Monthly Archives: September 2024

Rolling blog. Coventry connection…

20 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Community Rail Network, Coventry, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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05:00.

Oh, God, is that really the time? Yep, I’m up and about, packing my kit to head off to Coventry for a job with Community Rail Network. I’ll explain more (with some pictures) later. But first I’ve got to get there and that involves another trip on a 4-car Cross-Country Voyager from Leeds. Deep joy. What conditions will I face this time? But first I have to catch the 06:16 from Halifax…

06:16.

We’re off. The streets of Halifax were deserted this time of morning apart from a handful of early-bird tradesmen waiting for lifts t2o work. Light drizzle arrived half way through my trip but it was so half-hearted it did little other than add starbursts to my glasses.

I had an anxious moment when I arrived at the station to see a cancelled train near the stop of the screen but it was the first Rochdale service, not mine. I’d only just made it down the stairs when a 3-car 158 pulled in. The 06:16 starts here, working the first train of the day to Hull. Now I’m making the most of a coach shared with just 4 other passengers.

One down, two more to go…

06:40.

A delay with the crew changing ends at Bradford Interchange (where the service reverses) has left us running 4 minutes late. It cuts into my connection time at Leeds, but as long as we don’t lose more time I’ll still make the 07:11 to Birmingham. Fingers crossed…

06:52.

Having stopped at New Pudsey and Bramley this train’s really filled up. We’ve also lost another minute. Judging by how gingerly our driver approached the stop at Bramley I get the impression railhead conditions aren’t great. Still, next stop’s Leeds and we’re due in at the same platform (11) that my connection departs from. Let’s hope we get a clear run into the station…

07:30.

Well, I made my connection at Leeds, but there was fun and games at the station. LNER’s 07:08 to Aberdeen was cancelled but blocking a platform, so several trains were delayed as a result, including mine. When it did arrive it was already busy and dozens of people were waiting to board. When I got on I found every unoccupied seat was reserved! I was trapped by folks criwding in the car from either end so there was no oltion but to take what was on offer – an aisle seat reserved from Sheffield.

Putting out four-car sets like this is crazy. This service is going all the way to Plymouth. The other crazy thing? When I was at Derby works yesterday I saw six perfectly serviceable 5 car Voyagers that had come off-lease from Avanti West Coast which were in ‘warm store’. Why are they not cascaded to Cross-Country, the way three of their sisters have? Because of the Dept of Transport, that’s why. They won’t agree to it.

08:40.

Oh well, it was good whilst it lasted. My seat was taken at Sheffield, now I’m reduced to standing in the large luggage/bike area that used to be the shop on Virgin Voyagers. I did try ‘doing a Jeremy Corbyn’ by sitting down in a vestibule but there was a howling gale through the bottom of the exterior door. Only another 30 mins of this to go…

10:55.

Swapping services at New St I managed to get a seat on a Pendolino, even if it was for only 20 minutes!

Now I’m at Coventry, ready for the main event. It’s being held in a community room om the station that I realised is the old Virgin Trains 1st Class waiting room. Ironic. I was commissioned to take photographs of it when it first opened 20 years ago!

13:10.

Here’s a couple of pictures from today’s event hosted by Heart of England CRP and attended by the local MP, Mary Creagh and people from Rail Delivery Group, DfT and the community groups involved in projects on the station, including artwork in the new station building. I’ll add more details later.

Mary Creagh MP (in the orange jacket) talking to volunteers and others at Coventry station.
Having a laugh with one of the artists who worked on the paintings displayed in the new buildings at Coventry station.

15:35.

I’m on my way back via the ‘scenic’ route. Having got fed up of standing on Cross-county Voyagers I saw a train heading for Nuneaton so thought ‘I know, I’ll go by the Trent Valley. It’ll be slower but less busy’. Well, the first part of the plan worked. The 2-car Class 196 I caught had seats aplenty. Then I arrived at Nuneaton. The first Northbound Pendolino was rammed so I deciided to get the North-Western trains service to Crewe following behind it. Bad move. That was just as busy, but the clientele are (how shall I put it) more ‘budget travellers’. It’s all rather sad.

