JAMIE'S RANDOM UK RAILWAY PICTURES

[JeffP]

Enjoying this thread.

I'm not 100% certain, but thought the last Clan was 72006?

[jamie92208]

Good morning, it's fine and no rain here so time for some more pics before the ironing. These are still 11th November 2016. After a very pleasant lunch with friends, I set off south and spent rush hour on East Croydon where the 2400's were still doing their stuff on the Gatwick Express.

 

Then heading back towards The Cross but of course a visit to St Pancras first, where one of the Velaro's was waiting.

Isn't this sight magnificent, Barlow's cathedral, all made in Derbyshire. 

And in the opposite direction .  There is something in this sight that restores my soul.

Then out via the front exit and across the street.  The view of The Cross has certainly improved over the last few years.

I do love the steelwork in the new west concourse.  Not quite as good a Barlow's but still rather good and the poppy was a nice touch.

Then our 180 was waiting to head back north.   At least on an evening we were allowed in the main train shed.

That's it for 2016 as we spent December at our new home in France.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[Davexoc]

Hi Jamie,

There is a Velaro in that shot at St Pancras, but it is the rear one lurking behind the older re-liveried original Eurostar stock.

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon.   Some more shots today.   The Tardis has moved on to 2017.

It's the 5th February and due to engineering work there were some interesting diversions in the Rotherham/Sheffield area.  These took Cross Country trains on the normally freight only trackage from Rotherham Central Junction to Woodburn Junction.  First after Aldwarke we passed the site of the new Parkgate, tram/train terminus that was under construction.

Next we took to the freight only trackage at Rotherham Central Junction where the Homes Chord comes in at the back of Booths scrapyard.

Then we passed the new junction being constructed for the Tram/Train line.

And then ran alongside the tram tracks till we got to Woodburn Junction and turned right past Nunnery depot and down into Sheffield Midland.    

Not brilliant photos through dirty windows but an interesting piece of trackage. Next we move on to the 9th May and a trip down the ECML to Hitchin to ride the new chord that takes the down Cambridge line.  Our southbound train was powered by a DB liveried Class 90.

As we waited  for our train this Virgin liveried HST came south.

More to come in due course.

 

Jamie

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good morning from a rather cool Charente, bit no need for snow ploughs here. We are still in May 2017. The 12th to be precise and another trip to London courtesy of Grand Central.  Here the 180 is pulling into Wakefield Kirkgate.

Then we got to Kings Cross and this time were not relegated to the Tradesman's entrance but were in the main train shed.  3 different noses in view. About 40 years since I photographed the first production HST at Castleford.

My usual first port of call was Blackfriars and there were plenty of 700's in evidence. It always looks spectacular as they ascend from City Thameslink.  1 in 29 I think.

TAs well as the 319 above there were plenty of the uncomfortable 700's in evidence.

After a good lunch with friends I headed south to East Croydon for the Rush hour and this was the view looking north at one point.  Plenty of trains.

That's it for now.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon, it's lovely and sunny here but still rather cold.  Some more pictures from 2017.To start with we are still in May, the 30th to be precise. Someone had given us a day out gift voucher for Christmas and my wife agreed that we could spend it on a day out at the East Lancashire Railway, that I had never travelled on. We drove over to Bury and this lovely piece of steel and steam was in action. 

City of Wells waiting to take us up to Rawtenstall.   The last time that I'd been on a train at Bolton Street was on one of the old Bury Electrics, now displaced by Trams and heading for a different terminus.   Anyway it took us up to Rawtenstall where I got a picture of it running round.

Then back to Ramsbottom, though I know that by a rather different name starting with Tup.  A nice lunch in a café and back to Bolton and home before the rush hour.  All in all a good day out.

The next trip out was a mystery excursion organised by Beth for my 65th Birthday.   She had booked us into the Pennington Arms at Ravenglass and the next morning we walked up to the station for a trip on the line

The newly refurbished engineers shop, after the disastrous arson attack looked well.

