London - 17th November 2014
The purpose of a visit to London on the 17th November was to record the every changing railway scene in parts of the Capital which I had previously not covered in detail. Having arrived into London Paddington our first station of interest was Mill Hill Broadway, this was accessed via the Hammersmith and City Line changing at Kings Cross/ St Pancras International for a Thameslink service to Mill Hill Broadway station. The station is located on the Midland Mainline (slightly to the North of London) and also sees a regular fifteen minute service as part of the new Thameslink franchise (Formerly First Capital Connect and Southern). Stopping services operate between Bedford, St Albans through central London to Sutton (Surrey). Mill Hill Broadway is also conveniently positioned next to the M1 Motorway and within walking distance of the superb RAF Museum at Hendon.
Our second point of interest was Gospel Oak (located on the North London) and accessed via a change at West Hapstead onto the North London Line. Gospel Oak station receives a high volume of passenger and freight traffic throughout the day. London Overground has revolutionized the North London Line and now provides 15 minute connections as part of the London Overground 'orbital' route which encompasses London. The station also enjoys a large amount of weekday freight thanks to its easy connections to the Port of Felixstowe in the East and the newly opened London Gateway container port.
Our third quest for the day was to travel on board Chiltern Trains unique 'Bubble Car' service which operates between Alyesbury and Princes Risborough (approx 7 miles) each week day. The 1960's Class 121 'Bubble Car' operates an out and back turn, once in the morning peak and once in the evening peak. The 'classic traction' provides a real time warp for those passengers who use the service and is a unique operation by Chiltern Trains.
Our second point of interest was Gospel Oak (located on the North London) and accessed via a change at West Hapstead onto the North London Line. Gospel Oak station receives a high volume of passenger and freight traffic throughout the day. London Overground has revolutionized the North London Line and now provides 15 minute connections as part of the London Overground 'orbital' route which encompasses London. The station also enjoys a large amount of weekday freight thanks to its easy connections to the Port of Felixstowe in the East and the newly opened London Gateway container port.
Our third quest for the day was to travel on board Chiltern Trains unique 'Bubble Car' service which operates between Alyesbury and Princes Risborough (approx 7 miles) each week day. The 1960's Class 121 'Bubble Car' operates an out and back turn, once in the morning peak and once in the evening peak. The 'classic traction' provides a real time warp for those passengers who use the service and is a unique operation by Chiltern Trains.
The Bronze Statue of Sir John Betjeman stands gazing upwards at the St Pancras Station Building, surrounded by Poppies left during the annual remembrance ceremonies.
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Former 'First Capital Connect' now 'Thameslink Units No.377516 and No.377505 pass Mill Hill Broadway with the 2T24 09:37 Brighton - Bedford.
Thameslink Class 319 No.319444 & No.319435 pause at Mill Hill Broadway while working the 2V47 10;44 Luton to Sutton stopping service.
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East Midlands Trains liveried 'Meridian' No.222011 cruises through Mill Hill Boradway while working the 1M26 11:01 St Pancras to Kettering service.
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East Midlands HST Set formed of No.43075 & No.43066 speed through Mill Hill Boradway on the fast lines while working the 1D27 11:15 St Pancras - Nottingham service
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Two Thamselink Class 391's pass at Mill Hill Boradway. No.319008 & 319009 arrive into Mill Hill Boradway with the 2O30 10:078 Sutton - Luton stopping service.
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Thameslink Class 319 No.319457 & No.319431 pause at Mill Hill Boradway while working the 2O49 11:14 St Albans - Sutton.
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Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66's are now in a terrible external state. Class 66/6 No.66622 passes slowly through Mill Hill Broadway with the 6L44 04:50 Earles Sidings to West Thurrock cement.
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EWS liveried Class 66 No. 66181 passes No.66622 at Mill Hill Boradway while working the 6F93 11:05 St Pancras - Ketton Ward cement.
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DB Schenker operated RHTT set passes through Mill Hill Boradway with Arriva Trains Wales liveried Class 67 No.67003 & Royal Class 67 No.67006 while operating the daily 3J92 23:32 Toton Yard - Toton Yard via West Hampstead water jets.
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Former First Capital Connect liveried Class 319 No.319379 arrives into Mill Hill Broadway with the 2V36 11:05 Sutton - St Albans service.
Having reversed at West Hampstead Royal Class 67 No.67006 leads No.67003 back through Mill Hill Broadway with the 3J93 11:55 West Hampstead - Toton.
Freightliner Class 66 No.66556 rounds the tight curve at Gospel Oak hauling the 4L31 09:03 Bristol to Felixstowe while passing one of the regular London Overground services.
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The Gospel Oak has undergone a revolution in recent years with an intensive service now in place operating every 15 minutes. The services are in the hands of Class 172 'Turbostars'. Here pioneer Class member No.172001 is pictured having arrived from Braking.
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Colourful Class 172 No.172006 arrives into Gospel Oak with the 2J50 12:48 from Barking.
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London Overground Class 172 No.172007 arrives into Gospel Oak with the 2J54 13:18 from Barking.
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Direct Rail Services Class 66/4 No.66431 rolls slowly through Gospel Oak with the 4M71 11:29 Purfleet - Daventry 'Sugarliner'.
Class 172 No.172007 waits to depart from Gospel Oak as the 4M71 Purfleet - Daventry passes while using the North London Line route.
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London Overground 'Capital Star' No.378207 pauses at Gospel Oak with the 2Y65 13:35 Stratford to Clapham Junction service.
GBRF operate a daily RHTT set over the North London Line, No.66745 passes Capital Star No.378212 while working the 3S82 07:20 Broxbourne - Broxbourne RHTT set.
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Bringing up the rear of the 3S82 was No.66726 'Sunderland' seen heading around the tight curve at Gospel Oak.
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Freightliner Intermodal Class 70 No.70013 passes Gospel Oak with a freigthliner service from the newly opened 'London Gateway Container Terminal'. The 4M56 12:57 London Gateway to Basford Hall is pictured complete with deep sea refrigerated containers.
Chiltern Trains are the only users of heritage Class 121 1960's Bubble Cars in the UK. BR Blue liveried route learning unit No.960014 is pictured at Aylesbury with former Arriva Trains Wales passenger unit No.55032.
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Former Arriva Trains Wales Class 121 No.55034 is used as a spare unit by Chiltern Trains. It's pictured at Aylesbury.
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BR Green liveried Class 121 No.121034 prepares for its nightly diagram from Aylesbury. The 2P75 17:20 Aylesbury to Princes Risborough is pictured before departure.
Having traveled the seven miles from Aylesbury Class 121 No.121034 stands at Princes Risborough ready to from the return service to Aylesbury.
From a different viewpoint:
GBRF Class 66/7 No.66745 passes between shipping containers are Gospel Oak.
Newly imported Class 66/7 No.66575 passes between containers at Gospel Oak while hauling the 4E19 11:30 Mountfiled - Doncaster Decoy, Gypsum.
Set in a time warp, Class 121 No.121034 stands at Aylesbury ready to operate the 2P75 17:20 to Princes Risborough.