Clay Country

Some of the 180s are supposed to be going to Grand Central to replace the HSTs (unless they are getting the sets released by delivery of Hitachi AT 300s to Hull Trains).

A bit more detail on the new trains for Northern and how the fleet will be deployed: http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/arriva-confirms-northern-rolling-stock-plans.html?channel=529

This will undoubtedly be a challenge for the rail freight industry but it's welcome news for the planet. Coal fired power stations are Britain's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and we have to deal with that sooner rather than later. Intermodal has already overtaken coal as the largest rail freight sector after years of sustained growth. What really needs to happen is creating the conditions for intermodal to flourish as coal winds down e.g. Felixstowe - Nuneaton upgrading. There's certainly a risk that freight-orientated enhancements will be sidelined or deferred because of Network Rail's budgetary crisis - the industry will need to fight its corner to get the better infrastructure it needs for growth. As for rolling stock, the downturn in coal has already rendered plenty of DB Schenker's HTA hoppers redundant. Some of these are now appearing on aggregate flows.

A couple of shots of DBS Tugs taken during a visit to the East Midlands last week: 60011 passing Barnetby East box with the 11.38 Immingham - Santon iron ore 9 October (the signal box is wonky here, not the photo!) 60040 crosses the River Trent at Sawley on the Sheet Stores Jn - Stenson Jn line with 6M57, the 07.05 Lindsey - Kingsbury Tanks on 10 October.

Unfortunately I missed the Green HST this morning, but the weather was too good to do nothing, even though the only thing on offer was a shot of a DMU on the way home from the office. So here's the 1557 Plymouth - Penzance stopper heading west between the site of Chacewater station and the junction with the former line to Perranporth and Newquay.

they're right at the back on the luggage compartment door. Surprised to see there aren't any on the front.

More Colas Rail traction in Cornwall yesterday in connection with engineering work between Lostwithiel and Par, though unfortunately no repeat of last week's class 60 haulage. 70805 Treesmill between Lostwithiel and Par with 6C24, the 1028 Westbury Down TC - St Blazey ballast.

Green sleeper set, HST and 166 are due to be lined up at Paddington first thing on Monday morning for what presumably will be the official launch of the new brand.

My understanding is that there's some sort of launch event connected with the refurb/rebranding, which requires a green set starting at the western end of the route, but I'm sure someone else on here can provide a more complete explanation.

With engineering works taking place on the Cornish Main Line on Sunday, the Night Riviera stock was sent straight back up to London on Saturday morning, with a green-liveried set due to be sent down to Plymouth to work the up train on Sunday night. 57303 passes Trenowth between Truro and St Austell with 5Z40, the 09.20 Penzance T&RSMD - London Paddington, which is formed of a complete rake of dynamic lines-liveried Mk 3s.

Fantastic news, count me in for at least one orange/black 320.

Thanks, yes its pretty easy to get to. I park on the bridge over the A30 and the railway and walk down the gravel path, which follows the perimeter of the new industrial park. You can see the engine house all the way round so it's easy to navigate. There used to be a shorter route from the Plume of Feathers pub by the A30 but I don't know if this part of the path has reopened yet.

Another view of today's power car/sleeper lash-up heading for Penzance at Treleigh east of Redruth.

57604 failed between Liskeard and Bodmin Parkway this morning on the down beds. Back-to-back power cars sent from Laira to rescue the train, which terminated 148 late at Par. All of which presumably means the loco-hauled Par-Exeter and Exeter-Penzance services won't be running today.

1C83, the 1305 Paddington - Penzance HST passes Hallenbeagle engine house at Scorrier on September 1 with 43153 leading.

It'll be hard to beat the (unrepeatable) combination we were treated to on the final trip last year - yellow 57 and four purple mk3s.

With an unusually good forecast on Saturday morning, I decided to battle my way through the holiday traffic for a shot of the the FGW loco-hauled at Trenowth between Grampound Road and Burngullow. Unfortunately a shortage of traincrew meant the 57 never left Penzance, so all I came away with was this shot (taken using a 5m pole) of 43131 leading 1A83, the 0954 Penzance - Paddington. As time is running out for both the FGW purple livery and the HSTs, such views are definitely worth recording.

Back to one of my favourite locations this morning in search of china clay trains and sunshine (at least I got one of them). After a very swift run round at Lostwithiel, 66078 continues its journey down the Fowey branch with 6G06, the 07.37 Goonbarrow - Carne Point loaded CDAs.

Very sad to hear this. As a native of the Long Eaton area RBS was a regular haunt for many years (and for my father many years before that). Neil was always very friendly and extremely knowledgeable on the subject. His advice set me up for 30 years of modelling and I'm sure many more modellers can say the same. My sincere condolences to his family.

The Saudi deal is a five-year operational support contract, more of an extended consultancy role. Although this is an important development for FL I don't think it really influenced GWI's decision to shell out $755m and is fairly minor in the general scheme of things. As you mention, a lot of the non-UK operations, particularly ERS Railways' intermodal business and the Australian unit are a natural fit with GWI's existing business and must have been a key factor in the sale.

It isn't, probably being stripped for parts for the Colas overhauls (if there's anything left on it worth taking). Hard to believe this one has been out of service for over 10 years now. On the positive side it's good to see 002 is nearly ready for a return to the mainline.

Interesting pics Phil, thanks for sharing them. Does this mean 002 has jumped up the overhaul queue? Hope so as Capability Brown was one of my favourites.

Very much enjoyed watching the trains go by on Creedyford at Hayle yesterday, beautiful layout and really captures the era/area very nicely. Hope to catch you again at Bodmin.

Running an hour late, 60099 passes Portway between Tamworth and Burton with today's 6E41 1141 Westerleigh - Lindsey empty tanks.

Sad news, let's hope a buyer can be found. Presumably if the worst happened these terminals would be fed by other refineries (Westerleigh already receives trains from Lindsey, which are generally worked by 60s).