The hectic pace of last week hasn’t let up over the weekend. I may be based back at home but most of my time’s been spent working. I’ve a haul of hundreds of pictures to collate and edit from Friday which has been made more complicated than it needed to be by a battery choosing yesterday to expire.
My Nikons carry a tiny battery buried away inside the main battery compartment whose sole function is to keep the date/time function ticking over independent of the main (humongous) battery. They last for ages. In fact, this one’s lasted for 6 years despite the Nikon manual suggesting you replace them after 2 years. Maybe I should have listened – or at least carried a spare. Why? Because on my job on Friday this battery decided to finally give up the ghost. Not a problem you’d probably think as the camera won’t stop working. You’d be right. But…
What it does mean is that the EXIF data on every photo is exactly the same. They’re all taken at 00:00 on 1/1/2016 – which means trying to sort them our is a friggin nightmare as there’s absolutely no order to them when you download them from the camera. Collating pictures becomes a game of hide and seek! Still, it’s done now which is just as well.
Despite this added excitement (and extra hours) we’ve had a good weekend. Last night we went out for a meal with a couple of friends who’re stalwarts of the Mytholmroyd station friends group. We’ve known Sue and Geoff for many years now. Pre-Covid we’d regularly meet for drinks and food but the Pandemic put paid to all that – until last night when the four of us enjoyed a lovely meal and drinks at this bar and tapas place in Mytholmroyd. I’m not going to bore you with selfies and food pictures from the night. It’s not why we were there, this was just an evening with friends without pressures.
Today’s seen me with my nose pressed firmly against the grindstone, sorting out my clients pictures from Friday as I’m back on the rails again tomorrow carrying out part 2 of their current commission and calling in to Chesterfield to do so. Plus, I’ve a shedload of writing to do next week and deadlines to meet – deadlines made all the more tight by taking on this last-minute commission! Still, my bank balance will thank me…
So, expect a rolling (or maybe stumbling) blog tomorrow as I make my way from Halifax to Chesterfield and back. In the meantime here’s the picture of the day which is from my expedition trackside on the Haywards Heath blockade which is coming to an end this weekend. The main compound was in the carpark at Haywards Heath station but the worksite was further South in a deep cutting. The only way to get there was to walk through the 249 yard long Haywards Heath tunnel – which is rather wet due to water ingress but at least the juice rail was isolated. Mind you, we weren’t the only occupants of the tunnel as this engineers train took up one road. Not exactly a place you normally get to wander around, is it?
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps 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/
Dawn’s just breaking here in Clapham and I’m preparing to head to the station and off to work somewhere I’ve not been for a while. The weather’s looking a lot better than it was back in Yorkshire which is good. Hopefully I won’t be freezing my nuts off as is often the case on jobs like this. We’ll see. But first it’s time to boost my system with some caffeine. I’ll blog throughout the day and post pictures when I’m able. Catch you later…
07:23.
Having bod adieu to my friend, stolled down to the Junction and picked up a caffeine top-up I’m now on a Southern service to Three Bridges. This time of morning Clapham station felt like the old days with the number of people coming and going – including dozens of schoolkids.
The day’s dawned with nary a cloud in the sky which should make for some good pictures if it stays this way.
Our first stop is East Croydon which is rising into the sky at an ever faster rate. The station’s become hemmed in by high-rise residential blocks whilst the sky is full of tower cranes building more.
08:15.
Part 2 of my journey. I’m on a rail replacement bus from Three Bridges to Haywards Heath. This is a massive operation with covered walkways, marquees and a car park full of buses.
We’re even given drinks tokens!
Of course, the problem now is traffic. We got out of Three Bridges onto the A264 and now we’re stuck in a queue of traffic at a roundabout over the M23. Ho hum…
11:15.
First site visit done. Embankment stabilisation work South of Haywards Heath.
18:45
Well, that was a long but fascinating day and it went far better than I feared that it might. All the early wrinkles were ironed out and it was a joy to be trackside again being part of the amazing work that goes on during railway blockades. Plus, I can add another railway tunnel to add to the list of ones I’ve (legitimately) walked through. I’ll add some pictures later. After the work on the blockade one of my clients staff drove me around various sites across Sussex and Kent to get pictures of work they’d carried out previously – from embankment stabilization to platform extensions. We covered a lot of ground.
It was interesting in another ways in that I got to explore a lot of the area I knew by rail by road, which gave a very different perspective. I was surprised to find some villages in the affluent South that were actually looking pretty down at heel as shops and pubs had closed. Not what I remember from my time down here at all.
Our last job was recording platform extension work at Littlehaven, which was very handy as the station is served by Thameslink, so when we’d finished it was easy for me to head back North without having to cross London on the tube. Instead I had a direct train across the Thames to St Pancras. I have to admit to a fair bit of nostalgia as I took that trip. I have so many happy memories of that part of the world that some were obviously going to come to mind. What did surprise me was how busy stations like Three Bridges and East Croydon have become again. Life’s returning to the railways.
The trip across London via Thameslink is always a delight as it showcases the city’s skyline before plunging underground to deposit me at St Pancras Thameslink. My, I remember visiting this when it was just an enormous concrete box buried underground! As soon as I arrived I made a beeline for Kings Cross next door, my timekeeping was such that I just made LNER’s 17.33 to Harrogate via Leeds. When we pulled out of Kings Cross it was just like the old days. The train is absolutely rammed and I’m sharing a vestibule with a young lad from Skipton (Ryan) and his dog, ‘Trixie’.
20:00.
Despite the fact my LNER train was packed and I was stuck in a vestibule I really enjoyed the journey. Why? Because it was a return to the old days when strangers struck up conversations on trains. It’s something Covid put the mockers on that’s now returning – and it’s brilliant!
Right now I’m on my last leg. Being fleet of foot I had just enough time at Leeds to make an earlier train back to Halifax. I’m now on a service to Blackpool North – another busy train.
Yesterday I talked about the frustrations of freelance life and the way things can change at the drop of a hat. Well, it’s happened again today, only this time in a very positive way!