I walked the full length of the train, but it didn’t get any better apart from the fact I managed to find a seat. Sadly, it was behind a father and daughter (both pissed) talking about their life of crime going back to when she was 12 and he had the kids shoplifting for him – like some modern day Fagin.

16:25.

To say I was glad to leave that particular train at Crewe is an understatement! It being Friday the usual chaos and kate running ensues, meaning I couldn’t resist joining a former West Midlands Class 323 working to Manchester via the Airport. It’s blissfully quiet and ‘chav’ free.

21:45.

I’m home via the long way round via Huddersfield, so it’s time to call it a day. I’ve got to be up at silly o’clock again tomorrow to head over to Manchester on final time on this commission – and hopefully catch a rather erratic train. All will be revealed tomorrow.

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. Derby developments…

19 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Alstom, Derbyshire, Photography, Railways, Travel

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08:45

I’m heading East then South for a change. Right now I’m preparing to head out and catch a train to Leeds before heading down to Derby for a media event at Alstom’s Derby works. I’ll talk more about that later. it should certainly be an interesting day. But first I’ve got to get there. Let’s see how that goes…

09:55.

Having walked to Halifax on a gloomy and rather chilly morning I’m aboard my first train of the day, Northern’s 09:54 to York. As usual, it’s a well-used train.

11:15.

Well, this is ‘fun’. I’m on Cross-Country’s 11:11 to Plymouth, which is a single 4-car Voyager, and it’s absolutely packed! I’m stood in the leading car along with five others and another six in the vestibule by the disabled toilet.

The reality of Cross-Country rail travel in 2024. This is as good as it gets for the forseeable future now that HS2 to Leeds has been cancelled.

So much for being able to do some work on the train…

16:55.

I’m back! Sorry for the delay but it’s been a busy day as I ended up getting roped into a few things. I’m quickly adding a few pictures now using non-train wifi. I’ll add details from the train on the way home. So, here’s ‘Dreamsuite’.

I don’t have the opportunity to write about this fully as I’m aboard a train on the way home, so here’s details lifted straight from their press release.

“Future Travel Studio proudly announces the launch of DreamSuite™, an innovative seating solution inspired by the luxury of aviation flatbeds, now adapted for train travel. This revolutionary product is designed to offer an affordable yet comfortable solution for sleeper and long-distance rail passengers. It has been unveiled today at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets.

Backed by Innovate UK’s First of a Kind (FOAK) 2023 funding, DreamSuite™ has been developed with sustainability in mind, aligning with the rail industry’s push toward greener, more environmentally friendly transport solutions.

As the demand for sleeper trains continues to rise across the UK and Europe, DreamSuite™ provides a response that not only enhances comfort but also encourages a shift toward eco-conscious travel, helping the rail industry meet its climate and sustainability goals.

One of the key challenges in developing sleeper trains is the lengthy and complex process, which requires specialised rolling stock and is typically limited to night-time services. DreamSuite™ overcomes this by introducing aviation-style flatbed seating, allowing operators to use existing rolling stock and provide more operational flexibility. This not only reduces operational costs but also opens up new possibilities for daytime services, without compromising on passenger comfort.

By delivering an experience that rivals traditional sleeper trains, DreamSuite™ ensures that passengers can enjoy premium comfort without feeling like the quality has been compromised”. It’s certainly an interesting idea and the people behind it have the experience to deliver it.

Speakers at the event included Jeremy Hotchkiss from the DfT.

Afterwards, a trio of us were given a private tour of the works. Here’s a Greater Anglia Class 730 which is in for modification work.

