On Wednesday I was privileged to be invited to see the construction of HS2s Duddeston Jn viaduct up close. It’s an impressive structure that’s being built on a very constricted site. To add to the fun the engineering challenge is made tougher by the viaduct’s changing horizontal curve and 3% gradient, which sees it climb to around 12m above the existing railway.
Built by consortia BBV, the weathering steel structure is made up of 14 spans of around 55m apiece. It’ll weigh up to 6,835 tonnes when complete. Seven spans are being built and pushed out over the existing railway lines whilst the remaining seven spans will be built and craned into place to create a 700m long structure.
Duddeston Junction Viaduct is supported by one abutment, two steel piers, four portals and eight concrete piers. It’s the longest viaduct on the Curzon Approaches by over 400 metres – eclipsing Curzon 1 which measures around 300 metres.
Here’s a selection of pictures from my visit.
A freightliner Class 66 passes where the viaduct will be pushed out over the four tracks of the busy Birmingham to Derby main line. In the background is the Freightliner container terminal whilst the pillars of the HS2 line lead your eye towards the Curzon St No2 viaduct which can be seen peeping out from behind the trees. These two freight lines are new. The originals had to be slewed to provide a space for one of the HS2 viaduct pillars. This involved building a new bridge over Duddeston Mill Rd which can be seen in the picture. The diverted freight lines are to the left of this pillar, which was built on the course of the original formation. The 20m wide gap that was created allowed the bridge pillar to be built. The viaduct is like one giant Meccano set, with the weathered steel being welded (or bolted) together on site. Looking along the viaduct towards Washwood Heath. The constricted nature of the site is evident. HS2 have taken over the warehouse to the right which is used for offices and storage. The weathered steel that makes up the viaduct is shipped in from Portugal, then put together on site. That white line? That’s where two sections have been welded together. Looking along the inside of the viaduct. Unlike other HS2 viaducts at Wendover and elsewhere, this one will be left open at the bottom. The viaduct with Birmingham ROC (Rail Operating Centre) in the background. You can see where sections have been welded together. To the left is the ‘nose’ of the viaduct, which is the guide fitted to it whilst it’s pushed out. The pile cap and wing walls which form the start of the viaduct. This is a massive structure sitting in piles of 1.8 meters in diameter sunk to 20 meters in depth. It’s designed to take the stresses of high speed trains passing over the viaduct.. Looking along the viaduct towards central Birmingham, with the ROC to the right and Curzon St No2 viaduct on the horizon beyond. Building the bridge deck insitu. The size and complexity of the rebar is evident. The bridge deck waiting for the next section to be built so that it can be pushed out further. The curvature is evident. Pillars for the viaduct on the opposite side of the existing railway. One the viaduct is pushed out to bridge the railway the remaining seven spans of the viaduct that will bridge these pillars will be built on site and lifted into place. A telephoto view that gives an impression of the curvature of the viaduct.The back of the viaduct with sections of it being assembled before being joined to the existing structure. The constrained nature of the site is evident. Part of the problem in building the viaduct is the curvature, which means the length of sections that can be built at any one time is limited. In the background is the first of four spans of the new Washwood Heath viaduct, a replacement road bridge. This span will be lifted into place over the railway during a blockade over the August bank holiday. The assembly area for viaduct sections with the gantry crane used for lifting them into position. The steel is brought in by road, which presents its own logistical challenges due to the size and weight of some of the pieces. Sections of the weathered steel in the assembly area. One of the bearings that the viaduct is slid over. This one is capable of being moved to left or right, hence the long pad it’s sat on. Who says no rails have been laid on HS2 yet? OK, admittedly, this is only for the travelling crane!
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After a long day (and early day) yesterday I luxuriated in a lie-in until 06:00 here at Bigland Towers. I’d like to have slept in longer but we had a commitment. We were meant to be having the boiler replaced today, which meant getting up in plenty of to perform our ablutions and prepare for the cottage to be upheaved for the day. But there was a problem. After weeks of wall to wall sunshine, today the weather was chucking it down, and part of the boiler replacement meant that the guys had to get onto the roof to replace the boiler flue too. So, (apologetically) they cancelled and arranged to come back next week. The weather put the kibosh on another plumbing job I’d planned to do too. So, whilst Dawn disappeared to her parents I spent the day sheltering from the rain and editing pictures from yesterday. meaning the day wasn’t entirely wasted.