My plan was to work from home staying in the warm and ignoring the sleet and snow showers outside. I was content researching/writing my next article on HS2 and finishing off some other bits and pieces. Then the phone rang…
A client who I’d discussed some work with just wondered (as much as they knew what fantastically short notice it was) if I was free to work on a line blockade they were involved in South of London tomorrow? Oh, and was I free on Monday for another job too? Crikey!
A few frantic phone calls later I’m now sat on a train from Halifax heading to London via Leeds. I managed to sort out staying with a friend as you really don’t want a four hour journey starting at silly o’ clock before you go working trackside – especially in the land of the 3rd rail. Accidentally standing on something that contains 750v DC can ruin your whole day – although the juice should be turned off in a blockade as no services will be running in that section we may end up at other sites too.
Digging out my PPE and packing my overnight bag Dawn gave me a lift to the station and that was it – I was off to a very different say to the one planned…
I’ll update you on my progress when I get to Leeds.
17:30.
I’m now speeding my way to London aboard LNER’s 17:15 service from Leeds. The amount of passengers passing through the station at Yorkshire’s premier city left me in little doubt that the railways are throwing off the constraints of Covid as people return for commuter and leisure travel. This was the busiest I’ve seen the station all year.
There’s another welcome if noisy return. Trans-Pennine Express have allowed their Class 68 loco fleet to spread their wings again. They put in regular appearances in Leeds as they cross the Pennines.
My London train isn’t exactly quiet either. We’ve just left Wakefield where dozens disembarked after using the train as a fast commuter service. It’s still busy so I’ll be curious how many disembark at Doncaster and points South.
As we left ‘Wakey’ we crossed over the River Calder where the adjacent floodplains are awash with water, bearing testament to just how much rain we’ve had these past couple of weeks. It’s a sobering sight, especially as we still had sleet and snow higher up the river in the valley these past 24 hours.
18:00.
Our stop at Doncaster was as I suspected, loads of people detrained but with a fair few joining. Even so – the wifi is noticeably faster now! Another welcome development is the fact it’s still not yet dark despite some of the heavy cloud handing around. The days are getting noticeably longer which is a welcome sign that (despite the weather conditions) we’re actually beginning to leave winter behind.
As I write this we’re calling at Retford where more people are leaving us only this time they’ve not been replaced by a new influx. I’ll have to have a walk-though the train later just to gauge what the loadings are like.
18:10.
And walk through I did. I count 168 in Standard Class (I’ve no idea how many in 1st). Not a bad loading.
23:00.
Well, that was a fun day! I’m currently lying on a bed at my friend’s house with a grandstand view of Clapham Junction station. The journey across London took me from Kings Cross, along the Victoria line tube to the route’s namesake. It was interesting to see how many people think that Covid isn’t an issue anymore so there’s no reason to wear a mask.
At Victoria with its nice new colour passenger information screens (when did that happen, I was only here a month or so ago!) I caught a Southern Class 455 working to Epsom Downs as far as the Junction – which was remarkably quiet by the time I arrived, but then it was after 20:00.
As the pair of us are working tomorrow we’ve spent the evening indoors chatting, eating and watching the tragedy in the Ukraine unfold on the TV and social media. This must be the first war broadcast on Smartphones by people in the right place at the wrong time. I’m having to hold my spleen firmly in place, otherwise I’d be tempted to vent it in all its rainbow colours about Russia, Oligarchs and the way they’ve bought the collection of nare-do wells who call themselves our Government. What an increasingly difficult world most ordinary people are forced to live in nowadays as power is concentrated in the hands of the few who laugh at the needs and concerns of the many.
Anyway, enough for now. Tomorrow is another day and it’s going to be a busy and complicated one. I’lll blog about the day when I can…
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Today’s been another quiet on here at Bigland Towers. The pair of us have been slaving away over hot computers – with varying degrees of success. Freelance life can be frustrating sometimes when you put a lot of effort into sorting out a potential commission only for the client to change their mind at the last moment and can the project. Such is life, sadly and why you always try to have several irons in the fire. At least I can concentrate on other stuff now. Hopefully the project will morph into a bigger job in the next few months.
Apart from that, the day’s not gone badly. I’ve caught up on paperwork and picture editing, continued writing my next articles and even found time this evening to update a blog on the old Class 317 trains as well as be active enough to get all my exercise routines ticked off (and more). Dawn’s been out with friends this evening which meant I didn’t have to cook so pleased myself with a concoction made from few bits from cupboard and fridge and concentrated on working instead, which gives me a clear run at a few other projects tomorrow as well as continuing keyboard bashing. Tomorrow evening I’ll be more traditional and find (and follow) a recipe rather than freestyle for one!
Hopefully the weather will continue to improve and by next week I’ll have space to resume my travels at some point. As always, things on the railways don’t stand still and a lot of changes are afoot. Plus, as the Covid emergency protocols wind down, many train services are being reinstated, which will make movement both easier and more pleasant.
So, on to the picture of the day, which is another in the series of old slides from India taken in 1995. They’re still in my inbox waiting to be edited so won’t be appearing on my Zenfolio website for a while, but here’s a taster. Yesterday’s was of one of the Portuguese Christian churches in Old Goa, today’s is from the Hindu religion and features the Shri Shanta Durga temple in Kavalem, Ponda district, North Goa. It was built between 1730-36.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’d planned to be working from home all day today but things changed when Dawn asked if I’d come into Huddersfield with her whilst she checked the Community Rail Network offices in the old water-tower at the station. How could I refuse? Dee also had a meeting at the offices that was still going ahead despite the weather so I made myself scarce for a few hours by nipping over the border into Lancashire to get some pictures and see how the railway’s coping with the torrential rain and storms we’ve been having. I’d had a quick look on Real Time Trains which showed Colne Valley services running with just a few delays, so I wasn’t expecting any real problems.
My first stop was at Greenfield where there’s a rather nice juxtaposition of road and rail to be had. The weather wasn’t as its best, but even so – it’s important to document our rail network in all conditions, not pretend the sun shines 365 days a year. I managed a series of shots but was curious when an Eastbound TPE service hove into sight at a very slow speed before pulling up at a nearby signal despite it showing a green aspect. The Class 802 sat there for a few minutes before moving off – as did I because I was catching the 12:14 further West.
