It’s Christmas eve here at Bigland Towers but there’s no chance of it being a white one. Temperatures are currently in double figures and the rain’s incessant. I’ve spent nearly all day at home trying to plug divert some of the waterfalls that have become a feature of the cottage porch. I need a few dry days to be able to effect external repairs but dry days are as rare as rocking-horse shit at the moment so all I can do is try and divert and catch the leaks.
Apart from impromptu DIY most of the day’s been taken up with preparing for Xmas. Whilst Dee’s been over to her parents to see how they are I’ve been wrapping prezzies and cleaning the cottage. Now we’re having a quiet night in. Dee’s immersed herself in cooking, whilst I’m on-hand to do the washing up and being there as needed for peeling duties. Needless to say, the smells that are wafting up the stairs are exquisite!
With all this going in it’s a short blog from me. I just want to wish all my readers a very merry Christmas and hope you all have a peaceful and relaxing day. These are anxious and difficult times for so many people in the world right now, so spare a thought (and a donation to charity if you can) for the folks who won’t be enjoying tomorrow – for whatever reason.
I’d originally planned to head over to my old home town of Southport but an early morning email and the appalling weather made me change my plans. I’ve been arranging to get the asthmatic cooling fans in my laptop replaced by a very helpful guy in nearby Brighouse who runs Smile Computers but it’s been difficult to make our dairies sync. Today they did so I hastily re-arranged things. Dawn was a trouper as usual and rejigged her diary so she could drive me over there – with the added bonus of us having more time together. Plus, I can arrange to go to Southport another time when more of my family are around.
Having dropped off the laptop the pair of us went exploring. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, I’ve been keen to check-out the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) work in the Mirfield – Ravensthorpe corridor which is one of the most important areas. So, here’s a couple of pictures from Ravensthorpe which shows what’s happened in the past few months. If you want to see how this corridor will look in the future, this Network Rail video recreation will show you.
Here’s looking towards Ravensthorpe station (which is going to move behind the camera) and the junction between the line to Dewsbury on the left and Healy Mills on the right. This was the view in April.
Here’s how it looks today with all the lineside (and more) vegetation cleared.
The area to the right of the footbridge will be the site of the flyover where two extra fast line tracks are added heading left towards Dewsbury. The existing Up/Down lines will be separated to accommodate the new lines whilst the whole formation towards Dewsbury will be moved to the right as a new 4-track bridge over the Calder will need to be built, then the original bridge and formation will be abandoned. That means the road bridge I’m standing on to take this picture will disappear – along with almost everything else in the picture.
Here’s looking the other way from the bridge at what will be the site of the new Ravensthorpe station to the right, whilst the fast lines will be to the left. It’s early days yet so the most noticeable change is the way the lineside has been denuded of vegetation.
Here’s the same location (Thornton LNw Junction) but looking from the opposite side of the bridge. The flyover carrying the fast tracks will be built to the left of the existing tracks whilst the site behind with the yellow plant will be the new car-park and entrance to Ravensthorpe station which will be accessed by a footbridge cutting right across the centre of the picture.
As we had a few hours to kill, and despite the crap weather we headed back via Mirfield, which is also going to see some changes. Here’s the view East from the Huddersfield bound platform which was only built in recent years. This will be swept away as four tracks will be reinstated at this point with the fast lines being where I’m standing now.
Here’s looking the other way (West) from the end of the platform at the original Mirfield station and island platform which will be heavily rebuilt.
The weather worsened after taking these pics (no, really!) so we headed home to pick up some last bits fr Christmas shopping before getting a call from Chis at Smile Computers to say he’d repaired my laptop – and a very good job he’s done of it too as it also had some damage due to overheating (that’s probably what you get for prolonged use of a European designed machine out in SE-Asia in conditions that aren’t always what they’re ‘speced for). Chris was very helpful, informative and a pleasure to deal with, and his prices are very competitive. So, if you ever need computer repairs in this neck of the woods…
Now we’re back at home, relaxing before a busy day tomorrow. Dee’s going to be the hostess with the mostess, pre-preparing food for Xmas whilst I’ve got an interesting day ahead trying to plug leaks in our cottage porch that have come to light because of all the heavy rain and winds we’ve had these past few weeks. Once the festering season’s over I’ll be back on the rails as I’ve quite a few adventures to look forward to and a fair bit of the country to cover. But for now, happy Christmas!
