Loco 60085 "MINI - Pride of Oxford" draws up to the worksite within the possession at the Aldridge crossover early this afternoon, with a train of fresh ballast which was then promptly set upon by the "road-railers" and off-loaded onto the newly laid track.
Two gents I was talking to were convinced that the line was being improved to allow the proposed passenger services to be reintroduced, and the lowering of the trackbed was also in order to allow the line to be electrified and the wiring to pass below bridges.
In the background can be seen the three-arch span of Dumblederry Lane (bridge number 58).
Nice worksite photographs. As for passenger services, even though it is such an obvious move I can't see it happening any time soon.
I heard that the tracks are being lowered to accomodate higher containers and upgraded to allow a better ride for passenger services whilst the Trent is closed and services get diverted over the Park.