Today there certainly was. After all the miserable weather we’ve had recently this neck of the woods was pretty much blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine from daybreak. Such favorable conditions tore me away from my desk in order to take the camera on a little tour around the Colne and Calder valleys. Having caught a train from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester I ventured up the Colne, stopping off at various places as I headed East. Here’s a selection taken around Mossley.
Houses so close to the railway line at Mossley are proving to be an interesting challenge when it comes to electrifying this stretch of line. TRU are consulting on the options at the moment. Here’s 185114 and 185109 passing whilst working 1P66, the 08:42 Saltburn to Manchester VictoriaThis is 802215 passing Mossley with 9M29, the 09:43 Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street.802211 heads East past Mossley on 1P25, the 11:54 Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle
Having a series of shots in the bag I moved location, enjoying a lovely walk along the Huddersfield narrow canal to Greenfield in the process. The autumn leaves looked stunning.
I didn’t stay long at Greenfield as the low autumn sun was already casting heavy shadows at the locations I’d planned to get shots at, but I did still get this.
802202 snakes past Greenfield with 9M31, the 11:43 Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street.
Catching a train back into Manchester I retraced my way along the Calder valley route as far as Castleton, where I popped into this excellent hostelry for a pint whilst I waited for the ‘blue hour’ where the light’s changed enough to provide some really vivid colours in the sky, just before darkness falls.
The Old Post Office micro pub is just a few minutes walk from Castleton station.
Here’s how the light looked when I left, and no – this isn’t due to beer-goggles!
156452 arrives at Castleton whilst working 2J29, the 1521 Clitheroe to Rochdale.Journey’s end at Rochdale. The crew of 2J29 have a chat under stunning autumn skies.
Now I’m back home with an office day beckoning in the morning. Still, the light was good whilst it lasted…
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Ugh, a daft time to be up and about on a Saturday morning but I’m off to Manchester to join a train that only runs on a Saturday, and then only on one return trip. More on that when I get there. First I have to traverse the Pennines once more to get to the start line…
07:30.
This morning’s a grey, chilly one in the Pennines. My stroll down into tge Calder valley to Sowerby Bridge was pleasant enough though. The town was quiet, with just two other people waiting to join Northern’s 07:23 to Leeds which is operated by a pair of Class 158s. It’s lovely and warm inside and the train’s on-time, which is a good start to the day.
08:00.
Sao far, so good. My connection at Mirfield (I won’t bore you with anymore new platform pictures) was faultless. I’m now aboard a quiet 07:46 to Manchester Piccadilly, but on as far as Stalybridge. The weather’s just as gloomy here in the Colne valley as it is in the Calder. I hope it’ll pick up when we’re the other side of the Pennines.
08:35.
Remind me never to apply for a job as a weather forecaster! There’s fog and drizzle over in Greater Manchester right now! But at least I’m on the train I wanted. Once a week, on a Saturday, Northern run a return service from Stalybridge to Stockport via Guide Bridge and the (normally) freight only line through Denton and Reddish to Stockport. There’s only the one return service and right now – I’m on it.
The 08:30 Stalybridge to Stockport. There’s only me and one other passenger in the front car.
09:00.
We’re now at Stockport, waiting to head back to Stalybridge. The old bay platform this service used was filled in long ago. Now we have to occupy the adjacent through platform. I’ll write at length about the trip, the line and its stations later. Right now I’m travelling back as far as Denton – the last in a very long list of stations I needed to photograph.
What’s suprised me about the return trip is how many people are using it. There’s a handful of older men who look like rail enthusiasts, but there’s several ordinary passengers with luggage who seem to have stumbled upon it for some reason.
Our train in platform 1. The old Stalybridge bay platform was to the right.Calling at Reddish South on the return. The old couple had got on here purely to have a trip on the train to Stockport and back. According to the ORR passenger use statistics, the station had an annual footfall of 100 passengers in 2022/23, down from 158 in 2019/20. I wonder how many of those trips were made by this couple?