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/
Well, that’s it. We’ve hit the shortest day of the year – the winter solstice – although with the latest storm (Pia) having hit I can’t imagine many faux Druids were standing around Stonehenge this morning to greet the dawn! Storm Pia arrived here in the Pennines yesterday evening and never went away. I’m sitting in my office scribbling this whilst listening to the wind rattling the bins and anything else that’s not nailed down outside. The gusts kept waking the pair of us up during the night and when we opened the curtains this morning I half expected to see a scene of carnage outside as we have a copse of trees opposite the cottage. As it was, the local woodland ha proved remarkably resilient. Mind, you, that may be because the most vulnerable trees have already been taken out over the past couple of years as it certainly feels like storms are more frequent. Add gales to sodden ground and it doesn’t take much to bring down trees.
Thankfully, none affected us which was just as well as this afternoon was spent supermarket shopping in Huddersfield and Halifax in order to pick up the goodies needed for our ‘plan B’ Xmas dinner – as well as get shopping for John and Norah who’re confined to barracks right now. To be fair, the supermarkets weren’t as awful as we both suspected they’d be. The carnage was in the carparks, which were chokka and the haunt of people with vehicles that are far too big that they don’t know how to drive, after all, this is the era of the ‘WankPanzer’.
Having survived the road trip to the Colne valley and dropped off Dee’s folks shopping we made our way home to buy our own amidst another rain-storm. Now, with our bank accounts a lot lighter but with shopping bags bulging we’re having a quiet evening at home in the warm and dry. Tomorrow’s another day…
I didn’t even bother taking the camera with me today as the weather was so appalling so today’s picture is from the archives. I mentioned Stonehenge earlier. I used to know it well as I for many years I attended the Stonehenge free festival back in the 1980s-90s when we’d be allowed into (and onto) the stones. Those days are long gone, but here’s how the mighty sarsen stones looked on a visit in the summer of 1999. But not a Druid or hippy in sight…
Talking of Stonehenge, this open letter from archeologists which was published today regarding the campaign to stop a road tunnel being built near the site is well worth a read as it adds valuable context.
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/
As you were! Today’s seen a sudden change to our Christmas plans. Tomorrow, Dawn and I plus Dee’s parents were meant to be heading down to Surrey for Christmas to join with my brother-in-law, his children and partner for a Platt family Christmas. Remember that I blogged about Norah (my MiL) having a fall the other day? Well, the fall and having a virus has knocked her back a bit. That much so today she decided she wanted to stay at home rather than make the trip South. Unusual, but understandable. And, as Norah’s the matriarch of the Platt family, who are we to go against her wishes? So, this morning our plans changed. Now John and Norah will be having Christmas at home whilst Dawn and I stay up in West Yorkshire to be the support network and arrange a Christmas day dinner at their home in Huddersfield. Thankfully, the excellent Bolster Moor farm shop still has supplies available so I’ve reserved us a Turkey crown and a Duck – otherwise it might have been pork pie and mushy peas on Xmas day!
Organising plan B has taken up a fair bit of the day as there’s lots to re-arrange. There’s some opportunities too as we’ve now two days where we won’t be sat in a car to-ing and fro-ing during the festive season. I’m not sure what we’re going to do with ’em yet, but…
As a consequence, tonight’s a short blog from me as the pair of us need to spend time working out a new Christmas agenda. I’ll leave you with a picture of Tilford and the quintessentially English pub (The Barley Mow) we won’t now be visiting – although I wouldn’t expect anyone to be playing cricket then as this picture was taken in May! Normally we enjoy a Boxing Day walk through the local countryside and end up here afterwards!
