Monthly Archives: August 2024

Rolling blog. Saturday working…

31 Saturday Aug 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs

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11:00.

It’s not often that I’m out working on a Saturday nowadays. The days of trackside shifts on major rail renewal projects are long gone. Nowadays I prefer to have time at home with Dawn. However, this month I have a stream of work that involves making pictures whilst the sun shines. Today, it is, so I’m off to Manchester to visit a string of stations on the city’s East side.

Right now I’m on a packed train from Halifax that’s making its way to Victoria through the Calder valley. I’m obviously not the only one making the most of the weather!

I’ll blog on and off through the day, so feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to…

11:05

We’ve made it as far as Todmorden, where I’ve managed to blag a table seat and set up the mobile office thanks to a trio of walkers who’ve left the train here. The station’s packed with people on both platforms, showing the popularity of locations both East and West.

12:05.

Having strolled across a packed city centre full of shoppers and those enjoying the sunshine I’m now at Piccadilly station, where I found this West Midlands refugee…

12:55.

It’s not just pretty country stations and rural railways you get to visit in this job. Can you guess where this is? A clue. The area’s synonymous with an old locomotive builder.

16:55.

What a glorious afternoon! The weather’s finally played ball. There’s hardly been a cloud in the sky here in Manchester, so my to-ing and fro-ing on the railways between Guide Bridge, Romiley, Marple and New Mills has provided me with plenty of useable pictures. I’ll add some from the camera later. Right now I’m making my way back from Marple via the line from Romiley to Ashburys, the next one I need to explore. Whilst some stations work well photographically in full sun, others need duller days and even light due to the fact they’re in cuttings or surrounded by trees. Then there’s the position of the sun in the sky depending on the time of day/year.

Still, it’s been an enjoyable trip. I managed a walk out to the Marple aqueduct, which provides a great rail/canal juxtaposition, and even (purely by accident) found a classic old Manchester boozer for a quick pitstop.

The Cheshire Ring, just across the road from Hyde Central station. It’s a Beartown brewery pub.
One of several rooms in the Cheshire Ring.
A pair of Class 156s working the 15:40 Marple – Manchester Piccadilly pass the Marple aqueduct.

21:10.

Home again. Today’s been a very enjoyable trip. Now I’ve chance to add a few more pictures for your delectation.

This is why 2 platforms at a time are being taken out of use at Manchester Piccadilly. These guys are working inside the roof, replacing coverings high above the platforms.
150146 calls at Hyde North with a service to New Mills Central. The line to Glossop passes in the background.
The substantial multi-level station building at Romiley.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

29th August picture of the day…

29 Thursday Aug 2024

Posted by in Hs2, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways

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After yesterday’s travels and exhausting time today’s been a quiet one here at Bigland Towers. I’ve remained home-based. Scribbling for a living as well as editing many of the pictures from yesterday’s travels. You can find a selection of those images in the following galleries.

Arriva Cross-country

West Midlands Trains (Inc LNW)

East Midlands Railway

Railway stations

The HS2 site visit pictures remain in the editing queue. Hopefully they’ll get done at the weekend.

The weather’s picked up here in the Pennines with temperatures climbing and the sun returning, which has been rather frustrating when I’m stuck behind a desk but that’s life. Hopefully I’ll be free of the office again shortly as I need to catch up with some commissions as there’s a lot going on at the moment.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with another picture from the visit to the HS2 tunnel site at Bromford, which might appeal to construction geeks.

What is it you might ask? Well, it’s a mobile shuttering system. This is used as formwork to allow the baffles around the rail tracks that will mask and dissipate the piston-effect and noise from the high speed trains as they exit the tunnel. It runs on rails so can be moved along once it’s cast a section of the baffle. Clever, eh?

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Going underground…

28 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Birmingham, Hs2, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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04:30.

Another day with a silly o’ clock start so that I can get to Birmingham in time to join a press trip. Today I’ll be mostly running on coffee! The first precious cup is by the side of my desk as I type this. I’m all packed and ready to head off to catch the first train of the day (literally) as I’ll be on the 05:45 from Halifax to Manchester, which is the days opening service through the Calder valley. A quick check on ‘Real Times Trains’ whilst I’m sipping coffee tells me that the service is running and is made up of a pair of Class 195/0’s so at least the first leg will be comfortable. The 2nd leg is shown as a 4-car Voyager, so maybe not so much! Feel free to see how the day pans out as I’ll be sharing words and pictures from my visit to one of the latest HS2 tunnels – and more…

05:40.

