2. Railways

Carry On Up The Lickey

The Lickey Incline is enshrined in myth and folklore on the Railway, a section of track just two miles long but rises at an eye watering 1 in 37 3/4 in the northerly direction. Bromsgrove station lies right at the bottom of the incline and stopping trains face a hard departure. A banking loco is still a feature here for heavy freight trains. 5/4/2006
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  • The southbound platform is covered in a layer of frost as 170102 draws into Bromsgrove station for its stop while working 1M56 0745 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. The white on the platform is frost being melted by the sun through the slats in the fence.

    The southbound platform is covered in a layer of frost as 170102 draws into Bromsgrove station for its stop while working 1M56 0745 Cardiff Central to Nottingham. The white on the platform is frost being melted by the sun through the slats in the fence.

  • The driver of 170502 is well wrapped up against the cold of the cab as the train reaches the bottom of the incline working 1V09 0738 Nottingham to Hereford Central Trains service.

    The driver of 170502 is well wrapped up against the cold of the cab as the train reaches the bottom of the incline working 1V09 0738 Nottingham to Hereford Central Trains service.

  • After its station stop, the driver of Central Trains 170102 gets the power on for the departure climb up The Lickey Incline.

    After its station stop, the driver of Central Trains 170102 gets the power on for the departure climb up The Lickey Incline.

  • 221126 reaches the bottom of the grade and powers onwards without stopping at Bromsgrove. The train is 1V29 0705 Leeds to Plymouth cross country.

    221126 reaches the bottom of the grade and powers onwards without stopping at Bromsgrove. The train is 1V29 0705 Leeds to Plymouth cross country.

  • Virgin Voyagers pass through Bromsgrove every 30 minutes in each direction (at the time of my visit), 221131 approaches taking a run at the most famous of banks. The service is 1S49 0622 Plymouth to Edinburgh. In the background is 66057 on banking duties.

    Virgin Voyagers pass through Bromsgrove every 30 minutes in each direction (at the time of my visit), 221131 approaches taking a run at the most famous of banks. The service is 1S49 0622 Plymouth to Edinburgh. In the background is 66057 on banking duties.

  • This is what The Lickey Incline looks like from the platform end looking up the 2 miles of 1 in 37 3/4. 170637, working 1M57 0850 Hereford to Nottingham, will make the ascent from a standing start on the rising 1 in 186 grade in the station. The crossover just ahead allows descending banking locos to access the loop and siding.

    This is what The Lickey Incline looks like from the platform end looking up the 2 miles of 1 in 37 3/4. 170637, working 1M57 0850 Hereford to Nottingham, will make the ascent from a standing start on the rising 1 in 186 grade in the station. The crossover just ahead allows descending banking locos to access the loop and siding.

  • Storming north and about to take a run at the Lickey is 221116 with 1S51 0725 Plymouth to Glasgow Central.

    Storming north and about to take a run at the Lickey is 221116 with 1S51 0725 Plymouth to Glasgow Central.

  • Voyager unit 221116 bends onto the incline as it charges the upgrade with a train heading for Glasgow Central. It left Plymouth at 0725, 1S51.

    Voyager unit 221116 bends onto the incline as it charges the upgrade with a train heading for Glasgow Central. It left Plymouth at 0725, 1S51.

  • Central Trains Turbostar 170115 makes its station stop at Bromsgrove wtih 1M59 0959 Hereford to Nottingham.

    Central Trains Turbostar 170115 makes its station stop at Bromsgrove wtih 1M59 0959 Hereford to Nottingham.

  • A Newcastle to Bristol Temple Meads service, 1V39 0723 off, reaches the bottom of the 2 mile drop which starts at Blackwell. The unit is 220005.

    A Newcastle to Bristol Temple Meads service, 1V39 0723 off, reaches the bottom of the 2 mile drop which starts at Blackwell. The unit is 220005.

  • Caught in exactly the same spot as the previous photo, five vehicle unit 221115 comes towards the station with 1V41 0607 Edinburgh to Plymouth Virgin Cross Country working.

    Caught in exactly the same spot as the previous photo, five vehicle unit 221115 comes towards the station with 1V41 0607 Edinburgh to Plymouth Virgin Cross Country working.

  • The first freight of the day is 66208 at the head of 6V39 2020 Lackenby to Llanwern loaded steel slab train running late. The driver would have been very active on the brake keeping the descent under control.

    The first freight of the day is 66208 at the head of 6V39 2020 Lackenby to Llanwern loaded steel slab train running late. The driver would have been very active on the brake keeping the descent under control.

  • A northbound freight approaches Bromsgrove station at speed. 66196 has a rake of empty TEA bogie tanks on the drawbar working 6E77 1022 WO Westerleigh to Port Clarence.

    A northbound freight approaches Bromsgrove station at speed. 66196 has a rake of empty TEA bogie tanks on the drawbar working 6E77 1022 WO Westerleigh to Port Clarence.