Another surprise awaited me as all the kids and their families were waiting in the cafe. Step grandson was of course taken on a tour of my old haunts.

His birthday had been the day before so it was a double celebration.

Back up to the station and River Mite appeared backing down onto our train.

I thought it best not to talk about some of my memories of Skid Row (The old volunteers accommodation coach) in front of the family but we set off OK but then slipped to a stand in Mill Wood.  I got some video of the eventual restart after much sanding had been done.  This was our third attempt.  You can hear young Ryan giving encouragement .

After all it was late October.   We did eventually get to Dalegarth as I still call it. However we passed Northern Rock at Irton Road.

 

At Dalegarth young Ryan was fascinated by the process of turning Mite.   I wonder how many millions of images have been taken of this spot.

Eventually  Mite was turned and was carrying a 5oth anniversary headboard.  I had joined the preservation society during the time that she was being built.

 

 Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon again some more pictures to come.  It's still 28th October 2017 and we are about to set off back from Dalegarth after a good pub lunch  I always had a soft spot for River Irt as I spent so much time as George Staniforth's guard in the 70's and so got this picture of it crossing Whillan Beck as it arrived.

It then hauled us back down the valley

The next day the family departed, after we had had a good morning walking by the estuary and getting muddy at Ravenglass.  In the afternoon I was allowed out and went up to Sellafield and saw some 68's.

That's it for 2017 so we move on to 2018.

We were busy packing up for our move to France and there were some significant family events so trips out were limited. However Keith and i managed a trip over the Manchester to ride the Castlefield curve which is seen here on the 7th March.

I also went over to the dark side on the 24th and saw some preparation for electrifying the route from Manchester Victoria.

However I don't think that it has actually been extended towards Stalybridge yet. On the 12th May I managed to get a day out on my own and headed out through many of my childhood haunts in the dales and then travelled on towards Shap as a steam special was due.  I hadn't stood near Shap and seen steam in action since 1960 when maroon Duchesses were in charge.  However I got a good spot. First up was a Pendelino, making the ascent look easy.

Then my first class 88 heading north with an intermodal.

I then went to the west side of the line for a better view and Pendelino  came north with the Howgills in the background.

More tomorrow I hope.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good evening again.  It's still light at this time, things are getting better. We are still next to Shap bank on 12th May 2018.  Yesterday I posted some of the passing trains, now for the main event.

From where I was standing it was possible to see nearly down to Tebay and look what came into view.

Yes, 35018, British India Line heading north at a good lick. First of all the 350 headed on south.

Then the Merchant Navy came into view.

And got a bit closer

And then thundered past us, making light work of the 1 in 75. 

And then headed on towards the summit.

As I've mentioned before I've always had a liking for Rebuilt Merchant Navy's having spent two Sundays working on Clan Line at Longmoor in 1968.  However this is the first time that I'd actually seen one working.

 

Then it was down to Lancaster and Greyhound Bridge was closed for repairs.   It's rather ironic that most of the repair work was to the 1970's concrete road deck.  The original 1911 railway bridge needed very little work. Obviously good work by Butlers of Stanningley who built it.

 

Then back towards Settle and a quick stop at Claughton Manor brickworks to take a few photos of the gravity cableway in action.  

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[ba14eagle]

I particularly like the second picture of 35018 - spot on!

[jamie92208]

1 minute ago, ba14eagle said:

I particularly like the second picture of 35018 - spot on!

I was taking video with my still camera and just kept pressing the button when I thought I had a good shot.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good evening again, some more from 2018 for tonight.  It's still 12th May and here are a couple more taken at Claughton Mnor brick works.

And another close up of the plaque.

Then it was back towards the dales with a stop at Long Preston to have a last look at my old layout in the village hall.

Then a couple of miles to the south alongside the line from Hellifield to Blackburn and another chance to see 35018 as she came up the bank after a water stop.

Then she was really going for it.

 

And another for good measure.

