Category Archives: Railways

Portugal day 2: By train to Porto…

07 Sunday Sep 2025

Posted by in Photography, Portugal, Railways, Travel

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05:45

After a full day in Faro we’re relocating to Porto by catching the 07:00 train which will take us all the way through to our destination without changing. This service is worked by one of the ‘Alfa Pendular’ tilting trains which are capable of speeds of up to 135mph. They’ve had an interior refresh since we last travelled on them in 2010 and now have new seats, plus plug sockets and wifi, so I’ve chance to update my pictures – and (hopefully) blog from the train. See you later…

06:55.

We’re settled in on our virtually empty Pendular, with barely half a dozen of us in coach 4. Sadly, two of them are noisy young children with a mother who’s decided she doesn’t want to be distracted from her phone so has left them to amuse themselves with various noisy electronic gubbins! Deep joy! Hopefully they’re not going far. In response, Dawn’s plugged herself in to listen to a meditation on her phone. Me? I’ve set up the mobile office on the wide backseat table and logged into the wifi, ready to update this blog with a few pictures.

07:12.

We left spot on time. 10 minutes later we called at our first stop – Loule, where our coach began to fill up. Curiously, most of our fellow travellers are women. Meanwhile, I’m already contemplating infanticide…

I’ve downloaded pictures from the camera, so here’s a look at the Pendular’s Standard class interior.

07:22.

We’ve reached Albufeira, having enjoyed watching the sunrise en-route. The train’s really filling up now and the gender balance has improved. On the downside, the whiny kid quotient has also increased with the addition of another family. Dawn’s made the sensible decision to stay ‘plugged in’ whilst trying to get some sleep. Don’t get me wrong. I like kids, I just couldn’t eat a whole one…

In the short time it’s taken me to write this we’ve arrived at our next stop: Tunes, an attractive little junction station where the cafe is already bustling. The line along the coast to Lagos branches off from here. Now we’ve been joined by younger backpackers who’ve leavened the mix of travellers.

07:45.

North of Messines-Alte the Pendular’s tilt mechanism has come into its own. This section of line’s sinuous as it weaves its way through the low hills. Tilt isn’t as smooth as in the UK but I suspect that’s due to track qaulity more than anything. The handy display on the car bulkhead tells me we’re doing anything between 90-100kph.

08:25.

We’ve just left Funcheira, a station that looks to be in need of some TLC compared to the other well-kept places we’ve called at. There seems to be little surrounding it other than abandoned buildings, which makes the sound barriers lining the railway seem rather surplus to requirements!

I’ve had time to explore the train further, checking out loadings in various cars, and I have to say they’re pretty good. most are over 70-80% capacity. Talking of capacity, I had to use one of the toilets, and they’re ‘cosy’ to say the least. Claustrophobic would be another word I’d use. I’d think your average sized American would need a shoehorn and vaseline to get in/out.

08:40.

Having zipped along at 220kph under overcast skies we’ve passed the triangular junction for the freight only line to Sines to arrive at Ermidas Sado, another neglected station with a vacant station building. To add to the depressing air the rain’s arrived, in a complete contrast to the wall to wall sunshine we basked in yesterday.

09:35

We’re close to Lisbon now, having just left the suburban junction of Pinhal Novo after crossing the plains and the Do Sado estuary. Unfortunately, rain and mist has dogged us all the way, leaving visibility low. At least it’s quietened down inside the car, so I won’t get hauled off the train in Lisbon in handcuffs!

10:30.

We’re now North of Lisbon. Arriving in the city on the bridge high across the Tagus river is always a delight as the views are so dramatic. First stop was Entrecampos, then Oriente with its magnificent vaulted roof. There was little chance of getting pictures as we exchanged that many passengers the platform was a melee of people and suitcases. Some people who had having no idea which car they were supposed to be in ended up traipsing up and down the interior of the train like lost souls. This is new track for me as I’ve never been North of Oriente before. The line passes through a lot of industrial areas which (judging by the numerous rail yards we passed) look to provide a lot of CPs freight traffic – something we’d seen little sign of in the South.

11:10.

