You've been framed

Because of location Radley seem to naturally be the most exploited trainspotting place for me - unfortunately it doesn't offer too many opportunities, so they need to be created - this time (23.05) I used the road bridge for framing.

And this yellow HST was the reason to be there -16.12 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Old Oak Common H.S.T.D. working (I presume) a test run:
Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail)  1612
Bromford Bridge                    1713
Solihull                                   1742
Leamington Spa                     1812
Kings Sutton                          1833
Oxford                                    1851
Reading                                  1931
Slough                                    1950
London Paddington         2035    2044
Northolt Junction                   2051
High Wycombe                      2123
Princes Risborough         2134    2147
Banbury North S.B.         2226    2237
High Wycombe                      2349
Northolt Park Jn                     0001
London Marylebone         0018    0026
Northolt Park Jn                    0038
Kensal Green C.Serv.Plt.  0119    0129
Old Oak Common H.S.T.D.  0139

2013.05.22 Denchworth: Winchester to Southampton Airport Parkway special

I quickly realized that to catch class 43 or 158 all one has to do is go anywhere near the track and wait - so not much fun. Chasing goods trains seem to be more exciting option (not so much when they do not appear where and when they should).

So once I found this info:
1042 Winchester to Southampton Airport Parkway
Runs WO on 22/05/2013 only
Wantage Road  1334-1356
it didn't take me long to decide to have lunch on the go and capture that mysterious train.

The decision was made easier as earlier I tried locations around Wantage Road anyway (nothing particularly good, but about that soon), and also found these photos : http://table158photography.weebly.com/uploads/8/2/1/2/8212554/dpp_2925.jpg
http://table158photography.weebly.com/uploads/8/2/1/2/8212554/dpp_2927.jpg

and couldn't quite remember such a view at Denchwort.

 Here is the expected train approaching, met by 1B35 London Paddington - Swansea:

When it got closer it appeared it is not a goods train, but some special - 67020 + 12 Pullman coaches + 67028

I have no idea what was that, maybe one day I'll learn how to dig up more information, for today only short timetable showing loop route of that train:
Winchester                                            1042
Southampton Airport Parkway             1052    1057
Salisbury                                    pass    1151
Chippenham                               pass    1257
Swindon                                     pass    1316
Didcot Parkway                                     1406    1408
Oxford Road Jn                                     1434
Winchester                                            1538    1543
Southampton Airport Parkway             1553

Fawley Hill Railway - 100 years old Hudswell Clarke 060 Saddle Tank Engine No 31

The sole reason behind organizing of the steam and vintage transport weekend was to celebrate the Centenary of Fawley’s resident Hudswell Clarke 060 Saddle Tank Engine No 31. She has worked for Sir William’s family all her life and for the past 48 years has been happily pulling wagon loads of visitors up the steepest standard gauge gradient in the world at Fawley Hill.
And that day she was happily fulfilling duties with special trains fully loaded with passengers.
This time I was only watching from around the upper section, but when there is another occasion, I will surely try the ride over the whole railway.

Fawley Hill steam and vintage transport weekend 19.05.2013

Sir William McAlpine occasionally organizes charitable events on his estate at Fawley Hill near Henley-on-Thames. As weather on Sunday was perfect for such a day out, off we went to visit this venue. It was a really nice day out!

Commuting (2)...

... or actually part '0', as that was taken 3 weeks ago:

Commuting (1)

As in probably every case, my comuting is boring too. Especially when the trafic is slow (thanks to lorries, school buses and pensioners in their Mk1 Mondeos & Mk2 Micras). The only excitment is to count how much late would I be...
Today it was so boring (and slow, and I wasn't late), I had to find something to not to fall asleep. So instead of looking straight ahead, I looked around - and was actually surprised by how many small, but quite interesting compositions can be found when looked from a different viewpoint.
As a result on my way back I made a quick stop for one of the earlier spotted views:

To be continued - 5 times a week...

Search for the best trainspotting spot around Abingdon (2)

Kennington Junction:
+nice track layout, signals etc
+variety of passenger trains rolling stock types
-a bit too much of the roofs from the bridge
-background (as below) not in scale with trains
-restricted parking options (far away or chargeable)

I hope one day to catch a goods train to/from Oxford Mini factory.