6th March picture of the day…

06 Thursday Mar 2025

Posted by in Abandoned railways, Musings, Photography, Politics, Railways, West Yorkshire

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Funny old word, innit – eh?

Today’s been another day working from home – which has been rather frustrating as the weather’s been superb. Wall to wall sunshine and rising temperatures that would have been ideal for getting out with the camera. Problem is – I’ve too much to do. Much of today’s been spent editing the pictures I captured yesterday and dealing with emails. One of which has changed our weekend plans completely. An old friend has invited the pair of us to be his company’s guest at the Confederation of Passenger Transport Awards in Manchester on Saturday. How could we refuse? Not only will it be great to catch up with Richard, it’ll also be an opportunity to meet up with other friends and colleagues before our own Community Rail Awards in Newcastle next week – which is completely sold out – and the biggest one we’ve ever had. As I’d planned to be working this weekend you can see why being stuck at home today’s worked out. The word serendipity springs to mind.

Of course, whilst I’ve been busy picture editing I’ve had another screen open which has kept me up to date with the latest madness coming out of the White House. If – 30 years ago – you’d pitched this as a script to a film company, they’d have tossed you out the door as it was too far-fetched. Now, every day delivers idiocy that makes you realise America has fallen to Putin. I’d love to know what ‘Kompromat’ the Russian Dictator has on Trump, but it must be weapons-grade. It’s fascinating (and horrifying) to see some US politicians asking what else could Trump do if he wasn’t a Russian asset? (very little: Ed). What’s been good to see is the way America’s neighbours either side of the border have called Trumps bluff over tariff’s, resulting in a reverse-ferret. But the damage is done. The farce gets worse, as now it’s reported that Trump is reining in (unelected) Elon Musk, telling him that he has no power to sack government employees. This is turning into the mother of all shit-shows!

Meanwhile, Europe has seen which way the wind’s blowing and uniting – and re-arming. Billions of Euros are being committed to Europe and Ukraine’s defense. It’s ironic really. Trump isn’t making America ‘great’ again, he’s actually sidelining it as untrustworthy and not someone to buy weapons from. The double irony? Putin’s done exactly the same. Much as I hate the idea of £bns spent on weapons, I can see the logic from a European perspective. The political world really could be changing on its axis and I’m not entirely sure the dictators in the Kremlin and White House understand what they’ve done.

OK, enough of politics. The shit-show is going to be around for some time yet. In the meantime, here’s another picture from today’s editing marathon.

This is the Bradley viaduct in …Bradley, just to the East of Deighton and on the edge of Huddersfield. It’s an impressive, 15 arch structure that bridges the River Colne and the Huddersfield wide canal. It had a very short life as a railway. It was constructed by the Midland Railway in 1910 as part of a line from Mirfield they intended to build to Bradford to compete with the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway. The line never made it further than Newton in Huddersfield, which became a goods depot. The extension was killed when the L&Y gave the Midland running powers over their route. It was made redundant in 1937. By then the Midland and L&Y had been amalgamated into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) which built a new connection from the former L&Y route at Red Doles Jn nearer Huddersfield, rendering this section of line redundant after just 27 years. Today it’s part of a cycleway and footpath.

You can learn more about the Newtown branch here.

I’ll be working at home again tomorrow, so expect Wednesday’s blog to be expanded now I’ve all the pictures edited.

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

5th March picture(s) of the day…

05 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in Railways, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, TRU, West Yorkshire

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Another short blog from me tonight as I’ve been out all day and only got home late. The pair of us were up early as we had a dentist’s appointment at 08:30 over in Huddersfield – one of our regular 6 month check-ups and visit to the hygienist for a wash and brush up. I’m not someone who’s afraid of dentists and rather enjoy coming away afterwards feeling the new definition in my teeth after having the hygienist gave ’em the once over – not that there was much to remove.

As we were in that neck of the woods and the weather was ideal for photography I decided to have a day out exploring Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) territory. I’ll explain more at greater length tomorrow, but for now here’s a couple of pictures.

A TRU engineers train passes Bradley Junction with the single line spur towards Brighouse heading off to the left. This section will be four-tracked with the new fast lines being laid on the old trackbed to the right.
A TPE service takes the Huddersfield route at Heaton Lodge Junction. The line to Brighouse is in the background. The new 100mph fast lines will be laid to the right of the train. The new bridge pier is for the road down to the waterworks between the two railways which will replace the one I’m standing on..

I’ll be back working from home tomorrow, so expect more pictures and a vastly expanded blog then.

