In my Season’s End post I mentioned the impact that the hectic football season had on my blogging. The other victim was my transport photography. Between late October and the end of April I did very few outings whereas normally I’d be fitting in at least one trip a week. So much for having more time now I’ve retired! Anyway, last week saw me out and about on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday was a tentative trip over to Willesden Junction just to get back into the swing of things. I took a couple of freight shots on the high-level platforms. Here’s 59103 ‘Village of Mells’ with the 6V28 Dagenham Dock to Acton empty hoppers… And 66541 with the 4L31 Bristol to Felixstowe intermodal service…
After that I was able to plan Thursday’s day out based on what I had seen. The idea was to try to get shots of 4 freight trains booked to run along the North London Line between 10:00 and 11:00. I captured 3 out of the 4 which is a great result – the other one was an ‘as required’ service and didn’t run. Here is 90028 at Finchley Road and Frognal on the daily Mossend to Dagenham empty car transports……The same loco will return with new Ford vehicles later in the afternoon. This train used to be diesel hauled but now the Gospel Oak to Barking line has been electrified can be hauled by an electric locomotive throughout its journey.
After the hour spent in north London it was off across the Thames and a visit to Wandsworth Road to try and catch a possible 14 freight services passing through there between 12:00 and 14:00. Most of these services are ‘as required’ and in the event only 6 of them ran of which I photographed 5. Here is 59201 with the 6V18 Allington to Whatley Quarry empty hoppers…
With Battersea Power Station and the new housing that has replaced the famous gas holder as a backdrop, 66147 hauls the 6Y08 Tolworth to Cliffe Brett Marine across Factory Junction and into Wandsworth Road station…
That was a great day out but I’ve saved one last shot for this post. Taken at Kensal Rise earlier in the day. 70007 with the 4M94 Felixstowe to Lawley Street intermodal service……The shot epitomises what I love about train spotting at this time of the year. The trees are freshly in leaf. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. What’s not to love about that 🙂
And 66541 with the 4L31 Bristol to Felixstowe intermodal service…
…The same loco will return with new Ford vehicles later in the afternoon. This train used to be diesel hauled but now the Gospel Oak to Barking line has been electrified can be hauled by an electric locomotive throughout its journey.
…The shot epitomises what I love about train spotting at this time of the year. The trees are freshly in leaf. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. What’s not to love about that 🙂 
Images from Finchley 