Stenson Junction

Stenson Junction: from David Hughes

Interesting afternoon at Stenson Junction near Willington on 1st July 2020 watching the freight go past. It is surprising just how busy the line is with freight traffic. North of the junction with the Stoke line is Stenson Junction, where the main line to Derby continues ahead, and the freight route via Castle Donnington to Trent branches off.  Most of the traction supplied these days are the standardised Class 66s. The only attracting feature is possibly the variation in liveries representing the different freight operators. The footbridge here straddles four tracks, forming the main line and the former North Staffs line that joins the Derby line here.   Overlooking the location are the unused cooling towers of Willington Power Station. The turbine halls have now all gone and the site is pending housing development.

1      Cross Country 170103 unit from Nottingham to Birmingham.

2      East Midlands 156909 with a Derby to Crewe service leaving the main line at North Staffs Junction.

3     156909 heading for Uttoxeter and Crewe

4     66086 heads north with a container train

5     66108 heads south with a ballast train

6     66536 and 66413 ‘Lest we Forget’ double head a freight to Southampton

7      66413 in its striking yellow Freightliner livery

8      Trans Pennine Express 68028 ‘Lord President’ works a two wagon ballast train northwards to Toton.

9     66760 ‘David Gordon Harris’ crossing the Tame Viaduct, seen here from the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum

10      66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered Hitachi Rail Europe’ on the Tame Viaduct

So, a fun afternoon during the post lockdown period.