West Midlands Day Ranger - 20th September 2014

On the 20th September 2014 I used the West Midlands Day Ranger ticket to travel around the Midlands by rail. The ticket costs just £23 and provided excellent value for money for unlimited travel between the extents Hereford, Crewe, Rugby and Leamington Spa. We opted to travel from Worcester Shrub Hill and travel into Birmingham before heading North to Crewe. After a short photography break in Crewe we headed south to Rugby via Stoke on Trent before returning into central Birmingham and heading back to Worcester.

Worcester Shrub Hill:

An added bonus was provided at Worcester Shrub Hill as 'The Belmond Northern Belle' arrived to collect passengers before continuing to a day out in Bath. The train originated from Hereford.

Class 47/7 No. 47790 'Galloway Princess' is seen among the semaphore signals at Worcester Shrub Hill, coupled to the rear of the 1Z45 08:15 from Hereford.

Class 47/7 No.477960 'Galloway Princess'

BR Mk2 No.3275 'Arlech' is pictured at Worcester Shrub Hill prior to departure

Class 47/7 No.47790 'Galloway Princess' is pictured on the rear of the Northern Belle at Worcester Shrub Hill

With the absence of Class 47/8 No.47832 for heavy maintenance Direct Rail Services provided Class 57/3 No.57302 'Chad Varah' as the lead locomotive for the Northern Belle.

London Midland liveried Class 172 No.172212 stands at Worcester Shurb Hill ready to form one of the first departures of the day.

London Midland Class 172 No.172333 stands at Worcester adjacent to the Northern Belle. Shortly after 57302 departed to Bath Spa with the luxury dining service.

Crewe:

LNER A4 Pacific No.60009 'Union of South Africa' arrives into Crewe hauling The Railway Touring Companies 'The Cheshireman'. The locomotive operated the 1Z93 07:41 Euston to Chester charter throughout.

The romance of steam fails to record the hard graft and conditions on the cab for those who drive and fire these heritage locomotives.

West Coast Railways Class 57/3 No.57314 arrives into Crewe with the 5Z35 08:00 Carnforth - Bristol Kingsland Road coaching stock move in preparation for the next days 'Royal Duchy' charter to Par from Bristol.

Arriva Trains Wales Class 150/2 No.150236 arrives into Crewe with the 1K09 11:55 from Chester.

London Midland Class 350/1 No.350114 prepares to depart Crewe with the 1U32 13:02 Crewe - Euston via Stoke on Trent stopping service.

Rugby

GBRf liveried Class 66/7 No.66715 'Valour' passes through Rugby with a liner from Felixstowe to Hams Hall.

Direct Rail Services Class 57/3 No.57308 'County of Staffordshire' is pictured at Rugby on West Coast 'Thunderbird' duties.