185109 and 185139 thunder past me whilst working 1P66, the 0907 Redcar Central to Manchester Piccadilly.802201 crawls away from Greenfield after being asked to inspect flooding on the line between there and Mossley whilst working 1P23, the 1054 Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle.
My 185 arrived on time but soon slowed to a crawl. The Conductor came on the PA to announce that Control had reported flooding on the line and asked them to do a slow-speed inspection. Why soon became evident. The massive rainfall we’ve had has left the ground saturated and incapable of holding more water so any extra is running straight off the land and forming streams all over the place. The steep sloping fields on the North side of the line had released several cascades of water which where beginning to flood the line. None of it was above the railhead (the crucial measure) but it was an obvious cause for concern. We crawled on to our next stop at Mossley where we regained line speed before calling at Staylebridge where I disembarked.
Initially, the weather to the West of the Pennines was little better than the East, so I sought refuge in and old haunt – the Station Buffet bar. I’ve known the place for over 20 years. It’s always had a cracking range of real ales and a fascinating collection of railway memorabilia adorning the walls but there’s a personal touch lacking now that it’s owned by the Beerhouses pub chain who also have the West Riding bar on Dewsbury station. The famous pie and peas have disappeared off the menu too, leaving little choice for the hungry traveller.
I stayed long enough for a pint and to gather my thoughts before heading back across the Pennines to Marsden, my next stop. As I’d not planned a day out I hadn’t packed any food so the first thing I did was make a beeline for the town centre, hoping to find a ‘chippy’ and indulge in a rare threat – chips and mushy peas. Sadly, the purveyor of such products was closed so I had to make do with an cold Cornish pasty from a local bakery. On the bright side, the Riverhead Brewery had re-opened after its Covid hibernation so I was able to enjoy a quick pint and a warm before heading back to Huddersfield on a very busy local service, demonstrating that rail passenger numbers are really recovering in this neck of the woods.
21:00.
I’m now back at home with no intention of venturing out again as I’ve too much to do over the next few days. Still it was nice whilst it lasted…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Here’s a look back at the first of the old BR built multiple unit classes to be built that were based on the steel Mk3 coach bodyshell in a departure from the earlier series of trains which used aluminum bodyshells. They’re easy to identify because of the distinctive ridged roof which they share with the Mk3s. The 317s were also the first units to be built for DOO (Driver Only Operation), dispensing with the need for a guard. This wasn’t without controversy and led to the units being ‘blacked’ by rail unions which delayed them entering into service. They were also the first modern units to have a maximum speed of 100mph since the 1960s built Class 309s . They’ve led a nomadic existence during their lives, which is now coming to an end.
The first order for Class 317s was built in 1981-82 to operate services on the newly electrified line from London St-Pancras to Bedford. 48 four-car units were constructed by BR at York works, although the Trailer cars (and all the units bogies) were built at Derby works.
Due to the DOO issues with the unions the trains didn’t enter service until March 1983. They plied their trade on the ‘Bedpan line’ (as the Bedford-St Pancras route was nicknamed) until 1987 when they were displaced by the Class 319s built for the ‘Thameslink’ programme. By this time they’d come under the aegis of Network Southeast who transferred to units to services out of Euston where they displaced older, slower, slam-door class 310 EMUs. Their tenure on the line was short as they were soon displaced by the new Class 321s so they moved again, this time to operate services out of Liverpool St and Kings Cross stations on the West Anglia and Great Northern routes. This time their stay was much more long-lived. It outlasted BR and survived into privatisation when ownership of the units was transferred to Angel trains.
At this point in their lives they joined their sister units for the first time.
A second batch of 20 Class 317s (numbered 317349-368) were built solely at York between 1985-86. A further four units (numbered 317369-372) followed on in 1987. The 317/s as they were known were ordered to work Great Northern services from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough. They were easy to tell from their earlier sisters as the front end had been modified to remove the redundant roof headcode boxes. The 317/2s were allocated to Hornsey depot in North London which also looked after the 317/1s after transfer from Euston services.
Changes continued throughout the units lives as franchises came and went. WAGN was split in 2004 and some 317s were absorbed by ‘One’ which took over the West Anglia routes. The Great Northern services were absorbed by new franchise First Capital Connect in April 2006.
However, Anglia and Great Northern services weren’t the only places you found the 317s. In 1996, LTS Rail hired in Class 317/1 units from its sister franchise WAGN for use on the routes out of Fenchurch St. The initial 2 units increased to a total of 18 units by the following year. The sets were maintained at LTS Rail’s depot at East Ham. They were gradually phased out on what by then was c2c by the arrival of the Class 357s although the final 317s didn’t disappear until 2002.
In 2002 the 317s reappeared on the ‘Bedpan’ route. Thameslink hired in 4 sets to work additional services between Moorgate and Bedford. More units followed in 2004 when an engineering blockade spilt Thameslink in two to allow the St Pancras Thameslink station box to be constructed. a total of 12 317/1s returned to their original stomping ground until the blockade was lifted.
By late 2004 the picture had begun to settle. WAGN was no more. Twelve 317/1s worked on Great Northern services for First Capital Connect whilst all the other sets worked out of Liverpool St for National Express under the ‘ONE’ brand.
Renumbering.
Whilst the service pattern had been simplified, the numbering system hadn’t! All but the sets (317337-348) working on Great Northern had been renumbered during various refurbishment programmes.
First to be renumbered were sets 317322-328 by BR back in 1994 when First Class was declassified. They had became 317392-398.
In 1998-99 WAGN refurbished the entire Class 317/2 fleet at Wolverton. 300 was added to the numbers and the units re-emerged ass 317649-672.
In 2000, 9 sets were modified and refurbished to take over ‘Stansted Express’ services from the Class 322s. They were renumbered in the 317/7 series thus:
Another 15 sets were refurbished by ‘ONE’ with new seating and passenger information systems in 2005 for use on West Anglia services. They were renumbered 317501-515 thus:
Finally, in 2006 a further 12 sets received a minor refresh at Wabtec in Doncaster. These were renumbered in the 317/8 series thus:
The final act in the lives of the 317s was on the 3st May 2015 when London Overground took over some London suburban routes from Abellio Greater Anglia. The lines from Liverpool St to Chingford, Enfield Town and Cheshunt via Seven Sisters were absorbed and eight 317/s and 6 317/8s (rendered surplus from Stansted services by the Class 379s) were taken over to run the services. The units were repainted on London Overground livery but little else. They lasted until April 2020 when the new Class 710 ‘Aventra’ trains displaced them.