09:30.
Today I was one of two people to use Denton station.
156426 at Denton. The other chap who got off was keen to stay out of the picture! According to the ORR (Office of Road and Rail) statistics, the station saw 34 passengers in 2022/23, down from 92 in 2019/20. It retains its title as Britain’s least used station.
Now to walk back to Guide Bridge…
12:00.
I’m back in central Manchester after my explorations. I’ll add more pictures from Guide Bridge later. Now for a short interlude in a packed city-centre before catching a train back East.
20:55.
Wow! The day’s flown by! I’m afraid I won’t have time to add anymore words and pictures for now as I’m back at home, catching my breath before the next adventure. Tomorrow I’ll be in Liverpool for a Labour party conference fringe event. Sunday is world car-free day I’ll be there with Cycling UK and Community Rail Network to help get the message across. Watch out for the fun!
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Not the most auspicious start to the day. Having got up at 06:00 I’m meant to be spending another day trawling the stations in SE Manchester but my hourly train from Halifax to Huddersfield has been cancelled. The Calder Valley’s cut off from direct travel West at the moment due to the rail bridge over the M62 at Castleton being renewed, which means getting to the Manchester involves a bus from Rochdale, or taking the alternative route via the Colne valley (which was my intention). Now I’m going to be taking the ‘scenic route’ via Sowerby Bridge and Mirfield for a later than hoped for start. Ho hum…
Let’s see how the rest of the day unfolds. At least the weather’s good.
08:30.
Better late than never! I’m now en-route to Mirfield aboard the 08:22 from Sowerby Bridge. I’m not the only one either. Dozens of of other folk were waiting for this four car train.
09:55.
Finally, I’m heading in the right direction, having caught a TPE service from Mirfield bound for Manchester. I’ve been observing TRU work on the way. Most changes are marginal but one thing I did notice was a single line spur into the massive TRU compound on the site of the old Huddersfield locomotive depot at Hillhouse. It’s not connected to the mainline yet, but I suspect that will happen soon.
Today’s a gorgeous day for traversing the Colne valley. Part of me wishes I was lineside somewhere, but I’m sure I’ll have fun whatever. Besides, sunshine’s good for the soul.
11:30.
1st station ticked off. One very few will have visited as it’s Manchester’s least used. Can you guess what it’s called?
Now, after a brisk walk to the next (far busier) station along the line I’m on my way to another hard to reach station – but that’s because the lines closed due to a landslip, leaving this place marooned.
12:00.
And now for the dreaded rail replacement bus service. Although – to be honest, it’s better than a class 150…
14:00.
Well, that was fun! Strines is a place I’ve never explored before and I got to see more than expected as the replacement bus goes nowhere near the station!
As can be seen from the rusting and weed-strewn tracks, there’s been little rail activity at Strines for some time.
The reason the line’s closed (landslip) can be seen in the distance from the Southern ends of the platforms. RRVs mark the site. Having got the pictures I needed I had a choice. Wait 50 mins for the next bus or walk the 2 miles back. As there’s nothing in Strines walking won – and I still made it back to Marple before the bus had reached Strines!
Now, having changed trains at Romiley I’m on my way to Guide Bridge…
15:40.
The day’s ticking on and the station’s are being ticked off. Now I’ve time for a slight diversion at Broadbottom on the former Woodhead route. A stone’s throw from the station is the Green Mill brewery tap at the the Harewood Arms ale house. It’s a lovely multi-room pub with a great selection of cask and bottled beers – and railway memorabilia. Plus, a model railway above the bar!
Notice the loco builders plate fixed to the left of the bar. It’s off one of the old Woodhead class 76 locomotives, in this case 76026. There’s a page dedicated to the locos on the right hand side of the bar.
18:20.
What a stunning evening! We’ve had wall to wall sunshine across Manchester. I’m not going to complain but it has given me a few challenges. It’s not always what you want from a photographic perspective due to heavy contrasts. But from a personal perspective I’ve loved soaking up all that vitamin D! Here’s another lovely station building I visited. Newton for Hyde.
