Tag Archives: Railways

Rolling blog. Swindon – the long way round…

22 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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07:00.

It’s a calm morning here in West Yorkshire as I pack my bags and prepare to begin my journey down to Swindon. I’m not taking the quickest or most direct route, far from it. I don’t need to be there before this evening, which gives me time to stop off on the way. But where? You’ll soon find out…

08:20

My stroll down to Sowerby Bridge coincided with the arrival of a heavy shower which made for a soggy walk. I ended up waering rather than carrying my  waterproof PPE jacket!

At the station it was business as usual on Northern with many trains cancelled or delayed. My 08:02 is 7 minutes late, which means I’ll be sprinting between Victoria and Piccadilly later if I want to make my connection.

The state of Northern is an object lesson for those who think ‘renationalisation’ is a magic wand cure for the railways ills. Northern was taken back ‘in house’ by the Department of Transport way back in 2020. Yet, more than four years later it’s plagued with issues. Timekeeping is awful, cancellations rife and Sundays a day to avoid travelling as complete routes are canned on a regular basis.

On my way (finally)…

09:45.

And relax..

Despite the conditions, our Northern driver managed to claw back enough time that my sprint across Manchester paid off. I made Avanti’s 09:15 with less than a minute to spare. Now I’ve stripped off and am cooling down in air-conditioned luxury. Well, standard class anyway! 

I see that punctuality is an issue on the West Coast too. We were 4 mins late into Stockport, where we picked up a healthy load of passengers. We gained even more at Macclesfield, which means this 9-car, peak time train is already almost full.

I wonder if we’ll manage to make up any time?

10:15.

– as if!

We crawled much of the way to Stoke-on-Trent where we arrived 10 minutes behind time. Now we’re making slow progress towards Colwich, where we’ll join the main trunk of the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We’re not scheduled to stop again until Rugby but with the route being so congested and with us having lost our path I’m not optimistic. I have a 12 minute connection ahead of me. I suspect the chances of me making it are minimal.

To add to the fun the onboard wifi is awful as it keeps glitching and dropping out, leaving me typing this on my phone. Oh well, there’s little for me to do but window gaze and admire the clouds. They reflect my mood. Dark.

11:30.

Things are picking up. I decided to abandon my connection at Milton Keynes as something interesting was due. Here it is.

Hello stranger!

Yestrday saw the first passenger (albeit empty stock) trains running on the East-West line between Bicester and Bletchley, terminating at Milton Keynes. Both GWR and Chiltern have provided stock. GWR will be using part of the West Coast route as the line into Paddington will  be blocked whilst construction begins on the Old Oak Common interchange station with HS2.

13:00.

I continued on to Bletchley where I took a little diversion. There’s a line from the town to Bedford. It’ll become part of East-West rail but right now it’s worked by a trio of Class 150 diesel trains borrowed from Northen. I’ve not travelled on it since these DMUs took over from the aborted Vivarail Class 230s so I thought I’d have a trip out to Apsley Guise and back.

150139 ready to work the 11:45 Bletchley to Bedford.

On my return to Bletchley, and with the clouds closing in I decided it was time to head into London.

15:20.

The last leg! After having a mooch around Euston station – which is much improved now that giant advertising screen’s been switched off – I caught a tube to Paddington and a fast train to Reading.

I rarely travel along the Thames valley by GWR nowadays, so I’m wondering. When did it become fashionable for the majority of passengers to sit in the aisle seats, so that they can ‘reserve’ the window seat for their bag? It’s endemic down here! Having stopped off between trains to get a few shots of Reading I’m now on my final unit of the day – another GWR Class 800 to Swindon. The weather’s bucked its ideas up around here, so there may be the opportunity for a few more shots in the sunshine before I’m due at the hotel.

800321 was my chariot from Reading to Swindon. I’ll give it one thing, it can certainly shift!

17:00.

I’m now checked into the hotel. Yet again my arrival somewhere coincided with the appearance of rain clouds, so there was little point in hanging around at the station. At least there was this welcoming sign on the old Great Western hotel opposite the station.

Arkells is a beer that doesn’t seem to travel well. I’ve never encountered it outside Wiltshire. The irony? There’s another pub across the road. What draught beer was it selling? Timothy Taylors – from Yorkshire!

Back soon. It’s time to meet up with everyone else…

23:55.

