Hi, Welcome to my blog. It will contain my latest sightings, links to my latest photos and info pages and any relevant news updates. It will be updated when possible.
Today saw Scotrail commence driver training between Dundee and Haymarket on the former First Great Western HST's that are beginning to transfer north.
Running today were 43179 and 43126, which had both been debranded and sandwiched in between were 3x Mark 3's. I caught pass through Dalmeny whilst working 2W24 Dundee - Haymarket training run. The HST's will be entering service with Scotrail later in the year.
43179 | 43126 |
50008 with barrier vehicles and 3 ex first Great Western mark 3's approach Carstairs East Junction with 5Z50 Leicester - Craigentinny coaching stock move 15.1.18
Seen from a passing tram this afternoon was debranded former First Great Western HST power car 43179 seen stabled at Haymarket Depot awaiting its entry to service with Scotrail later this year. There was another 43 on the other end, however I didn't manage to get a photo of it.
a quick trip into Edinburgh this afternoon by tram meant a quick stop off at St Andrews Square and here is CAF Urbos 3 no 255 rounding the curve from St Andrews Square into York Place.
An hour at Edinburgh Park Central this afternoon allowed all 12 trams on todays 7 minute service to be viewed and photographed.
In service today were trams: 255, 274, 265, 267, 258, 277, 252, 270, 269, 275, 257 and 271 (9 in CR Smith adverts and 3 in fleet livery).
Figures released have indicated a 19% increase in passenger numbers during 2017 with 6.6 million passenger journeys, up 1 million on the previous year.
There are also trials underway to double the frequency during peak times.
Also noted today was that no 271 had stickers added to the windows next to 2nd and central sections indicating priority seating.
255 | 274 | 265 | 267 |
258 | 277 | 252 | 270 |
269 | 275 | 271 | 257 |
My first sighting of 2018: 60047. I saw 60047 twice on this day. The first time was from the level crossing at Greenfoot loop, where 60047 is viewed with 6S36 Dalston - Grangemouth tanks. I then headed up to Greenfaulds, where I caught 047 passing through with the same working.
60047 at Greenfaulds |
Normally the northbound Caledonian Sleeper service (1S26 from London Euston - Glasgow Central) arrives into Carstairs at 6.21am, however this morning it was running around 104 minutes late by the time it arrived at 8.19 this morning, not only meaning that it was almost daylight but also that I could see it for a change!
92010 brought the sleeper into platform 1 at Carstairs, where the train would be divided with the front portion continuing to Glasgow behind 92010 and the rear portion, heading to Edinburgh Waverley as 1B26 and hauled by 90042.
92010 | 90042 |
Float Viaduct just south of Carstairs is a nice location for photos at any time of the year, however, when it has been snowing, the scenery around there is stunning! Today I popped up to take a couple of photos of 88001 on 4S43 Daventry - Mossend containers. Here are my photos:
88001 | 88001 | 88001 |
Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge has Scotland's only working heritage tramline. The tramline is about 1/2 mile long and single tracked throughout. There have 4 trams:
The short line heads from the main entrance round to a replica coal mine and miners row. Also at the end of the line is former Blue Train 311103, which the motor coach and one of the driving trailers from the set is on display.