The December 10th timetable change was due to see the last of the BR built Class 319s leave passenger service*. 86 of these 4-car, 100 mph dual voltage units were built in two batches between 1987-88 and 1990. The original stomping ground was the new ‘Thameslink’ service from Bedford, through central London on the reopened Farringdon – Blackfriars route and out to Brighton.
Since being displaced by Siemens built Class 700s in the early 2010s they’ve had a varied career working for Northern and London Midland as well as some units being converted to bi-mode diesel-electric (Class 769) or even hydrogen. Right now, the final handful left in service are operating Northern services between Liverpool-Wigan-Blackpool, Wigan-Manchester or even Manchester Airport-Bolton-Blackpool.
So, here’s the start of a blog looking back at their lives and times…
Only 3 years old, 319024 on their original Network South-East livery is seen departing from Luton with a Southbound service on the 2nd March 1990. As they were new and film wasn’t cheap I rarely photographed these trains, which in retrospect was a mistake.On the 28th April 1990 319047 leaves Bedford empty stock before reversing in the nearby sidings and working a later service for the South. Network South-East red paint is very much in evidence in this shot! It was to be another 6 years before I took another shot of a Class 319, 21st April 1996 to be precise. Here’s 319163, a set from the 26 strong 1990 batch pictured at Purley in between turns 319004 wearing Connex livery sits under the skeletal roof of the old Rugby station on the 9th August 1999 whilst waiting to work the 18:39 to Gatwick airport. This cross-London shuttle between the two destinations was introduced in June 1997 but cut back to Watford Junction from the December 2000 timetable change.Now we move forward in time from the BR to the Connex era and the 10th April 2001 when 319220 is pictured leaving London Victoria with an express service to Brighton. Seven Class 319s were renumbered from the 0 to 2 series in 1997 when they were altered internally to provide lower density seating and a ‘lounge’ area with buffet counter in the pantograph car. With pantograph down and operating on 3rd rail, Thameslink liveried 319427 speeds towards London Bridge from Brighton through South Croydon on the 6th May 2004Between September 2004-May 2005 the central Thameslink core was shut to allow construction of the ‘Thameslink box’ below St Pancras which would house the new Thameslink station, replacing the cramped Kings Cross Thameslink station. As a result, Thameslink services from Bedford and St Albans terminated in the new Eastern side of St Pancras International that’s now used by South-Eastern. Here’s 319001 and 319450 seen in St Pancras on the 29th October 2004.It’s the 19th February 2005 and Thameslink’s 319422 is seen at St Pancras sporting ‘back the bid’ branding in support of London’s (later successful) attempt to win the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. What a different country we seem to be now compared to those heady, optimistic days! London’s skyline has changed dramatically during the 21st century as this view of 319441 Heading East from London Bridge on the 5th April 2005 demonstrates.Here’s another London scene that’s changed out of all recognition! It’s the 11th July 2006 and 319449 is sporting the later Thameslink livery, seen with a sister unit in Southern colours, departing from the old Blackfriars station and crossing the Thames with St Paul’s cathedral in the background We move forward in time to the 24th October 2007 when First Capital Connect had taken over Thameslink services. Here’s 319431 caught in the daylight between tunnels in Central London on its way from the old Kings Cross Thameslink station towards Farringdon.Also on the 24th October 319380 arrives at the cramped old Kings Cross Thameslink station with a service to Bedford. Between morning and evening peaks sets 319453 and 319002 are stabled in Moorgate station on the 23rd July 2008. This FCC rush-hour service was living on borrowed time as the branch from Farringdon was soon to be severed to allow platforms at Farringdon to be extended. On the 30th June 2016, 319439 puts in an appearance at Brighton, the Southernmost end of the Thameslink route where it’s seen waiting to work a service to Bedford.
On the 24th February 2015 the press were invited to Allerton depot in Liverpool to see the unveiling of the new ‘Northern electrics’ Class 319s which received a new livery and internal refresh that included new seat moquette. Afterwards we were treated to a run on one of the sets and opportunity to visit the cab. Here’s a few pictures from the event.