Behind all the HVAC systems I spy something built for services out of Euston.
The 2nd built class 701 is kept at Derby. It’s used as test-bed for various modifications like software updates. When the programme is completed it’ll be put back through the works for all the modifications to be applied before it gets to enter service. I was given the opportunity to drive it.

Having been roped in to supplying pictures I ended up staying longer in Derby than expected. Purely by chance I ended up being there in time to take part in Alistair Morley’s leaving do. Alistair, who worked for EMT and EMR has been a stalwart of the community rail movement for over 20 years.

What could be more appropriate than posing the group with Alistair (far right) under an old station sign from one of the routes he looked after for so many years?

23:00.

Right, goodnight folks. I’m now back at home but It’s another early start tomorrow as I’m working in Coventry. Expect another (hopefully less busy) rolling blog then.

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

18th September picture of the day…

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in Greater Manchester, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Travel

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No travelling for me today – unless you count walking around the local woods and parks to get my daily exercise in. Instead, I’ve been busy editing all the pictures I took yesterday, along with others from the past week. It’s a time-consuming operation to get them ready for clients, plus there’s captioning the ones for my own website, although some of those are going to have to wait as I’ve a lot on at the moment with jobs on every day for the next several days, including through the weekend.

I’d hoped to have been in Germany next week for the massive bi-annual Innotrans rail trade fair, but it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to make it as other things have come up that are more important. Life has a habit of coming at you all at once, making plans difficult.

In the meantime, there’s going to be plenty of trips to write about, starting with a little jaunt to Derby tomorrow, but more of that after it’s happened. In the meantime, here’s a picture from yesterday that I didn’t have time to publish. It’s from Strines, a village on the railway from Manchester to Sheffield via New Mills. I’d never visited the place before for the simple reason that there’s not really anything there to see. But I did find this. It’s an old millpond with a Dovecote in the middle of it, a useful base for a Heron which can be seen fishing from it.

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. Manchester reprise…

17 Tuesday Sep 2024

Posted by in Greater Manchester, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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07:30.

Not the most auspicious start to the day. Having got up at 06:00 I’m meant to be spending another day trawling the stations in SE Manchester but my hourly train from Halifax to Huddersfield has been cancelled. The Calder Valley’s cut off from direct travel West at the moment due to the rail bridge over the M62 at Castleton being renewed, which means getting to the Manchester involves a bus from Rochdale, or taking the alternative route via the Colne valley (which was my intention). Now I’m going to be taking the ‘scenic route’ via Sowerby Bridge and Mirfield for a later than hoped for start. Ho hum…

Let’s see how the rest of the day unfolds. At least the weather’s good.

08:30.

Better late than never! I’m now en-route to Mirfield aboard the 08:22 from Sowerby Bridge. I’m not the only one either. Dozens of of other folk were waiting for this four car train.

09:55.

Finally, I’m heading in the right direction, having caught a TPE service from Mirfield bound for Manchester. I’ve been observing TRU work on the way. Most changes are marginal but one thing I did notice was a single line spur into the massive TRU compound on the site of the old Huddersfield locomotive depot at Hillhouse. It’s not connected to the mainline yet, but I suspect that will happen soon.

Today’s a gorgeous day for traversing the Colne valley. Part of me wishes I was lineside somewhere, but I’m sure I’ll have fun whatever. Besides, sunshine’s good for the soul.

11:30.

1st station ticked off. One very few will have visited as it’s Manchester’s least used.  Can you guess what it’s called?

Now, after a brisk walk to the next (far busier) station along the line I’m on my way to another hard to reach station – but that’s because the lines closed due to a landslip, leaving this place marooned.

12:00.

And now for the dreaded rail replacement bus service. Although – to be honest, it’s better than a class 150…

14:00.

Well, that was fun! Strines is a place I’ve never explored before and I got to see more than expected as the replacement bus goes nowhere near the station!

As can be seen from the rusting and weed-strewn tracks, there’s been little rail activity at Strines for some time.

