Monthly Archives: July 2025

Rolling blog. Gathering for the great gathering…

31 Thursday Jul 2025

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

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

This morning I’m travelling to Derby via Sheffield for a preview of a rather special event which will be talking place from tomorrow. I’ll explain more later. Right now I’m getting ready to hotfoot it to Halifax station for my first train of the day…

Not a bad day for walking to the station…

08:15.

I’ve made onto my first train of the day, Grand Central’s 08:11 departure for London Kings Cross which will take me as far as Wakefield Kirkgate. Whilst this service is fairly empty at the moment, the sea of paper reservations which greet you like a flotilla of yachts when you enter the cars show it will be almost full by the time it leaves Doncaster. The trip takes 40 minutes, which is enough time to set up the mobile office and do some work. I’ll post another update soon.

08:35.

Having called at Brighouse and Mirfield this train’s really starting to fill up – although we’ve also lost a few passengers as the service is popular with folks travelling between West Yorkshire locations. The old island platform at Mirfield has mostly disappeared as TRU work picks up the pace. Footings for the new (extended) platform are now in situ. I can see that I need to pay another visit to the route as work at Ravensthorpe is cracking on too.

09:15.

My stay at Wakefield Kirkgate was brief. Just long enough to admire the restored station building, the lush Buddleia in the 6 foot, and listen to the piped brass band music in the subway belting out ‘Jerusalem’. Yep, Kirkgate is (to my knowledge) the only station in the UK where you can hear brass band music playing daily!

Now I’m aboard a busy Northern Class 150/2 heading for Meadowhall…

10:10.

Swapping types of traction for a while.

14:00.

My tram explorations have taken me from Meadowhall via numerous stops to the city centre and on to the end of the line at Malin Bridge. It’s been fascinating seeing the changes from industrial to residential, but it’s clear Sheffield isn’t in the premier league of UK cities. Calling it ‘careworn’ would be kind. That said, there’s still a vibrancy here, thanks to the universities. There are some lovely old buildings and great architecture, but there’s also a lot of dereliction and empty properties, which drags the place down.

Right now I’m heading back from Hillsborough in order to catch a train onwards to Derby where I’ll be meeting old friends before the main event.

Outside the Cathedral stop earlier. Tram to the left, tram-train to the right.

14:45.

Ah, the joys of travelling Cross-Country. Sat on a vestibule floor with half a dozen other folks as this 4-car set (220012) is rammed to the gunwhales.

21:10.

Sorry I’ve not been able to update the blog until now as I’ve had an incredibly busy time. As soon as I detrained I met up with old rail colleagues and members of the industry press for a catch-up before we headed to the event. And what an event. Alstom’s Derby works is huge – and it’s packed with railway vehicles of all types, shapes and sizes, from ‘Locomotion No1 from 1815 to the very latest in railway technology – the Class 99. There’s 140 exhibits. Alstom have done a superb job in drawing all this together in an event I’ll never see again in my lifetime. No other site has the space – or the time. Right now Derby has both as it’s in-between train orders. When the gathering is over, they begin building the next tranche of trains for the Elizabeth line.

The BR modernisation era. Ironic that they’re still going strong 60 years later.

The first part of the event was dedicated to a reception for special guests and a few speeches from people involved. For me, it was a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of old friends and colleagues, some of whom I’ve not seen for a while. When you’ve been involved in the railways for so long there’s always someone you bump into, or who bumps into you!

Three generations of trains spanning 200 years formed the backdrop to the official opening.

Once the formalities ended we were let loose to wander the site in an ‘access most areas’ sort of way – before the crowd barriers are set up. We were a few hundred strong. For the next three days there’ll ve 12,500 visitors daily, which presents a huge logistical and safety challenge. But – it you have a ticket – I can assure you it’s well worth it.

