Melton Arterio 20230915--064 - a photo on Flickriver

Melton Arterio 20230915--064

With new "Aventra" EMU 701057 for South Western Railway in tow, 47749 City of Truro passes Melton Mowbray, working 5Q18 11.08 Derby Litchurch Lane - Eastleigh T&RSMD. [Pole, 3/6 sections (~4m) from a footbridge]

There were two paths for this working, this STP one (5Q18) and an earlier VSTP one (5Q10) departing from Litchurch Lane at 08.48 and running via Market Harborough rather than Corby. I thought it more likely the earlier VSTP schedule would be used, so headed to the East Midlands Parkway area for it. However, I drove through fog, and there was still quite a bit of mist around when I got there.

If 5Q10 had been on time, I reckoned I could still get to Whatton-in-the-Vale for the DCR 60 bound for King's Lynn. But 5Q10 didn't appear to be setting off; indeed, the schedule looked like it had been autoactivated (two hours before booked departure), and the loco was booked to arrive using a schedule which was far too late. So I assumed that 5Q18 would run instead, and went to do the 60.

With the loco now at Litchurch Lane, I intended getting 5Q18 at Copleys Brook on the west side of Melton Mowbray, and it was a very easy drive to get there in time. But 5Q18 set off over half an hour late, meaning the sun would have been going off the front there by the time it arrived. In addition, the Corby - Margam was on its way (heading in the opposite direction) and, knowing that coronation blue 66023 had been working from Margam for a couple of weeks and had worked the Corby a few days previously, I rushed off to Rearsby for a shot of it. It was indeed 66023, but a small cloud meant there was a shadow on a short section of the train as well as in the field. It might be possible to repair it, but the sun is not really round far enough to properly light the front of the 66.

I'd reckoned that if 5Q18 was at least 40 minutes late, the sun would have been far enough round for a well-lit shot at Seaton Viaduct on the Corby line - and it was looking like that would happen. But as I was driving through Melton Mowbray I remembered this shot, where the sun angle is better than at Copleys Brook, so thought I'd check it out having not been here for a number of years. Tree growth on the left means you have to stand more head-on (although using the pole allows you to stand wider than if you're on steps), and there are now more shadows on the track than there had been previously. But I decided I liked it, and stayed - although mostly because there was a risk I might not make it to Seaton if the train made up some time (it actually lost time, having to wait at Syston to run behind a Cross Country 170).

In hindsight, I wished I'd stood marginally more head-on, because I've just lost the back of the train behind the trees... but I think it looks OK. This has had no processing, although the bright white on the EMU could perhaps do with toning down slightly.

While the class 701 EMUs are named "Aventra" by Bombardier and Alstom, SWR has branded the type "Arterio" - and that brand name is carried on the units.

Visit Brian Carter's Non-Transport Pics to see my photos of landscapes, buildings, bridges, sunsets, rainbows and more.

Taken on: September 15, 2023

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47749

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Sets appears in: • BR class 47 locos • Unit drags

Groups appears in: • The Syston to Peterborough Line • GBrailfreight (GBRF) more » • Top Quality Railway Shots. UK ONLY. « less

Camera: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec, 50mm (=75mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	50mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	-0.7 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Contrast:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Digital Camera Utility 5 Ver.5.8.5
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