Barrington 47's

Opportunities to see class 47's on 'proper' freight trains in 2017 are few and far between- it is therefore no surprise that photographers have been out in force recently as GBRf have been using a pair of class 47's on spoil trains between Wembley and Barrington. The trains convey spoil from London which is deposited at the former Barrington Quarry site near Foxton where it is being used to restore the former chalk pits. Rail Operations Group have been contracted to supply traction to the train while there is reduced capacity in the GBRf fleet, however the heritage traction should only be a temporary measure. On 29th November 2017 47815 and 47848 pass Camden Road with the empty train, 6T02, heading back to Wembley. Class 56's have also appeared on recent workings to/from Barrington.

442's back to Wessex

As part of the new South Western Railway franchise plans are being put in place to return 18 of the 24 class 442 'Wessex Electric' units dating from 1988 and withdrawn by South West Trains in 2007 to the Wessex Route. The 442's are planned to be fully refurbished, including new traction equipment to 'as new' standard before they are deployed on Portsmouth 'fast' services offering a higher level of comfort than the class 444 and 450 trains currently used on this route. In preparation for the return of the 442's units are being repatriated from Ely where they have been in warm store to Eastleigh works and Bournemouth depot. One such run was captured on Tuesday 19th September 2017 with Rail Operations Group 47812 returning units 2423 and 2415 on a run from Ely to Bournemouth.

Four on a Saturday Morning - 21.01.2017

The main event; preserved 'Large Logo' 37025 continues to work for Colas Rail on test train duties. On this occasion it is partnered with sister 'split box' machine 37099 as it heads down through Petts Wood Junction with a test train from Hither Green. The train was due to terminate at Woking having spent most of the day covering lines in Kent however due to the lack of an available driver later in the day the train was instead terminated at Tonbridge.

With the morning dawning cold and crisp and the promise of two class 37's leading trains within an hour I couldn't resist heading down South East London to catch the trains heading down towards Kent.

The first train of the day was 66012 with an engineering train from Hoo Junction to St Leonards. 

I've been meaning to catch up with the class 375 drags for some while as they've been running with Rail Operations Group class 37's for well over a year now. 37800 is seem approaching Petts Wood on 5z58 with  an overhauled 37805 in tow returning from Derby to Ramsgate. ROG have pioneered the concept of moving units without the need for barrier wagons.

Things worked out nicely that there was time to catch one final stock movement on the way home. 66730 is seen approaching Hither Green with 5X89 the Slade Green - Doncaster 'Networker' drag. This move contained more traditional barrier wagons, though interesting these are formed of former class 508 vehicles owned by Arlington Fleet Services. 

707001 arrives!

Overnight on the 8th December 2016 the first of South West Trains new class 707 'Desiro City' trains transited through the Channel Tunnel to arrive on UK soils. The move of the single 5 car unit was carried out by Rail Operations Group's 37800 and 37884. Once on SWT territory the unit was taken to Clapham yard to await moving into the carriage sheds on the morning of Saturday 10th December, 20142 was provided for shunting.
The 30x 5 car class 707's are similar to the class 700's which are currently being delivered to Thameslink. While destined for pure DC operation the first class 707's will be fitted with pantographs for AC testing as part of the type approval process. They are due to enter passenger traffic on suburban routes with SWT in spring 2017.

Not one of the greatest photographs to ever appear on this site, but one that does have significance. The first class 707 for South West Trains is shortly to be shunted from 29 road in Clapham Yard to the carriage shed for initial training and acceptance works. 29 further units will follow 707001 through the tunnel to South Western metals.