A special treat today , my first sighting of the #SaturdaySandTrain. The wonderfully refurbished 60099 ‘Ben More Assynt' powers through Oakham with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sdg
February 21, 2026 at 9:46 PM
A special treat today , my first sighting of the #SaturdaySandTrain. The wonderfully refurbished 60099 ‘Ben More Assynt' powers through Oakham with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sdg
I haven't been out much for the #SaturdaySandTrain lately so hired-in #GBRailfreight tug 60026 'HELVELLYN' was too good an opportunity to miss. Here she is rounding the curve at Burghley, just outside Stamford, with #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden. #DCR 8/8/26
August 8, 2026 at 8:42 PM
I haven't been out much for the #SaturdaySandTrain lately so hired-in #GBRailfreight tug 60026 'HELVELLYN' was too good an opportunity to miss. Here she is rounding the curve at Burghley, just outside Stamford, with #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden. #DCR 8/8/26
A lunchtime visit to Whittlesea today. No DC Rail #SaturdaySandTrain as the empties didn't go to Norfolk yesterday. Instead a VSTP 6Z92 Eccles Rd Johnstone's Sdg to Chaddesden Sidings, captured here with hired-in 60047 'Scafell Pike' brightening up the dull day. 15/11/25
November 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A lunchtime visit to Whittlesea today. No DC Rail #SaturdaySandTrain as the empties didn't go to Norfolk yesterday. Instead a VSTP 6Z92 Eccles Rd Johnstone's Sdg to Chaddesden Sidings, captured here with hired-in 60047 'Scafell Pike' brightening up the dull day. 15/11/25
We were very fortunate weather wise at Uffington for the #SaturdaySandTrain today with fog in nearby Rutland & Leics. Hired-in GB Railfreight 60021 'Penyghent' powers #DCRail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead which ended up diverted to Chaddesden. #DCR #GBRF 11/1/25
January 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
We were very fortunate weather wise at Uffington for the #SaturdaySandTrain today with fog in nearby Rutland & Leics. Hired-in GB Railfreight 60021 'Penyghent' powers #DCRail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead which ended up diverted to Chaddesden. #DCR #GBRF 11/1/25
Running late but sounding great! The DC Rail #SaturdaySandTrain was 51L past Uffington, 56301 & 56103 made a fantastic sight & the #grid sound brought back many memories. Great to see & hear 301 back again. 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #DCR 22/3/25
March 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Running late but sounding great! The DC Rail #SaturdaySandTrain was 51L past Uffington, 56301 & 56103 made a fantastic sight & the #grid sound brought back many memories. Great to see & hear 301 back again. 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #DCR 22/3/25
A second #SaturdaySandTrain, of sorts. This was empties running as 4L66 Goole Glassworks to March Up Yard. Stunning GB Railfreight 69004 'RIDC Melton' up front (with sister 69002 on the rear) seen passing Burnt House Road crossing, Turves. #SaturdaySixtynine #GBRF 15/3/25
March 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A second #SaturdaySandTrain, of sorts. This was empties running as 4L66 Goole Glassworks to March Up Yard. Stunning GB Railfreight 69004 'RIDC Melton' up front (with sister 69002 on the rear) seen passing Burnt House Road crossing, Turves. #SaturdaySixtynine #GBRF 15/3/25
#SaturdaySandTrain today is from Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire. Still hired-in #GBRF tug 60026 'HELVELLYN' hauls #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings down the #MML. The loaded wagons were then taken forward to Ravenhead by sister 60099. #DCR 5/9/26
September 5, 2026 at 6:55 PM
#SaturdaySandTrain today is from Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire. Still hired-in #GBRF tug 60026 'HELVELLYN' hauls #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings down the #MML. The loaded wagons were then taken forward to Ravenhead by sister 60099. #DCR 5/9/26
My second tug of the weekend.. Some pleasant weather & nice skies for the trip out this morning to catch the #SaturdaySandTrain through #Fenland. Hired-in #GBRF 60026 'HELVELLYN' heads past Three Horse Shoes signalbox at Turves with #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #DCR 22/8/26
August 22, 2026 at 3:21 PM
My second tug of the weekend.. Some pleasant weather & nice skies for the trip out this morning to catch the #SaturdaySandTrain through #Fenland. Hired-in #GBRF 60026 'HELVELLYN' heads past Three Horse Shoes signalbox at Turves with #DCRail 6M93 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #DCR 22/8/26
#SaturdaySandTrain time once again. I thought this might be a decent colourful location to get Cappagh Group blue 60028 as it passed in between shadows at Ketton with DC Rail operated 6M90 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings this lunchtime. #DCR #Rutland #Class60 7/6/25