If it wasn’t for the harsh sunlight you might be able to make out the intertwined letter MSLR in the chimney breast to the left. The one on the right of the building carries the date – 1888.
I’ve abandoned Manchester having shot pictures at every station I need (bar 1) but there’s a story attached there. Right now I’m having a quick pint in an old railway institution before making my way back to West Yorkshire. Some of you may recognise it.
19:55.
The last leg..
Having traversed the Pennines once more I’m now aboard typical transport – a class 150 wheezing its way from Huddersfield to Halifax. It’s empty apart from me and a few youngsters who’ve obviously come from the college. Or is it a University nowadays? Not that it matters to me either way, it just provides a lot of traffic for the railway.
150215 waiting for the crew to return from their break before working another shuttle to Bradford Interchange.
The sunshine’s given way to dark as the nights are really drawing in. Every cloud has a silver lining as we’ve been treated to some great sunsets as a consequence – although I could do with Asia sunset temperatures, not the bloody far North!
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Make hay whilst the sun shines is the old saying. Only in my case it’s make pictures! After yesterday’s climatic shenanigans we’ve a warm(ish) but sunny day, so I’m off to Manchester once more. Today’s trip is complicated by the fact the railway is severed at Castleton, where the bridge over the M62 is being replaced. This means I’m taking the scenic route. Right now I’m waiting for a train from Sowerby Bridge to Mirfield where I can pick up a Trans-Pennine service through the Colne Valley to Manchester Piccadilly. Let’s see how the day goes…
10:00.
The diversion was painless, and actually – rather useful as it gave me chance to check on TRU progress. I had less than 10 mins at Mirfield but that gave me time to document progres on the new island platform and other work, which includes an extention to platform 3 in order to move the entrance to it, plus new vistas opened up by vegetation clearence.
The view from platform 3 looking across to the island and the new platform 2 face. It seems a string of rails are in place just waiting for the sleepers to arrive before the new platform track is laid. An extension to the extension on the East end of platform 3.
Passing Deighton station I could see I need to pay another visit. The cutting has been widened with a lot of muck moved to accommodate a realigned slow line track – a short section of which has already been laid and ballasted.
12:00.
That’s two more stations of the list, one of which is the delightful Woodsmoor near Stockport. The station friends do an excellent job looking after it with planting and artwork. Plus, I do like a good local history board.
A local service to Hazel Grove calls at Woodsmoor.
Now for my next challenge. A station with no trains today…
14:00.
Three more stations down, including Reddish South which only sees one return train a week (Saturdays).
All dressed up with no trains to go…
A surprise for me was Brinnington, where the ticket office doubles as a charity shop. The walk from Heaton Chapel through Reddish to Reddish North was fascinating and depressing in equal measure with some excellent examples of community spirit but government indifference or downright destruction. I’ll add more pictures later. Right now I’m heading back into Manchester Piccadilly on a positioning move.
16:00.
Things started to go wrong at Piccadilly. Several services on lines I was intending to use were cancelled due to staff shortages. Main line trains were getting disrupted too so it was time for plan B. A cheeky loco-hauled (or rather – pushed) train to Stockport saw me ready to head down the Buston line.
Bizarrely, Stockport had an entire platform out of commission due to staff shortages. Platform 0, but as that’s isolated from the rest of the station you kinda see why.
Right now I’m having a swift pint outside a pub called the Royal Oak in the nearby village of High Lane, just 15 minutes walk along the Middlewood Way (a cycle route on the abandoned railway from Macclesfield to Marple) from the station of the same name. The train service is two-hourly, so a walk to a nearby hostelry made sense as there’s bugger-all by the station!
17:40.
Time to call it a day and head home. I’ve ticked off some of the most difficult stations access-wise. Now I’m heading home via Huddersfield. I’ll add some camera pictures later.