So much for ‘back soon’! I’ve had a really interesting night catching up with old friends and some of the people who’ve signed up for this hands-on training session. We had time for a quick drink in the bar earlier. This is what the future of the railway industry looks like. And I like it.

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

Llŷn leanings. Day 3…

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Food and drink, Photography, Railways, Travel, Wales

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Today’s been one dominated by the weather which has been a complete contrast to the day we arrived here in Wales. We had very heavy rain on and off throughout the night, which made sleeping just under an old barn roof interesting to say the least!

Upon waking we found the area around us was blanketed in low cloud and fog, so there there was little point in rushing out to sight-see. Instead we had a leisurely morning at ‘home’, giving me chance to catch up on some work emails and Dawn to relax.

Eventually we ventured out to head over to Pwllheli our first stop of the day. Whilst it’s the biggest town on the peninsula and the railhead for the area, it’s hardly the most attractive town. Admittedly it has some interesting buildings but the place has a shabby air redolent of so many faded seaside towns, especially at the end of the season. That wasn’t helped by the fact it was blanketed in fog! We stayed long enough to pick up some fresh hake from the excellent Llyn seafoods and for me to visit the station to see how busy the incoming train from Birmingham was, then it was time to head off to explore further.

The crew of 158830 exchange banter having arrived with 2J07, the 0808 Birmingham International to Pwllheli.

The weather cleared as we headed East, the sun almost managed to break through at one point en-route, but that didn’t last. However, we did manage to beat the same train on its return, which allowed me to get this shot of it leaving Portmadog.

Hello again! 158830 leaves Porthmadog as 2I24, the 1338 Pwllheli to Birmingham International. It will join another set from Aberystwyth at Machynlleth, working forward as a -4-car to Brum.

Porthmadog is a far nicer and more interesting town for a whole host of reasons. There’s much more going on thanks to the two narrow gauge railways which are a huge tourist draw. There’s a far better selection of shops too, including many small businesses. The air is more bohemian and arty and less traditionally touristy. Plus, there’s also the excellent Moose Head brewery, brewery tap and next door shop.

Needless to say, we couldn’t resist calling in to see activity at the Ffestiniog railway station where two of the line’s steam engines were present.

‘Linda’ waits in the sidings with the stock of the ‘Quarryman’ train to Blaenau Ffestiniog whilst ‘Palmerston’ shunts a train of coal wagons.

Sadly the rain arrived not long after we did so we decided not to hand around but risk our luck by heading into Snowdonia to visit Beddgelert. It was a lovely drive due to the changing seasons and colours that have appeared in the trees along the route. Plus, the Afon Glaslyn river which the road follows made a fine, swirling sight due to the heavy rains.

Beddgelert was quiet but still an enjoyable diversion despite the rain. The low clouds meant we played hide and seek when it came to views of the surrounding hills whilst fog on the river added to the climactic effects.

Whatever the weather (and there’s normally no shortage of rain in Snowdonia) the place is always worth a visit.

With the day rolling on and the weather determined to rain on our parade we made our way back West with one last stop. We had a wander around Cricceith, yet another Welsh town blessed with a castle – although I know that’s not how the Welsh saw them at the time! We didn’t stay long as the fog was really rolling in, it was atmospheric but rather wet! I’d love to see it like this at dawn with the colours of the new day illuminating the mist.

Now we’re back at home, toasting in front of the fire. The forecast for tomorrow is vastly improved and we have plans for further explorations. Let’s see…

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

Rolling blog. Another HS2 progress report…

09 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in 2017 General election, Hs2

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05:45.

Another early start for me, even though I only got home late last night. This morning I’m travelling down to Bicester to meet up with a small band of fellow specialist media to have a look at progress on phase 1 of HS2 between Calvert and Quainton. But (as usual), first I’ve got to get there, which involves several trains. Let’s see how the day unfolds. This could be ‘fun’ in this neck of the woods at least as we’ve got heavy rain this morning…

06:55.

My walk to the station was damp, but the ‘heavy’ rain failed to materialise. Instead I was treated to the steady drumbeat of persistent but hardly torrential rain on my umbrella as I trudged through the deserted  streets of Halifax.

Now I’m aboard the first train of the day, a 2-car Class 150 working the Bradford to Huddersfield shuttle service. It’s surprisingly busy for the time of day, although – as I’m not a regular user I couldn’t tell you if this is normal or not. The main thing is – it’s warm, dry and I’ve got a seat!