319362 sporting the new livery outside Allerton depot.The refreshed interior of the press train (319365) showing the new seat mocquette.Driver Jason Wakefield at the controls of 319365.Another view of the refreshed interior of 319365. On their transfer, the Northern Class 319s acquired a new ‘Northern electrics’ livery and branding. 319364 is sporting the colour scheme in this shot taken at Crewe on the 11th May 2015.Exactly a month later on the 11th June 2015, 319368 is seen at Salford in Manchester with a service tp Liverpool Lime St from Manchester Victoria. This area’s changed completely as the Ordsall chord and Viaduct cross the foreground now! On the 9th August 2016, 319441 and a sister unit sit empty at Euston before working an afternoon rush-hour service North. Several sets had been loaned to London Midland to replace their Class 321 units which were bound for Scotrail. London Midland’s successor, London North-Western retained the class 319s until the 27th November 2023. Here’s one of them, 319214 seen at Euston on the evening of the 3rd December 2019. The set bears no branding or livery. How they look now. Here’s 319369 sporting Northern livery as it arrives at Liverpool Lime St on a service from Wigan North Western on the 24th November this year.
UPDATE: 19th December.
At the time of writing the last handful of 319s remain available for traffic and – whilst they have no booked work – anything between 1-4 get pressed into service to cover for unavailable units. I managed to get out on the 12th when a pair of the sets were working Manchester Airport – Bolton – Blackpool North diagrams although crew shortages meant some of the trips were cancelled or the trains run as empty stock.
Here’s 319368 working 1N50, the 15:17 from Manchester Airport to Blackpool North, seen calling at Leyland.
If you want to enjoy more pictures of the Class 319s you can find them in the following galleries;
*Yes, I know the bi-mode Class 769s remain in service with Northern, but as they’re converted Class 319s they don’t count!
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The pair of us have had a quiet day here at Bigland Towers due to the weather, as in Dawn’s under it – and the real stuff is delivering fog and snow!
Poor Dee’s still struggling with a virus (not Covid, just a run of the mill one) that’s left her feeling listless and fed up, so I’ve been on nursing/shopping/cooking duty and not ventured far throughout the day. That said, as the Calder Valley’s been hidden by fog all day there’s really been no point. Plus, I’ve plenty to keep me occupied with in-between supplying Beecham’s powders and food!
One thing I’ve discovered today is that Magpies love Yorkshire pudding! Maybe it’s the way Dawn makes them but there was one left in the fridge with a bit of veg which I was throwing out when I thought ‘I wonder if the birds will eat it’? So, I chopped everything up and left it in the garden. The pud’, roast potatoes and parsnip disappeared within an hour as Magpies, Blackbirds and Robins polished it off in short order.
This afternoon the snow returned earlier than forecast. I wasn’t convinced it was going to stick but stick it did, which made my evening walk rather interesting. Today’s pictures are from that stroll.
Savile Park looking very moody as I walked home after having a ‘swifty’ in our local, the Big 6. I love it when fresh snow sticks to trees. Later, my walk home took me through Scarr Woods which look very eerie and very serene in this weather. We’re blessed with some great places to walk right on our doorstep. Sometimes you encounter deer in these woods, but I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if a Unicorn crossed my path in conditions like this.
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I can’t quite believe that we’re in the final month of 2023 and the festive season is just a few weeks away. Where’s the year gone? Admittedly, part of me is impatient to see the back of 2023. It’s not been a vintage year and 2024 offers the possibility of getting rid of this corrupt, shambolic Government once and for all – before they do even more damage. Sunak’s had his chance. He had the opportunity to prove he wasn’t like Johnson. Problem is, he was more like Truss! The Tories are staring into the electoral abyss but all Sunak can do is listen to the wrong people whilst showing he doesn’t really give a damn about the UK or its future. It’s all an egotistical game to him. His levels of posturing and game playing are off the scale whilst he ignores the real issues that matter.