I managed to get a few other things done too – as well as get out for my daily perambulations, which I’ve not done as much of here compared to being in Southport, but what you lose in distance on the flat you make up with exertions on the hills, as my Fitbit cardio results show!
Whilst inconvenient in some ways the amount of rain we’re having is a blessing. Grassland that was showing several shades of brown is beginning to return to green – at least in some parts. The problem is that the ground’s so hard-baked much of the rain is running off fields which are hardly renowned for being flat in this neck of the woods. Hopefully, more rain will follow now that the ground’s being softened up.
Not that I’ll see the results. I’m heading back to the seaside for a little while.
I’ll try to keep you entertained with various blogs over the next few days. I’ve one in preperation right now from yesterday’s HS2 visit. The pictures are all ready, I just need to do the words so you know what you’re looking at as it’s quite a project with lots of facts and figures.
Right now I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which relates to both Birmingham and HS2.
With the massive Curzon St HS2 station rising in the background, a West Midlands metro tram calls at Albert St on the latest extension to the city’s tram network.
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/
Ugh! Is that really the time? I’m up early as I’m off to Birmingham for another High Speed 2 (HS2) media visit, details of which will follow after the event. But first I’ve got to get there, which involves a series of early trains from Halifax – hence me being up at this ungodly hour! I’ll be blogging throughout the day, so feel free to keep popping back to see how the day unfolds.
05:25.
We’ve had another wet night here in West Yorkshire – a welcome event as we desperately need the rain. Thankfully, it’s subsiding as I begin my trek to the statìon this cool morning.
06:05.
And we’re off! I saw barely a soul on my walk to the station this morning. Even the dog walkers seemed to be having a lie-in! It was a different picture at the station where a few dozen early morning travellers were waiting for trains to Wigan and Leeds. I’ve joined the 06:00 to the latter. It’s worked by one of Northern’s 3-car Class 195s, prociding plenty of space for the numbers travelling at this hour.
Morning breaks over Halifax.
07:10.
Leeds was still waking up when I arrived. The normally bustling station was almost empty of trains and passengers. Only my platform was busy with people waiting for the same train as me – the 07:11 to Plymouth.
Thankfully, this Cross-Country service was made up of a pair of 4-car Class 220s so it was possible to get a seat for the trip to Birmingham.
07:30.
Having called at Wakefield Kirkgate my coach has started to fill up. No table seats are acailable so I’m in an aisle seat next to a fidgety and rather ‘out of gauge’ young man – ho hum! With the shops on Leeds not being open I was looking forward to getting a coffee on the train, only to find the trolley service on this unit has no hot drinks! Bugger!
There’s no chance of me setting up the ‘mobile office’ on this train so there’s little for me to do other than sit back and enjoy the ride.
08:45.
By Derby I’d had enough of fidgety ‘out of gauge’ man as a companion. He spent most of his time watching crappy youtube videos about American fast food (which could explain a lot) so I swapped trains and found a spare window seat in the reat unit, which was one of the refurbished XC sets. The plug sockets have been moved to a much more sensible position that’s between the airline seats in front. This has given me chance to ensure my phone’s fully charged by the time I get to Brum.
The heavy, moody clouds I saw at home have gradually morphed into less threatening examples here in the Midlands. It’s difficult to tell if there’s been any rain as everywhere looks so dry. I’m nit complaining as I didn’t fancy doing today’s visit during a deluge!
09:22.
No prizes for guessing where I am, now for the last leg…
11:45.
A view few get to see. Atop the Hs2 viaduct which is being pushed out over the Birmingham – Derby line, looking towards central Birmingham.
The HS2 viaduct with Network Rail’s Saltley ROC (Rail Operations Centre) to the right. HS2 will give fantastic views of Birmingham to incoming passengers.
