10:30.

Today’s the only decent weather window that’s forecast for several days so I’m out and about updating some library pictures as well as images for a client. I’d two options but on one route the trains I was interested weren’t running, so – Windermere it is! Looking through the archives I’ve realised the last time I was there was June 2018 when services looked rather different to today.

My trip began at Sowerby Bridge where I caught a train to nearby Hebden Bridge to connect with the York – Blackpool North service that I’m on now.

This was running 15 late on arrival but the performance of these Class 195s has allowed it to claw back a few minutes. Even so, I’ll miss my intended connection at Preston. On the bright side, there’s another train from Preston to Oxenholme a few minutes later that I should be able to catch. We’ll see…

10:35.

Bugger! We’ve just left Accrington where dozens of folks (many with prams) were waiting to join the train. This has delayed us further pushing us to 19 mins behind time, making my alternative Preston connection almost impossible. Now, what’s plan C?…

11:10.

Things are looking up! Our driver made the most of the 195s performance and slack timetabling to recover some time. When we joined the main line at Preston we worked parallel to Preston with an Avanti Pendolino but the damn thing was no good to me as it was heading to Blackpool too! We arrived in adjacent platforms (1&2), then I noticed it was 10:57. A TPE service to Edinburgh was due to leave at 10:59 and it hadn’t yet arrived. A mad dash across the footbridge to platform 3 allowed me to watch 397010 pull in – saving me from kicking my heels in Preston for an hour.

Needless to say, this 5 car’s packed so I’m reduced to standing in a vestibule but it’s hardly a hardship for such a short journey. Only a few years ago this service was worked by 3-car trains. Now, even a 5-car’s ‘cosy’. I hate to think what it’ll be like in a few years time with the passenger passenger growth expected on this route.

14:30.

Sorry for the gap but I’ve been busy taking pictures and finding locations – not always successfully – as trees and bushes have a nasty habit of growing and blocking views!

I enjoyed being back at Oxenholme. Train services have changed a bit. TPE have their new trains on Anglo-Scottish services. Northern’s have changed too. Gone are the old BR units like the single-car Class 153s, now services are worked by 3-car Class 195s. The Windermere branch is no longer just a shuttle either. Instead there’s 6-car trains running to/from Manchester Airport at certain times of the day, although this presented me with a problem. They’re far too long to fit into scenic shots of the landscape! Thankfully, the 6-car I took out and back to Kendal buggered off to Manchester to be replaced by a 3-car, which just fits into the picture I have planned outside of Staveley. Now all I have to do is pray the clouds play ball. In the meantime, here’s a couple of shots I’ve taken so far.

17:30.

Job done – and the sun played ball, which is a minor miracle in this game. Now I’m making my way back South – although I may have deviated from the plan slightly…

19:00.

Just another day on the railway…

Back at Lancaster I noticed that my next Trans-Pennine Express train to Manchester Airport was shown as terminating at Preston. Not a problem for me as that’s where I was changing anyway. I’d factored in having an hour at the station to take some shots before getting the 18:44 Blackpool – York back to Halifax. When I got to Preston it was clear that all was not well. Lots of Blackpool services were running late or being cancelled. The 18:44 was shown as OK – right up to 10 mins before it was due when (within the space of a few minutes) it went from on-time to ‘delayed’, then cancelled. Rather than hang around for another hour I’ve caught a Blackpool Manchester Airport train via Bolton, figuring that I’ll take my chances in Manchester as there’s a more frequent service. It seems the chaos is being caused by an earlier fatality at Lostock near Bolton. An awful thing for all concerned.

19:40.

And relax! My diversion via Salford Crescent has worked well. Following a few minutes behind us was a Wigan Wallgate to Leeds service which will deposit me back at Sowerby Bridge just 20 mins later than my intended train from Preston. I’m now relaxing on a Northern Class 158 knowing I’m going to be home at a reasonable time after what’s been a busy and eventful day. Despite the difficulties the trips been profitable from a picture perspective, which is what it was all about. Mind you, I did enjoy rediscovering the Windermere line. With such lovely scenery and pretty villages (and the odd country pub), what’s not to like?

22:10.

I’m home and relaxing after a long day and over 10 miles walked. But I’ll leave you with a couple more pictures from the day…

On another note, spot the slight technical difficulty with this sign at Staveley…

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