The reason the line’s closed (landslip) can be seen in the distance from the Southern ends of the platforms. RRVs mark the site. Having got the pictures I needed I had a choice. Wait 50 mins for the next bus or walk the 2 miles back. As there’s nothing in Strines walking won – and I still made it back to Marple before the bus had reached Strines!

Now, having changed trains at Romiley I’m  on my way to Guide Bridge…

15:40.

The day’s ticking on and the station’s are being ticked off. Now I’ve time for a slight diversion at Broadbottom on the former Woodhead route. A stone’s throw from the station is the Green Mill brewery tap at the the Harewood Arms ale house. It’s a lovely multi-room pub with a great selection of cask and bottled beers – and railway memorabilia. Plus, a model railway above the bar!

Notice the loco builders plate fixed to the left of the bar. It’s off one of the old Woodhead class 76 locomotives, in this case 76026. There’s a page dedicated to the locos on the right hand side of the bar.

18:20.

What a stunning evening! We’ve had wall to wall sunshine across Manchester. I’m not going to complain but it has given me a few challenges. It’s not always what you want from a photographic perspective due to heavy contrasts. But from a personal perspective I’ve loved soaking up all that vitamin D! Here’s another lovely station building I visited. Newton for Hyde.

If it wasn’t for the harsh sunlight you might be able to make out the intertwined letter MSLR in the chimney breast to the left. The one on the right of the building carries the date – 1888.

I’ve abandoned Manchester having shot pictures at every station I need (bar 1) but there’s a story attached there. Right now I’m having a quick pint in an old railway institution before making my way back to West Yorkshire. Some of you may recognise it.

19:55.

The last leg..

Having traversed the Pennines once more I’m now aboard typical transport – a class 150 wheezing its way from Huddersfield to Halifax. It’s empty apart from me and a few youngsters who’ve obviously come from the college. Or is it a University nowadays? Not that it matters to me either way, it just provides a lot of traffic for the railway.

150215 waiting for the crew to return from their break before working another shuttle to Bradford Interchange.

The sunshine’s given way to dark as the nights are really drawing in. Every cloud has a silver lining as we’ve been treated to some great sunsets as a consequence – although I could do with Asia sunset temperatures, not the bloody far North!

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

15th September picture(s) of the day…

15 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Railways, West Yorkshire

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We’ve had a home-based day today here at Bigland Towers, partly due to the weather (it’s rained most of the day until the evening) but partly because we’ve both had stuff to do. Whilst I’ve been kept occupied picture editing and type-swiping upstairs Dawn’s been busy downstairs exercising both her body and her cooking skills!

So, here’s pictures from both our activities.

Hello stranger! Class 195s are rare visitors to Huddersfield but because of the Calder valley line being closed whilst the railway bridge over the M62 at Castleton’s being replaced, the units are finding gainful employment on other routes. Here’s 195007 at Huddersfield on Friday, before working 2W24, the 1835 to Leeds.
Meanwhile, here’s one of the three dishes Dawn’s prepares today. Gluten-free apple pie. What a shame this photo’s not ‘scratch and sniff’!

Oh, whilst I’m on the theme of food and drink, here’s a rather special collaborative offering the was available in my local pub tonight.

A collaboration between Phoenix brewery in Heywood and Riverhead in Marsden this strong (6%) ale is apparently based on the famous ‘Wobbly Bob’. It’s a limited edition, so if you find it – enjoy!

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

14th September picture of the day…

14 Saturday Sep 2024

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

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We’ve had a home-based day here at Bigland Towers. Mainly because of unpredictable weather and too much to do – so it’s sometimes nice to refocus occasionally. Instead of scurrying around the country (don’t worry, there’s lots of that to come) the pair of us have been homebirds. Dawn’s been happy to potter around the house whilst I’ve been making the most of the good weather to finish a project on the cottage. Well, outside the cottage anyway. We have a cobbled entry that runs along the back of the row of cottages we live in. Picturesque it may be (when its not adorned with washing lines) but the problem is the cobbles soon get weed-strewn and slippery in winter. This summer I decided to fix that so I’ve been busy cementing in between said cobbles to prevent the weeds taking hold and give me a break from endless weeding. It’s taken a while due to the weather, but I managed to finish the work today. Now my OCD kicks in as I spend the next few weeks cleaning off the slightest excess mortar from the cobbles with stiff brushes!