June 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
#SaturdaySandTrain time once again. I thought this might be a decent colourful location to get Cappagh Group blue 60028 as it passed in between shadows at Ketton with DC Rail operated 6M90 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings this lunchtime. #DCR #Rutland #Class60 7/6/25
Took advantage of the cloudy weather to catch the #SaturdaySandTrain at Oakham this lunchtime along with @bennybizzle1.bsky.social Here is DC Rail 60029 'Ben Nevis' passing the level crossing box with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #DCRail #Rutland #TugWatch 30/8/25
August 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Took advantage of the cloudy weather to catch the #SaturdaySandTrain at Oakham this lunchtime along with @bennybizzle1.bsky.social Here is DC Rail 60029 'Ben Nevis' passing the level crossing box with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #DCRail #Rutland #TugWatch 30/8/25
#SaturdaySandTrain once again, this week a trip over to Whittlesea to see #GBRF 60095 'Whernside', still hard at work for DC Rail on 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. The sun was wrong side but some light cloud meant the shot was still on. #DCR #Fenland 28/3/26
March 28, 2026 at 9:13 PM
#SaturdaySandTrain once again, this week a trip over to Whittlesea to see #GBRF 60095 'Whernside', still hard at work for DC Rail on 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. The sun was wrong side but some light cloud meant the shot was still on. #DCR #Fenland 28/3/26
The #SaturdaySandTrain rolls round again & DC Rail once again move more Norfolk sand to the northwest via Derby. Still hired-in 60095 'Whernside' hauls 6M89 from Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings, approaching a gloriously sunny Stamford this lunchtime. #DCR 21/3/26
March 21, 2026 at 5:57 PM
The #SaturdaySandTrain rolls round again & DC Rail once again move more Norfolk sand to the northwest via Derby. Still hired-in 60095 'Whernside' hauls 6M89 from Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings, approaching a gloriously sunny Stamford this lunchtime. #DCR 21/3/26
Cloudy skies meant the #SaturdaySandTrain shot at Wing was possible this weekend. Hired-in #GBRF tug 60095 'Whernside' made an impressive sight & sound hauling #DCRail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings through the #Rutland countryside at lunchtime yesterday. 7/3/26
March 8, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Cloudy skies meant the #SaturdaySandTrain shot at Wing was possible this weekend. Hired-in #GBRF tug 60095 'Whernside' made an impressive sight & sound hauling #DCRail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings through the #Rutland countryside at lunchtime yesterday. 7/3/26
#SaturdaySandTrain Part 2.. so after snapping 6M89 at Three Horse Shoes it was a 40min drive across to Uffington to catch it again. DC Rail 60099 'Ben More Assynt' pulls away from a signal check while the XC stopper in front cleared the section to Ketton. #DCR 21/2/26
February 21, 2026 at 7:23 PM
#SaturdaySandTrain Part 2.. so after snapping 6M89 at Three Horse Shoes it was a 40min drive across to Uffington to catch it again. DC Rail 60099 'Ben More Assynt' pulls away from a signal check while the XC stopper in front cleared the section to Ketton. #DCR 21/2/26
The other reason to pop over to the #ECML at Marholm today was to see #Tug 60096 'Skiddaw' once again working the #DCRail #SaturdaySandTrain, 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. Here she is passing Hurn Road footbridge in the beautiful autumn weather. #DCR 27/9/25
September 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The other reason to pop over to the #ECML at Marholm today was to see #Tug 60096 'Skiddaw' once again working the #DCRail #SaturdaySandTrain, 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. Here she is passing Hurn Road footbridge in the beautiful autumn weather. #DCR 27/9/25
#TugTuesday A bright day on Saturday for once again hired-in #GBRF tug 60026 'Helvellyn' on the #SaturdaySandTrain. DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings snapped passing Uffington. Opened up with a fine display of clag after being signal checked following 6M40. #DCR 24/1/26
January 27, 2026 at 5:01 PM
#TugTuesday A bright day on Saturday for once again hired-in #GBRF tug 60026 'Helvellyn' on the #SaturdaySandTrain. DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings snapped passing Uffington. Opened up with a fine display of clag after being signal checked following 6M40. #DCR 24/1/26
A fantastic day for the #SaturdaySandTrain fans as a rare hired-in Colas Rail grid was on it this week. 56049 'Robin of Templecombe' powers past the waiting gallery at Uffington with DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #GridWatch #Colas #DCR 13/12/25
December 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A fantastic day for the #SaturdaySandTrain fans as a rare hired-in Colas Rail grid was on it this week. 56049 'Robin of Templecombe' powers past the waiting gallery at Uffington with DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. #GridWatch #Colas #DCR 13/12/25
