GNER Eurostar set 3303+3304 lost in Kent !
Very much a grabbed shot seeing as its a going away view in poor weather. I've uploaded for its rarity value and in the hope someone can shed more light on the working.
NOLI (North Of London International) Eurostar set 3303+3304 is seen on the South Eastern mainline at Chart Leacon west of Ashford station heading towards London with an ECS working.
The Regional Eurostar sets were never in regular use as the intended services were abandoned by BR ahead of privatisation when Eurostar services passed to new operator LCR (London & Continental Railways). GNER took 2 sets on lease in May 2000 to operate the "White Rose" Pullman service between Kings Cross and York, this was as a direct result of stock shortages caused by the Mk4 and class 91 refurbishment programme. A third set was added to the GNER pool in May 2002 when workings to Leeds also saw Eurostars used. GNER returned the sets to LCR in December 2005 as no longer required after the 91+Mk4 overhauls had finished. Of the seven sets built Eurostar had kept one serviceable for special workings (set 3313/3314) but obviously not available on this date making this picture more surprising seeing as the set was still on lease to GNER at the time. It was running as an empty stock working between Dollands Moor Yard and North Pole Depot to my knowledge. I very much suspect with HS1 open between the Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction by this date it was being used to refresh drivers on the classic route for diversions which was dropped when services switched from Waterloo to St.Pancras and the third rail equipment was removed. It pre dates the internet gen sites so if anyone can clarify the working and why GNER sets were used I would be grateful. From my notes at the time they ran sporadically for a fortnight in March 2005.
GNER Eurostar set 3303+3304 lost in Kent !
Very much a grabbed shot seeing as its a going away view in poor weather. I've uploaded for its rarity value and in the hope someone can shed more light on the working.
NOLI (North Of London International) Eurostar set 3303+3304 is seen on the South Eastern mainline at Chart Leacon west of Ashford station heading towards London with an ECS working.
The Regional Eurostar sets were never in regular use as the intended services were abandoned by BR ahead of privatisation when Eurostar services passed to new operator LCR (London & Continental Railways). GNER took 2 sets on lease in May 2000 to operate the "White Rose" Pullman service between Kings Cross and York, this was as a direct result of stock shortages caused by the Mk4 and class 91 refurbishment programme. A third set was added to the GNER pool in May 2002 when workings to Leeds also saw Eurostars used. GNER returned the sets to LCR in December 2005 as no longer required after the 91+Mk4 overhauls had finished. Of the seven sets built Eurostar had kept one serviceable for special workings (set 3313/3314) but obviously not available on this date making this picture more surprising seeing as the set was still on lease to GNER at the time. It was running as an empty stock working between Dollands Moor Yard and North Pole Depot to my knowledge. I very much suspect with HS1 open between the Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction by this date it was being used to refresh drivers on the classic route for diversions which was dropped when services switched from Waterloo to St.Pancras and the third rail equipment was removed. It pre dates the internet gen sites so if anyone can clarify the working and why GNER sets were used I would be grateful. From my notes at the time they ran sporadically for a fortnight in March 2005.