Right now I’m on a rammed 17:30 all-stations to Leeds worked by a 3-car Class 185. I’ve made someone turf their bag off a seat so that I can sit down and free up more standing room in the vestibule. Some people are far too polite and let folk seat-hog.
20:50.
I’m home after a really interesting day. I said I’d add a few more pictures, so here they are.
Artwork (and a statement) on Woodsmoor station.South Reddish station only sees passenger trains (one return trip from Stalybridge to Stockport) on a Saturday morning, but it’s still an important freight link. Here’s Freightliner’s 66604 passing through on a light-engine move from Leeds to Crewe.The station building at Brinnington isn’t just a ticket office. It’s also a local history picture gallery and home to Brinnington Station Swap Shop – a community hub where people can leave unwanted items and take items they need all free of charge. Middlewood station looking towards Buxton. The bridge carries the Middlewood way, a footpath/cycle route along the old railway from Macclesfield to Marple. A scene that’s becoming rare on the railways nowadays. A train from Buxton passes the Distant signal outside Middlewood. Fewer and fewer of these signals (especially working ones) survive. This one protects Norbury Hollow level crossing further up the line.
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It’s been another day slogging away over a hot computer here at Bigland Towers. My timetable slipped slightly due to the fun and games at yesterday’s Green party conference and the vote to back building HS2 which required a blog all of its own. Having penned that it was back to picture editing, sorting out station images for a client and planning how I’ll get to the last dozen plus locations – some of which only see trains once a week! The logistical challenge is an interesting one, but it should keep me fit as well as give me the opportunity to visit some places I’ve never been before. But that’s going to have to wait until the weather’s right – hopefully later this week.
Tomorrow I have another, rather different assignment up in Newcastle (and Edinburgh), but more of that after it’s happened. First, I’ve got to get to Newcastle tomorrow morning, ready to meet up with the cameraman I’ll be working with. Yep, it’s not me doing the filming on this little adventure! No doubt I’ll have some time to blog tomorrow, even if it’s not going to be a full running commentary on the day.
In the meantime, here’s today’s picture, which is from my recent prowls around Manchester. I love the little nooks and crannies or unexpected turns you find at some railway stations as the builders tried to cope with the topography and meeting between road and rail. Here’s one from Davenport station, just outside Stockport on the route to Buxton.
I’ve always been interested in the architecture of the railways and have a gallery dedicated to railway stations (good and bad), so if you want to see more examples from across the network, follow this link.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m on the move – again. I have to be in London tonight in order to get to a rather special HS2 railway media event tomorrow morning, but more about that nearer the time. Right now I’m waving goodbye to the Calder Valley as I’m on my way to Manchester in order to ‘tick off’ another couple of stations that are on my commission list before heading down to the capital. As usual, I’ll be blogging on and off throughout the day so you’ll be able to see what I get up to – and where.
Today I caught the train from Sowerby Bridge rather than Halifax, which made a pleasant change as it’s downhill all the way! Now I’m on a Northern 3-car 158 running the Leeds – Brighouse – Manchester route. There’s no power sockets on these sets and the tables double as leg-clamps as they’re that low, but at least it’s running on time.
11:45.
Bugger! We’ve crossed the Pennines and the sunshine we’d been enjoying in Yorkshire has vanished. Instead we have a collection of ominous looking clouds that appear ready to bombard us with rain at any moment. Ah well – at least I’m equipped with a brolley and waterproof as the forecast for tomorrow’s event is even worse!
12:20.
After a dash across Manchester city centre from Vic to Picc I have a different type of conveyance. One of Washwood Heath’s finest..
14:15.
My Manchester jaunt took me out to Davenport station which is the first stop on the route to Buxton. I had 30 mins to explore and found it an interesting place. Mainly due to the fine old elevated ticket office and the passage underneath (pic later). I’d have like to hang around but the weather was looking distinctly ‘iffy’ so I returned to Piccadilly via Stockport. In doing so I found the latest of the ex-West Midlands Class 323s which have been cascaded to Northern. It’s seen between trips to Stoke-on-Trent.