I may not be bale to add many pictures from today this evening as I’m currently on another Voyager heading back to Leeds, but I will populate the place with a few 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

30th July picture of the day…

30 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

I’m slowly getting my mojo back. Today’s been a good day where I’ve felt I’ve actually achieved a few things and have lots to look forward to. Admittedly, not everything on my list was ticked off, but many of the major things were. That’s the problem with a long list! I’m reminded of an old boss from the days when I worked in Housing in East London. He used to say ‘if it’s an urgent file, leave it on my chair’. Within 6 months he had a second chair, one for him and one for the ‘urgent’ files! I’m not that bad (just don’t ask about my email inbox).

Having been busy at home all day I did manage to get out for a stroll this afternoon. All the shit and hassle recently has meant I’ve been lax at this – which has had an impact on how I feel. This week I’ve been determined to up the ante and hit as many targets as possible. Having picked up some shopping and nipped into my local pub for a ‘swifty’ my walk home took me past a superb crop of Blackberries which I couldn’t resist returning to pick. I’ve never known such a bumper crop this early in the season – especially as we’ve had such a dry year.

Tomorrow I’ll be up early to head down to Derby via Sheffield. Expect a rolling blog with lots of pictures – including previews of the biggest event that’s been organised to celebrate Railway 200.

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 July picture of the day…

29 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

I’m sorry I’ve been absent for so long but the pair of us have had a rather shitty time this past week. I won’t go into details other than to say the worst is over and we’re gradually bouncing back. On the bright side, we’ll now have more time to devote to the things in life we both want to do and enjoy. In my case that means getting back to travelling and blogging, so expect a renewed stream of rolling blogs from my travels as well as wry and/or splenetic observations on the state of UK politics.

Oh, then there’s the weather. My absence has coincided with a change in the weather. We’ve actually had a few much-needed rainy days here in the Pennines, although it doesn’t seem to have made much difference to the levels in local reservoirs, which remain perilously low. I’ve visited some recently and have a new reservoir blog in the pipeline – if you’ll pardon the pun.

On Thursday I’ll be heading to Derby, so expect a rolling blog and preview pictures of a very important event in the railway calendar to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of Britain (and the world’s) railways.

Anyways, it’s good to be back. I’ll see you at greater length tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s today’s picture which is of a lovely meal Dawn rustled up using steak from the excellent Bolster Moor Farm shop. We both love Thai food – and this fiery Thai beef salad is a favourite.

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 July picture of the day…

22 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, Travel, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Today’s been a real mixture here at Bigland Towers. We’ve not had any rain today but the landscape remains damp and humid from the torrents we had yesterday, whilst heavy cloud prevents the sun from drying things up much. Whilst Dawn took it easy this morning I was busy pottering around whilst catching up on emails and planning future jobs – and sorting the cottage out ready for the impending arrival of our guest (Dawn’s Niece).

This afternoon we managed to get out, driving over to Huddersfield to drop off supplies at Dee’s parents – which included the latest batch of industrial quantity, home-cooked (gluten-free) Lasagne, which should keep them going for a while. After which we decided to go for a drive and clear our heads whilst exploring. We’d no destination in mind, we simply went where the roads took us – which was over the border from Marsden into Greater Manchester and the area around Uppermill and Greenfield. There was only one problem. It was raining cats and dogs over there – so we beat a hasty retreat back into Kirklees past Dovestones edge to Holmfirth, where the skies were much kinder. I’d have loved to have got some pictures en-route but the A635 is a bugger of a narrow road guarded by double yellow lines for most of its length. There’s nowhere to stop safely, even for a minute or two. Ho hum…

We ended up driving in a big circle before pitching up back in Slaithwaite (or ‘slawit’ depending on your particular pronunciation fetish) where we went for a stroll along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal before adjourning for a quick drink (and a slice of cake) sitting outside the Little Bridge, which is sandwiched between the canal and the river. To their credit, they serve beers from Empire brewing, a local micro-brewery a short stroll down the canal. I’d include a link, but it looks like their website’s been hacked, so here’s one from CAMRA instead.

