Jones the Steam's Great British Railway Journeys

[southern42]

Hi Marcus.

Many thanks for your kind words.

Jones the Steam should be on his travels next weekend  I'll leave it to you to guess where.

[Marcus 37]

Ah, now I wonder where that could be? A big shiny building, on the out skirts of Birmingham by an airport maybe. 

[southern42]

 

Happy New Year to all followers of my Great British Railway Journeys.

Especially for you, the first installment of my Calendar 2017.

 

:January 2017.pdf 

This link has been removed and has been replaced with the whole year.  12 months for the price of one!  Free and for nothing!

 

Calendar 2017.pdf

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by southern42

[southern42]

Dear all,
at long last, another mainline trip
so please join me on my latest adventure on my
Great British Railway Journeys.  

 

Journey 4: Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 January 2017

Accompanied by Tender, Southern42 and Monkey

Using Realtime Trains

 

 
Day 1: Top left hand corner of Wales eastwards to March*
Depart Bangor 1322 on the:
1A43 1252 Holyhead to London Euston
Virgin Trains (West Coast) service departing on 4th January 2017
 
  My mode of transport was much improved from the old rucksack.

 
Find a seat while we wait for the train.

 
Great!  A coach with a table and full window so we can enjoy the views along the North Wales Coast.

 
Arrive Crewe 1455½

Depart Crewe 1518¾ on the:
1L81 1434 Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street
London Midland service departing on 4th January 2017

 

Our train

 

Cewe from train on Platform 6

 

Arrive Birmingham New Street 1617½

 

Depart Birmingham New Street 1625¼ 3L on the:

1L48 1622 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport

CrossCountry service departing on 4th January 2017

(after companions had a marathon run up the stairs, and down, and all the way along Platform 11)
 

It looks like there won't be much to see, soon, with the sun already setting over the freight yard.

 

Sometimes, you just have to make yourself comfortable the best way you can...

 

Or cuddle up with a friend.

 

Where are the pies, then?

 

Arrive March 1835

 

Our train on up Platform 2...

 

disappears into the night.

 

455J 1546 Felixstowe North F.L.T. to Doncaster Ept (F'liners).  Passes at 1836

This was a surprise - a level crossing and a signal box! 

And She was not ready for a photo of the Freightliner Class 66 hauling the train.  Tut tut!

 

 

 

* March!

Now, that was a turn up for the book thread!

No doubt you, too, will be familiar with that station name, by now, if you have found the link, below!  Look out for my photos (coming soon!) of scenes from March taken on the 5th and the 6th of this month to see how much fun it might be as a layout!  I am hoping to return in the next few months to get some more pics!  Nothing to do with all the hype about the buildings, of course!  Just family business!

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/118606-Bachmann-announce-midland-1p-class-203-bep-buffet-car-vea-prestwin-and-carflat/

Thanks Andy(Y).  We were in March at the time you posted, as you will have gathered if you've been on here!
 

 

[southern42]

  Dear all,

Today, I thought I would show you lots of trains and a bit of the scenic stuff.

 

Day 2: A walk to town and back - to do some shopping trainspotting   

 

1N51 1027 Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street

CrossCountry - Heading west towards the station (off to the left)

 

 

1L34 0922 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport

CrossCountry - Heading east (right)

 

6E84 0820 Middleton Towers Gbrf (quarry) to Monk Bretton Redfearns Gbr (glass plant)

The sand train, having waited for the passenger trains to pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for a few features (apart from the model shop!)

along our walk that could be incorporated into my March in March (as in Spring) layout...

er...but... ...Ssshh!  Don't tell my companions!

 

A narrow but navigable river

 

and its bridge.

 

Unlit Christmas lights of loco and narrow boat   - They could be lit up for the tourists all year!   "The Lights of March"...great attraction....

 

 

March Coronation Memorial Fountain commemorating the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

I wonder if Bachmann will do that one?  It beats the average clock tower!  Shame it's in the middle of the road, though.  Still, it could always be re- sited on the layout. 

 

 

Oh! I've just been told I can't have a layout.  My little two up two down with outside Ty Bach* isn't big. enough!?  Not even a little layout....?  A micro one, then?

 

*Ty Bach - Little Boys Room.

