11:51.

I’m out and about on the Trans-Pennine trail for a couple of reasons today. First is to have a look at some locations on the Huddersfield to Dewsbury section of the route which is due to have its original four tracks reinstated in a couple of years time. The other is that I’m hoping to catch one of the new Nova 3 trainsets in action.

Right now I’m basking in the sunshine on a footbridge West of Mirfield where the old London and North Western and Lancashire & Yorkshire lines converge. The line to the right is the LNWR route from Huddersfield which I assume will be doubled once more. The bridge in the background still has the empty arch. Until recently the whole area was buried beneath shrubs and trees but Network Rail have chopped it all back.

12:57.

I’ve moved on again after a pleasant (if slightly sweaty) stroll along the River Calder back to Mirfield station. When you see it now it’s hard to imagine that it once possessed an overall roof and a substantial station building where the flowerbed is sited.

I plumped for the Pacer coupled to the 156 to bounce my way to Dewsbury and connect with a Huddersfield service. Thanks to friends on Twitter I now know that one Nova 3 set is on a Liverpool to Scarborough diagram this afternoon. With luck, I’ll be able to catch it!

13:13.

I’m now on the 13:10 to Huddersfield which is worked by a 100 mph Class 185 that stops at Ravensthorpe, Mirfield and Deighton. It’s an utter waste of an Intercity train, but the national shortage of diesel units and the vagaries of Dept for Transport policies mean that’s what it’s being used for!

14:19.

Having crossed the Pennines I’m now in Manchester, which is cooler (and cloudier) than the East. All being well, the Nova 3 set is due in 10 mins…

14:54.

Success! This being a TPE service it was late of course, which meant I didn’t risk the shot I’d intended to get, but I’m now travelling in it to Leeds after having had a wander through the train from end to end. First impressions are good. There’s certainly a lot more space than on a 3-car 185. Doors are at the car ends rather than 1/3 & 2/3 along the body as per 185s. They’re single-leaf doors, so narrower but they have their own vestibules separated from the passenger saloon by double doors. There are more table bays of four than on a 185 too. One thing some enthusiasts will hate (and ordinary pax ignore) – seating bays don’t line up with windows! Each pair of seats shares one power socket and a USB.

First Class passengers will appreciate the fact they have the coach behind the locomotive to themselves rather than being sandwiched in the middle of a Standard Class coach as on the 185s. This gives them more privacy and the 2 by 1 seating and table bays look very good.

15:33.

We had another late departure from Huddersfield for no apparent reason. There’s obviously still teething problems with the sets. I’ve noticed the PIS TV screens clock is an hour fast and it’s saying our next stop is York, not Leeds!

15:42.

We’re now 19 mins late after leaving Leeds. The Train Manager has announced this is due to an unspecified “train fault” which is par for the course with new train fleets until they bed down, so I’m not going to be critical.

16:10.

We’ve left York still 20 mins late despite a spirited run from Leeds. The sets ride well despite the absence of the underfloor ballast a diesel engine and fuel tank give a 185. The train’s packed now so the extra capacity’s welcome, as is the air-conditioning! Air’s blown up from the cills under the windows, which may disturb some people.

17:20.

Waiting for the return at 17:44.

18:08.

I’m now on my way back from Scarborough on the Nova 3 set with the loco pushing a very busy holiday train that’s carrying the “bucket and spade brigade” back from the seaside, so it’s a raucous service with lots of noisy kinds in (aural) evidence. This time I’ve taken up residence in the leading car. First impressions are that this is a step-change from older push-pull BR era stock like the Class 90s and Mark 3s used on Greater Anglia services where there’s constant snatching between the loco and stock dur to the TDM control equipment. I’ve not felt anything on here that would give away the fact the loco’s pushing.

19:08.

I abandoned the Nova 3 set at York in order to get a picture and followed   behind on a ‘bog-standard’ TPE 185. It’s been an interesting day that’s added plenty of pictures to the library. They’ll appear on my Zenfolio website over the next couple of days.

19:57.

I’m on the final train of the day, Northern’s 19:39 Leeds to Chester which left it’s starting point 15 mins late due to some faffing around with the ex-Scotrail Class 158 that’s formed it and the single car 153 that was detached from it at Leeds. Right now I’m looking forward to getting home, having a shower and relaxing. It’s been a busy day…

22.28.

