Tag Archives: Rolling blogs

Rolling blog. It’s fun Friday…

31 Friday May 2024

Posted by in London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel, West Yorkshire

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08:45.

It’s a bit of a busman’s holiday for me today. I’m travelling to London for lunch with an old friend, then heading back later as both Dawn and I have another (railway related) appointment tomorrow.

On my walk to the station I couldn’t resist taking a detour past the Big 6 to see what the film crew were up to. The surrounding streets are now clogged with trucks and vans whilst the pub itself has disappeared behind scaffolding which is holding the blackout curtains in place.

The front…
…and back.

Right now I’m on Grand Central’s 08:13 from Halifax to Kings Cross. There’s been a last minute set swap which has led to the service being worked by one of their hired-in Class 221 ‘Voyager’ trains rather than the expected Class 180. This has caused some confusion amongst passengers as the seat reservations are all mixed up!

A sea of reservation labels aboard this GC service.

I rarely travel by GC nowadays so it was lovely to bump into an old friend working the train. Javid is one of the original West Yorkshire crews. Most have left or (like Javid) been promoted. He’s gone from a Customer Service Assistant to Train Manager (Guard in old money). Quite a few of his contemporaries are now Drivers with GC or other train companies. We had time for a catch up after leaving Halifax and before the train filled up even more at Brighouse. GC is a real success story. Their passenger numbers have grown massively with most trains being fully booked (one of the reasons I don’t use them as much) so it’s good to hear they’ll soon be introducing a 5th West Riding service.

I’d planned to do some work on the train but on unpacking my bag I realised I’l left my laptop lead at home! I’d been sneaking around this morning in order not to disturb Dawn so hadn’t checked. The battery won’t last there and back, so I’ll take it easy, save it for later and enjoy the journey instead.

09:00.

We’ve just left Wakefield Kirkgate, which is a busy exchange stop for GC because many people use the train to get there from Bradford and Halifax. They’re replaced by other passengers for Doncaster and London.

En-route I had chance to observe TRU progress. The most noticeable changes are the massive mounds of earth being moved at Ravensthorpe where the ‘dive under’ junction is being created. I need to pay another photographic visit soon. The abandoned marshalling yard at Healy Mills is seeing some changes too with many of the old sidings being lifted to create space for the new TRU construction yard.

09:55.

Having found the wifi wasn’t working on my GC set, and having something I wanted to get shots off at Doncaster I opted to change trains. This gave me just long enough to photograph what I was after, grab some library shots of the GC train and crews swapping over, then board the following LNER service. I’m now chasing the Voyager which I’ll catch up at Kings Cross! The 10-car LNER service (ex Harrogate) is the train I was originally aiming for at Leeds. It’s packed full of families and groups en-route to the capital although I have managed to bag an unoccupied seat that had been reserved from Wakefield. The wifi’s working, so I’m quickly blogging from my laptop and catching up on some work before switching off again.

11:15.

We’re now South of Stevenage and the weather’s rather disappointing. I’ve left behind sunshine in Yorkshire for the grey and dismal South! Hang on, isn’t it meant to be grim up North? Apparently (according to the Met Office) my Southern sojourn may be enlivened by heavy showers and even thunderstorms. Ho hum…

11:40.

Arrived…

21:30.

Mind the gap..

Sorry about that but I’ve had a lovely time in old haunts in North London with a group of friends from the industry where Chatham House rules (and more) apply. Gosh, did we all cover some territory – from both ends of the political spectrum – but, as old friends we still remained civil. Now I’m back in’t North, aboard a train from Leeds to Halifax.

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

Community rail week. Day 2…

21 Tuesday May 2024

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

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07:30.

The team are preparing for today’s event in London. I can’t say anything about it until afterwards but we had a great planning session with some of the local station friends yesterday evening, so we’re looking forward to what’s going to happen. Why not pop back later to see what it is we’ve been up to?

13:05.