 

On the way back coming up next....

[southern42]

  Hello, again.

Good to see you back, this time on the way back from town.

 

Day 2: continued

 

A look at what is left of the former marshalling yards east of March Station, north and south of the mainline.  (Some of these photos were taken on Day 3 but I thought you might prefer them grouped together..)

 

The north side.

 

 

 

On the south side of the mainline, they look prepared for anything - snow, anyway!   Yes, they do say some of the white stuff is coming

 

 

 

  Ah!  No trains on the way back.  Poop!

And.to keep you occupied until my next post, a little something to watch.

If you've not seen a massive Marshalling Yard at work, try this for size - year 1963.  Look out for a large variety of wagons, some exciting shunting, and the locos D5544, 9F 92173, D3327, D5853 among others, though I think I'll stick to driving Ivor the Engine for now!

 

http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/205507

 

 

 

[southern42]

  Hi  (I'm sure we didn't say that in my day!).

Here we are for the last day of my railway adventures out east..

 

Day 3: Return to the top left hand corner of Wales

 

But first, for the layout you ((and me) have decided to build after the unveiling of the 2017 goodies, a tour of the station.

 

Now, we will need two of those lovely bridges and a bit of cut and shut.

 

 

 

A fair amount of static grass or another set of double track depending on the era we choose.

 

Several duplicates of the canopy sections and buildings.

 

Some delicate 3D work or computer printout, perhaps, to do all that fancy work under the canopy.

 

Some work to transform the West Junction signal box into the East one or use as template to scratch build - longer and higher.

 

And steps plus "bird box" at the rear rather than the side.

429Q 1008 Lawley Street F.L.T. to Felixstowe North F.L.T (Up line).  Passing here at 1310 is the rear end of Freightliner 70004.*

 

* Freightliner 70004 - most of the last number is hidden behind the flashing lights post.

 

  All good stuff

but I had better get our journey home ready for you.

Back soon.

Edited January 11, 2017 by southern42

[southern42]

  Welcome back.

Now for some trains!  Let's hope She gets the up and down trains right this time, though to be fair She has finally sorted it and edited above post (again!).  Just don't confuse the rear end of the loco with the front.   They are not like steam locos you know!  

 

Thanks for that, Boss.    

 

  Now, where was I?

Oh, yes! Some trains.

 

I had a morning escape as we needed some milk for lunchtime - just in time to catch a couple more trains on the level crossing while He nipped into the shop.

 

1L00 0710 Gloucester to Stansted Airport

CrossCountry.  Arrive March 1106 32L

 

 

1R78 0957 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street

East Midlands Trains.  Arrive March 1110  RT.

 

Lunch done, goodbyes said, we were back at the station on our way back to the Top Left Hand Corner of Wales.

2E76 1158 Ipswich to Peterborough

Greater Anglia.  Arrived March 1332 6L.

Looking East

 

Looking West.

The turnout to the right at the end of the platform goes off onto the Bramley Line to Wisbech (currently proposed as a commuter route/heritage line - modelling potential at the junction?).

 

Just to confuse you, we have crossed over the footbridge and are now on Platform 1.

1L38 1122 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport

CrossCountry.  Arrived March 1334.

Looking West.

The train was on time but we only saw it in the station as

 

our train was running late, and should have been there first..

1N55 1227 Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street

CrossCountry.  Arrived Marxh 1335 3L

 

 

  There was certainly a variety of trains and liveries through March.  Must come back and add to the collection - just in case.  You know.     A layout. 

 

But, before I go, a map at this link of the Whitemoor Marshalling Yard on the branch to Wisbech.

 

Thanks for looking in.  The journey home, coming up next.

Edited January 11, 2017 by southern42

[southern42]

First, lots of thanks for all your ratings. Really appreciated.

I shall expect to see you all building a layout of March, now.  So, no excuses!  it will all be out in 2017, ready to plonk.  Don't worry about me, I'll soon fill my tea can with some pennies and Ivor will keep it safe in his cab till I need it!  I'll just need to sneak it all into my little two up two down, somehow, without Them knowing! 

 

Train time!

