Category Archives: Rolling blogs

Rolling blog. Manchester reprise…

17 Tuesday Sep 2024

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

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07:30.

Not the most auspicious start to the day. Having got up at 06:00 I’m meant to be spending another day trawling the stations in SE Manchester but my hourly train from Halifax to Huddersfield has been cancelled. The Calder Valley’s cut off from direct travel West at the moment due to the rail bridge over the M62 at Castleton being renewed, which means getting to the Manchester involves a bus from Rochdale, or taking the alternative route via the Colne valley (which was my intention). Now I’m going to be taking the ‘scenic route’ via Sowerby Bridge and Mirfield for a later than hoped for start. Ho hum…

Let’s see how the rest of the day unfolds. At least the weather’s good.

08:30.

Better late than never! I’m now en-route to Mirfield aboard the 08:22 from Sowerby Bridge. I’m not the only one either. Dozens of of other folk were waiting for this four car train.

09:55.

Finally, I’m heading in the right direction, having caught a TPE service from Mirfield bound for Manchester. I’ve been observing TRU work on the way. Most changes are marginal but one thing I did notice was a single line spur into the massive TRU compound on the site of the old Huddersfield locomotive depot at Hillhouse. It’s not connected to the mainline yet, but I suspect that will happen soon.

Today’s a gorgeous day for traversing the Colne valley. Part of me wishes I was lineside somewhere, but I’m sure I’ll have fun whatever. Besides, sunshine’s good for the soul.

11:30.

1st station ticked off. One very few will have visited as it’s Manchester’s least used.  Can you guess what it’s called?

Now, after a brisk walk to the next (far busier) station along the line I’m on my way to another hard to reach station – but that’s because the lines closed due to a landslip, leaving this place marooned.

12:00.

And now for the dreaded rail replacement bus service. Although – to be honest, it’s better than a class 150…

14:00.

Well, that was fun! Strines is a place I’ve never explored before and I got to see more than expected as the replacement bus goes nowhere near the station!

As can be seen from the rusting and weed-strewn tracks, there’s been little rail activity at Strines for some time.

The reason the line’s closed (landslip) can be seen in the distance from the Southern ends of the platforms. RRVs mark the site. Having got the pictures I needed I had a choice. Wait 50 mins for the next bus or walk the 2 miles back. As there’s nothing in Strines walking won – and I still made it back to Marple before the bus had reached Strines!

Now, having changed trains at Romiley I’m  on my way to Guide Bridge…

15:40.

The day’s ticking on and the station’s are being ticked off. Now I’ve time for a slight diversion at Broadbottom on the former Woodhead route. A stone’s throw from the station is the Green Mill brewery tap at the the Harewood Arms ale house. It’s a lovely multi-room pub with a great selection of cask and bottled beers – and railway memorabilia. Plus, a model railway above the bar!

Notice the loco builders plate fixed to the left of the bar. It’s off one of the old Woodhead class 76 locomotives, in this case 76026. There’s a page dedicated to the locos on the right hand side of the bar.

18:20.

What a stunning evening! We’ve had wall to wall sunshine across Manchester. I’m not going to complain but it has given me a few challenges. It’s not always what you want from a photographic perspective due to heavy contrasts. But from a personal perspective I’ve loved soaking up all that vitamin D! Here’s another lovely station building I visited. Newton for Hyde.

If it wasn’t for the harsh sunlight you might be able to make out the intertwined letter MSLR in the chimney breast to the left. The one on the right of the building carries the date – 1888.

I’ve abandoned Manchester having shot pictures at every station I need (bar 1) but there’s a story attached there. Right now I’m having a quick pint in an old railway institution before making my way back to West Yorkshire. Some of you may recognise it.

19:55.

The last leg..

Having traversed the Pennines once more I’m now aboard typical transport – a class 150 wheezing its way from Huddersfield to Halifax. It’s empty apart from me and a few youngsters who’ve obviously come from the college. Or is it a University nowadays? Not that it matters to me either way, it just provides a lot of traffic for the railway.

150215 waiting for the crew to return from their break before working another shuttle to Bradford Interchange.

The sunshine’s given way to dark as the nights are really drawing in. Every cloud has a silver lining as we’ve been treated to some great sunsets as a consequence – although I could do with Asia sunset temperatures, not the bloody far North!

