After a wonderful couple of days away thanks to my wonderful wife who arranged a special treat for my birthday we’re both back with our noses to the grindstone. Whilst Dawn’s been busy playing catch-up with her day to day work for Community Rail Network I’ve slipped on my CRN judges hat to spend all day wading through the entries for their 2024 awards. To be honest, it’s a pleasure rather than a chore as I get to learn about so many fabulous groups and the amazing stuff they’ve been up to over the past 12 months and more. There’s some really inspirational groups out there and the work they do is amazing. Judging them is really hard as the standard’s so high. In many cases there’s really not much in it, but we have a points based system spread over four categories, which makes life easier for myself and my fellow judge for the ‘It’s your station’ category – Mark Barker.
Now the first sift is done and all that remains is for me to fill out the awarded points on the spreadsheet and crunch the numbers. Then, in a few days time when both judges individual scores are combined we’ll meet to talk through the results and agree the final marks and winners of the four rankings (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze). My work isn’t entirely done. I still have the shortlist for the photographic competition to select, this time with fellow judge Alice Mannion from CRN. The winner will be chosen from the shortlist by public vote.
Today’s been a good day to be stuck inside as the weather’s been awful, nothing but grey skies, mist and rain – although (so far) we’ve escaped the latest storm that’s battering the South coast. It’s heading our way but we’re expected to miss the worst of it as it passes through overnight. However, I’ll see how the weather is tomorrow morning before I make any plans. There’s still plenty for me to do at home if it’s not up to much.
Tonight I’ll leave you with a picture that illustrates the work of the community rail. The work the volunteers (and staff) carry out around the network is amazing. It’s not all station gardens or posters either. There’s restored buildings, station cafes, food banks, fetes and much, much more. Here’s on example from the friends of Buxton station who had ‘Joe’ made from scrap railway items donated from the site of the old Buxton locomotive depot. You can read all about the brilliant work this group are involved in here.
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Today – in a classic example of weasel words and buck passing – Transport Minister Mark Harper has announced the closure programme has been scrapped. Harper claims that:
““The proposals that have resulted from this process do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers, and so the government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals”
Train operators proposals? What a classic attempt to pass the buck!
Saved for now. The lovely old booking office at Bridlington was one of many proposed for closure.
This whole process was started by Harper and the Department for Transport back in July when they INSTRUCTED operators to come up with proposals to close ticket offices. It wasn’t the operators idea. Why would it be? Contrary to what some in the media and on the political left claim this wouldn’t have made the operators any more money – exactly the opposite, because under their contracts they get paid a management fee for operating ticket offices. Reduce the size of the pie and you reduce the size of the operators slice of said pie.
This whole debacle is Harper and the Governments fault. They completely miscalculated the levels of opposition to their ‘cunning plan’ and were taken aback at the strength and size of the reactions. 750,000 people responded to Transport Focus’ consultation, many of them from the Tory-voting shires. The issue of access to the network hadn’t been though out – as the results of the consultation made plain.
Don’t be fooled by Harper’s claims and weasel words and when it comes to the next election – remember who’s really responsible for (mis)managing the railways. This government.
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 may be Sunday night but there’s no rest for the wicked. I have a morning appointment to visit an HS2 construction site near Aylesbury tomorrow so I’m travelling South this evening in preparation. This late trip means I’ve been able to enjoy a leisurely day at home with Dawn, which has been lovely, especially as the pair of us were out late last night at a friend’s 60th birthday party. Kath had booked a meal for us all at the Astronomer in the Piece Hall in Halifax where we enjoyed a fantastic array of tapas dishes. It’s the first time we’ve eaten there in this incarnation, but it’s unlikely to be the last. Afterwards we adjourned to the Railway pub (an old favorite) for a last drink before heading home. The Railway has a disco night on Saturday, only this weekend with a Halloween theme. The music’s unashamedly 70s-80s but it always draws a good crowd. It was an ideal place to hide from the rail as it bucketed it down last night!
Thankfully, today’s been dry and sunny so I’ve had time to catch up with some gardening as well as other household chores, whilst still managing a few hours work.
Right now I’m on my way to Leeds on Northern’s 18:52 service from Halifax to Leeds. It’s a quiet, 2-car train as this is a neither here nor there time to be travelling.
