Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It is a great idea and I am sure it will be viewed many times. Although I have videoed and photographed the freights at Westerfield and Nacton for many years I have always wondered what it must be like to see the route from a drivers perspective. The video shows what a lovely route this is. The views are really nice and on days like the day you filmed it must be a real pleasure to drive. Thanks again and I look forward to looking at any future routes you are able to film. Jon
As a spotter 60 years ago, used to sit up front, (or the back) in Met Camms or Derby Lightweights ( the odd Cravens or really lucky on a Wickham) and study the track. Did the same with my son as a nipper, until we got robbed and substituted with 156s. Never the same.
Ahhh, the old TRJA49136 entry into TOPS. All new now. I used to operate the signalling panel at Felixstowe North. Looks like you're departing from "arrivals" sidings line 5 or 6.
Many thanks for uploading this, lovely to see again . I still live in Ipswich and used to live right next to the Line by Derby Road. I used to go to Felixstowe from Derby road many years ago. Its lovely to see the beautiful Suffolk countryside. At 20:24 You can see the old Orwell station at Seven Hills.
Pity the poor residents of East Anglia who see small skies whenever they travel ... and I think they started the Class 66 spec with 'what should it sound like?' - lovely and it gave my subwoofer a good work-out. Thanks to the OP for a fine unspoiled upload.
Gorgeous scenery and great quality footage. The AWS and DSD I notice occur at the same time a good few times on that run. Going to watch all these videos.
Good to enjoy this taken on a sunny day and viewed in glorious reality on my 49" (ex-Tv) monitor. Good to see there are still M.P - though painted Yellow with red 1/4 mile dots.
That's a really nice route. Surprised there's not more passing loops or double track to make the traffic go in and out instead of one at a time. I remember me and my son going on a rail tour called The Four Triangles, so brings back fond memories of the best tour we've ever done.
Sadly HM Govt is too busy messing about with HS2 to provide authorisation of another approximately 8 mile of double track which ample land was bought for in 1877!That is, except for Spring Rd Viaduct, additionally, Bacon Factory Curve was financed by the E U pre Brexit!
Small point: I don't know what is on the Route Learning, but the crossing captioned as Levington, isn't. It's Stratton Hall Drift, which is in Trimley St Martin. Levington doesn't start until you get to the two cottages on the right at 18:15. When it used to be gated, it had a ground frame with home and distant up and down. As a four year old, I had a visit to the Box at Orwell (Nacton) when the station was still open. I wasn't big enough to pull the Home signal off! Happy days with Thompson L1's passing the house, opposite Rout's Farm and setting fire to the embankment.
For anyone wondering, the signals with the code FW stand for "Freightliner West" Signal Box. This must be a rare example of part of a power-box being de-commissioned, as originally the entire area was done from Colchester. Colchester resumes control at Westerfield Junction. The docks also control the passenger line to Felixstowe Town (passenger service), and Beach Station junction, for freight's heading to the South Terminal. Interesting to see the modernised road level crossings from the cab, and to note that some have been made ready for double track!
FW is the new designation on the branch for all signals following the recent track remodelling and re-signalling. FW is the prefix for Felixstowe-Westerfield which is still controlled from Colchester PSB (Felixstowe Panel). There is no power box on this line to be decommissioned. Colchester controlled the branch even before the re-signalling took place. 👍
@@Freightdriver82 That's interesting, thanks for message. I was aware that it was always done from Colchester (CO) in the past, but the comprehensive list of signal box codes that I looked up clearly stated Freightliner West. It's possible that I was looking at the wrong FW on that list of course.
When the line first came under Colchester PSB, Trimley still had a box (portakabin after the original box was demolished) to handle the new track to the Central (formerly North) terminal. Had a succession of shunting lights (4) on the panel. My mate Tony was one of the signalmen. When it closed he went to Gt Yarmouth Vauxhall. No more semaphores in the region now.
