Daventry Deadline.

On 29th Augusti ventured to the midlands for a 1Z10 photo shoot. The target of this shoot was the Royal Mail Hub at Daventry to photograph the Royal Mail liveried 325 units and the RM unit drag carried out by an 08 before the end of Royal Mail transporting letters and parcels by rail on the 20th September 2024.

My day started at 0530 with a drive to Rugby station from my home in Teignmouth. The predicted 3 hours and 24 minute journey time turned out to be 4 hours and 15 due to volume of traffic on the M42. Its always the same on that chuffin road.

Rugby was a bit disappointing with no real photo opportunities so i met up with some 1Z10 chums on Clifton Bridge just south of the station. Where i photographed 66593 heading south after unloading building spoil with the 4R98 1059 New Bilton (Cemex) to Willesden Euroterminal. It wasnt a good shot, i much preferred the north bound view where i bagged a shot of 66423 on the 4V44 1044 Daventry DRS (Tesco) to Wentloog. The sun wasnt in the best position but it was still a nice view.

Following this we headed towards the DIRFT site at Daventry. I took a few mediocre shots on the main line next to the exchange sidings at Nortoft Lane before heading over to the Royal Mail Hub within the DIRFT complex. A convenient footbridge provided a great viewing platform from where i could launch the drone. Of the 6 1Z10ers present 4 of us had drones which required a air traffic control meeting before launch, this meeting required accurate flight plans with strict designated altitude discipline, predictably once the target of the drone photography was on the move all the planning went out of the window, luckily we all returned to base safely with a few nice shots in the bag.

A quick return to Nortoft Lane to photograph the departing 325 numbers 011 and 015 on the 1S80 1534 Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal to Sheildmuir Mail Terminal having been dragged to the reception sidings by 08629.

Following this a few of us headed to Ansty alongside the Oxford Canal to bag some nice evening shots whilst the lighting was good. Luckily i wasnt paying attention and missed a shot of two class 90s on a freightliner which was a tad annoying, however i managed to bag a few other decent shots,

The sun set and i started my journey home departing at 2035 and getting in at 2350 which included a 10 minute comfort break. A much more respectable journey time.