Hello - and can anyone get me close to a Class 66!
 

Hi there. I haven't found my way round the forum yet, but it looks great.

I've been a model engineer for some 30 years and the latest project I am just starting (which should see me out!) is to build a Class 66 in 1/8th scale (7.25" gauge track).

I have plans, but these are flat and one dimentional. I would really like to get up close and personal to a static Class 66 to photograph the detail (especially the running gear). They sometimes pass through my local stations - Woking and Guildford - as I am waiting for a train but then I don't have my camera and my mobile cannot get the detail.

My attempts to get EMD and the like to give me access have failed so far.

Does anyone know of a public vantage point in the south of England from which I could get decent close up shots of a static loco - ideally both sides!

Many thanks for any help.

Tony

If you can wait till autum the leaf fall trains park in liv st
last yr there were 2 top and tail in platform 9 I had a good look round inside the cab through open window photos and measurments would have been no problem
may have needed to explain to platform staff
the time was about 11 am

Hi Tony.

Took this photo at Didcot the other day. Could have got a lot closer but I was trying to get all of them in! Don't know if this is a regular parking spot for Sheds!

Didcot would not be too far from you.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Have a look at the Trainspots website that will show you places where you can get decent photographs
This is one near to you I think
http://www.trainspots.co.uk/locpage.php?ts_number=799

Hi Tony, try Eastleigh - most freightliner trains stop at the station for a crew change, so they're static for a few minutes each time, should give you time to get some decent closeup pics. They stop at platform 1 (northbound) and platform 2 (mostly southbound), and there's two tracks in between, so you wouldn't be cramped for photographic space, if you see what I mean. :)

Thanks to all those who have suggested sites where I may get some detailed pictures. I shall follow them up.

Regards.

Tony

Hi Tony,
Welcome to the forum. I get quite a few 66s passing my back garden here at Clitheroe - see attached - and they often get signal checked bringing them to a standstill. I'll try and get some images for you over the next few weeks.

Hello Tony and welcome to the Railway Forum.

Hi David

It's very kind of you to get some images for me. My particular interest at the moment is the bogie (being of USA origin they refer to this as the truck but I still prefer bogie!). The bogie frame appears to be an enormous casting and has different angles to the sides - two sloping ones in between the flat sides that contain the floating axle boxes. Judging the degree of slope is difficult. There is also some lettering cast into the rear of these two sloping sides. Any detail of this would be most welcome.

Thanks again - and no hurry - it'll take me five years at least to build the model!

Tony

From Monday 4th July for 3 weeks, on each weekday there will probably be a GBRf class 66 shunting wagons throughout the afternoon and early evening on the Bluebell Railway's northern section at East Grinstead. At times you could be close enough to the locomotive to reach out and almost touch it.

Chris

Many thanks Chris

I went to the Epsom Model Railway exhibition a few weeks ago and the Bluebell had a stand there. I saw from this that they were regularly using a Class 66 to head a train for removing the waste from the cutting that will provide the final link into East Grinstead.

As I thought the train would be static while they filled the wagons I wrote to Bluebell and asked if I could photograph the loco in return for a reasonable donation to their Waste Clearance fund. However, they refused saying it was too busy around the loco (?).

So if they are shunting at East Grinstead then I will get down their and see what I can photograph. Thanks for the tip off.

Tony

If you can find the time to go back, you get on the road to kingscote-east grinstead
there is a public right of way over the bridge over the tip,,perfect for photos.
no vehicles though the road is private and signed with tow away signs..it is a right of way on foot
if you can find it there is space in a sort of lay by next to the road for 1 vehicle only
look for signs to a builders merchant (i think) It will be only about 1/2 mile along from east grinstead i walked it on the last open day....hope that helps

Try Toton near Nottingham where there is a ready supply of class 60/66/67 and 08 shunters. In addition they have stored class 37/56/58 and 60's. Good viewing from Toton Bank alongside. Trainspots seem to have all the details as Madcaravaner said.
Good luck
Regards
Phil

It's a small world. I was the Bluebell Stand Manager for that particular show and was there on both days. I'm also passed out as a Signalman (Kingscote) and a Passenger and Goods Train Guard.


The whole northern section is treated as a "construction site" (including the Bluebell platform) particularly when waste trains are being loaded. The contractor's health & safety regime is in place with the result that nobody who has not been assessed and approved is allowed on the site. This even includes the likes of me.

Nonetheless there are three excellent vantage points for photography:

(a) Sainsbury's car park which is immediately adjacent to the Bluebell station;
(b) Hill Place Farm Bridge as mentioned above by 'colchesterken'. The parking restrictions are applicable only to the builders merchants, but through which is a public footpath that extends through their car park and then upto and across the railway bridge. It is essential that you park YOUR car out on the road.
(c) On the Network Rail platforms when the waste train arrives and departs at East Grinstead (about 1pm and 9pm respectively each day, Monday to Friday).

Chris

Ta for the Bouquet
IF you go there there are a couple of things to remember

1/ Good shoes/boots especially if it's been raining
2/ BIG lens at least 300mm but 500-1000 would be better and set the camera to FINE or RAW

3/ Oh Yes a sturdy tripod

I just wish I could get my wheelchair up there now but no chance

Thanks
 

Thanks to all those trying to get me close to a Class 66.

My favourite at the moment is East Grinstead (not the least because it is the nearest). I understand that operations will recommence on the 4th July and I now have three recommended sites where I may get a good shot. I have a very good long focus lens so I may be able to get the detail I require even though I am not close. The real prize will be if I can get shots that give depth which will aid me in building to scale in '3D' which two dimensional plans are not giving me at the moment. Ideally I would lay a three foot rule down by the loco and then I can scale from there, but I will use a known dimension on the loco to give me this reference.

I am a long standing member of the Guildford Model Engineering Society and we have several retired (and some current) South West drivers among our membership. One knows a driver based at Eastleigh, so he may be able to get me in there, but he is not in regular contact so it could be some way off.

Thanks again to all who have responded.

Tony