Picture(s) of the week- 24th February

This week there are two photographs, and they are both recent UK based!

Last Sunday (19th February) saw a couple of notable workings on the WCML within a 30 minute window. Coupled with fine weather I was pleased to have ventured out on a Sunday for the first time in... some while!

The first of the trains was a bit of a surprise- recently re-liveried 66434 was unusually working a daylight 'Tesco Express' as seen from the footbridge at South Kenton on the WCML.

The second train a short while later was the days main entertainment- DRS 37601 is seen heading north along the WCML with a test train stock move from Hither Green to Derby. The train had spent the previous week surveying areas of the Southern Region. 37059 is on the rear.

Picture of the week- 18th February

Back in 2007 Deutsche Bahn diesel 232-909-2 is seen passing through Rotterdam Centraal with an international freight working; undoubtedly bound for the deep sea ports of Rotterdam Harbour. On the closer platform an NS 'Koploper' intercity EMU can be seen. The 232 class locomotives, commonly known as 'Ludmilla's' were built for East German Railways (Deutsche Reichsbahn) in the 1970's to a Soviet design. With the reunification of Germany following the fall of the Berlin Wall the new 'Deutsche Bahn' took control of the locomotives and their sphere of operation increased dramatically with the locomotives being employed on heavy freight trains across Germany and beyond.

Today the class are still in operation in many parts of Germany, all be it in greatly reduced numbers. How long they will remain in service remains to be seen, but hopefully these huge loco's will remain with us for a few years yet.

Electric trains just love the snow!

In South East England we generally get very little snow, and when it does come we tend to make a big deal of it. This year snow fell on the evening of 4th April and on into the night. Some areas, received quite a helping of snow, and while my local area received somewhat less (not a lot more than 3cm) it was still enough to provide some railway amusement.

It is quite widely known that trains don't like snow. Electric trains picking up from the 3rd rail in particular. While as a general rule I do not film trains, SWT's class 455's were putting on such a brilliant firework display as that I just could not resist!

Picture of the week- 1st February 2011

Not your usual view on the South West Mainline... With an abundance of engineering work this winter Colas rail have taken on a few engineering trains, presenting the view here of 66847 working a 6N06 from Eastleigh to Hampton Court Jcn passing through Hersham on 14th January 2012.