Yesterday I took advantage of the weather to take a look at TRU work at the locations mentioned above. Here’s a selection of shots from my travels.
A Liverpool – Hull TPE class 802 sweeps through Deighton. The new station is being built on the site of the old behind the bridge (itself being replaced) in the background. The new Fast lines will be laid to the left of the picture.Here’s the new Leeds Rd bridge the previous picture was taken from. When fully open it will contain two lanes for vehicles, cycle lanes and footpaths. The old bridge is behind the barriers to the right of the picture. Bradley Junction, where the single line chord to/from Brighouse joins the Trans-Pennine route. The junction and all other lines have been renewed in recent blockades. Preparations for laying the new Fast lines to the left have reached the stage where the original formation has been dug down ready for membrane to be laid before ballasting up to the required level to allow sleepers to be laid. I’ve zoomed in to show the new single span steel Colliery footbridge which replaced the old double arch stone bridge which can be seen in the next picture which was taken last year. The new bridge isn’t open to the public yet, but it’ll make a fine vantage point when it is. Looking in the opposite direction at Bradley Junction. Yet another new bridge can be seen in the background. The same view as 802211 working 9E09, the 0953 Manchester Piccadilly to Newcastle speeds past some of the new OLE masts which have been installed during previous possessions. Here’s a view from the West side of Deighton where four-tracks have been installed. The tracks to the right (which will be the Fast lines) were the original lines. The 802 is running on the newly laid track. In the background the platforms and footbridge lift tower of the new Deighton station are taking shape. Welcome to the UKs newest four-track main line! Here’s a view looking towards Huddersfield as 185147 working 2U47, the 1101 Manchester Piccadilly to York traverses the new tracks.A view from the new footbridge at Huddersfield looking along the viaduct to the East of the station. The new Fast lines will be laid across the right of the viaduct whilst the new through platforms are taking shape behind the camera to the left. A wider shot to the last showing the new platform canopies and extended platforms at Huddersfield.Work continues to build the new island platform. The walls are partially in place, now they’re being filled in to platform level. Looking across the site of the new island platform. This area was once the stabling sidings. Work continues on refurbishing the main trainshed roof. Worthy of note are the counterweights in the foreground. These were used on one of the stations water columns used for topping up steam engines!
If you want to browse other pictures of upgrade work I have a gallery dedicated to the TRU on my Zenfolio website, just follow this link. You’ll find photographs going back as far as the start of the project in 2021.
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Another day that didn’t quite go to plan – although that was more for Dawn than me. Dee’s outbreak of the lurgi meant she had a restless night and felt crap this morning, so her dental appointment was the first thing to be cancelled. Then a phone call to Honda about the fun and games with the car meant they came and collected it within an hour, taking it away for diagnostic checks. So, with no car, no Dawn and me still with a dental appointment it meant I was bound for our dentists in Huddersfield by bus!
That was no big deal, I had plenty of time and managed to get in a long walk to a bus stop that was convenient for some railway shots whilst I waited. As chance would have it, one of the seasonal railhead treatment trains was due just before my bus. Hence this shot.
A pair of Colas Class 66s top and tail the RHTT over Dryclough Junction. This train began its journey in Grimsby and ended it in York after going around the houses to reverse at Halifax. The spray from the powerful water jets mounted on the rear wagon is evident.
My dental appointment was a breeze. I’m not one of these people who’s frightened of visiting dentists, so it’s not a stressful experience at all. The dentist gave me a clean bill of health and the hygienist confirmed his view after giving me a clean, so that’s me done for another 6 months!
As I was close to the centre of Huddersfield I decided my walk to take in a detour to the station to see how the place looks now it’s reopened after the month-long blockade. The answer is – very different!
150007sits in the extended Sheffield bay platform whilst a TPE 185 calls at the widened and extended Westbound platform. The Northern side of the station has vanished. Both platforms and tracks have disappeared with the area becoming a building site.