Here’s a final selection of pictures from today.

Today’s been one of those ‘catching up with myself’ days. After spending the past three on the road I’ve had to spend a Saturday working just to try and keep on top of things. There’s a mountain of pictures to edit as well as new jobs to fit into the calendar, plus working out the logistics of getting round all the stations I’m helping to judge for this years ACoRP awards. That’s a real challenge!The weather’s been stunning this afternoon so I did take a break from staring at a computer screen to tidy up the front garden and soak up a bit of sun. Now it’s time to indulge in a bit of culinary therapy. After living off sandwiches and wraps for the past few days I’d decided to indulge in some cooking. Tonight I’m making a Red Goan Chicken curry, which I’ve not tried before but it sounds delicious. As it’s the first time I’m sticking to the recipe, but I suspect that (if it’s any good) the chilli quotient will be boosted next time…- it’s coming along nicely!

*This blog is currently under construction*

We’re  spending a few days wandering around Pembrokeshire, an area I’ve never explored before. The mixed weather’s not managed to detract from the beauty of the area, as some of these pictures will show.

 

 

13:11.It’s been such a busy day there’s been no time to blog, despite there being a huge amount to blog about! Right now I’m on the W7 bus travelling through my old home – Crouch End in North London – and so many happy memories are flooding back. I’m on my way to Crouch Hill station to do the third of three after doing two of today’s three jobs and to meet up with Michael Williams again. Here we were yesterday.

Today’s adventure’s been made more interesting by rich and varied weather as well as visiting old haunts across London. As well as carrying out the commission I’ve had the opportunity to get a few library pictures too.I’ll blog more later, once the next job’s done.17:54.Commission completed, Michael and I had a very enjoyable lunch together and caught up on times old and new, including his next book project. I’m looking forward to accompanying him on at least one of his jaunts.Now I’m making my way back North via the East Coadt Main Line, although I wish I had more time as the weather’s ideal for lineside photography.The past couple of days have been very enjoyable. I’ve had chance to catch up with two old friends, do some work and explore old stomping grounds, one of which was the Hertford loop line. When I lived in Nirth London Lynn and I would often use it to go walking in the Hertfordshire countryside and many of the plants in our Crouch End garden came from the garden centres clustered near Grange Park station. Nearly everything was brought back on the train. It must have looked odd to other passengers when two people boarded the train carrying enormous black bamboo plants. Now I see the station’s slowly slipping backwards down the embankment…

18:50.

After a brief stop to change trains at Doncaster I’m now on my way to Leeds and (eventually) home. The station yard nearly always holds something of interest and today was no exception. You could see the railway version of the changing of the guard as several brand-new Northern Rail Class 331s rubbed shoulders with LNER’S 91119 which has been repainted into its original BR Intercity livery. The 91 passed me earlier today when it was being hauled by a classmate along the Hertford loop from Bounds Green dept in North London. Looking at it now I’ve noticed the damage to the front-end fairing below the coupler, which suggests that it’s hit something, which might explain why it’s here.

19:37.

Having arrived in Leeds my first train home is the 19:38 to Chester. Made up of a 153 plus 2-car 158. I was amazed how quiet it was and also how many folk were bailing off it. All was revealed when I grabbed a table seat in the 153 and the friendly conductor explained that – due to a blockage on the line between Bradford and Halifax – we were being diverted via Brighouse, so Halifax would be our first stop! No wonder so many folk were bailing, they were going to Bradford!

20:00.

We’re now bowling along the line through Brighouse non-stop, which is a rare treat. Our Conductor has been excellent, constantly keeping passengers informed and even talked over the Tannoy about route knowledge. He explained the we were allowed to come this way because both he and the driver ‘sign the road’ via Dewsbury, whereas the Blackpool bound train behind us is stuck in Leeds because the crew don’t!

20:09.

We’re sat at Greetland Jn waiting for a clear road to Hakifax but there’s congestion due to the fact many trains will have to reverse at Halifax, there’s 6 trains in the way so we’re being diverted to Sowerby Sowerby Bridge instead. The problem? He explained. A lorry has struck a bridge and knocked a lamp post onto the track, which was then struck by a train.

20:55.

A welcome sight as I walk up from the station. Not only is it a beautiful evening, this signals the fact I’m almost home!