A stretch of line that i've wanted to have a good crack at for some time is the section of the WCML between Wandel and Crawford, after seeing several photos from certain locations and passing the line on countless occasions longingly looking in the direction of the line while driving to and from Edinburgh for football and family reasons, coupled in with the odd stop off for one or two workings in generally drab light only further whetted my appetite to visit for some proper sessions. During the period of April 26th - 28th 2011 I got my opportunity and coupled with some truly 'stoating' Scottish weather I could not have asked for more, so below are a selection of images from some of the most beautiful locations I think ive ever visited, I hope you enjoy!
390047 storms south through Wandel with 1M09 Glasgow Central - London Euston on the 26th of April 2011, I was hoping for a couple of cars on the busy A702 to date the picture but on all of my shots during the 3 days at this spot it never materialised once, the only time I did get a vehicle in shot was a huge HGV which blocked out the train! Can't have it all
Running around 120 minutes late 66114 heads 6M49 Mossend - Carlisle engineers through Abington on the 26th of April 2011, this diagram is supposed to be a solid 92 turn, but due to the unavailabiltity of electric traction a shed was found
92003 accelarates away from its stop in Abington loop at the sharp end of 4M63 Mossend - Hams Hall on the 26th of April 2011, up until now i've not had much contact with the class but after seeing them at work close up im more than impressed with their pulling power, Abington loop is just out of view on the right of the picture and already by this point the train was travelling at over 35mph and by the time the last wagon had passed was nearly at full speed, immence!
390036 crosses the River Clyde at Crawford on the 26th of April 2011 with 1S48 09:30 London Euston - Glasgow Central, with an arrival time at Glasgow of 14:01 its a pretty impressive journey time of 4 hrs 31 minutes from starting point to destination
After passing through the village of Crawford 185111 is seen working 1S56 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley on the 26th of April 2011
66114 returns north with 6S51 Carlisle - Mossend engineers on the 26th of April 2011, seen passing over the truly awesome and stunning Crawford viaduct as the River Clyde passes gently underneath after the recent dry spell
221143 passes south of Crawford with 1M86 Edinburgh Waverley - Birmingham New Street on the 26th of April 2011
With Tewsgill Hill dominating the sky line 86632 + 90041 unusually pair up and are both powering while working a well loaded 4M74 Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall through Crawford on the 26th of April 2011, in the foreground is a cracking dry stone wall, so nice to see rather than the usual ugly palisade fencing
In the early morning sun of the 27th of April 2011 66129 passes through Abington with its load of 8 empty Castle Cement VTG tanks while working 4M00 Mossend - Clitheroe
390025 rounds the curve at Abington with the morning 1M08 Glasgow Central - London Euston on the 27th of April 2011
92003 hauls 66134 DIT while heading a cracking colourful consist that forms 6M49 Mossend - Carlisle through Abington on the 27th of April 2011
Original Virgin liveried 221118 passes Abington working 1M52 Edinburgh Waverley - Birmingham New Street on the 27th of April 2011
A nice added extra on the 27th of April 2011 at Abington was 66008 working 6L30 Mossend - Carlisle made up of an assortment of 4 wheeled spoil / ballast wagons, the road at the bottom right of the picture is the road you use to access the location from the north and is very seldom used other than by the friendly farmer
The working I had been perched up on the top of a precariously positioned step ladder appeared running around 60 minutes late but boy was it worth the wait! 66303 in the now obselete Fastline livery passes Abington at the head of DRS's fully loaded 4M44 Mossend - Daventry on the 27th of April 2011, even the grass land of the usually rain soaked Scotland is showing signs of the current continuing dry spell
185101 passes Wandel with 1M94 Glasgow Central - Manchester Airport on the 27th of April 2011
I had had my eye on this shot since a visit to Edinburgh the previous year and I couldn't of hoped for a better outcome than this, 92022 passes through Wandel with 4M63 Mossend - Hams Hall on the 27th of April 2011, the lighting was truly superb and with Dungavel Hill standing in the centre of the picture the scene is complete
After a quick dash I arrived at Abington in time to see 92022 depart Abington loop and round the sharp curve with 4M63 Mossend - Hams Hall on the 27th of April 2011
92003 powers over Crawford Viaduct with 6S51 Carlisle - Mossend engineers on the 27th of April 2011
If I was to get just one sunny shot from my entire trip this is the one i would of chose to get in the bag! 92017 heads the 'Tesco Express' 4S43 Rugby - Mossend through Crawford on the 27th of April 2011, every man and his dog has done this shot but its easy to see why, the location and surroundings are breath taking, what a super place to spend a few hours
66510 traverses the River Clyde over the Crawford Viaduct on the 27th of April 2011 while woking 4S41 Fiddlers Ferry - Hunterston
390052 hammers through Crawford on the 27th of April 2011 in the shape of 1M15 Glasgow Central - London Euston, this pendolino has been adorned with 'Alstom Supporting British Athletes' Alison Waters who apparently likes a bit of squash! This is in association with the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth games that are being held in Glasgow, so hopefully next up will be a Pendolino with Kris Akabusi on the front of it!