We’re well on our way North now, having passed through Entroncamento, the Portuguese version of Crewe, with it’s sprawling railway works and depot, stuffed full of locomotives, coaches and wagons, many of them stored or withdrawn. It covers a huge area either side of the railway and hosts the national railway museum too. The town’s also the junction for the lines to to the East of the country. The landscape North of Lisbon is markedly different to what we’ve seen so far, it’s far less arid and much more lush, with forest cover and green fields in contrast to the dusty farmland we saw in the Algarve. Mind you, I wouldn’t mind the Algarve weather back. Whilst the clouds lifted over Lisbon they’ve returned with a vengeance to hide the tops of the forested hills.

12:30.

Yay! 20 minutes to go before we arrive in Porto and the weather’s brightening up! We now have patchy, high cloud and blue skies with temperatures (according to the train’s information screens) in the mid 20s. The landscape’s continued to change. The North is so much more built up and industrial, yet greener (that’s not an oxymoron, honest).

16:11.

We’ve made it to our apartment, which is in a fabulous location by the river. We even have old trams outside.

Now to go and explore…

21:45.

I was going to round off today’s blog with a selection of pictures from our wanderings around the city, but the hotel’s wifi has taken umbrage with my laptop for some unknown reason. So, pictures will have to wait.

Tomorrow, we’re heading up the Douro valley by train. I’ll try and do some form of blog during the day – technology permitting…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Portugal day 1: Sun, sea and sardines…

06 Saturday Sep 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Photography, Portugal, Railways, Travel

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We’ve had a hectic first full day here in Faro, exploring the old and new towns, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the local cuisine. We both love fish, so Portugal (a country synonymous with Sardines) is right up our street. Our wanderings took us through the narrow backstreets of the old town and into the delightful cathedral, which is a baroque dream. The roof of the belltower also doubles as a fantastic viewpoint across the town, and provide an ideal place to watch planes taking off from the airport nearby.

The railway station’s only a stone’s throw from where we’re staying, so I managed to pop in and get my railway fix in advance of us catching the train to Porto tomorrow. All in all, it’s been a really enjoyable day. There’s a big music festival happening across the old town tonight but as the weather’s changed due to sea mist and drizzle rolling in across the town we decided discretion was the better part of valour. Instead, we’ve adjourned to our hotel in order to rest our weary feet, full stomachs and pack – ahead of a silly o’ clock start in the morning as we’ll be on an 07:00 train.

Here’s a few pictures from today.

These diesel units provide local rail services around Faro. They’re not in the best of external condition due to regular attacks from grafitti vandals. 19 of these units were built by Portugese company Sorefame in 1965 as Class 0400. They were modernised in the late 1990s and reclassified Class 0450.
Cast iron balcony railings and ornate street lamps are a theme of Faro.
The marina in the centre of Faro is a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by.
Fun and frolics in the old town, which has a vibrant artistic and youthful feel to it despite the age of the buildings.
When I said the cathedral was a baroque delight, I wasn’t kidding!
– and more…
Faro is well known for Storks building their nests on some of the old buildings
We were wandering the back streets near the municipal market when we stumbled on this architectural delight!
Oh, remember I mentioned Sardines? Whilst Dawn tucked into a plate of them I’d opted for the Squid. Unfortunately, my squid was overcooked, but the Sardines weren’t bad. Sadly, we’d had to take pot luck when it came to eating as the place that was our first choice had a knackered card machine and could only take cash. We’re looking forward to getting better in Porto and Lisbon. Even so, this was a healthier and tastier option that some. The queue of local ‘Deliveroo’ riders outside the back of McDonald’s was both instructive, and depressing.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

31st August picture of the day…

31 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, TRU, West Yorkshire

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Finally, after what’s been an incredibly dry spell, we’ve had rain this weekend. It’s nowhere near enough to fill the reservoirs (that will take months), but the showers have been heavy enough to make a difference to gardens and soak the ground enough so that the water doesn’t just run off the baked earth.