Phew, sorry for the gap but it’s been a busy morning. I can now reveal that we’ve been kept busy at Alexandra Palace station with an event that included a long visit by Shadow Rail Minister Stephen Morgan MP, who spent time with local MP Catherine West, Community Rail Networks Chief Exec Jools Townsend and many of the local station friends and visitors from as far afield as Gipsy Hill. Here’s a few pictures.

The whole group get the message across…

I’ll add more details later. Right now my main task is to get the pictures edited – and begin my journey back North…

13:45.

Having got the pictures out to where they need to go I’m footloose and fancy free again, soI’m beginning my journey back North. I’ve really enjoyed being back in my old stamping ground – even if the weather’s been iffy (at least it didn’t rain in any meaningful way) but now it’s time to hunt for some sun and the chance to get a few more libray shots in the can. Right now, the next stop’s Stevenage…

16:50.

Stevenage proved to be quite literally a washout, thanks to the weather so I boarded the next available train to Peterborough – and old haunt from the 1990s. I did manage a few more library shots but whilst the weather stayed dry the skies were dull in the extreme. Now I’m on my way to Doncaster, although I don’t know if I’ll stop off as despite my moving North sunshine’s proving to be elusive.

17:00.

Doncaster was a bust, although clouds are lifting and every so often there’s a tantalizing glimpse of blue sky. Unfortunately, the works yard is empty and the station’s just as quiet, so I’ll stay on board until York where there just *might* be a couple of worthwhile shots to be had under the station’s magnificent roof. Plus, I can get a direct train to Halifax from there, which makes life easier.

19:30.

Like most plans, mine didn’t survive long. Whilst the weather had picked up many services were running from platforms oufside the trainshed, so less photogenic. Then my direct train to Halifax was cancelled, so I had to get a TPE to Leeds and pick up a late running Halifax service

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. Community rail week – day 1…

20 Monday May 2024

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

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10:45.

Community rail week has begun, and I’m off on my travels again as part of it. Right now, I’m on Northern’s 10:23 from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester in order to pop in on an event being held at Piccadilly station before making my way down to London this evening. After yesterday’s wall to wall sunshine the weather’s a bit of a disappointment as the Calder valley’s full of low cloud but I’m hoping things will improve as I drift South stopping off on the way. Feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to…

No 1 on day 1 to carry me to Manchester…

11:05.

Before I get to Manchester I’ve stopped off at Rochdale where the Calder Valley CRP are having an event in the station garden. There’s music – and cupcakes, so if you’re in the area feel free to pop in…

12:30.

My tour continues. On reaching Manchester I hot-foot it over to Piccadilly station where several CRPs (Community Rail Partnerships) and their friends have stalls today. There’s a lot of interest in the line and walking guides, along with the other goodies on offer. Both the Bentham and Glossop lines had sent delegations..

Now I’m on the move again, slowly heading South. Today I have a treat as far as Crewe in the shape of one of Transport for Wales locomotive hauled (or in this case, pushed) Mk 4 sets.

13:55.

I’m currently taking the scenic route as plans went slightly awry on arrival at Crewe. There was plenty of variety of traction on view – from old TfW single-car ‘Scuds’ working the Shrewsbury shuttle to brand new Hitachi built Class 805s on test before taking over from Avanti Voyagers later this year. Oh, and the nostalgia-fest that is LSL’s loco depot, which is a real 1980s throwback. Unfortunately a number of services were late or delayed, so I’m now heading for Stoke on a sideways shuffle aboard one of LNWs Class 350s. This one’s a former Trans-Pennine Express unit that used to work between Manchester Airport – Glasgow/Edinburgh before being displaced by more modern (and longer) trains.

14:50.

