The East Lancs Stalwart

Diesel, yes, but quite a venerable one - Class 40 345

Seen on Sapperton and later near Combe on the Cotswold line

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/14364833871/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/14181704847/in/photostream/

 

And here's my video from today, taken at Sapperton and Lickey banks.

 

Impressive. Love the clag on the Lickey

 

Little comfort I know, but even heritage diesels aren't immune from having a modern lump hung on the back.

 

And the 57 was working the lower slopes of the Lickey looking at the plumes emanating.

I have to say Stephen, I didn't even know about that view at Combe on the Cotswold line even existed, wow and a great image to.

 

Washing Machines idle/provide ETH on pretty high revs so exhaust isn't a good indicator on 57's, certainly speed on the Lickey suggested unassisted, pretty good tour, though the people of Oxford appear to come from a different planet

 

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Great clip, I saw her at work last night - she sat for a while at my Down Home for a few minutes.

I wonder if anyone complained about the 'box' on the back?!

 

Thanks

Yes, its a a lovely spot, been using it since the mid 80s - a favourite Friday evening location (as there used to be 3 evening peak loco hauled workings over the Cotswold line on a Friday)

For comparison, here is the same spot in 1985

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059...Lx-hFDtHc-dhgrE7-dhgXuU-dhgXCu-dxDaN4-im7xLn/

Around 6 or 7 years ago, Network Rail completely cleared out both sides of the cutting - cut down all the mature trees to almost ground level. Although the usual rampant growth has yet to block the view of the surrounding countryside it is getting close to the tracks again and has narrowed the usable angle significantly. There really is only room for 1 or 2 photographers in the sweet spot.

The view I really wanted to use for 345 was this one (or maybe a bit further down the field)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059...WLx-hFDtHc-dhgrE7-dhgXuU-dhgXCu-dxDaN4-im7xLn

I only used it 18 months ago, but if you stand here now all you can see is a huge bank of nettles right in front of you, the track is completely hidden. Even if you go down the field, the trackside vegetation has rendered this view no longer viable

 

Enjoyed the clips of the climb up the Lickey. I opted for a local shot, and then a for a shot at speed through Penkridge.