#SideOnSunday A closer look at DC Rail 56301 leading sister loco 56103 across Leicestershire with yesterday's #SaturdaySandTrain, 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. The two grids made a fantastic sight in the sunshine. #DCR #GridWatch 12/4/25
April 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#SideOnSunday A closer look at DC Rail 56301 leading sister loco 56103 across Leicestershire with yesterday's #SaturdaySandTrain, 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings. The two grids made a fantastic sight in the sunshine. #DCR #GridWatch 12/4/25
Due to the slow speed pulling away from the signal & past the assembled gallery at Uffington, I was able to get some bonus #SideOnSaturday shots showing off 60099 in her fine new DC Rail & Cappagh Group livery. 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #SaturdaySandTrain #DCR 21/2/26
February 21, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Due to the slow speed pulling away from the signal & past the assembled gallery at Uffington, I was able to get some bonus #SideOnSaturday shots showing off 60099 in her fine new DC Rail & Cappagh Group livery. 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #SaturdaySandTrain #DCR 21/2/26
Back out for another chance to phot the wonderful pair of DC Rail grids on this weeks #SaturdaySandTrain. 56301 & 56103 could be heard from Stamford on the climb to Ketton, seen from the footbridge. The sound was as good as you can imagine. #DCR #GridWatch @C56G2 19/4/25
April 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Back out for another chance to phot the wonderful pair of DC Rail grids on this weeks #SaturdaySandTrain. 56301 & 56103 could be heard from Stamford on the climb to Ketton, seen from the footbridge. The sound was as good as you can imagine. #DCR #GridWatch @C56G2 19/4/25
#SixtySaturday Another trip out to Uffington after lunch to see the slightly later pathed #SaturdaySandTrain. #DCRail 60046 'William Wilberforce' was held at the signal with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings & made a fine sight & sound pulling away! #DCR 14/12/24
December 14, 2024 at 4:19 PM
#SixtySaturday Another trip out to Uffington after lunch to see the slightly later pathed #SaturdaySandTrain. #DCRail 60046 'William Wilberforce' was held at the signal with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings & made a fine sight & sound pulling away! #DCR 14/12/24
Not the location i had intended for the #SaturdaySandTrain today, due to road closures & early running but managed to catch #DCRail 60055 'Thomas Barnardo' passing through #Rutland at Ashwell with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #TugWatch 30/11/24
November 30, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Not the location i had intended for the #SaturdaySandTrain today, due to road closures & early running but managed to catch #DCRail 60055 'Thomas Barnardo' passing through #Rutland at Ashwell with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings. #TugWatch 30/11/24
A new engine on the #SaturdaySandTrain? Sounds like another trip to Uffington is called for then! Immaculate & newly hired-in #GBRF 60047 'Scafell Pike' heads towards Stamford under picturesque skies with DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings #DCRail 8/11/25
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A new engine on the #SaturdaySandTrain? Sounds like another trip to Uffington is called for then! Immaculate & newly hired-in #GBRF 60047 'Scafell Pike' heads towards Stamford under picturesque skies with DC Rail 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings #DCRail 8/11/25
#SaturdaySandTrain from Rotherby, near Melton Mowbray. Freight superpower as DC Rail pair 56301 & 56103 head towards Syston with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings this lunchtime after experiencing a delay at Peterborough. #DCR #Class56 12/4/25
April 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
#SaturdaySandTrain from Rotherby, near Melton Mowbray. Freight superpower as DC Rail pair 56301 & 56103 head towards Syston with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Chaddesden Sidings this lunchtime after experiencing a delay at Peterborough. #DCR #Class56 12/4/25
Quite a gallery at Uffington for the #SaturdaySandTrain this lunchtime. I'd already snapped it further east but made it here for a 2nd go thanks to the booked 46min wait at PBO. DC Rail's Cappagh Group livery 60028 with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings #DCR 3/1/26
January 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Quite a gallery at Uffington for the #SaturdaySandTrain this lunchtime. I'd already snapped it further east but made it here for a 2nd go thanks to the booked 46min wait at PBO. DC Rail's Cappagh Group livery 60028 with 6M89 Middleton Towers to Ravenhead Sidings #DCR 3/1/26