Ipswich - March 2017 - Brian Garrett Photography

East Anglia - March 2017

The East Anglian Region is currently on the verge of major change, with Greater Anglia having ordered and entire fleet of Electric Multiple Units from Stadler, locomotive hauled trains between London Liverpool Street and Norwich will soon be replaced by new EMU's. The issue of increased container traffic from the port of Felixstowe is also now feeding many more services via Ely and March thanks to a new multi million pound chord constructed at Ipswich, this allows services to head both north and south from the container port, giving far better flexibility. Following the completion of Cross Rail in London paths for freight services will become even harder to obtain, and so threading them through the London suburbs will also become more of a challenge. The future seems to indicate that the route via March to Peterborough (which itself will also need upgrade work) may become a more favored route for container trains needing to access the Midlands and Scotland. I spent just over a week in the Ipswich/ Norwich area recording the current freight and passenger services before the major changes take place.

The map opposite shows the area which we covered during our time in East Anglia, there are other lines to be explored in the area and there is plenty of scope for further travel. An Anglia Plus 3 in 7 Day Rover Ticket was used while visiting the area. The tickets are not valid between Ipswich and Manningtree and Ely to March, normal tickets can be purchased for these short journey s priced at about £8 return each.
Details of the Rover Ticket can be found on the Greater Anglia website.

Saturday 11th March

Day one of our trip saw us travel to London Paddington before taking a cab to Kings Cross, the reason for the cab was the closure of the London Underground Circle Line for engineering work, and the resulting overcrowding of the Bakerloo Line. The obvious and sensible choice was a cab to Kings Cross rather than get caught in the underground crush. Our route to Ipswich was also different, normally you would expect to travel via London Liverpool Street station and catch one of the half hourly Greater Anglia services to Ipswich. However this route was also closed for Network Rail upgrade work linked to the new Cross Rail project. Our revised planned route would be with Virgin East Coast to Peterborough before later catching a stopping service all the way to Ipswich passing through March, and Ely on route. Peterborough also proved to be a good point to change services as very soon the iconic HST's which operate on the East Coast Mainline will soon be replaced by the new 'Azuma' Bimodal units being built by Hitachi for Virgin East Coast. Peterborough was an ideal location to record the HST's passing through the station at speed and record these 40 year old workhorses before they are removed from the route.

11th March 2017 VTEC HST powercar No.43208 stands at Kings Cross ready to depart with the 1D13 12:03 Kings Cross to Leeds.

Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) Class 91 No.91110 stands at Kings Cross Platform 0 on the 11th March 2017 ready to work the 1D14 12:33 Kings Cross to Leeds.

VTEC HST No.43318 and No.43296 storm north though Peterborough working the 1S18 13:00 Kings Cross to Edinburgh.

VTEC HST No.43308 leads No.43316 south through Peterborough on the 11th March 2017 working the 1E11 07:52 Aberdeen to Kings Cross service.

Rail Operations Group (ROG) Class 47/8 No.47815 passes through Peterborough hauling the 1Z48 12:28 Lincoln to Finsbury Park special. The charter had been arranged to transport Lincoln City fans to London for their game with Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Freightliner Class 66/9 No.66951 crosses into Peterborough Station on the 11th March 2017 while working the 4L84 08:55 Leeds to Felixstowe service.

VTEC Class 91 No.91105 pauses at Peterborough on the 11th March 2017 while working the 1A31 13:05 Leeds to Kings cross service.

VTEC HST No.43312 and No.43306 passes through Peterborough working the 1S20 14:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen service.

East Midlands Trains Class 153's No.153313 and No.153357 stand at Peterborough on the 11th March 2017 having worked the 2K35 13:03 Newark North Gate to Peterborough service.

Virgin Trains East Coast HST No.43302 and No.43314 speed through the centre roads at Peterbrough working the 1E13 07:55 Aberdeen to Kings Cross service.

First Hull Trains Class 180 No.180109 passes through Peterborough non stop working the 1A94 13:31 Hull to Kings Cross service.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90007 'Sir John Betjeman' stands at Ipswich while working the 1P55 17:00 Norwich to Ingatestone service.

Sunday 12th March

Sunday 12th March again saw the Great Anglia line closed from Witham into London. Replacement bus transport was provided for passengers from there to local Central Line tube stations. As a result Greater Anglia were operating an hourly locomotive hauled passenger diagram to Norwich from Witham requiring just four sets to operate the service. We spent the day travelling between Ipswich and Norwich enjoying the comfortable Mk3 coaching stock and locomotive hauled experience.