If I find the time over the next couple of day’s expect some spleen-venting over the latest Government lies and idiotic messaging that show just how much they’re taking people for fools. Here’s a taster from one of the ads they’ve been putting out on Twitter.
‘Network North’ London…
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 been another mixed-fortunes sort of day here at Bigland Towers. Unlike yesterday where I didn’t even set foot outside the door this morning I walked into Halifax in order to get the frames for my glasses changed. The old new ones had worn very rapidly, so Specsavers agreed to exchange them for new ones which (hopefully) wear a little better. Whilst I was in town I took the opportunity to have a wander around, enjoy the atmosphere and indulge in a spot of Xmas shopping. Nowadays Halifax has a far nicer feel to it than nearby Huddersfield. Partly due to the town’s new-found status as a tourist attraction thanks to TV programmes like ‘Gentlemen Jack and ‘Last Tango in Halifax – and of course the fabulous Piece Hall. That said, there’s still a lot of the old working-class Halifax left in the form of the towns denizens. One thing that struck me was the amount of smokers (admittedly, mostly elderly) sucking on fags as they wandered between shops. That’s something that was very different to my recent trips back to London. Sure, you have smokers there too but many are tourists – and the population’s numbered in several millions, not less than 100,000 the way Halifax is!
Having swapped my frames and found some presents by chance I called into the old market to pick up a rare treat. There’s a Thai cafe in the old market hall that sells the Northern Thai dish called Kow Soi. You rarely see it on Thai restaurant menus and it’s one of my favourites, so I couldn’t resist. Having walked back home I’ve spent the rest of the day sorting out various strands of work as well as updating old and publishing new blogs. I’ve a few more backdated scribbles in the pipeline once I can dig out the archive pictures but I suspect they’ll have to wait until the new year.
This evening’s been spent gritting my teeth to resist shouting at the TV following Rishi Sunak’s latest appalling performance in front of a House of Commons Committee. Sunak’s billed by his supporters as a ‘details man’. Yet, when questioned he has the attention span of a Goldfish (‘I can’t recollect’) or he just makes stuff up, then falls apart and blusters when questioned by someone with a bit of nous and persistence. He’s shifty and evasive, whilst acting like he’s the CEO of UK PLC and how dare anyone question his authority? He was hung out to dry several times, including over HS2, the rail union RMT tweeted this which hits the nail squarely on the head.
Sunak then on the make the outrageous claim that the bit of HS2 he hasn’t cancelled ‘triples’ capacity on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) which is a blatant lie – especially as Sunak’s done his best to make sure HS2 doesn’t get to Euston! There’s not one iota of factual evidence anywhere to substantiate that claim, but that’s classic Sunak. Say something that isn’t true then claim it was your ‘recollection’ (or not, if you’re denying something) – and the truth and facts be damned.
On the bright side, tonight there was more signs that the country is getting sick of these shysters. Whilst the media’s been concentrating on Miriam Cates, the latest right-wing Tory MP likely to fall foul of Parliamentary Standards, one of the other 7 Tory MPs under investigation has been booted out through a recall petition. Peter Bone, another rabid Brexiter and all-round bad egg had been suspended from Parliament for some weeks. 13.5% of his constituents signed the recall petition (the threshold is 10%) so he’s out and a by-election will be held in the New Year.
Right, time to go, so here’s today’s picture, which is of the Thai cafe in Halifax market. With prices like this for such delicious food and great portion sizes, why would you say no?
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/
This article originally appeared in RAIL magazine back in October 2023.
