Lincolnshire & Yorkshire
The Lincolnshire and Yorkshire ‘Road Trip’ was planned as part of a hasty replacement for a trip to America in 2012. Unfortunately we had to postpone this overseas trip, but replaced it with two trips in April to compensate for not being able to go abroad.
From Taunton we planned to head North (via a stop off at Ashchurch near Chelenham and Portway in the Midlands) to Barnerby in Linclonshire. At Barnetby we would spent two days in the area photographing the busy freight scenes on the mainline to and from Immingham. On Wednesday 4th April we then moved North East towards York where we would cover the various maze of freight lines connecting to Drax, Eggborough, and Ferrybridge power stations. On Friday 6th April we returned South (via Clay Cross near Chesterfield).
In both locations Coal is the major commodity being hauled by all of the train operating companies, such is the need to provide these large power stations with a constant source of fuel to burn. However there were also some other Freightliner, Steel and Aggregate flows which operate through these areas to other locations.
From Taunton we planned to head North (via a stop off at Ashchurch near Chelenham and Portway in the Midlands) to Barnerby in Linclonshire. At Barnetby we would spent two days in the area photographing the busy freight scenes on the mainline to and from Immingham. On Wednesday 4th April we then moved North East towards York where we would cover the various maze of freight lines connecting to Drax, Eggborough, and Ferrybridge power stations. On Friday 6th April we returned South (via Clay Cross near Chesterfield).
In both locations Coal is the major commodity being hauled by all of the train operating companies, such is the need to provide these large power stations with a constant source of fuel to burn. However there were also some other Freightliner, Steel and Aggregate flows which operate through these areas to other locations.
2nd April 2012
Conditions for the first day of the trip were favourable. With full sun forecast for the morning we made a stop at Ashchurch - (North of Cheltenham). Unfortunatly not all of the booked freight appeared in the window we had planned to cover. A move of to Portway - (Elford Loop, near Tamworth) provided more taffic but an increase in cloud, as the deteriation of weather continued to head South over the country as we headed North. Merry Lees - (Coalville Branch near Liecester) was a last minute addition to our route, given the rare traction involved it was clear descision to head East to try and capture a photograph of the London Underground Tube Stock delivery. Arrival in Barnetby - (Lincolnshire) was late in the day, with drizzle setting in, which would dictate the conditions for the next few days.
3rd April 2012
The 3rd April dawned with darkened skies and cold weather but patches of brightness were trying to burn through the the weak cloud at times. Knabbs Bridge - New Barnetby was our first location for the day, followed by Brockelsby where conditions worsened to heavy rain, New Barnetby (Footbridge) and finally a dash for cover at Barnetnby Station as conditions worsened for a wild night of weather ahead.
4th April 2012
After a wild night of wind and rain, the situation on the morning of the 4th April couldn't of been any worse. The weather forecast said rain should stop by mid day with a break in the weather coming towards early evening. The descision was taken to begin driving West towards our eventual location of York. Our first calling points were Hatfield and Stainforth station following by a couple of hours at Selby before moving on to Knottingley and Colton Junction. Selby came as a complete surpise, we only really went there to keep warm and have a cup of coffee. The restored station, Railway Cafe, Selby Abbey, and Swing Bridge provided a unique backdrop where we managed to record three booked freight trains.
5th April 2012
After an overnight stay in York, the weather couldn't of been any better waking up to cloudless skies and bright sunshine. The day was qually special becuase it was Maunday Thursday and The Queen was due to visit York using the Royal Train. Our Thursday saw us take in various photographic locations in the Colton Junction, Bolton Percy and Milford areas, making the most of the good weather.
6th April 2012
The 6th April was the final day of our week long tour of the North East. After a short period at Colton Junction we headed South to Clay Cross near Chesterfield before a final long drive back home.