Hi, enjoyed the video, I went along to derby road with my camera as I had heard that class 56 locos were hauling the freight liners from felixstowe to Ipswich, sure enough they were, and a friendly signalman, in his box, to let me know when the 56s were due through.
Quality camera, capable memory card, ideal weather, drive away from sun, beautiful nature, clean window - result is a logical consequence: top quality railway ride, relaxing video. 👍🥰❤ If you will film more videos than do them on sunny days only, please. I do not like it grey - nor others, I believe.
Hard to believe that an important line connecting to a busy container port remains unelectrified and single track for so much of its route. A national disgrace.
Glorious three-arch brick bridge at 30:04 and another at 30:24 - but not so imposingly high. Then there's the entrance to 'Kings X mini Gasworks Tunnel at 35:23. Great journey. Good camera - Go-Pro?
@@roboftherock There was a collision there a few years ago, and all the reports refer to it as Routs. It may be that local people know it as Routs but others call it Routes. NR refer to it as Routes. I believe it was named after a landowner or farmer whose land it provided access to.
@@foxstrangler Well, thank you very much, sir. That really clears things up, doesn't it. I wonder if the fox you strangle is one of their 'Glacier Mints'?
How come you passed a signal at RED at Boss Hall jct? And what is the SS? It would be helpful if you used words, not abbreviations, for non-rail people who are looking in. I'm glad you used the natural sounds, not annoying music! Thanks.
@@Snapdragon4472 - Had to freeze-frame it at 33.47. I can just barely see the two whites, like pin-pricks, in the block to the left of the red. Can't see any R though!
@@hamshackleton They are known as "Cats Eyes", but the correct term is a Subsidiary signal. They allow the driver to pass the signal at Red and enter the sidings, that may be occupied or clear. There is a block on top of the block containing the two whites. This is a Route Indicator. It has two indications: R and Y. R is for the three Reception sidings and Y is for the Yard on the left. It looks like we arrived in Reception siding 2. We also pass another signal on the ground showing two whites as we proceed along the arrival line. This is known as a GPL or Ground Position Light signal. Hope that helps to make it a bit easier for you to understand?
As the train pulls out round that long curve it reminded me of the hours Pentalver robbed from my life waiting to load / unload containers there. Total law unto themselves. And that is a steep old climb afterwards.
OK, now I am confused, towards the end, just before Ipswich S.S. You went past a red signal with clearly no intention of stopping. Why? That is a SPAD, is it not?
Ha ha... No. Certainly not a SPAD... If you look on the left of the signal, two white lights at 45 degrees with a ‘R’ indication can be seen. This is a position light which allows movements (permissive working). Sometimes called ‘Dods’, these are an alternative indication used in association with main aspects, or can be positioned on their own to provide authority for a movement (within yards/sidings etc). On this occasion, the position light is used to indicate the train is being routed into the Reception Roads (Yard). A position light is also situated at the end of the road to exit the yard.
@@Freightdriver82 Thank you for that explanation - if I'd seen that looking out the window on a passenger service I'd have been having kittens! Excellent video.
Hi, I watched this one straight after the Lea junction one, great entertainment, the beauty of the British countryside never ceases to amaze me. Do you mind me asking, is it you in the cab or do you just have permission to put your camera in there?
These are all trains I was working. And, as always with things like this, and as noted on the description for every video, I always mention that they were filmed with permission. 👍
Very much so, in fact I would say a third of the traffic goes down that way now to serve the re-developed Felixstowe South. Some of the the South traffic can go on the North branch and travel through the docks ind. area, but I believe it is subject to the Central terminal having a track free for it to do so.
When they come up from the South, if they have a clear road it can mean that they have already got up a decent speed by the time it gets to Trimley Station! (through the passenger platform!)
@@CBeaumontHIGTFY I presume a train could have a direct run through Trimley and go down to the Beach, through the South Terminal and the Docks to the Central Terminal and return to Trimley via the North Curve? And also do the same the other direction?