Job done the two of us headed out on a food shopping spree. The freezer has been run-down somewhat this past week or so, which warrants a cooking spree. The weather here in the Calder Valley’s predicted to be wet tomorrow, so whilst I’m busy type-swiping and picture editing for a living Dee will be cooking up a (vegetarian) storm. I’ll be barred from the kitchen whilst she does (except to muck in doing the washing up) but I have my own recipes planned for weekdays.

No doubt there’ll be plenty of food pictures to post soon. In the meantime. I’ll leave you with today’s, which was taken on my walk home down the hill from my evening constitutional and quick visit to our local pub.

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. Weather-wise…

13 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Greater Manchester, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, Travel

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09:30.

Make hay whilst the sun shines is the old saying. Only in my case it’s make pictures! After yesterday’s climatic shenanigans we’ve a warm(ish) but sunny day, so I’m off to Manchester once more. Today’s trip is complicated by the fact the railway is severed at Castleton, where the bridge over the M62 is being replaced. This means I’m taking the scenic route. Right now I’m waiting for a train from Sowerby Bridge to Mirfield where I can pick up a Trans-Pennine service through the Colne Valley to Manchester Piccadilly. Let’s see how the day goes…

10:00.

The diversion was painless, and actually – rather useful as it gave me chance to check on TRU progress. I had less than 10 mins at Mirfield but that gave me time to document progres on the new island platform and  other work, which includes an extention to platform 3 in order to move the entrance to it, plus new vistas opened up by vegetation clearence.

The view from platform 3 looking across to the island and the new platform 2 face. It seems a string of rails are in place just waiting for the sleepers to arrive before the new platform track is laid.
An extension to the extension on the East end of platform 3.

Passing Deighton station I could see I need to pay another visit. The cutting has been widened with a lot of muck moved to accommodate a realigned slow line track – a short section of which has already been laid and ballasted.

12:00.

That’s two more stations of the list, one of which is the delightful Woodsmoor near Stockport. The station friends do an excellent job looking after it with planting and artwork. Plus, I do like a good local history board.

A local service to Hazel Grove calls at Woodsmoor.

Now for my next challenge. A station with no trains today…

14:00.

Three more stations down, including Reddish South which only sees one return train a week (Saturdays).

All dressed up with no trains to go…

A surprise for me was Brinnington, where the ticket office doubles as a charity shop.  The walk from Heaton Chapel through Reddish to Reddish North was fascinating and depressing in equal measure with some excellent examples of community spirit but government indifference or downright destruction. I’ll add more pictures later. Right now I’m heading back into Manchester Piccadilly on a positioning move.

16:00.

Things started to go wrong at Piccadilly. Several services on lines I was intending to use were cancelled due to staff shortages. Main line trains were getting disrupted too so it was time for plan B. A cheeky loco-hauled (or rather – pushed) train to Stockport saw me ready to head down the Buston line.

Bizarrely, Stockport had an entire platform out of commission due to staff shortages. Platform 0, but as that’s isolated from the rest of the station you kinda see why.

Right now I’m having a swift pint outside a pub called the Royal Oak in the nearby village of High Lane, just 15 minutes walk along the Middlewood Way (a cycle route on the abandoned railway from Macclesfield to Marple) from the station of the same name. The train service is two-hourly, so a walk to a nearby hostelry made sense as there’s bugger-all by the station!

17:40.

Time to call it a day and head home. I’ve ticked off some of the most difficult stations access-wise. Now I’m heading home via Huddersfield. I’ll add some camera pictures later.