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

4th March picture of the day…

04 Tuesday Mar 2025

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, Politics, West Yorkshire

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Today’s been another busy one here at Bigland Towers. Nearly all of it has been spent wading through hundreds more pictures to edit and caption. I’d foolishly thought I’d broken the back of things yesterday. Then I opened up another couple of picture files. Oops! I’m now far more confident that I’m where I want to be as there’s just a handful left from my Asia travels. I’m not going to post loads of links again, I’m merely going to do what I did yesterday and post one to my ‘recent’ page. I doen;t take long to work out which galleries the new pictures have gone in to.

Whilst sat at home I’ve been keeping one eye on the news (and social media), watchin the American political binfire burn. Vice-President JD Vance has done a fabulous job alienating most of Europe – and especially the UK and France with his comments about the military. He’s tried to deny it of course, but that’s just added fuel to the fire as no-one likes being taken for a fool (well, unless you’re a Reform voter: Ed).

The furore has become more interesting as it’s revealing fault-lines between various right-wing commentators, media outlets and political parties. Some, like the Daily Mail and Sun have been outraged at Vance’s words. Suddenly, the world has turned upside down and I find myself agreeing with the likes of Julia Hartley-Brewer and Dan Hodges (don’t worry, I’ve had a bath since). Even Andrew Neil is taking sense. Then temporary Tory leader Kemi Badenoch completely misreads the mood and defends Vance , who’s a ‘friend’ of hers, apparently! An amazing take when even Nigel Farage (who was better at seeing which way the wind was blowing) didn’t support him.

These are interesting times for Reform. They’re becoming split between those who slavishly support Trum p and those who can see the danger of being exposed for what they really are – Russian assets and little more than ‘surrender monkeys’ who’re riding on the back of Putin and Trump’s coat-tails. Reform MP (and millionaire) Rupert Lowe being a classic example with this tweet, which has already aged like milk.

I’ve no doubt the row will continue, stocked by the trolls and bots on social media under the command of Putin (who must be laughing his socks off).

But this row’s about to be overshadowed by the latest Trump disaster. Tariffs. Trump is starting a trade war. The world’s markets have already taken fright at what he’s doing, but – undeterred – he’s proposing to bring in more. The poor saps who voted for him are about to find out *exactly* who it is who pays for tariffs. One American TV channel has just pointed out that (overnight) a Dodge pickup has increased in price from $80,000 to $100,000 – and it’s American consumers who’ll be picking up that tab. Now American farmers are about to find out where much of their supplies come from (Canada). Of course, it’s not just the US who suffers. But I’ll tell you who doesn’t – Trumps millionaire friends who’ll be playing the stock market as they knew in advance what was coming. This is likely to be insider trading on a gargantuan scale. As the old saying goes – follow the money….

We are living in very dangerous times. The one ray of sunshine is that this is forcing Europe to unite and get its act together. There’s some very welcome signs on that front. In the meantime, batten down the hatches, the world’s in for a rocky ride…

I’ll be taking a break from the computer tomorrow as I have a dentists appointment. Weather permitting, I may venture further afield as a result.

On a brighter and more peaceful note. Here’s today’s picture – a Balinese Hibiscus flower.

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

3rd March picture of the day…

03 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Travel, West Yorkshire

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There’s not much of a blog from me today as nearly the whole day’s been spent glued to a computer screen as I try and complete a photo editing marathon. I’ve broken the back of it now, having edited and filed 80% of the pictures I’ve taken so far this year, which cover five countries (if you include the UK). I did get diverted into an archive search too, which took up some time, but I’m pleased with what I’ve got done as one more day should leave me free to get on with other projects.

There’s far too many galleries that have been updated to add individual links on my Zenfolio website, but if you click on this link it’ll take you to the ‘recent’ section, which shows you (by date) all the galleries that have had pictures added to them.

The weather’s not been up to much here in the Pennines so it’s hardly been an ideal day to be going out with the camera. It’s made looking at pictures of sultry climates and the streetlife they enable rather frustrating! Still, there’s no doubt that spring’s is in the air here in the UK. The days are noticeably longer compared to when I left for Asia and our garden is on the cusp of breaking into life – which is a bit of a bugger as I’ve not had chance to move things around beforehand. Ah well, there’s still time…

Whilst I’ve been editing and captioning a lot of pictures there’s one thing I’ve struggled with. Ships? Easy. Planes? No problem. Trains? Simple. But, our feathered friends? I haven’t got a clue! So, today’s picture is of one of the critters I’m struggling to identify. Can anyone help? I saw this beautiful creature feeding off the plants around our swimming pool in Bali.