Political pondering aside the vast majority of my day has been spent wearing my (metaphorical) nurses uniform as Dawn’s once more fallen foul of the lurgi that’s bedeviled her for the past few weeks. So, today’s been a day where I’ve been occupied with shopping, cooking and being on-call to supply a stream of hot drinks, snacks and suchlike to Dee whilst she’s been in her sickbed. Mind you, it’s been a good day to be confined to barracks. The snow that arrived the other day hasn’t really gone anywhere due to the freezing temperatures. A day of sunshine has helped clear some of the pavements but many are still treacherous. More snow is on the way according to the forecast, so I’m glad I’ve spent time cooking and topping up the freezer with a variety of spicy delights – just in case.
Now, having kept myself busy with all manner of tasks it’s time to wind down with a glass of wine and select today’s picture. What to choose? How about this, from my brief visit to London earlier in the week.
The Caledonian sleeper sits at Euston station on a rainy Sunday night before beginning its journey to Scotland. This is 1S25, the 21:15 from London Euston. The train divides at Edinburgh where it splits into separate portions to Inverness and Fort William. The train’s hauled by a Class 92 locomotive. 46 were ordered by British Rail to haul heavy freight trains through the channel tunnel but were always sadly under-used, Many have now moved abroad to Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. A few, like this one, have been bought by GBRf to provide traction for the Caledonian Sleeper.
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It’s a good job I’d always intended to work from home today as I got a shock when I opened the bedroom blinds this morning! The Calder valley was covered in snow – not something we’d been expecting despite the freezing temperatures of the past couple of days. Admittedly, the valley did look beautiful under its dusting as the blue skies were were also treated to made the ideal contrast. Part of me would have loved to have ventured out with the camera but I had too much else do. I did venture out for a while as I had an appointment to keep, which buggered up any chance of photography as the sun had dipped too far by the time I returned. Hopefully, this won’t be our only snowfall this season and next time I’ll have some warning.
Mind you, the drop in temperature was such a shock to the system I was rather glad I was stuck as home in the warm. I’m not a great fan of sub-zero temperatures. Maybe spending so much time in SE-Asia’s thinned my blood as I much prefer heat to cold. Still, we’ll see what December brings…
It’s a short blog from me tonight as I’ve been on cooking duty so the evening’s almost gone. I’m off to spend the last of it with Dawn I’ll leave you with the view from our bedroom window this morning. The snow’s stuck around, so I may have chance to get other pictures tomorrow…
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Apologies for the lack of promised blogs these past couple of days. My absence was due to events beyond my control. But now I’m back, with a visit to the HS2/East West rail interchange site at Calvert in Buckinghamshire. It’s an important site as not only does it contain the intersection of E-W rail and HS2, it’s also the location of HS2’s IMD (Infrastructure Maintenance Depot). Tracklaying from E-W into the site has been ongoing for weeks and the main earthworks and bridge over the HS2 route has now been handed over. I’ll add pictures after the visit.
It’s bleeding Baltic here in the Pennines and very icy. So much so Dawn insisted on giving me a lift to the station as the pavements and cobbles (yes, we do still have ’em here) are so slippy and treacherous. It took us a while to defrost the car as the frost was so bad. But thanks to may wonderful wife I made it to the station in one piece.
Right now I’m on Northern’s 06:45 from Halifax to Manchester Victoria. This train’s made up of a pair of CAF built Class 195s but despite the fact it’s a four-car it’s very busy. Lots of us have laptops out as this is a popular business train. Whilst we’re busy typing, other passengers are busy dozing and making the most of the chance to catch some shut-eye in the warm and quiet.
I’ll blog throughout the day as I can, so feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to.
09:15.
Frustrating. I’d published a blog update from my refurbished Pendolino but the damned thing hasn’t loaded due to the wifi repeatedly dropping out. Ho hum. Let’s tey again…
Whilst I was wrapped up warm for my stroll across Manchester city centre I couldn’t help but feel for the poor homeless souls I passed asleep in doorways. At the Arndale centre I passed a group of six people huddled together for warmth under a mess of sleeping bags and blankets. They were lucky. I saw many solo sleepers with no-one to offer warmth or companionship. It’s a tragedy, and one our cynical government is exploiting as a distraction. The poor aren’t screwing the country the Tories friends are. The wealthy tax-avoiders and those who’ve raked in millions off the sale of dodgy PPE.