Right now I’m on a rammed 17:30 all-stations to Leeds worked by a 3-car Class 185. I’ve made someone turf their bag off a seat so that I can sit down and free up more standing room in the vestibule. Some people are far too polite and let folk seat-hog.

20:50.

I’m home after a really interesting day. I said I’d add a few more pictures, so here they are.

Artwork (and a statement) on Woodsmoor station.
South Reddish station only sees passenger trains (one return trip from Stalybridge to Stockport) on a Saturday morning, but it’s still an important freight link. Here’s Freightliner’s 66604 passing through on a light-engine move from Leeds to Crewe.
The station building at Brinnington isn’t just a ticket office. It’s also a local history picture gallery and home to Brinnington Station Swap Shop – a community hub where people can leave unwanted items and take items they need all free of charge.
Middlewood station looking towards Buxton. The bridge carries the Middlewood way, a footpath/cycle route along the old railway from Macclesfield to Marple.
A scene that’s becoming rare on the railways nowadays. A train from Buxton passes the Distant signal outside Middlewood. Fewer and fewer of these signals (especially working ones) survive. This one protects Norbury Hollow level crossing further up the line.

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

12th September picture(s) of the day…

12 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, Pubs, Railways, Travel, West Yorkshire

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Bloody hell, who turned the temperature down! Today’s felt more like October than September. This morning we woke up to temperatures in low single figures. I guess an Indian summer’s out of the question then? To top it all we’ve had weather conditions that have veered from the sublime to the bleeding ridiculous!

Much of my day has been spent type-swiping for a living, writing the second part of my round Britain odyssey for RAIL magazine, so the weather was moot. I was tucked up in the warm and dry here at Bigland Towers. It was only when I ventured out for my daily constitutional that I realised the weather forecast was about as accurate and reliable as Donald Trump. I’d not bothered taking an umbrella with me – which was a big mistake as these are the sort of weather conditions I encountered atop the valley.

This afternoon Dawn had an appointment over in Marsden in the Colne valley so I went with her, riding shotgun and taking the opportunity to get a few shots around the station.

Marsden station when an afternoon Manchester – York service calls…

That job done I popped into the revamped Riverhead brewery Tap for a pint whilst waiting.

Afterwards we spent the evening at Dawns parents where we prepared fish in vermouth* along with a vegetable medley. Simple (ish) but very tasty. Now the pair of us are back home. Bugger waiting until October – the heating’s been turned of for half an hour. I may not be a pensioner yet – or have to worry about winter fuel allowances, but there comes a point at which I’m not prepared to sit and type with blue fingers!

*like the sound of the recipe? Let me know and I’ll pass it on….

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. Border reiver…

10 Tuesday Sep 2024

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

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06:30.

God, aren’t the days getting shorter fast? I could swear it was still light this time last week! Now, when I opened the living room curtains dawn was only just beginning to break. Right now it’s time to pack a lunch, guzzle some coffee and prepare to head off to Newcastle for the start of today’s adventure which takes in a border crossing for a brief foray to Scotland and short turnaround in Edinburgh. Feel free to pop back to see how the trip unfolds before I return home tonight.

08:00.

I’m on my way…

The weather in the Calder valley’s cold and wet this morning so Dawn kindly offered to give me a lift to the station on her way into work. I was in plenty of time to catch my train – only to find it was running 20 late due to problems at a level crossing en-route. Having looked at my options I decided to avoid the packed next service to York and catch the local shuttle to Huddersfield which arrives a few minutes before a TPE service to Newcastle. Winner! 

 

Hmm, rammed 195 via Bradford or far less busy 158 to Huddersfield? The end result’s the same.

Plus, going this way gives me chance to see progress on the TRU upgrade work.

08:35.

Well, that plan didn’t work! Late running and defensive driving meant my Northern service pulled into Huddersfield just as the TPE was leaving!

