Today’s the final day where Huddersfield station retains its current shape. Lines – and the station – close tonight until September 29th. When the station reopens its transformation will be well underway. So, I’m out and about looking at the way the forthcoming blockade is changing stations in the area – as it’s not just Huddersfield.
A general view of the West end of the station. Whilst the main trainshed roof will remain the smaller one to the left will disappear, along with the island platform as this side of the station will be extensively remodelled to accommodate an extra island platform, creating four through platforms. The old stabling sidings at Huddersfield have disappeared. Now, part of the former goods yard is a storage site for hardcore.Giant cranes dominate the station, ready to lift in new bridge segments.Platform 1 has been stripped bare of shelters and kiosks. The scaffolding that shrouded the roof has also disappeared.The former Huddersfield signalbox. Located on the island platform, it will disappear in order to make way for the new wing of the station. The station subway, always a cold place – even in the height of summer. The new platforms will be accessible from a footbridge with lifts. Looking through the station from the by the bufferstops on the bay platforms. The old wooden station building that occupied the site where the seats are on the right has been carefully dismantled and will be re-erected on the new platform in the future. A last look at the East (Leeds) end of the station. The bufferstops of the two bay platforms are visible to the right. One can only fit a a single 2 car and the other a 3 car so are inadequate for the modern railway. They’ll be replaced by two full length through platforms. Brighouse is about to become the railhead for Huddersfield. This has involved extending the station car-park and providing shelter for passengers waiting for buses onwards.In recent years Brighouse has had its platforms lengthened as part of the TRU upgrade. The place has recently had a spring-clean, which has added to the excellent work done by the local station friends group. There’s worse places to wait for a train than Brighouse. The friends group keep the place looking attractive and whilst there’s not many amenities on the station there’s a real ale pub and cafe right outside. This is Deighton station. It closes tonight. It won’t reopen for two years – when the line here has been four tracked. Here’s how the new station will look. Picture copyright of TRU. Here’s a scene which will vanish today. The bridge in the background will be replaced by a new structure. A TPE Class 802 speeds West through Deighton. Four tracking is already underway at this point The King’s Head pub on Huddersfield also closes tonight. Fancy a pint? All beers are half price today…
Over the weekend I’ll compose a picture-blog looking back over the life of Huddersfield station as I’ve seen it. Unfortunately I only have pictures from the 1990s onwards, which is a shame as I first passed through in the early 1970s, but the memory’s a bit hazy nowadays!
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/
I’m having time away from the office today to make the most of the latest good weather and meet up with an old friend in Manchester later this afternoon.
Right now, I’m aboard Northern’s 10:17 from Halifax to Manchester Victoria, traversing the Calder valley.
The valley’s looking very lush at the moment. Whilst Network Rail has been busy felling lineside trees on the approach to Sowerby Bridge the stations along the line are a riot of colour and blooms thanks to the efforts of the various station friends groups. Some lineside locations are trying to compete. West of Todmorden, the embankment has been taken over by the invasive and pernicious Himalayan Balsam.
10:55.
We’ve now crossed the Pennines and called at Rochdale, which has provided another rich crop of passengers for this four-car train. The weather’s vloudier than I’d hoped, but temperatures are still in the middle 20s, so I’m not complaining!
12:30.
I hung around Victoria just long enough to change trains in order to visit Salford Crescent and inspect the work on building the new (3rd) platform, which is progressing well.
Next stop was a station i’ve not taken any shots at for a while – Deansgate. The surrounding area is a mix of Victorian red brick plus modern glass and steel high-rise with the railway threading its way through the middle on a series of viaducts (pix later).
14:35.
Having walked to Oxford Rd station, where I managed to get a range of shots before moving on to Piccadilly, I’m now having a hiatus as I watch the trains go by whilst getting a few pictures. There’s lots of local railway enthusiasts out and about the Oxford Rd corridor today due to the nain line through Stockport being closed whilst a major road bridge above the railway is replaced. The closure has caused many services to be diverted – especially freight. A Liverpool – Drax power station ‘biomass’ service heading this way seemed to attract many photographers. They’d been around for a while, but as soon as it passed through they all disappeared, leaving ne with the platform to myself!
