PeterH's Watford Junction thread. 60009 UoSA: p.16

[PeterH]

As some of you may be aware, I have the WCML at the bottom of my garden. Recently, Network Rail have kindly (in my opinion, not a view shared by my father and neighbours) cut away all of the trees on the embankment; giving me an excellent view down the line.
I thought it was high time I showed you the traffic I get down my end of the wood.

[PeterH]

Well unfortunatly there were no trains running on the Sunday when I was going to take some photos. You'll have to make do with scenery shots and imagine something glourious travelling down.
(WDJ stands for Watford Junction)

South-bound to WDJ to London Euston

North-bound from WDJ

Looking South to WDJ station

Looking North

Looking South to WDJ

Wide North shot

Zoom to WDJ station

Track


Well I hope you enjoyed those....perhaps next time I could include trains in them

[davek]

The 'wide north shot' looks like a good angle to capture stuff.

[PeterH]

Well more trees have been cut down revealing better photographic opportunities. Only problem is that my camera has wondered down to Monty Carlo avec mon père for the historic motor racing.
We've also reclaimed some waste ground and are cleaning up at the bottom; hopefully in a years time I will be able to construct a Garden Railway in 00 all around the back.

[PeterH]

No trains running today due to track tamping (I think - or some sort of maintainance), it was raining whilst they were doing it this morning, I went down this afternoon and they had left these outside.













Sorry if they are a bit blurry, I had to zoom quite heavily.
What exactly are these machines used for?

[headshot119]

How lucky are you the WCML on your doorstep, how I can only dream. What you need now are some 5 mega pixel cameras with motion censors pointing in both directions, you'd never miss a thing.
I believe the engineering trains you saw are used to pack down th ballast, although I'm sure someone on here will give a better description.

[PeterH]

It may seem great, but really I don't get much variation; all I get are Pendalino's a green and blue multiple unit (no idea on the class I am afraid), and the occasional freight. No specials seem to come from Euston.

[headshot119]

I believe the blue and green DMU's are London Midland class 150/0 and 150/1. I'm not sure if you know but both the lowland and highland Caledonian Sleeper trains pass your back garden. It is usually hauled by a class 90, but in the event of failure it can be 67s or 37s. If your interested the timetable can be found here.

[PeterH]

I do see it from time to time, is usually dark though, I will take a look at the timetable and see if I can take some photos.

[PeterH]

I have just found out that those blue and green multiple units are thec Class 321.

[davek]

All three of those machines are tampers, they align and level track.
Most likely Plasser & Theurer machines.

[PeterH]

Cool, Thanks DaveK! I didn't get to see them work unfortunatly. The weather was too bad.
I went out and took a few photos.
Pendalinos:










Class 350's:





Class 321's:











Frieght:

Class 66.


Class 90.

[headshot119]

Some good pictures there, I especially liked the 90. Keep up the good work.

[PeterH]

That is about all I ever see though, only the freight is really interesting, but they aren't as regular as the multiple units. I found out about the waiting game.
Next year (hopefully!) I will be making a garden railway to put down at the bottom - then I can watch my model trains passing the real thing. To think, a Royal Scot will be passing down the WCML once again! (Even if it is for only a few metres!)

[PeterH]

I'll see if I can capture the Caledonian Sleeper tonight. It leaves WJ at 00:05.