On the bright side, I was ahead of schedule anyway and another TPE to York was 12 mins behind. Plus, I had time to get a few shots of the station. The main part of the roof is now hidden by scaffolding and the old wooden cafe and waiting room’s completely disappeared.

09:00.

We’ve departed Leeds, where this 3 car 185 emptied out, leaving me with a table bay to myself. Looking at the TRU work en-route its clear there’s been an awful lot of muck moved since I last passed. There’s even a short section of new track outside Deighton, although it’s not connected to anything. At Ravensthorpe, where a new embankment and bridges will be built there’s a lot of ground stablisation going on. Dozens of concrete piles have been driven into the existing ground level. I need to have another wander with the camera when time permits.

10:10.

My time at York was brief, with nothing worth photographing as the station was empty of anything of interest and the weather gloomy. Timekeeping wasn’t great either. Cross-Country and LNER services were due in a few minutes apart. Either could take me to Newcastle. As it was the LNER ran to time so won. Having watched rainstorms scud over the vale of York the weather here around Darlington’s brightened up. I’m optimistic that it’ll stay dry all the way to Scotland now.

18:15.

Right, where was I? Sorry about the gap but it’s been a very busy day where I’ve been doing something different to my usual. I’ve been working for a certain open access operator, filming vox pops at Newcastle, aboard trains and at Edinburgh. It’s a little out of the ordinary for me as I’ve been wielding a microphone not a camera, but a change is as good as a rest as the old saying goes. I’ve actually rather enjoyed it, but stopping random members of the public and asking them questions about rail travel isn’t to everyone’s taste. I had the advantage of working with a very experienced cameraman (Sean) who seems happy with the results, which bodes well.

Now I’m back at Newcastle. I’ll blog more later when I’m on the train home.

19:45.

Homeward bound, and it’s a gorgeous evening that makes me wish I was lineside somewhere, but you can’t have everything.    Newcastle station was interesting as we weren’t the only camera team there. Far fom it – the place was awash with them due to filming in progress for a TV series called ‘Piano’. A boom camera and 5 roving cameras were filming participants and crowds alike, with host Claudia Winkleman centre stage.

20:45.

Almost home. I did stop off on the way for a swift pint in the station bar at Durham between trains. It’s a lovely place with lots of outside seating under the station roof  if you fancy a bit of trainspotting with your beer. Inside is a great place to while away a winter’s eve.

Having caught  TPE service back to Leeds I’m now on the last leg aboard a Northern 158 from Hull.

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

9th September picture of the day…

09 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in Architecture, Manchester, Musings, Photography, Railways, Travel

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It’s been another day slogging away over a hot computer here at Bigland Towers. My timetable slipped slightly due to the fun and games at yesterday’s Green party conference and the vote to back building HS2 which required a blog all of its own. Having penned that it was back to picture editing, sorting out station images for a client and planning how I’ll get to the last dozen plus locations – some of which only see trains once a week! The logistical challenge is an interesting one, but it should keep me fit as well as give me the opportunity to visit some places I’ve never been before. But that’s going to have to wait until the weather’s right – hopefully later this week.

Tomorrow I have another, rather different assignment up in Newcastle (and Edinburgh), but more of that after it’s happened. First, I’ve got to get to Newcastle tomorrow morning, ready to meet up with the cameraman I’ll be working with. Yep, it’s not me doing the filming on this little adventure! No doubt I’ll have some time to blog tomorrow, even if it’s not going to be a full running commentary on the day.

In the meantime, here’s today’s picture, which is from my recent prowls around Manchester. I love the little nooks and crannies or unexpected turns you find at some railway stations as the builders tried to cope with the topography and meeting between road and rail. Here’s one from Davenport station, just outside Stockport on the route to Buxton.

I’ve always been interested in the architecture of the railways and have a gallery dedicated to railway stations (good and bad), so if you want to see more examples from across the network, follow this link.

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