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Freightliner 'Shed' 66588 runs the gauntlet of Friday night passengers and station staff as it rumbles slowly through Reading's platform 8 with the 6.34pm Churchyard Sidings - Whatley Quarry discharged aggregate hoppers (6V51).
Most freight is scheduled to run through platforms 12 and 13 (and, occasionally, 15) but keeping an eye on the virtual signal diagram while staying close to the footbridge can pay dividends for those last minute platform changes - as happened here.
In what is now a mostly rebuilt station, I do like the way the main legacy building has been retained and incorporated into the new structure - a comforting link to the station's heritage. Note too the homage to the station's previous name, Reading General, on the large-scale totem at right. Have to say I thought the 'General' name was given to the station much earlier during Great Western Railway ownership rather than post the 1948 nationalisation, but I could be mistaken.
What isn't in doubt are the sheer numbers of passengers using the facility - some 17million in the year prior to Covid. And, while current numbers are still well down on that, catching a train for the 36 mile ride to London, even in the mid-morning off-peak period, can still be a sardine-like experience.
I also noted that the line at platform 8 is roughly where the through line was in the 1970s. This was where the daily joy could be experienced of a Western passing through the station at speed at the head of the Up "Cornish Riviera Ltd'. Heady days for diesel-hydraulic spotters and snappers alike!
For this image I've opted to not over-egg the lighting, but instead keep it similar to the levels it actually was.
Shot at 1/60s @ F7.1, and 8000asa
8.38pm, 13th October 2023
With surprisingly few glued to phone screens, passengers at Swindon pass the time in quiet contemplation while waiting on their train.
Meanwhile, over in the down loop, Freightliner 'Shed' 66549 waits for the road while working the 12.45pm Oxford (Banbury Road) - Whatley Quarry empties (6C50). Not much contemplation time for the driver in this instance - some 15 minutes after drawing to a stop the train was on the move once again.
I normally aim for discretion around folks with the camera but it's not always easy with the light-green Canon 100-400 zoom on the front, and in this case I seem to have captured the interest of at least one individual.
What with track rationalisation and the electrification project, there's not so much left of the old GWR infrastructure here, and what does remain has occasionally seen some modification. Happily the original and characterful stone building on the island platform still stands and, being of 1842 vintage, was Grade II Listed just over 10 years ago. Just a pity the ornate canopy supports have been given what look like heavy-duty concrete socks - but at least they are still there.
Comments off, thanks.
2.20pm, 16th October 2023
TT104 approaches Yanderra with empty Boral stone train 1297 bound for Peppertree Quarry for another load of aggregate.
From the 17th of August 2025, Southern Shorthaul Railroad will commence haulage of this service.
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Hot on the heels of fellow classmate CLP12, hired RailPower units CLP13 and CLF2 charge south away from Picton with empty aggregate train 2283 to Peppertree Quarry.
Tuesday 14th October 2025
TT111, with TT109 at the rear, power into Bowral as 2296N loaded stone train bound for Maldon.
Friday 16th August 2019
SSR102 continues along the main line at Mittagong Junction with loaded aggregate train 2282 from Peppertree Quarry to Maldon.
The line to the right of frame is the original main line, now known as the “loop line” which was opened in 1867. The line features several steeper gradients up to 1 in 30 and many cuttings, which is why the line was rerouted and duplicated in 1919.
Today the loop line does not reach end to end, with the northern end opened currently from Picton to Buxton. Transport Heritage NSW are currently extending the operational part of the line to Colo Vale. Beyond Colo Vale to Braemar, it will be hard to imagine this section will reopen anytime soon due to a large bridge missing following flooding in 1987.
The Braemar to Mittagong Junction section has remained open this whole time because of industry in Braemar including wagon and locomotive construction in the 90s and more recently concrete sleepers, however all of that is now gone and a train has not operated for a few years. It’s a wonder the points haven’t been removed yet.
Monday 1st June 2026
A Kumbum (Wylie: sku 'bum "one hundred thousand holy images") is a multi-storied aggregate of Buddhist chapels in Tibetan Buddhism. The most famous Kumbum forms part of Palcho Monastery.
The first Kumbum was founded in the fire sheep year 1427 by a Gyantse prince. It has nine lhakangs or levels, is 35 metres (115 ft) high surmounted by a golden dome, and contains 77 chapels which line its walls. Many of the statues were damaged during the Cultural Revolution but have since been replaced with clay images, though they lack the artistic merit of the originals. The 14th century murals showing Newar and Chinese influences, survived much better - Wikipedia
Aggregate Site ...
St John's Newfoundland
Pic in my Industrialscape Album
Pic taken 29 Aug 2025
Thanks for your views, faves, invites and comments ..
Usually the DCR flow of aggregate from Bristol FLT to Willesden sees the empties travel west in the morning and back, loaded, in the evening, against the light in both directions.