Talking of Stoke, that’s where I’m headed now. I’d have headed on but the Pendolino I’m on has no working power sockets so I’ll catch the one behind.
15:45.
My brief sojourn at Stoke was useful in that I managed to get a couple of good pictures. I also bumped into an old friend and fellow Community Rail awards judge (Andy Savage), who pointed out to me the additions and restorations to the WW1 memorial that forms the entrance to platform 1. Now I’m aboard another Euston bound Pendolino with the full range of services (power sockets and wifi). Now that I spend so much time up and down the East Coat I’d forgotten how much fun tilting around the curvaceous West Coast Main Line in a Pendolino is!
Whilst on the train I’ve had chance to catch up on the news. It seems that the man who insisted that a mural in a child asylum unit be painted over as it was ‘too welcoming’ is front runner to lead the Tory party. Figures. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli…
18:15.
I made it to London without incident. Having arrived at Euston my first mission was to explore a station I’ve known since the 1970s and examine it under a critical eye considering recent accusations that it’s ‘unsafe’. My impression? It’s far better than it used to be 20 years ago (excerable LED main board aside). But, it’s clear passenger numbers have outgrown the original design and the station needs rebuilding for the future. The rest is just down to crowd management, just as it has been at many London underground stations like Victoria, Covent Garden and Camden town. No-one claims they’re ‘unsafe’.
Right now I’m enjoying people-watching on the piazza outside Kings Cross. It’s another London station I’ve known since the 1970s and my – how it’s changed in the past 10 years.
19:30.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Thames, these old beasts are soldiering on…
23;45.
It’s time to say goodnight. I’m embedded in Clapham Junction for the night at an old friends, but normal service will be resumed at roundabout 06:00 as tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day…
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/
Morning has broken here in the Calder valley and I can actually see the other side today, which is nice. However, the forecast for Manchester is even better, meaning today’s going to be spent exploring more stations on the city’s East side as I’ve a lot to tick off but little time to do it now my diary’s getting crowded.
Expect pictures and details of my explorations to appear throughout the day whilst I’m out and about.
08:55.
I’m on my way aboard the modern mainstay of Northern’s train fleet through the Calder valley – a Class 195 bound for Manchester Victoria. This one’s only a 2-car, but I’ve managed to find a spare table seat in order to set up the ‘mobile office’ on the way. Now to get some work done…
With the famous sweet factory as background 195006 arrives to carry me from Halifax to Manchester.
10:30.
My first proper station stop is at Fairfield between Gorton and Guide Bridge. I’ve not been here since the 1970s. In those days it boasted four platforms as well as being the junction for the Fallowfield loop and line to Reddish depot and workshop. Now only the the masts remain of the loop, hidden in the bushes.
11:50.
I’ve never stoppe here before. Woodley station is a junction for a freight only branch which still sees regular waste trains to Bredbury. The station build’s been converted into homes.
12:20.
I’m now at Romily, which possesses the most substantial station on the lines around here. It’s also the junction for servives via Guide Bride or Bredbury. It’s the latter route I’ll be exploring next. Trains are only hourly, so there’s time to have a wander and grab a sandwich as I exxoect to be doing plenty of walking on this next section.
13:45.
Two more stations ticked off the list. One name is eponymous with speedway, the other with – not a lot really! Ryder Brow is a basic station with no facilities at all beyond a couple of (mostly) wooden platforms. Waiting shelters are promised, but right now there’s no shelter, no seats, no ticket machines – nothing. Although thanks to the inclines from the main road it does (almost) have step free access.
19:50.