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. Weather-wise…

13 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Greater Manchester, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, Travel

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09:30.

Make hay whilst the sun shines is the old saying. Only in my case it’s make pictures! After yesterday’s climatic shenanigans we’ve a warm(ish) but sunny day, so I’m off to Manchester once more. Today’s trip is complicated by the fact the railway is severed at Castleton, where the bridge over the M62 is being replaced. This means I’m taking the scenic route. Right now I’m waiting for a train from Sowerby Bridge to Mirfield where I can pick up a Trans-Pennine service through the Colne Valley to Manchester Piccadilly. Let’s see how the day goes…

10:00.

The diversion was painless, and actually – rather useful as it gave me chance to check on TRU progress. I had less than 10 mins at Mirfield but that gave me time to document progres on the new island platform and  other work, which includes an extention to platform 3 in order to move the entrance to it, plus new vistas opened up by vegetation clearence.

The view from platform 3 looking across to the island and the new platform 2 face. It seems a string of rails are in place just waiting for the sleepers to arrive before the new platform track is laid.
An extension to the extension on the East end of platform 3.

Passing Deighton station I could see I need to pay another visit. The cutting has been widened with a lot of muck moved to accommodate a realigned slow line track – a short section of which has already been laid and ballasted.

12:00.

That’s two more stations of the list, one of which is the delightful Woodsmoor near Stockport. The station friends do an excellent job looking after it with planting and artwork. Plus, I do like a good local history board.

A local service to Hazel Grove calls at Woodsmoor.

Now for my next challenge. A station with no trains today…

14:00.

Three more stations down, including Reddish South which only sees one return train a week (Saturdays).

All dressed up with no trains to go…

A surprise for me was Brinnington, where the ticket office doubles as a charity shop.  The walk from Heaton Chapel through Reddish to Reddish North was fascinating and depressing in equal measure with some excellent examples of community spirit but government indifference or downright destruction. I’ll add more pictures later. Right now I’m heading back into Manchester Piccadilly on a positioning move.

16:00.

Things started to go wrong at Piccadilly. Several services on lines I was intending to use were cancelled due to staff shortages. Main line trains were getting disrupted too so it was time for plan B. A cheeky loco-hauled (or rather – pushed) train to Stockport saw me ready to head down the Buston line.

Bizarrely, Stockport had an entire platform out of commission due to staff shortages. Platform 0, but as that’s isolated from the rest of the station you kinda see why.

Right now I’m having a swift pint outside a pub called the Royal Oak in the nearby village of High Lane, just 15 minutes walk along the Middlewood Way (a cycle route on the abandoned railway from Macclesfield to Marple) from the station of the same name. The train service is two-hourly, so a walk to a nearby hostelry made sense as there’s bugger-all by the station!

17:40.

Time to call it a day and head home. I’ve ticked off some of the most difficult stations access-wise. Now I’m heading home via Huddersfield. I’ll add some camera pictures later.

Right now I’m on a rammed 17:30 all-stations to Leeds worked by a 3-car Class 185. I’ve made someone turf their bag off a seat so that I can sit down and free up more standing room in the vestibule. Some people are far too polite and let folk seat-hog.

20:50.

I’m home after a really interesting day. I said I’d add a few more pictures, so here they are.

Artwork (and a statement) on Woodsmoor station.
South Reddish station only sees passenger trains (one return trip from Stalybridge to Stockport) on a Saturday morning, but it’s still an important freight link. Here’s Freightliner’s 66604 passing through on a light-engine move from Leeds to Crewe.
The station building at Brinnington isn’t just a ticket office. It’s also a local history picture gallery and home to Brinnington Station Swap Shop – a community hub where people can leave unwanted items and take items they need all free of charge.
Middlewood station looking towards Buxton. The bridge carries the Middlewood way, a footpath/cycle route along the old railway from Macclesfield to Marple.
A scene that’s becoming rare on the railways nowadays. A train from Buxton passes the Distant signal outside Middlewood. Fewer and fewer of these signals (especially working ones) survive. This one protects Norbury Hollow level crossing further up the line.

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. Border reiver…

10 Tuesday Sep 2024

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

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06:30.