Catching the bus back we passed through Elland, where the ‘flag-shaggers’ have been busy. Most lamp posts on the main road have had flags cable tied to them. Let’s face it, nothing says ‘patriotism’ more than cheap Chinese-made Union or England flags draped like limp rags around the place. Still, it’s a good indicator of places to avoid. Elland’s always been a shithole with a reputation as a place where the far-right hang out. The flags merely confirm it. I’m sure they’ll do wonders for house prices…
Back in Halifax (where flag-shagging is very much a minority sport) I strolled home, finding Dawn feeling better. Her car had been returned, complete with new rear offside wheel sensor as the old one had failed, causing all the problems. Fortunately, the £280 cost was covered by the extended warranty Dee had been smart enough to take out. Sadly, the fun and games weren’t over! No sooner had we eaten supper than poor Dawn had a large filling drop out! Today of all days!
Looks like the dentists haven’t seen the back of us yet…
Tomorrow I plan to spend the day working from home. Hopefully there’ll be no more excitement and I’ll be able to catch up on blogging and picture editing. Watch this space…
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I’d intended this to be a rolling blog because I was out early this morning as I had a commission in Huddersfield involving the start of Better Transport Week 2025. As is my wont I headed over there from Halifax in plenty of time, with the intention of having a look at TRU upgrade work after the gig. Ha! Today was one of those days where technology throws you a curved ball. On arrival at Huddersfield I tried to download pictures from the camera into the laptop – only to find the two were going through a divorce and wouldn’t talk to each other! I tried a couple of different USB cables, all to no avail. So, that buggered things up to start with as I was on a deadline.
The camera performed faultlessly during the job, but try as I might, I couldn’t get the two machines to kiss and make-up. Eventually I had to give up and head home many hours early in order to be close to home spares. Sure enough, after trying yet another cable out of my spares cabinet the pictures transferred perfectly! There was great rejoicing (and not a little swearing).
Now the evening’s wearing on and I’m almost packed for my next series of travels. Tomorrow I return to London for a couple of days, starting with a press lunch (but more of that tomorrow as and when it happens), after which I’ll be exploring old haunts from my time as a London resident. In the meantime, here’s a couple of pictures from today.
I’d arrived in Huddersfield with time to spare before the gig started, so I went for a wander around Huddersfield old market. It’s a fantastic old Victorian building which is still full of colour thanks to the fruit and veg and cloth stalls.The massed ranks of folks outside Huddersfield station celebrating the start of better Transport week.
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Apologies for absence these past couple of days but it’s been a busy time due to the fact that on Thursday my father-in-law had his 90th birthday. So, on Thursday the Platt family had a gathering to celebrate. Thankfully, John had bounced back from having had the lurgi just the week before, showing that he’s incredibly resilient from someone of an age where many people expect you to be a gibbering wreck that spends all their time sat in front of the TV. That’s never been John’s route. He’s probably more active and fitter than many men 20 years younger – as you’ll see later…
The full Platt family (and me, as an honorary member) went out for a meal at the Manor House in Lindley, on the edge of Huddersfield and I have to say, the food didn’t disappoint. Dawn had taken me there several years ago for my birthday so we knew what to expect, whilst the rest of the family had never visited. The food, service and ambience were all top notch. As both Dawn and I enjoy cooking we sometimes find eating out a disappointment as we know we can cook just as well, if not better. But the Manor House is in a different league.
Friday saw me working from home as the weather’s been bloody awful and it’s not been any better today as we’ve caught the end of storm Darragh. High winds had already caused chaos in the area, bringing down a huge tree in our local woods on Thursday night, but today I had to venture over to Huddersfield for the annual Honley male voice choir Xmas concert. Dawn had driven over earlier in the day so I elected to get the train. I thought I’d be clever and go from Sowerby Bridge to Dewsbury, then catch a Trans-Pennine Express service into Huddersfield in order to get a view of progress on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU). I didn’t need to be at the concert until 15:00 and left in plenty of time, so what could possibly go wrong? Bloody trees down on the line, that’s what…
My 10 minute connection at Dewsbury turned into a 55 minute fester. The only small mercy was the opportunity to have a swift pint in the West Riding refreshment room on the station. Thankfully, I made it to the Lawrence Batley theatre in Huddersfield with just a couple of minutes to spare before the concert started and took my seat with Dawn and her mum. Remember I said my FiL isn’t one for vegetating in front of the TV? Not at all, instead – he was singing in the choir he’s been a member of for 38 years! So, today’s picture is of the concert. John is on the bottom row, second from the left.