One of life’s ironies was that – whilst we were being given a tour of a railway for the future, an engine from the past turned up.
37800 chunters at signals on the freight line that’s been diverted to allow an HS2 viaduct pillar to be built in the old formation.
13:30.
Wow! That was quite a visit. Our small band of trade press journalists were given fantastic access. Both to to the Duddeston viaduct site and the people in charge of building it. It’s a hell of a project, putting together 1000s of tonnes of steel on a constricred site, then pushing out the viaduct in stages across a major rail line (part of which you’ve had to divert). Not only that – but the viaduct’s curved and you’re pushing it uphill! I’ll write a seperate blog about it another time but add more pictures later. Right now I’m taking time to get a few pictures in Birmingham city centre.
14:55.
My time in Brum’s been blessed by heavy showers – but only after the event! On the bright side, it lead to a really interesting conversation with a chap who was working on the tram network as we both hid from the rain!
Trams. The sign of a modern, forward-thinking UK city.
17:00.
I’m making my way back to West Yorkshire via a rather different route, using the West Coast Main Line to Manchester. It avoids having to use Cross-Country ‘Voyagers’. Instead I’ve hax the pleasure of a Siemebs built Class 350 to Crewe before swapping to an old Northern Class 323 to Manchester.
Admittedly, Crewe’s not the interchange that it was when I was a kid. The station’s well past its ‘sell-by’ date but successive Governments have done naff all to improve it. The biggest failure of recent years was when temporary Tory PM Rishi Sunak made the mad decision tocancel HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester.
Crewe station. Decaying gently.
18:45.
The last leg…
After enjoying heritage traction from Crewe to Manchester Piccadolly and weaved my way through city centre crowds I’m now on my last (packed) train of the day. Northern have seen fit to allocate a 2-car Class 195 to the 18:21 to Leeds. Needless to say, it’s doing a very good impression of a sardine can! Why this service is short-formed is a mystery. When we passed Newton Heath depot it was awash with spare units. Are they all broken?
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 back – and it’s been a long day! The hotel I stayed in last night was fine, with one odd exception. They wouldn’t let you leave any luggage after check-out. So, having already changed into my PPE I ended up carrying a rucsac full of ‘civvies’ around with me. Fortunately, the site was only 35 mins walk away.
My morning has been spent on a steep embankment where McGinley contractors have been busy digging boreholes to allow the condition of the embankment to be monitored. You may think the Victorians were great engineers, but you’d be shocked if you knew how they built railway embankments. They’re often impossibly steep and constructed out of any old rubbish, which is why they slip, so need monitoring. I was out with a team doing exactly that. It’s not the easiest of assignments due to the ground conditions.
Pictured in action…
Still, we got the job done so I’m free for the rest of the day.
Having been dropped off at Wolves station I’ve decided to explore. Right now I’m heading for Birmingham New St…
13:05.
I’m off again. After a cold start in Wolves this morning the weather’s warming up and there’s lots of sunshine in the offing so I’m having a spin out to Birmingham International on one of the new Class 730/2 trains. They’re the longer-distance version of the Class 730/0 and I have to say I’m rather impressed. The seating’s very good as is the layout – although the fact there’s not many table bays will annoy some.
19:00.
Back again en-route home after a busy day exploring Birmingham and Wolves. With the weather in my favour I spent the best part of an hour at International station grabbing pictures before heading back to the city and a break from national rail to photograph the tram extension to what will be the HS2 station at Curzon St – where work is really moving forward. After that, there was time for a trip to look at dome of the new stations which have been built on the Camp Hill line. How can you resist a station called ‘Pineapple Rd’?
The quality and thought that’s gone into the new stations is a credit to TfWM.They’re really rather good. If I had one gripe it would be the lack of toilets, but otherwise they’re very well laid out and landscaped. I’ll be interested to see the actual first year footfall statistics compared to the estimates.
Back in Brum I took another West Mids service via two other new stations on the route through Bescot. Willenhall especially brings back lots of memories for me as I spent several days here back in 1977 job-hunting in the lock trade. But that’s another story!