Built as a single track line by the Wycombe Railway and opened in 1879, the line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury has always been a bit of a Cinderella line. Its only claim to fame was the fact it was the last place in the UK to run BR built Class 121 ‘bubble cars’ which were finally retired in May 2017, having been introduced to the line by Chiltern railways in 2003. However, thanks to the arrival of Phase 1 of High Speed 2, this sleepy backwater’s currently having a makeover. HS2 will pass under the existing line to the West of Aylesbury. To do so the EKFB Alliance and Network rail have closed the line from August 19th until the 30th October. The closure has allowed a culvert close to Aylesbury to be rebuilt and a new 1.8km long embankment and bridge to be constructed to replace the 1879 formation. To future-proof the line the new bridge can carry two tracks and the linespeed has been raised from 40 to 90mph. Unlike other bridges on or over HS2, this bridge has been built by sinking four 2.4m diameter piled piers to a depth of 57 meters, making them the biggest piers on HS2. Each pier took between 36-48 hours to pour. Atop the piers sits a 100m long double-track width steel bridge which was built in 30m sections in the North-East before being transported South and assembled on site. To complete the work Network Rail has used 3000 sleepers and 14,000 tonnes of fresh ballast on the new alignment. A high-output track laying machine installed the rails over a single weekend.
When I visited on September 25th 2023 Colas Rail had begun tamping the new track ready for the lines reopening. Once tamping is complete 200 tonnes of check-rails will be installed on the bridge to mitigate against the chance of any possible derailment on the bridge affecting HS2 services. Meanwhile EKFB had begun excavating the clay underneath the bridge to form the HS2 cutting which is exposing the top 8 meters of the piers. This bridge is unique amongst HS2 bridges in that it was constructed at ground level and then the ground’s being dug out from underneath it.
The new bridge on the Aylesbury-Princes Risborough line with excavators beginning to dig out the route of HS2. This view’s looking South towards LondonBeginning to excavate around the bridge piers.The first few meters of a pier’s exposed.
The excavation work’s being done in stages from the North to the South due to the proximity of the old railway formation which still carries fibre-optic signalling cables and has the disconnected track still in situ which will be recovered at a later date. On the South of the old formation EKFB are building the piers and deck of a road bridge over HS2 as passive provision for the South-East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) whilst another road bridge over HS2’s being built further to the North-West as part of another link road scheme.
The new bridge with track in situ looking towards Aylesbury.Check rails waiting to be installed on the bridge after the line’s been tamped and levelled. In the foreground is the old railway line. Behind it in the light coloured troughing are the signalling cables which have been lifted and protected whilst work goes on. Looking South from the new railway bridge along the trace of HS2 towards London.The Colas tamper waits to begin work. In the foreground is one of the new culverts which improve drainage on the Aylesbury-Princes Risborough line. This photo gives a better impression of the length of the new bridge over HS2.
Future work to the line will see the half-barrier level crossing at Marsh Lane near Little Kimble upgraded and replaced with full-width barriers (which will allow linespeed improvements) and resignalling.
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 but the end of last week was rather convivial, with some unexpected consequences. Dawn and I had planned to stay at her parents over in Huddersfield on Friday night as we were spending Saturday enjoying a festive meal with some of the past and present Honley Male Voice choir members as a guest of Tony, and old friend of John and Norah (my in-laws). A lovely meal was rounded off by the choir members carol-singing outside Tony’s neighbours. All was well until be got back to find Norah had fallen outside the house and badly gashed her right hand as well as scraping her arm. Sadly, 83 year old don’t bounce very well, so there was nothing for it but a trip to Huddersfield A&E department to get the would cleaned and possibly stitched. A&E is hardly the place you want to spend a Saturday evening but thankfully (although they were short-staffed) we were there early enough to miss the pubs chucking out rush. The lack of information was frustrating, but everyone sang the praises of the staff who looked after Norah. By the time we left there was no way Dawn and I were heading home, so a 2nd night at the in-laws was arranged in order for us to be there on Sunday morning if we were needed. Norah had been a real trooper on the Saturday but was obviously suffering more by Sunday as she had a restless night. I’ve told Norah that I’m buying her a ‘onesie’ lined with bubble-wrap for Xmas and it’s to be worn at all times when she’s out with us - from now on!