Admittedly, these downpours have made photography more challenging. I’d half-hoped to nip out yesterday to get shots of the first day of Huddersfield blockade diversions, but the weather was so gloomy and wet I gave up on the idea. Today was meant to be better. Plus, there were several engineers trains booked to run via the Calder valley from work around Mossley in the Colne valley. Dawn wasn’t feeling 100% so decided to concentrate on packing for Portugal, which gave me the time to nip out on my own and head the Hebden Bridge in the hope of getting some decent shots. Of course, the weather had other ideas. Shooting engineers trains is a hit and miss affair. The chances of them running to time are minimal, so you really are in the lap of the Gods – and today they were laughing at me! Each time one of the services I was waiting to photograph was due the heavens opened. Today’s picture tells the tale…

5 minutes before 66541 arrived the sun was shining and conditions were perfect. Then we had a cloudburst which sent me scurrying for the shelter of the station canopy. This was the result, the loco steams in the rain as it heads from Mossley to Doncaster with a train full of spent ballast from track renewals.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

TRU: Huddersfield hiatus…

29 Friday Aug 2025

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Today’s the final day where Huddersfield station retains its current shape. Lines – and the station – close tonight until September 29th. When the station reopens its transformation will be well underway. So, I’m out and about looking at the way the forthcoming blockade is changing stations in the area – as it’s not just Huddersfield.

A general view of the West end of the station. Whilst the main trainshed roof will remain the smaller one to the left will disappear, along with the island platform as this side of the station will be extensively remodelled to accommodate an extra island platform, creating four through platforms.
The old stabling sidings at Huddersfield have disappeared. Now, part of the former goods yard is a storage site for hardcore.
Giant cranes dominate the station, ready to lift in new bridge segments.
Platform 1 has been stripped bare of shelters and kiosks. The scaffolding that shrouded the roof has also disappeared.
The former Huddersfield signalbox. Located on the island platform, it will disappear in order to make way for the new wing of the station.
The station subway, always a cold place – even in the height of summer. The new platforms will be accessible from a footbridge with lifts.
Looking through the station from the by the bufferstops on the bay platforms. The old wooden station building that occupied the site where the seats are on the right has been carefully dismantled and will be re-erected on the new platform in the future.
A last look at the East (Leeds) end of the station. The bufferstops of the two bay platforms are visible to the right. One can only fit a a single 2 car and the other a 3 car so are inadequate for the modern railway. They’ll be replaced by two full length through platforms.
Brighouse is about to become the railhead for Huddersfield. This has involved extending the station car-park and providing shelter for passengers waiting for buses onwards.
In recent years Brighouse has had its platforms lengthened as part of the TRU upgrade. The place has recently had a spring-clean, which has added to the excellent work done by the local station friends group.
There’s worse places to wait for a train than Brighouse. The friends group keep the place looking attractive and whilst there’s not many amenities on the station there’s a real ale pub and cafe right outside.
This is Deighton station. It closes tonight. It won’t reopen for two years – when the line here has been four tracked. Here’s how the new station will look.
Picture copyright of TRU.
Here’s a scene which will vanish today. The bridge in the background will be replaced by a new structure.
A TPE Class 802 speeds West through Deighton. Four tracking is already underway at this point
The King’s Head pub on Huddersfield also closes tonight. Fancy a pint? All beers are half price today…

Over the weekend I’ll compose a picture-blog looking back over the life of Huddersfield station as I’ve seen it. Unfortunately I only have pictures from the 1990s onwards, which is a shame as I first passed through in the early 1970s, but the memory’s a bit hazy nowadays!

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Birmingham, bridges and bimbling…

19 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Birmingham, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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06:20.

The alarm roused me at the ungodly hour of 05:00. Now, having shaved, showered and kissed Dawn goodbye, I’m sitting on Sowerby Bridge station, awaiting the arrival of the 06:23 to Manchester. It’s a grey, drizzly morning here in the Calder valley with the valley tops hidden under cloud. Still, it was refreshing to walk downhill all the way today, rather than having to climb the cobbles of Wakefield Gate to summit Spring Edge before dropping down into Halifax. That certainly gets the blood pumping first thing in the morning!

06:45.

My ride in the shape of a 3-car Class 195 arrived a couple of minutes late.

Now, having traversed the valley and passed through the Summit tunnel we’ve emerged into Greater Manchester, where the weather’s no different to Yorkshire! My train’s filled up en-route. Now it’s busy with early-birds heading into the city for work. Many are dozing, catching a few more minutes precious rest and peace.

08:00.