Piccadilly is quieter than normal as local services that passed through Stockport that can’t be diverted have been replaced by buses.
16:05.
I’ve abandoned heavy rail for light and a side-trip to Chinatown to stock ip on goodies from one of my favourite shops. I’m now laden with Kecap Manis, Hoisin ans fish sauce, pea aubergines, and some fiery red chillies.
21:25.
Well, that was a fun! Having wandered the rails around ManchesterI met up with my old friends and some of his rail colleagues in a location I’ve never visited before.
As you can imagine, after a few pints folk were putting the railway to rights.The big difference? They have the operational experience.
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/
Here we are in a new month with time seeming to fly. August already? Sheesh!
I’ve had a quiet start to the month after expending a lot of energy (and shoe leather) yesterday, traipsing around Sheffield, then attending the opening of the ‘greatest gathering’ in Derby. As a consequence, much of my time’s been spent with my feet up as I edit the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken.
I’ve already started a new gallery on my Zenfolio website which is dedicated to to the greatest gathering. Here’s a link. I’ll be adding more pictures tomorrow, along with shots from Sheffield. Here’s a sample.
Don’t let the number fool you! This is LMS ‘Jubilee’ No 45699 ‘Galatea’ (built at Crewe works in 1936) masquerading as another (long scrapped) member of the class, 45627 ‘Sierra Leone’.
OK, that’s all for tonight folks, I’ll be blogging at greater length tomorrow.
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 morning I’m travelling to Derby via Sheffield for a preview of a rather special event which will be talking place from tomorrow. I’ll explain more later. Right now I’m getting ready to hotfoot it to Halifax station for my first train of the day…
Not a bad day for walking to the station…
08:15.
I’ve made onto my first train of the day, Grand Central’s 08:11 departure for London Kings Cross which will take me as far as Wakefield Kirkgate. Whilst this service is fairly empty at the moment, the sea of paper reservations which greet you like a flotilla of yachts when you enter the cars show it will be almost full by the time it leaves Doncaster. The trip takes 40 minutes, which is enough time to set up the mobile office and do some work. I’ll post another update soon.
08:35.
Having called at Brighouse and Mirfield this train’s really starting to fill up – although we’ve also lost a few passengers as the service is popular with folks travelling between West Yorkshire locations. The old island platform at Mirfield has mostly disappeared as TRU work picks up the pace. Footings for the new (extended) platform are now in situ. I can see that I need to pay another visit to the route as work at Ravensthorpe is cracking on too.
09:15.
My stay at Wakefield Kirkgate was brief. Just long enough to admire the restored station building, the lush Buddleia in the 6 foot, and listen to the piped brass band music in the subway belting out ‘Jerusalem’. Yep, Kirkgate is (to my knowledge) the only station in the UK where you can hear brass band music playing daily!
Now I’m aboard a busy Northern Class 150/2 heading for Meadowhall…
10:10.
Swapping types of traction for a while.
14:00.
My tram explorations have taken me from Meadowhall via numerous stops to the city centre and on to the end of the line at Malin Bridge. It’s been fascinating seeing the changes from industrial to residential, but it’s clear Sheffield isn’t in the premier league of UK cities. Calling it ‘careworn’ would be kind. That said, there’s still a vibrancy here, thanks to the universities. There are some lovely old buildings and great architecture, but there’s also a lot of dereliction and empty properties, which drags the place down.
Right now I’m heading back from Hillsborough in order to catch a train onwards to Derby where I’ll be meeting old friends before the main event.
Outside the Cathedral stop earlier. Tram to the left, tram-train to the right.
14:45.
Ah, the joys of travelling Cross-Country. Sat on a vestibule floor with half a dozen other folks as this 4-car set (220012) is rammed to the gunwhales.
21:10.