At Piccadilly I joined Pendolino 390132 working the 08:15 to Euston. Most of the trip’s been through thick fog with odd clear patches like this one as we crossed the famous viaduct at Stockport.
The frost and fog covered countryside looks lovely, but then I’m in the warm with a flask of coffee. I might feel differently if I was in the outside looking in!
10:07.
My Pendolino rattled its way to Milton Keynes where I’m now waiting for fellow journo and snapper Phil Marsh who’s kindly offered me a lift as we’re both going to the same event.
16:30.
I’m currently speeding North again after a busy but fascinating day where we were given a grand tour of the EKFB construction site at Calvert that allowed us access to places the public never get to visit. Our small group were given a full briefing by project managers on the work that been completed, is still underway or has yet to start. Some of the statistics are mind-boggling. The old E-W rail ‘Varsity line’ embankments have been raised by 6 meters where it crosses HS2. This is a complete reversal as originally, the Great Central trackbed that HS2 reuses passed over the ‘Varsity line’ at that point.
The East-West rail intersection bridge over HS2 looking East. This is the final phase, the 400m long ‘plug’ between tracklaying from the West (behind the camera) and the East. Below the bridge to the right can be seen the HS2 trace heading South. A similar view looking further South-East, showing the HS2 trace and the edge of the Calvert Jubilee nature reserve that the Wildlife Trusts claimed had been ‘destroyed’ by HS2. As can be seen, it’s actually in rude health as HS2 is merely clipped off what was originally old railway land. Looking West along East-West rail with the intersection bridge behind me. Tracklaying on this section will be completed in very early January 2024. There used to be a road overbridge in the middle foreground of this picture but with the E-W embankment having been raised 6 meters at this point the road’s been diverted under a new road underbridge.
17:55.
We’ve just left Doncaster en-route to Leeds. The 16:03 from Kings Cross is being worked by one of LNER’s Mk4 and Class 91 loco sets and been busy all the way. Many passengers appear to be dozing in the heat after what’s been a cold day all round, although I suspect we’re all going to get a rude awakening when we step off the train on arrival in Leeds!
19:25.
It wasn’t just the cold weather that was a problem at Leeds, it was the usual late-running and cancellations that added to it. My LNER service was late into the city, then my next connection to Halifax was late. Admittedly only only 8 mins, but. Once we all piled onto the Hull – Halifax 3-car (which became rammed) we were stuck in the station awaiting the road due to congestion. Of course by 2033 congestion at Leeds would have been a thing of the past as the newly opened HS2 station would have solved that problem. Then a bunch of incompetents masquerading as a government cancelled it.
Things didn’t improve en-route. The Conductor came onto the PA to announce our service would be canned at Bradford Interchange – but there was a late running Chester service only a few minutes behind! So, that’s alright then (you’re being sarcastic again, aren’t you? Ed).
To Hull and back – but from Bradford, not Halifax…
I’ve managed to find a seat on the Chester service which (thank the Gods – or Northern Control as they’re known) is a pair of 2-car class 195s. Now I’ll arrive in Halifax 40 mins late. Thankfully, Dawn’s waiting for me so I won’t have to slip and slide walking home as it’s certainly another cold one tonight…
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There was no blog from me yesterday as the day was taken up with my in-laws, family and friends celebrating John and Norah’s diamond wedding anniversay. Needless to say, celebrations went on until late as several of us were staying at 315, the venue of their celebratory meal. Needless to say, I was on duty as event photographer, which I was honoured to do. After all, it’s not everyday someone celebrates 60 years of marriage!