I arrived in Manchester on time and with plenty of it to spare, allowing me to take a slow amble between Victoria and Piccadilly whilst getting a few tram shots en-route. Now I’m settled on my 2nd train of the day, Cross-Country’s 08:03 to Paignton, which is being worked by a 4-car Class 220. My feelings about putting out 4-car Voyagers on the Manchester-Birmingham intercity route are well known. This one’s already packed and we haven’t even left Manchester yet!

220005 jn ‘pride’ livery is my second steed.

08:45.

Because there’s a blockade on at Stockport whilst road bridges over the railway at Greek St are replaced, my trains going off piste, travelling via the alternative route to Wilmslow via the Styal loop, then staying on the main line to Crewe, avoiding the normal route via Stoke on Trent and Norton Bridge. This brings the rare sight of Cross-Country Voyagers to Crewe – although we pass through without stopping. Mind you, Voyagers of any sort are rare at Crewe now that Avanti have ditched their fleet which used to pass through to/from the North Wales Coast.

Whilst cloud levels have lifted here in Cheshire/Staffordshire, the day remains dull. I’m hoping for an improvement when we reach the West Midlands, although I’m happy enough not to have to fight strong shadows and backlighting whilst we’re looking at 1000s of tonnes of rusty steel bridge this morning!

12:20.

The site visit is over – and it’s been fasinating! Here’s how the Smallbrook bridge looks now. The work is several days early. One last 12 meter push tonight should see it in its final position.

I’ll write about this in greater length later.

19:45.

Apologies for the gap. After the press event Chris Howe and I went for a drink in the Woodsman pub nearby. We talked HS2, the state of the UK media and politics in general before heading in different directions. I ended up tarrying in central Birmingham just to soak up the atmosphere. The city is one of my guilty pleasures as I really enjoy my visits. I ended up in conversation with these people – whom Reform MPs and voters would hate- for obvious reasons.

Jesus and Allah? That’ll upset Reform and the faux Christians

Having enjoyed the city vibe I made my way back North in stages. A brief stop in Wolverhampton was followed by another stop in Stafford. I stayed longer at my best interchange (Crewe) as there was so much going on- and so many memories. Plus, I was hoping to get shots of diverted Cross-Country services, which proved more difficult than I hoped due to signallers sending them off the Fast lines. 

Even so, it’s been a really interesting day. Now, I’m heading for Manchester on an old Midlands Class 323 via the airport. After the scrimmage on trains out of Birmingham, it may be slow – but at least it’s comfortable!

21:30.

I’m on the last leg home. My local train to Manchester remained relaxed even after calling at the airport. I guess it was the wrong time for arrivals/departures. The city centre remained busy with the usual mixture of people enjoying the nightlife, feral young lads desperate to attract the attention of their bored female companions and the smattering of homeless trying to beg and be anonymous at the same time. Talk about the whole of human life…

Having wandered across the city I had nearly 30 mins to wait for a train, so a swift half in the Victoria Tap was in order before boarding the 21:21 bound for Leeds. This 3-car train is rather quiet as its running in that quiet time between commuters having returned home and leisure travellers still enjoying their evening. Plus – it’s Tuesday, not a day renowned for revelling!

23:15.

I’m home and resting after a long day, but there’s on last thing I want to add to the blog. Today’s world photography day, so here’s my contribution, which was captured at Crewe station earlier.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. More Greater Manchester explorations…

14 Thursday Aug 2025

Posted by in Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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10:30.

I’m having time away from the office today to make the most of the latest good weather and meet up with an old friend in Manchester later this afternoon.

Right now, I’m aboard Northern’s 10:17 from Halifax to Manchester Victoria, traversing the Calder valley.

The valley’s looking very lush at the moment. Whilst Network Rail has been busy felling lineside trees on the approach to Sowerby Bridge the stations along the line are a riot of colour and blooms thanks to the efforts of the various station friends groups. Some lineside locations are trying to compete. West of Todmorden, the embankment has been taken over by the invasive and pernicious Himalayan Balsam.

10:55.

We’ve now crossed the Pennines and called at Rochdale, which has provided another rich crop of passengers for this four-car train. The weather’s vloudier than I’d hoped, but temperatures are still in the middle 20s, so I’m not complaining!

12:30.

