#chiltern railways

[the-time-lord-oracle]

68015 Kev Helmer and 60103 Flying Scotsman at Birmingham Moor Street, 18/02/2026.

[uomminecraftsociety]

Part 14 of shipping different train companies together.

West Mildands Trains goes by 2 different identities. Sometimes she is West Midlands Railway (WMR), sometimes he is London Northwestern Railway (LNR).

As LNR, he has a fierce competition with Avanti. Truth is, LNR can't quite compete athletically with Avanti however LNR does have his supporters. WMR is a lot calmer but a hard worker. She works with a lot of other folk but generally cares a lot more about her workplace than the others.

WMT dates Chiltern. Chiltern was once going to be the next best thing but it was determined she would not be however a new kid is on the block trying to take over the new golden child. Chiltern isn't happy with this but has come to accept it.

[trainmaniac]

168005 by Roger Marks Via Flickr: 168005 at Birmingham Snow Hill with a service from Marylebone. 31st August 2022.

[anorakgeek]

In The Press

Well, the railway press anyway. So a nice little update here.

Back in August over the Bank Holiday Weekend, Euston Station on the WCML was closed for work commencing on HS2 at the station. Because of this and other events on at Wembley Stadium, Chiltern Railways were planning a busy weekend. With extended services formed of multiple sets of 168′s and the 68 hauled Mk3 sets also in action. In addition to this they also hired a rake of Mk 2′s from Rivera Trains and two Rail Operations Group Class 47′s, No’s 47812 & 47813 top and tailing this set, which was pressed into service from Saturday to Monday.

This in itself was great to see, Class 47′s back on passenger services, not at least at Banbury, echos of the old Cross Country trains, but also down the Chiltern line to Marylebone. The old loco hauled service ceased back in 1992.

So with these workings taking place, it was a sight to behold, so on the Sundry I popped down to the old over bridge near the Tarmac Stone terminal to grab a few shots of the relief working. Many others also had the same idea, one fellow enthusiast had come up from Bristol that morning to see them.

 The top image above, was my best effort, not too bad if I say so myself. With that in mind, I decided to submit the image to the various railway magazines to see if they thought the same, and thought of my image as worthy to go into print.

With the mails sent off, It was a waiting game, but towards the end of September, and also today at the beginning of October, I had received in my inbox a couple of commission orders, from Mortons Media. One for Rail Express and the other for The Railway Magazine.

At last I have been published in a physical railway magazine, an ambition of mine for many, many years. I have had images on websites and in digital magazines before, but never in print and actually getting paid for my photographs. Not a huge amount, but its certainly a start, and will continue to submit my best efforts form now on.

Next on the wish list, it to get an image into other magazines, and hopefully one day a cover image.

May that day come soon, here’s hoping.

Back soon.

[anorakgeek]

47812 Banbury 27/8/2017 by Martin Coles Via Flickr: Rail Operations Group Class 47/8, No. 47813 bringing up the rear of a Chiltern Railways additional service, 9:40 Birmingham Snow Hill - London Marylebone, due to the Bank Holiday Weekend, London Euston closure. Seen here passing the Tarmac railhead north of Banbury on Sunday 27th August 2017.

[trainmaniac]

Bubble Empties by Roger Marks Via Flickr: 121034 passing through Little Kimble with the 5P46 1639 Aylesbury - Princes Risborough ECS working. 10th May 2017.

[anorakgeek]

68008 London Marylebone 18/2/2017 by Martin Coles

Quick update just over in my Flickr page. A few pics from today and last month back in Scotland.

Few more from today coming here later.

[the-time-lord-oracle]

Chiltern Railways trains at Birmingham Moor Street in June 2023; Class 68 No 68011 and class 168 No 168327.