And relax! On arrival at Stoke I had 10 minutes to wait for a Pendolino to arrive which would whisk me to Euston via one stop at Nuneaton. There’s no more community rail events within my reach now so the rest of the day is purely a positional move. As I head South the weather’s improving. There’s clear blue skies and fluffy cumulous clouds instead of the grey I’d been used to, so now all I have to do is decide where I’m going to visit to get some library shots after hitting London.

15:33

Bugger! Just when I thought I was back on track! We’re currently running 26 minutes late (and being diverted via Northampton) due to – as the onboard screens inform us – a ‘safety inspection of the track’. Ho hum. Now I won’t reach Euston until 16:07 – and counting. We’re not the only service affected either. I’ve just had a quick look at ‘real time trains’ to check out Euston departures/arrivals. It’s not good. I expect it’ll be carnage on the concourse when I arrive.

16:40.

Carnage has been averted at Euston due to many departures leaving on time, which will keep passengers happy and the concourse uncrowded. But it’ll come at a price. Many trains will have been ‘stepped up’ (turned around quickly and reallocated to different services). Train crews bear the brunt when this happens as their dockets aren’t worth the paper they’re written on so hours get extended. Juggling the trains has issues too as some will have been heading to certain depots for maintenence to take place. They’ll end the day somewhere very different unless train controllers can get them back to where they need to be.

       

Euston. It could be a lot worse…

17:45.

Wandering down the Euston Rd from Euston to Kings Cross I bumped into Ndy Savage, an old friend and fellow Community Rail Awards judge. It’s what I love about London. You’re never far away from someone you know. Now I’m back in old haunts in Harringay, heading to tonight’s hotel…

23:30.

Time to bring this blog to a close. I’m kicking back at my hotel in Wood Green after meeting up with the rest of the CRN team ready for tomorrow’s big event. I’ll leave you with a few more pictures from today, with many more to follow tomorrow.

Manchester Piccadilly earlier, with people interested in details of some of the walking guides on offer.
Stoke station dominated by LNW Class 350s, including the former TPE unit I arrived on.
It could have been an awful lot worse. Despite the WCML disruption Euston station passenger flow remained in tolerable levels.
Buddleia’s not part of the station friends plan, but like many locations it’s encroaching on the lineside here at Alexandra Palace in North London.

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. Mixing business with pleasure…

17 Friday May 2024

Posted by in Barrow Hill, Food and drink, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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10:30.

We’ve another dull day in the Calder Valley but my Friday’s being brightened up by the opportunity to mix business with pleasure. I’m currently aboard a Northern service from Halifax to Hull which I’m using to get to Leeds before making my way (via a few changes en-route) to Chersterfield, then on to Barrow Hill roundhouse to attend the annual ‘Rail Ale’ beer festival for a few hours. Railways and beer? What’s not to like?

Here we go…

I’ll be blogging throughout the day, so feel free to pop back and see how things unfold….

11:15.

After a short sojourn in Leeds I’m now aboard a Cross-Country service heading for Plymouth. Well, the train is, I’m only going as far as Sheffield! Made up of two 4-car Voyagers it’s a busy train although I’ve managed to find a free airline seat in the front car of the leading seat. There’s an elderly couple who got on with me at Leeds who’re travelling all the way as they’re heading to Cornwall. They’ll be on here for the next five and a half hours! They hadn’t reserved seats and were going to sit separately but one kind business chap offered to move and also helped them store their luggage.

13:15.

I changed trains at Sheffield, which led to one of those silly, petty ‘elf and safety’ events which – whilst rare, do seem to be coming more common again.