I hung around Victoria just long enough to change trains in order to visit Salford Crescent and inspect the work on building the new (3rd) platform, which is progressing well.

Next stop was a station i’ve not taken any shots at for a while – Deansgate. The surrounding area is a mix of Victorian red brick plus modern glass and steel high-rise with the railway threading its way through the middle on a series of viaducts (pix later).

14:35.

Having walked to Oxford Rd station, where I managed to get a range of shots before moving on to Piccadilly, I’m now having a hiatus as I watch the trains go by whilst getting a few pictures. There’s lots of local railway enthusiasts out and about the Oxford Rd corridor today due to the nain line through Stockport being closed whilst a major road bridge above the railway is replaced. The closure has caused many services to be diverted – especially freight. A Liverpool – Drax power station ‘biomass’ service heading this way seemed to attract many photographers. They’d been around for a while, but as soon as it passed through they all disappeared, leaving ne with the platform to myself!

Piccadilly is quieter than normal as local services that passed through Stockport that can’t be diverted have been replaced by buses.

16:05.

I’ve abandoned heavy rail for light and a side-trip to Chinatown to stock ip on goodies from one of my favourite shops. I’m now laden with Kecap Manis, Hoisin ans fish sauce, pea aubergines, and some fiery red chillies.

21:25.

Well, that was a fun! Having wandered the rails around ManchesterI met up with my old friends and some of his rail colleagues in a location I’ve never visited before.

As you can imagine, after a few pints folk were putting the railway to rights.The big difference? They have the operational experience.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

1st August picture of the day…

01 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in Derbyshire, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways

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Here we are in a new month with time seeming to fly. August already? Sheesh!

I’ve had a quiet start to the month after expending a lot of energy (and shoe leather) yesterday, traipsing around Sheffield, then attending the opening of the ‘greatest gathering’ in Derby. As a consequence, much of my time’s been spent with my feet up as I edit the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken.

I’ve already started a new gallery on my Zenfolio website which is dedicated to to the greatest gathering. Here’s a link. I’ll be adding more pictures tomorrow, along with shots from Sheffield. Here’s a sample.

Don’t let the number fool you! This is LMS ‘Jubilee’ No 45699 ‘Galatea’ (built at Crewe works in 1936) masquerading as another (long scrapped) member of the class, 45627 ‘Sierra Leone’.

OK, that’s all for tonight folks, I’ll be blogging at greater length tomorrow.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Gathering for the great gathering…

31 Thursday Jul 2025

Posted by in Derbyshire, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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This morning I’m travelling to Derby via Sheffield for a preview of a rather special event which will be talking place from tomorrow. I’ll explain more later. Right now I’m getting ready to hotfoot it to Halifax station for my first train of the day…

Not a bad day for walking to the station…

08:15.

I’ve made onto my first train of the day, Grand Central’s 08:11 departure for London Kings Cross which will take me as far as Wakefield Kirkgate. Whilst this service is fairly empty at the moment, the sea of paper reservations which greet you like a flotilla of yachts when you enter the cars show it will be almost full by the time it leaves Doncaster. The trip takes 40 minutes, which is enough time to set up the mobile office and do some work. I’ll post another update soon.

08:35.

Having called at Brighouse and Mirfield this train’s really starting to fill up – although we’ve also lost a few passengers as the service is popular with folks travelling between West Yorkshire locations. The old island platform at Mirfield has mostly disappeared as TRU work picks up the pace. Footings for the new (extended) platform are now in situ. I can see that I need to pay another visit to the route as work at Ravensthorpe is cracking on too.

09:15.

My stay at Wakefield Kirkgate was brief. Just long enough to admire the restored station building, the lush Buddleia in the 6 foot, and listen to the piped brass band music in the subway belting out ‘Jerusalem’. Yep, Kirkgate is (to my knowledge) the only station in the UK where you can hear brass band music playing daily!

Now I’m aboard a busy Northern Class 150/2 heading for Meadowhall…

10:10.

Swapping types of traction for a while.

14:00.

My tram explorations have taken me from Meadowhall via numerous stops to the city centre and on to the end of the line at Malin Bridge. It’s been fascinating seeing the changes from industrial to residential, but it’s clear Sheffield isn’t in the premier league of UK cities. Calling it ‘careworn’ would be kind. That said, there’s still a vibrancy here, thanks to the universities. There are some lovely old buildings and great architecture, but there’s also a lot of dereliction and empty properties, which drags the place down.