Withdrawal of the 317s has continued to the present day. All the original Class 317/2s have gone for scrap at Eastleigh in Hampshire. The 317/7s have been stored bar 317722 which has been scrapped after being used as a demonstrator for a potential refurbishment programme. All that remains is a handful of 317/5s and 317/s which at the time of writing still work a few peak service between Liverpool St and Cambridge. For how much longer depends on the acceptance into traffic of the Class 720s…
Here’s a selection of pictures showing the diverse routes and liveries the 317s have used over their careers.
It’s the 15th March 2004. Displaced from the LTS but still carrying the modified NSE livery used on that route 317304 is seen speeding through Harringay whilst working a Kings Cross – Peterborough service. A few years earlier on the 17th May 2001 317304 was pictures calling at Upminster on the London, Tilbury and Southend line. The end of the line at Chingford on the 14th December 2001 as the low winter sunlight illuminates (from L-R). 317665. 317306. 317313. 31733 and 317315 at rest in the sidings. A classic LTS location seen on the 7th May 2001 as 317307 speeds past the sea at Westcliff whilst working a service from Southend back to Fenchurch St. In NSE livery and carrying the West Anglia logo (but with added icicles) 317310 freezes in the sidings at Stratford, East London on the 9th February 1991. Seen at St Pancras on the 16th March 2005. WAGN liveried 317315 arrives at the Eastern platforms now used by SET Javelins and passes Thameslink liveried 319452, one of the units that displaced it on the ‘Bedpan’ line. Classic corporate Network Southeast, from the train livery to the new lamp standards and signage! Here’s 317316 at Broxbourne on the 24th May 1991 whilst working a Liverpool St – Cambridge service. It’s the 27th April 1997 and 317398 keeps sister unit 317317 company at Kings Cross. For a short while seven units were renumbered between 317392 and 317398 due to having their First Class seating declassified. Still carrying First Capital Connect livery but ‘Great Northern’ branding, 317337 sits at Kings Cross with a service for Royston on the 14th April 2015. When 317s worked services from Moorgate to Bedford. Here’s 317341 working empty stock on its way to Moorgate passing through Farringdon on the 18th June 2008.On the 7th August 2000 Fragonset liveried 31459 brings up the rear of 5Z45, the Hornsey – Cricklewood stock move with 317398 and 317320, seen at Harringay Park Junction. The scene’s changed completely. The semaphores and signalbox have gone and the lines been fitted with 25kv overhead electrification.On the 18th May 2009 a pair of units in ful First Capital Connect livery with 317345 leading speed North through Alexandra Palace in North London with a service from Kings Cross.The world just before Covid shut it down. Unbranded but wearing Greater Anglia livery, 317340 is seen after its transfer to Transport for London working a service through Hackney Downs on the 11th March 2020. The last of the original batch of 317/1s No 317348 crosses the Walthamstow marshes with a service bound for Cambridge on the 6th March 2003. The unit was still sporting NSE livery but with the addition of the WAGN triangle logo. 317360 from the second batch of 317s seen at Hornsey on the 25th February 1997, still sporting NSE livery. The unit had run ECS from Kings Cross and was about to cross the flyover in order to gain entry to Hornsey depot. A sunny day in London on the 13th May 1995 as NSE branded 317370 heads through Hackney Downs with service to Cambridge.London doesn’t see much snow compared to the rest of the UK, but here’s WAGN liveried 317653 passing through Alexandra Palace on a snowy 31st January 2003. At Bishops Stortford on the 19th May 2015 as 317668 sits on the rear of a service to Liverpool St. The unit’s carrying Abellio Greater Anglia branding. Towards the end of days and just before Covid changed the world, a pair of 317/2s pass just outside Hackney Downs station on the 11th March 2020. On the same say as the picture of 317348 (6th March 2003) WAGN liveried 317661 crosses the embankment above the Walthamstow Marshes with a service inbound to Liverpool St.Inside Ilford depot on the 13th March 2007 with 317511 in full ‘ONE’ livery plus 317722 and 708 showing off the front end modifications and new windowframes they received as part of their refurbishment for ‘Stansted Express’ duties. 317501 is seen in Abellio ‘Greater Anglia’ livery at Cambridge on the 8th August 2017.A few years earlier on the 9th April 2015 317502 is seen at Hackney Downs sporting National Express livery but with Abellio branding. Four years earlier on the 17th May 2011 317508 carrying full National Express branding sits at a virtually unrecognisable Stratford station. Note the original metal hopper windows the unit carried from new that were replaced on refurbished units. Fresh from its conversion and rebuild at Wolverton works 317708 eases on to Hornsey depot, seen from Harringay station on the 7th August 2000. The difference in windows from the previous picture is noticeable. Displaced from Stansted services, transferred to London Overground and repainted into their livery. 317710 leaves the sidings at Chingford on the 3rd June 2016.All three varieties of 317 seen at Liverpool St on the 6th June 2011. 317/2 317666 with a rebuilt 317/1 renumbered 317723 and original condition 317/1 number 317882 wearing Stansted Express branding. On the 21st September 2009 317884 calls at Bethnal Green. The unit’s base livery is the old ‘ONE’ livery with the addition of a white stripe and Stansted Express branding within it. Another year, another view of Bethnal Green. This time it’s the 11th March 2020 and 317886 is seen descending the bank to Liverpool St bringing up the rear of a London Overground service.Here’s a look at the interior of a 317 at Ilford on the 13th March 2007. The unit’s had it’s original metal hopper windows replaced and acquired a Passenger Information System (see the screen on the roof) but it retains the original 3+2 seats.This is the refurbished interior of Stansted Express unit 317723 seen on the 5th March 2005. It’s a far superior layout to the original set-up and has the luxury of having 2=2 searing – and tables!