Sorry I’ve not been able to update the blog until now as I’ve had an incredibly busy time. As soon as I detrained I met up with old rail colleagues and members of the industry press for a catch-up before we headed to the event. And what an event. Alstom’s Derby works is huge – and it’s packed with railway vehicles of all types, shapes and sizes, from ‘Locomotion No1 from 1815 to the very latest in railway technology – the Class 99. There’s 140 exhibits. Alstom have done a superb job in drawing all this together in an event I’ll never see again in my lifetime. No other site has the space – or the time. Right now Derby has both as it’s in-between train orders. When the gathering is over, they begin building the next tranche of trains for the Elizabeth line.
The BR modernisation era. Ironic that they’re still going strong 60 years later.
The first part of the event was dedicated to a reception for special guests and a few speeches from people involved. For me, it was a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of old friends and colleagues, some of whom I’ve not seen for a while. When you’ve been involved in the railways for so long there’s always someone you bump into, or who bumps into you!
Three generations of trains spanning 200 years formed the backdrop to the official opening.
Once the formalities ended we were let loose to wander the site in an ‘access most areas’ sort of way – before the crowd barriers are set up. We were a few hundred strong. For the next three days there’ll ve 12,500 visitors daily, which presents a huge logistical and safety challenge. But – it you have a ticket – I can assure you it’s well worth it.
I may not be bale to add many pictures from today this evening as I’m currently on another Voyager heading back to Leeds, but I will populate the place with a few tomorrow.
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 slowly getting my mojo back. Today’s been a good day where I’ve felt I’ve actually achieved a few things and have lots to look forward to. Admittedly, not everything on my list was ticked off, but many of the major things were. That’s the problem with a long list! I’m reminded of an old boss from the days when I worked in Housing in East London. He used to say ‘if it’s an urgent file, leave it on my chair’. Within 6 months he had a second chair, one for him and one for the ‘urgent’ files! I’m not that bad (just don’t ask about my email inbox).
Having been busy at home all day I did manage to get out for a stroll this afternoon. All the shit and hassle recently has meant I’ve been lax at this – which has had an impact on how I feel. This week I’ve been determined to up the ante and hit as many targets as possible. Having picked up some shopping and nipped into my local pub for a ‘swifty’ my walk home took me past a superb crop of Blackberries which I couldn’t resist returning to pick. I’ve never known such a bumper crop this early in the season – especially as we’ve had such a dry year.
Tomorrow I’ll be up early to head down to Derby via Sheffield. Expect a rolling blog with lots of pictures – including previews of the biggest event that’s been organised to celebrate Railway 200.
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/
Today’s been a real mixture here at Bigland Towers. We’ve not had any rain today but the landscape remains damp and humid from the torrents we had yesterday, whilst heavy cloud prevents the sun from drying things up much. Whilst Dawn took it easy this morning I was busy pottering around whilst catching up on emails and planning future jobs – and sorting the cottage out ready for the impending arrival of our guest (Dawn’s Niece).
This afternoon we managed to get out, driving over to Huddersfield to drop off supplies at Dee’s parents – which included the latest batch of industrial quantity, home-cooked (gluten-free) Lasagne, which should keep them going for a while. After which we decided to go for a drive and clear our heads whilst exploring. We’d no destination in mind, we simply went where the roads took us – which was over the border from Marsden into Greater Manchester and the area around Uppermill and Greenfield. There was only one problem. It was raining cats and dogs over there – so we beat a hasty retreat back into Kirklees past Dovestones edge to Holmfirth, where the skies were much kinder. I’d have loved to have got some pictures en-route but the A635 is a bugger of a narrow road guarded by double yellow lines for most of its length. There’s nowhere to stop safely, even for a minute or two. Ho hum…
We ended up driving in a big circle before pitching up back in Slaithwaite (or ‘slawit’ depending on your particular pronunciation fetish) where we went for a stroll along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal before adjourning for a quick drink (and a slice of cake) sitting outside the Little Bridge, which is sandwiched between the canal and the river. To their credit, they serve beers from Empire brewing, a local micro-brewery a short stroll down the canal. I’d include a link, but it looks like their website’s been hacked, so here’s one from CAMRA instead.
