Triple Flasks and Double Twenties.

Another sharp angle on the downhill 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe flask train, Thursday 28th May 2009, with DRS "choppers" 20304 + 20303.

This train used to run via Worcester and Bescot for many years, but for months now has been routed via Barnt Green and Walsall. A shame that the Sutton Park line is badly aligned for late afternoon photo's when the sun is shining !

Tornado at Ryecroft.

Another view of Tornado, the new A1 Class locomotive today, this time at Ryecroft Junction. The loco looked superb in the afternoon sun as it made its way to Bescot TMD.

Tornado In Sutton Park

Brand new A1 60163 Tornado passes through Sutton Park while working 5Z63 York N.R.M. to Bescot Yard. The new loco certainly brought out the crowds to see it work across the Park line for the very first time.

Tornado rips up the Park !

Another view of the new-build steam loco number 60163 Tornado, seen passing through Aldridge early this afternoon, the first time the engine has headed this way.
The locomotive is supposed to stable in Bescot Depot overnight, going forward early on Saturday morning to Gloucester in order to work a charter train.

Also enclosed is a fine shot from John Edkins who snapped the engine at Streetly Gate, a couple of miles further back from Aldridge.

Castles at dawn

The amazing sight of 2 ex-GWR Castle class locomotives, numbers 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" and 5029 "Nunney Castle" passing over the Sutton Park line early this morning, en route Tyseley - Shrewsbury in order to work "The Welsh Marches" express train.

By Royal Appointment

Former Royal locomotive 47798 "Prince William" heads an ECS move across Sutton Park this afternoon, with 47851 "Traction Magazine" bringing up the rear. The train was running from Carnforth to Gloucester in connection with a tour tomorrow morning.

Last-second flasks

Not an angle I would normally shoot from, but at least it was on the sunny side...

Caught out by the early running 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe flask train this afternoon, these photo's will have to do. The outward leg of the service (6V73) usually passes through in the opposite direction at around 0600, but was running around two and a half hours late this morning. But this had no bearing on the return train, seen here from the Dumblederry Lane bridge, which was about 40 minutes early at Aldridge !

The loco's are 37423 + 20303.

Grids and Growler

Rooftop views of colourful loco's seen passing through the Blue Hole cutting near Daw End today.

97301 appeared first, running light to Shrewsbury. 66623 "Bill Bolsover" followed the former Class 37, in charge of 6U64 loaded stone hoppers to Crewe. Heading uphill were 56312 + 56311 fresh off yesterday's railtour, and possibly destined for their base at Washwood Heath.

Park liner

DRS loco 66420 approaches the Sutton Park groundframe crossover running a few minutes early this morning, with the 4S49 SO Daventry - Grangemouth container service.