An interesting line up at Ipswich including Class 170 No.170272, Class 321 No.321340, and Freightliner Class 66's No.66954 No.66554 No.66953 No.66539 No.66416

Siemens Desiro Class 360 No.360114 is seen stabled at Ipswich between duties.

Freightliner Class 66/9 No.66954 and Class 70 No. 70019 are seen stabled on the arrival road at Ipswich Depot.

Still wearing former 'One Anglia' colours Class 170 No.170202 departs from Ipswich with the 2W12 08:30 Harwich International to Cambridge service.

Newly refurbished Class 170 No.170270 arrives into Norwich wearing the new Greater Anglia livery.

Class 90 No.90010 stands at Norwich ready to depart witht he 1P31 11:00 to Witham.

Direct Rail Services Class 68 No.68003 'Astute' is seen stabled at Norwich on one of two locomotive hauled sets which operate between Norwich / Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90009 stands at Norwich ready to work the 1P43 14:00 to Ipswich while in the background 68003 can be seen stabled on a locomotive hauled set.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90010 prepares to depart Ipswich with the 1P31 11:00 Norwich - Witham service.

Having arrvies from Great Yarmouth Class 156 No.156417 is seen stabled between dutues at Norwich. Note the removal of windows on this unit to make way for the fitting of disabled toilets.

Norwich station is now fitted with new LED lighting making hand held night photography possible. Class 90 No.90004 stands at Norwich ready to depart with the 1P67 20:00 to Witham.

13th March 2017

The East Anglian region has long has an association with naming its trains, with many names having a connection to the areas which they operate through. Locomotives and coaching stock sets are currently being well cared for. White can be a notorious livery to keep clean but so far the Greater Anglian franchise is doing a great job on keeping their sets looking like they should. During the 13th March we spent the morning at Manningtree before heading Norwich to cover the weekday locomotive hauled diagrams operating to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Two Class 321 units No.321356 and No.321441 are seen at Ipswich ready to depart with the 1Y17 08:11 Stowmarket to London Liverpool Street service.

Class 90 No.90012 'The Anglian Regiment' departs from Norwich with the 1P19 08:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street service.

Two Siemens built Desiro units No.360112 and No.360119 pass through Manningtree working the 1Y35 09:52 Ipswich - London Liverpool Street service.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90002 'Eastern Daily Press' passes over the bridge at Manningtree hauling the 1P23 09:00 Norwich - London Liverpool Street service.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90010 passes Manningtree with the 1P27 10:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street serivce.

Looking across the Manningtree Marshes, Freightliner Class 66 No.66539 powers through with the 09:12 Felixstowe - Ditton freightliner.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66731 departs the Harwich Branch hauling the 09:56 Harwich Refinery to North Walsham transporting gas condensate.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90009 passes Manningtree working the 1P29 10:30 Norwich to London Liverpool Street

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66707 'Sir Sam Fay' powers away from the Harwich Branch while working the 4R03 11:02 Parkstone SS to Feilxstowe containers.

Freightliner Class 90 No.90016 passes at speed over -13-03-17-4M88-0932-FELIXSTOWE-BASFORDHALL-MANNINGTREE

GBRf liveried Class 66/7 No.66771 passes over the estury at Manningtree while working the 4M23 10:44 Felixstowe - Hams Hall container service.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66523 passes through Manningtree station while working the 06:24 Lawley Street - Felixstowe containers.

DB Cargo (EWS liveried) Class 660 No.66207 storms through Manningtree Station hauling the 6M57 Ipswich Griffen Wharf to Watford London Concrete aggregate train.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90002 pushes the 1P24 11:30 London Liverpool Street - Norwich service away from Manningtree.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66532 rounds the curve into Manningtree Station while working the 4L89 07:18 Crewe Basford Hall to Felixstowe freightliner.

There are currently two locomotive hauled sets operating for Greater Anglia out of Norwich, one is hauled by Direct Rail Services Class 68's using three British Rail Blue Mk2 coaches, the second set is worked by Direct Rail Services Class 37's, these use three DRS liveried Mk2 coaches. Each of the sets has been refurbished to a high standard with new carpets, seat coverings and interiors. DRS have invested a lot of money in their carriage refurbishment program to lift the quality of the former Virgin Cross Country interiors which dated back to the mid 90's!
On the 13th March DRS Class 68 No.68003 'Astute' with No.68016 'Fearless' departs Norwich hauling the 2J78 14:05 Norwich to Lowestoft.

