Trains around Stafford 2020
These photos have been taken by Spike Windows in and around the Stafford area in late 2020 – NOT during lockdown he assures me!
Photo 1 – DB class 66/0 catches at patch of watery sun between the showers at heads south along the WCML at Heamies Farm, Norton Bridge with the 10.00 Dowlow Briggs to Theale Hope Cement aggregates train. 6/10/20
Photo 2 – Class Forty Preservation Society owned Class 40 No.40145 is currently on hire to Loco Services at Crewe and was used to drag ex east Midlands HST power car No.43058 through Stafford on the 9th October 2020 working 5Z42, 11.36 Long Marston to Crewe HS Loco Services stock move.
Photo 3 – DB Cargo class 66/0 No.66013 catches a small patch of autumn sun as it rolls through Stafford at the head of 4L56, the 13.15 Trafford Park Euroterminal to London Gateway intermodal service on the 9th October 2020.
Photo 4 – West Midlands Railways are receiving new trains to replace older units and has started training/commissioning runs. Brand new class 196 Civity No.196103 passes Stafford while on 5Q34, 15.18 Crewe to Tyseley test run on the 26th October 2020.
Photo 5 – Autumn brings the usual sight of Rail Head Treatment Trains around the country. In our area GBRf class 66 No.66724 and 66707 were used early on in the autumn and are seen reversing at Stafford after arriving from the south while working 3J01, 12.05 Kings Norton – London Euston RHTT on the 26th October 2020. This year it pauses at Stafford and runs back into sidings to recess for 75 minutes before heading back south to London.
Photo 6 – Ex LMS Jubilee No.45596 Bahamas passes Sytch Lane, Mill Meece on the 3rd November 2020 while heading home on 5Z96, 07.25 Alton (Mid Hants) to Keighley after an appearance at their gala weekend.
Photo 7 – DB class 66/0 No.66056 awaits the road north at Stafford while working 18.50 Bescot to Warrington Arpley wagon move. 9/12/20
Photo 8 – Northern Rail class 150 Sprinter No.150215 makes an unusual sight at Stafford while working back home on the 12th December 2020 with the 08.08 Wolverton to Neville Hill ECS move after receiving attention in the works.
Photo 9 – One of the few charters to operate and in terrible weather conditions Loco Services class 90 No.90002 passes Stafford while working the inaugural InterCity charter (Loco Services) 1Z90, 0712 London Euston to Glasgow Central on the 12th December 2020
Photo 10 – Living on borrowed time Freightliner class 86 No.86604+86609 pass Stafford atop 4M45, 02.57 Felixstowe to Garston liner service on the 12th December 2020. After 55 year of service only one pair continue in frontline service for Freightliner in mid January and it would be doubtful that these will continue in service for much longer.
Photo 11 – Highlight of the Autumn was the emergence of Loco Services Blue Pullman HST for use on charter trains. No.43055+43046 catches the last afternoon sun as it races south passed Heamies Farm near Norton Bridge with the 1Z45, 13.59 return Crewe to London St Pancras inaugural Midland Pullman charter on the 12th December 2020.
