It’s not even 19:00 here in Thailand but we’ve already had the beds nade up by the staff in my sleeper coach, not that I mind, I’m tired and happy to lie down and compose today’s blog. Charlotte and Adi are in the next coach, which has received the sane treatment.

I must admit, I did enjoy a lie-in until 08:00 today. Having the luxury of a fresh, soft bed and an air-conditioned room made it hard to resist! Even so, I was checked out well in advance of time so that I could move up to Bang Sue Grand Central by taxi. You never know how long it’s ging to take by road so I always leave plenty of time as the plan was to have a ‘play’ on the new sections of the blue line MRT railway which I’d photographed being built but had never ridden on. And, as I’d have a wheelie suitcase in tow, I could test out their accessibility.

I was rather disappointed. The stations are all good when it comes to access, with lifts and escalators (and helpful staff) but the platform/train interface (PTI) isn’t. There’s a noticeable gap and difference in levels that mean you have to lift your suitcase on and off or risk it getting stuck – and maybe rip a wheel off. I can’t understand how this happens on a new railway with a new fleet of trains to compliment the existing ones.

Another thing I noticed on the section from Bang Sue Westwards to the end of the line is how difficult photography is due to the placing of platform barriers, lineside equipment and roadside cables. All conspire to make clean shots as difficult as possible. Admittedly, I didn’t try every station as I had a suitcase with me, but I did visit several. I’ll add a couple of shots tomorrow when I’ve access to wifi. But what the lines elevated position is good for is offering some great panoramic views of central Bangkok. I’d liked to have explored further but that’s going to have to wait until later in the trip.

Back at Bang Sue I met up with Charlotte and Adi (my neice and her husband) who’d come down on the sleeper train from Chiang Mai earlier this morning. It was great to see them and hear some of their travel tales. We swapped a few more on the train before our enforced ‘bedtime’ when I had to go back to my own coach. No doubt we’ll add some new stories from George Town when we get there…

Oh, talking of level access, I nipped out to visit the old Bang Sue station which is right next door to the new. When I looked for a way acoss I noticed this. How many faults can you spot?

Old Asian travellers will get the reference in the title of this blog. I had a great journey here from Malaysia and the way the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) are modernising the route from the Malaysian border North was a revelation as last time I was here the work had barely started and was mostly focussed around Bangkok. But all that’s for another blog. Despite my pessimistic predictions we arrived at the new mega station at Bang Sue just 5 minutes late. To say the new multi-level stations impressive is an understatement. There may be stations to rival it in China, but there’s nothing in this neck of the woods and it would put most London termini to shame.

As I arrived in plenty of time I nipped down to its predecessor at Hualamphong which is gradually fading away as traffic’s transferred. Even so there’s plenty of photographic interest.

As I was towing a suitcase I took a taxi from the station to my hotel on Phra Artit only to be amused to find it’s a place I’ve stayed in several times over the years – it’s just changed it’s name again! I’d originally booked several nights in a place nearby but had to rearrange bookings a few times as my time in Bankok was whittled away by Chinese New Year celebrations. I wasn’t 100% sure I could book the sleeper from Padang Besar yesterday so I did a last minute booking from the train. There’s another contrast from my early traveller days whrn you simply turned up somwhere and hoped there was room at someone’s Inn – even if that meant walking for ages to find something in your price bracket.

I’m still adusting to being back in Bangkok. I feel at home here but so much has changed due to Covid. Businesses that I always knew have disappeared and others have changed use or site – hence the blog title. I suppose the problem for me is this isn’t my first time in Bangkok. I’ve been coming here for over 30 years, so of course things will change – it’s just that Covid speeded up that process. There’s a view that older people are uncomfortable with change – hence them being stuck in the past – and voting Tory! It’s a view I’m having to confront now because I refuse to be stuck in the past – or vote Tory! The world moves on – as I can see all around me now, but I refuse to kowtow to nostalgia.

I had to visit my Dentist in Huddersfieldthis morning for a routine check-up and time with the hygenist for a clean and polish. The weather was awful this morning as the valley was blanketed in mist and rain so Dawn very kindly gave me a lift there. I’m one of those rare people who really isn’t bothered by dentists but even so, it was good to hear my teeth and gums are in excellent shape!

