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/
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/
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/
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/
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/
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 beyondThe 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/
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/
I can’t quite believe that this trip is over and all that remains for me to do now is get home. Last week was a heck of a time for all sorts of reasons that will become clear in my forthcoming RAIL articles, although readers of this blog will have several clues.
Right now, I’m kicking back in my hotel for a little while, letting the Scottish breakfast I’ve just consumed settle before I go out for a walk. I have a couple of hours before the train leaves and the weather isn’t as bad as predicted. We’ve certainly got low cloud and rain, but it comes in short bursts rather than the constant sheets I was expecting. In some ways it’s a shame I’ve got to head back so soon. Originally, I’d intended to hang around for another day, but the weather changed those plans. Besides I have a lot of writing and picture editing to do now.
I’ll be blogging on and off through my return. The 10:10 to Glasgow is the same 4-car set I arrived on yesterday so I should have no problem finding a table bay to set up the ‘mobile office’ and Scotrail’s onboard wifi has good coverage – even up here.
In the meantime, here’s how the view from my hotel window looks this morning.
08:30.
Bugger! I’d no sooner prepared to go out than the rain arrived! Now my view looks like this.
There’s one consolation. I wasn’t out walking when this little lot arrived. I’d have got soaked!
10:10.
We’re off – and with a lot more passengers that yesterday. The front of the train’s already around half-full. Several dozen came off the inbound 09:38 service, which has earned its keep. I never did get that walk, the rain never abated. In fact, it got worse. We had a torrential downpour just before we left which meant we have some very damp passengers.
It’s a shame about the weather as I’d like to have taken some pictures around Mallaig as I don’t have any. I’ve been trying to work out when I was last here. It’s so long ago that I don’t have any pictures as I didn’t have a decent camera. That makes is somewhere around 1987. I’ve always meant to come back but never found the time or the reason even though I come up this way once a year, but on that occasion my time’s not my own.
11:10.
We’ve just passed the ‘Jacobite’ at Gelnfinnan station, although I doubt I’ll get used to seeing a ‘Black 5’ steam loco hauling a mixed rake of Mk 2 and 4 coaches! Soon after we passed over the Glenfinnan viaduct, heavily featured in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. It’s become a mecca for the films fans. There must have been at least 100-150 people there in waterproofs and pac-a-macs to watch the steam train pass. Of course, for railway orientated people the viaduct is synonymous with another name, ‘Concrete Bob’ McAlpine.
11:17.
We’re now stopped at Loch Eil. The rain’s stopped and the suns doing its best to put in an appearance.
12:15.
The train’s left Fort William bound for Glasgow. I’d guess 80% full. I’m now sharing my table with a young Swedish Couple who’re in the UK for a couple of weeks to go walking and attend the world sci-fi convention in Glasgow.
The rain’s eased again now, which is a shame in some ways. Beautiful as Scotland is, there’s something special about seeing the mountains in heavy rain as little streams become torrents, rivulets spring up everywhere and the rivers turn into raging peaty-white water. Fantastic to watch.
14:00.
Our train has now left Crianlarich as a 6-car. The 2 car train from Oban has been joined on to the back. The operation took longer as both trains were late, but at least the delay gave the nicotine addicts and vapers time to indulge. The weather’s not improved any, in fact it’s got worse, with constant (if light) rain and heavy, low cloud obscuring most of the views.
18:30.
Sorry for the gap but I’m struggling with wifi on my current train.
I arrived in Glasgow 15 mins late and had just enough time for a quick pint with an old friend and retired railwayman who gave me some background to some of the things I’ve experienced during my travels.
Now I’m on Avanti’s 17:30 to Euston – a trip that isn’t going well. We’re currently crawling along at 40mph just North of Lockerbie due to an emergency speed restriction, which I can only assume is down to the poor weather. The Pendo’s poorly too. Coach C (the buffet car) has knackered air conditioning so no passengers are allowed to sit in it. The buffet staff are taking short shifts to avoid them melting.
19:55.