Today things wound down but John insisted taking the four of us out for a late Sunday lunch at the Fleece in ….to say thank you for all the hard work Dawn had put into arranging their special day. Now, full of a roast pork dinner it’s time for me to head down to London ready for a job tomorrow which will see me ending up in Edinburgh. Dee’s dropped me off at Huddersfield station so I can begin my trek South via Manchester and the West Coast Main Line – just for a change!
Right now I’m on a packed pair of (late running – surprise, suprise) TPE Class 185s heading West across the Pennines. I’ve managed to find a seat in the middle car of the rear set but it’s freezing in here. It seems to have an engine out so there’s no heating or power to the sockets. Thank God the weather’s milder today than it was yesterday when it was bleeding Baltic!
I’ll blog about this trip until the end of the day, let’s see how things turn out…
19:30.
Hmm, I think I’ll stick to the East Coast next time. Having made it to Piccadilly I had just enough time to grab a shot of the Christmas decorations on the station concourse before joining throng of folks waiting for the late running 19:15 Avanti West Coast To Euston.
To make things more imteresting a very tired 9-car 390001 (numerically the first of the fleet) turned up ex-Euston. To the crews credit they turned the set around very quickly, but the lack of cleaning as a result added to the care-worn feel.
Now, I know the Pendolino fleet’s undergoing a refurbishment programme (that’s why I’m out tomorrow) but it’s sad to see the state of the trains still in service. I was a regular on this route for decades, travelling back and forth from my parents in Southport to my home in London. Then I started working as a photographer for RAIL magazine, then Virgin trains – just as the Pendolinos came into service. Those were fun and exciting times. Now that excitement and Virgin pizazz is long gone. To add insult to injury that idiot Rishi Sunak has placed the whole future of the Waest Coast line into jeopardy due to his ‘cancelling’ phase 2 of HS2 and leaving everything in a complete mess as no-one has a clue what’s going on.
23:15.
Add another minus to Avantis Pendolinos. The wifi is crap. I spent nearly half an hour typing an update and attempting to post it but ‘wifi says no’.
That’s a shame as I’d a lot of memories to express. Now I’m killing time between trains at Euston and indulging in some people-watching as I charge up the laptop.
Euston’s installed this seating area with lots of powerpoints. Funny, I remember it as a shop where a spectacularly miserable woman was a feature of the place for at least 25 years! The Caledonian sleeper.
Regular readers of this blog will know I’ve talked about a problem I’ve been having with my right elbow. Well, this morning I had a call from a lovely Physio nurse down at our local GPs surgery who gave me a consultation over the phone. By the end of it we still weren’t sure of the problem so Emma asked if I could make an appointment to see her. As it was, I was free and could be there in 20 minutes, so we arranged for an 09:00 consultation today How’s that for service?
A face to face visit and chance for Emma to physically get to grips with my arm revealed the problem. I had what’s known as ‘tennis elbow’. “Dunno why”, said Emma, “I’ve never met a tennis player with it, I’ve never met a golfer with golfers elbow either. I suppose it’s just easier to say than lateral epicondylitis”.
It transpires it’s just another hazard of my occupation. Essentially, it’s a repetitive strain injury. Now I know I can change my behaviours that led to it. It will eventually go away, it’s just one more bit of my body to add to the list of those that have suffered for my art!
As I was already in Sowerby Bridge and it was early (and I had the camera bag) I decided to make hay whilst the sun shone, so I’m now on my way to Manchester to add more library images of Northern’s Class 319s before they go. My train’s a packed pair of Class 195s forming the 09:22 to Chester. I’ve no idea why it’s so busy but it’s good to see.
11:15.
After changing at Manchester Victoria for a fast TPE service to Liverpool I’ve made it to Lime St, the haunt of the trains I’m here to shoot. Here’s one of them with the type of train due to replace them. Class 323s are being displaced from the West Midlands, when they’ll head North to boost Northern’s existing 323 fleet – of which this is one..