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Today’s very much been a mixture here at Bigland Towers. Yesterday evening I was sat outside in the garden, enjoying a beer and soaking up the rays of the sun for the first time this year. This morning? We were back to rain, miserable temperatures and low cloud, so a lie-in seemed like the only sensible course of action. This afternoon was different. The weather was still diva-like, but we decided to ignore its strops and have a day out, heading over to Huddersfield for lunch. Whilst the town doesn’t have the attractions that it once did there’s still an oasis and reflection of how things used to be. We ate at Arcade, in the Byram arcade on Westgate. It’s a lovely little cafe that has a Bohemian feel and clientele in an arcade which has its own vibe due to the arts and craft shops the cafe rubs shoulders with. We both plumped for the same dish, Turkish eggs – with added Chorizo.
It was delicious! Whilst Dawn had a coffee I indulged in a Vocation brewery Hazy Pale beer.
Afterwards, whilst Dee checked out the nearby woolshop I wandered up to observe the Trans-Pennine Route upgrade at the station. There’s another blockade on the line this weekend as major work’s started on the station roof.
This section of the trainshed roof is scheduled for demolition as the whole area is going to be redeveloped due to the addition of two more through platforms. This is why the line’s closed! You can’t get heavy plant in without closing the railway entirely!
Bidding adieu to Huddersfield we headed back from Colne to Calder valley for an expensive side-trip to Garden centres, DIY stores and supermarkets – all in the midst of another downpour. Well, that’s the gardening taking a rain-check then!
Back at home Dawn decided to get stuck into baking whilst I nipped out to get my steps in and have a ‘swifty’ in the Big 6 where this range of beers was on offer.
Now the pair of us are enjoying a quiet night in with the hope of better weather tomorrow…
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We’ve had a mixed weekend here at Bigland Towers. mainly due to the weather – as in Dawn’s been under it whilst the real stuff has been a real pain in the arse! Thankfully, the bug that Dee contracted has responded to antibiotics so the cough that’s been giving us both sleepless night is receding. I’ve not known Dawn be off work this long or laid so low for a very long time indeed. Now all that’s needed is for her to regain her stamina and strength.
That was tested yesterday as it was the annual Christmas Concert in Huddersfield town hall which features the Honley Male Voice choir which Dee’s father sings in. She was loathe to miss it so we had an easy morning before sallying forth. That wasn’t easy as our timing co-incided with the arrival of yet another bloody storm! This time it was Storm Elin which brought high winds and torrential rain – just what you need when you’re walking across town to a concert as you can forget using an umbrella unless you fancy doing a Mary Poppins impression.
Thankfully we made it to the town hall soggy but intact and spent the next two hours getting into the Christmas spirit in fabulous surroundings. The town hall boasts a wonderfully decorated 1200 seat concert hall which is dominated by the massive organ behind the stage. The choir were accompanied by one of the best brass bands in the country Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band as well as the young ladies of Rastrick High School Chamber Choir. It was a great afternoon full of festive cheer.
Afterwards we had a couple of drinks with some of the choir members in the old courthouse inside the town hall before heading home to be battered by the wind and rain once more. It really was a filthy night and I didn’t envy the guys and gals who would be working trackside overnight at Huddersfield station and surrounds as part of the Trans-Pennine route upgrade.
Having picked up a very rare takeaway on our way home (we reckon it’s only the fourth we’ve had since Covid kicked in) the pair of us hunkered down for the night to listen to the wind and rain battering the cottage.