I was leaning on the fence at the North end of platform 5-6 waiting to take a shot when I heard urgent whistling going on behind me, turning around I noticed two platform dispatch staff bearing down on me from ine and the adjacent platform. Odd, as I was well within the public area of the station. One of the women shouted at me to ‘get behind the sign’ on a lampost set well back from the fence. The sign didn’t say ‘do not pass this point’, merely no unauthorised access – meaning don’t wander off the platform – hard to do now there’s a fence and cattle grid stopping you! I asked the second woman what I’d done wrong. I’d wandered up to the fence (surely, what it’s there for?). I pointed out the arbitary silliness of this, only to be told other had walked past the grid to go into the tunnels – something I was clearly not doing!  I couldn’t be bothered to argue as I was due to catch a train. But the upshot was two dispatch staff had their time wasted enforcing an arbitary non-rule rather than using common-sense, and I was left feeling that some rail staff really have lost the plot. Later I heard the same dispatcher hanguing passengers for not standing back from a train in the platform despite the fact it was minutes from departure, giving the feeling passengers are treated like nuisance sheep at Sheffield – not farepaying customers.

17:30.

Apologies for the gap in blogging but I’ve had a busy time at Barrow Hill meeting up with old friends, sampling beers and taking lots of picture (you’ll see some later). Sadly, due to other commitments I’ve had to leave this excellent event early. Right now I’m heading back to Chesterfield on an open top bus!

19:00.

I’m currently sat on another Cross-Country Voyager, this time heading from Sheffield to Leeds. You can tell it’s Friday as many younger passengers are travelling from town to cities en-route to a night out. Let’s face it, most can’t afford a mortgage anymore, so there’s little point saving so they’re the people disposing of their income in a fashion that’s keeping many bars and clubs alive.

21:30.

Home again. Despite it being a Friday and train services being extremely busy my journey back was rather pleasant. Now I’m busy editing pictures from Barrow Hill. Here’s a selection.

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. Homeward bound…

10 Friday May 2024

Posted by in London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel, West Yorkshire

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07:00.

My time away has come to an end. Today I head home for a while until the next adventure. But first I’ve got to get there. Thankfully, the main rail strikes are in abeyance today, but last minutes changes are still possible. Let’s see hoe things go. First off it to get across London to begin the journey North. Today I’m taking that trip via the Midland Main Line…

08:15.

The pair of us are now speeding up the Midland Main Line on a very empty (and very dirty) Meridian, the first of the class in fact. Talk about tired – the train that is – not me! This one has the new seat mocquette but the quality of the fitting leaves a lot to be desired. The carpets are still threadbare and the paintwork inside and out is in a terrible state.

Not exactly London’s busiest rail service…

11:45

I said goodbye to Hassard at Derby. He went off to his meeting whilst I stayed to make the most of the good weather to get some library shots before catching an onward service to Sheffield. Here’s a couple of camera pictures.

The Meridian I’m on now (set 13) is lucky for me as at least you can see out of the windows in this train. We weren’t so lucky in the last one…

Still, it’s swings and roundabouts. The wifi doesn’t work on this set – unlike the last one!

13:15.

Well, that was fun. I joined a 4-car Cross-Country Voyager bound for Edinburgh for the leg between Sheffield and Leeds. It was rammed! I was ‘lucky’ enough to find a space to stand opposite the disabled toilet in the rear car. It was taking a hammering due to the amount of drunks sat in the same vehicle (and others elsewhere). I have to give full credit to the Train Manager, despite the obstacle course he needed to navigate he still managed to make a full ticket check!

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. Building bridges on HS2…

09 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Hs2, London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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07:00.

In contrast to the past couple of days which has been mostly about new trains, today’s visit is going to be about building bridges – HS2 style. I won’t say just where yet, but all will be revealed soon. But first I’ve got to to to where I’m going, which means a cross-London journey from here in Clapham then a trip along the Chiltern line…

07:42.

The weather’s so good this morning I was up and out early in order to bank some time (and pictures en-route). Here’s how the changing skyline of Clapham Junction looks.

08:40.

Having arrived at Victoria I took a trip on the tube line of the same name as far as Oxford Circus where I changed to the antique line – sorry – the Bakerloo line, which operates the oldest and most decrepit trains on the network.

Now I’m at Marylebone, waiting for my next train. The station’s celebrating its 125th birthday this year so is decked out with bunting as a consequence. Not that many in the constant ebb and flow of passengers seem to notice!