Strangely, I didn’t use the camera once today. It wasn’t that sort of day and the two of us having quality time together was more important. So, today’s picture will have to be from another time. Slaithwaite’s a traditional old West Yorkshire mill town which has successfully reinvented itself as good tourist spot to visit for a drink or a meal. It also has a vibrant local community. It possesses a railway station on the Colne valley line from Huddersfield to Manchester, which cuts across the town on this rather impressive viaduct.
OK, time to go. Just as I was typing this Dawn relayed the news that Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath has died at the age of 76. This brought back some memories. I saw Black Sabbath perform at the Floral Hall in Southport back in 1978. On that tour they were supported by a (then) unknown band called….Van Halen. There are two particular things about that gig that stick in my mind. Van Halen were amazing – and that my ears were still ringing two days after the event. The sound engineers must’ve though they were set up for a stadium, not some small provincial theatre!
To make me feel even older, I realise Dawn was 10 at the 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/
After yesterday’s central London gig I’ve stayed in the capital with a friend here South of the river. I don’t head back to West Yorkshire until this evening, which leaves me free to explore some of the railways that were once familiar territory but which I’ve not visited for a while. So, expect a rolling blog from me today as I traverse 3rd rail country South of the river, with a potential diversion into East London where I once lived.
Here’s a shot of what I’ll be after. The class 465s were built for British Rail back in the early 1990s. They’re living on borrowed time now. Some are already stored whilst the rest of the fleet is due to be replaced in coming years. They’ve been stalwarts of the Kent commuter services from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Cannon Street for over 30 years.
1150.
On leaving Streatham Hill I caught the circular Southern service to London Bridge via Sydenham and the main line. I was tempted to stop off, but the light wasn’t right. Instead I ended up in Lewisham, where it was perfect for getting shots of trains crossing the complex scissors crossovers at the London end of the station (pictures later). Over 20 years ago I spent some time here working for the local health authority, documenting the work of their community TB team. I don’t recognise the place now as it’s become a mini-city full of high rise blocks. To be honest, it’s a change for the better. Lewisham was a bit of a dump and had a poor reputation back then. Now; with it’s new transport links like the Docklands Light Railway, it’s a good place to live.
Now I’m off exploring again. This time, by taking a train to Hayes aboard one of SET’s ‘citybeam’ Class 707 units built by Siemens which (foolishly) South-West Railway let go in favour of the Bombardier built Class 701s. That went well!
12:15.
The Hayes branch is an interesting little line that wanders through South London before ending at a simple two track island platform perched upon an embankment. Sadly, now that trains are all 10 car, but, it’s a crap place to get pictures.
13:40.
I’m gradually making my way from Gates to Lewisham, stopping at most of the stations along the line to get pictures – and a tan! I really like this route as there’s lots of interest. The train fleet’s a mixture of old and new, there’s some lovely stations – abd there’s even a tram interchange at Elmers End.
17:00.
Well, I’ve covered some ground so far. I’m now taking a break and gaving a pint outside an old haunt in Greenwich, having ventured along the Docklands Light Railway as far as Poplar, North of the river. When I moved to London in 1986, this scene didn’t exist.
But then so much of London has changed. I’m constantly surprised to see where new blocks of flats have sprung up like weeds on what used to be vacant or old industrial sites.
But I see that as a positive. When I moved to London it was a city in decline with a shrinking population. Not any more. Now it’s thriving. Forget what the racists and bigots try to claim, it’s also far safer too. Some folk try to pretend it’s an unfriendly place, the reality is the opposite. So many Londoners are from elsewhere, they’re here to naked the most of the opportunities the city offers, which means they’re more open to others. Just as I was when I came here. You can be who the hell you like here. No-one cares and no-one judges.
Being in Greenwich has brought back a lot of memories as it’s a place we often used to visit from the East End. Then an ex-girlfriend bought a flat here back in the early 90s, and I helped her renovate and decorate it, so I was over quite often.
