Finally something has happened worthy of a post! I was scanning Real Time Trains for any test train movements this week when I noticed an unusual journey pathed for this morning. A journey from Ipswich to Peterborough. Not unusual, you might say as there's a train that does that every 2 hours. Not via he East Suffolk Line to Lowestoft, then reversing at Brundall to Yarmouth and back there isn't. So I traced the train back to Norwich, then back to Crewe where it originated from yesterday.
Won't be a test train starting at Crewe, I deduced, plus it's operated by DRS not Colas. There was only one thing it could be - Network Rails Observation coach 975025 "Caroline", who no one can remember coming to these parts before. Now here's where I'm honest - I'm not totally sure what Caroline's role is, apart from to treat various industry people to a novel ride being pushed by a Class 37. But if she was coming I wanted to see her, however, due to a prior commitment this morning I couldn't chase her all over the place like I normally would have, so yesterday I drove to Harling Road to see her on her journey from Crewe, and this morning I was at Saxmundham. Tim covered for me at Beccles, and Acle, and my word he has got some belters!
I've never seen Caroline before in the flesh - at least I don't think so. You'd think in 5 years working for Southeastern I'd have seen her but I truly don't recall it. So I got to my favourite haunt of Harling Road, knowing I'd have the station to myself, and got ready. She was near enough on time, and soon came into view, pushed by the gleaming 37409.
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| 37409 pushes Caroline across Harling Rd crossing |
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| Caroline passing through Harling Rd Station |
Overnight 37409 was relieved of its duties, and the equally gleaming 37407 replaced it, obviously needed at Crewe for an exam. That meant at Norwich last night 37407, 409 and the recently returned 37424(558) were in residence. 3 large logo 37's at Norwich. That may never happen again.
So at 0900 I was at Saxmundham, expecting Caroline to stop as booked, but no, she sailed gracefuly through, pushed by her new shiny friend.
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| Caroline glides through Saxmundham |
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| This time propelled by 37407 |
20 miles or so down the line and Tim was waiting for her at Beccles, although he was hampered by difficult light, and isn't very happy with these.
That was a nice surprise, and a good way to break my drought of posts. However, you won't have long to wait for the next one. I'm in the big smoke tomorrow, finding out just how far you can travel for £1.50! Here it's a couple of stops but in London.....watch this space!
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