221103 passes Crawford while forming 1M86 Edinburgh Waverley - Birmingham New Street on the 27th of April 2011, in years past this kind of service would of been formed of a 86 and Mk 2's
After recieving info that 6M22 Hunterston - Carlisle Kingmoor was running some 30 minutes early I quickly abandoned my post at the viaduct and after a climb, drive and run was in position within 15 minutes here at the south of Crawford, no worry though as it had been looped to let the preceeding Pendo and Voyager pass and pretty much bang on time 37607 + 37218 pass in fine style with some very welcome tractor noise on the 27th of April 2011, stonking!
325016 leads 2 fellow class mates to form 1M44 Shieldmuir - Warrington through Wandel on the 27th of April 2011
66427 shines in the super early evening light of the 27th of April 2011 while passing through Wandel with 4M82 Coatbridge - Daventry, this view will soon be ruined when part of a massive 152 turbine wind farm ruins the hill sides forever, behind the last wagons in view a temporary car park can be seen for construction workers, we may have a energy issue for the future but is this really the best sollution?
About to pass under the A702 road bridge in Wandel 390008 rushes south while working 1M15 Glasgow Central - London Euston on the 27th of April 2011
86610 + 86604 make a stunning sight as they pass Wandel on the 27th of April 2011 with the later timed Wednesday only 4M80 Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall
185117 adds some welcome colour to the scene passing Wandel with 1M99 Glasgow Central - Manchester Airport on the 27th of April 2011
66515 passes Wandel on the 27th of April 2011 with 6E71 Ravenstruther (pronounced Renstrie) - Drax loaded coal, in recent times the green team have become completley dominant in moving coal on the Scotland - England stretch of the WCML
325012 leads 1M03 Shieldmuir - Warrington through Wandel on the 27th of April 2011
As a young lamb flees for cover 221118 hammers south through Wandel with 1M61 Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street on the 27th of April 2011
Striking 2 tone grey example 92003 leads a interesting 6O15 Mossend - Eastleigh through Wandel on the 27th of April 2011, despite appearances this isn't a tresspass shot as its taken at the base of a road bridge with a 2 foot fence in front of you!
On the 28th of April 2011 92017 rounds the curve towards Abington with 4S43 Rugby - Mossend 'Tesco Express' the stuning light helped create a very blue picture!
185143 crosses the viaduct at Crawford with 1S56 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley on the 28th of April 2011
With its rake of loaded HXA's in tow 66951 passes Crawford and struggles up the climb towards Beattock summit on the 28th of April 2011 with 6E65 Ravenstruther - Drax
86610 + 86604 are seen passing through Crawford with the iconic 'IT' on the hillside in the background while working 4M74 Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall on the 28th of April 2011, to the left of the picture a handful of tups can be seen grazing happily
325001 leads 1M44 Shieldmuir - Warrington through Wandel on the 28th of April 2011
66423 heads a fully loaded 4M82 Coatbridge - Daventry through Wandel on the 28th of April 2011, looking back at the photo i'm glad that the lorry in the background wasn't a second earlier!
66552 heads 6E71 Ravenstruther - Drax seen while passing through Wandel on the 28th of April 2011
92022 heads a tidy looking 6O15 Mossend - Eastleigh 'Wagonload' through Wandel as it slows for its booked stop in Abington loop on the 28th of April 2011
In the stunning evening light 66433 hammers down the incline towards Abington with 4S44 Daventry - Coatbridge on the 28th of April 2011, a great end to a truly superb 3 days