This mornings stroll to the station as rather pleasant. Mild weather and no wind mad for a very still trip. Te ony other creatures stirring were cats. I passed several that were making their morning rounds. Just before I arrive at the station the ran started although it wasn’t heavy enough to dampen me or my spirits. Now I’m sat on a deserted platform, listening to the classical music that’s piped over the tannoy this time of day.

By the time the train arrived there were six souls waiting to be carried Westwards  joining the handful already aboard.

195023 leads the 05:45…

06:10.

We’ve crossed the Pennines and called at Littleborough, where several people were waiting. For once, traversing the hills hasn’t made the slightest difference to the weather. It’s wet and miserable both sides!

06:15.

As usual, there was plenty of trade for this train at Rochdale. Several dozen people were huddled under the canopy or umbrellas awaiting our arrival. This car’s now half-full. Not bad for the time of day.

07:15.

My arrival into Manchester coincided with a cessation of the rain that had followed me all the way from Halifax, making my amble across the city much more pleasant. Dawn was breaking along with signs that the heavy grey clouds would clear, leaving behind a rather nice day.

Despite the time of day, Manchester Piccadilly was buzzing, with queues at all the coffee shops. I’d plenty of time and managed to grab a Pret coffee without stressing. My next train sat in platform 6 with passengers already gathered, waiting for the doors to be released. I was surprised to see just how busy the departing Pendolino in the opposite platform was, showing why this is a 20 minute frequency service.

I’ve taken up residence in the front car of 220002. After picking up passengers at Stockport it’s over half full already. I expect it’ll be packed by the time we get to Birmingham, so I’m going to make the most of the space whilst I have it.

08:55.

So far so good. I made it to Birmingham on time and connected with the 08:52 to Leicester which is running a couple of minutes late. This was the train I couldn’t afford to miss as it’s the only one that stops at Water Orton for the next two hours!

10:45.

We’re all on site and getting site safety briefings and background on the work going on here. It’s a massive site with a lot going on. This is the location of the headhouse which is the halfway point of the tunnel.

For those who’re wondering, adits are the cross passages between the two HS2 tunnel bores.

16:00.

I’m back! It’s been a busy day.The site visit took much longer than expected due to the number present and the fact the national media and local MP (Liam Byrne) attended. Here’s the first few pictures. I’ll add captions later.

One of the Tunnel Boring Machine service vehicles loaded with a full ring of tunnel lining segments.
Looking along the Bromford box towards the delta junction.
Inside one of the tunnels. This is the bore that the new machine ‘Mary Ann’ has reached the half-way mark on.

17:45.

Homeward bound. Having left Birmingham to travel via Derby and Sheffield I’m now on the leg to Leeds aboard another Cross-Country Voyager. At least on this one I’ve managed to get a seat. The trip from Brum to Derby was standing room only. The irony is not lost on me that this journey replicates HS2 phase 2B to Leeds, the section cancelled by that lying, unkempt bag of custard, Boris Johnson. Now (for who knows how long) this is as good as it gets. Whilst the rest of the world builds their high speed networks, we’re masters of dither and delay…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

27th August picture of the day…

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Hs2, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways

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Bank holiday over it’s back to the grindstone, although I have to admit I’ve not been feeling that energised today. Perhaps it’s the weather, which has remained miserable. Summer was all too brief. It seems to have consisted of a few days whilst I was away on my rover – and that was it. Today’s best described as dismal. That mixture of low light and scattered showers where you really can’t plan much – especially in this part of the world where national forecasts fall foul of local conditions.

Still, I’ve managed to get some stuff done – including getting my daily exercise, household chores and writing a few words, plus preparing for tomorrows trip to the West Midlands, although that’s going to be an exercise in itself. I have to be East of Birmingham by 09:00, which is a bit of a stretch from Halifax. It means I’ll be on the first train of the day at 05:45. That should be fun…

As I’ve got to be up at sparrow-fart I’ll bid you adieu. Expect a rolling blog tomorrow and ‘behind the scenes’ pictures from a visit to an HS2 construction site, plus all the usual travails getting to and from anywhere on the national rail network. Never let it be said that I gloss over the realities.

In the meantime, here’s today’s picture. I won’t have chance to re-acquaint myself with this particular Tunnel Boring Machine (seen here in 2022) but I will be seeing what it’s up to – and how far it’s got.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

25th August picture(s) of the day…

25 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Weather, West Yorkshire

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In true bank holiday style the weather here in West Yorkshire has been a bit crap. You’d think it was the spring bank, not August holiday – although to be fair, it’s not been as wet as the forecast predicted.