Early-bird workers catch the Huddersfield shuttle.

07:20.

We arrived at Huddersfield on time but now I’m in TPE territory so the next few Westbound trains are all running late. One’s 30 down (fault on the train) but mercifully, mine’s shown as just 1 min late – but we’ll see.

The station continues to change thanks to TRU rebuilding. The old tea room had disappeared. The area where it stood has been resurfaced and seating installed, which helps restore space for passngers but there’s no shelter from the cold in the winter.

07:35.

Success! My service was just a minute late! I’ve now got the ‘mobile office’ set up in a Class 185 forming the all stations to Manchester Piccadilly. This is another busy train which I expect to be full and standing by its destination. Dawn’s breaking now and I can see that the Colne valley’s just as wet and miserable as the Calder. Cloud level’s low enough that it’s cut off the tops of the surrounding hills.

07:50.

After traversing the Pennines through the Standedge tunnel we called at Greenfield and Mossley. As I predicted, this train is now rammed! Dozens of soggy commuters were waiting at each location. Most people think of this as an intercity route between Leeds and Manchester (which it is) but it also has a large commuting catchment which hasn’t been best served in recent years. Hopefully, when the TRU upgrade is completed this will be rectified. TRU is becoming more evident on this section of line now. There’s work going on at the lineside with vegetation clearence and mikes of new cable troughs – the first solid sign of action rather than talk. Plus, plans have been published to resite Greenfield station.

What’s still an unknown are any details of the erstwhile ‘Northern Powerhouse Rail’ new line from Liverpool which was meant to magically end at Marsden. 

08:35.

Oh, joy! Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly with a 12 minute connection time I thought everything was going well. Then I noticed that the 5-car Voyager I was meant to be catching was sat in platform 4 with engines off and lights out but dozens of folk stood outside waiting to board. Cross-country staff were wandering up and down (inside and out) but the engines didn’t start until after our departure time. With doors released their was a mad scamble to find reserved seats or vacant ones for those like me without a reservation. Still, at least I’ve got one this time.

We’ve left Manchester 9 minutes late which puts our path South in jeopardy and my 12 minute connection time at Leamington Spa at risk. Do Cross-Country ever make any time up on these runs? I’m about to find out.

09:10.

God, I hate this journey. As the only way of geeting between two of the major UK cities (Manchester and Birmingham) this is such a sub-standard product and thanks to that ignorant and capricious fool Rishi Sunak taking it upon himself to cancel phase 2 of HS2 this is the best we have to look forward to for decades to come. 

We’ve lost more time, having left Stoke-on-Trent 10 mins late (who-hoo, we pulled back a minute!). The go/no-go point for me will be New St. Then I have to make the decision wether to stay on the train and try and make the connection at Leamington Spa or hotfoot it from New St to Moor St to pick up the train there. The latter could well be the better option.

11:00.

Bugger…

My optimism at making my connection faded just as soon as we left Wolverhampton still 10 minutes down, this rail corridor’s notorious for congestion and sure enough we lost more time and arrived at New St with me having 5 mins to make it across to Moor St. I arrived just in time to see my train pulling out. Now I’m 30 mins behind schedule with no option but to get a taxi from Bicester to the site for a rapid change into PPE.

Oh, I checked what time the Voyager got into Leamington. It was 15 down as that point – with the London train long gone. Just another frustrating day in the railway…

19:00.

An interesting but frustrating day. But first here’s a couple of phone pictures from earlier. I’ll add camera shots just as soon as I’m able.

Looking North along the HS2 trace South of Calvert with the waste incinerator to the left. The view’s from a new bridge being built over the tracks which will eventually number 6 at this location. HS2 will be on the left, the Aylesbury rail link in the centre, plus a pair of sidings for refuse trains to the right.
Looking South from further up the trace. This will be a new green bridge with a bat mitigation structure adjacent to it. The route will be four track at this point. Sheephouse wood is seen to the left.

We finished our tour at Calvert, a site that’s seen many changes – and a lot of recent flooding due to heavy rain. Despite that, progress is impressive.

After the tour our merry band were dropped off at Bicester North to begin the trek home. That was fine as far as Banbury, then late-running Cross-Country trains thew a spanner in the works. I should have been heading home via Derby and Leeds. Instead, I’m perched in a luggage rack in a 4-car Voyager heading for Manchester.

Don’t ask how many people are crammed in the vestibule behind me…

21:15.