22:00.
The end of the day didn’t quite go to plan..
As I was enjoying my pint in the sunshine in Greenwich I checked train times, only to find things had gone away. I’d left a bag at my friend’s, but getting back to his, then travelling across London to King’s Cross in time to get my Grand Central service back North was leaving several hostages to fortune. In the end I decided to head straight to King’s Cross. There’s nothing I’m my rucksack that I can’t do without for a while. Beside, it’s a good excuse to return to London and spend more time with Hassard.
Right now I’m almost home. We’ve just left Mirfield. This packed service has emptied out en-route but there’s still enough folk aboard to pay the train’s way. I’m looking forward to getting honest after two day’s travels. I’ve a stack of pictures to edit – which you’ll start to get to see from tomorrow.
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 off again. This time I’m heading back to London for a couple of days. I’m working at a Parliamentary reception this afternoon, but first I’ve got to get there, which involves travelling from Halifax on Grand Central’s first train of the day – the 07:12. Right now it’s time to get ready to head off to the station, so see you later. I’ll be blogging throughout the day.
08:00.
My walk to the station revealed the fact we’d had heavy rain overnight, which was welcome, but I doubt it’ll have made much of an impression on our empty reservoirs. Still, the stroll was pleasant as the coolness of the day meant I didn’t overheat en-route!
Now I’m sat on one of Grand Central’s two ‘Voyagers’ (221142) as it bumbles around the backwaters of West Yorkshire en-route to Doncaster in order to access the East Coast Main Line. This is a busy train with coaches fully reserved. Sadly, the wifi is kaput in mine, so I won’t be doing the work I’d hoped to.
09:15.
We’re currently speeding South along the East Coast Mainline, non-stop after our Doncaster call. It’s a bittersweet day to be heading back to the capital as today’s the 20th anniversary of the London bombings that killed and injured so many people. I was there that day. I’d been working at home in Crouch End when the first news reports came in. Public transport was at a standstill so I grapped my camera kit and cycled into central London. Getting a sense of what was going on and where was difficult as the mobile phone network was jammed. You were reliant on radio or TV reports to get an idea of the scale of things. Many office workers packed up and tried to get home, leading to massive queues outside mainline stations like Fenchurch St. Others gave up trying to get home and congregated in pubs. The atmosphere wasn’t panicked, it was more defiant. I felt very proud of my fellow Londoners that day.
Made it! Now to make my roundabout way across London to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.
The ‘Cross…
10:40.
Crossing the river – just for the fun of it!
12:15.
Objective in sight…
21:30.
Sorry for the absence but it’s been a busy day and we’re restricted to what pictures we’re allowed to take and circulate of the House of Commons – even on the terrace. That said, the event was a very good one, with lots of MPs attending to meet their local community rail groups. The main speaker was Lord Hendy;
These gigs are always challenging for me as I know so many people and they know me – which means you can get embroiled in lots of conversations but appear terribly rude when you suddenly spot a picture opportunity so have to make rapid apologies and dash.
Meanwhile, here’s a few post-event pictures from my travels around London post the event.
London Bridge.
23:00.
Time to wind things down. After the Parliamentary gig I spent time revisiting old haunts before pitching up at my old friend’s new place in Streatham Hill where I joined him, his son and a Norwegian friend for a barbecue which became great cross-generational (and country) event. Now it’s time to relax and reflect. Understandably, the local media is full of stories (some very harrowing) of 7/7 – a time I’ll never forget. But, right now, I need to focus on the future whilst still remembering the past. Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day. I’ll be up early in order to edit todays pictures in advance of what I’ll be taking tomorrow. Oh, then there’s a decent chance of a rolling blog as I don’t have (lovely as they were – even the one’s with sub-machine guns) Parliamentary staff and police breathing down my neck.
