46233 - Derby - Bham New Street - London Euston - 22/11/14

My efforts on today's railtours, including the meet at Rugby.

 

The ones that are now 83 late?

 

OK, red rose returned. You know I have a soft spot for Black Fives. Lovely machines.

 

I made a policy decision this morning, to go to that bridge but not take my camera and just enjoy the spectacle. As the special approached I glanced in the other direction, saw the Pendo approaching, and hastily ran up the steps to the higher section of the bridge, from which point I had a clear view. There were indeed a few other photters there, but I was by no means the only person without a camera just watching. HOWEVER I am extremely grateful to the people who do take their cameras and post the results here, especially when I've been on a train myself.

 

Here's the view from the Pendolino

 

A few pictures of the Duchess heading to London today (first time ive seen a Duchess into the capital, and got to cab it too at Euston).
I gave chase first on a LM 350 from Rugby to Milton Keynes, I decided on the long shot along the plat.. if only i'd gone to the top end like that lucky pair !, then on a VT Pendo to Euston, with only 10 mins at Euston to go from Plat 13 to a viewing point of the Duchesses arrival on 15... it was 2 early.. mine was 3 late.. last minute a platform change saw us into 16... nice !

 

Here's a few videos of the Duchess

The "passing" at Rugby (this is duplicated in the 60019 thread)


Passing Milton Keynes at a reasonable pace

Arriving into Euston..

 

Liar!

 

Inspired use of service trains to keep leapfrogging the specials!

 

Join the club.. I'd just parked the car (free parking by Euston too !) just as I heard the whistle.. traffic into London was quite mad for 7am on a Saturday morning !
I then jumped a 350 that was due to Watford 1 min before 4464 would pass... only for it to be 5 late !!! arrgh. Rest of the day made up for it though

 

Bloody ell, I was right!

Where was me wave as you sped past?........ oh, I forget - you can't window hang on them things!

 

Yes, deeply impressive planning!

 

I know, lucky so and so's I was debating going up there, but figured it might be too brief a video, plus I only had 5 minutes for the VT to Euston from the far platform to get to Euston for a 2nd shot... Quality over Quantity at work there !

 

Fair play for actually managing to find a seat with a view of a porthole on one of Bransons Subs.

 

Nah... I was standing
Train was full of footie fans.. not sure the side, but it seemed to be one of Corona, Becks or Stella supporters squad.

 

A few from the footplate.. (and that window on the Pendo)

I see a bit of that old LMS maroon is starting to come through on the drivers side window

 

Evening All,

Despite the miserable wet and misty conditions, I managed to get a couple of half decent shots as the Duchess passed South Kenton. Being on the up slow line meant that there were four tracks between the station platform and the train so a very high possibility of something getting it the way; luckily, nothing did! The pictures are on Flickr if anyone would like to have a look; this is the first one and clicking on it will enlarge it and take you to the other one :

46233 passing South Kenton. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

After seeing her there I made my way across to Southall and got a few shots there before she disappeared into the depot. I'll try and get them on Flickr tomorrow, so watch this space...