God, aren’t the days getting shorter fast? I could swear it was still light this time last week! Now, when I opened the living room curtains dawn was only just beginning to break. Right now it’s time to pack a lunch, guzzle some coffee and prepare to head off to Newcastle for the start of today’s adventure which takes in a border crossing for a brief foray to Scotland and short turnaround in Edinburgh. Feel free to pop back to see how the trip unfolds before I return home tonight.

08:00.

I’m on my way…

The weather in the Calder valley’s cold and wet this morning so Dawn kindly offered to give me a lift to the station on her way into work. I was in plenty of time to catch my train – only to find it was running 20 late due to problems at a level crossing en-route. Having looked at my options I decided to avoid the packed next service to York and catch the local shuttle to Huddersfield which arrives a few minutes before a TPE service to Newcastle. Winner! 

 

Hmm, rammed 195 via Bradford or far less busy 158 to Huddersfield? The end result’s the same.

Plus, going this way gives me chance to see progress on the TRU upgrade work.

08:35.

Well, that plan didn’t work! Late running and defensive driving meant my Northern service pulled into Huddersfield just as the TPE was leaving!

On the bright side, I was ahead of schedule anyway and another TPE to York was 12 mins behind. Plus, I had time to get a few shots of the station. The main part of the roof is now hidden by scaffolding and the old wooden cafe and waiting room’s completely disappeared.

09:00.

We’ve departed Leeds, where this 3 car 185 emptied out, leaving me with a table bay to myself. Looking at the TRU work en-route its clear there’s been an awful lot of muck moved since I last passed. There’s even a short section of new track outside Deighton, although it’s not connected to anything. At Ravensthorpe, where a new embankment and bridges will be built there’s a lot of ground stablisation going on. Dozens of concrete piles have been driven into the existing ground level. I need to have another wander with the camera when time permits.

10:10.

My time at York was brief, with nothing worth photographing as the station was empty of anything of interest and the weather gloomy. Timekeeping wasn’t great either. Cross-Country and LNER services were due in a few minutes apart. Either could take me to Newcastle. As it was the LNER ran to time so won. Having watched rainstorms scud over the vale of York the weather here around Darlington’s brightened up. I’m optimistic that it’ll stay dry all the way to Scotland now.

18:15.

Right, where was I? Sorry about the gap but it’s been a very busy day where I’ve been doing something different to my usual. I’ve been working for a certain open access operator, filming vox pops at Newcastle, aboard trains and at Edinburgh. It’s a little out of the ordinary for me as I’ve been wielding a microphone not a camera, but a change is as good as a rest as the old saying goes. I’ve actually rather enjoyed it, but stopping random members of the public and asking them questions about rail travel isn’t to everyone’s taste. I had the advantage of working with a very experienced cameraman (Sean) who seems happy with the results, which bodes well.

Now I’m back at Newcastle. I’ll blog more later when I’m on the train home.

19:45.

Homeward bound, and it’s a gorgeous evening that makes me wish I was lineside somewhere, but you can’t have everything.    Newcastle station was interesting as we weren’t the only camera team there. Far fom it – the place was awash with them due to filming in progress for a TV series called ‘Piano’. A boom camera and 5 roving cameras were filming participants and crowds alike, with host Claudia Winkleman centre stage.

20:45.

Almost home. I did stop off on the way for a swift pint in the station bar at Durham between trains. It’s a lovely place with lots of outside seating under the station roof  if you fancy a bit of trainspotting with your beer. Inside is a great place to while away a winter’s eve.

Having caught  TPE service back to Leeds I’m now on the last leg aboard a Northern 158 from Hull.

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. Colne valley completion…

05 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Hs2, London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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05:50.

And no, I’m not talking about the Colne valley at home in Yorkshire, I’m talking about the one North of London where for the past few years High Speed 2 Ltd have been building a rather stunning viaduct which I’ll be visiting later this morning. Thankfully, the forecast we had for heavy rain all this morning has changed, so the day looks rather better than was predicted. But first, I’ve got to get there from my overnight base in Clapham.

See you later…

07:30.

I’ve made my way from Clapham and across London to Marylebone with time to spare. I was wandering up the platform when I came upon this sad soul – which I wasn’t expecting..

Talk about a fish out of water!

08:55.

No prizes for guessing where I am…

Here we are on site as the last section is moved into place.

12:50.

