Click here for Worcestershire's Railways in 2011
Click here for a summary of train workings in Worcestershire in 2011
Taking advantage of the first day of bright weather in 2012, MIAC members gathered at Croome on Friday 13th January to photograph class 66 diesel locomotive No.66011 with the out of gauge (presumably because of the presence of a Warrior Armoured car at the front of the consist) Didcot to Ashchurch via Worcester MoD supplies train, train code 6X16. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith.
Network Rail's test train headed by class 43 locomotive No.43062 'John Armitt' with No.43013 at the rear head north through Croome, nicely lit by the weak winter sun. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith on 13th January 2012.
On Tuesday 14th February 2012 the 09:49 from Birmingham New Street to Hereford (train code 1V24) was formed of two-car class 150/0 diesel multiple unit No.150109. Andrew Smith photographed the unit at Bromsgrove whilst on an visit to observe a rumoured new regular working from Daventry to Wentloog freight train. Alas the freight train did not run.
On 29th February 2012 class 66/7 diesel locomotives Nos.66725 and 66709 were in charge of the recently introduced biomass train from Doncaster to Portbury (headcode 4V94). The train passed Abbotswood Junction at 13:33. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith.
Also on 29th February 2012 Robert Cooke captured this magnificent study of the Bridgwater to Crewe nuclear flasks train as it crossed the River Avon bridge at Eckington. With the closure of the last reactor at Oldbury Power Station this working is now the only scheduled flasks working in Worcestershire. However with 52,000 used fuel rods to recover from Oldbury there will presumably be as required workings to Berkeley for some time. The train is headed by DRS livery class 37 diesel locomotives Nos.37423 and 37610.
In less than ideal conditions for photography class 47 diesel locomotive No.47245 passed Kings Norton with train code No.0Z86 12:59 from Long Marston to Wembley. The train consisted of ex-BR class 86 electric locomotive No.86215 which following refurbishment and repainting in Floyd livery had been renumbered to No.450005 for export to Hungary. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith.
This interesting photograph shows a Derby to Bristol Network Rail test train (train code No.3Z37) passing Longbridge Station on 24th April 2012. The leading vehicle is Driving Trailer Coach No.9703 which was concerted by Serco from 1974 built Mark 2f DBSO carriage No.9527. The next vehicle in the consist is Ultrasonic Test Coach No.999602 which was built at York in 1974 (as No.S62483 for the Southern Region). This is followed by No.6263, a former Mark 1 BG built by Pressed Steel in 1957. Traction is being provided by class 31 diesel locomotive No.31285 at the rear of the train. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith.
On Wednesday 2nd May 2012 the occasional Keyham Junction (Plymouth) to Crewe was operated by a pair of class 20 diesel locomotives. The westbound working conveyed two flasks which were left at the Naval Base at Devonport and the DRS livery locos (Nos.20312 and 20303 returned as 0Z40 light engines. The class 20s were photographed by Andrew Smith at Abbotswood shortly after Freightliner livery class 66 diesel locomotive No.66552 had passed with the afternoon Rugeley to Portbury train of empty coal hoppers.