British Wildlife Hates MTUs. The Proof.

This song thrush was probably looking forward to some Valenta power….

 

Earthquake comments.

There were some rather misguided comments in the media regarding this morning’s earthquake. Many people suggested it sounded like a train going past, some even suggesting a High Speed Train.

I don’t know much about HSTs but I’m going, for the sake of argument, to assume they meant a First Great Western class 43. With a length of 220m and with the tremors lasting ten seconds, this would mean the train would be travelling past at 79.2 km/h which is a paltry 49.5 mph or less than 40% of their operational top speed.

Plus, and this is the big one for me, an HST set with fully clagging Paxman Valentas would make a bit of noise, but given that the trains use MTUs, I doubt very much that you’d hear a thing.

So. In future, if there’s an earthquake, let’s not make fatuous comparisons with it to High Speed Trains. The rail network gets enough bad publicity as it is. An earthquake sounds like an earthquake and has nothing to do with trains. Nothing. 

Matt. It’s a Deltic!

Yesterday I went to buy some models with my friend who likes models even more than I do. On the way back, via Scrubs Lane, as we went past a railway he suddenly shouted, “Matt. It’s a Deltic. It’s a Deltic, Matt! It’s a Delticmatt!” I had a quick look and I was certain it was not a  Deltic. We then had a ferocious argument, only very recently settled with evidence to the contrary which I list here, here and here.

There’s a lesson to be learned here, spotters and enthusiasts. Just because a diesel locomotive looks like a Deltic doesn’t mean it is a Deltic. By all means, if you see a class 55 then shout as loud as you can. But just make sure you don’t make the same mistake as my friend. I did once and I’m still paying for it. 

Rolls Royce Power

This is more like it. A superb video of British enginesmanship at it’s best. More excellent footage to follow at RailUK.wordpress.com THE UK rail blog.

Sleeper.

FGW operates a sleeper service between London and Penzance. It also operates a sleeper service between Penzance and London. At some point the trains must “cross over”, a very exciting moment, regardless of trains, tracks or terminus. My aim is to catch the crossover of the two sleepers. On video. And then post it to YouTube. But… Where should I go? The only way to deal with this is to use the well known programming technique called the Deltic Chop. So,  I’m off to Bristol tonight for a stab at what could, quite honestly, be a unique capture. A moment of railway history.

Pratt & Whitney Rubbish.

One can understand DelticMatt’s fierce determination to see off the MTU on the FGW HSTs. They make no noise, emit no smoke and are German. Trains aren’t the only things that have crap engines. I’ve recently been getting particularly annoyed at the choice some airlines make. Hopefully, this campaign might gather the same momentum that the anti-MTU effort has managed.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a very big day indeed for the spotting community. Tomorrow, weather permitting, affords the greatest chance to either complete or merely add to the list of numbers that a spotter has amassed.

Here’s my list

66133

66196

A rather large number that I couldn’t write down.

I can’t wait for tomorrow!

D1015

Much pleasure can be gained by watching regular passenger traffic. And goods trains. However, even more fun can be found looking out for charter traffic, or railtours. Not only are the times of these trains harder to find but also the sheer variety of traffic will bring a smile to even the most jaded, world-weary, depressed and psychotic spotter’s face.

Yesterday I waited for three hours by a railway track near me to capture, on video, D1015 and it’s complement of carriages. The long wait was well worth it, as you can see!

66133 waits for a while.

I woke up this morning looking forward to some good spotting so, having got up and prepared myself, imagine my delight in seeing this beauty parked nearby.

Clearly early for his appointment, the driver had decided to park up and wait until his hoppers were filled or his cargo loaded.

Soon enough, a pal stopped by for a chat.

After 66119 left and 66133’s driver walked down the track, no doubt for somne well earned refreshments, I got a little bored, so I thought I’d try and capture 66133 with it’s little red light on. And I did!

Then I got really, really bored so I shot this superb video. 

Let Down Again

Yesterday morning an old steam locomotive (71000) pulled some rather tired looking rolling stock past my house. The train was crowded. This government has promised us 1000 new carriages. FGW promised us a massive investment. I, for one, am appalled at the way the British rail traveller is lied to and abused.

I say “Shame on you government and FGW. Is this the best you can do?”