Another busy day! I fitted in several other stations after Ryder Brow but the walking I exoected to do to a couple of lineside locations never happened as the view from the train allowed me to see the flaws that a map didn’t. Mind you, If I’d had a drone…
Right now I’m heading home across the Peenines aboard a pair of Class 158s – which are unusual traction via Halifax nowadays. I’d have stayed longer but clouds rolled in and the nights are drawing in. Those long summer evenings are already history. I’ll had a couple of camera pictures later if I have 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/
Alright, I know it’s almost officially autumn, but who ordered such crap weather already? I thought yesterday was bad, but today? Sheesh! The Calder valley’s been coated in mist and rain for much of the day. We couldn’t even see the other side of the valley, far less the sun! There was no point in me thinking of going anywhere with the camera. Instead the day’s been spent picture editing, clearing out a burgeoning email inbox and slotting a couple of new jobs and invitations into the diary. Not a bad day all in all. That said, today’s a fasting day. I could have done with being able to consume a few more calories, just to make the day more interesting, but that’s life.
Poor Dawn’s been chained to her computer even longer than I’ve been. At least I still managed to get a walk, in order to pick up some low-calorie food shopping. Still, tomorrow’s another day and the forecast suggests the weather will improve, which would be good as I need to make another trip to Manchester to tick off some more locations for a commission. I thought I might have had more time this week but I’ve another HS2 press invite later in the week which I really don’t want to miss as it’s a bit of a milestone – as you’ll see soon…
But for now, I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is one from Saturday’s trip. The friends of Romiley station have some rather colourful planters on the platforms and the sunshine showed them off to their best.
Expect another rolling blog tomorrow from some different stations in S-E Manchester…
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/
It’s not often that I’m out working on a Saturday nowadays. The days of trackside shifts on major rail renewal projects are long gone. Nowadays I prefer to have time at home with Dawn. However, this month I have a stream of work that involves making pictures whilst the sun shines. Today, it is, so I’m off to Manchester to visit a string of stations on the city’s East side.
Right now I’m on a packed train from Halifax that’s making its way to Victoria through the Calder valley. I’m obviously not the only one making the most of the weather!
I’ll blog on and off through the day, so feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to…
11:05
We’ve made it as far as Todmorden, where I’ve managed to blag a table seat and set up the mobile office thanks to a trio of walkers who’ve left the train here. The station’s packed with people on both platforms, showing the popularity of locations both East and West.
12:05.
Having strolled across a packed city centre full of shoppers and those enjoying the sunshine I’m now at Piccadilly station, where I found this West Midlands refugee…
12:55.
It’s not just pretty country stations and rural railways you get to visit in this job. Can you guess where this is? A clue. The area’s synonymous with an old locomotive builder.
16:55.
What a glorious afternoon! The weather’s finally played ball. There’s hardly been a cloud in the sky here in Manchester, so my to-ing and fro-ing on the railways between Guide Bridge, Romiley, Marple and New Mills has provided me with plenty of useable pictures. I’ll add some from the camera later. Right now I’m making my way back from Marple via the line from Romiley to Ashburys, the next one I need to explore. Whilst some stations work well photographically in full sun, others need duller days and even light due to the fact they’re in cuttings or surrounded by trees. Then there’s the position of the sun in the sky depending on the time of day/year.
Still, it’s been an enjoyable trip. I managed a walk out to the Marple aqueduct, which provides a great rail/canal juxtaposition, and even (purely by accident) found a classic old Manchester boozer for a quick pitstop.
The Cheshire Ring, just across the road from Hyde Central station. It’s a Beartown brewery pub.One of several rooms in the Cheshire Ring. A pair of Class 156s working the 15:40 Marple – Manchester Piccadilly pass the Marple aqueduct.
21:10.
Home again. Today’s been a very enjoyable trip. Now I’ve chance to add a few more pictures for your delectation.
This is why 2 platforms at a time are being taken out of use at Manchester Piccadilly. These guys are working inside the roof, replacing coverings high above the platforms. 150146 calls at Hyde North with a service to New Mills Central. The line to Glossop passes in the background. The substantial multi-level station building at Romiley.
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/
We’re being treated to glorious sunshine here in the Calder valley this morning, although I’m not going to be around to enjoy it as I’m on my way to Manchester for another visit to Manchester’s Newton Heath depot in order to get the pictures and info I need for a future RAIL article.
