2014.06.15 Moreton - Great Western Main Line electrification

On the way back from Cholsey I took scenic route through South Moreton and to my surprise I noticed first catenary masts erected along that stretch of the track!
There are only several so far, all on the south side of the track.
I also found very nice trainspotting spots and pleasant way back to Abingdon, so that was a great treat for Father's day :)

2014.04.05 Great Wester Main Line Lower Basildon - Goring - Cholsey

I had opportunity to have most of the day all for myself, so I grabbed the camera and went for a quest for good spots at the far east of Oxfordshire. Probably those places are well known, as there is very limited number of bridges along the line, however to know the location is only part of success: convenient parking space, time to get from a car to the place as well as options of framing can give (or take) extra points. That is also part of a plan to combine these findings into decent guide (which I kind of started long time ago with Denchworth and Kennington Junction ). Thus disclaimer: these photos are only to provide reference for location and possibilities - you need better weather, time and subject to make the most. However poor they may be though, this is the last season when these places look in that way, as the electrification works has seriously started and soon on that stretch of the line a new element - catenary - will appear, with all the consequences.

Lower Basildon - technically outside Oxfordshire borders, however trying to find
a decent place to capture bridge on Thames at Goring this meadow was too tempting.

 

165105+165103 1D27 London Paddington - Oxford see from bridge on the road leading to The Leatherne Bottel

South Stoke Ferry Road

South Stoke South Bank - unusual sight of Class 150

Reading Road at Cholsey - view on both sides from the road bridge.

Thames at Cholsey

Cholsey Cutting. It takes 10 minutes walk to get here but is well worth it.
There is a fence added to the bricked barriers , but it was modified by some spotters by adding extra openings.

2013.08.29 Exploring tunnels

The way back from recent job was not far from two railway tunnels: Wickwar Tunnel on the main Bristol to Birmingham line and Chipping Sodbury Tunnel on the South Wales Main Line.

The former I was more intrigued about, as expected to see some rolling stock I'm not used to - unfortunately class 158 I heard only once stopped the car, so managed to take quick shots only:

158955 1V94 Brighton - Great Malvern

 

Approaching Wickwar Tunnel 158955 1V94 Brighton - Great Malvern

 With my typicall luck all the goods trains in the timetable for that time weren't activated, and all that was left were good old Voyagers serving XC.

Wickwar Tunnel 1M45 Bristol Temple Meads - Manchester Piccadilly
There is a light at the end of the tunnel...

... belonging to 1V52 Glasgow Central - Plymouth

Wickwar Tunnel 1V52 Glasgow Central - Plymouth

1V53 Manchester Piccadilly - Bristol Temple Meads

And as I put long lens to get some different view, the next train appeared to be double set, and didn't fully fit the frame:

Wickwar Tunnel 1S49 Plymouth - Dundee

Wickwar Tunnel 1S49 Plymouth - Dundee

Chipping Sodbury Tunnel broyght 'classic' HSTs:

Chipping Sodbury Tunnel 1B37 London Paddington - Cardiff Central

Chipping Sodbury 1B37 London Paddington - Cardiff Central

Chipping Sodbury 1L65 Cardiff Central - London Paddington

Chipping Sodbury Tunnel 1L65 Cardiff Central - London Paddington

A 'dessert' for the end of the spotting:

Chipping Sodbury Tunnel 66167 Tilbury I.R.F.T (Ews) - Trostre Works

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.