Netwrok rail HOBC hard work

[mumrar]

This morning I went out for an engineers train up the Lickey that was meant to be two Class 70s, sadly it was not. But becasue I was so early I managed to shoot the HOBC tackling the mammoth gradient with it's equally mammoth train. I can't imagine there's been any longer train to ever tackle the Lickey before this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_wilson/5649518134/in/photostream
66622 leading to Vigo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_wilson/5649518336/in/photostream/
66622 closes in

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_wilson/5648957719/in/photostream/
This shot of 66618 banking illustrates the length as 66622 is already over the top at Blackwell

 

[Sun Chariot]

Cracking shots, Matt. I particularly like the last one, with '22 already on the level at Blackwell and '18 still banking up the grade.

I imagine the acoustics - even for blimmin' Sheds - was pretty good too?

 

[HST Power]

Cracking shots, Matt. I particularly like the last one, with '22 already on the level at Blackwell and '18 still banking up the grade.

I agree. The last shot is very good. Would make a nice desktop background!

 

[westcoaster]

Both engines running, independently as well, guy at the rear uses a radio to speak to the guy at the front, telling him when to apply power and so forth, once saw one of these split up into smaller sections all lit up, and flashing beacons was quiet a sight.

 

[mumrar]

Both engines running, independently as well, guy at the rear uses a radio to speak to the guy at the front, telling him when to apply power and so forth, once saw one of these split up into smaller sections all lit up, and flashing beacons was quiet a sight.

Yes, it was quite weird hearing 618 notch down (the radiator thrash gave it away) whilst still being a long way off the top. I've never photographed a train with the load over the top like that before.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Whereas back in the '80s, when I used to see pairs of Tractors shoving freights up the grade, they were normally still bellowing as they crested Blackwell. Ah, happy days...!

 

[Csalem]

Lovely shots.