Having returned to Wolves I couldn’t resist nipping in to a local institution for a swift pint. The Great Western pub is tucked away in a back street below the surviving station but adjacent to the one that inspired its name.
19:30.
Now I’m heading to Manchester on a beautiful spring evening. I’d have been tempted to linger, but it’s been a long day and I’ve another busy one tomorrow. Due to some Cross-Country services being late I caught an Edinburgh bound Avanti Pendolino to Crewe where I had just enough time to catch another Pendolino bound for Manchester. It beats Voyagers hands down! Both trains have been busy but relaxed and at 9 -11 cars length very different to a Sardine-can Voyager.
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/
Oh, God. Is that really the time? I’m already up, drinking coffee and munching on toasted fruit teacakes in preparation for my stroll to Sowerby Bridge station to catch the first Manchester bound train of the day, the 06:03. I’ll be heading to Birmingham for an HS2 media visit, the first to this particular site which I’ll describe when I get there. Unlike some, this is no hole in the ground. Exactly the opposite, in fact – it’s rather eye-catching…
I’ll be blogging as and when I can, so feel free to pop back to see how the day goes…
06:10.
Whilst it’s a damp and somewhat icy morning my walk to the station was rather enjoyable. The fact it’s downhill all the way added to that fact! Now I’m relaxing in the warmth of a mostly empty 3-car Class 158, although I’ve no doubt it’ll have folled up with wage-slaves by the time we get to Manchester.
06:43.
As expected my train slowly filled up en-route but was way over half full by the time it left Rochdale which is the busiest station on the route after Halifax. The occupants are a mix of trades people heading into the city to work on various building projects and earlybird white collar office or shop workers.
07:33.
This morning’s walk twixt Vic and Picc stations was a chilly one. The city centre felt colder than back in the Pennines. I felt for the poor sods sleeping rough, hidden in cardboard boxes to keep warm, or just swaddled jn dleeping bags. There but for the grace of God…
Piccadilly station was just beginning to spring into life with long-distance services heading South and East whilst local trains ferried in commuters from the suburbs.
Piccadilly awakes…
Now I’m en-route to Crewe aboard an ex-London Midland Class 323 whilst dawn breaks over the city on what promises to be a decent winter’s day.
09:07.
I’m typing this aboard a London North-Western service from Crewe to Birmingham. I’m on a warm, comfortable Class 350/4 with plug sockets, a/c and wifi, which is a bit of a step-up from the Class 323 that got me here from Manchester. Not that it was a bad journey, watching the sunrise over frosty fields and frozen streams as we traversed the Cheshire countryside was gorgeous. At Crewe I bumped into two other rail journalist colleagues, but they’re booked on a later train so I’ve gone on ahead.
Staffordshire is just as frozen as Cheshire with everywhere covered in a thick layer of frost. If I was lineside it would make for some great pictures, but today I’ve other fish to fry.
09:33.
Perusing the BBC website my day was dimmed by the tragic news coming out of Thailand where 28 people have been killed when a construction crane collapsed onto a train. It’s a railway system I know well and I country I love, so it feels anything but abstract, or distant, especially as I’d normally be there this time of year.
11:00.
Having met up with Chris Howe and Rich Wilcock at New St we’re now on site. This is what we’ve come to learn about – and climb to the top of. The HS2 bridge which will span the existing line to Walsall at Duddeston.
14:35.
Visit over, I’m now having a warm and editing a few pictures. Here’s a sample (captions to follow).
Looking down along the bridge from the high girders at the Birmingham end of the structure.The view looking the othe way towards Curzon St with a cross-city line train on the route the bridge will be pushed out over…A zoom lens shot of Curzon St station under construction.
18:00.
I’m now on my way home from Crewe after a fascinating day. I’ll be writing a seperate blog about Curzon St No2 bridge soon. Hs2 Ltd organised an excellent visit with lots of information and access to the engineers building this project.