At least the trains aren’t 125 years old…

14:30.

Mind the gap! Sorry about that. I’ve only just left the HS2 Thame valley viaduct site. My tour of the structure was extensive so and I was so engrossed in taking pictures and writing notes there was no time to blog.

This particular viaduct is 880 meters long. It’s a low lying structure that will carry HS2 over a flood-plain. I was here ladt year to see some of the first prefabricated concrete beams being installed. There’s been a lot of progress since.

One of two central piers in the viaduct. the poles and pile cap are far bigger as it from here the viaduct is tensioned and dynamic forces transferred. The 880m long viaduct can expand up to 450mm in each direction from these points.

Now, large sections of the viaduct are in place and progress is being made with installing the prefabricated concrete plants which form the bed of the deck. I’ll describe it in far more detail later.

15:15.

On my way back to London I couldn’t resist making a quick stop at Wendover, where the station is very close to some of the HS2 trace. Despite the claims of some residents HS2 construction doesn’t dominate the village as it’s on the opposite side of the noisy and busy A413. Since my last visit there’s been a number of changes.   One road which is at the Northern portal  of the ‘green’ tunnel’s been diverted over a new bridge spanning the trace. This bridge privides an excellent vantage point to follow construction of the route Northwards.

The bridge
The view from the bridge.

A short walk away is a footpath and the infamous memorial woods that anti HS2 protesters like Mark Keir lied about, claiming it was dedicated to dead children (it wasn’t) and it was being torn-up up by HS2 and ‘desecrated’ (it wasn’t). I covered their disgraceful, lying campaign in this blog at the time. In fact, the wood’s in rude health. I popped in and took this shot.

Meanwhile, the footpath to the South just past the memorial wood affords this view which is looking down the valley to the viaducts that cross the A413 and also Wendover Dean. Notice how the scenic nature of the valley has been ‘destroyed’ by HS2. Oh, hang on – what are those metal pylons – and how long have they been there?

23:00.

Time to bring today’s blog to a close. The weather here in London’s been lovely. Eating alfresco has returned to the streets of Clapham and the place has been buzzing. It seemed a shame to waste the eveing so the pair of us nipped out for a couple of beers to enjoy the atmosphere, but now it’s time to prepare for tomorrow which includes another early start with the pair of us travelling North together as far as Derby. Watch this space…

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. Düsseldorf day 2 and back to the UK…

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Germany, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Siemens, Travel

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08:00.

Another dull day in Düsseldorf – well, as far as the weather’s concerned, anyway! For me, it’s time for breakfast and a short stroll before we catch the coach to the Siemens test track at the former RAF base at Wildenrath, where we’re going to be treated ro a preview of the new Desiro for Egypt. After that, it’s time to head back to the UK, so I’ll be blogging as and when I can throughout the day…

12:15.

Having left the hotel at 0900 we arrived at Wildenrath just over an hour later. This was a flying visit, we didn’t enter the main site. Instead we went to the small station on the larger test track where the Desiro Egypt was waiting for us. This train is essentially a four-car Desiro HC (High Capacity) with double-deck centre cars. When you board you feel like you’ve stepped onto a normal DB train as the interior (including the seat mocquette) is identical. The only give-away are the multi-lingual signs in English and Arabic.

Here’s a couple of phone pics. I’ll add camera ones later.

94 Desiros are being built for Egypt, along with 41 high speed Velaros and 41 Vectron freight locomotives. The country is in the middle of a railway renaissance on both sids of the Nile (more about that later).

Right now we’re back on the coach, which is dropping people off at Düsseldorf station and airport.

15:30.

Having kicked my heels at yet another shopping centre with an airport attached – and with a confusing, labyrinthine layout due to new bits added – I’m about to board my flight back to Brexit Britain.

17:15 (UK time).