Strangely, I didn’t use the camera once today. It wasn’t that sort of day and the two of us having quality time together was more important. So, today’s picture will have to be from another time. Slaithwaite’s a traditional old West Yorkshire mill town which has successfully reinvented itself as good tourist spot to visit for a drink or a meal. It also has a vibrant local community. It possesses a railway station on the Colne valley line from Huddersfield to Manchester, which cuts across the town on this rather impressive viaduct.

OK, time to go. Just as I was typing this Dawn relayed the news that Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath has died at the age of 76. This brought back some memories. I saw Black Sabbath perform at the Floral Hall in Southport back in 1978. On that tour they were supported by a (then) unknown band called….Van Halen. There are two particular things about that gig that stick in my mind. Van Halen were amazing – and that my ears were still ringing two days after the event. The sound engineers must’ve though they were set up for a stadium, not some small provincial theatre!

To make me feel even older, I realise Dawn was 10 at the time!

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

Another week begins…

21 Monday Jul 2025

Posted by in beer, Musings, Photography, Weather, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Sorry for the gap in blogging but the weekend didn’t quite go to plan. I was hoping to set time aside for writing but events got in the way. Some were good, others not – including the weather. Admittedly, I shouldn’t complain about the fact the weekend was a washout due to continuous showers – we desperately need it, but it did bugger up some of my plans and meant that my daily 5 mile walks went out of the window. Instead, I ended up pottering around indoors, catching up on chores and work. That said, we did manage to nip out on Saturday in order to spend a fortune at the Bolster Moor farm shop as we stocked up on various meats for batch-cooking, including Dawn’s fabulous home-made lasagne. Oh, then there’s their award-winning pork pies…

The delicious Bolster Moor pork pies get demolished in short order!

Sunday was a far less active day, but productive nonetheless, even if I was chafing about being stuck indoors and the inability to scratch my itchy feet. Still, it was chance for the two of us to spend some quality time together and recharge our batteries ready for another busy week.

Today, the weather’s taken an interesting turn. We’d had a yellow warning for thunderstorms throughout the weekend, but they didn’t amount to more than a single, desultory clap of thunder. Monday made up for that! Having been busy most of the day packed everything in so that I could get out for a decent stroll around the area and pick up some shopping. Initially, the weather seemed promising (although I’d packed an umbrella – just in case). Three miles in I was up on Savile Park when I saw the rain sweeping across open ground in wall of water. Deploying my trusty Siemens folding brolly I wasn’t too concerned at first as I hid under trees at the edge of the park and watched the rain bounce off the nearby road junction.

Then the thunder arrived and the intensity of the downpour increased to monsoon quality, overwhelming me. Thankfully, there was a bus shelter to take refuge in across the road where I could watch the deluge in relative dryness – although the torrent sweeping past me was worrying.

Thankfully, most car drivers weren’t idiots and avoided the torrent so I avoided a soaking.

Fortunately, the storm passed before I needed to seek higher ground. Within minutes – as if someone had thrown a switch – blue skies and sunshine rolled in, letting me start to dry out. Well, until I got to the supermarket, which had leaked like a sieve! Parts of the fresh veg aisles were blocked off whilst staff wielded mops and buckets to contain the leaks and clear up the mess.

Shopping done, I called into our local for a swift pint and sat in the beer garden to dry out in the sunshine. Well, on the outside anyway. As always, the range of beers had changed to include this example, which takes a (not so) subtle dig at the orange felon in the American White House.

Now I’m back at home, preparing for another day. Whilst I was out Dee’s cooked industrial quantities of Lasagne, some of which we scoffed tonight. Tomorrow we’ve another busy day, preparing for Dawn’s niece arriving as she’s going to be staying with us for a couple of nights. The girls are going to see Leon Bridges play at the Piece Hall, which will be a great break for Dee who’s been having a hard time of things recently. Me? I’ll be playing host!

