Things have certainly been busy today at Preston, with all kinds of weird and wonderful train movements running up and down the West Coast Mainline!
1. Making a truly rare appearance on this part of the route is sole GBRF liveried Class 92, 92032 'IMechE Railway Division', seen stopping in Preston Station whilst working a light engine movement from Carlisle to Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot.
2. Later that day, an interesting triple heading by Rfd liveried 92041 'Vaughan Williams', 67016 and 66164, as they pass through Preston southbound with a half-empty intermodal freight whilst in a very unusual movement, Virgin Trains Pendolino number 390157 'Chad Varah' (the last member of the class to be built), arrives in the Northern Rail Platform 2 as Platforms 4, 5 and 6 had been repossessed.
3. Working in place of the usual Class 66 is Direct Rail Services Class 37's, 37601 'Class 37 - Fifty' and 37261, seen working the Daventry to Coatbridge container train through the Down Goods Loop with some wonderful thrash and horns as it pulls away from a red signal.
4. In a confusing setup, working south from Carlisle to Crewe Gresty Bridge 47810 'Peter Bath MBE 1927-2006' hauling 47813 'John Peel', 66429 and a single DRS liveried MkII coach.
5. Not unusual, but interesting all the same is this trio of Class 325 Royal Mail parcels units led by 325011, seen rumbling north with a train from Warrington Mail Terminal to Shieldmuir Railnet.
Enjoy!