2. Railways

A day at Ledburn

A busy and varied day on the West Coast Main Line at Ledburn, a few miles south of Leighton Buzzard and very close to the location of the Great Train Robbery. It wasn't me Guv, I wasn't there, I have a note from my mother. And I was only 18 months old!! 12/4/2006
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  • Under a perfect early morning sky, 57010 heads south at Ledburn Junction with 4L41 0805 Daventry to Felixstowe North Yard Freightliner. This loco was seen the previous day at Levington on the Felixstowe branch.

    Under a perfect early morning sky, 57010 heads south at Ledburn Junction with 4L41 0805 Daventry to Felixstowe North Yard Freightliner. This loco was seen the previous day at Levington on the Felixstowe branch.

  • The WCML is four track here and busy with it. 390050 hurries south on the up fast working 1R20 0715 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston.

    The WCML is four track here and busy with it. 390050 hurries south on the up fast working 1R20 0715 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston.

  • 321412 and 321420 head south in lovely spring sunshine with a class 2 working, 2K62 0915 Milton Keynes to Euston, stopping at most stations.

    321412 and 321420 head south in lovely spring sunshine with a class 2 working, 2K62 0915 Milton Keynes to Euston, stopping at most stations.

  • A pair of class 350 EMU's come along the Up slow with a class 1 working, 350119 leads 1N64 0910 off Northampton to Euston.

    A pair of class 350 EMU's come along the Up slow with a class 1 working, 350119 leads 1N64 0910 off Northampton to Euston.

  • A pair of class 350 Desiro units form a down working, 1N43 0927 Euston to Northampton, the sets are 350107 and 350129.

    A pair of class 350 Desiro units form a down working, 1N43 0927 Euston to Northampton, the sets are 350107 and 350129.

  • Despite the sun it was cold and wrapping up warm was a necessity. 390023 has come from Carlisle, 0609 off and London Euston is about 20-25 minutes away. The headcode is 1A25.

    Despite the sun it was cold and wrapping up warm was a necessity. 390023 has come from Carlisle, 0609 off and London Euston is about 20-25 minutes away. The headcode is 1A25.

  • The clouds were starting to appear by the time 66537 approaches heading south for the Thamesport facility at Grain with a Freightliner from Crewe, 4O86 0725 MX.

    The clouds were starting to appear by the time 66537 approaches heading south for the Thamesport facility at Grain with a Freightliner from Crewe, 4O86 0725 MX.

  • Class 86 locos are becoming rare and are only operated by Freightliner, 86501 is the only member of the sub class and is employed on 4L97 0710 Trafford Park to Felixstowe North Yard Freightliner.

    Class 86 locos are becoming rare and are only operated by Freightliner, 86501 is the only member of the sub class and is employed on 4L97 0710 Trafford Park to Felixstowe North Yard Freightliner.

  • The full view looking south towards Ledburn Junction crossovers and Cheddington station in the distance. Also nearby is Bridego Bridge, the site of the Great Train Robbery on 8th August 1963. Desiro EMU 350103 is northbound working 1N55 1022 off Euston to Northampton.

    The full view looking south towards Ledburn Junction crossovers and Cheddington station in the distance. Also nearby is Bridego Bridge, the site of the Great Train Robbery on 8th August 1963. Desiro EMU 350103 is northbound working 1N55 1022 off Euston to Northampton.

  • On Track Plant deserves to be recorded just as much as any other type of train. Plasser and Theurer 07-16 Universal Tamper/Liner trundles south on a quiet path.

    On Track Plant deserves to be recorded just as much as any other type of train. Plasser and Theurer 07-16 Universal Tamper/Liner trundles south on a quiet path.

  • Glasgow's first up train has reached me and journey's end is less than 30 minutes away. 390010 speeds by with service 1M10 0555 off Glasgow's Central station bound for London Euston.

    Glasgow's first up train has reached me and journey's end is less than 30 minutes away. 390010 speeds by with service 1M10 0555 off Glasgow's Central station bound for London Euston.

