at Didcot

Turbo to Oxford, which was to be frank both dirty and smelly. These units are actually quite solid and useful, but they are in desperate need of internal refurbishment or at the least regular cleaning. All the action at Hinksey was behind the high fence where the stone wagons are loaded, was however lucky enough to see 59201 awaiting the road at Appleford. Busy with delayed Virgin punters at Oxford station, but not much happening. Noted a HST set working Oxford-Paddington fast services. Again, at just the wrong moment 60093 passed by on loaded coal wagons. Took a lunch break here and waited for the next stopper back to Didcot.

The sky was now quite purple-grey and snowy looking, and it was now even colder, but nevertheless found myself a spot and waited for things to happen. Yet again, missed a shot of a northbound liner whilst heading for the end of the platform. Lots more Freightliner activity, including a few moments where there seemed to be green 66s coming from everywhere - including 66604 hauling part of the High Speed Ballast Cleaning kit towards Reading. A regular supply of shunting in the yard, and several terminating and running around movements on arriving coal trains. Managed to get myself into more sensible photographic position but I was suprised to see several workings using the platform 3 line before taking the curve towards Oxford.

66574 on westbound Freightliner
66574 on westbound Freightliner

Stayed until an hour later than I'd planned, finally catching the 1512 HST back to Bristol. A very cold day - I'm not sure I've ever actually been more thoroughly frozen, but good to be out after a frustrating weekend. Arrived back on the relaid track of platform 1 at Weston tonight. Ashamed to say I can't feel the difference!

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Lost::MikeGTN

I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.

I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.

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