Dee and I returned home that afternoon and I started to pick up the threads of work but my heart wasn’t in it and I made a trip to my local pub and ended up having one to many beers with the boys. Not my most sensible decision…
So, today’s been a busy day where the only time I’ve moved out of the office is to go to the loo or the kitchen! Mind you, the weather’s defaulted back to ‘miserable’, so I’ve hardly missed anything. Most of the morning it felt like living in the twilight zone! Still, I’ve managed to get a fair bit done including sorting out a many old photos that were held in queue for editing. Today’s picture is one of them. It was taken 19 years ago, on the 24th November 2004 when we were busy building High Speed 1 and the new domestic stations at St Pancras as in those days we had a Government with a sense of ambition and purpose.
This is what was known then as the Thameslink box. Now it’s the site of St Pancras International’s Thameslink station. The brick tunnel in the middle is the original Thameslink tunnel under St Pancras. This view is looking South towards the Euston Rd with part of the framework for the new St Pancras station West side buildings just visible above the box.
If you want to see many more pictures of High Speed 1 being built, 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/
For the second say in a row I’m heading to London, only this time for a social event. I’m on Grand Central’s 08:11 again only this time I’ve working wifi as we have a different set to yesterday.
Deja vu!
I feel for the poor GC staff as the empty stock was 48 minutes late into Bradford Interchange due to late running Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineering work. The crew had just 20 minutes to set up before the set left again. As a consequence they’ve not had time to put out seat reservation labels, which the Train Manager has been apologising profusely.
We’re currently sat waiting time at Wakefield Kirkgate as we’re running early (this section is very slackly timed). It’s been an interesting trip so far as I’ve been able to observe some of the progress on the TRU around Mirfield and Ravensthorpe where a lot of groundworks are underway. It’s obviously time for me to head out that way with the camera. Passing the derelict old marshalling yard at Healy Mills I noticed that a lot of track that’s lain rusting and disused for decades is being lifted. There’s lots of track panels stacked, awaiting removal whilst another fan of sidings has been denuded of the silver birch forest that’s covered it for years – as you can see in this picture link.
Compared to yesterday’s trip, this train in far less crowded. I’ve a table bay to myself although that may change when we reach Doncaster, so I’m looking forward to a relaxing trip.
09:23.
Would you believe it? Another day, another track-circuit failure. We’d just passed the old colliery wasteland and derelict sidings of Knottingly when our train slowed to a walking pace. The TM came on to the tannoy to explain why we were being delayed Ah well, at least it’s not a TC failure in a tunnel, so there’s something to see out of the window this time!
09:45.
Double bugger! It’s not just the track-curcuits that are flaky. Now the wifi’s playing up too so i’m back to typing on the phone.
10:12.
Having departed Doncaster 110 minutes late we’re now flying down the ECML at 124mph and made up a minute already by the time we passed Newark. There’s plenty of time for me to window-gaze now as the wifi’s still flaky so the work I was planning to do will have to wait.
12:25.
Arrived!. There will now be an intermission…
22:00
Mind the gap! I’ve had a very convivial afternoon/evening but an interesting trip back. I caught an evening LNER service from Kings Cross to Leeds whilst being totally unaware of the chaos at nearby Euston. Apparently, there was a fatality in the Milton Keynes area which closed the line on one of the busiest days of the year. I only found out when the Train Manager of my service apologised for the overcrowding and explained reciprocal ticket acceptance. Many people were on my Leeds in an effort to then get across the Peenines to Manchester/Liverpool or beyond. I have to say, the crew of the LNER service were fantastic with customer service in the face of such a problem.
Now I’m on the 22::00 from Leeds to Liverpool which is rammed with diverted travellers. At least I’m only going as far as Huddersfield…
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 my way to London to attend the annual Railway Christmas carols but as is often the case on the railways at the moment, it’s not a smooth journey.
I’m travelling on Grand Central’s 08:11 from Halifax to Kings Cross. This is a well-loaded train – as are all GC services nowadays. They’ve bounced back from the pandemic and then some! I’m on one of their Class 180s, which is showing its age. The front car saloon’s certainly comfortable and warm, but the wifi is kaput which is a bit of a bugger.