  • This down working formed by 390031 is bound for Lancaster and is 1C12 1046 off Euston.

    This down working formed by 390031 is bound for Lancaster and is 1C12 1046 off Euston.

  • The class 350 Desiro units were introduced from 2005 and are the AC version of SWT's class 450. 350130 and 350119 head north for Northampton with 1N89 1051 off London Euston.

    The class 350 Desiro units were introduced from 2005 and are the AC version of SWT's class 450. 350130 and 350119 head north for Northampton with 1N89 1051 off London Euston.

  • Virgin Thunderbird loco 57312 runs south, its journey details are not known.

    Virgin Thunderbird loco 57312 runs south, its journey details are not known.

  • The sky was clouding over as the morning wore on and the first northbound freight approaches with 66535 bound for the Liverpool terminal at Ditton with 4M94 0730 off Felixstowe North Yard.

    The sky was clouding over as the morning wore on and the first northbound freight approaches with 66535 bound for the Liverpool terminal at Ditton with 4M94 0730 off Felixstowe North Yard.

  • More OTP and this strange looking machine is a EM-SAT RT 100 test unit! I have NO idea what it does! What does the tin say??

    More OTP and this strange looking machine is a EM-SAT RT 100 test unit! I have NO idea what it does! What does the tin say??

  • This pair of class 57/3's almost caught me out as they snuck up on me when I wasn't looking! 57306 and 57314 run north on the down slow line.

    This pair of class 57/3's almost caught me out as they snuck up on me when I wasn't looking! 57306 and 57314 run north on the down slow line.

  • Desiro unit 350103 is seen again and glides south with no effort up the gentle 1 in 540 rising gradient. The working is 2N04 1132 Northampton to Euston.

    Desiro unit 350103 is seen again and glides south with no effort up the gentle 1 in 540 rising gradient. The working is 2N04 1132 Northampton to Euston.

  • 390023 tears north under a clouding sky working 1S56 1146 Euston to Glasgow Central. Shame it wasn't a Duchess in full cry!

    390023 tears north under a clouding sky working 1S56 1146 Euston to Glasgow Central. Shame it wasn't a Duchess in full cry!

  • A 3 unit formation of class 321 EMU's give a 12 vehicle train running north to Northampton from Euston, 2N69 1124 off Euston.

    A 3 unit formation of class 321 EMU's give a 12 vehicle train running north to Northampton from Euston, 2N69 1124 off Euston.

  • The sun was coming and going with the clouds and working its way round to the other side of the line but wasn't quite there yet. 350107 heads north on the down slow with 1N91 1151 off Euston to Northampton.

    The sun was coming and going with the clouds and working its way round to the other side of the line but wasn't quite there yet. 350107 heads north on the down slow with 1N91 1151 off Euston to Northampton.

  • Looking down on the line looking north as an unidentified class 390 Pendolino unit heads for London from Wolverhampton, 1B42 1105 off.

    Looking down on the line looking north as an unidentified class 390 Pendolino unit heads for London from Wolverhampton, 1B42 1105 off.

  • A second class 57 Freightliner comes south on the up slow. 57009 works 4L93 1008 Lawley Street to Felixstowe South Yard, it appears well loaded.

    A second class 57 Freightliner comes south on the up slow. 57009 works 4L93 1008 Lawley Street to Felixstowe South Yard, it appears well loaded.

  • The sun is starting to favour the down side of the line as 390028 speeds along the down fast with 1G12 1240 Euston to Wolverhampton.

    The sun is starting to favour the down side of the line as 390028 speeds along the down fast with 1G12 1240 Euston to Wolverhampton.

  • As the day wears on, the sun has come round and the west side of the bridge is more favourable. 390044 forms 1M12 0810 Glasgow Central to Euston. It has between 20 - 25 minutes to run before journey's end.

    As the day wears on, the sun has come round and the west side of the bridge is more favourable. 390044 forms 1M12 0810 Glasgow Central to Euston. It has between 20 - 25 minutes to run before journey's end.

