Loose_Grip/Pete's photos with the keyword: Express

GWR Hall 4-6-0 6990 Witherslack Hall was captured on 2nd December 2023 as it went off shed at Loughborough to work a Santa Express. HFF & Season's Greetings to everyone. Have a great Christmas!

Say what you will about "Polar Express" trains you can't deny that they really bring in the punters as the hordes on the platform at Kingsley & Froghall station in Staffordshire yesterday prove. Lots of happy pyjama-ed kids. I don't know what cut the franchise takes but the Churnet Valley Railway must be minting it over the Christmas period with all trains fully booked. USATC S160 2-8-0 5197 was heading the train with an unidentified Class 20 diesel on the tail. As this is the southern terminus of the CVR the configuration was reversed when they set off back towards Leek.

The skyline of Birmingham (including the remains of Curzon Street station just to the right of the diesel's cab) as we ran into Moorgate Station on Black 5 4-6-0 45305 with empty stock for the Polar Express. A Chiltern Railways Class 82 passes at speed with a Snow Hill to Marylebone train. Class 68 diesel 68014 was powering the train from the rear.

At Tyseley to dispose/prep Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 45305 on shed. It was getting light when I started work although the sun wasn't yet above the horizon. The following day the loco ran on Vintage Trains' Polar Express out of Birmingham Moor Street.

Black 5 4-6-0 45305 prepares to come off Tyseley shed to work the empty stock for the Polar Express to Birmingham Moor Street. Fireman Phil heads back to the cab while 5305LA support crew member Mark looks on.