It fits!

Despite the weather, that was an amazing event. The rain arrived whilst we were waiting for the last section to be brought into position but it cleared before the main event. I’ll add some camera pictures later. We had a grandstand view of proceedings, which was excellent.

It’s ‘selfie’ time for just some of the many women who’ve worked on the site.
Time to revel in a job well done. HS2 workers who’ve been involved in building the viaduct have chance to celebrate their achievement.

Afterwards, Richard Bowker kindly gave me a lift into Denham. Now I’m drying off on a train to High Wycombe.

15:30.

I’m well on the way to home. Having changed at High Wycombe, Banbury and Coventry I’m now on a Glasgow bound Pendolino as far as Warrington Bank Quay where I can catch a direct train to Halifax. My Chiltern trains were quiet. The Cross-Country Voyager from Banbury to Coventry was anything but, leaving me to listen to the latest excellent ‘Green Signals’ podcast in the vestibule. My train was late into Coventry, pulling in just before the Pendolino I’m on now, so there was no time to get pictures. Besides, conditions are hardly conducive as the sky’s a uniform gray. 

16:20.

I’d hoped to have done some work on the train but after Birmingham it was absolutely rammed. I had just enough tome to download today’s pictures from the camera but as the wifi was on the blink and tethering my mobile was proving troublsome I gave up trying to upload any more pictures here. Maybe when I get to Warrington as I have time between trains.

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. Two city travels…

04 Wednesday Sep 2024

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

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11:10.

I’m on the move – again. I have to be in London tonight in order to get to a rather special HS2 railway media event tomorrow morning, but more about that nearer the time. Right now I’m waving goodbye to the Calder Valley as I’m on my way to Manchester in order to ‘tick off’ another couple of stations that are on my commission list before heading down to the capital. As usual, I’ll be blogging on and off throughout the day so you’ll be able to see what I get up to – and where.

Today I caught the train from Sowerby Bridge rather than Halifax, which made a pleasant change as it’s downhill all the way! Now I’m on a Northern 3-car 158 running the Leeds – Brighouse – Manchester route. There’s no power sockets on these sets and the tables double as leg-clamps as they’re that low, but at least it’s running on time.

11:45.

Bugger! We’ve crossed the Pennines and the sunshine we’d been enjoying in Yorkshire has vanished. Instead we have a collection of ominous looking clouds that appear ready to bombard us with rain at any moment. Ah well – at least I’m equipped with a brolley and waterproof as the forecast for tomorrow’s event is even worse! 

12:20.

After a dash across Manchester city centre from Vic to Picc I have a different type of conveyance. One of Washwood Heath’s finest..

14:15.

My Manchester jaunt took me out to Davenport station which is the first stop on the route to Buxton. I had 30 mins to explore and found it an interesting place. Mainly due to the fine old elevated ticket office and the passage underneath (pic later). I’d have like to hang around but the weather was looking distinctly ‘iffy’ so I returned to Piccadilly via Stockport. In doing so I found the latest of the ex-West Midlands Class 323s which have been cascaded to Northern. It’s seen between trips to Stoke-on-Trent.

Talking of Stoke, that’s where I’m headed now. I’d have headed on but the Pendolino I’m on has no working power sockets so I’ll catch the one behind.

15:45.

My brief sojourn at Stoke was useful in that I managed to get a couple of good pictures. I also bumped into an old friend and fellow Community Rail awards judge (Andy Savage), who pointed out to me the additions and restorations to the WW1 memorial that forms the entrance to platform 1. Now I’m aboard another Euston bound Pendolino with the full range of services (power sockets and wifi). Now that I spend so much time up and down the East Coat I’d forgotten how much fun tilting around the curvaceous West Coast Main Line in a Pendolino is!

Whilst on the train I’ve had chance to catch up on the news. It seems that the man who insisted that a mural in a child asylum unit be painted over as it was ‘too welcoming’ is front runner to lead the Tory party. Figures. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli…

18:15.

I made it to London without incident. Having arrived at Euston my first mission was to explore a station I’ve known since the 1970s and examine it under a critical eye considering recent accusations that it’s ‘unsafe’. My impression? It’s far better than it used to be 20 years ago (excerable LED main board aside). But, it’s clear passenger numbers have outgrown the original design and the station needs rebuilding for the future. The rest is just down to crowd management, just as it has been at many London underground stations like Victoria, Covent Garden and Camden town. No-one claims they’re ‘unsafe’.

