First day of my now annual 'trying to use up annual leave' week, which traditionally seems to occur in February. Having planned ahead a little, was able to get reasonably cheap tickets for a trip to Crewe. Despite a promising start to the day, the sun disappeared around Bristol. Quick change onto a four-car Voyager which was booked for a five-car set, and a crowded and fractious run, with lots of angsty students refusing to pay. Surprise sighting of a convoy of five Virgin 57/3 Thunderbirds heading down the Trent Valley at Stafford.

Arrived at a damp, misty Crewe station. I've passed through a few times, but I think I'd probably not set foot on the station since 1999. Not much had changed, and the glass canopies were in even worse repair. Relived memories of the mainline Deltic workings - happy days! Explored a bit, got binoculars out for a look at the scrapline, then settled in to see what happened.

As most freight avoids Crewe via 'The Muck Hole', it was down to interesting passenger workings along with whatever arrived in the station. Started promisingly with 67005 visiting whilst shunting into the Carriage Shed. A similar move from the shed also produced a pair of DRS Class 20s and some track machinery.



Soon after we were treated to the sight of EWS liveried 92031 leading 90028 and 92027 into platform 12, shunting around and leaving once again. 47810 and 47840 also visited, with 'North Star' remaining on the station for the rest of the afternoon. A steady stream of Pendolinos and Voyagers throughout the day - including 221102 - my final sighting for the class. Too dingy for much more photography, and increasingly misty as the afternoon wore on. Just as I was giving up and heading for platform 1, 57304 passed heading south.

Despite the weather, the crowded journey up and aching knees, it was fantastic to get back to an old haunt which really hadn't changed too much.

With extended jaunts planned for next week, stayed very local today. Out on the 0830 Voyager to Bristol Temple Meads to watch the arrival of 6024 'King Edward I' on 'The Devonian' tour to Plymouth which could be seen steaming away at Barton Hill in the distance. Started out a very pleasant morning, but soon clouded over. This didn't stop the steam enthusiasts however, and there were large crowds in the usual spots at the London end of the station as the tour arrived with 67022 in charge.

A little while later 6024 shunted a support coach onto the stock, and after quite a delay passed through on the middle line to join the front of the train. Very impressive crowds at the country end - with a few people wandering down who were travelling and had become caught up in the excitement.


The tour departed about 12 minutes late by my reckoning, with a fast, noisy and steamy start from platform 4. Waited for 67022 to pass through again towards Barton Hill before heading for the coffee stall and a train home.

Slipped out of work this morning to watch the first visit of a 'Western' to Weston in something like twenty-eight years! Quite a crowd in evidence on arrival. Wandered over to Platform 1 and waited for a terminating unit to arrive. D1015 arrived just a few minutes later, after what had been a troubled journey from Gloucester.

More trouble here too - with a planned 1109 start slipping to 11:39 due to a recurring TPWS fault which dogged the train for the rest of its journey.

Back to the station a little before 2200 to see the return trip. Things ran a lot more smoothly this time. Absolutely thunderous start from Weston - which even managed to drown out the Police helicopter which was hovering ominously over my house!

I've moved a few things around on the site, which will hopefully make things easier to find. Firstly, I've condensed the galleries into categories roughly based on people and places - which should make things easier for adding more in future. The railway galleries are also a little easier to get to - but are still in a different format to the rest of the site for now.

I've also added a page for the Wessex Class 158/9 Fleet, and tidied up the side bar a little.