June 2024

Here we are firmly in Summer now – although, judging by the weather, you wouldn’t think so.

What happened in June as far as SRC is concerned? Not a great deal as many people were away and a lot of modelling activity is put on hold whilst people enjoy more outdoor pursuits.

However, we did make an appearance at the Armitage Village Day with our Thomas the Tank Engine themed layout “Hogsmead on Sodor”. It was a huge hit with all the children, so much, we even got invited to a birthday party later in the year! A first no doubt!

Spike has been out with his camera and has kindly supplied photos of interesting events out there on the rails.

Photo 1. Avanti West Coast Hitachi Class 805 Evero bi-mode multiple unit No.805006 reverses at Stafford while working 5Q32, 08.21 Merchant Park Sidings to Oxley Carriage Maintenance Depot. The unit had presumably  returned to its build base for maintenance and was returning to the area for further testing and had unfortunately hit a pigeon somewhere on its journey south. Photo courtesy of Cliff Homer, who asked me to include it in the selection. 11/6/2024.

 

Photo 2. A regular visitor on charter trains is the Preserved class 86 No.86259 as it gets signalled checked at Stafford while working 1Z41, 06.35 London Euston to Carlisle Railway Touring Company Cumbrian Coast Express Charter. West Coasts ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34067 ‘Tangmere’ then worked the charter south to Carnforth via The Cumbrian coast line. 1/6/2024.

Photo 3. June appeared to be a busy month for Vintage Trains at Tyseley, Ex GWR Castle class No.5043 “Earl of Mount Edgcumbe” racing along the gently rising gradient between Stafford and Crewe at Sytch Lane, Mill Meece, with the Vintage Trains Mersey Express 1Z43, 09.15 Tyseley to Liverpool Lime Street. 1/6/2024.

Photo 4. An everyday sight locally as Freightliner class 90 No.90009 and 90041 drop down grade from Searchlight Lane jnc to meet the WCML at Heamies Farm, Norton Bridge while working 4M63, 09.12 Felixstowe North F.L.T. to Trafford Park F.L.T. 4/6/2024.

Photo 5. Rebuilt Merchant Navy Pacific No.35018 British India Line coasts round the reverse curves at Heamies Farm, Norton Bridge working 5Z42, 11.26 Carnforth to Southall ECS before continuing to Swanage the next day for their Strictly Bulleid gala. 4/6/2024.

Photo 6. One of the prestigious wine and dine charters that runs around the country, West Coast class 57 No.57313 draws to a stop with 1Z60, 07.09 Coventry to Carlisle Northern Belle charter. Ex Southern Railways Bulleid Pacific 4-6-2 No 34067 ‘Tangmere’ would take over at Carnforth to take the train on to Carlisle before returning to Preston via the Settle route. 8/6/2024.

Photo 7. Castle Class No.7029 Clun Castle catches the late evening sun as it pauses at Stafford with the return Vintage Trains The Ffestiniog Express charter, 1Z54 18.06 Llandudno Junction to Dorridge. 8/6/2024.

Photo 8. Debranded DRS class 68 No.68029 approaches Stafford with 5Q94, 08.58 Longsight T.M.D. to Long Marston stock move with debranded ex TPE mk5 set No.9 in tow for storage now they are no longer in service with Trans Pennine after only a short period in use. 13/6/2024.

Photo 9. Looking like a Hornby train set model, LSL blue pullman class 43 HST power car No.43049 approaches Stafford with a short set working 5Z51, 09.00 Crewe to Eastleigh Arlington with ex East Midlands power car No.43050 on the rear. 13/6/2024.

Photo 10. GBRF class 69 No.69009 (class 56 body/66 engine) approaches Stafford with 5M95, 09.55 Widnes Transport Tech to Leicester L.I.P. after depostiting a SWT class 458 unit at Widnes for overhaul. 13/6/2024.

Photo 11. LSL operated class 47 No.47828 pause at Stafford while working 5Z51, 09.00 Crewe to Southall ECS for the next day’s Saphos charter to Kingswear. 14/6/2024.

Photo 12. LSL class 47 No.47593 draws to a stop at Stafford with 5Z60, 09.35 Crewe to Norwich ECS for the following days Statesman charter to Weymouth. 14/6/2024.

Photo 13.  A trip to the Great Central Railway for Father’s day resulted in the following few photos, Class 50 No.50017 arrives at Quorn and Woodhouse with the 14.25 Leicester North to Loughborough service. 16/6/2024.

Photo 14. Class 50 No.50017 arrives at Quorn and Woodhouse with the 15.35 Loughborough to Leicester North service. 16/6/2024.

Photo 15. Class 50 No.50017 departs Quorn and Woodhouse with the 13.40 Loughborough to Leicester North service, seen from the passenger section of Met Cam class 101 No.50203 which is arriving on the 13.14 service from Mountsorrel. 16/6/2024.

Photo 16. BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78019 approaches Quorn and Woodhouse with the 15.05 Loughborough to Leicester North goods train. 16/6/2024.

Photo 17. Met Cam class 101 No.50203+50266 passes through Quorn with the 14.43 service from Mountsorrel. 16/6/2024.

Photo 18. The Revolution VLR (Very Light Rail) demonstrator unit at Loughborough shed. The unit is a demonstrator for lightly used or re-opened branchlines and is bi-mode powered by both diesel engine and battery. 16/6/2024.

Photo 19. EX GWR Collett Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 5043 “Earl of Mount Edgcumbe” departs from the water stop in Cosford loop while working Vintage Trains ‘Cathedrals Express 1Z72, 06.55 Dorridge to Cardiff Central. 22/6/2024.

Well, that’s it for June. Enjoy the summer (if that’s possible!).