DRS Mk2 No.5787 Interior Refurbishment

DRS liveried Class 37 No.37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' and No.37425 'Concrete Bob' stand at Lowestoft ready to depart with the 2J83 15:48 Lowestoft to Norwich service.

Greater Anglia liveried Class 156 No.156417 departs from Brundall with the 16:17 Great Yarmouth to Norwich service.

Dirst Rail Services No.68016 and No.67003 stand at Great Yarmouth ready to depart with the 2P29 17:17 to Norwich.

Class 68 No.68003 'Astute' is pictured at Norwich Station ready to depart with the 2P38 1933 Norwich to Great Yarmouth service.

14th March 2017

Freightliner locomotives No.70011 No.86613 No.90049 and No.66569 are pictured on depot at Ipswich on the 14th March 2017.

Tuesday 14th March provided another day to explore Norfolk and Suffolk, having spent the morning at Ipswich seeing out the varied photographic opportunities in the depot and station area we headed for March via Norwich. The route through March to Peterborough has been increasing in freight traffic but the route (and stations) are very much caught in a time warp with semaphore signals and older ornate stations. Although it must be said that the station refurbishment and upkeep is excellent, and the East Anglian region has done a lot to preserve its heritage.

Freightliner Locomotives No.90049 No.66569 and No.70017 are seen on Depot at Ipswich.

Freightliner Class 70 No.70011 is seen departing from Ispwich Depot.

Freightliner Class 66/4 No.66418 departs from the Ipswich sidings hauling 4M94 07;39 Felixstowe - Lawley Street.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90004 arrives into Ipswich working the 1P19 08:00 Norwich - London Liverpool Street.

Former Anglia Railways liveried Class 170 No. 170272 pauses at Stowmarket while working the 2L71 07:50 Peterborough to Ipswich stopping service.

Class 90 No.90015 speeds through Stowmarket working the 1P23 09:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street, Greater Anglia Service.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66533 passes through Stowmarket with the 6E50 09:14 Ipswich SS to Lindsey fuel tanks.

Direct Rail Services locomotives No.57007, No.67019 'Brutus' and No.37405 are seen stabled at Norwich Station.

DRS Class 37 No.37425 and No.37423 roar out of Norwich Station working the 2P18 from 10:36 Norwich to Great Yarmouth.

DB Cargp Class 66 No.66097 passes through March Station working the 6L43 on the 08:55 Mountsorrel to Kennet Redland Sidings.

Cross Country Class 170's are booked to pass at March station. No.170639 arrives with the 1N55 12:27 Stanstead to Birmingham New Street while 170110 departs with the balancing service to Stanstead.

GBRf Class 08 No.08925 shunts wagons at Whitemoor Yard which is located just to the north of March Station.

BR Class 08 No.08925 is painted in BR Green and is owned by GBRf for shunting duties at Whitemoor Yard.

Cross Country Class 170 No.170110 calls at March Station while working the 1L28 11:22 Birmingham New Street to Stanstead Airport.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66031 passes through March Station while hauling the 4L45 09:36 Wakefield Europort to Felixstowe containers.

GBRf have recently repaintd on of thier Class 66 locomotives No.66727 in a customer livery 'Maritime'. The locomotive passes March hauling the 4M29 10:29 Feilxstowe to Birch Coppice service.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66729 passes the working signal box at March Station while hauling the 4Z33 11:22 Felixstowe to Doncaster Railport.

Colas Rail Freight Class 66/8 No.66850 arrives into March Station and its destination of Whitemoor Yard hauling the 6L37 10:00 Hoo Junction to Whitemoor Yard.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66568 passes through March Station hauling the 4L85 12;28 Doncaster Europort to Felixstowe.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66592 hauls Class 70 No. 70008 and 4L87 08:47 Leeds to Feilxstowe container service.

Class 66/7 No.66753 passes through March in the afternoon sunlight hauling the 4Z26 13:13 Felixstowe to Masborough container service.

15th March 2017

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66503 passes though Ipswich Station hauling the 4L15 00:17 Trafford Park - Felixstowe passing Greater Anglia Class 170 No.170270 waiting to depart on a stopping service to Peterborough.

Wednesday 15th March also provded to be better than the forecasters has predicited, we again spent the morning period at Ipswich before heading up to Ely, onto Norwich and then out to Lowestoft before a late night run back to Ipswich.
The route from Ispwich to Stowmarket through Bury St Edmunds, Ely and March is now busier than ever freight activity and as such upgrades to the route are being planned to increase capacity of the route to allow more freights to operate using this route, thus avoiding other routes through London.