 

Here's a video link to the shots I got.

35018 on Shap 12 5 18 - YouTube

 

And finally I got the chance to see the Rolling Stones for the first time, 4 days before we moved so here is a shot of what must be the greatest Rock and Roll Band in the world.  I hope I'm as fit as Jagger is when I'm 73

My first ever visit to Old Trafford,

There are more to come from visits back to the UK

 

Jamie

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[Chris Turnbull]

I first saw the Stones in 1971 at Newcastle City Hall and then again at Knebworth in '76.  However, I've yet to see 4014 so one up to you!

 

Chris Turnbull

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from down here.   We stay in 2018 for now and after settling in here in France we had a trip back to see the family.   Our base was Lincoln and I managed a day out to London to meet some friends and also see some trains.  However not all traces of UK railways had been left behind.

However back to 20th December and the London trip courtesy of LNER.

One place i went to was Paddington and saw some 345's working out to Hayes and Harlington.

The new order was definitely here as no HST's and lots of 800's.

Another one arrives.

A far cry from my first visits there in 1971 when there were Western's various prototype 47 lookalikes and blue pullmans.

 

More to come from 2019.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good evening, it's getting warmer down here but there are still some photos to come.

2019 was our Ruby wedding and whilst we were in the middle of the Pacific our first grandchild was born. I wasn't totally bereft of trains as I'd managed to see trains in Australia, Fiji and one of the Hawaiian islands as well as Canada and the US.  However as soon as we got home we had a quick turn around and set off for the UK. Our first stop on arrival was of course to see young Emily, then 4 weeks old.  I tried very very hard to be grumpy.

Whilst over there for a few weeks I did manage to get out now and again and got down to Leeds on 31st May to see 66770 heading through the station.  I think it was the stone working from Swinden. Thanks to Beast this is working a Hull to Rylstone empties.

The east end of Leeds keeps changing and here a 185 and 158 are on the Huddersfield line.

I also saw my last 37, 37424 aka 558 that came through on a test train.   A few days later on 6th June I got to Morley and caught a 185 heading west.

Then caught a train down into Leeds where 91's were still in action.

From there a trip to Doncaster and back was enlivened by seeing my first 331 in the loop at Wrenthorpe.

A 319, I think, though it could have been a 369 was outside the Plant at Donny.

And .this brightly painted 66 headed north from Doncaster Decoy to Drax.

Plenty to see.

 

Jamie

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[iands]

Hi Jamie, 

In the last photo of today's photos, I think the brightly painted 66 is actually heading north.

[jamie92208]

10 minutes ago, iands said:

Hi Jamie, 

In the last photo of today's photos, I think the brightly painted 66 is actually heading north.

Thanks for that Ian, my mistake, duly corrected.

 

Jamie

[beast66606]

66770 was on 6D50, Hull Dairycoates - Rylstone

66780 was on a Doncaster Decoy - Drax

[jamie92208]

Good evening from the Charente. However it's still the 6th of June at Doncaster.  First off a rather better shot of a 331 in the sidings in front of the Plant.

Then a 66 heading south in yet another livery.

And another livery in the sidings, plus the resident Thunderbird in the shape of a 67.

The 331 was one of a pair that were involved in driver training doing coupling training in the siding.

Then an HST headed south.

And a Hull Trains 180 came north.

Then an IET came in in works grey, it was one of the Trans Pennine ones on test/training 

Coupled to a class mate that had it's livery applied.

What a variety of types of motive power on display.

 

More tomorrow I hope.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good evening again from Doncaster where we it's still the 6th June. After the two Trans Pennine 800's had headed back to the depot a Colas 70 came north with an infrastructure train,

Then an HST in LNER livery came north celebrating 40 years of HST's.

It was nice to see this on the cab side.  Roger Ford would be proud.

It then headed north.  Still earning it's keep. 

Meanwhile another 800 was about on test.

And an Azuma was in service.

Then a 66 headed south light engine.