20:00.
Leeds station was just as quiet as my Northern train tonight – although the fact it was chucking it doen with rain (again) may have had something to do with it. We’ve certainly had our fair share of the wet stuff over the past week. I was only passing through so didn’t even bother getting the camera out. Instead, I headed for the warmth of the LNER ‘set’Azuma’ set sat in the platform which was ready to form the 19:45 to Kings Cross.
This is another relatively quiet train, although my coach has been graced by a bunch of students who’ve obviously been out for a few beers and are now scoffing their vegan fast food aboard. Frankly, It smells just as greasy and unappetising as the ‘real’ stuff!
21:00.
We’re well on our way to our next stop at Peterborough right now – not that you’d know as it’s pitch black outside. Now the clocks have gone back daylight’s disappearing all too fast. I love the quality of winter light but I do miss those long summer days.
As there’s nothing to see I’ve been keeping busy working on the train. Trying to organise far too many picture folders into one coherent database for filing and to ensure everything productive has appeared on my Zenfolio website our gone out to clients. This is also a useful exercise for ignoring the depressing news that’s coming out of Israel, Palestine – and now Dagestan. Thanks to Homo Sapiens this planet is becoming ever more fcuked up. We seem to be beset by storms, political, social, economic and environmental – fuelled by populist politicians who haven’t got a clue what to do about anything other than cling to power, posture – and lie.
21:20.
We’re now South of Peterborough after being held in the station to let fast services to London overtake us. The trains still quiet although the station (being an important interchange) was full of people swapping between trains. This is like the old days for me. Back in the late 80s early 90s I’d often spend a weekend with an old friend from the Southport diaspora here in Peterborough. On Friday I’d travel up from London after work and return on trains like this. Well, not ‘exactly’ like this – the Class 91s were new in those days, so often it’d be a packed HST that would take me back to Kings Cross. Happy days in many ways.
22:25.
Arrived! I’m now indulging in a spot of night photography at Kings Cross, waiting for my steed in to return to Leeds as the 22:35. Not bad – a 30m turnaround. The weather’s been wet in London earlier but it’s dried out enough to deprive me of the puddles and reflections I’d have liked to have had. Oh, well. Blur shots it is then…
23:30.
And blur shots shots it is! Here’s my train returning to Leeds…
I find London stations fascinating places at night, but that maybe because I’ve spent over 40 years haunting them and seen some incredible changes – especially at the likes of Kings Cross. I first spent night-time here back in the 1970s when the area had a terrible reputation for drugs and prostitution. In that respect it was no different to any other gateway to capital cities but as a teenager it had a frisson of danger which made it quite exotic. It’s been cleaned up massively since those days. Back then you could go ‘off grid’ as soon as you left your house. Now, when I wander through the place I can spot the homeless and overnight travelers who gravitate to stations because they’re warm, safe and have power sockets, seats – and wifi! The modern world isn’t all bad – even if we as a developed country still have the stigma of homelessness – but that’s the Tories for you.
Ironic too when I think about it. There were always people exploiting the young homeless in London in those days, but word got around about who to trust or not. Now we know that some of the most untrustworthy people were media personalities. Funny old world…
Right now I’m updating this blog and posting pictures from the ‘Cross wifi. I was going to venture up the road to some old haunts but a signal failure at Finsbury Park has added too much of a wild card. Instead I’ll stay local.
00:30.
The last update. I’m now at Euston before calling it a day. It’s a nightmare of a sation nowadays as it’s far too small for the traffic it handles. The new ‘information’ screens don’t help. Commercial and political pressure has meant the vast majority of space has been given over to advertising.
Train information to the left, fcuk off advertising screens everywhere else. As if this will prevent the infamous Euston platform rush.
Folk who’ve missed their trains or who have nowhere else to go are bedding down here too. I noticed one lovely act of human kindness. A young African woman laden down with suitcases is holed up in a corner. One of the station security guards ( who’re hardly paid a kings ransom) stopped to chat, then slipped her a fiver so she could get a coffee in the morning. I sometimes forget that humans can can actually display humanity – and charity.
Right. Enough from me. See you tomorrow.