Personally, I never really liked the Class 317s. The high windows with their metal hoppers made the units feel claustrophobic and the lack of tables was bizarre considering that they operated medium distance services. But, they provided the railways with 100mph capacity and served it well on a variety of routes over the years. I hope to have one last trip on them over the next few weeks before they enter the history books.
If you’d like to browse (or buy) other pictures of Class 317s you can find them on my Zenfolio website in the following Galleries.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps 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/
After a very pleasant evening staying with an old friend in London it’s another early start for me as I’m now heading to an assignment in Bristol this morning. Right now it’s time to walk down to Clapham Junction to catch a train to Reading. Today’s itinerary is Reading – Bristol – Westbury, after which I’ll be making my way to Cardiff where I’ll be staying overnight. Friday could prove interesting due to the next storm arriving. Snow and heavy winds are predicted for West Yorkshire so my journey home could prove to be fun!
I’ll be blogging throughout the day and (hopefully) from the event, so feel free to keep popping back to see what I get up to…
07:00.
Clapham Junction staion was just waking up when I arrived. Most catering outlets were still closed but a cheery Costa Coffee kiosk on platform 10 provided me with my caffeine fix before I joined fellow travellers on platform 6 to catch the 06:58 to Reading. Dawn was beginning to break and the racous noise of parakeets made it obvious I was in London. The little buggers are slowly colonising the city and seem to be thriving.
Up the junction…
I’m now on one of a pair of 5-car Class 458s making up a 10-car set. The train’s busy, but not rammed. Hardly anyone on here will be travelling the full route like me. This is a short-hop route and many who joined at Clapham disembarked at Richmond.
08:00.
Not far to go now. I don’t often travel this route so it’s interesting to see the changes – such as the new depot on the site of the old Feltham marshalling yard site. Laid out in modern style it was occupied by several of the new Class 701s, none of which have ever turned a wheel in passenger service yet. They’re little more than expensive pigeon perches right now!
As expected, my train continued to empty out all along the route, at least until we got to Wokingham where a healthy number were waiting for us to arrive. I’m assuming we’re now in Reading’s orbit and these are Thames Valley commuters. This impression was reinforced when we called at Earley which was really busy, filling up the train again.
After all the rain and moody skies I’ve suffered recently today’s actually a great on for travelling. We have wall to wall sunshine and clear blue skies. I only hope this holds out for later when I’m in a position to make the most of it!
09:00
I’m now bowling along Brunel’s ‘billiard table’ at a rate of knots aboard on of GWR’s Hitachi built Class 800/3s working the 08:27 to Britol Temple Meads. These things really can shift! The acceleration is especially impressive. Also impressive is the billion pound rebuilding of Reading station that’s left it unrecognisable from the place of my youth. But it’s not just the station that’s changed. So have most of the train fleets with electric power being dominant now. An oddity I noticed was a couple of the C2C Class 387s, three of which are now with GWR on a year-long lease, I’d forgotten about them! Covering the entire UK rail network as I do it’s sometimes hard to keep up with the changes as I can’t get everywhere all the time. I really do need to spend some time down this way again soon. I’ve lots of fond memories of this line from my days living in London as Lynn and I would often travel the route for cycling weekends in the Thames valley or longer trips to Wiltshire or Cornwall and Devon.
09:15.
Having called at Chippenham where the overhead wires run out we’ve switched to diesel power and I can feel the engine underneath me taking the strain. Cancelling the wires to Bristol (and Oxford) is yet another example of Government penny-pinching and short-term thinking. We’re in a climate emergency a should be doing everything we can to decarbonise transport for the good of the planet but our current political masters don’t have the sense to see that. Instead, we have the ludicrous situation of electric trains hauling around heavy diesel power-packs and fuel tanks to allow them to operate away from the wires.
10:15.
I’m now at the Engine Shed at Bristol for the launch of the ‘window seater’ app which is a high quality geolocated audio guide. It’s been developed in partnership with Community Rail Network and funded by Innovate (UKRI) and the Dept of Transport. You can dowload it for Apple or Android phones.
17:50
Hmm – not the day I was expecting although I did wonder if the new storm would affect me. What I hadn’t expected was that it wouldn’t just eb a minor irritant and would change my plans completely!
Initially things had been going well. The launch of the app went well. After the initial event at Bristol we all boarded a GWR train to Westbury for an audio demonstration of what it had to offer as a route guide. The content’s really varied. It covers history and also contemporary life, such as the stories of people who set up adoption groups at their local station. At Westbury the Trans-Wilts Partnership served light refreshments and gave out goody bags from their centre in one of the old station buildings. Sadly, the weather had descended into showers by the time we arrived so I didn’t hang around. Instead I retraced my steps as far as Bradford on Avon where the sun still reigned which allowed me to get a scenic shot of a train crossing the bridge over the River Avon in sunshine.
I didn’t hang around as I needed to get more pictures from the app launch away to clients, which proved easier said than done as wifi reception was a none-starter and tethering my phone to may laptop didn’t work as 4G reception was awful – even in Bath! It wasn’t until I got back to Bristol that I managed to get the pictures away. It was at this point things went even more awry.
Dawn texted me to say that the severe weather warning had been raised from Amber to Red and that Wales was cancelling all train services tomorrow – so that was my plans up shit creek! Oh, and the icing on the cake? The Met Office was predicting up to 20cm of snow in the Pennines – so even if I could get back I might not be able to make it home without breaking my neck. There was only one thing to do and that was admit defeat and journey home. But first I had to overcome the communication problems and send off the batch of pictures the client needed, which kept me hanging around for another hour. Admittedly, it also allowed to me to get a last few pictures at Temple Meads where the main arch of the overall roof’s being enveloped in scaffolding and a crash-deck in order to restore it to the former glory it once held.
Mind you, the approaches to Temple Meads have changed somewhat recently. Not only has the Eastern throat been completely redesigned and renewed, there’s some interesting new architecture as a backdrop.
17:00
And now here I am on the 16:34 Cross-Country Voyager from Bristol heading for Leeds. I’m in the rear set and whilst this 5 car Class 221’s busy it’s not overcrowded. I’ve no doubt it’ll do what Voyagers always do and be the train version of ‘hot desking’ as it makes its way up to Scotland.