Today’s been very much home focussed. The storm beat itself out overnight but the rain remained along with flood warnings and notice of the next storm on its way. We’re expecting ‘Fergus’ tonight, apparently. I’ve spent much of the day swapping between garden and office in between showers as I’ve been desperate to get the gardens tidied for the winter. That’s not easy in these conditions as you need to be a mountain goat at the best of times to access the terraces at the back of the cottage. When stones and steps are wet and covered in slime and leaves you tread carefully. Still, between us we got a lot done. Whilst I was occupied outside Dawn beavered away inside, so we feel like we’ve achieved something this weekend in preparation for a busy week from tomorrow.
Now Dawn’s on the road to recovery I’ll be on the road too – so expect a few blogs from ‘out and about’ later in the week. But first I’ve got to get an ailing laptop repaired (the fan’s are suffering from asthma) as well as sort out some camera kit – and finish my next RAIL article.
In the meantime I’ll leave you with a picture and a video from yesterday so you can see the opulence of the concert hall in Huddersfield and also enjoy the finale of the concert. See you tomorrow….
Huddersfield Town hall concert hall.
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Today’s been one of those rare days that has absolutely nothing to do with railways. Instead it’s been all about the holiday – and food…
Dawn’s been a busy Easter bunny over the past couple of days, cooking up an absolute storm as we’ve spent to day with her parents over in Huddersfield, having prepared a festive feast for the four of us. I played my part as kitchen assistant and chief washer-up, but the lions share of the work’s been done by Dee. We’ve eschewed the traditional Easter fayre of lamb and went for pork and duck instead. But even that wasn’t particularly traditional as the Duck was served cold or in a stir-fry medley mixed with Hoisin sauce. So, for the past few days our cottage has been filed with the most delicious smells as the pork was prepared in a slow-cooker and the duck in the oven.
The idea was to get as much prepared at home before we ferried the food (and ourselves) over to Dee’s parents where everything was assembled in their kitchen. Oh, I forgot to mention the home-made gravy with apples, Shallots, Dijon mustard, celeriac, white wine, chicken stock and honey garlic and Thyme. Then there was the pork crackling, made from the fat off the joint and crisped to perfection at home. Plus – as a dessert – sticky Ginger puddings with a ginger wine and brandy sauce…
Feeling hungry yet?
In preparation for such a repast the two of us stretched our legs and burned off a few calories by wandering around a local beauty spot. Beaumont Park is on the edge of the valley looking out towards Castle Hill and a place called Armitage Bridge. It was the nearest I got to a railway today as there’s an impressive viaduct below which allows Penistone line services to cross the gap.
Now, having stuffed ourselves, we’re back at home. The surplus food’s stashed away. It’ll feed us for the next few days, allowing us to concentrate on other holiday activities. We’d planned to have a long walk tomorrow but the forecast isn’t looking like the weather’s going to play ball. Even so – tomorrow’s a day for just the two of us. We’ll get out somewhere – we just don’t know where yet. Meanwhile, i’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is one of the views from Beaumont Park. I must come back with the proper camera one day…
With Castle Hill in the background, the Honley viaduct on the Penistone line dominates this view from Beaumont Park.
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Despite the rail strikes and weather the pair of us strayed from Bigland Towers yesterday. Not that we went far. Dawn had a meeting with colleagues at the Community Rail Network office so I hitched a lift with her into Huddersfield and went for a wander around town. It was a depressing experience if I’m honest. Earlier in the day armed police carried out a big raid on a warehouse on the edge of the town centre which was a base for drug dealers (apparently). There was no sign of such fun and games on the streets but there was a melancholic air about the place. The amount of shops which have closed/are closing is quite depressing. Thriving the town ain’t. Big names like House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer have disappeared, never mind the multitude of local businesses. Even an old favourite – Millets – the outdoor specialist, is having its final sale before closing. Bargains were to be had but there was nothing I wanted or needed. It’s not just shops that have closed either, several bars and pubs have gone the way of all things too.
Whilst I was there I popped in to the railways station as at least Trans-Pennine Express were making an attempt to run trains, despite the strikes – unlike Northern. There was a roughly hourly service between Manchester Airport and York run by 6-car Class 185s. The trains I saw were mixed, some were busy, others very quiet – as if only the foolhardy (or desperate) were risking travelling. Typically (despite the sparseness of the service) TPE still couldn’t run to time. Every train was late by several minutes!