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Last night’s pessimism was thankfully unfounded. It seems Trans-Pennine Express have managed to get four of their class 68s into service today, so I’m off for a day out to meet up with old friends and enjoy a few trips behind these trains before their untimely demise. Or, to borrow railway enthusiast terminology, we’re going to ‘bash’ a few! The sorry saga of the Vossloh built Class 68s and their CAF built coaching sets is worthy of a blog of its own. It doesn’t show the railway in a good light, from TPE themselves right through to CAF, the builders of the coaches. Poor decision making and planning runs through the story like the letters through a stick of rock.
Right now I’m still in a very foggy Calder valley, waiting for a late running 09:22 to Manchester Victoria. I’ll be meeting some friends in the city to catch the first working which will carry us back across the Pennines. Watch this space…
A CAF train that does work…
09:50.
We’ve now burst through the Summit tunnel into Lancashire and – as is typical – we have very different weather here. The fog’s lifted, as have the clouds letting the sky tease us with glimpses of clear blue sky.
The change seems to have befuddled my train. The information screens and PA are announcing we’re approaching Low Moor (near Bradford) just as we speed through Saddleworth!
11:20.
The fun begins…
13:05.
We’re back in foggy Yorkshire. What a change from the sunshine of Lancashire. Right now we’re awaiting the road from York to Malton where we’ll be meeting another couple of the group who’ll join us for the stip to Seamer where we’ll pick up a Westbound service back to York. This train’s been busy throughout the trip with a constant churn rate of passengers. These five car sets will be missed when they revert to three car trains.
21:15.
yes, I know, there’s been a huge gap in blogging here. That’s mainly because we’ve been having so much fun together – in real life. Our plans were fluid so the gang ended up meeting up in Malton en-route to Scarbados – sorry Scarborough. Only there was a much more interesting opportunity by changing trains at a pace called Seamer, which allowed us to sample a different Class 68 and Mk 5 set to get us back to York. By which time it was beer o’ clock. So, the four of us adjourned to some of the lesser well-known real ale pubs for a bevvy or two where we could relax, enjoy each others company and talk about all manner of things.
68025. Our steed fom Seamer to York.
The hour we’d set aside turned into several. but what a lovely day. For me it was a chance to enjoy my birthday with some close friends without any pressure to ‘do’ things.
Three of the four, Mr Holcombe was hiding. Thanks to JV for the selfie!
Now I’m back at home as we’ve gone our separate ways. The trains I’ve caught have been packed – so much for the claims no-one’s travelling by rail anymore. What surprised me is that it wasn’t just trains syphoning folk into Leeds, people were travelling much wider. A night out in Halifax? Some folk were going for it!
Now it’s time for me to relax back home and sort out a few pictures. Tomorrow Dawn and I are out with different friends (the five from the 6) to celebrate Kath’s birthday, but there won’t be a train in sight…
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A day I’m glad is over to be honest. The weather here in’t Calder valley has been wet and miserable but that didn’t matter so much as I’ve spent the vast majority tied to my computer. First I had to sort out and edit pictures from yesterday as some are needed immediately for my next article. That took quite a while. Then I ended up wasting a couple of hours in a frustrating battle to get a new Fitbit. My ‘old’ one (just out of warranty) died last weekend when the battery gave up the ghost because it refuses to charge. After some to-ing and fro-ing with Fitbit they agreed to send me a voucher for 50% off a new one. Not perfect, but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Then I tried to use the voucher code. No-go. Repeatedly, for several days. So, today I contacted then again. Sorree – we’ll send you a new voucher code. Which they did. Only this time it was only for 35% off. Oi! I complained. After much more to-ing and fro-ing they apologised and said they shouldn’t have given me 50% as in the UK we’re only entitled to 35% (I wonder why?). But, a deal’s a deal. Only they couldn’t send me a new voucher. Oh no. Now I have to buy a full price Fitbit and they’ll refund 50%. Eventually, when it’s shipped – which may be days…
All this took over two hours to sort out as there’s no-one on the end of a phone, it’s a keyboard chat. The frustrating thing? They insisted on a copy of the order details to be sent to them. Eh? You’ve already got everything – I’m buying it off you! So, after faffing around with screenshots, they finally (albeit with an apology) said ‘OK’. Now I have to wait and see what happens.