Right now I’m heading back from Hillsborough in order to catch a train onwards to Derby where I’ll be meeting old friends before the main event.

Outside the Cathedral stop earlier. Tram to the left, tram-train to the right.

14:45.

Ah, the joys of travelling Cross-Country. Sat on a vestibule floor with half a dozen other folks as this 4-car set (220012) is rammed to the gunwhales.

21:10.

Sorry I’ve not been able to update the blog until now as I’ve had an incredibly busy time. As soon as I detrained I met up with old rail colleagues and members of the industry press for a catch-up before we headed to the event. And what an event. Alstom’s Derby works is huge – and it’s packed with railway vehicles of all types, shapes and sizes, from ‘Locomotion No1 from 1815 to the very latest in railway technology – the Class 99. There’s 140 exhibits. Alstom have done a superb job in drawing all this together in an event I’ll never see again in my lifetime. No other site has the space – or the time. Right now Derby has both as it’s in-between train orders. When the gathering is over, they begin building the next tranche of trains for the Elizabeth line.

The BR modernisation era. Ironic that they’re still going strong 60 years later.

The first part of the event was dedicated to a reception for special guests and a few speeches from people involved. For me, it was a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of old friends and colleagues, some of whom I’ve not seen for a while. When you’ve been involved in the railways for so long there’s always someone you bump into, or who bumps into you!

Three generations of trains spanning 200 years formed the backdrop to the official opening.

Once the formalities ended we were let loose to wander the site in an ‘access most areas’ sort of way – before the crowd barriers are set up. We were a few hundred strong. For the next three days there’ll ve 12,500 visitors daily, which presents a huge logistical and safety challenge. But – it you have a ticket – I can assure you it’s well worth it.

I may not be bale to add many pictures from today this evening as I’m currently on another Voyager heading back to Leeds, but I will populate the place with a few tomorrow.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

22nd July picture of the day…

22 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, Travel, West Yorkshire

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Today’s been a real mixture here at Bigland Towers. We’ve not had any rain today but the landscape remains damp and humid from the torrents we had yesterday, whilst heavy cloud prevents the sun from drying things up much. Whilst Dawn took it easy this morning I was busy pottering around whilst catching up on emails and planning future jobs – and sorting the cottage out ready for the impending arrival of our guest (Dawn’s Niece).

This afternoon we managed to get out, driving over to Huddersfield to drop off supplies at Dee’s parents – which included the latest batch of industrial quantity, home-cooked (gluten-free) Lasagne, which should keep them going for a while. After which we decided to go for a drive and clear our heads whilst exploring. We’d no destination in mind, we simply went where the roads took us – which was over the border from Marsden into Greater Manchester and the area around Uppermill and Greenfield. There was only one problem. It was raining cats and dogs over there – so we beat a hasty retreat back into Kirklees past Dovestones edge to Holmfirth, where the skies were much kinder. I’d have loved to have got some pictures en-route but the A635 is a bugger of a narrow road guarded by double yellow lines for most of its length. There’s nowhere to stop safely, even for a minute or two. Ho hum…

We ended up driving in a big circle before pitching up back in Slaithwaite (or ‘slawit’ depending on your particular pronunciation fetish) where we went for a stroll along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal before adjourning for a quick drink (and a slice of cake) sitting outside the Little Bridge, which is sandwiched between the canal and the river. To their credit, they serve beers from Empire brewing, a local micro-brewery a short stroll down the canal. I’d include a link, but it looks like their website’s been hacked, so here’s one from CAMRA instead.

Strangely, I didn’t use the camera once today. It wasn’t that sort of day and the two of us having quality time together was more important. So, today’s picture will have to be from another time. Slaithwaite’s a traditional old West Yorkshire mill town which has successfully reinvented itself as good tourist spot to visit for a drink or a meal. It also has a vibrant local community. It possesses a railway station on the Colne valley line from Huddersfield to Manchester, which cuts across the town on this rather impressive viaduct.