22:30.
Well, I made it home. The Voyager to Leeds via Birmingham and Derby ended up very busy but not unpleasantly so. I managed to get some work done en-route and even though we were a few minutes late into Leeds I still made my connection through to Halifax where Dawn picked me up so that I didn’t have to walk for a change.
The weather back in West Yorkshire’s a lot colder, but there’s no sign (yet) of the impending storm. I’m disappointed to have missed out on Cardiff and the pictures that I had planned but I’ve plenty of things to do to do at home tomorrow as I’ve a mass of pictures to sort out. Plus, I get to spend more quality time with Dawn – and I don’t have to worry about the weather! What’s not to like?
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
After yesterday’s silly o’ clock start I had a lie-in this morning. I’ve only just finished scoffing the full English breakfast provided by my hotel here in Leamington Spa. Now I’m almost ready to face a day of variety. First off is a tour of HS2 construction sites around Warwickshire. Later on I’ll be getting the train into London where I’ll be staying the night with a friend. The weather forecast is looking interesting to say the least, so it may be a fun day. I’ll be blogging throught the day but initially that may be mostly pictures. Feel free to keep popping back to see what I get up to…
09:50.
Whilst I wait for my contact and local guide to arrive I’ve some time to spend getting pictures at the delightful old GWR built station at Leamington where the staff obviously both enjoy their jobs – and have a sense of humour!
18:30.
Now, where was I? Oh yes – abject apologies for the gap in blogging but I’ve had a fascinating day touring Warwickshire in the company of Penny McGregor, whose family have been farming land in Warwickshire for generations. Part of their land at Cubbington has been taken by HS2 Ltd as the fields have been used as part of the mitigation efforts to translocate soil and trees from Cubbington wood which the route of HS2 was unable to avoid. Originally anti the project and a supporter of the protests to stop HS2 Penny came to realise the protesters weren’t telling the truth about the project and became a ‘critical friend’ of HS2. Penny has great local knowledge and is very interested in the efforts made to mitigate the alterations HS2 is making to the landscape and track the success (or failure) of replanting and rewilding efforts. Here’s some of the pictures I’ve taken during the day…
Cubbington wood, showing the trace of HS2 which cuts through the area. This was the scene of many protests back in 2020, all of which proved futile. But then many were little more than publicity stunts. Looking in the opposite direction to the previous picture. Looking back on the last picture from the distance. Not all the new tree planting on either side. Cut down after having over 30 new trees taken from it as cuttings the base of this tree was translocated and is now bursting into life once more. But this is no ordinary tree. This is the 350yr old Cubbington pear tree that the protesters made so much about.
Oh, God, back to early starts again. Still I really shouldn’t complain as today will be a fascinating one and the somewhat cryptic title of this rolling blog will explained later this morning when I do something few people ever get chance to do and that I haven’t done for about 20 years. But first, I’ve got to top up with caffeine then get my arse out of the door and walk to the station in time to catch the 06:17 from Halifax to Leeds. Feel free to keep popping back as I make my way by train to Leamington Spa, after which all will be revealed. Of course I’ve got to get there first, which can always be fun…
06:10.
The stroll to the station was very pleasant this morning even if I did feel like a Sherpa climbing up the cobbled hill to Spring Edge. I’m carrying all my camera kit plus clothing and toiletries for a few nights away but using a rucsac not a ‘wheelie’ suitcase. Still, it got the blood pumping! Thankfully the rain had abated, leaving the roads and pavements glistening but me dry. I passed nary a soul on my way, the only noise was from the dawn chorus as the area’s birdlife sprang into song.
My progress was so swift that I missed catching an earlier train by a minute, I heard the 06:00 to Leeds powering up the incline out of town as I arrived. There’s no rush. I have a nearly 20 minute connection time at Leeds and my train (the 06:17) starts from here as its the hourly service to Hull.
As I typed this the inbound service arrived in the shape of a noisy Class 158. Emptying out a couple of passengers before scuttling off to the reversing siding in order to head back.
06:20.
I’m now enjoying the warmth and comfort (and USB chargers) of 158756 as it trundles towards Leeds.
It’s not a busy service right now. There’s only 6 of us in the first of the three cars but I expect that to change once we reach Bradford.
06:30.
Sure enough, there were dozens of passengers waiting for us at Interchange and the numbers in my car have tripled. The station’s a hive of activity with 3 of the four platforms full with trains for East and West, plus Grand Central’s first train of the day to London Kings Cross.
Oh, I didn’t get chance to post this earlier but whilst I was at Halifax this notice caught my eye. You know when you scan something with half an eye as you know what you expect to read but then your brain says “hang on a minute”!
Why spellcheckers are important…
07:30.
Arriving at Leeds as the station was slowly waking up I had just enough time to grab a couple of pictures and stretch my legs before my next train arrived in the shape of a pair of 4-car Cross-Country Voyagers. Despite the hour the train was already quite busy although enough folk departed at Leeds to allow me to bag on of my preferred seats – the airline ones nearest the vestibule which have extra legroom. I’m settled in with laptop powered up and a flask of coffee as I’m on this train for the next 2 hours 10 minutes. We’re taking the ‘scenic’ route to Birmingham via Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby and Tamworth. This will allow me to gauge just how busy this trains and the stations we call at are nowadays. Mind you, we called at Wakefield Westgate a few minutes ago where there was no shortage of trade for this train. Most rows of seats have at least one occupant now as we head to Sheffield.
The frustrating thing is that in a couple of decades time we were meant to be able to look forward to this journey’s time being slashed by 58% thanks to the Eastern leg of HS2. Now that’s been mothballed. It will still have to be built because the alternative, the Government’s (dis)Integrated Rail Plan is a fiction. It cannot possibly deliver the time savings claimed without seriously screwing up regional services and capacity on the East Coast and Midland Main Lines. Eventually, the penny will drop (it already has with industry experts) meaning HS2s Eastern leg will have to happen, but yet again we’ve kicked the can down the road in typically British penny-pinching fashion. In the meantime, it looks like I’ll be using Voyagers for some time yet, at least until HS2 as far as Crewe opens anyway…
07:55.