Ho hum, we’ll shortly be arriving into Lancaster some 18 minutes late due to an emergency speed restriction North of Lockerbie that caused us to crawl along at 45mph for several miles. I’m assuming this was due to flooding as the weather on the way South has proved to be awful thanks to heavy rain. The dark skies and lack of light have made the day feel more like a winter at dusk rather than 19:00 on an August evening.
Fortunately (depending which way you look at it) I had a 45 minute fester between trains at Preston, so the delay’s merely cut that wasted time down.
20:50.
Re-arrange the words ‘bunny, a, happy, not’.
I stepped off my late-running Pendolino at Preston and looked for the platform my Halifax bound train would be leaving from – only to find that it had been cancelled at short notice. Now what to do? I’d looked at other options via Wigan and Warrington that would have got me home at almost the same time, but they were dependent on the Glasgow train being on time – and that was leaving as I looked. I quick scan of my options via various websites left me with no option. I’ve got to catch the 21:11 to Manchester Victoria, pray it’s not late – and connect 7 minutes later with the Leeds service. finally getting home at 22:37. Deep joy. A quick phone call to Dawn outlining the situation means my lovely, understanding other half will still be there at the station to pick me up.
I’m a staunch defender of the railways – as regular readers know. But I won’t defend the indefensible and from an ordinary passengers perspective this lack of service, punctuality and reliability simply isn’t good enough.
Sadly, I have no great confidence in the new Labour Government to fix the problems as I don’t think they really understand them. To them, ownership is what matters, but ownership isn’t the problem.
Let’s see what happens next. Meanwhile, have another old Metro-Cammell DMU. Only this time not in Scotland!
21:20.
I’m on the move again, just not on the route I wanted. I’m ensconced on a very quiet Northern Class 195 on a Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester Victoria diagram. It only stops at Chorley and Bolton so I’m optimistic I’ll make my connection.
I must admit that Preston station surprised me somewhat. I arrived well before 21:00 yet most of the stations food outlets seemed to have shut shop. The (hideously expensive) bar was closed, as were most of the coffee shops. So, really the facilities for passengers weren’t great at all. OK – you could argue being saved from being chinged for overpriced food and drink is no bad thing, but if you’ve not had the perspicacity to bring your own (or you don’t know how the railways work) what are your options? I can see why Tesco’s have recently opened an ‘Express’ outlet just across the road.
2240.
The frustration continues (as does the swearing under my breath). My ‘fast’ train worked swimmingly until we got to Bolton, after which it began to crawl. I can only assume that it was trapped behind a stopping service. The delay minutes continued to mount as we got closer to Manchester. To add insult to injury this train was due in on platform 6 whilst my connection was due to depart from platform 1 – the opposite side of the station. I had seven minutes to make the connection, so of course my train was seven minutes late. I waved it goodbye from the footbridge between the platforms. Now I’m on the one behind it, the 22:29 to Leeds which gets into Sowerby bridge at 23:08, an hour and 20 minutes after I should have been home. Poor Dawn’s been on standby to pick me up most of the evening.
I can’t say I’m sad to be seeing the back of trains for a few days…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s the last official day of my RAIL rover as I finish the trip in Mallaig this afternoon. Of course, that’s not the end of my travels – I’ve got to get home to West Yorkshire tomorrow, but that’s another story.
Right now I’m sipping coffee and preparing to leave my hotel here in Anniesland before heading back into the city for a last spin on some of the Glasgow rail network before catching the train to the Highlands. The fantastic weather we’ve been having has deserted me for this last couple of days. There’s low cloud and the treat of more rain here in Glasgow, whilst the forecast for Mallaig is wet, wet, wet. At least it’ll keep the midges at bay…
All blog as I can with a final update this evening.
11:45.
Best laid plans pt 56932…
Despite having checked with the National Rail Enquiries and Rail Times Trains websites just a few days ago, today I find that my train to Malliag isn’t running. In fact, there’s only one through train from Glasgow today, and that isn’t until 18:20!
After muttering some curses whilst checking various websites and timtables I found that there is (or should be) a 14:29 from Crianlarich to Mallaig, which is a return working of an earlier train. I’m assuming this is running as it’s crewed by Fort Bill staff.
