CovDriver

Sorry no pics as there's not been much worth taking pics of. But the last couple of days have been testing to say the least. On Friday morning I was on the prepping a 12 car 350 job again its usually the best job of the depot but that didn't last long. Upon prepping the train it had a parking brake fault which wouldn't reset. So that was a call to Siemens but to avail no luck. I had to wait for a fitter to isolate all the brakes on the rear defective vehicle. A 5 hour wait in total then I had to uncouple units an carry out several shunt moves around Birmingham International to Bury the defective vehicle whilst other services were running. And then wait for a path to run ECS to Northampton King's Heath. And yesterday was just the icing on the cake again running a 12 car 350 ECS from Coventry to Birmingham New St I hit a tree near Adderley Park at about 80mph that was an interesting few moments to say the least. Just a couple of pics attached for your entertainment the first one was from yesterday a brief visit to Redditch with 323206 I literally couldn't see where I was going from Selly Oak to Alvechurch. The second pic is the regular move from Kings Heah depot to Cricklewood with a GBRf 47 for the class 360 modifications And the last pic is the future for me and class 730 and to be honest I'm not looking forward to learning these units. Cheers Colin

Seems like your having a better time than me on Friday morning I was supposed to be prepping units at Birmingham International until I discovered dragging brakes on the rear vehicle and had to wait for fitters to isolate all the brakes on tha vehicle. Ended up waiting 5 hours for a path to Northampton King's Heath Depot. Then yesterday morning I hit a tree at Adderley Park at 80mph that was an interesting few minutes. Cheers Colin

Just one from this morning as it was too cold and far to early for booking on duty as its altered workings this week. So it was a book on time of 0342 with a taxi to Birmingham International and prep a 12 car formation of 350's then run ECS to Coventry split the rear 4 off and take the front 8 to Northampton as the 0540 service for Euston. Then it was an hours wait to work the 0714 back to New St followed by another hour before Lichfield TV and back and pass home to Coventry.

Just a couple from this mornings turn what is normally the worst turn at our depot Which should have been Birmingham International to New St= 2 full return trips then 2 full return New St to Walsall trips followed by New St to Northampton and turn back to Coventry and finish. Instead it's been Birmingham International to New St the New St to Northampton and return the back to Northampton after nearly a 2hour break and back to Coventry and finish.

Today's offerings are firstly a couple of it's from my short visit to Wolverhampton. 350233 working the 0848 Wolverhampton to New St local service with a quick view from the office window. And the last pic showing an EMR liveried class 170 on a Shrewsbury to New St service. Cheers Colin

Looks like it's going to be a fun trip to Birmingham New St this morning as I'm following 3J02 the RHTT all the way.

One from yesterday a 350 5F32 0518 ECS Cov Yard to New St. The 86 was on a Coventry to Carlisle charter this morning. Only got a trip to Lichfield Trent Valley and back to do today then it's long weekend again. Looking forward to Saturday as I'll be helping out Mark Miller on Southgate Park at the Cradley Heath model railway show. Cheers Colin

Was that you on the 196 this morning departing New St via the Derby tunnel on your way back to Tyseley. I was sitting in the dip on the Down Coventry waiting time to arrive into New St. That's some acceleration on thos 196's. Cheers Colin

No real updates I'm afraid as more drivers are coming back and being productive after self isolating I'm getting a lot more of the spare turns. I'm 0438 until 1221 spare today and so far this is all I've done.

No doubt I'll be following you about after you've cleaned the rails for me. I personally think this slippy season is going to be a bad one.

Only one so far for today my last part of my job 1Y22 1214 New St to Northampton with 350110 and 350111 on the rear. I much preferred the unique 110mph livery on 350110.

First chance this week to take some pics firstly 350265 waiting at Coventry to work 5F32 Cov Yd to Birmingham New St. Then a pic of the new station buildings on platform 4 at Coventry almost ready. And finally 350265 again at New St after I had coupled upto a 350/4 ready for it's trip to Liverpool. I'm now about to do a New St - International shuttle the two round trips to Northampton and then it's long weekend. Cheers Colin

Firstly I must apologise for the lack of updates on this thread it's been a bit odd at work with Covid causing so much disruption and as I've managed to dodge the virus so far (touch wood, crossed fingers)etc.. I'll try and update a bit more regularly but I've been asked not take pics in Coventry North Yard by my DM and post them on social media etc... So I'm back to work next week after 3weeks on leave I've almost forgotten what a train is apart from the models on my layout. Cheers Colin

I may see you on your travels as I'm back to work next week after 3weeks off. I've no idea what I'm working yet but I'm sure cross city will be heavily involved. Looking forward to be trying to get above 65mph at the top of the bank. I hadn't realised the MPV's had air suspension cabs sounds like fun. Cheers Colin

Something with an EE power unit inside ? Can't think of anything else at the moment. Great pics as ever Jim. Cheers Colin

I can totally agree with you on that my other half and my 7yr old daughter have been in the caravan in Porthmadog for the past 3 and half weeks it's been absolute bliss. Cheers Colin

Well done Jim you've really made a change I take my hat off to you. Like yourself I've noticed that my weight has been gradually going up in the seven years I've been driving and sitting in the seat. So I joined my wife in doing the slimming world diet and cycling to and from work. And in the last 6 weeks or so I've lost a stone. Keep up the great work. Cheers Colin

I thought you might have been on our 196's as I passed one this morning as I was approaching New St. The Joy's of being a failure and waiting at your protection point thankfully I've only had to do it once. Cheers Colin

Oi every West Midland Train I drive is on time or dare I say it actually early....

Was this you this morning Jim on 4O46 passing Coventry North Yard.

I believe you past me as I was in Coventry North Yard trying to sort a brake test failure on the pair of 350's on Rd 1 I was hoping to take a pic but didn't have time. Cheers Colin

I noticed the signal box and shunters cabin this morning as I passed by it was all still there last week. Great pics as ever Jim

Do you know who's driving the 730 around on the mileage accumulation runs ? And it's good to see a proper named loco on the front of the milling machine. As I still need to get a decent photo of 66756. Cheers Colin

As the title states I'm after a BR Blue or BR Large logo blue class 47 Bodyshell from the Heljan range. Glazing and handrails are not important as they're going to be replaced anyway. But the paint finish must be upto a reasonable standard. If anyone has one of these who is willing to sell at a fair price please message me. Cheers Colin

And we have to wear sunglasses when you approach us.