One Dawn and Co had finished their meeting we all met up for a post-work drink at the ‘Teepee’ which is a Xmas feature of St George’s Square. It serves a range of drinks including real ales, mulled wine, spirits, teas and coffees – and the heating system certainly keeps you warm. If you’re there after 7pm there’s often live music. All of us have had Christmas parties cancelled due to the strikes, so this was a welcome unofficial gathering. Still, it was good to while away a couple of hours doing something festive before venturing home in sub-zero temperatures, not that you’d stay all night with drinks at premium prices but then it shuts at 9pm! So, today’s pictures are a peek inside the teepee…
The statue of Harold Wilson looks over the Huddersfield Xmas Teepee…The bar and central seating around the firepit. The firepit (centre) with the stage area at the rear of the tent.
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Apologies for the lack of blogging these past couple of days. I’ve been busy but too busy to blog and also wanted to have a time to enjoy my environment rather than always looking for words to describe it in a rolling blog. I was back in London and the South-East for the past few days – pictures of which will appear on my Zenfolio website tomorrow. Today’s been a more relaxing and family orientated day back in West Yorkshire. Aided and abetted by the fact we’ve had the first snowfall of the season. It’s not been much. I opened the bedroom blinds this morning to see a light dusting across the valley and around where we live, but we’re a few meters below the real snowline so it had little impact on us and what there was soon melted.
This afternoon was rather different as we headed over to Huddersfield for the annual Christmas Carol concert at Huddersfield Town Hall which features the Honley Male Voice Choir and guests. OK, I’m possibly slightly biased as my Father-in-Law sings with the choir! But, they do put on a fantastic Christmas show and the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery band who provide the musical accompaniment are excellent – as are the other guests. The surrounding are superb too. Where they play at Huddersfield Town Hall is an amazing space – as you’ll see shortly.
Now we’re back at home. Dawn is shouting at the TV as England play France in the world cup whilst I worry about my laptop as I type this. The cooling fans have developed asthma and sound on the cusp of giving out, so it looks like they’ll need replacing – especially as I’ll be off to Asia in the New Year. If they struggle in the UK when the temperatures are approaching sub-zero they’ll stand no chance in the tropics! It’s just another job to add to the long list I need tp sort before year end.
Meanwhile, here’s a picture – and video – from today’s concert.
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/
Apologies for the lack of blogging recently. This has been due to a busy work and social calendar. Yes, social! Despite the latest tightening of the Covid rules (rules that of course only apply to us little people, not to the people who make them) we managed to have a very successful Community Rail awards, then I joined a group of old friends in London for our first Christmas gathering since 2019. Today Dawn and I joined her mum to watch her dad perform in the Honley male voice choir who were taking part in a Christmas Carol service in the gorgeous Concert Hall at Huddersfield town hall. So it’s been a very sociable time. As usual we’ve both been taking lateral flow tests between events to ensure we’ve not contracted Covid and to keep ourselves and others safe. Fingers crossed, we’re still in the clear.
There’s still a couple of events in the calendar before we finally wind-down for the festive season but this next week I’ll mostly be based at home as I wrap up various projects and prepare for the end of the year. I can’t say I’m going to be sorry to see the back of 2021. We’d all hoped it was the one that would see us escape from the Covid restrictions, but that hasn’t exactly gone to plan has it?
Anyway, I’ve still a few blogs to complete and new ones to write before the end of the year but tonight I’m going to call it a day and leave you with a picture from today, taken at the carol concert earlier.
The choir appeared with the award-winning Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, conducted by Steven Roberts and the young ladies of the Rastrick High School Chamber Choir, directed by Charles Rhodes. It was lovely to be back at such a wonderful location and be able to hear live music again. Something that both audience and performers had really missed. Oh, my father-in-law is 2nd from the left in the 3rd row down from the top.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, 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 to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 