Right now I’m enjoying people-watching on the piazza outside Kings Cross. It’s another London station I’ve known since the 1970s and my – how it’s changed in the past 10 years.

19:30.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Thames, these old beasts are soldiering on…

23;45.

It’s time to say goodnight. I’m embedded in Clapham Junction for the night at an old friends, but normal service will be resumed at roundabout 06:00 as tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day…

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

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

Rolling blog. More Mancunian travels…

03 Tuesday Sep 2024

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

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07:00

Morning has broken here in the Calder valley and I can actually see the other side today, which is nice. However, the forecast for Manchester is even better, meaning today’s going to be spent exploring more stations on the city’s East side as I’ve a lot to tick off but little time to do it now my diary’s getting crowded.

Expect pictures and details of my explorations to appear throughout the day whilst I’m out and about.

08:55.

I’m on my way aboard the modern mainstay of Northern’s train fleet through the Calder valley – a Class 195 bound for Manchester Victoria. This one’s only a 2-car, but I’ve managed to find a spare table seat in order to set up the ‘mobile office’ on the way. Now to get some work done…

With the famous sweet factory as background 195006 arrives to carry me from Halifax to Manchester.

10:30.

My first proper station stop is at Fairfield between Gorton and Guide Bridge. I’ve not been here since the 1970s. In those days it boasted four platforms as well as being the junction for the Fallowfield loop and line to Reddish depot and workshop. Now only the the masts remain of the loop, hidden in the bushes.

11:50.

I’ve never stoppe here before. Woodley station is a junction for a freight only branch which still sees regular waste trains to Bredbury. The station build’s been converted into homes.

12:20.

I’m now at Romily, which possesses the most substantial station on the lines around here. It’s also the junction for servives via Guide Bride or Bredbury. It’s the latter route I’ll be exploring next. Trains are only hourly, so there’s time to have a wander and grab a sandwich as I exxoect to be doing plenty of walking on this next section.

13:45.

Two more stations ticked off the list. One name is eponymous with speedway, the other with – not a lot really! Ryder Brow is a basic station with no facilities at all beyond a couple of (mostly) wooden platforms. Waiting shelters are promised, but right now there’s no shelter, no seats, no ticket machines – nothing. Although thanks to the inclines from the main road it does (almost) have step free access.

19:50.

Another busy day! I fitted in several other stations after Ryder Brow but the walking I exoected to do to a couple of lineside locations never happened as the view from the train allowed me to see the flaws that a map didn’t. Mind you, If I’d had a drone…

Right now I’m heading home across the Peenines aboard a pair of Class 158s – which are unusual traction via Halifax nowadays. I’d have stayed longer but clouds rolled in and the nights are drawing in. Those long summer evenings are already history. I’ll had a couple of camera pictures later if I have time.

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

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

Rolling blog. Saturday working…

31 Saturday Aug 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs

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11:00.

It’s not often that I’m out working on a Saturday nowadays. The days of trackside shifts on major rail renewal projects are long gone. Nowadays I prefer to have time at home with Dawn. However, this month I have a stream of work that involves making pictures whilst the sun shines. Today, it is, so I’m off to Manchester to visit a string of stations on the city’s East side.

Right now I’m on a packed train from Halifax that’s making its way to Victoria through the Calder valley. I’m obviously not the only one making the most of the weather!

I’ll blog on and off through the day, so feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to…

11:05

We’ve made it as far as Todmorden, where I’ve managed to blag a table seat and set up the mobile office thanks to a trio of walkers who’ve left the train here. The station’s packed with people on both platforms, showing the popularity of locations both East and West.

12:05.

Having strolled across a packed city centre full of shoppers and those enjoying the sunshine I’m now at Piccadilly station, where I found this West Midlands refugee…

12:55.

It’s not just pretty country stations and rural railways you get to visit in this job. Can you guess where this is? A clue. The area’s synonymous with an old locomotive builder.

16:55.