OK, time to go. Just as I was typing this Dawn relayed the news that Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath has died at the age of 76. This brought back some memories. I saw Black Sabbath perform at the Floral Hall in Southport back in 1978. On that tour they were supported by a (then) unknown band called….Van Halen. There are two particular things about that gig that stick in my mind. Van Halen were amazing – and that my ears were still ringing two days after the event. The sound engineers must’ve though they were set up for a stadium, not some small provincial theatre!

To make me feel even older, I realise Dawn was 10 at the time!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. South of the river…

08 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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08:50.

After yesterday’s central London gig I’ve stayed in the capital with a friend here South of the river. I don’t head back to West Yorkshire until this evening, which leaves me free to explore some of the railways that were once familiar territory but which I’ve not visited for a while. So, expect a rolling blog from me today as I traverse 3rd rail country South of the river, with a potential diversion into East London where I once lived.

Here’s a shot of what I’ll be after. The class 465s were built for British Rail back in the early 1990s. They’re living on borrowed time now. Some are already stored whilst the rest of the fleet is due to be replaced in coming years. They’ve been stalwarts of the Kent commuter services from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Cannon Street for over 30 years.

1150.

On leaving Streatham Hill I caught the circular Southern service to London Bridge via Sydenham and the main line. I was tempted to stop off, but the light wasn’t right. Instead I ended up in Lewisham, where it was perfect for getting shots of trains crossing the complex scissors crossovers at the London end of the station (pictures later). Over 20 years ago I spent some time here working for the local health authority, documenting the work of their community TB team. I don’t recognise the place now as it’s become a mini-city full of high rise blocks. To be honest, it’s a change for the better. Lewisham was a bit of a dump and had a poor reputation back then. Now; with it’s new transport links like the Docklands Light Railway, it’s a good place to live.

Now I’m off exploring again. This time, by taking a train to Hayes aboard one of SET’s ‘citybeam’ Class 707 units built by Siemens which (foolishly) South-West Railway let go in favour of the Bombardier built Class 701s. That went well!

12:15.

The Hayes branch is an interesting little line that wanders through South London before ending at a simple two track island platform perched upon an embankment. Sadly, now that trains are all 10 car, but, it’s a crap place to get pictures.

13:40.

I’m gradually making my way from Gates to Lewisham, stopping at most of the stations along the line to get pictures – and a tan! I really like this route as there’s lots of interest. The train fleet’s a mixture of old and new, there’s some lovely stations – abd there’s even a tram interchange at Elmers End.

17:00.

Well, I’ve covered some ground so far. I’m now taking a break and gaving a pint outside an old haunt in Greenwich, having ventured along the Docklands Light Railway as far as Poplar, North of the river. When I moved to London in 1986, this scene didn’t exist.

But then so much of London has changed. I’m constantly surprised to see where new blocks of flats have sprung up like weeds on what used to be vacant or old industrial sites.

But I see that as a positive. When I moved to London it was a city in decline with a shrinking population. Not any more. Now it’s thriving. Forget what the racists and bigots try to claim, it’s also far safer too. Some folk try to pretend it’s an unfriendly place, the reality is the opposite. So many Londoners are from elsewhere, they’re here to naked the most of the opportunities the city offers, which means they’re more open to others. Just as I was when I came here. You can be who the hell you like here. No-one cares and no-one judges.

Being in Greenwich has brought back a lot of memories as it’s a place we often used to visit from the East End. Then an ex-girlfriend bought a flat here back in the early 90s, and I helped her renovate and decorate it, so I was over quite often.

22:00.

The end of the day didn’t quite go to plan..

As I was enjoying my pint in the sunshine in Greenwich I checked train times, only to find things had gone away. I’d left a bag at my friend’s, but getting back to his, then travelling across London to King’s Cross in time to get my Grand Central service back North was leaving several hostages to fortune. In the end I decided to head straight to King’s Cross. There’s nothing I’m my rucksack that I can’t do without for a while. Beside, it’s a good excuse to return to London and spend more time with Hassard.

Right now I’m almost home. We’ve just left Mirfield. This packed service has emptied out en-route but there’s still enough folk aboard to pay the train’s way. I’m looking forward to getting honest after two day’s travels. I’ve a stack of pictures to edit – which you’ll start to get to see from tomorrow.

 

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312