WCML Freight at Wigan 05 July 2012

Once again we have a Traction Packed day at Wigan North Western, located on a reasonably busy stretch of the West Cost Main Line (Between Crewe & Preston). Unlike my four previous attempts at staying late today was a sucess, despite the weather's best attempts.

As you can see weather wise it was a baking hot day and then in the late evening a Thunderhead moved over Wigan and I was forced to take shelter (Standing on open platforms by Overhead Power Cantenery is not a wise move). Soon enough though the rain had passed and it was safe to venture out onto the platform once again, or so I thought! 92031 travelled with so much pace it started picking up grit from the construction along the platform and pelting it at me... All in good fun though.

As for the traction, well we have a nice mix, the usual Class 66s are running, some 70s show up and we have a nice choice of motive power on the Flasks with Three Class 20s and a Class 37! Four 86s make an appearence and 92031 has a late cameo with what must be described as the naffest sounding horn known to man (I guess he just nudged it as I am aware the 92s have a pressure sensitive horn - the harder the press equals the louder the noise). The Postal Service is out in full force today with 3 mail workings performed by their Class 325 units (in two and three unit combos) and what was that? A steam train? Yes LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 aka "Black Five" number 44932 races through the station heading up to Carnforth with a single support coach in tow.

The following movments were captured,

66508 4S42 Fiddlers Ferry - Hunterston
66427 4M44 Coatbridge - Daventry
70010 6U68 Carlisle VQ - Crewe Basford Hall
66518 6M11 Killoch - Fiddlers Ferry
66304 4S44 Daventry - Coatbridge
44932 5Z39 Southall - Carnforth
66130 6K05 Carlisle Yard - Crewe Basford Hall
66847 6Z97 Sinfin - Grangemouth
66848 6J37 Carlisle Yard - Chirk
70002 6K27 Carlisle Yard - Crewe Basford Hall
325013/014/006 1M44 Shieldmuir - Warrington RMT
20303/304/305 & 37688 6K73 Sellafield - Crewe
325005/004 1M03 Shieldmuir - Warrington RMT
325011/008/007 1S96 Willesden PRDC - Shieldmuir
86612/86622 4S56 Crewe Basford Hall - Coatbridge
66422 4S45 Daventry - Mossend
66483 4S47 Daventry - Coatbridge
66301 4M82 Coatbridge - Daventry
86613/86628 4M11 Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall
92031 4M48 Mossend - Daventry

The following named locomotives (& 325s) were captured today,

20305 - Gresty Bridge
37688 - Kingmoor TMD
325006 - John Grierson
325008 - Peter Howarth CBE

A quick thanks to the drivers for tones and friendly waves, apologies if I didn't wave back as I only noticed one or two in post production. Thanks also to the staff at Wigan NW who once again tolerated the prescense of us enthusiasts and for also not calling the local loony bin when they noticed me still there at Eleven pm...

Best enjoyed in 1080p with the sound up!