London bound…
What’s also kaput is a track circuit in the Elland tunnel just outside Halifax. This brought us to a stand before we could be signalled through the affected track section so now we’re running late. How late yet I don’t know. Fortunately this train gets me into London well in advance of the carol service. To the credit of GC staff the young lady in 1st Class has been excellent in briefing passengers about what’s happened.
08:38.
We’ve just arrived at Brighouse where dozens of passengers are waiting. This train is going to get cosy!
10:10.
Having bimbled our way through the West Riding of Yorkshire to reach Doncaster where we took on so many passengers we’re bursting at the seams we’re now racing non-stop to London. The Class 180s may be in need of TLC (especially below the solebar) but when they get chance to stretch their legs they’re still good 125mph trains.
En-route we’re passing field after field that’s full of water, a testament to just how much rain we’ve had recently. The leaden skies we’re travelling under look to promise more.
11:55.
Having stretched its legs my 180 made up half the delay to arrive in Kings Cross just 7 minutes down. Noy bad for a hybrid set made up from two different 180s! Kings Cross was open access central when I arrived, with all three OA operators dominating one side of the station.
The station’s feeling very festive at the moment, but then so is St Pancras.
Now it’s time for me to hotfoot it over to Eversholt St. See you soon…
17:00.
What a lovely afternoon. The carol service was well attended by people from different branches and ranks of the railway family with lessons read by several well-known people. Afterwards we adjourned to the adjacent hall for mince-pies, nibbles, sherry or soft drinks. Sadly, St Mary’s church is under threat of closure so many people attending signed the petition to save it.
After the service a select few of us (as is traditional) retreated to a local hostelry to catch up with each other and swap gossip/news about the industry. Of course, names and discussions are covered by Chatham House rules! Much as I’d have loved to have stayed I’ve too much to do so right now I’m on LNER’s 16:03 back to Leeds which is formed of a Class 91 and Mk4 set.
21:45.
Back home! The journey North was uneventful. LNER performed impeccably – albeit a couple of minutes late – and my Northern connection whilst packed was also fine. There was one light-hearted moment. On the way from Leeds I had two conservatively dressed young Asian girls sat opposite who were chatting ninety to the dozen. So much so they were oblivious to the fact the train had reversed at Bradford (their stop) and it was only when the Conductor announced that our final stop was Halifax that they snapped out of their reverie with some very entertaining expletives – much to the amusement of passengers nearby! I asked them ‘didn’t you notice the train change direction at Bradford’? With a laugh they admitted they were so absorbed talking they hadn’t noticed a thing! I directed them to the Bradford bound platform with a smile! I’ve missed a stop in the past so I’m in no position to criticize…
Strolling home I did stop in our local pub for a ‘swifty’ and time to catch up with local friends, which felt a world away from where I’d just come from. Sometimes, as an ex-Londoner I very much feel caught between two worlds. Those two worlds will collide again tomorrow as I’m back in London again in the morning, this time for a different gathering, so expect a rolling(ish) blog on the morrow.
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/
That’s not me you understand. That’s the remaining members of Northern’s class 319 fleet! Whilst most have gone for scrap and the last few have had no booked work since the December 10th timetable change the trains are still appearing in traffic. The transfer of newer CAF built electric trains from the Yorkshire (East) side of Northern’s domain has been delayed, so the 319s are being pressed back into service on some of their old routes from Liverpool only now spreading their wings as far as Manchester Airport services.
So, this morning I decided that as the weather’s picking up and I’m fed up of being cooped up in the office I’d venture out on the hunt for some of these trains. Right now I’m on a late-running York – Blackpool North service from Halifax bound for Preston. For once I’m glad the trains a few minutes late, otherwise I’d have missed catching it! The doors had already closed as I dashed onto the platform but the friendly young conductor me-mo’d to be to get on through her door. I’m now settled at a table with the mobile office up and running. This is a quiet train, so I can work undisturbed.