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

Pictures and politics…

02 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Indonesia, jakarta, Photography, Politics, Travel

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Today has been another where I’ve hardly moved from Bigland towers as I’ve been determined to crack on with editing the hundreds of pictures I have in the queue from all my travels. Mind you, whilst the weather’s slowly picking up as spring approaches, it’s still chilly enough to keep me indoors. I’ve managed to get all sorts of images done today. The straight travel shots are the easiest. The ones that take time are the shipping and aircraft shots as I need to look up the technical details of each one. Here’s the galleries that have had pictures added today;

Aircraft and airports

Ships and shipping

Indonesia travel

Malaysia travel

I’ve even added the first pictures of the year from the UK rail network;

Northern trains

Whilst doing this I’ve been keeping one eye on the news and the unfolding story of the European summit on Ukraine which has been held in the UK today. After the American debacle (which shows every sign of backfiring on Trump and Vance) it’s been refreshing to see the levels of international support for Ukraine – even from some right-wing governments like Italy and Turkey. What was also great to see was the UK centre-stage with the adults back in charge again. I don’t agree with everything Sir Keir Starmer and his government is doing, but – by God! – what a difference to the past few clowns we’ve had as PM! Contrast Starmer in the thick of it with other European leaders who are engaging with him and respect him with the past scenes of Boris Johnson at summits where he was ignored and wandered around (hands in pockets) like ‘Billy no-mates’. The UK is finally starting to shake off the disgrace of Brexit and the Tory shit-show to regain some credibility in the world.

How things will pan out in the long run is open to question, but there’s no doubt that the majority of the UK supports Ukraine – despite what bots, trolls and Russia apologists on social media are trying to project.

One of the interesting things about the situation is how it’s almost impossible to fit a fag paper between the hard-left and the far-right on so many policies (like Starmer and Ukraine). The poor ‘tankies’ of the hard-left still can’t get over the fall of the Soviet Union, or the fact Jeremy Corbyn turned out to be a failure. They still hanker after both which leaves them irrelevant to politics in the modern age. Mind you, Farage and ‘Reform’ are also struggling. Having nailed their flag to the Trump (and Putin) mast their populist politics are looking increasingly hollow. It’s too early to say with certainty, but this does show every sign of being a seismic shift in world politics and alliances. I’ll blog more about this another time, but for now it’s time to go.

I did see one comment on social media that made me laugh today. Someone posted (in reference to the apocryphal Chinese curse) ‘I think I’ve had enough of living in interesting times’. I can’t but agree…

I’ll leave you with a picture, which is from my Jakarta sojourn. Streetlife in the Indonesian capital’s never boring as there’s always something to see – and traffic to negotiate. Here’s an example.

Food outlets line Jalan Lontar Raya whilst an endless procession of scooters and other forms of transport add to the noise and chaos.

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

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

1st March picture of the day…

01 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

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Today’s been a quiet one here at Bigland towers. After all my travels and adventures it’s time to kick back a little and catch up with myself. My sleep patterns have just about returned to normal now, helped by not being on the ‘go’ all the time. Instead, I’ve been concentrating on catching up with some household chores, enjoying the opportunity to cook once more – and continue editing pictures from my travels.

You can find the latest additions to my Zenfolio picture website here;

Malaysia

Indonesia

Ships and shipping

Norway railways

I’ve still got hundreds of pictures to edit. They’ll gradually get filed over the next few days as I’m not expecting to be travelling anywhere much over the next week as I’ve too much to do at home. It’s a shame as the weather’s beginning to pick up here in West Yorkshire. We’ve had some stunning sunsets with fabulous colours these past couple of days. I was fortunate to capture this one from the bedroom window this evening.

The setting sun over Sowerby has produced some amazing colours these past few days.

I’m expecting tomorrow to be a little more active today, but productive when it comes to producing pictures. Plus, there’s a political blog brewing. Yesterday’s disgraceful ambush at the White House is certainly causing waves of outrage. Plus President Zelenskyy arrived in the UK today – a country that backs him to the hilt – despite what the hard-left and far-right would like you to think.

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

Time Marches on…

28 Friday Feb 2025

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Politics, West Yorkshire

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I can’t quite believe we’re at the end February and on the cusp of March. Admittedly February is a bit od a woossy month as it doesn’t hang around for long – and it’s not a leap year – but even so. Today my times mostly been taken up by editing hundreds of pictures to get them onto my Zenfolio website. You can find the latest batch from Norway here. I’ve still a lot of stuff from the Siemens press event to sort out, then there’s all the stuff from Asia. I’m going to be busy or some time.