But how to get to Crianlarich? I got a train as far as Dumbarton where I hoped to get a coach. This was a punt as the operators website told me they were all full. I walked the mile out to the bypass and hoped for the best. Bang on time at 11:04 the No 377 pulled up – and it had free seats! So, I’m now skirting the bonny banks of Loch Lomond by road rather than rail.
Let’s just hope that 14:29 isn’t cancelled at the last moment eh?
13:10.
Things are looking up. I’ve made it to Crianlarich, the rain’s stopped, the sun’s poking through – and the train’s running. The inbound service is due at 1342. The only downer is that the tea room on the station has closed down. Apparently, in the current climate the business simply wasn’t viable. However, the local post office/shop survives, so I’ve been able to buy supplies.
Made it! The train to Mallaig arrived at Crianlarich early. The reason for the problem was all too obvious. This was to do with the staff dispute over rest day working. Normally, trains change crews here. A Fort William crew work the service from the North to/from Crianlarich, whilst a Glasgow based crew work it to/from the South. They swap over trains here as this is normally where they pass. There’s a mess room on the station so crews can have their PNBs (personal needs breaks). The Fort William crews were still working so – so was the train.
Only there were no passengers. A couple of dozen came down from Fort William with the train, but only five of us went North. I had the rear car to myself whilst the front set was completely empty all the way to Fort William.
Normally (especially in August) you’d expect these trains to be standing room only. It was quite surreal.
Loch Treig on the way from Corrour.
Still, it got me to where I needed to be and it was a fabulous journey, despite the deteriorating weather. You’ll be able to read the full story in RAL magazine later this year. Now I’m kicking back in Mallaig, which is hardly ‘sin city’ – just a small town with a working harbour. Like just about everywhere it’s been hit by Covid and the recession. One of the three pubs has closed, as have some shops. I had a little wander when I first arrived as the rain eased for a short while. There’s really not a lot going on here, but that’s fine by me. I’m happy to have a quiet night in the hotel, having just gorged myself on fish and chips in the hotel restaurant, my first proper meal since I left home on Wednesday.
Journey’s end. Our train sits on the rain at Mallaig. Here’s part of the view from my bedroom window in the West Highland hotel. Worth the journey?
Tomorrow I’ll be making the long trek back to West Yorkshire, this could be fun as there’s a yellow weather warning for heavy rain…
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/
Nearly there! I’d have been quite happy to stay here in my suite at the station hotel here in Newcastle but I’ve a lot more miles to cover and a border to cross yet. Right now it’s time to get packing before my first train of the day, which will carry me to Edinburgh. The rain we had last night has disappeared and the weather promises to be good heading up the East coast, but as usual, the West side of Scotland looks more mixed.
I’ll blog (when I can) throughout the day….
Local services around Newcastle are mostly in the hands of these old Class 156s, built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham between 1987-89. Nowadays the 114 strong fleet is divided between Northern and Scotrail.
09:36.
We’ve just crossed the Royal border bridge and are about to enter Scotland. This is always a magical journey.
11:00.
My stay in Edinburgh was brief. I’m about to head off to take in a new line that’s only reopened this year, the branch to Levenmouth. But not on one of these!
Hitachi built these Class 385s for Scotrail, the only company that operates them. They’re good trains but their introduction was ‘troubled’
23:30.
Well, what can I say? It’s been a busy day on busy trains where I’ve not always had the space to move, never mind blog. So, I’ll end the day with a few pictures from my travels now I’m tucked up in my hotel in Glasgow.
The furthest North I got today was Dundee, where I spent an hour by the banks of the Tay thinking about the past and taking pictures like this.After dropping my bags off at my hotel it was time to head back into the city centre and indulge in a ‘shoogle’ on the new trains on the Glasgow Subway aka – the ‘clockwork orange’…Another day, another class of train. Here’s the Alstom ‘Juniper’ which took me back from Partick to Anniesland.
Tomorrow is the official end of my trip. I’ll be taking a train from Glasgow all the way to Mallaig. Hopefully, I’ll be able to blog en-route. But for now – goodnight.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 