This faff didn’t exactly put me in a good mood, but I gritted my teeth and finished writing my RAIL article, doing my very best not to let sarcasm slop over into it when I was writing about some recent political puffery. OK, maybe the Subbie is going to have to wield a judicious scalpel…
So, everything done and sent off I realised it was late and I’d promised to cook, which was just as well as I needed the therapy. Now I can add a fresh batch of Chana Masala to today’s accomplishments. At least the decks are now clear for tomorrow when I’m having a bit of a day out as a celebration of becoming a Beatles song. I’ll leave you guessing as to which one! The day might not go to plan as the idea was to enjoy a ride behind one of the last Trans-Pennine Express Class 68s and Mk 5 sets before they’re withdrawn at the December timetable change. Problem is, TPE have very few working sets and locos left and only one Class 68 is shown as being out tomorrow. Hopefully the spanner-monkeys will be busy on the other one overnight…
In the meantime, here’s a picture of what I’m hoping to enjoy…
68025 hauls 1U52, the 12:48 Scarborough to Manchester Piccadilly through Batley on the 19th Aril 2023.
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/
There’s been a change of plan. I was meant to be staying at home writing but the weather has changed and given me chance to do the exploring I need to complete an article. So I’m off to Sheffield, although I can do some writing and research on the way. Feel free to follow me through the day and see what I get up to…
09:55.
Not a bad day for being out! Here’s the view across Sowerby Bridge and the Calder Valley taken from my walk up the hill to Spring Edge on the way into Halifax.
10:45.
Hmm, timetables on the Calder Valley seem to be up the spout this morning due to late running. On the bright side I walked straight onto a busy Halifax – Hull service that was ready to depart so I should easily make my connection at Leeds for a Cross-Country service to Sheffield.
11:50.
All’s going well. The 11:11 Leeds – Sheffield is a 9 car so I’ve managed to find a seat, plug in the laptop and do some writing. Now we’re on the apprach to Sheffield where I’ll be swapping train for other public transport.
12:45.
I’ve exchanged train for tram. Now I’m exploring areas of Sheffield I’ve not visited in years!
14:25.
Now I am off piste. Here’s a clue…
It doesn’t look like this anymore!
18:50.
Sorry for the blogging gap but I’ve been busy exploring an area I’ve only passed through before so never got to know. The Don valley out to Stocksbridge proved to be really interesting for a whole host of reasons – most of which I’ll have to blog about later as I’m currently writing this update from my phone whilst sat in the luggage bay of a Cross-Country Voyager from Sheffield to Leeds!
Stocksbridge isn’t the easiest place to get to by public transport. The trams run out at Middlewood. After that its buses, which aren’t that frequent or reliable. There’s a lot of house building in the valley bottom. Much of it cheek by jowel with the old railway. That said, the railway’s really on the wrong side of the valley to be much use. Plus, the original stations closed 60 – 70 years ago. The land surrounding them is now completely built up.
22:30.
Back at home after a very interesting day that’s left me with a lot of mixed feelings and a whole load of stuff to write about if I had the time, but tomorrow I’ve an article to finish on the back of some of today’s research.
I love my job. I love being able to explore the way I have today – even when the experiences aren’t always positive – although I have to say the interactions I’ve had with the residents of the Don valley I’ve met and talked to have been good. That said, seeing someone proudly flying an Ulster Volunteer Force flag in their back garden was rater jarring. I wish I had time to write more about my trip. Instead, I’ll have to leave you with a couple of pictures.
This was once an electrified main-line between Manchester and Sheffield. Now it’s abandoned as the last freight traffic has ended. This is Beeley wood. The most powerful trams in the UK, but then when you look at the hills around Sheffield, they need to be! Here’s tram 112 on Langsett Rd, Hillsborough working a service to Malin Bridge.
I’ll publish more pictures and links to the article after it’s published. Until then…
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/
On Thursday at Barrow Hill roundhouse near Chesterfield, Positive Traction showcased their new Class 08 shunting locomotive which has been converted from diesel to battery electric power, making it free from carbon, NOx and particulate emissions. The re-engineered locomotive (08308) has several other improvements and refinements, updating an English Electric design that dates back to 1934.