I didn’t bother taking the camera bag as I doubted I’d need it. Instead I only brought the D5 and 50mm lens, so I was kicking myself when I left the dentists to find the sun had broken through, leaving the day looking very different indeed. After walking into the town centre I decided to take the scenic way home via Manchester and caught a TPE service to Stalybridge where I could catch a local train to Manchester Victoria. Sadly, the good weather didn’t last. My arrival into ‘Stalyvegas’ coincided with another wet weather front so I didn’t hang around.

My Staly’ steed was one of Northern’s ‘new’ Class 156s cascaded from East Midlands Railway. Repainted on the outside, it still carries EMT seat mocquette.

Traversing the line via Ashton-under-Lyne I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. Progress with electrifying the line has reached the stage where contact wire runs have started appearing.

14:00.

My time in Manchester was brief, just long enough to grab a couple of shots whilst changing trains.

Now I’m heading back across the Pennines to home – hoping to avoid a soaking in the process! This time my steed’s a busy 2-car class 195 bound for Leeds via Bradford Interchange. I was rather surprised to see it so busy on a Wednesday afternoon, but then you never know on this line. The train remained busy all the way to Halifax, where I abandoned it to walk home, braving the chance of a downpour.

16:30.

Now I’m back at home for the rest of the day, enjoying the warmth of the office and chance to catch up with some forward planning before another hectic few days, starting on Friday when I travel down to Reading, where I’ll be based for a couple of days. On Saturday I’m volunteering to help the ‘Railway Children’ charity as the Branch Line Society are running a series of Class 315 ‘farewell’ trips between London Liverpool St and Shenfield. Unfortunately, Saturday’s also another day where strikes affect many of the train companies. Thankfully, they don’t affect the Elizabeth line from Reading to Liverpool St. Hence me basing myself there!

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

Thank you!

11:55.

After such a great birthday I’ve kept the mood going by atranging to meet up with friends for a few hours back in Liverpool – only things haven’t quite gone to plan…

The weather at home is wet and windy but Dawn was kind enough to give me a life to the station so I could avoid a soaking. So far, so good…

I’d planned to get a train to Manchester Victoriaand where I’d pick up a Trans-Pennine Express service direct to Liverpool Lime St, but Northern services were running late. A quick check of the timetable showed that I could catch the next Northern service to Huddersfield and pick up the Liverpool train there.

Feeling smug, that’s what I did. I even had time for one of the Huddersfield station cafe’s excellent bacon baps (or ‘teacakes’, as they call ’em in Yorkshire). Of course, I’d forgottenthis was TPE we’re talking about. The preceding train was the 10:25 to Manchester Piccadilly. It had developed a fault so was running late. ‘Late’ kept getting later and later…

Meanwhile, my Newcastle to Liverpool service was late from the off. It lost another 5 mins at York, then got stuck behind the 10:25 which was struggling. So my 10:38 off Huddersfield became the 11:02 on departure.

We crawled across the Pennines as we were behind a stopper, arriving at Manchester Victoria 25 down. Thankfully, the service is booked to sit at Victoria for 14 mins. Our prompt departure allowed us to cut our deficit to 14 mins by the time we left Newton-le-Willows.

Judging by the WhatsApp messages, friends are having similar problems…

There’s a very short blog from me tonight. Now I’m back home I’ve spent the day slaving over a hot computer in order start the mammoth task of editing all the pictures from the past few week’s travels. The first batch to be done are from the Innotrans rail trade show as I need to get them out to clients. The job will be finished tomorrow. You can find them by following this link.

https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p127408814

I’ve already loaded several dozen with the rest to follow tomorrow. Today’s picture isn’t from Innotrans, but it is from Germany. Here’s one of the regional double-deck trains I’ve been commuting to/from Frankfurt (Oder) this last week, seen approaching Zoo station in the former West Berlin from the East.

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

Thank you!

07:50.