319366 and 323224 both between turns at Liverpool Lime St.319370 arrives at Wigan North Western whilst working 1F07, the 13.05 Blackpool North to Liverpool Lime St.There roughly a fortnight left to see sights like this, although the number of 319s in service is declining week by week. Here’s 319386 about to work 2W90, the 1542 Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western whilst 319366 waits having arrived on 2C19, the 1452 from Wigan North Western.319386 leaving Lime ST, working 2W90, the 1542 to Wigan North Western.Whilst the 319s are mostly found on the Liverpool – Wigan – Blackpool corridor there are a few peak diagrams that take them from Liverpool and Wigan to Manchester Victoria. Here’s 319386 at Victoria, waiting to leave after a fast turnaround due to late running. It’s forming 2G95, THE 1713 Manchester Victoria to Wigan North Western.
18:50.
Apologies for the blogging gap but I’ve been on the move a lot so had little time to bash the keyboards. Right now I’m at Hebden Bridge on my way home. Everything’s gone a bit ‘Pete Tong’ with many trains cancelled or delayed – including my connection to Sowerby Bridge. I only found out when I got here otherwise I’d have stayed on my original train to Halifax. Still, there’s worse places to be stuck for a while and the waiting room’s as warm as toast!
Just about every train I’ve been on today (and that’s been a few) has been packed. There’s certainly no shortage of passengers, especially on the Liverpool – Blackpool route. This may become a squeeze when train capacity’s cut by 25% come the December timetable change.
In the meantime, the 319s are soldiering on, although they are looking a bit careworn. Still, as their next destination’s the scrapyard, is anyone too bothered?
From a photographic perspective, today’s been a reasonable day. I’ve managed to add some new locations (for 319s, anyway) to the library even if I couldn’t make full use of the glorious sunshine. This evening the mercury is dropping rapidly, so I’m happy to head home. Besides, I’m on my travels again on Sunday/Monday so I’m going to give the elbow some room to rest!
19:41.
Almost home. There’s just time for a quick pint of hazy IPA at the Hogshead Brew House in Sowerby Bridge to fortify myself for the hike uphill to Bigland Towers. Cheers!
Saturday 26th update.
I’ve added a few more pictures to this blog from yesterday.
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After yesterday’s adventures chasing trains today’s been a complete contrast and very much home-based. Our day started earlier than planned as the window company who were fitting some new windows to the cottage turned up at 08:00 instead of the 09:00 they’d told Dawn! Cue a mad scramble to get ready earlier, not so big a deal for me as I’d been up early, moving things out of the way of the workers, but women do take longer over their toilette! (You’ll get killed for that: Ed).
The chap who’d turned up to fit the windows was relaxed about the muddle and retreated to his van for another brew until we were ready. Not that the work started immediately. It turns out his family are from the same West Yorkshire village Dawn’s parents grew up in – Marsden. Not only that, but Dee’s mum knew his family and used to take one of his Uncles to school! So, as you can imagine, some reminiscing went on – especially when Dee’s mum rang and was put on speakerphone…
All our upstairs windows were being replaced, including the one in my office so I was exiled downstairs to share the living room with Dawn whilst Andrew and his oppo worked away in the bedroom, bathroom and office. Talk about a bad day to have new windows put in. Our run of crap weather continued with rain and drizzle hanging around for much of the day. Then, late morning, the gales arrived and stayed with us all day. Upstairs was like a wind-tunnel and downstairs wasn’t much better as the guys had to constantly traipse through the house. Conditions weren’t much fun for them either. Whilst I kept everyone topped up with tea, coffee and biscuits Dee decided that lunchtime meant it was egg and bacon teacakes* all round. Her culinary efforts in the kitchen were certainly appreciated by all. After all, none of us are Tories so we really were all in this together!
The guys finished around 16:00 which gave me time to do some clearing up whilst Dawn continued working, after which we swapped roles so I could get back into the office to do some of the stuff I couldn’t with just a laptop perched on the edge of a settee. I’m loving my new office window. The old three panel one’s been replaced by a single pane which is letting in a lot more light. It’s also obstruction free for when I want to take pictures of the birds hanging off the feeders or foraging on the plants and rocks on the terrace. There feels to be a noticeable drop in draughts too – although that could be wishful thinking at this point. Time will tell.
