Here is a class 319 electric multiple unit on a northbound service at Kings Cross Thameslink. This is the rear of the train. These are dual voltage units (25kv ac from overhead wires and 750dc third rail collection) to enable the trains to operate the Thameslink service which runs from Bedford and Luton on the former Midland Railway main line north of London through central London using what used to be called the "widened lines" and Snow Hill tunnel to connect with the former Southern Railway at Blackfriars to Wimbledon, Sutton and Brighton. A journey from City Thameslink station (Ludgate Hill, near St Pauls Cathedral) to my home station Hendon (7 miles out measuring from St Pancras the MR terminus) takes about 20 minutes stopping at all stations (6). Ben http://www.pbase.com/image/186839.jpg
Nice picture, Ben. I have not seen any of these trains, as I stay away from London as much as possible! That photo looks very "London" with the overbridge, etc. I did enjoy trainspotting in London during the steam era, but I know little about modern rail activities in the capital. More photos would be appreciated.
OK Alan will do; I now have a very neat Canon Digital Ixus V 2.1 megapixel digital camera which fits in the pocket and it is the work of a moment to snap trains going to and from work or in the lunch hour. Although a Londoner with the Londoner's fondness for his home city, I know what you mean and don't blame you at all for staying out of London; I'd like to get out more often! Let me know if there are any other specific types of trains, locos or units you would like to see and I will try to get shots. There is a service transferring rubbish from a terminal at Brent Sidings to a landfill site near Stewartby (Beds) which runs a few times a week and departs in the evening just after my commuter train; it is usually hauled by a EWS class 66 and I will try and hang around at Hendon one evening to snap it for the thread on that class of loco as it passes through with its train of heavy green containers; the noise on the rising gradient as the train climbs to the flyover at Silkstream junction is very impressive! The trouble is that the sun is in exactly the wrong place at that time of day for photographing the train from the best viewpoint, but I'm sure I'll be able to get some results. Ben
Hello Ben, I'm sure we would all appreciate seeing some shots of that EWS 66 working. Don't worry too much about the position of the sun as it probably won't last much longer now that the holidays are upon us Take care, John
Yes you are probably right John. Meanwhile here is another shot of a Thameslink electric multiple unit this afternoon, northbound at Mill Hill Broadway http://www.pbase.com/image/190306.jpg Ben
Aren't digital cameras wonderful! Instant results That is a lovely bright picture, Ben. More please . . . .
OK Alan, will do as soon as I can; I'll try to feature some different kinds of units and stock so as to vary things a bit but although this is one of the largest cities in the world the railway scene isn't exactly fascinating..... I'll have to see if I can capture one of the steam specials that operate out of Waterloo and Victoria. Late yesterday evening I happened to look at my G3 gtg leaflet and realized that at the time I was shooting the 319 at Mill Hill I could have been sitting in Alan Marsden's garden filming steamers......damn! I haven't got much much chance of running my own steamer this summer as it hasn't got a current ticket and there seems precious little chance of getting the boiler tested at a meeting as someone else always seems to have got in first. As the season is more or less half over already I'll probably stick to 0 gauge and n scale (hoping for delivery of a Lemaco n scale Swiss vintage electric loco before the end of the year!) Will post more train images as soon as I can. Ben
Here are a few more shots of Thameslink units. Some pics taken at Paddington Station on Sat 28 July to follow in due course....... http://www.pbase.com/image/206483.jpg http://www.pbase.com/image/206484.jpg http://www.pbase.com/image/206490.jpg Ben
Very interesting photos Ben! The railway goes right through the building Why are two of the pictures in black and white - or are you just experimenting?
Yes, just experimenting - I love b and w and the camera takes nice b and w shots. That short stretch of a few hundred yards between Blackfriars (through the building at the top of the hill) and City Thameslink (on Ludgate Hill behind where I was standing and in tunnel) is on a terrific gradient (probably steeper than the 1 in 37 of the Lickey) but the emus just take it in their stride (and it is admittedly only a short stretch) albeit fairly slowly going uphill. The downhill trains have to proceed very carefully under braking so as not to psad in City Thameslink stn. Ben
Here is another shot of the same Thameslink service to St Albans at Kings Cross Thameslink station that I started this topic with, but on another day and in black and white. http://www.pbase.com/image/209670.jpg Ben