What a glorious afternoon! The weather’s finally played ball. There’s hardly been a cloud in the sky here in Manchester, so my to-ing and fro-ing on the railways between Guide Bridge, Romiley, Marple and New Mills has provided me with plenty of useable pictures. I’ll add some from the camera later. Right now I’m making my way back from Marple via the line from Romiley to Ashburys, the next one I need to explore. Whilst some stations work well photographically in full sun, others need duller days and even light due to the fact they’re in cuttings or surrounded by trees. Then there’s the position of the sun in the sky depending on the time of day/year.

Still, it’s been an enjoyable trip. I managed a walk out to the Marple aqueduct, which provides a great rail/canal juxtaposition, and even (purely by accident) found a classic old Manchester boozer for a quick pitstop.

The Cheshire Ring, just across the road from Hyde Central station. It’s a Beartown brewery pub.
One of several rooms in the Cheshire Ring.
A pair of Class 156s working the 15:40 Marple – Manchester Piccadilly pass the Marple aqueduct.

21:10.

Home again. Today’s been a very enjoyable trip. Now I’ve chance to add a few more pictures for your delectation.

This is why 2 platforms at a time are being taken out of use at Manchester Piccadilly. These guys are working inside the roof, replacing coverings high above the platforms.
150146 calls at Hyde North with a service to New Mills Central. The line to Glossop passes in the background.
The substantial multi-level station building at Romiley.

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

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

Rolling blog. Going underground…

28 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Birmingham, Hs2, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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04:30.

Another day with a silly o’ clock start so that I can get to Birmingham in time to join a press trip. Today I’ll be mostly running on coffee! The first precious cup is by the side of my desk as I type this. I’m all packed and ready to head off to catch the first train of the day (literally) as I’ll be on the 05:45 from Halifax to Manchester, which is the days opening service through the Calder valley. A quick check on ‘Real Times Trains’ whilst I’m sipping coffee tells me that the service is running and is made up of a pair of Class 195/0’s so at least the first leg will be comfortable. The 2nd leg is shown as a 4-car Voyager, so maybe not so much! Feel free to see how the day pans out as I’ll be sharing words and pictures from my visit to one of the latest HS2 tunnels – and more…

05:40.

This mornings stroll to the station as rather pleasant. Mild weather and no wind mad for a very still trip. Te ony other creatures stirring were cats. I passed several that were making their morning rounds. Just before I arrive at the station the ran started although it wasn’t heavy enough to dampen me or my spirits. Now I’m sat on a deserted platform, listening to the classical music that’s piped over the tannoy this time of day.

By the time the train arrived there were six souls waiting to be carried Westwards  joining the handful already aboard.

195023 leads the 05:45…

06:10.

We’ve crossed the Pennines and called at Littleborough, where several people were waiting. For once, traversing the hills hasn’t made the slightest difference to the weather. It’s wet and miserable both sides!

06:15.

As usual, there was plenty of trade for this train at Rochdale. Several dozen people were huddled under the canopy or umbrellas awaiting our arrival. This car’s now half-full. Not bad for the time of day.

07:15.

My arrival into Manchester coincided with a cessation of the rain that had followed me all the way from Halifax, making my amble across the city much more pleasant. Dawn was breaking along with signs that the heavy grey clouds would clear, leaving behind a rather nice day.

Despite the time of day, Manchester Piccadilly was buzzing, with queues at all the coffee shops. I’d plenty of time and managed to grab a Pret coffee without stressing. My next train sat in platform 6 with passengers already gathered, waiting for the doors to be released. I was surprised to see just how busy the departing Pendolino in the opposite platform was, showing why this is a 20 minute frequency service.

I’ve taken up residence in the front car of 220002. After picking up passengers at Stockport it’s over half full already. I expect it’ll be packed by the time we get to Birmingham, so I’m going to make the most of the space whilst I have it.

08:55.

So far so good. I made it to Birmingham on time and connected with the 08:52 to Leicester which is running a couple of minutes late. This was the train I couldn’t afford to miss as it’s the only one that stops at Water Orton for the next two hours!

10:45.

We’re all on site and getting site safety briefings and background on the work going on here. It’s a massive site with a lot going on. This is the location of the headhouse which is the halfway point of the tunnel.

For those who’re wondering, adits are the cross passages between the two HS2 tunnel bores.

16:00.

I’m back! It’s been a busy day.The site visit took much longer than expected due to the number present and the fact the national media and local MP (Liam Byrne) attended. Here’s the first few pictures. I’ll add captions later.