Not that it mattered much this morning as we had a lazy day here at Bigland towers, enjoying copious cups of coffee whilst we relaxed and decided what to do. There was no point in venturing far so we opted for a local stroll around woods and parks before picking up some food shopping. Supermarkets on a Sunday are quite bizarre. Because they shut at 4PM there’s always a frantic rush of people, as if they’ve not already had 6 days of the week to plan their shopping and someone’s suddenly declared Monday’s going to be the start of the Zombie apocalypse, so they need to stock up.

We picked up the few bits we needed, which was more as an excuse to get out than anything else. A quick pitstop was made at the Big 6, where the 72 pint barrel of Thornbridge Jaipur that went on last night had already been supped, only to be replaced with another ale with a kick. Roosters “Blame It On The Tetons” IPA which comes in at a healthy 6.3%! As befits a Sunday, the pub was busy, but not overly so, with a mix of regulars and people on holiday who’d heard of its attractions and ambience. Another of the changed beers on offer was this, with a delightfully daft name and pump clip.

Strolling home we took the long way round through Savile Park and Manor Heath park, where we were surprised to see a number of trees that had really suffered in the gales. One especially, which had almost been split asunder. It was part of a small group which provided shelter for a number of park benches. Thankfully, no-one was around at the time, otherwise there would have been casualties.

Now we’re back at home, relaxing and watching the grey skies close in across the valley. Whilst I’ve been pottering around catching up an a few bits Dawn’s been busy in the kitchen where she’s come up with this soul food. Home-made meat and potato pie with mushy peas and gravy. Ideal for weather like this…

Will we venture further afield tomorrow? That depends on the weather Gods…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

A walk around the Langsett reservoir.

24 Saturday Aug 2024

Posted by in Food and drink, Photography, Pubs, Travel, Walking, Yorkshire

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Today we decided to eschew our usual walking locations around West Yorkshire for a change of scenery by venturing further (but not too far) afield. The recent gales had smashed some plant pots in the garden and to replace them like for like we had to visit a garden centre near Holmfirth, so as we were in that neck of the woods we chose the nearby Langsett reservoir as a suitable place for a stroll. It’s surrounded by pine woods and has a pub and cafe in the village nearby, so all the right boxes were ticked.

It was a walk we really enjoyed because of the contrasts. Here’s how it looks on Ordnance Survey maps.

Having left the car in the (free) Yorkshire Water carpark we headed West along the woods at Langsett bank on the North side of the reservoir. There’s some impressive pine trees along the path. Mere striplings they ain’t!

At the far end we crossed over an attractive stone arch bridge then explored a short distance along the little Don river which feeds the reservoir. I spotted these interesting rock formations along its banks.

Rock sandwich anyone?

Doubling back on ourselves to the bridge we then began the climb along the South side up onto the moors at Hingcliff common which offer great views across the area. The heather’s in flower at the moment, which adds extra colour to the scene.

The rest of the walk took us along well defined paths back down to the reservoir and through the woods which border the Southern side as far as the dam itself. These allow access to the water’s edge, where we were surprised to see just how low the water levels were. Considering we’ve had such a wet Spring and Summer we were at a loss to understand why water levels were so low.

Looking back to Langsett (on the left side of the dam) and the dam itself.

Back in the village we stopped off for a well-earned drink at the local pub, the grade 2 listed Waggon and Horses, which dates from 1828. The pub serves real ales (Abbeydale Moonshine and Timothy Taylors Boltmaker were on today) as well as food and it also has a beer garden which partly overlook the reservoir. The size of the pub’s deceptive, as it’s a lot larger on the inside than it first appears, having several rooms. It also offers accommodation.

We certainly enjoyed the change of scenery and we were lucky with the weather, which has been unpredictable to say the least. Tomorrow we’re expecting traditional bank-holiday conditions. Rain!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

22nd August picture(s) of the day…

22 Thursday Aug 2024

Posted by in Hs2, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, West Yorkshire

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It’s been a funny old day here in West Yorkshire, mostly because the weather’s been anything but summery. Temperatures are low whilst overnight we had gales that have shredded the nearby trees, leaving roads, pavement and gardens littered with succulent (but dying) leaves and small branches. The winds have abated somewhat, but rain’s appeared on their coat-tails, making the day feel more like October than August. To be honest, apart from the first few days when I was touring the UK on my RAIL rover we’ve had a miserable summer – especially up here in the Pennines. Depending on which forecaster’s you listen to – things are meant to improve in September, but I’m not going to hold my breath especially as the next thing we have to look forward to is storm ‘Lillian’, which is due to batter much of this neck of the woods tomorrow.