Having left site I had a couple of hours to get pictures around New St station before catching the 16:34 North. This was another busy train which was rammed all tge way to Wolverhampton. It remained busy all the way to Crewe, where I had a few minutes grace between trains to photograph these beasties.
The Class 37. Still serving the railway after 60 plus years.
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/
The alarm roused me at the ungodly hour of 05:00. Now, having shaved, showered and kissed Dawn goodbye, I’m sitting on Sowerby Bridge station, awaiting the arrival of the 06:23 to Manchester. It’s a grey, drizzly morning here in the Calder valley with the valley tops hidden under cloud. Still, it was refreshing to walk downhill all the way today, rather than having to climb the cobbles of Wakefield Gate to summit Spring Edge before dropping down into Halifax. That certainly gets the blood pumping first thing in the morning!
06:45.
My ride in the shape of a 3-car Class 195 arrived a couple of minutes late.
Now, having traversed the valley and passed through the Summit tunnel we’ve emerged into Greater Manchester, where the weather’s no different to Yorkshire! My train’s filled up en-route. Now it’s busy with early-birds heading into the city for work. Many are dozing, catching a few more minutes precious rest and peace.
08:00.
I arrived in Manchester on time and with plenty of it to spare, allowing me to take a slow amble between Victoria and Piccadilly whilst getting a few tram shots en-route. Now I’m settled on my 2nd train of the day, Cross-Country’s 08:03 to Paignton, which is being worked by a 4-car Class 220. My feelings about putting out 4-car Voyagers on the Manchester-Birmingham intercity route are well known. This one’s already packed and we haven’t even left Manchester yet!
220005 jn ‘pride’ livery is my second steed.
08:45.
Because there’s a blockade on at Stockport whilst road bridges over the railway at Greek St are replaced, my trains going off piste, travelling via the alternative route to Wilmslow via the Styal loop, then staying on the main line to Crewe, avoiding the normal route via Stoke on Trent and Norton Bridge. This brings the rare sight of Cross-Country Voyagers to Crewe – although we pass through without stopping. Mind you, Voyagers of any sort are rare at Crewe now that Avanti have ditched their fleet which used to pass through to/from the North Wales Coast.
Whilst cloud levels have lifted here in Cheshire/Staffordshire, the day remains dull. I’m hoping for an improvement when we reach the West Midlands, although I’m happy enough not to have to fight strong shadows and backlighting whilst we’re looking at 1000s of tonnes of rusty steel bridge this morning!
12:20.
The site visit is over – and it’s been fasinating! Here’s how the Smallbrook bridge looks now. The work is several days early. One last 12 meter push tonight should see it in its final position.
I’ll write about this in greater length later.
19:45.
Apologies for the gap. After the press event Chris Howe and I went for a drink in the Woodsman pub nearby. We talked HS2, the state of the UK media and politics in general before heading in different directions. I ended up tarrying in central Birmingham just to soak up the atmosphere. The city is one of my guilty pleasures as I really enjoy my visits. I ended up in conversation with these people – whom Reform MPs and voters would hate- for obvious reasons.
Jesus and Allah? That’ll upset Reform and the faux Christians
Having enjoyed the city vibe I made my way back North in stages. A brief stop in Wolverhampton was followed by another stop in Stafford. I stayed longer at my best interchange (Crewe) as there was so much going on- and so many memories. Plus, I was hoping to get shots of diverted Cross-Country services, which proved more difficult than I hoped due to signallers sending them off the Fast lines.
Even so, it’s been a really interesting day. Now, I’m heading for Manchester on an old Midlands Class 323 via the airport. After the scrimmage on trains out of Birmingham, it may be slow – but at least it’s comfortable!
21:30.
I’m on the last leg home. My local train to Manchester remained relaxed even after calling at the airport. I guess it was the wrong time for arrivals/departures. The city centre remained busy with the usual mixture of people enjoying the nightlife, feral young lads desperate to attract the attention of their bored female companions and the smattering of homeless trying to beg and be anonymous at the same time. Talk about the whole of human life…
Having wandered across the city I had nearly 30 mins to wait for a train, so a swift half in the Victoria Tap was in order before boarding the 21:21 bound for Leeds. This 3-car train is rather quiet as its running in that quiet time between commuters having returned home and leisure travellers still enjoying their evening. Plus – it’s Tuesday, not a day renowned for revelling!
