Richard Pike

At a secret location this afternoon I was lucky to catch 66751 running light loco. It was followed shortly afterwards by a 3 car Class 800 running in Bi Mode.

Final project completed for this month is 66751 with its newly fitted Dellner coupling for the IEP project and whilst I was at it thought I had best make a mini IEP for it to haul around.

Another project completed was a rake of 9 MBA wagons for use on scrap traffic that I have been weathering for the last couple of months. I am pretty sure that's Big Jim driving.

My Two wagons are finished, MXA MVA Quite an easy couple of projects but very rewarding and something a little different.

A little inspiration, taken on todays 6E89, Portbury - West Burton Gypsum empties.

I got the same email as well this morning, I had actually given up on them and have started looking at converting a rake of IOA's but I can shelve that project now, just order in some more GBRf blue paint.

Managed an hour at Newark this afternoon. First up was 66587 working 4L85, Doncaster - Felixstowe. 66746, 6E84, Middleton Towers - Barnby Dunn. Then came the catch of the day, 66729 with 2 Arlington translator coaches and D6757 on the rear.

Very early start this morning to catch the IEP at Marholm near Peterborough. 66174 on 6L53, Mountsorrel - Broxbourne.. 66531, running Light loco as 0L99, Toton - Whitemoor with 66588 working 4L83, Leeds - Felixstowe. Prize catch of the morning, 66751 dragging IEP 800 001, 5M98, Tallington - Old Dalby.

IEP 800 001 ran last night for the first time on the ECML, it departed Old Dalby at 22.07 and arrived at Tallington at 00.27, running as 5E98 dragged by 66751 and then commenced test runs between Tallington and Grantham. Testing was completed and the unit was dragged back from Tallington to Peterborough at 04.13, and then after running round departed East field at 05.27 running back to Ols Dalby as 5M98. After an early start this morning, fortunately there was just about enough light to get some reasonable pictures as the unit headed past Marholm at 05.33.

Spent a couple of hours at Doncaster Decoy this morning. 66079, 6D16, Cottam - Ferrybridge Gypsum. 66589, 4E62, Felixstowe - Doncaster Freightliner Terminal 66719, 6M73, Doncaster Decoy - Toton. 66748, unidentified working, arrived with a rake of Coal hoppers into the Down yard, then departed light loco.

Just a couple from yesterday evening at Carlton Loop on the ECML, 4D79 Convoy, Peterborough - Doncaster, 66753/724/763/748/705(Repainted minus its Union Jacks) + pair of FEA container flats. 4E45, 66182, Felixstowe - Wakefield.

66710 working this afternoons 6V80 West Burton to Portbury Gypsum, caught in heavy rain at Sutton Parkway. Of interest were 4 repainted MJA's in GBRf livery.

Thanks to Mick, my small project has just doubled in size

Cancelled tonight due to the continued coupling issues with the Delner arrangement fitted to 66751.

If I haven't got enough projects going at the moment, I thought I would start another small one that I should be able to complete in a couple of days. Especially for Mick…….can you tell what it is yet ?

One from this morning, 66711 , working 4M88, Doncaster to Hotchley Hill Gypsum at Sutton Forest on the Robin Hood line.

By the fact the actual test track runs for around 12 miles in open countryside, there are lots of places to view from, study Google maps and you will find a few. The facility where the IEP class 800 is based is actually at the site of the old Asfordby mine and is serviced by a short branch off the main test track.

I understand tomorrow night , Wednesday 6th May, will be the first nights testing on the ECML, it will depart Old Dalby being dragged to Tallington by 66751, then should do around 4 hours of test runs between Peterborough and Grantham before being dragged back to old Dalby on Thursday morning. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97155/2015/05/06/advanced

A few old photo's I would like to share. 37606 heading a NR Test train, Newark Northgate, 18th April 2007 37602 bring up the rear of the train. The same test train a couple of days later, South bound at Gamston Bank, 19th April 2007

70003 caught in a summer rain storm.

Some old photographs I would like to share. 67026, Edinburgh Waverly, 14th February 2008. 67029 working a rail tour into Lincoln, 7th December 2007 67005 bringing up the rear of the same tour. 67024 heading a RHTT train into Lincoln, 7th December 2007 67022, South bound Thunderbird, Carlton Loop, 8th June 2006 67003 at Barnetby with ECS from a Lincoln Rail tour, 9th December 2006.

Some old photographs from 2006 that I would like to share. 60034 arriving Cottam Power Station, 15 November 2006 60034 departing Cottam with a rake of crippled wagons, 15 November 2006 60007 arriving Cottam with a loaded MGR working, 3 October 2006. 60021 running through Cottam after a ballast drop at Clarborough Junction, 19 March 2006.

Just dug out some of my older photos that I thought I would share. All taken at or around Cottam Power Station in 2006/7.

Incidentally, 66751 has been named this week, "Inspiration Delivered - Hitachi Rail Europe"

Hi Ben, As suggested in earlier post's, have you given consideration to producing these wagons in OO, I for one would be very interested in a rake or two. Why not launch an expression of interest ?.