09:30.

Hi folks – I’m back! I’ve still got a lot of blogs to post from our recent trip to Shropshire which I’ll do as soon as possible, but today I offer a rolling blog as I’m off for a mooch around Manchester. This past week has seen some lovely sunny weather and warm temperatures. Today there’s not a cloud in the sky, so it’s my chance to make the most of the conditions by getting out with the camera. I’m currently on Northern’s 09:22 from Sowerby Bridge. As you’d expect, my 4-car train is busy with day-trippers doing the same as me – making the most of the weather! But, I’ve managed to find space on a table, set up the mobile office and type this.

Expect further updates throughout the day…

10:20.

My first stop across the Pennines was Rochdale. It’s a place full of history, from famous (and infamous people) to interesting architecture. The famous include entertainers like Gracie Fields and Lisa Stansfield. The infamous are on the political spectrum – Cyril Smith and ‘Gorgeous’ George Galloway, both former MPs, although Galloway (predictably) lasted a matter of months. Outside the station where electric trams and buses now whizz by, pollution-free and near silent – are two contrasting architectual styles. A Christian church that wouldn’t look out of place in Greece and a former fire station that (due to its Indo-Saracenic style tower) could quite easily fit into New Delhi!

Now I’m on the move again, this time aboard an old Northern Class 156 bound for Headbolt Lane on Merseyside. Well, the train is. I’m not!

11:00.

I changed trains again at Salford Central, a station that’s spent most of 2025 closed as it’s being rebuilt with new platform and subway canopies (pictures later). Both the station and area have changed out of all recognition these past 20 years. At least now, the station’s keeping up with it’s surrounds.  I left abroad my third class of train of the day – a Clitheroe bound Class 150. First stop was Salford Crescent, which I’ll describe on my return. My train filled up with several groups of young women, which made me think the station should be subtitled ‘lip-filler’ central! If this train comes yo a sudden stop, there’s going to be a lot of women stuck to window like rubber suckers! I appreciate that beauty is subjective (feminine beauty doubly so) and that U’m from a different generation, but I struggle to understand what’s attractive about making your mouth look like a prolapsed arse.

Anyway, most of the Donald Duck appreciation society left the train at the next stop – as did I. I’m now at Bolton.

11:50

I didn’t linger in Bolton, staying just long enough to grab a few pictures between trains. The stations’ massive platforms are a legacy of 1904 when it was rebuilt to cope with trains carrying 1000s of millworkers to the seaside during the annual ‘Wakes weeks’ they drown modern trains, even 5 cars. Sadly, timekeeping has gone out of the window here, and I suspect one member of traincrew is going to be issued with a ‘please explain’…

Right now, I’m aboard an old friend – a former Thameslink class 319 EMU, which Porterbrook converted to a bi-mode Class 769. This will carry me along the newly electrified line from Lostock to Wigan.

14:00.

The ‘Oops’ factor has spread! After having a pleasant interlude taking pictures and basking in the sun at Wigan North Western station, I’ve returned to Wallgate to head back to Manchester, but it’s all going a bit ‘Pete Tong’. An earlier train failure (door issues) means the timetable’s a work of fiction at this point. A series of trains are running from Wallgate to Manchester Victoria non-stop in order to get trains and crew where they need to be – but I’m heading for Hindley…

17:00.

I’ve moved on a bit! My stop at Hindley was brief- just long enough to grab pictures of the station now that the overhead wires are complete. This gas involved cutting back a lot of trees. Work that’s opened out the fabulous station garden built up over so many years by the station friends group. Of course, the friends of Hindley station do so much more than gardening, which is why they’re always in the top three at the Community Rail Awards.

Moving on, I caught another bi-mode 769 to Salford Crescent, where I stopped to admire the work on installing the station’s 3rd platform – which is coming on apace.

Now, after spending some time getting pictures at Piccadilly, I’ve made it out to Hyde, where I’m hoping to have a drink with a few other railway friends…

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