The beauty of converting an 08 compared to building a completely new design is that the 08 has ‘Grandfather rights’ so doesn’t need to go through a time-consuming acceptance procedure as it’s ‘simply’ a re-engined existing design, although that description doesn’t really do this locomotive justice.
The old English Electric diesel engine’s been replaced with Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) 88kwh batteries supplied by Lithion Battery Inc. Up to six ‘plug in’ batteries can be fitted under the new, lower body which has replaced the fuel tank, engine and radiator assembly. The batteries and control equipment module are designed to be able to be changed in minutes using a forklift truck.
The existing cab and control desk has been retained although visibility has been improved by fitting extra windows front and back. The compensate for the 19 tonnes of weight removed 10 and 20mm thick steel plates have been fitted above the frames. The cab’s also been enhanced with double-glazing, roof-mounted heating, ventilation and an HVAC unit.
Other improvements include standard BMAC light clusters, regenerative braking and CCTV whilst the connecting rod bearings have been replaced with oil-free Vesconite units made in South Africa. These bearings reduce maintenance and prevent oil loss-making the shunter an attractive proposition in depots and lines where pollution is a concern.
A further improvement is that the 08e prototype is rated at 450hp, 50hp higher than a conventional 08. Tractive effort has been increased from 35,000lbf to 45,000lbf (200kn) the same as a Class 33 locomotive.
Whilst only a prototype the potential of these conversions is clear. UK railways (mainline, industrial and preserved) still rely on the 08 for many duties. Converting these to 08e would make a real difference to yards and railways around the country, continuing the quest to cut carbon emissions and pollution.
Here’s a selection of pictures from the day.
08308 on the turntable at Barrow HillA view of the cab front showing the new light clusters and extra window to aid visibility. This is enhanced by the addition of exterior CCTV.The new body which contains the control equipment and up to six battery pods. The extra steel plating which has been added can be seen above the existing solebar. Paul Riley from Positive Traction discussing the merits of the 08e with interested bystanders. The new electrical socket which replaces the old oil line. The 08e is designed to be recharged off an standard 415v shore supply rather than needing specialist chargers. The 08e cab showing the mix of old and new. The extra windows above the cab desk that have been fitted thanks to removal of the old fuel tank, diesel engine and subsequent bodyshell reduction are the most obvious change. Plus the LCD screens in the control desk.The new Siemens Simatic control panel fitted to the right hand side of the control desk displaying the ‘Powertrain’ control software window.
And finally, here’s a video of the 08e in action. The loco still has its EE506 traction motors – hence the traditional sounds – even if there’s no longer the burble from the EE 6KT engine!
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 was up with the lark to prepare myself for another day out looking at aspects of the UK’s railways. Yesterday it was training, today it’s innovation. I’m off to have a look at a conversion of a member of a class of locomotive that’s UKs oldest design still in regular service, the venerable Class 08 diesel shunter.
1057 of the 350hp Class 08s were built between 1952 and 1962. Based on an earlier design by the LMS railway they became to standard UK shunting engine, despite their single cab and limited visibility. They’re still in service today although in vastly reduced numbers. This is 08683, seen at Eastleigh on the 29th September this year.
I’ll write about this in detail later. Right now I’ve got to make my way to Chesterfield. I’ll blog throughout the day so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to.
08:20.
Well, there’s been some spectacular skies this morning thanks to low sun and broken cloud reflecting the light, but after that things started falling apart. My first train of the day is a Grand Central service from Halifax to Wakefield Kirkgate where I have a four minute cross platform connection with a train to Sheffield. There’s just one problem. GC left Bradford 3 minutes late and left Halifax 5 minutes late – and we haven’t stopped at Brighouse or Mirfield yet! Now, in theory – we may be able to pull a minute or so back as timings on this section are pedestrian at best, but I’m not optimistic…
A rather battered 180114 arrives at Halifax from Bradford.
We’ve just left Mirfield and made up no time at all. Will I make my connection at Wakefield, well, we have a clear run, so we just might do it, but it’ll be tight!
08:48.