Right, time to call it a day and leave you with a picture rather than get into some spleen-venting over today’s latest Tory lies around the autumn statement. I’ve a fun day tomorrow so that can wait. Here’s another picture from yesterday’s travels.
The number of signalboxes on the UKs railways is dwindling at a steady rate. Slow modernisation of signalling systems which concentrates control in just a handful of Regional Operating Centres (ROCs) is sounding the death-knell of local boxes, especially the old mechanical ones. Only a handful survive, but one that does – despite the line having been electrified and resignalled in recent years is the old LMS box at St Helens Central. Admittedly, it’s changed a bit. Here’s two pictures to illustrate the difference. The first was taken yesterday, the second was taken 32 years ago in 1991.
The box seen on the 17th June 1991 when there were still active Civil Engineers sidings in the old goods yard behind the box. Nowadays the tracks are still there but overgrown by the trees you see in yesterday’s shot.
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Discretion being the better part of valour and with having a judging meeting this morning I decided not to sally forth this morning until afterwards just in case I couldn’t find a decent wifi connection and location to hold such an event. Now, with the meeting done and the picture shortlist agreed between CRN’s Alice Mannion and I, I’m venturing West for a few hours to document the last days of Northern’s Class 319 fleet – all of which will be off to the scrapyard between now and the December 10th timetable change.
Right now I’m on Northern’s 12:02 from Sowerby Bridge which is formed of a quiet (but warm) 2-car class 158. In fact, it’s one of the later batch purchased by funds from the West Yorkshire PTE.
12:48.
A journey by train through the Calder Valley’s a lovely experience this time of year due to the autumnal colours from the woodland covering the valley, although last weeks high winds and rain have taken their toll, dropping a huge tonnage. My train remained quiet all the way to Rochdale where (as always) we filled up with dozens of folk heading into Manchester. I’m resisting the temptation to join them. Instead I’ll stay onboard all the way to Wigan where I can connect with the main diagrams (Liverpool, Wigan, Preston and Blackpool) the 319s are allocated to nowadays.
13:20.
Having swapped one load of passengers for another at Manchester we’re now burbling our way over the old Lancashire and Yorkshire railway main line between Liverpool and Manchester via Walkden. It’s a line I’ve known since childhood, although it’s almost unrecognisable now. One four-track it was reduced to two in the 1960s. The mines, power stations and other industrial sites that I remember from the 1970s are all gone. Sometimes it’s hard to picture exactly where they were as the landscape’s changed so much few points of reference remain. Only the stations survive, although they enjoy a much more frequent service (it’s doubled) since I was a kid.
13:55.
Having been deposited at Wallgate station I dashed across to nearby Wigan North Western just in time to catch my quarry. 319384 arrived working a fast Blackpool North to Liverpool service – first stop St Helens.
319384 arrives at Wigan North Western whilst working 1F07, the 1305 Blackpool North to Liverpool Lime Street.
16:15.
I’m taking a short break in Liverpool, waiting for the light to change after having visited St Helens and Huyton. Here’s a few pictures.
319381 approaches St Helens Central, past what used to be extensive sidings and goods yards on 2C17, the 1353 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street.319368 passes the only remaining signalbox left on the route as it arrives at St Helens Central with 2C18, the 1421 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street all stations service.
The station building, athough only recent – hasn’t aged well. The railways have changed since it was designed and the 1st floor cafe (always a marginal business) closed years ago. The waiting area is pretty unkempt too. It’s a shame, as it’s an interesting design. I wonder if a micro-pub could take over the cafe?
The waiting area in the main building is unkempt and in need of a good clean. A simple coffee kiosk might work in here rather than the cafe upstairs which never really stood a chance. The frontage of St Helens Central’s rather impressive and reflects the glassmakers art. The building opened in September 2007 at a cost of £6m
18:45.
