Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Long Train on the Racetrack

66849 Wylam Dilly close

A cycle ride to Overton Bridge the starting point of "The Racetrack" the longest straight on the British rail network where new locos are speed tested. Nothing so exciting today just the traffic of a Summer's afternoon.


Over the two hours I was there three coal trains passed by on their way to the Aire Valley power stations. 5400 tonnes of coal, enough to keep the Summer lights on.


66008 Southbound Coal 1


The empties heading back to Ayr.

66008 Southbound Coal 2


All this wire is soley for the benefit of East Coast's Class 91 trains. The only electric traction using this stretch of line.

Overton Knitting


East Coast HST Northbound


Half Way


66559 Southbound Coal 1


66559 Southbound Coal 2


66559 Southbound Coal 3


Rust & Bolts Overton Bridge


The elevated setting of the bridge encourages exotic plant life.

Lichen Overton Bridge 1


Lichen Overton Bridge 2


A Grand Central HST showing how trains should look. Other operators please note trains are not buses and certainly not Barbie toys.

Grand Central HST Northbound


Arriva 221 Southbound


There was harvesting going on all day and the air was choking with chaff. At least they had the decency to pose for the camera.

Twin Tractors


A brand new Class 66 hauling the coal for Colas.

66849 Wylam Dilly Colas Coal


66849 Wylam Dilly close


Colas Coal Overton Up Slow


It's the time of year when abstract sculpture appears in the fields all over Eastern Yorkshire.

Beningborough Bales 1


Beningborough Bales 2


Wheat Sculpture


A pilgrim's eye view of the Minster over the fields.

Wheat & Distant Minster


A solid line of steel all the way to Newcastle.

Shipton Post Line


Network Rail rail grinder keeping a low profile. Geddit low profile. Sorry!

NR Rail Grinder Northbound


Grand Central HST Southbound at Speed


Trainees from Linton-on-Ouse practice formation flying. On the horizon their seniors from Leeming could be seen practicing in faster more dangerous aircraft.

Flock of Toucans


Another coal load courtesy of Deutschebahn.

66154 Coal Southbound


66154 Coal Southbound close


66154 Coal Southbound Overton Up Slow


66154 Coal Southbound & 185


The original Shed running South light engine.

66001


An East Coast 91 set heads North while 66154 and 66001 are queued for York.

66154 66001 & East Coast 91


With both lights on yellow 66001 appears to be racing this 221 for access to York Station.

66001 & Arriva 221 Racetrack


The South end of the Racetrack.

East Coast Main Line Overton Bridge Down

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