Sunrain

37425 being hauled to Toton in the consist of 6D44 on 9th June 2010 during a sunny rainshower.

Robin of Streetly

47739 Robin of Templecombe is caught at Streetly Gate while working 6Z47 10:00 Doncaster to Donnington RFT. The train was running over two hours late after 47739 needed a coolant top up at Washwood Heath.

Class 59 at Aldridge

DBS (formerly EWS) loco number 59202 heads out across the Sutton Park line earlier this evening with a returning Pathfinder charter express train.

This species of loco, the forerunner of the ubiquitous Class 66, is hardly to be seen in the West Midlands area, though one happened to work the Walsall cement train on a rare occasion last year.

The loco had backed onto the train at Bescot, relieving a pair of DRS Class 37s.

Magic Moment

37706 and 5972 Hogwarts Castle are caught at Streetly Gate crossing while working 5Z59 10:39 Southall to Carnforth. The steamer had been in London in connection with filming for a new Harry Potter movie.

Class 97s at Aldridge

This pair of yellow beauties sailed through Aldridge early this afternoon, the Network Rail ex-Class 37s were presumably en route Derby - Shrewsbury as 0Z97.

97302 + 97303 were photographed from what was once the end of the Aldridge station upside platform, near to the current crossover points which was the former junction for the Walsall Wood and Brownhills Watling Street branch.

Wish I could get onto the sunny side viewpoint across the tracks though.....

We Got A Great Big Convoy

Wednesday 19th May saw 47580 work 0Z98 09:10 Kidderminster (SVR) to Tyseley via Butterley. The consist included 37264, 45133 and 31271 which had all appeared at the previous weekends Swanage Railway diesel gala.

The DBS Managers Train makes a rare appearance in Sutton Park, heading back to Reading from Wales on the evening of 12th May 2010. DVT 82146 was leading the set, with flagship loco 67029 'Royal Diamond' bringing up the rear.

A Brush With The Devil

WCRC's 47245 and 47826 top 'n' tail Nenta Train Tours 'Aberystwyth & The Devil's Bridge' through Streetly on their way from Norwich to Aberystwyth.

Park Tours

Saturday 24th April saw two railtours routed via the Sutton Park line. First up was 67005 Queen's Messenger working Northern Belle's 'Harrogate Spring Flower Show'. This was closely followed by 47787 Windsor Castle & 47786 Roy Castle OBE working top 'n' tail on Green Express Railtours 'The Devonian'.

Pink Floyd On Tour

56312 + 56311 are caught at Streetly Gate taking 86232 to Worcester Yard from Crewe. The Class 86 had been at Crewe for tyre turning and is due to be exported from the UK.

Tractor Transfer

37516 is seen passing Streetly working 5Z37 Crewe to Tyseley.

The Great Britain III

Due to planned industrial action by Network Rail signallers the Great Britain III railtour was diverted via the Sutton Park line. 44871 and 70013 Oliver Cromwell are caught shortly after leaving a water stop at Streetly. This was the Bristol to Preston leg of this epic journey on Thursday 8th April.

Following close behind was 47760 which would provide assitance if required.

Photo's by I Jennings

37419 bids farewell to Pleck Junction.

DB Schenker liveried 37419 was in the consist of 6D44 Bescot ES - Toton on Tuesday 6 April. Also along for the ride was 67011, both locos had arrived at Bescot from Crewe on Monday.

D44 is regularly used to move locos to the Nottinghamshire depot, 66160 doing the honours here.

37419 was one of the two Class 37s repainted into DB colours last year, 670 being the other, for a short-lived last few weeks in service looking very smart. Sadly they are both now out of use.

Will this old machine ever power up again....?

Brushed Aside

Brush Type 4 47525 is snapped en route to Kingsbury EMR early this afternoon, presumably for scrapping.

WCRC Class 47s 47851/D1648 'Traction Magazine' and 47787 'Windsor Castle' were top-and-tailing the move, both loco's returning light back to Carnforth afterwards.
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Blue Monday

37087 seen making yet another appearance today. Coupled to 37423 the pair of Type 3s are caught in Sutton Park with 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe, comprising flask number 60 (once again).

70003

Fisheye lens image of new Freightliner Powerhaul loco 70003 on Streetly Gate foot crossing this morning, with the returning 4Z70 empty coal hoppers from Rugeley PS to Stoke Gifford.

Rail Machinery

Glowing Growlers

37603 + 37607 pass Ryecroft Junction working 6M56 Berkeley to Crewe.

Taking Back The Empties

70002 working 4Z70 08:53 Rugeley Power Station to Stoke Gifford through Streetly.

Shed Scenes

A selection of Class 66's seen around Streetly Gate include:-

66087 working 6D44 Bescot to Toton on 22nd Feb

66568 working 4L78 on 22nd Feb

66426 on 23rd Feb

66502 working 4L78 on 23rd Feb

66303 working 4D30 Ironbridge to Chaddesden on 23rd Feb