Right, time to go. See you all 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

Lost in translation…

18 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in Malaysia, Photography, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

I’d an intention to write another reservoir blog today as Dawn and I were out exploring recently, looking at locations across Yorkshire and Derbyshire – but that’s going to have to wait until tomorrow as today’s proved to be a busy one – and the sun’s re-appeared (despite the threats of thunderstorms).

Having made the most of the day and called into our local to enjoy the sun and a pint in the packed beer garden we’re now back at home and I’m slowly copying more pictures of that infamous (by now) recalcitrant hard-drive. Today I’ve been moving old slide scans off it, which has prompted today’s picture. I have tens of thousands of pictures in my archive, going back nearly 40 years, so it’s easy to forget what I have sometimes, so the act of copying them over can jog my memory. This picture was taken in Georgetown, Malaysia back in 1992. I’ve always loved the fact we can be brought together or separated by the same language depending on circumstance – or spelling. Poorly translated menus have always been a favourite, but sometimes the humour is more basic. Here’s an example. I walked past this shop in Georgetown, Malaysia in May 1992 and immediately did a double-take.

If it was a delayed delivery, did you get to ask him where’s your fook hing coffin?

Sadly, this place is no longer there. He’s made his last coffin. Maybe it was his own – who knows?

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

Then the rain arrived…

15 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Musings, Photography, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

I’ve been working from home all day as the forecast predicted today could get rather wet as time wore on, so I was up early and out walking just after 07:00 to get a few 1000 steps under my belt – just in case. Sure enough, it was drizzling whilst I was strolling but hardly anything of consequence. Having enjoyed a wandering through our local wood and banking over 3500 steps I headed home to make coffee and wake Dawn up by putting a steaming cup of Java by the bed. It didn’t work! Creeping into the office I retook the space whilst Dee slumbered – and I’ve remained there almost all day.

This has been a productive day – even if I still have several things on my ‘to do’ list to tick off. That’s partly because the recalcitrant hard-drive (see blogs passim) decided to play ball today, allowing me to copy lots of files off it which were cross-checked with other hard-drives in my archives. I’m starting to feel confident that there’s little else left on it that matters, although I’ll be happy to clean it completely, then reformat the thing – just in case.

The rest of the day flew by as I spent most of it glued to a screen. Whilst the hard-drives copied to one another I was able to deal with various emails, write lists, prepare lunch and spend some time with Dee. Plus, my diary now has two more interesting assignments added to it, which is always nice. So, all in all – a productive day.

Then I decided it was time to nip out to do some shopping for tonight’s meal (spicy prawns, which Dee’s cooking. It’s one of her signature dishes). Only I picked the worst of all times. Walking to the supermarket was fine – but that was because I couldn’t see the ominous skies creeping up behind me. They ambushed me as soon as I left the shop. This was no drizzle, the rain was torrential. I was drenched within the first hundred yards so felt no guilt in nipping into my local pub en-route for a pint whilst waiting for the worst of the rain to pass.

Don’t believe me? This is how the cobbled hill I have to traverse to and from the pub and supermarket looked like when I got to the bottom.

Now it’s time to reax at home. The smells from Dawn’s cooking are starting to waft upstairs, so I’m preparing to call it a day. I’ll be working from home again tomorrow in order to catch up with the other stuff I didn’t get to do today. After that (and depending on the weather) we’ll see. Welcome as the rain is, we’re not predicted to get any more until Saturday.

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

Reservoir blogs – part 2…

13 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in Climate Change, Photography, Travel, Walking, West Yorkshire

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Today, after a busy morning at home sorting out various chores we decided to abandon Bigland Towers and make the most of the cooling weather to get out for a walk and explore somewhere new. The state of the counties reservoirs is a hot topic as we’re one of the few places with a hosepipe ban – despite the fact you can’t walk far in Pennines without falling over a reservoir!

We decided to drive up the the hills above Walsden and Mytholmroyd, where the Calder valley snakes around the moors and head for a trio of catchments, namely the Warland, Light Hazzles and White Holme reservoirs.