@@Snapdragon4472 Correct, but it wouldn't go through the south terminal. After Beach Station on your first route, there is a junction beyond signalling limits. Turn left there for the South Terminal, turn right for Central Terminal. I "think" that the track actually forms one of the Central Terminal's roads, before from your left the track from the North terminal joins - then onwards up the North Curve as seen in the video.
You could certainly double it all the way from Felixstowe to Derby Road (though who knows if they will, given the lack of rail strategy in this country - branch needs wiring too, but it's still not happened!). Derby Road to Westerfield would be very difficult if not impossible to double because of houses/gardens backing onto the line in the cuttings, and the Spring Road Viaduct.
Very nice video, but I cant help wondering why they haven't electrified the last couple of miles , then we could have electric locos over the rest of the system without a traction change or as usual, no change .Waste of resources, good as the GM locos are. they can't touch the electrics for acceleration etc.
Cracking video. The FXT branch passes my flat just before the viaduct down road. Amazing to see your perspective of that haha!
What a relaxing ride through beautiful Suffolk countryside, the sun behind us and such a great sky. Thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It is a great idea and I am sure it will be viewed many times.
Although I have videoed and photographed the freights at Westerfield and Nacton for many years I have always wondered what it must be like to see the route from a drivers perspective.
The video shows what a lovely route this is. The views are really nice and on days like the day you filmed it must be a real pleasure to drive.
Thanks again and I look forward to looking at any future routes you are able to film.
Jon
As a spotter 60 years ago, used to sit up front, (or the back) in Met Camms or Derby Lightweights ( the odd Cravens or really lucky on a Wickham) and study the track. Did the same with my son as a nipper, until we got robbed and substituted with 156s. Never the same.
Ahhh, the old TRJA49136 entry into TOPS. All new now. I used to operate the signalling panel at Felixstowe North. Looks like you're departing from "arrivals" sidings line 5 or 6.
Many thanks for uploading this, lovely to see again . I still live in Ipswich and used to live right next to the Line by Derby Road. I used to go to Felixstowe from Derby road many years ago. Its lovely to see the beautiful Suffolk countryside. At 20:24 You can see the old Orwell station at Seven Hills.
Love the big skies of East Anglia. Thank you, and look forward to more from you.
Pity the poor residents of East Anglia who see small skies whenever they travel ... and I think they started the Class 66 spec with 'what should it sound like?' - lovely and it gave my subwoofer a good work-out. Thanks to the OP for a fine unspoiled upload.
S
Gorgeous scenery and great quality footage. The AWS and DSD I notice occur at the same time a good few times on that run. Going to watch all these videos.
Driven around this area for years but really great to see it from a totally different perspective, thanks for uploading.
Ispwich a fost pentru mine, un oraș foarte frumos, și lam iubit, că am locuit acolo acum patru ani, ❤❤❤❤❤,Salutări din România,,England 🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🇹🇩🇹🇩🇹🇩🇹🇩
I could just listen to the class 66 all day, but watching.....and listening wow! Many thanks subscribed
Great to hear! More on the way soon... Spread the word and watch this space! @Freightdriver82
Fantastic video! Love the sound of that Class 66.
Yes, a low drama (no turbo whine?) rumble is pleasant.
Yes, nice to watch an in cab video with sound of the engine.
Beautiful day. Great scenery and ride.
Thanks for uploading, what a lovely route.
Lovely video of an interesting route on a glorious day. Thanks for going to the trouble of uploading. Looking forward to your future videos.
Good to enjoy this taken on a sunny day and viewed in glorious reality on my 49" (ex-Tv) monitor. Good to see there are still M.P - though painted Yellow with red 1/4 mile dots.
Thanks, that was a very enjoyable run and the video quality is superb. Looking forward to more of the same.
Cheers, Got a few more to put up when I get the time...👍
That's a really nice route. Surprised there's not more passing loops or double track to make the traffic go in and out instead of one at a time.
I remember me and my son going on a rail tour called The Four Triangles, so brings back fond memories of the best tour we've ever done.