My fellow passengers on the 09:02 from Sowerby Bridge are all dressed for the summer as everyone’s making the most of the good weather whilst it lasts. Finally, the winter layers and rainwear have been discarded – for now at least. The Class 158 I’m travelling on is in summer mode too – all the windows are open as the air-conditioning is struggling already!
After my depot visit’s concluded I’ll be spending some time exploring the railways around Manchester and making the most of the sunshine. Feel free to pop back later and see what I get up to….
16:00.
Sorry for the gap but things haven’t gone entirely to plan! My visit to Newton Heath was excellent. I was given a full tour, learned a lot more about operations and future plans whilst also getting pictures of different depot facilities.
An empty ‘parlour’. This is the only part of the 1876 steam shed that remains. Note the WW1 memorial which has been installed at the end. Here’s a look inside the new St Mary’s building which is a world apart from the old steam shed.
It was only afterwards that things went a bit ‘Pete Tong’. I’d decided to make the most of the weather and explore the old ‘Oldham Loop’ rail line to Rochdale which is now part of the Manchester Metrolink tram network. I’ve not travelled this line for several years so today seemed like an ideal opportunity. I traversed Oldham on foot to get pictures then caught a tram out to an old haunt – Shaw and Crompton.
Tram 3097 calls at Oldham Central tram stop in Union St. To the left the old Prudential building is slowly reclaimed by nature. Tram 3139 leaves Oldham Mumps tram stop on its way into Manchester. There’s a lot of regeneration happening around here but the amount of empty commercial properties is depressing. The old mainline station was down the hill to the right. It’s changed a bit since I first got to know the area! The Metrolink station has been built to the South of the level crossing and site of the national rail station.
It was then I became aware of an issue with my footwear. I was wearing a pair of safety shoes with steel toecaps – sensible and required footwear for wandering around a depot – but I’d not worn them for a while as most of the jobs I do require safety boots, not shoes. As I walked along the platform at Shaw and Crompton I became aware of a flapping sound. Looking down I realised my shoe soles were very rapidly disintegrating as well as coming away from the uppers! There was nothing for it to head back home for a change of footwear and hope they’d last long enough to walk back in. Thankfully Dawn had a free moment and was a star. She drove down to Halifax station to deliver me spare shoes in order that I could complete my explorations. Talk about a life-saver. Needless to say, she now has even more credit in the bank!
I wasn’t expecting this!
Leaving Halifax I caught the local shuttle down to Huddersfield in order to check out TRU work. Since my last visit one of the platform shelters has vanished, while the scaffold and crash deck that’s being built under the existing roof has extended even further Eastwards. The wooden waiting room on the island platform is slowly disappearing too. It’s being dismantled piece by piece so that it can be stored before being re-erected on the station at a later date. The interior’s now been stripped out and the windows have all disappeared.
Notice anything missing?
Right now I’m on a TPE service back to Manchester to pick up where I left off. The weather’s changed with cloud building up but I’m optimistic I’ll still be able to get some good library shots.
22:15.
I’m back home after a busy but productive day. I did manage some extra library shots but for once the weather changed for the worse in the evening, meaning we lost the sun and gained low cloud instead so I called it a day earlier than planned and made my way home.
Having been transferred to Northern from the West Midlands, 323220 has become a common sight in Manchester. It was at Piccadilly this evening before working a service to Crewe.
I’ve still got over 27,000 steps in the bank, which isn’t bad when all I’d had to eat was 3 bits of bacon and an egg for breakfast and an apple for lunch. Mind you, I’ve been guzzling water like it’s going out of fashion, so that’s helped fill the gaps. I’m surprised (and rather relived) that my fasting regime isn’t more challenging, although I was looking forward to getting home and consuming my last allowance. I’ve found baked beans fill you up nicely – and so far, there’s been no unfortunate side effects…
Tomorrow I’ll be working from home all day and prepping for both 3 Peaks by rail and the holiday afterwards, so expect a picture dump and a few other bits on the blog. Until then, goodnight!
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 