And breathe…

I’m on the last leg on the way home. The 4-car Voyager from Birmingham to Manchester remained busy throughout. Some seats swapped occupants several times but I gave up trying and stayed wedged in my luggage rack. There was no way I was going to get anything productive done on the train so why bother?

Needless to say, my train (1M61) was delayed arriving into Piccadilly by a series of signal checks due to congestion. We were 19 minutes late on arrival, having clocked up 18 of those from Stockport.

Having walked across a busy but somewhat subdued city centre I treated myself to a pint in the Victoria Tap as I had time to kill before catching the train I’m on now, the 20:57 to Leeds. Made up of a pair of 2-car Class 195s, it’s mercifully quiet after the Voyager – hence me having time to do this update from the ‘mobile office’

Dawn’s kindly offered to pick me up from the station so I’m not going to be back home at too daft a time, but downloading the camera and adding more pictures to this blog may have to wait. I’m looking forward to having a few days at home now to catch up on picture editing and writing before we both head off for a break in a pert of the country I’ve not explored for several years. But more of that another time…

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

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

Rolling blog. Conferring in Nottingham. Part 2…

08 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Community Rail Network, Nottingham, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Transport

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10:00.

The conference has already begun here in Nottingham.

First up was a welcome video from Lord Hendy, whose full diary prevented him for appearing in person. It was introduced by Simon Huish from the DfT who’s acting as event moderator.

11:30.

We’ve had a busy day so far hearing from a range of speakers, including Jools Townsend, CRN’s Chief Executive, James McGowan, Public Affairs & PR Director for the Rail Industry Association and Emma Robertson, Programme Manager for RAIL 200. Afterwards all three became part of a panel discussion.

17:30.

Another busy day. The conference finished around 16:00 after a really interesting day where people had divided into breakout groups to discuss the subjects that really interested them. Apart from being busy taking pictures of the sessions I ended up being a major part of one as it was a discussion around photography and the law that included model releases and permissions. As you can imagine, as a 25yr long member of the National Union of Journalists I had a few legal perspectives and anecdotes to offer.

A chunk of the CRN staff were heading North together so we walked/caught the tram to Nottingham station where we adjourned for a drink in the station’s micropub before catching trains. The pubs located in the old wooden taxi office which was restored with a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust, so – we were still working, right?

Now we’re on Northern’s 17:17 to Leeds which is worked by a 2-car Class 195. It’s rammed, so it’s standing room only..

19:40.

Thankfully, the train emptied out after Alfreton, which seems to be the limit of Notts commuters on this service. The three of us managed to get seats. After Chesterfield we bagged a table whilst other colleagues joined us. We lost people en-route at Sheffield and Barnsley, leaving Dawn and I alone to Leeds. Now we’re on the last leg aboars a rather more roomy 3-car Class 158 working the Hull to Halifax run.

We’ll be glad to get home as we’ve both got work to finish. Plus, tomorrow I’ll be up early as I’m travelling down to Bicester to join an HS2 media trip looking at structures around Calvert and Southwards – so expect another blog on my adventures.

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

Rolling blog. Conferring in Nottingham (pt 1)…

07 Monday Oct 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Community Rail Network, Nottingham, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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11:50.

Today both Dawn and I are heading to Nottingham for the annual Community Rail Network conference which is held over the next two days. It’s familiar territory as we’re back in a venue we’ve used for several years now as – unlike the awards – we don’t need to move location every year.

Community rail staff, officers, and volunteers will be making their way from all around the country to attend. It’s always a great event as it’s a chance to catch up with old friends and socialise as well as swap best practice ideas and learn more about the community rail world and wider rail context in these changing times.

Right now the pair of us are heading to Leeds to catch Northern’s direct service to Nottingham. It’s not the fastest journey in the world but it’s an easy trip that will pick up other members of the team en-route. I’ll blog on and off throughout the day, so feel free to pop back and see what we get up to.

21:00.

Humble apologies for the long gap but it’s been a full-on day. A few colleagues joined us on the train to Nottingham so most of our time was taken up catching up. Once we’d arrived it was a case of hot-footing it to the venue to check in and arrange what happened next. I managed to have an hour to myself to get a few pictures out and about in a very civilised city that more of a European than English feel to it, but that’s partly due to this sensible form of transport. Trams.

The conference kicked off at 17:30 with registration, which is always an entertaining event as Dawn works on the desk, so the humour was flying.