On this occasion, for some reason, the loaded train ran in an early path, providing the opportunity for a morning shot of a Tug here at Crofton
60029 Ben Nevis has just applied the power to recover from a signal check as it passes the pumping station with 6Z34, the 06:00 Bristol FLT - Willesden
Taken with the aid of a pole
14.12.2024
[EN]
Lower Silesia has perhaps the highest density of aggregate mines in Poland. It's a true haven for this raw material, and a large portion of the extraction sites are located along railway line No. 137, known as the "Podsudecka" (Sudete) line. One such location is the Byczeń Mineral Resources Mine, located near Paczków. The 401Da-467 works daily there, loading rail cars. In the photo, it's pushing a train of PKP Cargo wagons into the mine.
[PL]
Dolny Śląsk posiada chyba największe zagęszczenie kopalń kruszywa w całej Polsce. Jest istną ostoją tego surowca, a duża część miejsc wydobycia znajduję się wzdłuż linii kolejowej nr 137 znanej jako "Podsudecka". Jednym z takich miejsc jest Kopalnia Surowców Mineralnych Byczeń, która znajduję się koło Paczkowa. Na codzień przy załadunku wagonów pracuje tam 401Da-467. Na zdjęciu spycha skład wagonów PKP Cargo na kopalnie.
Against the backdrop of the Birmingham skyline GB Railfreight Class 66 diesel locomotive 66787 "Three Bridges ASC" approaches Small Heath at the head of service 6G99 06.46 Tunstead Sidings to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66722 'Sir Edward Watkin' emerges from Totley Tunnel and passes through Grindleford station while heading 4H73 0552 Washwood Heath Up Sidings - Tunstead aggregate empties on 3rd November 2022. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved (Sir Edward Watklin (1819-1901) was an MP and railway entrepreneur involved many large railway engineering projects as well as being chairman of several railway companies (source: Wikipedia)
For my 2,000th upload I've gone for atmosphere over quality - well, at 12,800asa it was hardly destined to be the most refined image on the block.
Dusk is well advanced but there's still enough light in the sky, with support from the loco-lights and signals, to generate reflections off the tracks as DB Cargo Shed no. 66015 approaches with a trainload of aggregate. The location is Leicester, and the train is the 8.17pm Mountsorrel Sidings - Radlett Redland Roadstone (6C33).
Literally the last shot before calling it a day and heading back to the hotel.
8.40pm, 25th April 2018
First ever time at this location and a brand new spot for lineside photography at the time of taking this image.
Here we see SBB Cargo Re6/6 locomotives 620 016 (front) and 620 007 (rear) pass through Immensee with train 67788 from Bodio - Hüntwangen-Wil on the very hot evening of the 18/7/24 (special thanks to Julian for the train ID info).
Colas Class 70 No.70801 heads east along the North Wales coast at Bagillt near Flint with 6M33, 14:23 Llandudno Junction - Bradwell on 14th May 2026.
For an alternative angle on railway photography, you may be interested in having a look at the Phoenix website:
68018 speeds past Millom signal box with 6C15 1000 Drigg BNF to Shap Summit Quarry empty aggregates working.
With the heather adding a pink tinge to the distant moorland it can only be high summer in this shot taken in the High Peak yesterday.
I returned to a spot I'd tried a few months ago but was unlucky enough to only get a train going away from me. This time, armed with a flask and sandwiches, and reasonably certain 6H22 was going to run on time, I returned for another go. High summer is never the best time for quality light but, after a spell in Lightroom etc, I think I managed to recover something worth posting.
Here Freightliner Shed no. 66621 climbs past the village of Harpur Hill with the 11.08 Tunstead - Briggs ICI (6H22) loaded aggregate train. With fingers crossed the train just managed to fit in the gap!
16th August 2016
The level crossing barriers are manually operated, by the ground shunter. Although this is an internal road, several trucks accumulate either side, it is a busy terminal.
General Electric-built 70017 uses it's 3820hp power unit to accelerate alongside the verdant countryside by the River Tas, working 4M20 1203 Norwich Goods Yard Flhh to Dowlow Quarry Flhh. The Freightliner-branded loco, which is now operated by Heavy Haul Rail, had arrived with 6L90 2010 Dowlow Quarry Flhh to Norwich Goods Yard Flhh, delivering aggregates to the unloading pad near to Norwich station.
The aggregate, which appeared to be small chippings is dropped in the discharge station, fed onto the conveyor an will be directed into the second clamp, seen on the right of the picture.
66705 is in the process of running round a partially discharged 6G88 which it has drawn out from the Lafarge siding passing 66788 which has arrived with 6G80 from Peak Forest with 66601 waiting patiently in Small Heath station with 6G67 from Tunstead.
After running loaded aggregate cars to Grayslake Sand and Gravel, we are almost back to the beginning point of the day, at Spur 105 at Sussex. Here we are holding behind another northbound at Vernon, waiting for a southbound meet. So, the opportunity seemed right for me to hop off and get a shot of the aggregate train just short of the bridge. The perks were pretty good at times.
WC L201
WC 6528
Vernon, WI.