That said, I did take a break this afternoon in order to indulge in another passion. Cooking. I’ve not made anything for ages due to being away. This afternoon I made up for that by preparing a chicken bhuna.

The food was cooked early so that I could nip up to my local pub (the Big 6) in order to meet up with friends and do the Friday quiz. That was a very pleasant interlude until someone mentioned the televised car-crash in the White House. I had to have a look – and it was horrific. President Zelensky of Ukraine was ambushed and humiliated by Trump and his arrogant arsehole of a Vice-President (JD Vance) in front of the cameras, which carried the news around the world. Imagine, Trump – the ‘leader’ of the free world – who dodged the Vietnam war draft by getting a Doctor to sign him off with ‘bone spurs’ trying to lecture Zelensky, a man who refused to leave Kyiv when the Russians were at the gates of the city?

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must be laughing his socks off. It’s the most shameful thing I’ve ever seen – but I can’t say I’m surprised by either Trump or Vance. What it does show is that the USA has been captured by apologists for dictators and can’t be relied on as a bastion of democracy or the free world. Europe (and the isolated UK – thanks to Brexit) needs to get its shit together. Oh, and we need to see the UKs Russia apologists (yes, you Farage and Reform) for what they really are.

I’m going to have to go right now as otherwise I’ll be spitting venom. The world’s entered a very uncertain phase. So, I’ll leave you with something less contentious. Food and beer…

It’s Friday, so as well as some excellent real ales there’s free pork pie available on the bar at the Big 6

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

A day at home…

27 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in Norway, Photography, Railways, Travel

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After getting home at 07:30 this morning much of my day has been spent catching up on some sleep! A shame in some ways as the weather’s been glorious for a change. Ah well…

The rest of my time has been spent glued to a computer in order to continue the marathon task of editing pictures. I’ve still got a queue of images from my Asia trip to sort out, but today I decided to focus on the pictures from Norway in order to establish a new gallery on my Zenfolio website. You can find that new gallery here. There’s many more pictures to add to it yet. Hopefully they’ll appear over the next few days as I’m going to be home-based for a while yet.

Here’s a couple of shots as a teaser.

A type SL95 tram by Central station. These bidirectional, eight-axle articulated vehicles built by Italian company Ansaldo are unique to Oslo. 32 were supplied between 1998-2004. They’re being replaced by newer vehicles built by CAF.
A Stadler built Class 75 EMU at Jaren, on the first line in Norway to be controlled by ERTMS.
 One of the CAF built ‘Oaris’ EMUs. These units have had a troubled history. Eight of these 245kph trains were ordered in March 2015 at a cost of 115 million Euros. Expected to enter service in 2018 they were delayed until 2021. 19 days after entering service cracks were found in the bogie bolster leading to the units withdrawal. They were due to return to service in January 2023 but are still experiencing problems. Only two were in traffic during my visit, including this one, 78003 which is missing its nose cone doors at one end. As an aside, it was the Oaris platform that CAF offered in its (unsuccessful) tender for HS2!

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

Oh, bugger…

27 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in Air Travel, Norway, Railways, Travel

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Remember yesterday when I said it might be touch and go making the last train to Halifax from Manchester Airport? Well, it was less touch and even less go…

My plane was late leaving Amsterdam Schipol, which didn’t really help. The flight itself was fine. The crew were good, we were given nibbles (and wine) without being charged for them and I was quietly optimistic that I’d make my connection. Then we landed at Manchester.

For some reason, KLM didn’t get an air-bridge, we were stuck out on the tarmac and bussed into the terminal, which ate into precious minutes. Then things turned into a farce. We couldn’t get off the buses and into the terminal because ‘the man with the key’ had disappeared! An aged member of ground staff took strange delight in telling us this. No apology, no appreciating the fact it was going to fcuk people’s connections, he treated it as a joke. As for the man with the key – you have one job…

When we finally got into the building I saw a sign that told me I was exactly 497 meters away from Immigration. Oh, joy – another half-click to walk before I get anywhere. By this time I’d given up all hope of catching the train so I texted Dawn accordingly. To be fair, the passport scanning gates worked well and my suitcase was waiting for me on the carousel, but it was all a bit late after the earlier farces.

So, plan B…

Yep, I’m still at the airport. I could have got a later train but that would deposit me in Halifax in the early hours and disturb Dawn as I’d arrive home around 2am. Instead, I’ve opted to stay at the airport, make the most of the wifi and start the marathon task of picture editing before catching a train around 04:00. A service that time of day will see me come in the front door of the cottage just as Dawn’s waking up. Besides, after the past month’s travelling my body-clock’s all over the place anyway – and this is hardly my first airport experience.