  • The new class 350 Desiro units are prolific on the Northampton services. 350121 forms 1N18 1242 off bound for Euston. Nice new trains for the home counties commuters.

    The new class 350 Desiro units are prolific on the Northampton services. 350121 forms 1N18 1242 off bound for Euston. Nice new trains for the home counties commuters.

  • A most pleasant surprise is veteran Brush type 4 47145 running north on the down slow. It is operated by FM Rail. This celebrity loco was cut up for scrap on August 16th 2009.

    A most pleasant surprise is veteran Brush type 4 47145 running north on the down slow. It is operated by FM Rail. This celebrity loco was cut up for scrap on August 16th 2009.

  • A patch of weakish sunlight hits the side of 350119 employed on 1N99 1322 from London Euston to Northampton.

    A patch of weakish sunlight hits the side of 350119 employed on 1N99 1322 from London Euston to Northampton.

  • An Augusta Westland EH101 Merlin helicopter flies by heading west.

    An Augusta Westland EH101 Merlin helicopter flies by heading west.

  • Another loco seen the previous day at Trimley is 66705. Today it is working the same train as yesterday, 4M23 1059 Felixstowe North Yard to Hams Hall Intermodal and is being rapidly overhauled by 390044 working 1H21 1405 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly.

    Another loco seen the previous day at Trimley is 66705. Today it is working the same train as yesterday, 4M23 1059 Felixstowe North Yard to Hams Hall Intermodal and is being rapidly overhauled by 390044 working 1H21 1405 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly.

  • The sun makes the odd appearance and here it lights up the attractive Sliverlink Trains livery applied to 321407 rostered to 2K05 1354 Euston to Milton Keynes.

    The sun makes the odd appearance and here it lights up the attractive Sliverlink Trains livery applied to 321407 rostered to 2K05 1354 Euston to Milton Keynes.

  • The first of a couple of class 90's I would see this day is Freightliner 90043. It is employed on 4M81 0849 Felixstowe South Yard to Crewe South.

    The first of a couple of class 90's I would see this day is Freightliner 90043. It is employed on 4M81 0849 Felixstowe South Yard to Crewe South.

  • Another helicopter passes by heading east this time. A Boeing AH64 Apache Longbow attack helicopter operated by the British Army Air Corps.

    Another helicopter passes by heading east this time. A Boeing AH64 Apache Longbow attack helicopter operated by the British Army Air Corps.

  • A pair of class 321 four coach EMU's run along the down slow with 2K15 1454 Euston to Milton Keynes. The sets are 321412 and 321419.

    A pair of class 321 four coach EMU's run along the down slow with 2K15 1454 Euston to Milton Keynes. The sets are 321412 and 321419.

  • The first EWS freight working of the day heads north behind 66201. The train is 6X82 1502 Wembley to Washwood Heath formed of two sets of WIA-A covered car carriers loaded with Ford products.

    The first EWS freight working of the day heads north behind 66201. The train is 6X82 1502 Wembley to Washwood Heath formed of two sets of WIA-A covered car carriers loaded with Ford products.

  • The afternoon is progressing and the sun starts to lengthen the shadows. Freightliner green liveried 90041 is lit as it powers 4L75 1155 Crewe Basford Hall to Felixstowe North Yard service south.

    The afternoon is progressing and the sun starts to lengthen the shadows. Freightliner green liveried 90041 is lit as it powers 4L75 1155 Crewe Basford Hall to Felixstowe North Yard service south.

  • 390021 forms 1M15 1110 Glasgow Central to Euston service. When Virgin introduced the Pendolino sets they did away with named trains. So passengers no longer travel to London from Glasgow on the up Royal Scot, shame that.

    390021 forms 1M15 1110 Glasgow Central to Euston service. When Virgin introduced the Pendolino sets they did away with named trains. So passengers no longer travel to London from Glasgow on the up Royal Scot, shame that.

  • A patch of afternoon sun brightens the view as 390004 shoots by with 1G18 1540 Euston to Wolverhampton.

    A patch of afternoon sun brightens the view as 390004 shoots by with 1G18 1540 Euston to Wolverhampton.