Preston bound aboard 195117.
I’ll blog throughout the day so feel free to come back and see how the hunting goes…
11:00.
The mobile office (and Northern’s wifi) allowed me to establish that just two class 319s are in service right now. Both are on Manchester Airport – Blackpool North diagrams, one after the other. The weather over here in Lancashire is bright and sunny, leaving Preston in heavy shadows so I’m now Blackpool bound with the intention of catching the 319s on their way back from the Airport.
14:30.
Ever had one of those days? Arriving at Blackpool I was well ahead of the trains I was after so I decided to take a short stroll on the prom to enjoy the glorious sunshine before catching a train out to Layton, the first stop out of Blackpool. I had two motives. I’d never been here before and wanted to photograph the interesting old station building. My second motive was to get shots of the two inbound 319s and catch the first one back which stopped at Layton. Then it all went ‘Pete Tong’. There’s no PIS or tannoy at Layton, so you can imagine my surprise when my 13:29 thundered through without stopping. It had been cancelled between Blackpool and Preston due to crewing issues. Bugger! Plan B saw me hop on a bus to get back to Blackpool North just in time to catch the 2nd 319 on the 13:58. Only that was cancelled too! Instead it’s running ECS to Manchester Airport!
I’m now on the 14:04 following on behind and working out where to go now as the light is rapidly failing…
17:30.
Plan C turned out to be a stop at another station I’ve not visited in a very (very) long time. Leyland. It’s over 50 years since I was last here. Somewhere in the Bigland family vaults there’s some cine film taken in the late 1960 of me and my two younger sisters playing on railway wagons in the old goods yard!
The place has changed a bit since then. The goods yard was torn up in the 1970s and only one of the original station buildings remains. I’d planned to try and get some pictures here but there’s building work going on and trackside views are overgrown so I ended up having a wander into town and found a little oasis a few minutes walk from the station. The Golden Tap is a lovely little micropub in an old shop. There’s a good range of cask, keg and bottled beers including some names I’d never seen before.
I stayed long enough for a slow pint and chat with the landlord. I was pleasently surprised to find this place so I doubt it’ll be my last visit. Tearing myself away I finally caught up with a Class 319 which was stopping on its way back to Blackpool. My plan was to catch it to Preston where I’d connect with the 16:44 service back to Halifax. Surprise, surprise – when I got to Preston I found the 16:44 was cancelled. Now I’m heading into Manchester instead. Only the connection with the train I’m on has also been cancelled! I give up trying to plan now – I’m simply going to catch the first train heading in the right direction that turns up!
19:00.
I’m on the last leg now. After changing at Salford Cresent only to find the next two trains heading across the Pennines were cancelled I caught a Rochdale bound stopping service then connected with a Leeds train. It lessened my wait in the cold as the night’s turning chilly. I have to admit, I’ve lost patience with Northern’s PIS messages excusing cancellations as “short-notice timetable changes”. It’s akin to a politicans weaselling as it’s the fery defination of a cancellation but without any explanation as to *why*…
22:00.
I’ve been home for a couple of hours now so I’ve had chance to download a few pictures from the camera for your delectation.
The old station building at Layton just outside Blackpool. The main building is in use as what appears to be private accommodation but the rest of the buildings are boarded up and appear disused. This wooden structure sandwiched between two of the brick buildings fascinated me. I’d llove to know its history. 319368 speeds past Layton en-route to Blackpool. It *should* have formed the 13.29 from Layton but ran fast from Blackpool to Preston, presumably because it was lacking a Conductor. The only surviving station building at Leyland has been refurbished and is to let. Originally, there was a footbridge projecting from the right-hand side which spanned all four tracks to allow access to the platforms. I’ve no idea when this was removed but I’m assuming it was fairly recently. Got you! 319368 calls at Leyland whilst working 1N50, the 1517 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North.1N50 disgorges passengers (including me) at Preston en-route to Blackpool North.
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Paul Bigland 