Manningtree (20/4/11)

Just 4 days after a trip to London to see a show I was back to the trains again with this visit to Manningtree on a glorious afternoon with not a cloud in the sky.

As you all are well aware National Express are to surrender the franchise from February 2012 to either Stagecoach, Govia or Nevelandse Spoorwagen after they wern't selected for the bidding process. This is hardly surprising with delays and cancellations occuring on a regular basis plus lack of investment in the rolling stock. The Class 379 Electrostar's being the only new rolling stock introduced since they took over from Anglia Railways, First Great Eastern and WAGN from 1st April 2004 as ONE Railway.

This morning Class 90 003 (Raedwald of East Anglia) failed near Needham Market whilst propelling the 08:00 London - Norwich after smoke was seen coming from the loco. Class 321 340 + Class 321 360 were dispatched from Colchester depot to form the 10:30 Norwich - London as the 11:09 from Ipswich and then they formed the 13:00 London Liverpool St - Norwich as far as Ipswich where Class 90 002 and the Mk3 Rake that was propelled by 90 003 took over.

I saw the same pair of Dusty Bins arriving at Ipswich complete with Norwich being displayed on the destination blind from London and then passing through Manningtree on their way back to Colchester depot. The Class 90's I saw at Manningtree were as follows;

90 004 (Eastern Daily Press) - not in the video as she brought me to Manningtree from Ipswich.
90 006 (Modern Railways Magazine)
90 007 (Sir John Betjeman)
90 009
90 010
90 014 (Norfolk and Norwich Festival)
90 035

I had the treat of seeing 47 712 (Pride of Carlisle) passing though Manningtree on her way back to Colchester. She had rescued the errant Mk3 Rake propelled by 90 003 and taken it from Stowmarket where it had terminated to Norwich where 90 002 was attached and hauled it to Ipswich to take over from 321 340 + 321 360.

Two freightliners also turned up. This featured 66 534 heading to Felixstowe and 66 956 heading outbound.

Another bonus was 321 446 (George Mullings) which was with 321 326 and 321 328 on the 15:52 Ipswich - London. 360 113 and 360 108 were also seen on London - Ipswich services.

I hope you enjoy this video as I got lucky seeing some surprises which were caused by 90 003's failure this morning.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• NXEA
• National Express East Anglia
• Class 47
• Class 66
• Class 90
• Class 321
• Class 360
• DRS Class 47
• Freightliner Class 66
• NXEA Class 90
• NXEA Class 321
• NXEA Class 360
• National Express Class 90
• National Express Class 321
• National Express Class 360
• Class 360 Desiro
• Class 321 Dusty Bins
• Freightliner
• Direct Rail Services
• Great Eastern Main Line
• Manningtree Station

[Ayrshire1trains]

Trust this to Happen on  Wednesday rush Hour

[Desiro360]

@Ayrshire1trains I know, they need to at least improve the reliability of the Class 90's, the passengers must have been uncomfortable in the 321's.

[Ayrshire1trains]

great video i shoud train spot at Manningtree

[Desiro360]

@Ayrshire1trains Thanks, I would recommend it as the GEML still has loco hauled passenger trains.

[class180matt]

Great Vid, Manningtree is one of my favourite stations :)

[Desiro360]

@class180matt Thanks mate, Manningtree is one of my favourite stations too. :)

[Ayrshire1trains]

@Desiro360 class 321 are not the right train for the Norwich services because there's buffet car and there's limited First class

[Desiro360]

@MrHollis11 I've built up my rail knowledge over the years so I know exactly what train it will be.

[Desiro360]

@TrainSpotter365501 Thanks mate. :)

[TrainSpotter365501]

Nice Video