I hadn't ridden an Azuma before and when one pulled in heading for Leeds I took the chance and got back to Leeds.  I quite liked them.

What a variety I'd seen in just over 2 hours at Doncaster.   A good day had been had.   It was then back to Grandpa duties.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon a few more pictures today.

To begin with we are now in Dorset on our way back to France. The East cliff lift was still out of use. The trackwork that's out of sight at the bottom reminded me of a few model railways that I've seen.

That was 9th June, The next day we had a trip out to West Bay and parked near the old station at the end of the Bridport Branch which is now a cafe.

Much of Broadchurch was set here but they didn't show the carriage parked on an isolated piece of track by the station.

The next day, the 11th I went up to meet Mike, better know on here as The Stationmaster and we had a pleasant hour trainspotting at IIRC Tilehurst where this Voyager came through.

Then it was back to France.  I didn't get over again till November and managed a trip to London where I saw a Class 720 

Then back to my usual haunt of Morley Low, as I was staying nearby. A 185 was coming west,

As another one came east.   I always thought that this would make a nice model with a ready made scenic break. There were carriage and goods sidings east of the platforms and even a colliery line that crossed above the tunnel mouth.

On the 30th I went down to the Copley Hill area and caught a 68 on a Nova 3 set heading into Leeds on a rather gloomy day.

here it is heading into Leeds with the DVT trailing.

That's it for today.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good evening from the Charente where the sun is just setting after rather a nice day. We now move into 2020. We went back to the UK at the end of January to admire our granddaughter. I did manage to get out and see a few trains but only had my phone to take photos as my camera was away for repair to a cracked screen. As usual I got to Morley and saw another Nova3 set heading towards Leeds.

Most of the time we were staying with out daughter and of course granddaughter who lived on the former pit site at Allerton Bywater.  As a young bobby in 1974 all the pits were still working and this was a railway that served them, part of the Leeds and Castleford Junction railway which went to Bowers Row from Cas at that time. This was the site of the NCB workshops that serviced all the local steam locos.

The line on towards Kippax is now  a walkway.

It's known as The Lines and my granddaughter now walks up here.

I did manage a day out and took this photo of the junction at Castleford.

At York this DRS 66 looks like a good weathering project.

And I thought that I better take one last photo of a 144 whilst I had the chance.

I also revisited some of my haunts from the early 70's.   These are some of the last surviving rails from the East and West Yorkshire Union Railway crossing Newmarket Lane near Stanley.  It  used to connect the two parts of Newmarket Colliery.

I also visited Milner Lane at Robin Hood and took this photo of another survivor of the E&WYUR where the line to Thorpe crossed the Lane.  Dennis Hullock, an old driver who was a member of Wakefield MRC remembered driving up this line.

And another shot.   As far as I know these are the last visible rails from the whole E&WYUR system.

We came back in early February and haven't been back to the UK since for obvious reasons.  However there was some British Steam around in France, at least on my friends gauge 1 garden system.

He not only builds his own locos but builds a full rake of coaches for them to pull.  We had a lovely morning in the sunshine.

And finally a 66 in action pulling a grain train through Angouleme.

I'm afraid that that's it for this thread until we can get to the UK again, which hopefully won't be too long.  I started this during our first lockdown in April 2020 and have thoroughly enjoyed posting the pictures.  They have brought back a lot of good memories.   I will however be starting a thread for my European photos as I haven't yet scanned all my North American ones.  I will post a link on here once I start.

 

ttfn or a bientot as they say over here.

 

Jamie

Edited August 8, 2022 by jamie92208

[Chris116]

Thank you for sharing your photos. I look forward to seeing your American and European ones in due course. 

[iands]

Many thanks for sharing your photos and memories with the rest of us Jamie. Most enjoyable. 

[sir douglas]

i had a look at Milner lane in 2017, both rails still there but one hidden under the muck

 

[Chris Turnbull]

A great thread, very much appreciated.  I look forward to your European and American photos.

 

Chris Turnbull