Jim’s “out and about with GBRf” thread

[big jim]

Some from tonight, basford hall to bescot, should have had 4 locos but just the three in the end, had to Marshall them together before I set off

 

Bike parked up in a spotters paradise bike shelter!

 

66751 on its train with 66745 at the rear

 

I had to shunt that and put the locos with 66765 which had come in on another train 

 

away to bescot but no pics as there was a tunstead train about to depart so I jumped on that instead of a taxi back to crewe as the M6 was shut at Stafford, back in an hour as opposed to the 2 hours it was showing by road on google maps! 

[big jim]

Some railway related pics form today, had my rules in Bescot so I decided to ride there on my bike from rugeley trent valley station via cannock chase and the McClean way 

 

cannock chase 

 

Once over the chase I went through chasetown and rode the canal towpath to where the old Lichfield to Walsall line used to pass under 

 

 

from there you can join the ‘McClean way’ which is the old trackbed 

 

The remains of the old line to angelsey sidings actually stop right below the canal bridge, this is looking back toward Lichfield city 

 

and toward walsall

 

The path is a compacted dirt surface most of the way to pelsall, it’s a community project the upkeep and maintainance being done by local volunteers, they have restored a former distant signal on the route 

 

I then carried on the path to rycroft and into Walsall and finally bescot where I did my rules 

 

after that (and a quick charge of the bike battery) I headed into Birmingham, again via the tow path from smethwick Galton bridge to the city centre 

the bridge in the background is smethwick Galton bridge high level platforms on the snow hill to Worcester line 

 

Soho depot sidings

 

Former bridge parapets of the old line to Harborne branching off the new st to wolves line 

I then went into new at where I saw Tom Cruise filming the new mission impossible film, Didn’t get the camera out quick enough though! 
 

from there I caught the train home which went via alsager so I got off there and rode back via the salt line and wheelock trail which is the old trackbed from alsager to sandbach 

 

alsager station 

 

Salt line 

 

 

There is a gap in the middle between the 2 sections as there is a golf course on the old trackbed so I took the canal towpath between the two

 

i love the contrast between the slow and steady pace of the canal and the M6 in this picture 

 

Locks at hassall green, nice coal carrying barge going through them 

 

And onto the wheelock trail 

 

 

Wheelock station platform in quite a deep cutting 

 

and from there it was another 6 miles home, hope they are of interest, I’m getting quite into this exploring old trackbeds, got a few more trips planned such as the monsal trail, cromford and high peak and the woodhead from hadfield 

 

in tomorrow on a Small Heath job 

 

 

[Gilbert]

Fantastic set of pictures - Thanks

Chris H

[5BarVT]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

I’m getting quite into this exploring old trackbeds, got a few more trips planned such as the monsal trail, cromford and high peak and the woodhead from hadfield 

It’s addictive!  I need to get back into doing some.

The Harborne Branch can be cycled from the end of the built over station site down almost to the canal.

Are you doing Woodhead as an out and back or going over the top?  Rather too many years ago I did it right through to Wath Yard.  Before I had a GPS or smart phone so I couldn’t be quite sure where I was when I came out onto the roads again!  That’s what prompted me to get a GPS receiver.

Paul.

[big jim]

I’m just going to do an out and back to woodhead when I do it 

 

the Komoot app I use is very good as i set it to E-Bike touring so it keeps me off busy roads but it does have its moments such as earlier it took me off the left hand natioanl cycle path alongside the canal which is tarmac and over a bridge to the opposite side which is a dirt track, I obviously took it as I didn’t know where I was going and didn’t want to be in the wrong side of the canal at a junction maybe, however after about 2 miles it crossed me back over to the left hand side and back on to the national cycle route , I’ll know for next time though!

 

Things like this for example are a bit odd! 

come off the main road before a bend only to rejoin it 50M further on on a bend! 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2021 by big jim

[big jim]

Some from today

 

basford hall

 

My train to small heath

 

while waiting at small heath a rail tour to Scarborough passed by having departed from Tyseley warwick road

 

 

Small heath 

 

same job tomorrow  

Edited August 25, 2021 by big jim

[Markmiller2008]

I did see you as we passed! 
 

Mark 

[big jim]

2 hours ago, Markmiller2008 said:

I did see you as we passed! 
 

Mark 

was that you waving? 

