Day Rover
CLIMB
aboard one of Railfreight Distribution’s automotive trains for a
spectacular 200-mile journey from Longbridge to Swindon and back.
Motive power is provided by two Tinsley-based Class 47s working in
multiple, both ‘Wired For Sound’ for full Sulzer authenticity! RfD’s
car components trains are one of the few freight services to travel out and
back by different routes - and both are packed with challenging
gradients.
After leaving Longbridge, the train travels to Kings Norton where
47236 & 47375 run round their 900-ton train. From there they head
south, descending the Lickey bank to Cheltenham and Gloucester. The
train leaves the main line at Standish Junction and heads for the scenic
Golden Valley route and the tortuous 12-mile climb of Sapperton bank.
The train continues to Swindon where it travels along the former
Highworth branch to its destination at the Rover sidings. The empty
wagons are exchanged for a set loaded with car components. The train
then travels east along the Great Western main line to Didcot, before
heading north on a storming run to Oxford. The journey continues via
Banbury, Leamington and the steeply-graded Hatton Bank before reaching
the outskirts of Birmingham, where the train is routed via Tyseley and
Saltley to Washwood Heath yard.
After a locomotive change, there is a stirring finale as 47286 &
47285 tackle the notorious Camp Hill incline en route to Longbridge
sidings. Filmed Only months before the sale of RfD to EWS, the service
has inevitably transferred to Class 66 haulage. This programme not only provides
a superb footplate view of several major routes, but also the sound of
multiple-fitted Class 47s being pushed to the limit. Enjoy!
"A classic programme of sheer enjoyment for the
modern traction enthusiast" Railway Magazine