23:15.
I’m home and resting after a long day, but there’s on last thing I want to add to the blog. Today’s world photography day, so here’s my contribution, which was captured at Crewe station earlier.
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 time to head to Preston to meet up with an old friend, although his journey is proving to be ‘interesting’ due to problems on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) – hardly a rare occurrence. Apparently, an Avanti Pendolino has hir an obstruction in the four-foot near Grayrigg (a name infamous in railway history) and become disabled. Needless to say, this is causing fun on the two-track railway North of Preston.
Fortunately, my train doesn’t reach the WCML until just before Preston, so doesn’t seem to be affected. Time will tell…
Today’s a good day not to be working from home as we’re shifting our internet provider. I’ve been with Virgin for over 20 years (and can’t fault their broadband, but their prices have got silly. Despite my loyalty it’s not been possible to get s decent deal. Dawn took over dealing with the account and did a sterling job, but Virgin’s attitude was ‘take it or leave it’. So we left. Dee found us an excellent deal with Sky which is saving us over £50 a month, so switching has been a no-brainer. The switch-over happens this afternoon. I do feel a bit guilty for not being there, but I know Dawn won’t take any messing!
Right now I’m on my way to Preston aboard Northern’s 11:30 service to Blackpool North. It’s a half-full train where I have the luxury of a table seat, power-sockets and wifi, so I’m not complaining.
12:30.
Almost there on what’s been a very pleasant journey. Unusually, the train emptied out en-route, the sun’s put in an appearance and all’s well with the world. Well, for me anyway. Next stop – Preston.
19:45.
Where did the time go? I got to Preston only to find my meet-up with a friend was far more convivial and much more of a trip down memory lane than I’d expected. It turned out that Jon had also invited a lot of old friends from his British Railways (and Virgin) days. As you can imagine, the stories flowed, as did the memories as those of us who hadn’t seen each other for a while caught up. Here’s the gang in a classic old pub, the Black Horse. It’s not my photo by the way (the barmaid took it) which is why I’m in it for once!
Now I’m in Birmingham. A few of us caught the same Pendolino South, bailing out en-route so leaving me the sole member of the group by the train hit Birmingham.
Having delivered me from Preston, Pendolino 390002 waits time at Birmingham New St before heading for London Euston.
Now I’m relaxing and updating this blog from my hotel – which is another trip down memory lane. I’m staying in the Britannia Inns hotel in New St, just a stones-throw from the station. I’ve known this place of old as it was always a cheap and cheerful option when I was working in the area. It’s being refurbished and upgraded but the prices are still very reasonable. It’s not somewhere you’d come and stay for a romantic weekend – but it’s ideal for what I need.
Having checked in to my hotel and rested I’ll be nipping out shortly to get a few pictures, so expect another update later…
22:45
The last update. I’d intending doing a lot but happy circumstance meant that I pumped into an old train-driver friend outside Birmingham New Street which literally stopped me in my tracks. Danielle and I ended up chatting for ages. By the time we’d finished catching-up and had to part my plans were out of the window. But that’s been no bad thing as today’s been more about people than anything else. Still, here’s a Birmingham tram to end the day.
Now I’ve got to go as I have to be up at silly ‘o clock in the morning for a rather different 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/
After being trapped under a miasma of low cloud for the past couple of weeks, waking up to clear skies and a colourful sunrise is positively uplifting. That’s not been the only positive about today’s start as I have company this morning. Dawn is travelling with me as far as Leeds as she’s off to a training event. So, for once, I’ve not had to sneak out of bed and tip-toe around the house so as not to disturb her slumber whilst I prepare to leave.
Another bonus is we got down to Sowerby Bridge in good time and caught an earlier (albeit slightly late running) train. The pair of us are now ensconced on Northern’s 06:57 to York which is operated by a 3-car Class 195. We even managed to find a free table bay. Now to hope the rest of today’s travels are as successful!