Sadly HM Govt is too busy messing about with HS2 to provide authorisation of another approximately 8 mile of double track which ample land was bought for in 1877!That is, except for Spring Rd Viaduct, additionally, Bacon Factory Curve was financed by the E U pre Brexit!
Thank you for an excellent video. The place names are appreciated! I follow the train in Google Earth. Great video quality too. Bravo!
Glad you enjoyed it! More on the way soon.
Great video, nice scenery.
Thank you for the excellent video and the captions. I'm looking forward to your future ones.
nice one, hope the rest of the library is of similar quality and interest. I even hope for sunny weather too !, and yes, Subscribed.
Thanks! More to come soon. Keep informed on @Freightdriver82 for the latest uploads.
Pretty good for a first effort 👍. I look forward to the next. 🐨🇦🇺
Small point: I don't know what is on the Route Learning, but the crossing captioned as Levington, isn't. It's Stratton Hall Drift, which is in Trimley St Martin. Levington doesn't start until you get to the two cottages on the right at 18:15. When it used to be gated, it had a ground frame with home and distant up and down. As a four year old, I had a visit to the Box at Orwell (Nacton) when the station was still open. I wasn't big enough to pull the Home signal off! Happy days with Thompson L1's passing the house, opposite Rout's Farm and setting fire to the embankment.
For anyone wondering, the signals with the code FW stand for "Freightliner West" Signal Box. This must be a rare example of part of a power-box being de-commissioned, as originally the entire area was done from Colchester. Colchester resumes control at Westerfield Junction. The docks also control the passenger line to Felixstowe Town (passenger service), and Beach Station junction, for freight's heading to the South Terminal. Interesting to see the modernised road level crossings from the cab, and to note that some have been made ready for double track!
FW is the new designation on the branch for all signals following the recent track remodelling and re-signalling. FW is the prefix for Felixstowe-Westerfield which is still controlled from Colchester PSB (Felixstowe Panel). There is no power box on this line to be decommissioned. Colchester controlled the branch even before the re-signalling took place. 👍
@@Freightdriver82 That's interesting, thanks for message. I was aware that it was always done from Colchester (CO) in the past, but the comprehensive list of signal box codes that I looked up clearly stated Freightliner West. It's possible that I was looking at the wrong FW on that list of course.
When the line first came under Colchester PSB, Trimley still had a box (portakabin after the original box was demolished) to handle the new track to the Central (formerly North) terminal. Had a succession of shunting lights (4) on the panel. My mate Tony was one of the signalmen. When it closed he went to Gt Yarmouth Vauxhall. No more semaphores in the region now.
@@foxstrangler Really interesting, thank you very much for this information!
Hi, enjoyed the video, I went along to derby road with my camera as I had heard that class 56 locos were hauling the freight liners from felixstowe to Ipswich, sure enough they were, and a friendly signalman, in his box, to let me know when the 56s were due through.
i have to stop for these trains when going to and from work, always nice to see
Great video thank's very much.
Same engine that's in the Pacific National G, BL and 81 classes in my home state of Victoria Australia, so music to my ears.
nice video, lovely smooth new track and signalling down at Felixstowe
My favourite Freight driver
Sounds lovely
That was brilliant many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. Nice to see some local Anglian lines.
Great video - thanks for uploading!
Glad you enjoyed it!
As a Suggestion Top right hand corner (the controls being used) Good video.
I’d love to, but I’m not the most technical minded in the editing department… 🤣
Amazing - No litter. Great video
Great video, cant wait to see the next ones. Does anyone else think the sky at 14:00 looks like the old Windows wallpaper?
Fabulous video
Thanks 🤗
Nice run!
❤❤❤❤ I’m assuming that at ipswitch they will be transferred to pair of 90s locomotive contue to Wembley yard
Quality camera, capable memory card, ideal weather, drive away from sun, beautiful nature, clean window - result is a logical consequence: top quality railway ride, relaxing video.
👍🥰❤
If you will film more videos than do them on sunny days only, please. I do not like it grey - nor others, I believe.
