Corby HST Diverts 5th July 2020

VP-185 powered Midland HST set 43048 and 43049 head north with 1D21 10:00 St Pancras - Nottingham. The picturesque town of Harringworth is in the foreground.

From ground level the Harringworth viaduct is no less impressive. Ex LNER
power cars 43309 and 43317 work 1F44 14:55 St Pancras - Leeds.

The route from Corby to Manton junction is usually regarded as a quiet backwater of the railways. A lone passenger service operated by East Midlands Railway covers the route on weekdays together with a handful of freight trains each day. Indeed until 2009 when the station at Corby was re-opened by East Midlands Trains Corby itself saw no passenger traffic, winning it the accolade of being the largest town in Britain without an active rail station. Such is the success of the new station at Corby that the line from the south is now being electrified in preparation for a half-hourly interval service- however the line north will continue to be bereft of passenger services. 

43058 and 43045 are seen from the northern side of the viaduct as they work 1C61 17:14 Leeds - St Pancras.

As well as its use for freight the line also serves as an important diversionary route for the Midland Mainline when it is closed between Kettering and Leicester with trains taking the diversionary route via Corby, Oakham and Melton Mowbray. Due to planned engineering works this was the case on 5th July 2020 for my visit- the usual handful of freight trains giving way to several express passenger workings each hour in the hands of East Midland Railway's class 222 meridians and HST's. 

 North of Harringworth lies the much smaller Seaton viaduct
which is crossed here by ex LNER 43318 & 43257 with
East Midlands Mk3's working 1C43 10:53 Leeds - St Pancras.

The most impressive structure on the line is undoubtedly the 82 arch, grade II listed Harringworth Viaduct which spans the Welland valley straddling the boundary of Northamptonshire and Rutland as it does. The viaduct was designed by WH Barlow and is thought to contain more than 30 million bricks, the first of which was laid in March 1876 with construction of the full 1,171 meters being completed in July two years later. Dominating the landscape for miles around it is the viaduct which is the greatest draw to the photographer on this route and indeed draws enthusiasts from miles around when steam excursions are routed over it. 

43309 + 43317 chase the sun as they exit Seaton tunnel and begin to cross the viaduct while working 1B41 09:43 Leeds - St Pancras.

Another Midland HST set, 43073 & 43059 head north over the viaduct with 1F39 13:50 St Pancras - Sheffield.

Photographers look on as 43257 & 43318 work
1D46 15:03 St Pancras - Sheffield.

My visit was not aimed at a steam special but the more run of the mill Intercity 125 HST. These trains have been operating on the Midland Mainline since 1983 and have been diverted over the Harringworth Viaduct numerous times during their careers- however change is in the air with replacement trains being ordered for the fleet. PRM (Passengers of Reduced Mobility) legislation however has dictated that the native fleet of HST's including the last VP185 engined power cars are to be removed from traffic as soon as possible, replaced temporarily by 'more compliant' sets cascaded from LNER. The transition should have been complete at the beginning of 2020 but had been delayed granting the attractive Stagecoach (ex East Midland Trains) sets a stay of execution. Would this be the last opportunity to see them in full squadron service over the viaduct?

A second view of ex-LNER power cars 43257 & 43318 working 1D46 15:03 St Pancras - Sheffield, the spire of the Church of St John the Baptist in Harringworth visable above the train.

My final photo of the day, 222013 viewed beyond the country lanes while working 1F49 15:55 St Pancras - Sheffield.