But first we stopped off at a location we’d visited the other week. Baitings Reservoir (at the bottom right of the map), where the level has dropped a good 2-3 feet since our visit on the 7th. The old bridge in the picture has become quite a tourist attraction!

Heading on up the hill we parked the car on the road down to Cragg Vale before heading off along one of the dirt roads that form much of the walk, which isn’t strenuous as the area is actually pretty flat. The area’s popular with dog walkers, but that brings me on to a real gripe. The gate from the main road is a dumping ground for bags of dogshit. I mean – why? Do these people believe in the existence of a poo-fairy, who will magically remove them because they’re too lazy to dispose of them or don’t want their precious cars contaminated?

Take it home with you – or don’t have a dog. Why should the rest of us have to put up with yours and your dog’s mess?

First stop was White Holme reservoir, which – was only down by a few feet, not bad compared to some. The levels left these little beach areas exposed, which would have made a pleasant place for a picnic.

Next was the Light Hassles Reservoir, a narrow body of water that bridges and connects the other two bodies of water. This seemed to be at its normal level.

Before heading on to the third and final reservoir we took a detour to admire the views, which would be superb on a clear sunny day, because you can see right across to Manchester – and beyond. En-route to the viewpoint we passed a few dozen cows which were grazing or drinking, supremely unbothered by the odd human walking past, disturbing their idyll.

Cows ignoring us and the views, with the skyscrapers of the city of Manchester visible on the horizon.
Hollinwood lake in the foreground, the warehouses of Milnrow in the middle-distance and the city of Manchester on the horizon. I’d love to pop back here on a clear sunny morning to see how the view looks.

Having taken time to soak up the scenery we continued on to the last reservoir – Warland, which was suffering from the lack of rainfall.

That’s a lot of missing water!

This particular reservoir was bult in the 1850s by the Rochdale Canal company to ensure a ready supply of water to keep the canal across this part of the Pennines open. It was extended in the 1920s by Rochdale Corporation Water Works, who left their mark with stonework like this.

We really enjoyed the walk, which covered around 4 miles. We’d loved to have explored more (Stoodley Pike is only a short walk away) but we’d run out of time. Instead we headed home via Cragg Vale and a couple of drinks in the always welcoming Robin Hood pub where I managed to make the young lady behind the bar’s day. She spotted my camera which I lent it to her for a while so that she could have a play after she’d knocked off work. Having studied photography she was delighted to be able to muck around with such a serious piece of kit. I love being able to do that!

The heatwave is due to end this next week with rain predicted on Tuesday. I doubt it’s going to make much of a difference, so expect more reservoir blogs over the summer…

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 July picture of the day…

09 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Architecture, London, Musings, Photography, Travel, West Yorkshire

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Back at home after a busy couple of days in London, I’ve dropped down a couple of gears. Much of today has been spent with my feet up as I begin the process of editing the hundreds of pictures that I’ve taken. The weather’s been rather cooler than in the capital, which is welcome, although temperatures are due to ramp up over the next few days. Just in time for the hosepipe ban which Yorkshire water are imposing from Friday. It’s hardly surprising. We’ve only had 15cm of rainfall between February and June, leaving reservoirs at 56 per cent capacity as opposed to the normal level of 82 per cent. Ah well, carrying watering cans full of greywater up and down the terraces at the back of the cottage will keep me fit! I’ve no idea how long the ban will last, but with this dry spell set to continue I can’t imagine the ban being lifted anytime soon.

Tomorrow I’ll be continuing in the same vein as today, although I expect to be a bit more active now that I’ve rested. Even so, there’s a lot of photos to edit and caption, along with preparations for my next RAIL magazine article. Right now I’m going to leave you with today’s picture, which was taken in Lewisham yesterday. I’ve mentioned how the area has become a mini ‘New York’ due to the rapid development and expansion of high-rise accommodation. Architecturally, some of it is rather colourful and pleasing. These aren’t the bland concrete monoliths that we threw up in the 1970s, they’re actually rather attractive. However, I can’t vouch for the build quality or what they’re like to live in.