Whilst the weather’s frustrating, I’ve plenty to keep me occupied working from home. Today’s been spent sorting out pictures for my website and magazines as well as writing for a living. Here’s a few links to new pictures, listed by gallery – either train company or subject.

Transport for Wales

Chiltern railways

Avanti West Coast

West Midlands trains

London Underground

High Speed 2

As the weather’s meant to be crap from the early hours on Friday another day working from home is in prospect. I’ve thousands of words to write so there’s plenty to do, although I hope to get out in the evening to join friends at our local pub for the Friday quiz. I’ve not been able to make it for several weeks, so it would be great to enjoy fine beers and company.

The weekend’s going to see the pair of us busy around Bigland Towers on various projects both domestic and DIY – although if the weather does pick up we may be able to enjoy a stroll somewhere, sometime. Then there’s the bank holiday…

The week after’s going to see me back on my work travels. I’ve another HS2 press visit arranged, this time to a location I’ve not visited before. More on that when it happens. Plus, I’ve several days work in the Manchester area to fit in – weather permitting.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is from my local. We don’t just enjoy regional Yorkshire ales up here.

One of the delights of my local (The Big 6) is the ever-changing real ales. There’s always something different to try, often from breweries you’ve never encountered before. Right now there’s two from the Three Acre brewery which is based in Uckfield, Sussex.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. HS2ing and froing…

20 Tuesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Hs2, London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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09:30.

Another day, another adventure!

I’m currently en-route from Marylebone to the Chilterns to vist a couple of HS2 railway construction sites after a convivial night in London where I joined in the celebrations for an old friend’s daughter’s birthday.

Both of us had to be up early this morning as Hassard had a meeting in Birmingham and me an appointment in Bucks. Getting across Lond was made slightly more difficult (for Hassard especially) as the Victoria line had suffered a ‘one under’ earlier. We ended up parting company at Waterloo where I caught one of the capitals oldest tube trains (Bakerloo line) to Marylebone. It wasn’t a bad journey as at that time of day I was swimming against the tide.

The Bakerloo line is fine – when you’re heading in the opposite direction to everyone else!
Marylebone with one of a pair of Class 68s that have brought morning commuters into the capital.

I’m ahead of time, so I’ll be able to get a couple more shots of Chiltern line services before I meet up with the small gang of press people for today’s visit. I’ll blog throughout the day as and when I can, because the plan is to get a lift with a friend and colleague on the return so that we can stop off at another couple of locations en-route. Stay tuned…

10:15.

A quick teaser shot. Here’s how the HS2 trace West of Wendover looks now.

17:00.

I’m back!

Sorry I’ve not had chance to blog before now but we’ve been rather busy climbing up and down stairs and admiring the HS2 viaducts South of Wendover. We visited both the Small Dean and Wendover Dean viaducts which are in various stages of construction – as you’ll see from the pictures I’ll be uploading shortly.

After our visit Chris Howe and I drove up to Calvert to see progress and East-West rail and HS2 before heading off to Winslow, where we took some pictures of the new EWR station, which is complete and waiting the start of passenger services

Chris dropped me off at Banbury, where I caught a Cross-Country service heading for Birmingham. Now I have some time to download pictures and begin blogging again, so expect more updates shortly. The weather’s been kind so there’s plenty of pictures to show you.

The steel structure of the Small Dean viaduct is being assembled on site. It will be pushed out over the supporting piers next February.
The Southern pier of the Small Dean viaduct under construction.
Looking South along the course of the Small Dean viaduct. In the picture are the Chiltern railway to Aylesbury with the A413 beyond
The Wendover Dean viaduct bridge push is complete. Here’s the view looking North.
Winslow station. Just waiting for services to start…

19:00.

I’m well on the way home now. Having changed trains at Birmingham New St I swapped a Voyager for an Edinburgh bound Pendolino which will carry me to Warrington Bank Quay. The train’s very busy in the booked coaches but unreserved coach U only has a handful of travellers. I’ve grabbed a table bay, set up the mobile office and managed to upload some pictures from today’s adventures for your delectation. I’ve had to use my phone data connection as the onboard wifi isn’t up to the job. Any job!

19:18.

The curse has struck again, and we were doing so well! My train is currently stuck in Crewe station for some unknown reason. We were due to leave at 19:09 but it sounds like there’s a failed train ahead of us, so we’re being kept in the station. Ho hum…

20:45.