Once in the room people had time for a drink and to network before we were treated to introductory speeches and a run-through of events.

Then came the important part – the food!

This isn’t like a normal conference where the agenda and topics are set beforehand. Here, people are given 45 minutes to talk with others on their tables, then suggest topics to be discussed in tomorrow’s breakout sessions. There was no shortage of suggestions. The most popular were decided on by a show of hands and some great ideas were chosen.

Now it’s time to wind down and let the networking continue, which more some of us means adjourneing to a nearby pub!

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 October picture of the day…

01 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, The USA, Travel

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Whilst there’s not been the deluge that we had yesterday the weather here in the Costa del Calder is hardly balmy, more like barmy if I’m honest! Still, it hasn’t got in my way as I’ve been tied to a hot computer for most of it, picture editing and/or writing. One of my tasks has been to gradually rationalise the number of picture galleries on my Zenfolio website as I drag some back for their archive status to merge them with others. Here’s an example – USA railway images. If you enjoy the New York subway you might like some of the shots it contains. Today’s picture is a sample. Here’s a 2007 image which can’t be captured today.

A Line 7 train calls at the elevated (split level) station at Queensboro Plaza on the 7th April 2007, with the Queensborough bridge in the background. Due to redevelopment in the area this shot’s no longer possible. I went back in 2018 to try and recreate it but the car park I’d climbed up to the top floor of had disappeared.

I’ve dozens more galleries I’ll be amalgamating but it’s going to take some time. The end result will be a more streamlined website where it’s easier to find pictures by country, category or event.

Tomorrow’s meant to be another iffy day weather-wise. it seems October’s continuing where September left off so I’ll be spending another day working from Bigland Towers. Of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t come up with an interesting picture of the day – just don’t ask me what it’ll be yet!

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

Rolling blog. Liverpool loitering…

29 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Class 323, Liverpool, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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10:55.

This morning I decided that I would have some time out in order to head over to Liverpool in order to see the last two West Midlands Class 323s on their Branch Line Society farewell railtour. Of course, they’re not disappearing from North-Western metals, or even Liverpool (where they’re likely to be more common) but it is the end of an era for the Midlands.

Getting there is proving to be ‘fun’ as Northern’s timetable is in disarray. Services on several routes have been cancelled completely whilst others are very hit and miss – like the one I’m on now, the 10:21 from Sowerby Bridge. This should be a service to Chester, yet all the electronic information shows it terminating at Manchester Victoria – well, except the onboard PIS (Passenger Information Screens) which still show it as final destination Chester. Oh, it’s also running 11 minutes late due to problems with crewing at Bradford Interchange. Northern have a wonderful excuse for these SNAFUs. They say it’s due to a ‘short-notice timetable change’. It’s infuriatingly meaningless, a catch-all that could cover anything but that imparts no understandable reasons for late-running or cancellations whatsoever. I hate it. It’s such an insult to people’s intelligence.

Despite the lateness, I *should* still make my connection at Manchester Victoria. Trans-Pennine Express are running a truncated service from Huddersfield to Liverpool. I just hope the weather on Merseyside is drier than last Sunday!

Watch this space…

11:35.

Changing trains at Victoria was painless. The station was very quiet, no doubt due to the combination of the weather and reduced services. My TPE service was waiting for me in the next platform, leaving me plenty of time to board and set up the mobile office in the almost empty front car of the train.

12:35.

Here’s what all the fuss is about.

Journey’s end. The units rest at Liverpool Lime St.
Of course, the farewell wouldn’t have been complete without the attendance of Hunslet bear!
The return working with 323222 in the lead storms through Liverpool South Parkway.
That’s all folks…

16:00.

The loitering’s over and it’s time to head home. I’d considered a number of side trips whilst I as here but the levels of cancellations and late-running made me change my mind. Transport for Wales and Northern were busy cancelling services and/or entire routes, whilst other operators had trains running very late. East Midlands Railway were a good example of why people get frustrated with the reliability of information. EMR had a 14:51 from Liverpool to Peterborough advertised (this would normally go on to Norwich, but hey ho). 15 mins before it was due to depart there was a platform change, with people traipsing from platform 8 to 9. The info screens showed it was ‘on time’ right up to the moment of departure. Only it couldn’t have been. The inbound service had left Nottingham 52 mins late at 12:35. As Class 158s aren’t fitted with warp-drive there was no way the driver could have made up that amount of time. At departure time the train was still at Hunts Cross on the outskirts of the city. It finally arrived at Lime St 43 minutes late and left 28 mins down. All this was known to the railway powers that be, so why were passengers lulled into thinking it was on time until the last minute? We have the technology to keep passengers better informed, so why aren’t they? The railways really need to do better.