[big jim]

Only a couple from today, the 08 shunting stock in Tyseley steam trust 

 

and my train in small heath 

 

Donnington job tomorrow then 4 days off in London 

 

[sb67]

What you got planned for London Jim? It might be a bit short notice but if you like your cycling a track experience at the Velodrome, Stratford is worth a go. If you've never done it before it's a good experience and totally different to a road bike. 

 

[big jim]

4 west end shows booked over the 3 days, Hairspray on Saturday evening, the windsors on Sunday afternoon, Six on Sunday evening and Come from away on Monday evening! 
 

We really just want to avoid the city centre and touristy and shopping areas during our down time so are planning on having a look around the likes of Highgate cemetery and a walk on Hampstead Heath etc as they aren’t far from the hotel, I did the walk to the heath when I stayed in the same hotel with work a few months back 

[sb67]

Sounds like you've a busy weekend planned Jim, enjoy 

[Nick C]

10 hours ago, big jim said:

4 west end shows booked over the 3 days, Hairspray on Saturday evening, the windsors on Sunday afternoon, Six on Sunday evening and Come from away on Monday evening! 
 

We really just want to avoid the city centre and touristy and shopping areas during our down time so are planning on having a look around the likes of Highgate cemetery and a walk on Hampstead Heath etc as they aren’t far from the hotel, I did the walk to the heath when I stayed in the same hotel with work a few months back 

We went up to London a couple of weeks ago, and the touristy areas were very quiet compared to normal - as of course there are no foreign tourists. It was quite a revalation being able to walk over Hungerford bridge in a straight line instead of having to constanly avoid groups of selfie-takers...

[big jim]

Thing is the couple of weeks has made a big difference to how busy places are, it’s noticeable on the M6 driving back from small heath that things have got busier, for the first time in a long time I’ve just not wanted to be driving a car anywhere, luckily next week I’ve got jobs I can use the bike on, to top it off it’s bank holiday weekend which I didn’t know when I booked the tickets for the shows  

[flapland]

If you have a free slot in your busy weekend you might want to see a film in Trafalgar Square for free. We are off to Mary Poppins tomorrow afternoon. Also if your on Hampstead Heath the fun fair is on this weekend. 

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lets-do-london-back-to-the-big-screen-34161255523

[big jim]

Just 3 from yesterday, Donnington job

 

Shrewsbury, slightly delayed by a trespasser so had to wait for the local train to go first 

 

Unloading

 

lots of work for me for the next few months lined up in the terminal!

 

Off for the long weekend now, might get some transport pics while I’m in london, back next week to a week of the rail milling machine out of bescot 

[big jim]

Saw hairspray last night, Michael Ball can really belt the tunes out that’s for sure!

 

 

this afternoon is the Windsors endgame with Harry Enfield which is in my most visited london theatre as it normally where the Book of Mormon is performed, in fact the set surround is still front wheel show as it’s returning in September (might come and see if for the 18th time!) 

 

seeing Six later this evening too

 

sorry no train pics though 

[Iron Horse]

Thanks for the tones Jim, sorry I missed you in the morning but I hadn't looked on RTT and I'd gone into the shed to lay some track.........you caught me unawares

 

 

[big jim]

Getting a bit overgrown there! 

[Iron Horse]

I know, to say I'm rather unimpressed is a bit of an understatement. I've noticed the bush is gravitating towards the signal as the summer has gone on as well!!!!!!

[newbryford]

44 minutes ago, Iron Horse said:

I know, to say I'm rather unimpressed is a bit of an understatement. I've noticed the bush is gravitating towards the signal as the summer has gone on as well!!!!!!

 

Do you know a tame napalm supplier?

[Tankerman]

5 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

Do you know a tame napalm supplier?

 

Just get the strongest bleach you can buy and a large fine spray watering can, dilute the bleach 2:1 and wait for a dark wet night.

[big jim]

Some from last night, rail milling machine bescot to nuneaton and back to bescot via Stafford 

 

bescot

 

 

 

changing ends in Nuneaton

 

And back in Bescot 

 

same again tonight 

[corneliuslundie]

Out of curiosity, what happens to the bits of metal milled off the rails?

Jonathan

[Fat Controller]

23 minutes ago, corneliuslundie said:

Out of curiosity, what happens to the bits of metal milled off the rails?

Jonathan

I believe they now have a 'vacuum-cleaner' type device; previously they flew everywhere, with predictable results for point detection and track circuits, and even lineside fires on occasion.