I’m on my way to a place called Burton Green for a visit to an HS2 construction site. Burton Green is where an old railway is being used for the new one. HS2 will run in what was a cutting that’s being converted into a ‘green’ tunnel.
Time and safety permitting, I’ll be blogging throughout the day…
08:25.
That’s the enjoyable bit of the trip over.
After saying goodbye to Dawn at Leeds I headed over to platform 11a to catch a Cross-Country service direct to Birmingham. God, I gate this part of the trip and today’s experience shows why. XC provided a 4-car Class 220 to work the train. As you can imagine, it’s absolutely packed. Dozens of folk left at Leeds but even more were waiting to join. The chances of me findng a seat were minimal so (yet again) I’ve ended up standing in the luggage area created from the former shop. I’m not alone, 8-10 others occupy here and the adjacent vestibule.
09:50.
Phew! On arrival at Sheffield I managed to sidle into a vacant window seat. This gave me chance to do some work and reapond to some work emails. This is the problem with such inadequate inter-city trains. Unless you reserve a seat you can’t guarantee being able to get any work done, so the benefits of rail over a car are narrowed.
10:40.
On the move again. I had half an hour to enjoy New St station, which gave me enough time to get a few library shots and admire the HS2 exhibition on the concourse. Models of the new Curzon St station are on display and attracted a lot of interest.
Now, I’m speeding South aboard a Siemens built Class 350/2, one of the fleet soon to be off lease with no home to go to. Crazy.
Next stop for me is Berkswell.
15:45.
I’m back and heading for Birmingham after a fascinating tour of the Burton Green tunnel construction site and stroll into the South and North portals.
I’ll add some technical details later, but this part of the HS2 route is built on the course of an old railway which closed back in the 1960s. Only HS2’s a rather larger proposition!
16:30.
Much as I’d liked to have done I didn’t hang around in Birmingham. I stayed long enough to grab a couple of useful shots of packed new (but woefully short) trains, then jumped aboard a Pendolino bound for Edinburgh as a way of avoiding packed Cross-Country services. 11 cars compared to 4 is luxury as you can normally find a free seat, even on this section of route/time of day when the trains heavily used by local commuters.
The only problem is that, whilst I have a seat – and it’s lovely and warm aboard – the wifi is crap, so the things I’d hoped to sort out via t’tinternet I can’t. It’s a great shame Avanti wifi is so poor as it discourages me from using the West Coast route because of it. Now, what are my alternatives?
18:00.
Another classic day of railway bingo. My Pendolino was lae into Crewe so I missed my Avanti connection to Manchester. Fear not, there’s a Transport for Wales service following at 17:30. Oh, wait – that’s late too. But there’s a Northern all-shacks at 17:46..
A quick check tells me that even though the TfW service isn’t due until 17:54 it’ll get to Piccadilly before the Northern service. So, I wave bye bye to the Northern train and make my way to platform 5 for the Welsh train – only to find the bloody thing’s now terminating short at Wilmslow (a favorite trick of TfWs). Bugger!
18:02.
We’ve just passed the Northern service at Sandbach. Looks like that’s the one that’ll be getting me to Manchester after all…
Ha! That went well (not). The Northen service was going via Styal so the theoretical fastest service was an Avanti train. Only that was running 33 mins late. I’m now on said train, warming up after spending far too long on cold platforms. I’ve nothing against Wilmslow station, it’s just that it didn’t feature in today’s plans.
Wither Wilmslow? I wasn’t really given much of a choice…
20:30.
The last leg! Having finally caught a late-running Pendolino to Piccadilly and crossed Manchester on foot I just had enough time for a cheeky pint at the Victoria Tap before catching the 19:57 back across the Pennines. Maybe my ‘cunning plan’ to avoid Cross-Country trains wasn’t so cunning after all…
22:00.
I’m home and it’s time to relax, but before I go I’ll leave you with a few camera pictures from today.