  • Still the sun is out as Freightliner green 90016 heads for Manchester Trafford Park with a late morning Felixstowe North Yard departure, 4M87 1141 off.

    Still the sun is out as Freightliner green 90016 heads for Manchester Trafford Park with a late morning Felixstowe North Yard departure, 4M87 1141 off.

  • Virgin West Coast operate a few Voyager units on their Euston to Holyhead services. 221132 forms one such service, 1D24 1549 off Euston for the Isle of Anglesey port.

    Virgin West Coast operate a few Voyager units on their Euston to Holyhead services. 221132 forms one such service, 1D24 1549 off Euston for the Isle of Anglesey port.

  • A very well loaded Medite Shipping Company block train comes south on the up slow behind GBRf 66708. The working is 4L22 1410 Hams Hall to Felixstowe North Yard Intermodal.

    A very well loaded Medite Shipping Company block train comes south on the up slow behind GBRf 66708. The working is 4L22 1410 Hams Hall to Felixstowe North Yard Intermodal.

  • Running behind the previous train despite leaving Hams Hall 30 minutes before it is 66503 with 4L90 1338 off to Felixstowe North Yard. It too carries Medite Shipping Group boxes.

    Running behind the previous train despite leaving Hams Hall 30 minutes before it is 66503 with 4L90 1338 off to Felixstowe North Yard. It too carries Medite Shipping Group boxes.

  • Another pleasant surprise is Porterbrook liveried, GBRf operated, 87002 hauling 1S96 1626 Willesden Railnet to Sheildmuir mail train. The loco is hauling four class 325 units minus their powered vehicles.

    Another pleasant surprise is Porterbrook liveried, GBRf operated, 87002 hauling 1S96 1626 Willesden Railnet to Sheildmuir mail train. The loco is hauling four class 325 units minus their powered vehicles.

  • More classic traction now as a pair of English Electric type 3 class 37's head for Purfleet with DRS' Intermodal 4L46 1118 from Ditton. All four freight operators have been seen on this day, five if you include the FM Rail 47145.

    More classic traction now as a pair of English Electric type 3 class 37's head for Purfleet with DRS' Intermodal 4L46 1118 from Ditton. All four freight operators have been seen on this day, five if you include the FM Rail 47145.

  • The first of a several class 92 locos approaches from the south with EWS' 6X77 1731 Wembley to Mossend Enterprise service hauled by 92030. It also conveys car on twin deck IPA-V carriers. This train was almost missed as I was looking to the north at a southbound service also class 92 hauled.

    The first of a several class 92 locos approaches from the south with EWS' 6X77 1731 Wembley to Mossend Enterprise service hauled by 92030. It also conveys car on twin deck IPA-V carriers. This train was almost missed as I was looking to the north at a southbound service also class 92 hauled.

  • Up and down class 92 hauled freights meet.

    Up and down class 92 hauled freights meet.

  • The end of the previous train is visible beside the up working hauled by 92005. This EWS loco is in two tone grey livery, as is 92030, and is fronting 6A42 1515 Bescot to Wembley Enterprise.

    The end of the previous train is visible beside the up working hauled by 92005. This EWS loco is in two tone grey livery, as is 92030, and is fronting 6A42 1515 Bescot to Wembley Enterprise.

  • The last bonus of the day is the Network Rail Measurement Train. 43013 and 43014 power south on the up fast with 1Z93 1607 WO Liverpool to Euston.

    The last bonus of the day is the Network Rail Measurement Train. 43013 and 43014 power south on the up fast with 1Z93 1607 WO Liverpool to Euston.

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    Under a perfect early morning sky, 57010 heads south at Ledburn Junction with 4L41 0805 Daventry to Felixstowe North Yard Freightliner. This loco was seen the previous day at Levington on the Felixstowe branch.
    The WCML is four track here and busy with it. 390050 hurries south on the up fast working 1R20 0715 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston.
    321412 and 321420 head south in lovely spring sunshine with a class 2 working, 2K62 0915 Milton Keynes to Euston, stopping at most stations.