I’m back in Brexit Britain. Did I miss anything? My Eurowings flight was fine – apart from the obligatory screaming baby. I’d booked a window seat and was looking forward to admiring the scenery but the whole of Europe was covered in clouds. It was only when we crossed the channel that skies cleared. Flying in from Europe meant we followed the Thames estuary and crossed my old home in Crouch End, North London before doubling back across Berkshire to approach Heathrow from the West.

Passport control.and baggage reclaim were a doddle. I was through in no time. Now, havng negotiated the subterranean arteries of the airport I’m on a Lizzie line service into the city.

22:50.

Time to bring this blog to a close. I’m staying with an old friend in Clapham yet again. In fact, I’ve not been able to avoid people. As I passed through Waterloo earlier I paused to get a couple of shots like this.

As I turned around to look elsewhere the driver of 5913 leaned out of his cab and said ‘alright you miserable bugger, not going to say hello then?’ Said driver proved to be the inimitable ‘Driver Potter’ of VEP preservation fame. I’ve known Steve for more years then either of us care to remember so it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted by familiar abuse! I used Steve’s train to get to Clapham. As he neither broke it nor derailed on the way I count that as a win!

The lesser spotted Potter in its natural environment…

Hassard and I have had a quiet night here in Clapham as both of us have been returning from different destinations, he from Glasgow and me from Germany. Plus, tomorrow’s another busy day. I’m up early again as I’ll be looking at more High-Speed 2 construction work tomorrow, so expect another rolling blog. Until then – goodnight!

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. Düsseldorf day 1…

07 Tuesday May 2024

Posted by in Germany, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Siemens, Travel

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07:10.

I reaisted the temptation to stay up and play with the Lego in my room (see yesterday’s blog) and had a good night’s sleep instead. The hotel’s very quiet and the curtains thick so I wasn’t disturbed. Now I’m making the most of the day with an early start. Here’s the view from the 16th floor restaurant where I’m enjoying breakfast. As you can see, it’s dull and overcast here. The view’s not bad tho!

Having had my caffeine fix I’ve time for a little wander before the bus picks us all up from the hotel.

08:25.

My stroll took me around the area you see in the picture above. A network of abandoned rail underpasses that lead to the area where I’m staying lead me to the concusion that my hotel and all the adjacent new buildings surrounding it are built on the site of an old railway yard. I’ll add some camera pictures later. I also came across this bit of history.

Right now I’m waiting in the rather eclectic hotel lobby…

09:55.

Our bus trio has taken us to Dortmund, where the weather’s far better. I find the difference in architecture interesting. Dortmund seems to have a real mix of old and new – and great pride in its football team! Their banner can be found all over the city. We’ve stopped outside the Hauptbahnhof to pick up more of the group. Across the road from the staion is the football club fanshop.

11:10.

We’re off! Today’s event is being held in one of the most modern train depots in Germay whic was built by Siemens for the new Rhine-Ruhr Express (RRX) fleet – and others…

An ICE 3 set on No 1 road, which is equipped with jacks for lifting a complete train for bogie swaps.

17:00 (German time).

An interesting day.The Dortmund chapter’s now over and the whole crew (Journo’s and Siemens staff) are being bussed back to Düsseldorf before this evening’s group meal. I’ve lots to blog about later, such as the 150 million euro Siemens are making in the Dortmund depot, building a new 400m long building to service ICE trains. After the lunch we were given guided tours of the existing facility which dates from the introduction of the RRX Desiro’s in 2018. The depot building is far more solid than the UK style ‘tin shed’ construction. It’s also fully digital. There’s no paperwork here. The site also has its own 3D printer (one of 40 used by Siemens) which can print otherwise obsolete parts for trains. Despite the modern depot, automation and work practices there were a couple of surprises. One was the underfloor wheel lathe. It’s a single-axle machine supplied by Spanish company TALGO rather than German manufacturers. Apparently, wheel lathes are less common in Germany than they are in the UK, but then DB doesn’t have quite the same problem with wheel-flats caused by leaf fall. The other was the absence of a bogie drop. Instead, one road is equipped with jacks which can lift an entire train.