Looking South from the Northern tunnel portal through Burton Green. When the tunnel’s finished and the landscaping completed I’d be underground at this point. This section’s been built with gaps in the roof to facilitate construction. When it’s complete the gaps will be filled in and buried underneath several meters of topsoil to match the level of the land to the left. Looking North from the Northern portal along the route of HS2 which will be several meters underground here- but not in tunnel. The crossbeams bracing the walls have been precast locally before being brought to site and craned into position. I’m glad I wasn’t on this one! A rammed 2-car service from Birmingham to Shrewsbury earlier this afternoon. As for bikes, I don’t think so!
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/
This week sees the end of passenger operation across the West Midlands by the Hunslet transportation built Class 323s which have been a feature in the region since the early 1990s when 26 of the 43 built 3-car trains were allocated to the area by British Railways.
Numbered 323201-323222 and 323240-243, the units have slowly been replaced by the newly built Class 730s from Alstom (nee Bombardier). The last of the 323s will run this Sunday when a Branch Line Society railtour will take them along routes they served for so many years, but ending up in Liverpool Lime St!
Here’s a selection of pictures documenting their service over the years. But fear not, whilst some of the units will be going to store, others are being transferred to the North-West where they’ll join their sisters who work for Northern. The distinctive whine of the 323s electronics will be heard for many years yet!
Whilst many photographers have ignore the West Mids 323s (until now) I’ve been taking pictures of them for over 20 years. Here’s a small selection from different locations along the routes they’ve worked.
The first of the class, 323201 seen with a sister unit at Bromsgrove (the end of electrification) on the 16th June 2021. It’s the 2nd May 2012 and 323203 sporting London Midland livery arrives at Sutton Coldfield with a service from Four Oaks.323204 is seen through the tunnels on the approach to Birmingham New St on the 23rd March 2008. 323205 calls at Wylde Green on the 23rd April 2024 whilst working 2R39, the 1446 Four Oaks to Redditch..Here’s 323206 at journey’s end in the bay platform at Wolverhampton after working a stopping train from Birmingham on the 8th August 2013. 323207 is at the rear of 323212 with a service leaving Longbridge on the 7th August 2013. Whilst working a shuttle service from Birmingham to Birmingham International on the 7th September 2005, 323209 is seen at the latter destination before returning North. Having terminated at Lichfield City the crew change ends before working back towards Birmingham on the 1st May 2012. 323212 approaches Sutton Coldfield from the Birmingham direction on the 2nd May 2012. On the 14th January 2014, 323213 crosses the junction at Bescot stadium with a service from Walsall. Here’s 323214 waiting to depart Bournville on the 25th February 2019.323215 arrives at Stechford on the15th January 2014 whilst working the 12:47 to Birmingham International. The previous day (14th January 2014) 323216 was captured crossing the junction outside Aston station with a service to Lichfield. The end of the line. Here’s 323218 at the single platform station at Redditch on the 7th August 2013. Taken a year earlier, this is the London Midland interior of 323218, seen on the 1st May 2012. 323219 approaches Tame Bridge Parkway station near Bescot with a service from Walsall on the 14th January 2014. On the 2nd May 2012 323220 arrives at the Wolverhampton’s bay platform 1 with a service from Birmingham.323221 has become a ‘celebrity’ after its repaint into the old ‘Centro’ livery. Here it is the first time around, seen in the turnback siding at Longbridge on the 21st February 2007.An interior view of one of 323222’s driving cars after the seating had been re-upholstered by West Midlands Trains. Seen on the 23rd April 2024. 323240 picks up passengers from the impressive station at Sutton Coldfield whilst working 2R41, the 1516 Four Oaks to Redditch. The date is the 23rd April 2024.On the same day, 323241 and a sister unit arrive at Four Oaks with 2P31, the 1229 Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley.323242 calls at the rebuilt station at Alvechurch on the 24th February 2019. It’s the 16th December 2006 and the last of the class is seen at journey’s end (Coventry) before working back to Birmingham.
If you want to find pictures of other members of the fleet (I have them all) simply visit my Zenfolio website and enter the unit number in the search bar at the top right hand side of the screen.
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/
Paul Bigland 