We’ve arrived at (and left) Sheffield, having traversed the rather depressing landscape of industrial and railway dereliction and decay around Rotherham. The gloomy skies and drizzle added to the effect. Some still cling to the fantasy that Brexit and empty slogans about ‘global Britain’ will restore the fortunes of places like this, but fantasies are all they are. The UK’s a service economy nowadays. We’ve not been the ‘workshop of the world’ for a century now and those days are never coming back, despite the nostalgic noises from some quarters. We need to be looking to the future, not trying to bring back the past…
My car lost the majority of its clientele at Sheffield but they were replaced by more people awaiting our arrival. My memory banks seem to remember that the average length of a journey on Cross-Country is between 50-60 miles despite the fact these trains run heroic distances like Aberdeen-Plymouth. I’m going to see how many time the two seats nearest me change occupants. Right now they’re both on their second passenger although the sex has changed from male to female in each.
08:05.
We’re now at Chesterfield and the seat shuffle begins again. Several Sheffield joiners have left, they’ve been replaced by a greater number of newbies so our numbers are still growing. Sadly, the weather’s deteriorating as the clouds have closed ranks to eject a barrage of rain. Once everyone had settled into the seats I took a trip to the loo and counted 32 people in this car which also houses the extended luggage/bike racks where the old buffet counter used to be.
08:30.
We’ve just departed a very wet Derby where the seat shuffle was less acute than before. Quite a few people have joined us but few have left and the two young ladies occupying the seats around me are still bashing away on their keyboards. The train’s obviously filled up as we’ve a constant stream of ‘walk-throughs’ (people walking along the cars looking for a free seat) passing by.
08:40
Having left Derby and turned west towards our next stop the trains really got into its stride. We’ve flown past field after field that have been turned into lakes by days of heavy rain – and there’s no end to it yet. A rapid deceleration brought us to a prompt stand at Burton-On-Trent where we picked up another gaggle of folk, leaving my coach almost full and people electing to stand in the vestibules.
08:51
We’ve made our last port of call before Birmingham. Tamworth, where several people have departed to be be replaced by a bedraggled troupe of newcomers who’ve been getting soaked in the rain which is being made worse by the wind whipping it along. I’m beginning to wonder what to expect when I get to my destination. It looks like I’m in for a soaking when I trek between New St and Moor St stations in Birmingham as I’m not sure my umbrella’s going to be much use in these conditions! We arrive there in 10 minutes so it’s time to pack up the laptop and revert to using my smartphone…
09:25.
Crossing Birmingham was just as wet and miserable as I expected. The rain seemed to have kept people at home which meant I made double-quick time between the two stations so was able to make an earlier train. It makes no difference in the long-run, it simply gives me longer to wait for my ride in Leamington. I’m currently sat on a Chiltern service to Marylebone which is pretty quiet. Or rather – it was until we stopped at Solihull!
A good indicator of how people are returning to work (via the railway) is looking at how busy station car parks are again now. At the height of the pandemic they were deserted. I’ve passed several this morning like the one on this line at Widney Manor where nearly all the spaces are taken.
10:15.
Arrived! The good news is the rain appears to be abating. The bad news is the lovely old buffet on platform 2 at Leamington Spa station has never reopened which is a great shame. It’s still a lovely looking station with its period buildings and beautifully kept garden. But I will miss the buffet. Now I’ve a little time to kill before my lift arrives…
11:33.
Now I can reveal who ‘Dorothy’ is…
This is a model of Dorothy.The real ‘Dorothy’ is in there – and I’ll going on her shortly!
17:20.
Well, that was a long day! The weather when we arrived at Long Itchington was appalling – as you can see from the puddles in the pictures which were taken from the visitor centre before we donned our PPE and headed down into the tunnel with out escort to have a guided tour of ‘Dorothy’. Visitor number are limited for safety reasons so rail engineer Gareth Dennis and I went first. These are amazing machines and you’ll be able to read the full details of my visit in another blogs and magazine articles. Here’s a few pictures to whet your appetite.
Tunnel Manager Axel Carus, our Spanish guide, who has 21 years experience of building tunnels around the world inside the tunnel with ‘Dorothy’ behind him.
Behind the business end of ‘Dorothy’ are 11 of these motors which power the cutting head.
Inside the control room aboard ‘Dorothy’ 8-10 metres under the ancient woodland of Long Itchington.
21:00.
Time to relax after a long day. I’m staying in Leamington tonight as I’m meeting a local farmer tomorrow whose kindly offered to show me around the area and some of the HS2 worksites but also (especially) some of the ecological and mitigation work that’s part of the project. If you listened to some of the projects opponents they make it sound like it’s Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes sweeping across the landscape, laying waste to everything they come into contact with. The truth is very different and tomorrow’s a chance to see exactly what’s being done on this part of the HS2 route to ensure there’s a biodiversity net gain from HS2. I’ll explain more tomorrow, as the person showing me round is anything but a member of an HS2 PR team!
I must admit to having been a little apprehensive about staying in Leamington tonight as it and I have a long history which includes some bittersweet memories. Truth be told, they weren’t an issue, which surprised me. To be honest, the place feels very different from those days. It’s shabbier for a start and I’m not just talking about the fabric of the town. Genteel is not a word I’d use to describe the place, despite its Spa moniker. Seeing rough-sleepers huddled in the doorway of the old House of Fraser on the High St set the scene. Then overhearing a quartet of young adults in a pub (that wasn’t even a Wetherspoons) loudly broadcasting their attempts to arrange Social Services support over a mobile phone was another. This is not the Leamington I remember, although on reflection, there was always an element of that. Maybe it’s because I’ve been away for so long? The other side of the coin was the fact a lot of the pubs (and I suspect other businesses too) in the centre seem to be kept alive by the town’s student population as they’re the only people out and about on an early weeknight like today.