Hard to believe that an important line connecting to a busy container port remains unelectrified and single track for so much of its route. A national disgrace.
It's why class 90's can't run all the way into the port. Freightliner still use their 90's but DB have binned theirs...now that is a damn disgrace
Glorious three-arch brick bridge at 30:04 and another at 30:24 - but not so imposingly high. Then there's the entrance to 'Kings X mini Gasworks Tunnel at 35:23. Great journey. Good camera - Go-Pro?
very good video thanks can i suggest a picture of your engines and consist
this is perfect, as learning this route. don't suppose you have it the otherway round?
A mildly interesting observation. The crossing at 21:04 is also called 'Routes' in TRACKmaps © Track Atlas, but in their Railway Track Diagrams Book 2 the same crossing is marked as 'Routs'. I wonder which one is mis-spelt.
24:50 - A section of the 'Orange Army' employed in trackside vegetation maintainance?
Good coverage of a route which is not 'exciting'. I do wonder if the containers at the bottom of the stacks seen in Felixstowe yard will ever see the light of day again.
I have always known this crossing as Rout's (R/G) LC @ 77m 36ch.
@@Snapdragon4472 OK, thanks for that insight, David.
@@roboftherock There was a collision there a few years ago, and all the reports refer to it as Routs. It may be that local people know it as Routs but others call it Routes. NR refer to it as Routes. I believe it was named after a landowner or farmer whose land it provided access to.
It is called Rout's crossing. Serves Rout's Farm. The Rout family still live there.
@@foxstrangler Well, thank you very much, sir. That really clears things up, doesn't it. I wonder if the fox you strangle is one of their 'Glacier Mints'?
How come you passed a signal at RED at Boss Hall jct? And what is the SS? It would be helpful if you used words, not abbreviations, for non-rail people who are looking in. I'm glad you used the natural sounds, not annoying music! Thanks.
The signal was displaying 2 white lights and indication "R" for entry into the reception siding.
SS means Sorting Sidings.
@@Snapdragon4472 - Had to freeze-frame it at 33.47. I can just barely see the two whites, like pin-pricks, in the block to the left of the red. Can't see any R though!
@@hamshackleton They are known as "Cats Eyes", but the correct term is a Subsidiary signal. They allow the driver to pass the signal at Red and enter the sidings, that may be occupied or clear.
There is a block on top of the block containing the two whites. This is a Route Indicator. It has two indications: R and Y.
R is for the three Reception sidings and Y is for the Yard on the left. It looks like we arrived in Reception siding 2.
We also pass another signal on the ground showing two whites as we proceed along the arrival line. This is known as a GPL or Ground Position Light signal.
Hope that helps to make it a bit easier for you to understand?
Lovely!!
The Sainsburys Supermarket I do my shopping at is off to the right of the screen at 22:24 !! It's a bit different to Palmer, MA.....
@@259miamigo very cool to see how people we chat with exist in the real world. TY for sharing this. I love it!
Did you take the other container train in Ipswich Sorting Sidings to Felixstowe or was it waiting for class 86s/class 90s to get on the GEML?
Always in and out of the sidings to/from Felixstowe. Generally a swap of traction in the yard. Not always 86/90s. 66s do run up GEML also.
As the train pulls out round that long curve it reminded me of the hours Pentalver robbed from my life waiting to load / unload containers there. Total law unto themselves.
And that is a steep old climb afterwards.
Pentalver Southampton was the same...
@@sk1nzsk1nz34 They stole more of my life as well. 😂😂
That foot crossing just past Trimley, Whoppa..
It was put in at great expense for horses to cross safely!
👍🇬🇧I guess the sound of an EMD engine can be likened to Marmite!
Great Video --thanks , have subscribed 9 ( what cam did you video with )
Ahhh summer!! Someone spent more on that crossing at 13:00 than the government will spend on a Thames bridge in East London.
It is a bridleway, replacing several foot crossings, hence the grand scale! It is very popular with walkers and folks out getting the fresh air.