Right now I’m aboard a train that is on time. TPE’s 15:51 to Huddersfield which I’m using to get to Manchester. I’m making the most of the warmth too. Whilst it was sunny in Liverpool temperatures were less than kind. Autumn is very much in the air.

19:45.

I’m back home, having beaten the rain and enjoyed a comfortable trip to Manchester I waited at a very despondent Manchester Victoria for a train back across the Pennines. There was a distinct dearth of both services and passengers – until the Leeds train arrived, when people appeared out of the woodwork and filled the three-car train.

As I headed back to Yorkshire I pondered on Northern’s poor performance and reflected on the fact the company has been ‘nationalised’ since 2020, yet its performance has got worse, in that time, not better. An inconvenient fact for people who see things through ideological lenses and insist that public ownership of our railways is the solution to all its problems…

I’m going to bring this blog to a close with a couple of extra pictures. One from Lime St and one from home.

331108 passes through Lime St cutting whilst working 2A97, the 15:29 Liverpool Lime Street to Wilmslow.

Whilst I’ve been out and about Dawn’s been busy at home cooking up yet another storm. Firstly, batch-cooking a massive amount of Lasagne for ourselves and her parents. Then there was our evening meal. Lamb with a medley of vegetables…

Yum!

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

28th September picture of the day…

28 Saturday Sep 2024

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

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Bloody weather – you just can’t trust it! This morning we had wall to wall sunshine here in the Pennines. It was one of those crisp days where visibility was excellent due to a lack of haze. As we had to nip over the the Colne valley next door to pay a visit to the Bolster Moor farm shop and call in at Dawn’s parent I thought I might have the chance to get some decent pictures. Train services were running normally through the valley rather then being truncated due to the route upgrade work. Even freight services were running. So, whilst Dee was helping her parents sort out some household bills I wandered out from Crosland Moor to a spot high above Milnesbridge with an excellent view of the railway viaduct that traverses the village.

All was good, until the particular train I was interested as due – a Liverpool to Drax power station train of biomass wood pellets. At that point the weather decided not to play ball and the clouds appeared. Thankfully, they were more of the light, wispy kind rather than the ones that look like they could herald the arrival of the apocalypse, but they were just as annoying! As usual with sods law – just as soon as the train had passed, so did the clouds! Ah well. The day didn’t get any better weather-wise. This evening the apocalyptic variety put in an appearance, along with yet more heavy showers – as if we haven’t had enough rain this month…

Anyway, here’s the picture I did manage to capture.

GBRf’s loco no 66729 heads across the viaduct at Milnesbridge with 6E09, the 0720 Liverpool Biomass Terminal to Drax power station loaded biomass.

The weather forecast for the beginning of next week is looking just as sodden around the country as today. Looks like Monday’s going to be a good day to sit at home writing. Tomorrow? Well, maybe just a short trip out somewhere to see something special…

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

27th September picture of the day…

27 Friday Sep 2024

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

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Today would’ve justified a rolling blog but it wasn’t to be as I was moving around too much and at short notice. I’d intended staying at home but the weather picked up and Dawn had an appointment over in Marsden, so I thought ‘why not’? and hitched a lift over to the Colne valley where I could catch a train Eastwards to have a look at progress on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) around Deighton. There’s some major civil engineering going on here to allow four-tracking to be reinstated and the station to be relocated.

However, it’s not a place with a great reputation. A legal friend of mine has always been grateful to the area as it’s provided him with plenty of work. To put it another way, it’s (allegedly) so rough even the XL bully’s walk round in twos! But I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get the shot below.

Here’s the view from a local (renewed) footbridge to the West of Deighton looking back to the station. The embankment around the station’s gradually being stripped back to make room for the relocated platforms which will be on the Slow lines, whilst the first part of the new alignments been laid – even though the short length of track’s completely isolated from the current running lines.

To give a bit of perspective, here’s a shot without the zoom.

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 picture farewell to the West Midlands Class 323s.

26 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Birmingham, Class 323, Photography, Railways

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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/

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