  • 66196 literally lifts its train up the southern part of The Lickey Incline. The change in rising gradient from 1 in 186 in the station to 1 in 37 3/4 on the incline itself is most noticeable. Unfortunately the banker was not deployed.

    66196 literally lifts its train up the southern part of The Lickey Incline. The change in rising gradient from 1 in 186 in the station to 1 in 37 3/4 on the incline itself is most noticeable. Unfortunately the banker was not deployed.

  • As the empty tank train toils up towards Blackwell, 66017 comes off the incline working 4Z72 0800 Rugeley to Portbury empty coal hoppers.

    As the empty tank train toils up towards Blackwell, 66017 comes off the incline working 4Z72 0800 Rugeley to Portbury empty coal hoppers.

  • 170513 approaches the station with a Nottingham to Great Malvern train, 1038 off 1V22, as 66083 sets off northbound. The loco was put inside the loop to allow a northbound train to overtake. It is running in the path of 6E35 Llanwern to Lackenby, whether it will run all the way to Lackenby is not known.

    170513 approaches the station with a Nottingham to Great Malvern train, 1038 off 1V22, as 66083 sets off northbound. The loco was put inside the loop to allow a northbound train to overtake. It is running in the path of 6E35 Llanwern to Lackenby, whether it will run all the way to Lackenby is not known.

  • A move away from Bromsgrove to Vigo Crossing about 2/3 of the way up The Lickey. 170117 descends with 1V23 1100 Nottingham to Cardiff Central. Vigo is a public foot crossing of the railway.

    A move away from Bromsgrove to Vigo Crossing about 2/3 of the way up The Lickey. 170117 descends with 1V23 1100 Nottingham to Cardiff Central. Vigo is a public foot crossing of the railway.

  • 170636 grinds upgrade with 1M63 1218 Great Malvern to Nottingham.

    170636 grinds upgrade with 1M63 1218 Great Malvern to Nottingham.

  • Coming up the climb at a good speed is 220010 with a train to the Eastern Region and Newcastle, 1E45 1048 from Exeter.

    Coming up the climb at a good speed is 220010 with a train to the Eastern Region and Newcastle, 1E45 1048 from Exeter.

  • This train was a real surprise and made my day. A pair of English Electric type 1 class 20s scream at the bank as they bring their single FNA wagon and flask skywards.

    This train was a real surprise and made my day. A pair of English Electric type 1 class 20s scream at the bank as they bring their single FNA wagon and flask skywards.

  • The locos sounded AWESOME as they passed, the combined 2,000hp of their English Electric 8SVT mkII powerplants roaring on full chat.

    The locos sounded AWESOME as they passed, the combined 2,000hp of their English Electric 8SVT mkII powerplants roaring on full chat.

  • Coming down the incline is first generation sprinter 150012 on what may be a running in turn as the set is immaculate in exworks condition.

    Coming down the incline is first generation sprinter 150012 on what may be a running in turn as the set is immaculate in exworks condition.

  • 170105 approaches Vigo Crossing making steady progress climbing towards Blackwell with 1M64 1145 Cardiff Central to Nottingham.

    170105 approaches Vigo Crossing making steady progress climbing towards Blackwell with 1M64 1145 Cardiff Central to Nottingham.

  • 221138 romps down grade at Vigo working one of the longest of cross country services, 1V49 0640 Dundee to Plymouth.

    221138 romps down grade at Vigo working one of the longest of cross country services, 1V49 0640 Dundee to Plymouth.

  • Despite how it looks this is a legal shot, well it was when I took it. Vigo Crossing is a foot crossing and this is the view looking downgrade towards Bromsgrove station.

    Despite how it looks this is a legal shot, well it was when I took it. Vigo Crossing is a foot crossing and this is the view looking downgrade towards Bromsgrove station.

  • Turning round to look up towards Blackwell and the top of the climb. I never went up there and regret it now.

    Turning round to look up towards Blackwell and the top of the climb. I never went up there and regret it now.

  • Virgin Cross Country's longest working is 1S66 0830 Penzance to Dundee. 221106 works this service as it blasts up The Lickey with 3,750hp available for the five vehicles, providing all the underfloor engines are working!

    Virgin Cross Country's longest working is 1S66 0830 Penzance to Dundee. 221106 works this service as it blasts up The Lickey with 3,750hp available for the five vehicles, providing all the underfloor engines are working!

  • Another northbound freight heaves itself and its train up the steepest UK pull. 66131 fronts 6E09 0920 Margam to Lackenby empty steel flats. Again no banker is required.

    Another northbound freight heaves itself and its train up the steepest UK pull. 66131 fronts 6E09 0920 Margam to Lackenby empty steel flats. Again no banker is required.

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    221126 reaches the bottom of the grade and powers onwards without stopping at Bromsgrove. The train is 1V29 0705 Leeds to Plymouth cross country.