From the guard's van

Grand Central class 180 leaves York station. The monitor at the end of the platform says: "The next train to arrive at this platform terminates here".... fortunately for the cafe's customers. The new East Coast control centre is taking shape on the site of the old roundhouses. When complete this will control most of the ECML from London and Leeds. Southbound coal train passing through the station. Class 91 propels its train onto the up main. East Coast and First Trans Pennine trains pass in the station. Looking like something out of the space age we see a class 180 again.

Waiting for something to happen. We were expecting the Scarborough Flyer but we got the Cathedrals Express... going to Durham. Lots of pictures were taken. And the train heads up the ECML.... which came as a bit of a shock to many who were watching.. and especially to any who were expecting a day out at the seaside.

Don't often get active kettles on this blog but I just happened to be in the right place at the right time yesterday.

Audi cars head North through Esslingen. A loco shape familiar to UK observers.  "Class 66" heads towards Stuttgart with its train of tank which it left in the yard at Stuttgart and the loco returned light engine.... below.

First a look at the latest stock on the Harrogate service. This is usually made up of a 4 car class 150/2. No wonder the local folk in Harrogate are looking for 6 car sets... albeit from London Underground!!! Grand Central arrives at York... 30 minutes late on this occasion. I had hoped for a class 180 but got this ugly class 43. This is a coal train heading North to an opencast site in Northumberland. Southbound coal probably heading for Drax power station.

Royal Border Bridge.