Anyways, it’s time to draw today’s rolling blog to a close. Tomorrow is another day which will see me exploring around the local area before pitching up in London. Stay tuned – as they say…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
At the time of writing, just 8 units of the 61 old BR built Class 315 4-car EMUs constructed at York between 1980-81 remain in service. Operated by Transport for London (TfL), they’re used during the Monday-Friday peaks on one of the routes they were originally built for – Liverpool St to Shenfield. After a career of over 40 years their task of moving people in and out of the capital is finally drawing to a close. The 315s were the last of several fleets (313, 314, 507 and 508 were the others) totalling 755 vehicles based on the 1970s ‘PEP’ test trains. BR then moved on to vehicles based on the Mk3 coach bodyshell, starting with the Class 317 EMUs.
Over their career they’ve worked for several different operators. BR first, then at the advent of privatisation the fleet was taken over by Eversholt Rail and leased to West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) who had 18 units (315844 – 861) based at Hornsey in North London and First Great Eastern who had 43 units (315801-843) based at Ilford in East London. Both franchises used the units exclusively on services from Liverpool St.
Franchises changes in 2004 saw the entire fleet come together again at Ilford depot under the banner of National Express East Anglia which originally named the franchise ‘ONE’. The 315s began to emerge in their distinctive livery which lasted until 2008 when the ‘ONE’ name was dropped. NXEA lasted until February 2012 when operations (and the 315s) were taken over by Abellio Greater Anglia (AGA). Committed to total fleet replacement, this was the writing on the wall for the 315s.
The next change for the fleet was in May 2015 when TfL Rail took over operations of AGA’s metro operations on the Liverpool St – Shenfield line prior to this being incorporated into Crossrail. They also took over the services to Cheshunt, Enfield Town, Chingford and the Romford – Upminster branch. This meant all the 315s moved to TfL control with the first 17 units being allocated to London Overground and the rest to TfL rail. Another repaint into London Overground livery followed.
The last London Overground 315 ran on October 21st 2020 as the fleet was displaced by new Class 710 ‘Aventra’ trains built by Bombardier. Their sisters, the longer 345s continued the job on the Liverpool St-Shenfield services, leaving just the aforementioned 8 Class 315s in service at the present time.
Here’s a look at the 315s over their time in traffic. With a fleet of 61 I’m not going to illustrate every one but give you a snapshot of their lives and times instead.
On the 21st September 2009 the first of the class 315801 in NXEA livery passes the DLR station at Pudding Mill Lane whilst in the background one of the 2012 Olympic stadiums takes shape. This scene’s unrecognisable now and the picture impossible to replicate as the DLR station’s disappeared to make way for Crossrail and the skyline’s much changed due to the Olympics. Accidents happen! On the 6th January 2008 315805 came to grief on the approaches to Hackney Downs station where a set of points appear to have moved underneath the leading vehicle, leaving it trying to arrive into two platforms at the same time! It’s the 17th May 2002 and 315806 in First Great Eastern livery is sat at the end of the branch line from Romford at Upminster whilst working the shuttle service between the two locations. Forward to the 3rd June 2016 when Overground liveried 315808 arrives at Chingford, passing sisters 315814 and 817 stabled in the carriage sidings until the peak.On the same day as the above, Overground liveried 315811 calls at a busy Walthamstow Central station, which is an interchange with (and terminus of) the Victoria Line tube.Here’s another scene that’s vanished forever. Stratford station on the 29th July 1990 with NSE liveried 315814 disgorges passengers at the old platform 9 before heading for Liverpool St. Nothing in this picture (apart from the tower block in the background) survives today. Only four Class 315s ever carried names. Here’s 315817 sporting the nameplate ‘Transport for London’ on the rear vehicle passes the redundant signalbox at Hertford East on the 1st May 2015 It’s the 18th February 2010 and 315818 sits in Platform 2 at Liverpool St with a service to Enfield. FGE liveried 315821 calls at Romford with the 14.38 to Shenfield on the 18th January 2001. On the 1st August 2012 NXEA liveried 315828 is seen leaving Liverpool St from an express heading in the opposite direction – not a shot you can take anymore now the MK3s with their droplight windows have vanished from the route.On the 9th April 2015 a pair of 315s with 834 at the rear pull out of Enfield Town heading for Liverpool St. The transition in liveries is evident, with the leading set in Overground colours whilst 834 has yet yet to be repainted.Not a view you normally get to see (I was there with permission from Network Rail). Here’s 315836 seen leading a service out of Liverpool St on the 9th September 2008. At the opposite end of the route to the last picture, here’s FGE liveried 315839 pulling out of Shenfield on its way back to Liverpool St on the 13th January 2005. It’s the 13th March 2007 and ‘ONE’ liveried 315841 is seen approaching Brentwood with a Shenfield – Liverpool St Service.
On the 28th March 2002 315844 calls at the single platform station at Ware, Hertfordshire on its way to the end of the line at Hertford East.
On the same day at the end of the line, 315854 waits to return to London as the 12.:23 to Liverpool St. The unit’s in pure white livery, even the doors are the same colour which was hardly an aid to the partially sighted! Not that this was in the days before the station was resignalled and rationalised, hence the fact the centre road run-round loop still exits. On the 11th June 2000 a WAGN service from Enfield is off the beaten track due to engineering work. NSE liveried 315856 is seen at South Tottenham taking the long way round to get to Liverpool St. Over the years some 315s appeared in a variety of special vinyl liveries/branding. Here’s 315858 at Bethnal Green on the 2nd March 2005 sporting a Network Rail anti trespass message.Here’s Bethnal Green on the 27th July 2004 as the last of the class (315861) sporting the former WAGN livery calls at the station en-route to Liverpool St.
The interiors of the 315s changed little over the years although the units were refurbished a number of times they retained their low-backed seating. Here’s the refurbished interior of 315857 on the 19th March 2008.A decade later on the 14th November 2018 this is how the interior of 315843 looked.
Four of the class carried names. Unit 817 was ‘Transport for London’. 829 was ‘London Borough of Havering Celebrating 40 years’. 845 was named ‘Herbie Woodward’ and 857 became ‘Stratford Connections’.
315845 was named after Ilford fitter Herbie Woodward on the13th March 2007. Here’s the unit – and the man himself!The nameplate on 315857 seen on the 18th March 2008.
You can brows (or buy) many more photographs of the 315s in these galleries.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances appreciate all the help that we can get to aid us in bouncing back from lockdowns. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 