£3 million quid, The camera makes it look 3 times longer than it is.
OK, now I am confused, towards the end, just before Ipswich S.S. You went past a red signal with clearly no intention of stopping. Why? That is a SPAD, is it not?
Ha ha... No. Certainly not a SPAD... If you look on the left of the signal, two white lights at 45 degrees with a ‘R’ indication can be seen. This is a position light which allows movements (permissive working). Sometimes called ‘Dods’, these are an alternative indication used in association with main aspects, or can be positioned on their own to provide authority for a movement (within yards/sidings etc). On this occasion, the position light is used to indicate the train is being routed into the Reception Roads (Yard). A position light is also situated at the end of the road to exit the yard.
@@Freightdriver82 Thanks for the explanation. Will have to watch again to see them. Did not notice them before.
@@Freightdriver82 Thank you for that explanation - if I'd seen that looking out the window on a passenger service I'd have been having kittens! Excellent video.
Was this owned by DB Schenker (EWS) ? Thanks Nice video BTW
Wow that's one noisy cab, what are you pulling?
Hauling 1600 tons out of Felixstowe, made up of a variety of containers from the port. 👍
Hi, I watched this one straight after the Lea junction one, great entertainment, the beauty of the British countryside never ceases to amaze me. Do you mind me asking, is it you in the cab or do you just have permission to put your camera in there?
These are all trains I was working. And, as always with things like this, and as noted on the description for every video, I always mention that they were filmed with permission. 👍
Great video,I used to work at the port. Do trains no longer cross the level-crossing at Beach Station Road?
Very much so, in fact I would say a third of the traffic goes down that way now to serve the re-developed Felixstowe South. Some of the the South traffic can go on the North branch and travel through the docks ind. area, but I believe it is subject to the Central terminal having a track free for it to do so.
When they come up from the South, if they have a clear road it can mean that they have already got up a decent speed by the time it gets to Trimley Station! (through the passenger platform!)
@@CBeaumontHIGTFY I presume a train could have a direct run through Trimley and go down to the Beach, through the South Terminal and the Docks to the Central Terminal and return to Trimley via the North Curve? And also do the same the other direction?
@@Snapdragon4472 Correct, but it wouldn't go through the south terminal. After Beach Station on your first route, there is a junction beyond signalling limits. Turn left there for the South Terminal, turn right for Central Terminal. I "think" that the track actually forms one of the Central Terminal's roads, before from your left the track from the North terminal joins - then onwards up the North Curve as seen in the video.
Anyone know the reason for the long Check Rail leaving Felixstowe?
Is it for fast/er trains using that section?
It’s just for the tight curve.
Do think they will double track all the way eventually? The formation looks wide enough most of the way.
You could certainly double it all the way from Felixstowe to Derby Road (though who knows if they will, given the lack of rail strategy in this country - branch needs wiring too, but it's still not happened!). Derby Road to Westerfield would be very difficult if not impossible to double because of houses/gardens backing onto the line in the cuttings, and the Spring Road Viaduct.
Why pass the signal at danger ? (33:40)
If you look closely, you will see two white lights at 45 degrees. This signal allows movement in to the yard. 👍
What train
I never subscribed to this Channel. It looks like A Digital Game.
Very nice video, but I cant help wondering why they haven't electrified the last couple of miles , then we could have electric locos over the rest of the system without a traction change or as usual, no change .Waste of resources, good as the GM locos are. they can't touch the electrics for acceleration etc.
Class 66 ?
I am disheartened to see that the UK's busiest port is connected to the UK rail network by a mainly single track and unelectrified line.
Rather have that than those awful overhead gantry's spoiling the scenery.
would love to live in the house at 10:55
AAA
HQ, HD👍
More of a fly stuck to the windscreen view.
Such a great job being a driver but it’s a shame that the tests you do to become a driver you need to have the brain of a rocket scientist
Why? Would you rather have some thicko driving?
Poor driver must've been bored to tears on that route from one desolate hole to another.
Class 66 ?