One of the Tunnel Boring Machine service vehicles loaded with a full ring of tunnel lining segments.
Looking along the Bromford box towards the delta junction.
Inside one of the tunnels. This is the bore that the new machine ‘Mary Ann’ has reached the half-way mark on.

17:45.

Homeward bound. Having left Birmingham to travel via Derby and Sheffield I’m now on the leg to Leeds aboard another Cross-Country Voyager. At least on this one I’ve managed to get a seat. The trip from Brum to Derby was standing room only. The irony is not lost on me that this journey replicates HS2 phase 2B to Leeds, the section cancelled by that lying, unkempt bag of custard, Boris Johnson. Now (for who knows how long) this is as good as it gets. Whilst the rest of the world builds their high speed networks, we’re masters of dither and delay…

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. HS2ing and froing…

20 Tuesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Hs2, London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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09:30.

Another day, another adventure!

I’m currently en-route from Marylebone to the Chilterns to vist a couple of HS2 railway construction sites after a convivial night in London where I joined in the celebrations for an old friend’s daughter’s birthday.

Both of us had to be up early this morning as Hassard had a meeting in Birmingham and me an appointment in Bucks. Getting across Lond was made slightly more difficult (for Hassard especially) as the Victoria line had suffered a ‘one under’ earlier. We ended up parting company at Waterloo where I caught one of the capitals oldest tube trains (Bakerloo line) to Marylebone. It wasn’t a bad journey as at that time of day I was swimming against the tide.

The Bakerloo line is fine – when you’re heading in the opposite direction to everyone else!
Marylebone with one of a pair of Class 68s that have brought morning commuters into the capital.

I’m ahead of time, so I’ll be able to get a couple more shots of Chiltern line services before I meet up with the small gang of press people for today’s visit. I’ll blog throughout the day as and when I can, because the plan is to get a lift with a friend and colleague on the return so that we can stop off at another couple of locations en-route. Stay tuned…

10:15.

A quick teaser shot. Here’s how the HS2 trace West of Wendover looks now.

17:00.

I’m back!

Sorry I’ve not had chance to blog before now but we’ve been rather busy climbing up and down stairs and admiring the HS2 viaducts South of Wendover. We visited both the Small Dean and Wendover Dean viaducts which are in various stages of construction – as you’ll see from the pictures I’ll be uploading shortly.

After our visit Chris Howe and I drove up to Calvert to see progress and East-West rail and HS2 before heading off to Winslow, where we took some pictures of the new EWR station, which is complete and waiting the start of passenger services

Chris dropped me off at Banbury, where I caught a Cross-Country service heading for Birmingham. Now I have some time to download pictures and begin blogging again, so expect more updates shortly. The weather’s been kind so there’s plenty of pictures to show you.

The steel structure of the Small Dean viaduct is being assembled on site. It will be pushed out over the supporting piers next February.
The Southern pier of the Small Dean viaduct under construction.
Looking South along the course of the Small Dean viaduct. In the picture are the Chiltern railway to Aylesbury with the A413 beyond
The Wendover Dean viaduct bridge push is complete. Here’s the view looking North.
Winslow station. Just waiting for services to start…

19:00.

I’m well on the way home now. Having changed trains at Birmingham New St I swapped a Voyager for an Edinburgh bound Pendolino which will carry me to Warrington Bank Quay. The train’s very busy in the booked coaches but unreserved coach U only has a handful of travellers. I’ve grabbed a table bay, set up the mobile office and managed to upload some pictures from today’s adventures for your delectation. I’ve had to use my phone data connection as the onboard wifi isn’t up to the job. Any job!

19:18.

The curse has struck again, and we were doing so well! My train is currently stuck in Crewe station for some unknown reason. We were due to leave at 19:09 but it sounds like there’s a failed train ahead of us, so we’re being kept in the station. Ho hum…

20:45.

Plan B. I abandoned the idea of connecting with a Halifax train at Warrington as getting off at Crewe seemed like a better idea than tempting fate on the tow track main line towards Weaver Junction. A look through my options suggested that heading for Manchester would be a better bet. I’d opted to catch Avanti’s 20:10 to Piccadilly but even that’s running 15 down. Still, I’m on the move again and heading in the right direction! When will I get home? Who knows!