Whilst I’m here I’ve time to add a few more pictures to the blog, starting with this – my train to Oslo airport.

There’s one song that reflections my generation and its experiences. It’s neatly summed up in this picture taken at the airport. It’s a Beatles song that I just can’t stop humming on this trip. ‘Norwegian wood‘.

I swear to God, tomorrow I am going nowhere. There’s plenty to keep me occupied with at home. Plus, it’s a chance to detox after so much hospitality. That said, I’ve really enjoyed all the fish you get at breakfast.

It’s silly o’ clock, so time to head to the railway station via the 5th dimension

Select the sci-fi music of your choice…

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

Another busy day…

26 Wednesday Feb 2025

Posted by in Norway, Photography, Railways, Siemens, Travel

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09:00 (Norway time).

The group have breakfasted and checked out of the (rather nice) hotel, now we’re gathering ready to head out on our rail trip to explore the first Norwegian railway line to be equipped with digital signalling. Apparently, we’ll have our own reserved coach on the train and lunch will be served in it on the return trip! (spoiled, us?) We’ll get back into Oslo later this afternoon when I’ll have a couple of hours to myself as my flight back via Schipol doesn’t leave until 18:55.

Last night’s meal at the Munch museum was both entertaining and educational. I never realised that Munch painted several versions of ‘the scream’ or that he painted them on cardboard, which makes conservation all the more difficult. I really need to come back when the museum’s open to the public and have a mooch.

I’ll try and blog through the day, although that may be erratic as there’s a lot to see and do…

18:00 (Norway time).

Sorry, trying to blog through the day was a complete non-starter due to the fact we were on the move all day – and busy. Now I’m at Oslo airport waiting for my flight to Manchester (via Schipol) so I’ve time to try and flesh the day out a bit. First up – here’s a few pictures…

Here’s the lovely old station building at Jaren (it dates from 1900) which we visited. It’s an important point on the first line equipped with digital signalling. We got to see the new kit – and the old…
Here’s how the line was controlled. This signalling panel is still in situ in the station building, although not for much longer.
The old relay room in the station building. This equipment dates from the mid 1950s. It’s redundant now, but many other Norwegian rail routes are still controlled his way. You can imagine the issues with getting spares and finding people with the knowledge to maintain this old kit.
One of the Stadler sets that work the line, this one was waiting for our Southbound service to pass.
Back in Oslo I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport which gave me time to get some shots around the station and in the city. Here’s an international train bound for Stockholm, worked by a Swedish locomotive and stock.

Our little trip gave us the opportunity to see some of the Norwegian countryside, which looked stunning as most of it was coated in a thick layer of snow. we skirted several frozen lakes and small towns along with isolated wooden bungalows and farmstead, some of which looked stunning.  The only thing that was in short supply was wildlife. We had several Ban Nore and Siemens staff with us whom we we could ask technical questions of. One chap told us to watch out for Elk along the route, then he observed that when the snow’s really heavy, the Elk tend to use the railway as a trail! I wouldn’t fancy meeting one head-on!

I’ll blog in far greater detail about the trip when I’m home and have all the pictures edited. Right now my main focus is getting home!

18:50.

We’ve boarded the plane and will be on our way shortly. I’ve really enjoyed this short trip to the ancestral home. I can see me coming back to explore more soon. Whilst the Bigland family roots are to the South-West of Oslo, I’d also like to have a look up in the far North of Norway. The railway line to Narvik (via Sweden) sounds beautiful.

But for now, the main thing is to return home and start sorting out the 1000s of pictures I’ve taken over the past month – and sort out work for the future. I think my wings may have to be clipped for a little while. Plus, we’re only a few weeks away from the Community RAIL awards in Newcastle – so I need to have the decks cleared for that.

I’m writing this mid-air, although it won’t get posted until I land. The KLM flight from Oslo is less than half-full – even tho’ it’s the smaller booked plane (an Emberauer E195). Curiously, we’re being charged for drinks and nibbles whilst on the outward flight with KLM, they were free. What’s that all about?

On the bright side, this 90 minute flight should be on time, and I can make a rapid exit in order to make my 50-minute connection back yo the UK. That’s when the fun may start. I’ll have 45 mins from landing to make the last train back to Halifax…

21:10 (Netherlands time).

Another dash through the massive Schipol airport has got me to gate D57 with time to spare. Looking at the crowds here, I suspect this plane’s going to be anything but empty.

21:50.

We’ve boarded, but it’s a full flight, and we’re late. This could get interesting. Just to keep the Manchester vibe alive, it’s pissing down here at Schipol!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
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