July, 1997
6M60 Whitemoor to Mountsorrel. Class 66s with 707 in GBRF livery leading and 711 in Aggregate industries livery tucked in behind head north running along side the ECML with a rake of wagons
With the spire of All Saints' Church in Oakham in the background class 66 No. 66119 trundles down the gradient towards the north portal of Manton tunnel with the 6L41 0635 Mountsorrel Sdgs to Peterborough West Yard.
19th March 2025.
For alternative railway photography, follow the link:
www.phoenix-rpc.co.uk to the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle.
66729 Passes Settle Junction with 6M31 09.53 Hunslet Tilcon to Arcow Quarry Aggregate empties on Tuesday 6th January 2026.
The builders bags of stone at Water Orton East Junction are slowly being consumed by the brambles, viewed through the engineers access gate as 66780 rolls by with 6V05 Bardon Hill to Coton Hill loaded aggregates.
If you're into boats and trains (with a spot of fishing on the side) this might just be the place for you.
With Waddington's Boatyard as a backdrop, GBRf Shed 66741 "Swanage Railway" throws up some haze as it hauls 2000 tonnes alongside the Sheffield & South Yorks Navigation at Swinton on the 11.10 Rylstone Tilcon - Small Heath Lafarge loaded aggregates (6M35).
Taken from a pedestrian-only bridge that straddles both canal and railway, it makes a more than pleasant spot on a warm sunny day.
9th May 2016
Aggregates liveried 59004 'Paul A Hammond' (originally named Yeoman Challenger) comes through the centre road at Kensington Olympia with 7V00, the 12.18 departure from Newhaven Day Aggregates to Acton Yard.
In glorious afternoon sunshine GB Railfreight Class 66 diesel locomotive 66753 "EMD Roberts Road" passes through Penkridge station forming service 6G92 09.32 Tunstead Sidings to Small Heath Lafarge Aggregates.
GBRf's 'Aggregate Industries' liveried 66711 'Sence' passes Blisworth on 4M23 10:36 Felixstowe North GBRf to Hams Hall GBRf liner.Diverted up the 'Old LIne' via Weedon because of reduced passenger services.
GBRf 'Aggregate Industries' liveried 66711 'Sence' passes Kibworth,to the north of Market Harborough, on the 12:01 Angerstein Wharf to Bardon Hill empty aggregates.
G515 nears its final destination of Heidelberg Materials Brooklyn Concrete Plant with 9342 loaded QUBE Aggregate. 12/5/2026
Aggregate Industries 59005 heads 6V18 11:20 Allington A.R.C. Sdg. to Whatley Quarry through Slough on 29th Sept, 2015.
During much better times on the P&W, New Haven, CT based train CT-1 is northbound on the Middletown branch passing Warren Williams' family farm crossing east Center St in Wallingford, CT on August 5, 2006. Former NYSW GE B40-8 4001 leads cabless B30-7A 3008 with 60 empties for the Tilcon Reeds gap quarry in Durham. The train will be loaded with crushed stone and aggregate for western Connecticut and New York City for nocturnal jobs CT-2 and CHFP.
Aggregate Industries liveried 66711 awaits the 4N25 18.23 departure from Drax to Jarrow Tyne Coal Terminal, Thursday 25.10.18.
Our 2 hour arranged visit was well timed to coincide with this working unloading and drawing forward to await departure time, along with the sunset and arrival of the blue hour, with the twinkling lights on the towers and conveyors, as well as the yard lights reflecting off the railhead.
For the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle and alternative railway photography, follow the link:
With the tide coming in, it was tricky to get a decent image with the waves of the incoming tide, but was so interesting and full of life that it was worth it.
Aggregating anemone - the most abundant species of anemone found on rocky, intertidal shores along the Pacific coast. The anemone is a voracious feeder that eats almost anything that passes by. Stinging cells (nematocysts) on their tentacles paralyze small prey. It can even ingest small crabs and spew out the shells. If they're buried by drifting sand, they can survive for more than three months.
Mossy chiton - found in the middle and lower intertidal zone on exposed rocky shores on the Pacific coast. The can grow to 9cm (3.5in), but are usually found around 3 - 4cm (1.2 - 1.6in). This one was at least 7.6cm (3in), on the larger side. They can be found clinging to rocks by their broad flat foot which it also uses to move about. If they are displaced, they roll into balls in order to protect their soft insides. The inside of their shells are a beautiful turquoise.
GB Railfreight Class 6 diesel locomotive 66783 "The Flying Dustman" is seen in Elford loop with 6G80 Peak Forest to Small Heath loaded aggregates. This is a booked move to allow 1V44 Leeds to Plymouth Voyagers to pass.
Bombus lucorum aggregate
a worker on Cirsium vulgare, the spear thistle.
Happy Beautiful Bumble Bum Thursday!
this thistle is growing out of the top of the patio wall. I have come close to killing this plant a couple of times but now glad I left it to flower instead. A weed is only a weed if it is unwanted!
The Members - Working Girl