Recent content by Bob Buckler

They could have offered reduced fares whist they are still fairly shoddy, suburban units!! As if!!

Yes, but how soon?!

Took my first trip yesterday on a 360. Wellingborough to Corby on time, but unit, although superficially clean, was shabby and very second hand. Return from Corby at 11:40 (1H39) departed on time. Problem with doors at Kettering - Complete power down and switch on again seemed to fix it - Left...

Might have been possible to move everything nearer to Wellingborough. The crossover between the slow lines could have been just to the north of the recently replaced Irthlingborough Road bridge. It would be on a curve, but not much worse than it is at present. Too late now!

I still think that it was a mistake not to install a crossover between all lines when the new layout was installed just south of Wellingborough. With the present layout, if a northbound fast train is closely following a 360 on the fast line it will have to wait while the 360 stops at platform 1...

If the 360s have to be dragged anyway from Kettering to Northampton, why not go via Bedford and Bletchley? Are there clearance issues or would the reversal at Bletchley be too problematic?

Irthlingborough Road bridge at Wellingborough opened to road traffic on 28 December. Same width as demolished bridge. One way traffic controlled by traffic lights.

Class 360, 3Y52, passing Harrowden Junction yesterday, around 10.45

I have been told that the new bridge spans were installed at Irthlingborough Road, Wellingborough yesterday.

I believe that the craning in of the beams to replace Irthlingborough Road bridge at Wellingborough was postponed due to the recent high winds.

I suppose the lift to the new footbridge to platform 4 will be clad in ironstone to match the other platforms. I cannot imagine why they chose ironstone when the footbridge was replaced several years ago. The station was built and presumably listed as a prime example of redbrick Midland Railway...

I don't think that track curvature would be a problem. The first turnout of this crossover is just south of the now demolished and soon to be rebuilt, Irthlingborough Road bridge. The curvature reduces southwards from here for over 500 metres until turning in the other direction to cross the...

I notice that at the new crossovers south of Wellingborough there is no connection from Down Fast to Up Fast to access Platform 3. I suppose that if the Corby Electrics are going to use Platform 1 and then cross to the slow line north of the station,then it's not essential. However, I assumed...

The new road bridge over the railway at Wellingborough station was opened around lunchtime today. No sign as yet of the replacement bridge over the railway at Irthlingborough Road, although the pipes were removed a few weeks ago.

The utilty pipes across the railway at Irthlingborough Road bridge have been removed. I believe that they have been diverted under the railway. After much local outcry about the decision not to rebuild the bridge, it will now be replaced. Work was supposed to start about now, but no sign as yet.