The Flickr Wychavon Image Generatr

Class 220 Voyager No. 220016 approaches Gibb's Bridge at Stoke Prior in Worcestershire with 1S49, the 11:27 Plymouth to Edinburgh service on Thursday 5th December 2024.

In the distance on the right can be seen the twin high masts of Droitwich Transmitting Station, which rise to a height of 213.36 metres (700 ft) and are familiar landmarks in this part of the world. The facility is actually in the village of Wychbold, which lies about halfway between Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove.

The station was established in 1934 but how much longer it will last no one knows for sure. BBC longwave broadcasts, which Droitwich is responsible for, are due to end this year (2025).

On Friday 16th May 2025 CrossCountry Super Voyager No. 221128 (plus Voyager No. 220002, out of sight) passes Oddingley in Worcestershire with the final working of 1V60, the 08:20 Aberdeen to Penzance service.

Covering a distance of 775 miles it was the UK's longest direct train service. Only 221128 made the entire journey, 220002 having been attached for the Newcastle Central to Bristol Temple Meads part.

From Monday 19th May 2025 1V60 will still start from Aberdeen but will go no further than Plymouth. I reckon it will remain the longest direct train service though, and I'd be interested to get confirmation or otherwise on this point.

The viewpoint here is from the towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

Class 37 locomotive No. 37611 crosses Bromsgrove Road in Droitwich Spa with 5Q70, the 10:45 Long Marston to Wolverton working on Monday 2nd December 2024. The “37” is hauling a set of Mk5A coaching stock.

The A38 former trunk road used to pass right through the centre of Droitwich Spa and was a notorious bottleneck. For this reason a bypass, now known as Roman Way, was built to carry the A38 around the western side of the town. The bypass was completed in the 1970s, after which the section of the old A38 seen here in the photo was downgraded in status and re-designated the B4065.

Believe it or not, Class 66 locomotive No. 66422, seen here at Hay Lane in Worcestershire, is hauling 4V44, the 10:44 Daventry to Wentloog Tesco container working. The date was Friday 29th November 2024.

Class 57 locomotives Nos. 57303 & 57310 pass Woodfield Road in Droitwich Spa with 0Z58, the 14:35 Long Marston to Leicester light engine move on Thursday 21st November 2024.

Class 37 locomotive No. 37901 Mirlees Pioneer crosses Vines Lane in Droitwich Spa with 7Q94, the 09:41 Tyseley to Long Marston working on Thursday 14th November 2024. The "37" is dragging an unrecorded Class 196 diesel multiple unit, with another Class 37 - No. 37510 - at the rear.

In 1986, Class 37 No. 37150 (new in 1963, and originally numbered D6850) was one of four class members chosen to have their English Electric 12CSVT engines replaced with Mirrlees MB275T engines, and was duly renumbered 37901. Her sisters 37902-4 have all since been withdrawn and scrapped, leaving only 37901 still in service on the national network (2025), making her unique.

Some people would probably have removed the car, bottom right, from the image but its presence doesn't trouble me.

This Strange Engine, from Marillion's 1997 album of the same name, is one of my favourite pieces in the whole of music. Despite the name it has nothing to do with railways. To me, this track is a modern prog epic that almost reaches perfection. Clocking in at 15 minutes and 34 seconds it has everything: a real-world story; multiple sections that alternate between soft and hard ... tension and release; a dramatic build-up to its final climax, and probably the finest solo ever played by guitarist Steve Rothery. When performed live - always a fan favourite - it becomes an event to be savoured, and something I have had the pleasure of experiencing several times.

Am I passionate about music? You bet.

The remains of recent snow lingers on garage roofs in Celvestune Way, Droitwich Spa, as Class 172 diesel multiple unit No. 172214 passes with 2V24, the 08:08 Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester Foregate Street service on Friday 22nd November 2024.

Class 57 locomotive No. 57310 drags an unrecorded Class 196 diesel multiple unit towards Chawson foot crossing in Droitwich Spa on Monday 11th November 2024.

This was 7Q58, the 14:35 Long Marston to Tyseley working and sister locomotive No. 57305 was at the rear. The pair had conveyed a different "196" to Long Marston from Tyseley earlier in the day.

Some non-railway related subject matter from me is long overdue.

A scene viewed from the roadside near the small village of Elmbridge in Worcestershire on the evening of 12th August 2024. A memory from a pleasant evening's cycle ride.

Class 57 locomotive No. 57305 drags an unrecorded Class 196 diesel multiple unit towards Vines Lane foot crossing in Droitwich Spa on Monday 11th November 2024.

This was 7Q57, the 09:21 Tyseley to Long Marston working and sister locomotive No. 57310 was at the rear.

Class 66 locomotive No. 66654 approaches Berry Hill Farm overbridge with 6V05, the 09:12 Round Oak to Margam working on Monday 11th November 2024. This Bridge carries the northern section of Roman Way (the A38 road) over the railway at Droitwich Spa.

On Thursday 7th November 2024 8Q94, the 09:41 Tyseley to Long Marston working rolls into Droitwich Spa on the branch from Stoke Works Junction. Class 196 diesel multiple unit No. 196010 is being dragged by Class 37 locomotive No. 37601, with sister locomotive No. 37800 at the rear. The location is the Vines Lane foot crossing.

A possible reason for the "196's" visit to Long Marston was to have the control panels, used by on-train staff to open and close doors, retro-fitted. Such equipment was not installed in these trains as-built because it was envisaged that they would operate in driver-only mode. If anyone reading this knows better please add a comment as I would be happy to have this theory confirmed or otherwise.