18:40.

We’re back at the hotel and enjoying a short break and chance to freshen up before the meal, so I’ve taken the time to download a few camera pictures. More will follow later.

A pair of RRX Desiros inside the shed.
Inside the automated train washing plant. RRX sets are cycled through here every 10 days, when they receive a full nose and and body wash. The water is then washed and reused. Literally washing the washing water!

19:45.

Time for a beer on the 17th floor restaurant and chance to admire the view before dinner. 

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. Destination Düsseldorf…

06 Monday May 2024

Posted by in Aircraft, Germany, London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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11:15.

After a very sociable weekend which included a wedding on Saturday and a long family lunch on Sunday (hence no blogs) I’m on my travels again – this time heading from Halifax to Düsseldorf in Germany as part of a Siemens press trip. Over the next few days the company will be showcasing some of its rail products as a preview of what will be on offer at the vast Innotrans rail trade fair in Berlin in September.

Right now I’m on Northern’s 10:54 from Halifax, the first leg of the trip. Today may be a bank holiday but it’s business as usual in Germany. I’m heading to Leeds, then forward to London as I’m booked on a flight from Heathrow later this afternoon as Siemens have made travel arrangements and hotel bookings. Weatherwise it’s a good day for travelling, although I’ve no idea how busy the trains are going to be. Feel free to pop back to see how the trip goes…

11:45.

Phew! Leeds was busy. There’s lots of people milling around who aren’t regular travellers so have no idea where they’re going. Add into the mix that many of them are staring at their phones rather than looking were they’re going, making getting around an obstacle course. I made my connection to London with 15 minutes to spare. The 11:45 is packed, not helped by the fact the next London-bound service has been cancelled so we’re carrying some of the 12:15’s passengers too. I’m glad I opted for this one and added some padding to my timetable, otherwise things could have been a little fraught!

13:15.

I’ve just looked up from my laptop and realised we’re already at Peterborough. I’ve been busy all the way down editing wedding pictures so the time’s flown. I’m not talking about formal wedding photographs but candids. All the stuff that’s much more fun to shoot – like this.

Apparently, we’ve been running ahead of time all the way here but congestion in the station area’s turned that into a four minute deficit. We’re now fast to London so have chance to make some of that up.

13:35.

We’re now dashing towards London under skies that are looking very ominous. The sunshine’s been crowded out by a bank of thunderous looking, leaden skies moving in for the East. This could get interesting. I knew Yorkshire was due for a thunder and lightning show this evening but it looks like the South may be in for the same…

14:45.

As suspected, it’s a gray and wet day in the capital. Still, my trip across the centre was seamless. I literally walked off the train at Kings Cross onto a Circle line underground train for the short hop to Paddington. Now I’m on a far busier ‘Lizzie line’ service to Heathrow.

16:35

I’d forgotten just how much I have a love/hate relationship with airports. They’re gateways to some amazing parts of the orld that you just can’t get to any other way. But so many of them are just expensive shopping centres that just happen to have aircraft attached. The days when flying had a cachet are long gone. I’ve mentioned this before, but as soon as one of the biggest aircraft makers calls itself ‘Airbus’ you know those days of exclusively and luxury are long gone.

The shopping centre known as Heathrow terminal 2…

Of course, it’s very convenient that you’re told to turn up several hours before you depart so that you can be corralled in said shopping centre. Imagine if railway stations tried to get away with that? Sure, security is an issue – but. When was the last major incident involving people boarding an aircraft? Nowadays you’re more likely to suffer from problems caused by drunks.

21:45 (22:45 German time).