Class 321's No.321316 and No.321334 arrive into Ipswich working the 1Y17 08:11 Stowmarket to London Liverpool Street service.

Class 66/5 No.66561 exists from the stabling sidings at Ipswich while working the 4M94 07:39 Felixstowe to Lawley Street liner.

Driving Van Trailer (DVT) No.82105 arrives into Diss leading the 1P10 07:55 London Liverpool Street to Norwich service.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90010 departs from Diss station pushing the 1P10 07:55 London Liverpool Street to Norwich service.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90009 arrives into Ipswich hauling the 1P27 10:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66558 passes through Ipswich from the stabling sidings hauling the 4M63 09:12 Felixstowe to Ditton service.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66503 'The Railway Magazine' passes through Ipswich station hauling an entirely empty set of container flats 4M88 09:32 Felixstowe - Hams Hall service.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66771 passes through Ipswich while working the 4M23 10:46 Felixstowe to Hams Hall container service.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66199 exits from the stabling sidings into Ely Station operating the 12:36 Chesterton - Mountsorrel service.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66109 enters Ely station hauling the 6L39 08:55 Mountsorrel to Trowse stone.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66727 passes Ely operating the 4M29 10:29 Felixstowe to Birch Coppice container service.

Class 365 Networker No.365511 departs Ely operating the 1T35 12:54 Kings Lynn to Kings Cross passenger service.

Freightliner Class 66/4 No.66418 passes through Ely Station while working the 4L93 10:08 Lawley Street to Felixstowe.

In stunning evening light DB Crago Class 66 No.66056 passes Attleborough working the return 4M48 16:05 Norwich to Peak Forest stone empties.

Lowestoft is another station now fitted with the latest in LED lighting technology. Class 37/4 No.37423 stands ready to depart with the 2J91 19:55 to Norwich.

Two Greater Anglia Class 90's No.90013 and No.90007 stand at Norwich Station. 90013 operated the 1P21 21:00 to London Liverpool Street.

Greater Anglia Class 90 No.90013 operated the 1P21 21:00 to London Liverpool Street.

16th March 2017

The 16th March was out final full day in East Anglia so we decided the morning period we would visit the small village of Trimley located just outside the huge port of Felixstowe. Trimley has an hourly Class 153 shuttle service which operates between Ipswich and Felixstowe Town. The village of Timley has a small station and a public foot crossing within ten minutes walk of the station, this proved to be a great location to see the constant flow of containers into and out of the port area.

Freigtliner Class 90 No.90048 sits on the departure road at Ipswich having just been serviced.

Freightliner Class 70 No.70008 departs Ipswich hauling the 4M94 07:39 Felixstowe to Lawley Street.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66588 pulls through Trimley Station hauling the 4M63 09:12 Felixstowe - Ditton freightliner.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66503 powers away from Felixstowe hauling the 4M88 09:32 Felixstowe to Crewe Basford Hall, seen passing Trimley.

Greater Anglis Class 153 No.153322 approaches its stop at Trimley while working the 2R10 09:58 Ipswich to Felixstowe service.

GBRf Maritime liveried Class 66/7 No.66727 'Maritime One' passes Timley hauling the 4M29 10:29 Felixstowe to Birch Coppice.

Class 70 No.70017 passes Trimley with the 4L95 22:50 Ditton to Felixstowe containers.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66771 hauling the 4M23 10:46 Felixstowe to Hams Hall containers.

Freightliner Class 66/9 No.66955 passes Trimley hauling the 4M87 11:13 Felixstowe to Doncaster Europort.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66729 departs from Trimley hauling the 4Z33 11:22 Felixstowe to Doncaster Europort container service.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66707 'Sir Sam Fay' passes Trimley working the 4L02 03:49 Hams Hall to Felixstowe freightliner.

DRS Class 37/4 No.37423 'Spirt of the Lakes' prepares to depart Lowestoft with the 2J83 15:48 to Norwich.

DRS Class 37/4 No.37405 stands at Norwich having just completed a test run to Lowestoft and back light engine.

On the 17th March 2017 Freightliner caused delays to mainline passenger services in East Anglia when Class 70 No.70019 failed near Marks Tey just before the morning rush hour while working the 4L95 22:50 Ditton - Felixstowe freightliner. Spare Class 70 No.70017 was dispatched from Ipswich Stabling Sidings to collect the stricken train, and finally hauled it into Ipswich Station at 11:03 161 minutes late. Several morning services to Norwich were delayed by the same amount of time as they were stuck behind the freight service with no way of passing.