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/
Silly o’ clock arrived half an hour ago. I’m now up and prepping to leave the house to walk to Halifax station in order to catch the 06:00 train and head to Morecambe on the Lancashire coast, stopping off en-route at Heysham Harbour on the only train of the day which serves the once thriving port. I’ll update this blog regularly, so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to as there’s going to be regular stops throughout the day…
06:00.
My walk to the station was through streets deserted of humans. There was just me and cats who were making the most of owning this fine sunny morning before the dogs and their walkers ventured out.
Now I’m on the first train of the day, the 05:59 to Leeds. This is a busy 3-car – already half full, which isn’t bad for this time of day.
09:00
My first train only took me as far as Bradford Interchange, where I swapped stations, walking across a deserted city centre to get to Forster Square. During my research into this trip, I discovered an odd service. Forster Square trains are all-electric nowadays. Bar one. There’s a single daily DMU service from Forster Square to Lancaster, leaving at 06:41. There’s no return working either. So, me being me I decided it was worth getting up at stupid o’ clock to try it out!
The train was worked by a 2-car Class 158. Rather appropriately, one of the ex-West Yorkshire PTE units was used today. I was one of only two dozen aboard from Bradford, but as it was an all-stations service it soon filled up.
Tempting as it was to stay aboard all the way to Lancaster, I had other plans so disembarked at Skipton in order to get some pictures. Skipton is a gorgeous old Midland Railway station that still possesses many original features like the iron and glass canopies. The journey along the Aire valley was lovely. I even spotted deer calmly grazing in a field by the railway near Cononley. All the stops we called at were busy with commuters heading into Leeds, leaving each station car park full of their cars. An hour after arriving at Skipton I was on my way again. As we headed further out into the countryside, the landscape became more rugged. As usual, the railway took the path of least resistance, meandering along river valleys where it could, which afforded lovely views.
Now I’m at my next stop. Hellifield, so it’s time for a nostalgic interlude in 24H, the wonderful station cafe.
1245.
I’ve moved on once more after a lovely historical interlude at Hellifield. The station cafe contains a wealth of old photos and railway artifacts, which bear testament to what an important railway junction this once was.
Leaving, I caught the 11:11 across the ‘little North-Western’ route via Bentham to Carnforth. This is a traditional ‘clickety-clack’ railway as the rails are still jointed, producing that classic noise as trains pass over them. I’ll write more about the line later.
After a pause at Lancaster between trains and chance for a quick (but expensive) pint in the station bar, I’m now en-route to Heysham Harbour aboard the left hand one of these two Metro-Cammell built beasts.
15:15.
Having experienced both Heysham and Morecambe I may have to revise my view of the latter. Heysham is exactly as I remember it. A dump only useful for getting the ferry to/from the Isle of Man. The station’s reduced from its expansive 5 platforms to half a one just large enough to cope with a two-car train.
All change for the Isle of Man ferry…
Morecambe has been rebuilt too. The old station closed in 1994 with the site being taken over by new commercial developments. But the 1907 building survives.It has a number of uses now, including as a Greene King pub – a restoration which is rather good (just forget about the beer).
Opposite the station is the Art Deco Midland hotel- another gem that is undergoing further restoration. The old Colin Compton joke (‘they don’t bury the dead in Morecambe, they just stand them up in the bus shelters’) ran through my mind – and it’s true that a lot of the people I encountered were of a certain age, but…
A lot of money has been spent on the seafront, the beach is clean and deserted and the views across Morecambe Bay are sublime. But ‘fleshpots’ and nightlife? Nah. You come here for the quiet life!
‘I wandered, lonely as a cloud’…
Having fortified myself with chips and mushy peas (well, this IS the seaside) I made my way back East aboard a Leeds bound train which reversed at Lancaster before heading back across the ‘little North Western’ to my next stop, Bentham where I met up with Gerald Townson, an old community rail colleague, so that I could learn lots more about what the local Community Rail Partnership have been up to along the line.
Bentham station with a Lancaster bound service calling.
19:40.
Now I’m back in West Yorkshire, having a brief pitstop in Shipley before heading home via Bradford. It’s been a diverse day, but I must admit the early start is catching up with me!
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 