I’m nor relaxing in my hotel (more about which shortly) after a reasonable trip here with ‘Air Baltic’ whom I’ve never flown with before. The plane looked very new but of the no-frills variety. Don’t expect TV screens or anywhere to charge stuff but hey ho. That said Heathrow T2 isn’t exactly full of sockets either, so if you’re reliant on gizmos – make sure you’re carrying a battery pack. I’d booked a window seat on for the trip but there wasn’t much to see. The whole of Europe was covered in cloud and things were no better in Dusseldorf. We arrived late due to congestion at Heathrow but it wasn’t a problem. I breezed through passport control and baggage reclaim so I was soon on the way into the city.

Our group is booked into the 25hours hotel which is a modern, but quirky hotel. I’ve never had Lego to play with in a hotel room before!

I really wasn’t kidding about the Lego. Some of the books scattered around the room a worth a look too…

There’s a rooftop bar on the 17th floor which would give great views if the weather wasn’t so crap, but such is life. Instead, I’m relaxing in the room and catching up with a bit of work in preparation for the next couple of days which will be packed with interesting things to see/do.

A rainy night in Düsseldorf as a pair of trams stop outside the D-Wehrhahn S-Bahn station on Grafenberger Allee, just around the corner from my hotel. Public transport in German cities puts the UK to shame.

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. More Mancunian meandering…

30 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Community Rail Network, Greater Manchester, History, Manchester, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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11:45.

As the weather’s picked up and we’re being treated to some blue sky today I’ve journeyed back to Manchester to pick up where I left off yesterday by exploring the rail lines to the East of the city in order to get shots of some of the trains, but also the stations they serve as community rail volunteers are very active in this area. They’re doing some great stuff, both with gardening and artwork. So, here we go – on the train from Piccadilly to Marple…

 

14:00.

Phew! Back again. I’ve been doing a lot of walking and exploring since my last update. Getting to Marple was the easy part. But, as the line’s closed beyond New Mills services are restricted and I really wanted to get a shot of the return train working ‘bang road’ – a railway term I’ll explain later.

Having an hour to kill gave me time to explore and take pictures around Marple. Did you know that the place is famous because of the writer Agatha Christie? She visited snd decided to name one of her most famous fictional Detectives after the town. The station contains history boards which tell all about it the connection – and more. I’ll add pictures later.

14:45.

Right now I’m back at Piccadilly, basking in the sun (yep, sun, In Manchester!) after heading back from Rose Holl Marple via a stop at Romily – another station with some fascinating and informative history boards. Some are railway related – others not.

Did you know this about sign language? No, neither did I…
Here’s something a little more railway related fom Romily…

18:45.

Back again! I’ve been busy. After leaving Romily I headed back to Piccadilly in glorious weather. The sun was shining and temperatures were in their mid teens for the first time this year. It actually felt like spring for a change. I took a break at Picc in order to grab a bite to eat, get a few pictures and spend 30 minutes doing my best basking lizard impression at a platform end. Suitably rejuvenated I headed abck down the Buxton line, changing trains at Hazel Grove before arriving back at New Mills Newtown. Unlike yesterday I disn’t cross between stations. Instead I headed back to Woodsmoor in order to get pictures of the station artwork. Realising I’d 30 mins to wait for a train but the next station was only 25 mins walk I elected to explore and walked between the two through the leafy backstreets that make up these affluent suburbs.

When I got back to the city it was rush-hour and a good time to think about heading home. I wore out some more shoe leather walking from Picc to Vic where I was in time to catch the 18:21 to Leeds. Right now I’ve got my feet up, relaxing  before the last leg from Halifax to home.

22:30.

I’m home and editing a few pictures which give more of a flavour of today. Here they are.

One of the history boards at Marple station explains all about Agatha Christies links with Marple, the North and also railways…
195125 arrives at Marple, working ‘bang road’ from Mills Hill Central.
A lovely bit of whimsy from the friends of Rose Hill Marple station.

I’ve lots more pictures to edit, so that’s tomorrow’s working from home sorted out…

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