Homeward bound. I’ve had a good – if rushed – day. I hadn’t realised my last explorration of the line through St Helens Central was so long ago. Vegetation has really grown up in certain areas. Combining that with electrification of the line and many photographic locations have disappeared. That said. I managed a reasonable selection of pictures from different vantage points and checked out others for another foray. I’d have liked to have got shots of the Xmas market opposite Lime St station but I didn’t have time to hang around, so that’s snother mission for another trip.
With the light in the ‘blue hour’ 319385 calls at Huyton with 2F52, the 1645 all stations from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western.
Having retraced my steps on the road to Wigan I swapped old Class 319s for even older trains. I’m currently on a vintage Class 156 heading to Stalybridge from Southport. The plan is to change at Manchester Victoria but as we’re running late the connection time may be tight…
Not my 156 but the empty stock from a previous service that was late being shunted between platforms, helping to delay my train.The quietest train I’ve been on all day. Having dropped of its human cargo en-route 156425 passes through Salford bound for Victoria where it’ll fill up once more.
19:14.
Oh, the joys of late-running! Connections were touch and go in Manchester. My delayed train arrived at platform 6 at 19:55. My connection was due out of bay No 2 at 19:57. The next Leeds service was cancelled, so a sprint was order. Thankfully, the 19:57 hadn’t got the road so I made it with a couple of mins to spare, saving me an hour’s fester in the cold and temptation to visit the station’s new micropub. Swings and roundabouts…
21:45.
Time to bring this blog to a close. Despite the fact I only had a few hours I think I’ve added some valuable library shots to the collection – some of which are shown here. I’ll edit the rest over the next few days. I hope you’ve enjoyed the trip.
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/
All change! Well, apart from the weather which has remained damp and miserable as ever! I was looking forward to a week where I could stretch my legs but events have somewhat conspired against me, but the reasons aren’t bad.
Having spent a few hours confined to the office this morning I decided to fly the coop and enjoy some scenery. After picking up some stiff from her Huddersfield office Dawn had arranged to meet her parents to check out the venue and arrangements for their diamond wedding anniversary, so I tagged along for the ride and to cast a photographer’s eye over the room. All went well, after which the two of returned to the homestead and grindstone – only to get a phone call from a firm we’ve commissioned to fit some new windows to the cottage. They’re ready and can go in on Wednesday – but Dee won’t be here – so that’s my day arranged! I must admit, I’m rather looking forward to my new office window as the increase of glass compared to frame will let a lot more light in and aid me getting pictures of the birds that are a regular feature on the feeder on the other side of the glass. Only I have to strip out stuff from several rooms before they arrive. Never mind – the results will be worth it and should make a difference to how warm the cottage is this winter, as well as the bills in keeping it that way.
All this aside, I’m hoping to sneak out for a few hours tomorrow. For once the forecast is good. I’ve a Zoom judging session but that should only last an hour in the morning and can be done elsewhere as long as I have a decent wifi connection. Let’s see what happens…
The reason I want to get out – apart from the fact the weather will be good and I’m fed up being cooped up – is that another old train fleet is about to disappear from the December 10th timetable change. Northern is dispensing of its fleet of ex-BR Class 319 electric trains. They’re old friends of mine as I remember them being introduced on ‘Thameslink’ service in London and the South-East back in 1987-88 when I was living in London. I was a regular user of the trains for decades and was surprised when they followed me back up North after they were displaced on Thameslink services by the new Class 700s in the mid 2010s. Now their times up and they’re off for scrap. Only 15 units remain with Northern. Based at Allerton in Liverpool, they mostly work services between Liverpool, Wigan, Preston and Blackpool North with the odd diagram taking them to Manchester.
So, today’s picture is one of those trains which has just been towed to Newport, South Wales for scrap this very day, having left Allerton depot (Liverpool) this morning on its final journey.
Wearing the old Northern electrics livery, 319375 is seen at Manchester Piccadilly on the 1st November 2016.
I’ll be getting together a picture blog of these units during their time in the North-West before they go. In the meantime, you can find various shots of them with the previous Northern franchise here and the current management contract operator here.
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/
Paul Bigland 