I’m currently bowling towards Berlin on a double-deck train from Frankfurt (Oder) where I’m staying. It’s an hour away from central Berlin but vastly cheaper than trying to book anywhere in the German capital right now as the huge Innotrans trade fair i’m attending has caused prices to go crazy. Instead of paying a four figure sum I’ve a lovely hotel suite in Frankfurt (Oder) for less than 400 quid for 5 nights. Commuting on the train is costing me 30 euros for a weekly season ticket – not bad when you think the normal single fare is 18 euros! Oh, there’s also a lovely little metre-gauge tram network running old Tatra vehicles to play on if I have time!

I’m on the 07:34 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Typically for Germany in 2022 it’s running late. only by a few minutrs mind, but there was no obvious reason for the delay. It’s a busy service. We’ve just called at the first stop (Furstenwalde) where so many folk joined us the train’s already full! Mask wearing is still mandatory here and everyone’s complied. It feels strange now as we abandoned the practice in the UK such long time ago. However, the Germans are less cavalier and complacent about Covid.

I’ll blog in fits and starts throughout what will be an incredibly busy day but my first priority is to hook up with various clients to see what it is they want me to do over the next few days.

Catch you later…

08:15.

One observation before I go. Several of the lityle local stations en-route are having their platforms lengthened. This involves single line working as one track is being used by on-track plant involved in the work. In the UK this would never happen as there would be a complete block on both lines as a safety measure!

13:20.

Here’s the start of my InnoTrans 2022 gallery, featuring some of the new Stadler trains for the UK…

https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p127408814

16:45.

No rest for the wicked. After a busy day photographing, note-taking and meeting up with old friends I’m now on my way to the British Embassy to cover a trade reception….

23:30.

It’s been a long day. I’m back at my hotel and it’s time to hit the sack as the fun starts all over again tomorrow. But here’s a couple of pictures to whet your appetite. I’m hoping to cover far more of Innotrans tomorrow (depending on commissions). Hopefully we won’t be having the same stormy weather…

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

Thank you!

I’ll be sad to leave Oban. The weather was beautiful yesterday, showing off the Lochs and mountains at their best. There’s something very relaxing about sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the world go by.

I’ve not been to Oban in a long time. Since 2005 in fact. Then I was here in Scotland with my first wife Lynn and a group of friends staying on the beautiful Isle of Mull. There was one slight problem. On the Thursday I was due to take pictures at the National Rail Awards. “No problem” I said, “I’ll just get the first ferry to Oban, catch the first train to London, do the gig and get the first train back the morning after!” Lynn and my friends thought I was mad, but that’s what I did. Leaving Mull at 04:00 on Thursday morning I was back by 15:00 Friday afternoon! Admittedly, I was 17 years younger then. I don’t think I’d try it now. I’ll be at the awards again this year, but nowadays I’m invited as a VIP guest, not as the photographer!

10:25.

Sorry for the gap. There’s no working wifi on the train and I’ve only just picked up a phone signal when I got to Crianlarich, which is where we are now, waiting for the delayed Northbound service to pass.

10:45.

We’re dropping back down into more populated areas with better phone signals now, having just passed Ardlui. I realise just how lucky I was with the weather yesterday. Today’s overcast but the staff at my hotel were telling me that it chucked it down in Oban on Saturday! Despite the weather, it’s still a beautiful journey through some stunning scenery. The irony? I do this section of the journey every year as part of the ‘3 peaks by rail’ crew – but on the outward it’s dark and we’re asleep and on the return I’m too busy working to enjoy it.

19:00.

Sorry for the hit and miss nature of blogging today, truth was a combination of poor reception and computer issues made it difficult. Add in the fact I’m tired and fell aslerp on the train from Edinburgh to York and I disappeared into a black hole!

Right now I’m on the final leg from Leeds to Halifax on yet another busy train. The LNER ‘Azuma’ South was rammed leaving Edinburgh and didn’t get any better as it stopped. The seat reservation system was up the spout too, which added to the fun!

Much as I’ve enjoyed these past 8 days I’m looking forward to a lie-in tomorrow and not having to travel any further than the local supermarket! A day in the office beckons and I’m not complaining…

I’ll add some pictures to this blog as soon as I can. For now – here’s last night’s Scottish sunset.

21:00.

I’m now home and fed and watered. I’ve also repaired the glitch on my laptop that was preventing internet access which means I can hit the ground running in the morning. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with one last picture from yesterday in Oban.

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

Thank you!