European Railroad Discussion > Border break

Needing to escape cabin fever from the various lockdowns here in the UK, I headed for a short break around Berwick-upon-Tweed in early October. Berwick is just a couple of miles south of the border with Scotland, and the East Coast Main Line is right on the coast and cliff tops. Just over the border is the location of Lamberton, with trains right alongside the North Sea. Most trains are provided by LNER, which operate their Hitachi Azumas between London and Edinburgh, (and Aberdeen plus Inverness). Here, we have a north bound and south bound trains. Trans Pennine Express are currently operating a Newcastle to Edinburgh service with their Hitachi bi-mode trains. Although running under the 25Kv, due to restricted electrical supply issues, they run on their diesels!  Chris uk.

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Now, into Berwick-upon-Tweed itself. Famous for its castle ruins, for railfans the big attraction is the Royal Border Bridge which crosses the river Tweed. There is not a great deal of freight along here, but a daily intermodal operates from Mossend in Glasgow to Tees Dock, hauled by a GM class 66 diesel. Viewed from the gardens along the river, an Azuma approaches Berwick, and as the sun goes down, an Azuma crosses the Tweed.

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Finally, to the south of Berwick lies the areas of Spittal and Scremerston. A lovely walk along the cliff tops and coastal footpath provides some great views of the trains and North Sea. As usual, trains are LNER Azumas, and Trans Pennine Hitachi bi-modes. Cross Country run nearly every hour with their Voyager diesel sets, linking Edinburgh with places south such as Bristol and Plymouth. Chris UK.

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Thanks for posting these beautiful pictures.  Gerry

Excellent set Chris, you had some great autumnal weather.

Wonderful photos and thanks for sharing them.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Thanks for sharing these images!

 

These are some fantastic pictures. Great composition. And congratulations on IOTD.
John

Beautiful shots!

What is the cause of the restricted electrical supply?

Thanks for sharing these great images from across the pond!

Fabtastic.  The  double  bridge  photo is  great. What  am i  doing  here??    Oh yeah...

cjvrr Wrote:
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> Beautiful shots!
>
> What is the cause of the restricted electrical
> supply?

When the line here was electrified, the only electric trains were the class 91 electrics. Since then, there are more trains, the Hitachis taking more power, and then Trans Pennine got permission to introduce their service to Edinburgh. Meanwhile, Network Rail and National Grid simply didn't pull their fingers out to get more supply from the national grid. All are waiting for some more intermediate substations.  Chris.

Great group of photos, congratulations on IOTD.

Rich

Thank you all for your kind comments. Glad you enyoyed the photos. Chris uk.

Super photo's......I hope the US will have this someday.

Thank you for the answer.

55002 Wrote:
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> cjvrr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Beautiful shots!
> >
> > What is the cause of the restricted electrical
> > supply?
>
> When the line here was electrified, the only
> electric trains were the class 91 electrics. Since
> then, there are more trains, the Hitachis taking
> more power, and then Trans Pennine got permission
> to introduce their service to Edinburgh.
> Meanwhile, Network Rail and National Grid simply
> didn't pull their fingers out to get more supply
> from the national grid. All are waiting for some
> more intermediate substations.  Chris.

I love those bridges still supporting a 21st Century operation. Great series.

A beautiful and interesting series!

Larry

Nice one KOYLI.

It got me feeling all home sick as it’s not too far from where I grew up.

Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Posted from iPhone

Great photos, beautiful weather.

Does this mean that the Sprinters, and the Mark III/IV trains that used to run from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, are long gone, or just hiding elsewhere?

I also recall some newer DMU's that we rode from Edinburgh to Glasgow many years ago.

Thanks.

- wzd