A check of Real Time Trains tells me that nowadays this service stands at Horbury Junction for nearly 10 mins due to pathing. It always used to do this in Wakefield itself. So, now I should make my connection as we’re passing Horbury now.
09:25.
Well, that was a classic bit of piss-poor train regulation! Having passed Horbury Jn my CG service was signal-checked twice before being allowed into Kirkgate. We sat, just outside the station to allow my connection (the service to Lincoln, which left EARLY) to speed past us in the opposite direction!
Thankfully, running just a few minutes behind is a local stopping service to Sheffield which will allow me to make my connection but reduce my time between trains. Mind you, looking at the weather that may be no bad thing. It’s grim out there!
10:05.
Not a vintage day on the railway. My 2 car train burbled its way as far as Meadowhall where it got stuck for some unknowable reason, arriving at Sheffield 5 mins late, giving me just 5 mins to make my connection with an East Midlands Railway service to London via Chesterfield. Only – that’s late too! Thank God I have a few minutes in the bank. And now for the scrum…
10:10.
We’re off. This 5 car Meridan is 25 mins late coming up from London, which hasn’t helped. Add in the usual confusion as folks try and find their reserved seats or ones that are free and the delays mount.
Still, my worries are over. I’ll make the connecting bus that’s being laid on to take us from Chesterfield to Barrow Hill so that’s all that matters. After this any delays don’t matter as I’m not against the clock.
10:35.
Impressive! Stagecoach’s Matt Kitchen in co-operation with Volvo have supplied an electric bus to get us to Barrow Hill.
11:20.
There’s a good turnout here at Barrow Hill.
Here are some technical details of the loco we’ve come to look at…
– and here’s the beast itself!
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/
Today’s going to be a long one! I’m currently enjoying a coffee in my room whilst checking my kit and making sure everything’s charged up and cleaned whilst keeping one eye on the TV weather reports. Today’s going to be mixed to say the least with a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers forecast, which should make things ‘interesting’ to say the least. The trainees on the electrification course are going to get a taste of what it’s really like working trackside in all weathers! Then, when we’re finished I’ve got to head back to West Yorkshire ready for another interesting event tomorrow.
I’ll blog throughout the day as I can so feel free to pop back and see what I’m getting up to.
08:35.
We’re kicking off here at the Jane Austin training scholl with a classroom lesson on OLE. The first briefing’s being given by Gary Keenor, who’s literally written the book on OLE.
Here’s the plan. Looks simple, doesn’t it?
Here’s some technical jargon for you.
One of the things I enjoy about jobs like this is that I get to learn things, in this case about the intricacies of overhead line engineering. It’s fascinating – especially when you have such knowledgeable trainers as Gary.
13:00.
Having enjoyed lunch and chance to dry out from the rain, it’s time to go back to training.
17:00.
We might have had a soggy morning but that was nothing to what arrived in the afternoon! The forecast was well out and none of the sunny periods expected arrived. Instead we had rain. Lashings of it! Thankfully I’d anticipated these conditions by packing a waterproof housing for my camera. Without it I’d never have been able to get pictures of the group working together to roll out and tension a cable run. I’ll add a couple of camera pictures later. The conditions mirrored those that rail staff face when they’re working, but it was a baptism of fire for trainees where many had never even been trackside before. The day finished early as there was no point in starting another activity after the cable run. So, whilst the rest of the gang made their way back to the hotel to dry off (on the outside, anyway) I hotfoot it to the station to get an earlier train. I’m now on the 16:40 from Swindon to Paddington. This is a busy train but I’ve managed to find a table bay in one of the rear coaches which had free seats. Now I’m enjoying watching the flooded Wiltshire countryside flash by as I head back to the capital.
19:10.
yet again my time in London was brief. I dived off the train at Paddington having chosen the best coach for the quickest route to the Metropolitan underground station (benefits of being an ex-Londoner) so made it to Kings Cross with a couple of minutes to spare in order to catch an earlier train. I’m now on the 18:03 to Leeds which will get me home nearly an hour earlier than I was originally expecting.
Admittedly, the train’s packed, not helped by the fact it’s only a five-car Azuma to Skipton where the first stop was Peterborough. I’ve been resident of a vestibule since the ‘Cross as the seats vacated by ‘posh’ commuters were soon filled by others joining form points East.
