Recent content by Dampflok

I wasn't able to get to Oxford for the first train this morning but saw it through Haddenham & Thame. Quite a few Chiltern staff (and others) got off it to take the first train from Marylebone to Oxford and joined by others including myself. "Little Italy" coffee shop at Haddenham somewhat...

I wasn't able to get to see the first of the Chiltern driver training runs from Oxford Parkway to Oxford/Hinksey Reception Lines, which started running from Monday 21st November. I did manage a quick visit today, 23rd November, when two units, 168 321 and 168 324 were in use. At the moment...

Thanks for the comments on the photos - much appreciated, though luck had a lot to do with it! A few more photos from today - as per usual these are "clickable" images to take you to larger photos on my site with full captions: I was happy to get the Chiltern units in...

Despite the apparent chaos in the RTT timings for 1Q05, the NR test train yesterday, I decided to go out in any case and hope for the best. As it was scheduled to go to Claydon, I checked out the level-crossing at Charbridge Lane (Bicester Eastern Perimeter Road) where the track was fenced off...

Much to my surprise, there were only two photographers on the new footbridge over the chord at Bicester to witness the first train - one was Steve Barker, Chiltern's chief engineer on the project and the other myself. There were also a couple of NR engineers present too. We were lucky with...

Having noted on RTT that 6A49 was running last Thursday, 17th September, I went to Bicester to see it, hopefully from the new footbridge over the chord. To my surprise this was open, though the work site there is still in operation. Signals on the chord are lit, but stop boards were still in...

Quote: Originally Posted by Sunbird24 .... I note from recent photographs that 68011 and 68012 are now running without handles below the windscreen corners. Are these being removed for a reason? The new one has them fitted already. 68011 and 68012 both photographed today, 22nd July 2015...

I was there on Tuesday 20th January 2015 and the footbridge certainly not open over the new chord, so presumably the photographer had official access. Photo here from the nearest you can get to the footbridge at the moment: Cheers, Geoff

Yes, 68013 worked this test train, hopefully without any problems, though only as far as Bicester. Shot of the outward run 5N68 approaching Princes Risborough here, in awkward light straight into the sun: Return run 5E68 near Kingsey: "Clickable" images as per usual. Still no...

If you want the full story, the book is now available and makes very interesting reading: http://adlestroppress.co.uk/content/7-wrexham-shropshire The history of the railway, its rise and fall from concept to closure and beyond, is told by many of those involved from the earliest ideas...

A couple of shots of today's train now up on my site: and: images are "clickable" to take you to larger shots on my site, with full captions. Cheers, Geoff

67025 certainly did work the above diagram and I was able to get a shot of it on the rear of 1H65 as it passed through Haddenham & Thame Parkway station at 17:05. Cheers, Geoff

Yes, this is quite brilliant and will be a great resource for many people. I've just spent ages trying to find out something about the branch line from Astley Bridge Junction to Astley Bridge station via Halliwell Goods (Bolton area) and here it all is, though the actual site of Halliwell...

I spent much of the day chasing this train around after being contacted by Chiltern staff involved in the organisation of the special in order to get some shots of it in some unusual locations for a passenger train. It was great fun, though something of a logistical nightmare, and took a bit...

Chiltern's new timetable started from today, Sunday 9th December 2012, and as there is now a Sunday loco-hauled train, this became the first scheduled Sunday service operated by Chiltern (as opposed to specials, STP, VAR and charters etc.). Honours fell to 82302 and 67015 working 1H31, 10:13...