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. South of the river…

08 Tuesday Jul 2025

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

08:50.

After yesterday’s central London gig I’ve stayed in the capital with a friend here South of the river. I don’t head back to West Yorkshire until this evening, which leaves me free to explore some of the railways that were once familiar territory but which I’ve not visited for a while. So, expect a rolling blog from me today as I traverse 3rd rail country South of the river, with a potential diversion into East London where I once lived.

Here’s a shot of what I’ll be after. The class 465s were built for British Rail back in the early 1990s. They’re living on borrowed time now. Some are already stored whilst the rest of the fleet is due to be replaced in coming years. They’ve been stalwarts of the Kent commuter services from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Cannon Street for over 30 years.

1150.

On leaving Streatham Hill I caught the circular Southern service to London Bridge via Sydenham and the main line. I was tempted to stop off, but the light wasn’t right. Instead I ended up in Lewisham, where it was perfect for getting shots of trains crossing the complex scissors crossovers at the London end of the station (pictures later). Over 20 years ago I spent some time here working for the local health authority, documenting the work of their community TB team. I don’t recognise the place now as it’s become a mini-city full of high rise blocks. To be honest, it’s a change for the better. Lewisham was a bit of a dump and had a poor reputation back then. Now; with it’s new transport links like the Docklands Light Railway, it’s a good place to live.

Now I’m off exploring again. This time, by taking a train to Hayes aboard one of SET’s ‘citybeam’ Class 707 units built by Siemens which (foolishly) South-West Railway let go in favour of the Bombardier built Class 701s. That went well!

12:15.

The Hayes branch is an interesting little line that wanders through South London before ending at a simple two track island platform perched upon an embankment. Sadly, now that trains are all 10 car, but, it’s a crap place to get pictures.

13:40.

I’m gradually making my way from Gates to Lewisham, stopping at most of the stations along the line to get pictures – and a tan! I really like this route as there’s lots of interest. The train fleet’s a mixture of old and new, there’s some lovely stations – abd there’s even a tram interchange at Elmers End.

17:00.

Well, I’ve covered some ground so far. I’m now taking a break and gaving a pint outside an old haunt in Greenwich, having ventured along the Docklands Light Railway as far as Poplar, North of the river. When I moved to London in 1986, this scene didn’t exist.

But then so much of London has changed. I’m constantly surprised to see where new blocks of flats have sprung up like weeds on what used to be vacant or old industrial sites.

But I see that as a positive. When I moved to London it was a city in decline with a shrinking population. Not any more. Now it’s thriving. Forget what the racists and bigots try to claim, it’s also far safer too. Some folk try to pretend it’s an unfriendly place, the reality is the opposite. So many Londoners are from elsewhere, they’re here to naked the most of the opportunities the city offers, which means they’re more open to others. Just as I was when I came here. You can be who the hell you like here. No-one cares and no-one judges.

Being in Greenwich has brought back a lot of memories as it’s a place we often used to visit from the East End. Then an ex-girlfriend bought a flat here back in the early 90s, and I helped her renovate and decorate it, so I was over quite often.

22:00.

The end of the day didn’t quite go to plan..

As I was enjoying my pint in the sunshine in Greenwich I checked train times, only to find things had gone away. I’d left a bag at my friend’s, but getting back to his, then travelling across London to King’s Cross in time to get my Grand Central service back North was leaving several hostages to fortune. In the end I decided to head straight to King’s Cross. There’s nothing I’m my rucksack that I can’t do without for a while. Beside, it’s a good excuse to return to London and spend more time with Hassard.

Right now I’m almost home. We’ve just left Mirfield. This packed service has emptied out en-route but there’s still enough folk aboard to pay the train’s way. I’m looking forward to getting honest after two day’s travels. I’ve a stack of pictures to edit – which you’ll start to get to see from 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