22:00.
I’m home and dry – literally! Dawn was good enough to come to the station to pick me up so I’m now letting my PPE air. The weather here in West Yorkshire’s damp but nowhere near as wet as Wiltshire was which is a relief – especially as I’m out and about again tomorrow, only this time on a rather different event – all will be revealed as it happens!
I said I’d post a couple of camera pictures from today – so here they are…
Putting those earlier plans into practice…
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Today I’m travelling from Halifax to Swindon where I’ll be spending the night in a hotel ready for a commission tomorrow. In railway terms it’s known as a positional move.
Right now I’m on an LNER ‘Azuma’ from Leeds to London, having travelled to Yorkshire’s most bustling city on a busy 3-car Northern service via Bradford.
800102 working the 10:45 from Leeds to Kings Cross.
11:20.
We’re currently at Doncaster, waiting for the road South. This train’s fairly quiet so I’ve bagged a table bay to myself in coach C as most people never venture towards the back of the train. There may be a storm on the way and tomorrow’s job (outdoors) may get ‘interesting’ but here in Yorkshire we’ve high cloud and hazy sunshine. I’m hoping to be able to garner some library shots on my way but as I’m loaded down with a suitcase with all my PPE I’m not going to be venturing far from stations en-route.
Right now there’s time to settle down and do some work – as well as catch up with the latest copy of RAIL magazine which includes my article on HS2 and the bridge over the route near Aylesbury.
12:20.
With the train having called at Peterborough (and stood to time as we were four minutes early) my coach has filled out a bit with a mixture of American tourists, students and what look like day-trippers, all heading for the capital. The weather’s continuing to improve the further I head South. We’ve clear blue skies and cottonwool clouds with long periods of sunshine. Long may that continue! Right now we’re speeding across the Cambridgeshire flatlands ahead of time yet again.
There’s an interesting contrast in this coach. The party of middle-aged and younger Americans are sat chatting. I can’t see them as they’re sat behind me, but I can hear them. In the table bay opposite are three women students. There’s not a word being spoken. One’s sat there with headphones on, staring at her smartphone. Of the pair opposite her one’s on her phone whilst the other has it on the table in front of her as she gazes out of the window.
13:35.
My visit to the capital was brief. I didn’t hang around at Kings Cross because it’s a regular haunt so I immediately headed for the Underground
I decided to cut time short when I arrived at Paddington and saw how devoid of trains it was and how many services were shown as delayed. That was a shame as I rarely visit nowadays but there’s little to shoot in an empty station! In contrast trip across London on the underground was quick and easy. I only had a couple of minutes to wait at Kings Cross St Pancras before a Metropolitan line train arrived to whisk me away.
Comfortable but uncrowded conditions on the Met…
Right now i’m on the 13:31 hrading for Cheltenham Spa as it was the first available train I can use to get as far as Reading
17:25.
I’ve made it to Swindon via a few stopovers on the way, including one at Didcot where I came across evidence of another terminally stupid and short-sighted Tory transport decision. The line from Didcot to Oxford was being electrified when then Transport Minister Crhis (failing) Grayling cancelled the project. Contractors literally walked away from the sceme when it was half-completed, wasting £ms of pounds. Sound familiar? Yep, it’s the usual dither and delay we’ve come to expect from this rotton government. Here’s the legacy. Electric services from Paddington terminate here with a diesel shuttle to Oxford. Madness.
Right, it’s time for me to go to work and meet the good folks from the Permenant Way Institute who are here for their two day practical course which I’ll be shadowing.
22:00.
This blog’s no longer rolling! It’s time for me to call it a day and prepare for tomorrow as I’ve a busy day ahead. Breakfast kicks off at 06:30 before we head over to the training centre to don our PPE and for the students to get experience of what it’s like actually building and installing overhead electrification trackside. There’s a great bunch of participants from all areas of the rail industry so I’m really looking forward to the challenge of getting the pictures needed – despite the weather.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with on last picture from the day. This is how electrified Thames valley services look nowadays with the diesels displaced and sent to Bristol and beyond. Here’s a Paddington – Didcot service calling at Twyford earlier this afternoon.
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 