Plan B. I abandoned the idea of connecting with a Halifax train at Warrington as getting off at Crewe seemed like a better idea than tempting fate on the tow track main line towards Weaver Junction. A look through my options suggested that heading for Manchester would be a better bet. I’d opted to catch Avanti’s 20:10 to Piccadilly but even that’s running 15 down. Still, I’m on the move again and heading in the right direction! When will I get home? Who knows!

My enforced sojourn at Crewe wasn’t entirely wasted as the place was full of trains new and old. Avanti had a number of their Class 805s hanging around – either on services or training, so that was useful. West Midlands were the same with some of their new Class 730s. It’s allowed me to get a few extra pictures in the library anyway.

This Avanti service is much busier than the Edinburgh train I abandoned, but it does have one advantage. The wifi’s working. That said, it’s swings and roundabouts. On the last Pendolino the sockets were working but the wifi wasn’t. On this set that position’s reversed!

21:45.

The last leg…

Having hot foot it across a rainy Manchester and having just missed a train by a couple of minutes I’m now on Northern’s 21:36 to Leeds which will take me home to Sowerby Bridge. Worked by a 3-car Class 158 it’s hardly the busiest of trains this time of the week, but It’ll do me! Dawn’s offered to pick me up from the station so I don’t have to make the final slog uphill by foot. I’ve walked just under 10 miles today so I’m happy to bank that and get home without receiving a soaking.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. On the move again…

19 Monday Aug 2024

Posted by in London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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13:00.

Having enjoyed more of a home life of late I’m back on the rails again. Today I’m on a ‘positioning move’. Heading to London for an overnight stay in readiness for an HS2 construction site visit tomorrow. Right now I’m heading to Manchester aboard a Northern service bound for Chester formed of a 2-car class 195. This should have been a 4-car. A chat with the Conductor elucidated the information that there *should* be a set swap for a 4-car car at Manchester Victoria as this train’s normally a busy service – as it is today.

Cosy!

I’ll be working on the trains down to London but will update this blog as and when I can, so stay tuned…

14:30.

Well, it’s progress…

After getting wet walking across a grey and drizzly Manchester I found things weren’t running smoothly on the West Coast Main Line due to a points failure somewhere. Avanti West Coast services were either running late or cancelled. The 13:35 to Euston was late in and didn’t leave until 14:07. The next service (the 13:55 departure) was cancelled. I decided to leap ahead slightly by catching Cross-Country’s 14:03 departure towards Bristol as far as Stafford. That way I have other options.

Manchester Piccadilly is suffering a lack of capacity anyway as two platforms at a time are being taken out of service to allow roof repairs to be undertaken. Right now it’s platforms 3 and 4.

I’ve looked at the National Rail Enquiries website, which tells me the points failure was at Willesden Junction in North London. However, overhead line damage at Stafford has added to the problems. Oh, if only we had modern infrastructure like HS2. Oh, wait – the Tories cancelled it…

16:10.

The Stafford idea turned out to be a good one – ish.

Following not too far behind was meant to be the 15:14 Avanti service to Euston, which was formed from a pair of the company’s new Class 805s. Only it was 25 minutes late leaving Crewe where the 2nd set was attached. We’re now 28 minutes late speeding South, but at least we’re non-stop to London.

This is my second time on an 805 and the first where I’ve managed to get a seat. I’m in the front set and there’s plenty of free seats so I’ve managed to blag a table bay and set up the mobile office. Having the camera on the table attracted attention (as it often does) so I ended up in a conversation with a young woman who’s a photography student. As I often do, I let her have a play with the Z9. People are frightened to drop it, so what I say is ‘it’s fine, just put the strap around your neck so that you can’t’.

The mobile office…

16:50.

A few minutes ago we passed the wonderfully named ‘Cow Roast’, South of Tring. The weathr down here in the South isn’t much better than up North, although I’m sure the outside temperature will be a few degrees warmer. My trip on this 805 hasn’t been bad. The ride’s good, the table facilities are very good (plenty of sockets, USB ports and passive phone chargers) but the PIS system is up the spout. The outside screens say ‘this train is not in service’ and the internal LEDs proclaim ‘reservations are currently unavailable’. Not dissimilar to my first trip on one of these units.

Having used the toilet I noticed the age-old problem. We can get men on the moon but we still can’t design train toilet paper dispensers that don’t turn the paper into confetti…

Plus ca change…

22:30.

Time to bring this blog to an end. I’ve had a lovely evening here in London out with a very old friend and his family, celebrating his daughter’s 15th birthday at a local Italian here in Clapham. But tomorrow’s another day…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312