My enforced sojourn at Crewe wasn’t entirely wasted as the place was full of trains new and old. Avanti had a number of their Class 805s hanging around – either on services or training, so that was useful. West Midlands were the same with some of their new Class 730s. It’s allowed me to get a few extra pictures in the library anyway.

This Avanti service is much busier than the Edinburgh train I abandoned, but it does have one advantage. The wifi’s working. That said, it’s swings and roundabouts. On the last Pendolino the sockets were working but the wifi wasn’t. On this set that position’s reversed!

21:45.

The last leg…

Having hot foot it across a rainy Manchester and having just missed a train by a couple of minutes I’m now on Northern’s 21:36 to Leeds which will take me home to Sowerby Bridge. Worked by a 3-car Class 158 it’s hardly the busiest of trains this time of the week, but It’ll do me! Dawn’s offered to pick me up from the station so I don’t have to make the final slog uphill by foot. I’ve walked just under 10 miles today so I’m happy to bank that and get home without receiving a soaking.

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. On the move again…

19 Monday Aug 2024

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

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13:00.

Having enjoyed more of a home life of late I’m back on the rails again. Today I’m on a ‘positioning move’. Heading to London for an overnight stay in readiness for an HS2 construction site visit tomorrow. Right now I’m heading to Manchester aboard a Northern service bound for Chester formed of a 2-car class 195. This should have been a 4-car. A chat with the Conductor elucidated the information that there *should* be a set swap for a 4-car car at Manchester Victoria as this train’s normally a busy service – as it is today.

Cosy!

I’ll be working on the trains down to London but will update this blog as and when I can, so stay tuned…

14:30.

Well, it’s progress…

After getting wet walking across a grey and drizzly Manchester I found things weren’t running smoothly on the West Coast Main Line due to a points failure somewhere. Avanti West Coast services were either running late or cancelled. The 13:35 to Euston was late in and didn’t leave until 14:07. The next service (the 13:55 departure) was cancelled. I decided to leap ahead slightly by catching Cross-Country’s 14:03 departure towards Bristol as far as Stafford. That way I have other options.

Manchester Piccadilly is suffering a lack of capacity anyway as two platforms at a time are being taken out of service to allow roof repairs to be undertaken. Right now it’s platforms 3 and 4.

I’ve looked at the National Rail Enquiries website, which tells me the points failure was at Willesden Junction in North London. However, overhead line damage at Stafford has added to the problems. Oh, if only we had modern infrastructure like HS2. Oh, wait – the Tories cancelled it…

16:10.

The Stafford idea turned out to be a good one – ish.

Following not too far behind was meant to be the 15:14 Avanti service to Euston, which was formed from a pair of the company’s new Class 805s. Only it was 25 minutes late leaving Crewe where the 2nd set was attached. We’re now 28 minutes late speeding South, but at least we’re non-stop to London.

This is my second time on an 805 and the first where I’ve managed to get a seat. I’m in the front set and there’s plenty of free seats so I’ve managed to blag a table bay and set up the mobile office. Having the camera on the table attracted attention (as it often does) so I ended up in a conversation with a young woman who’s a photography student. As I often do, I let her have a play with the Z9. People are frightened to drop it, so what I say is ‘it’s fine, just put the strap around your neck so that you can’t’.

The mobile office…

16:50.

A few minutes ago we passed the wonderfully named ‘Cow Roast’, South of Tring. The weathr down here in the South isn’t much better than up North, although I’m sure the outside temperature will be a few degrees warmer. My trip on this 805 hasn’t been bad. The ride’s good, the table facilities are very good (plenty of sockets, USB ports and passive phone chargers) but the PIS system is up the spout. The outside screens say ‘this train is not in service’ and the internal LEDs proclaim ‘reservations are currently unavailable’. Not dissimilar to my first trip on one of these units.

Having used the toilet I noticed the age-old problem. We can get men on the moon but we still can’t design train toilet paper dispensers that don’t turn the paper into confetti…

Plus ca change…

22:30.

Time to bring this blog to an end. I’ve had a lovely evening here in London out with a very old friend and his family, celebrating his daughter’s 15th birthday at a local Italian here in Clapham. But tomorrow’s another day…

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

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