East Anglian Diversions
21st February 2009 to 18th April 2009

On Feb 21st Freightliner were diverting their Felixstowe bound trains via Peterborough and Bury St Edmunds on account of engineering works closing the GEML. At this time of year three daylight trains can be expected and on the 21st all showed as expected, which made for a very rewarding day.

Two weeks later on the 7th March the weather was a tad more problematic, it dawned grey but the sun did get out so, whilst the car was being serviced, I spent a pleasurable morning at Middle Drove and Wisbech Road on the outskirts of March.

By the 21st March Spring had finally arrived, albeit after a frosty start. Freightliner's diverts were joined by passenger operators Grand Central and Hull Trains, which were terminating at Cambridge, on account of engineering work on the ECML near Hitchin. GBRf were also much in evidence, on engineering trains to work sites on the GEML and their 4L02 inter-modal train from Hams Hall. Add to all this excitement an appearance of 46115 Scots Guardsman on a private charter from King's Lynn to Melton Mowbray and it wasn't surprising that railfans were out in force.

My next opportunity was on the 18th April and for this I took myself off to Haughley in Mid-Suffolk (with a side excursion to Felixstowe). I saw all the Felixstowe bound trains although the timings of the 4L89 have changed on account of it now being routed via Daventry, Temple Mills (for the motive power change) and Cambridge.

Thanks to fellow Freightmaster Interactive subscribers I was able to track the 4L89's progress and caught it at Haughley Junction.

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February 21st; it's 07:55 as 66575 passes the crossing at Silt Road, March on a lengthy train of empty flats, the 4E62 to Leeds
February 21st; it's 07:55 as 66575 passes the crossing at Silt Road, March on a lengthy train of empty flats, the 4E62 to Leeds
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 Within 5 minutes of the 4E62 the first divert appeared, 66579 and 90043 on the 4L89 Coatbridge to Felixstowe...
Within 5 minutes of the 4E62 the first divert appeared, 66579 and 90043 on the 4L89 Coatbridge to Felixstowe...
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 ...on previous occasions when out photographing diverts across the fens, the Coatbridge had been a 66 duty throughout, presumably today 90043 had hauled the train as far as Peterborough.
...on previous occasions when out photographing diverts across the fens, the Coatbridge had been a 66 duty throughout, presumably today 90043 had hauled the train as far as Peterborough.
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 Some 30 minutes late DBS Ipswich to Burton-on-Trent intermodal, 6M28 passed Silt Road, the front was well loaded...
Some 30 minutes late DBS Ipswich to Burton-on-Trent intermodal, 6M28 passed Silt Road, the front was well loaded...
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...as was the rear, the middle was empty.
...as was the rear, the middle was empty.
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 At Turves, west of March a pair of GBRf 66s, led by 66714 on the regular Saturday morning LH working from Felixstowe to Peterborough.
At Turves, west of March a pair of GBRf 66s, led by 66714 on the regular Saturday morning LH working from Felixstowe to Peterborough.
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 Passing Prospect House Farm, a newly refurbished EMT 158 on a Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street train.
Passing Prospect House Farm, a newly refurbished EMT 158 on a Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street train.
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 A XC 170 bound for Stansted Airport at Three Horseshoes.
A XC 170 bound for Stansted Airport at Three Horseshoes.
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Looking towards March, the line is virtually straight all the way to March West Junction. a XC 170 to Birmingham approaching Turves.
Looking towards March, the line is virtually straight all the way to March West Junction. a XC 170 to Birmingham approaching Turves.
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 One of EMTs rag bag of unrefurbished 158s gallops past Three Horseshoes
One of EMTs rag bag of unrefurbished 158s gallops past Three Horseshoes
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 To improve the amenities of boxes like Three Horseshoes Network Rail have added an inside toilet, the construction to the left of the door. Unfortunately this required re-siting and re-sizing the nameplate, with rather strange aesthetic consequences. The 4L97 from Trafford Park approaches...
To improve the amenities of boxes like Three Horseshoes Network Rail have added an inside toilet, the construction to the left of the door. Unfortunately this required re-siting and re-sizing the nameplate, with rather strange aesthetic consequences. The 4L97 from Trafford Park approaches...
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 ...and passes the box at full speed, it was about half full...
...and passes the box at full speed, it was about half full...
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...with containers in two groups, in the middle and at the end.
...with containers in two groups, in the middle and at the end.
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 A NXEA 170 on a Peterborough to Ipswich train at Beggars Bridge.
A NXEA 170 on a Peterborough to Ipswich train at Beggars Bridge.
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 Also at Beggars Bridge another XC 170 bound for Birmingham crossing the 20' River.
Also at Beggars Bridge another XC 170 bound for Birmingham crossing the 20' River.
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 At Eastrea the 4L90 from Lawley Street to Felixstowe. On the previous couple of times I had seen this train it was virtually empty so this made a pleasant change.
At Eastrea the 4L90 from Lawley Street to Felixstowe. On the previous couple of times I had seen this train it was virtually empty so this made a pleasant change.
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66516 in full cry at its head.
66516 in full cry at its head.
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 One block behind the 4L90 came this convoy of 66523, 527, 599 and 591.
One block behind the 4L90 came this convoy of 66523, 527, 599 and 591.
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 A reliable Saturday working is the 6M70, the empty self discharge train from Chesterton Junction (Cambridge) to Mountsorrel. Here crossing The Whittlesey Dyke, just west of the station behind 66048
A reliable Saturday working is the 6M70, the empty self discharge train from Chesterton Junction (Cambridge) to Mountsorrel. Here crossing The Whittlesey Dyke, just west of the station behind 66048
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 Eastbound trains were subject to a TSR on the approach to Whittlesey. This XC 170 was going painfully slow as it approached the station. Whittlesey's prosperity is very much tied to the brick works whose chimney;s are belching smoke.
Eastbound trains were subject to a TSR on the approach to Whittlesey. This XC 170 was going painfully slow as it approached the station. Whittlesey's prosperity is very much tied to the brick works whose chimney;s are belching smoke.
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Another 170 passing through Whittlesey, approaching the advanced starter and entering the block to King's Dyke.
Another 170 passing through Whittlesey, approaching the advanced starter and entering the block to King's Dyke.
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 The 4L85 approaching from King's Dyke.
The 4L85 approaching from King's Dyke.
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 Of all the trains seen today this was by far the best loaded. 25 flast and all but 5 single TEU spaces had been taken.
Of all the trains seen today this was by far the best loaded. 25 flast and all but 5 single TEU spaces had been taken.
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 Back at Beggar's Bridge another 170 crossing the 20' River
Back at Beggar's Bridge another 170 crossing the 20' River
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© 1998-2009 Nick Slocombe - All copyrights rest with the Author
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