 

First up, Peterborough, where we raced a Virgin 82 Class out of the station.  Afraid to say, it beat us but it was a close run thing!  Anyway, here she is pulling away from us.  Do note, Suvvern, that is the rear power car and it is going right to left.  Down, in other words!

 

1D15 1305 London Kings Cross to Leeds

Virgin Trains East Coast Depart Peterborough 1354

 

Croft Quarry, Aggregate Industries with hoppers on the siding from the mainline.

 

It was only 1411 but it was pretty dark.  Still impressive, even at a distance.

 

I noticed a service to Croft from Bow Depot Gbrf on the WTT through March (runs as required) on 5 January at 1311 while we were out, but it wasn't needed that day.  Had it run and been on time we would have missed it, anyway, by a good 10 minutes, I expect.

 

Now for a bit of colour!

 

1433 Melton Mowbray (Pies!  Yum!)

The train on the opposite platform looks like the

1L42 1322 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport, CrossCountry.

 

1450 Leicester (Cheese! Yum!)

 

 

1535 Remember the Freightliner 70004 train Lawley Street to Felixstowe?  This is where it came from - Lawley Street Freightliner Terminal, the one in the sunset on Day 1 of my adventures.  It's great when you get to identify these places, don't you think?

Only half past three and the yard lights are on!  I said it was dark!  I didn't realize it was that dark!

 

1543½  Arrive Birmingham 5L

 

1F50 1601 Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street

London Midland Depart 1601

Nice and comfy!

 

I have got my Train Pass ready for the TTI but thinking she wasn't coming round after all, I put it away, only for her to move into our coach a moment later.  She wasn't bothered!  I don't think she even noticed me!

 

Arrive Crewe 1656½ RT

Plenty of time to get a bite to eat before the next train!

 

1D90 1610 London Euston to Bangor (Gwynedd)

Virgin Trains (West Coast)  Arrive Crewe 1751¾

1749  SuperVoyager 221111 Roald Amundsen crawls into the usual Platform 11.

 

1817 between Chester and Flint

Poor Bert! He does so need a head start but not long to go, now - before he collapses altogether.

 

1921 Our train terminates and empties at Bangor 3 minutes late.  Not too bad, then!

 

And it's not only dark, it's raining!

 

Still, there's always the Chinese Take-Away to cheer you up!

 

 

Well, another journey done.  Many thanks for looking in.  I hope you enjoyed it and, if you want to have a chat, I'll be around to answer your posts - when Ivor doesn't need attention or I'm busy checking out all those train classes, operating companies and train movements for that layout.  Not too busy, though. 

 

Bye for now.  Hwyl.

 

[The Stationmaster]

Now then Jones bach - that 82206 thing is not a power car but a Driving Van Trailer (DVT).  You should of course be excused because of your affinity with steam but I fear 'Suvvern' might be looking to rather firmly 'put you right' after your having to point out to him what was Down (and no doubt what  was Up as well)

[southern42]

  I stand corrected, Stationmaster.

And here was I thinking I had advanced my knowledge with the Class 43s!  It seems things have moved on a bit!  As for Suvvern, we have got used to her occasional senior moments.   Maybe, I should tell her there is a Class 91 on the other end of the 82206 thingy's train! 

 

 

 

Edit typo

Edited January 13, 2017 by southern42

[laurenceb]

Note to Mr Jones- If they wont let you have a layout dont take them on any more Railway Journeys!

[joppyuk1]

Just found this entertaining thread. A wonderful concept, and I can show my family that I'm not alone in taking a travelling companion along, though in my case he's a 5 inch tall Dr Who. I look forward to more trips from this competitor to Mr Portillo!

[Ozexpatriate]

Just found this entertaining thread. A wonderful concept, and I can show my family that I'm not alone in taking a travelling companion along, though in my case he's a 5 inch tall Dr Who. I look forward to more trips from this competitor to Mr Portillo!

I like Jones the Steam much more than 'flat Stanley',

[southern42]

  Hello, all.

 

As promised, the rest of my Calendar 2017 although, it is for the whole year rather than installments.  Also added to post #28, above.
 

Calendar 2017.pdf

 

 

No excuses, now!  Time to fill it in to remind you of those dates for all that new modelling stock due out this year, magazine publication days, RMweb events, club meets and exhibition weekends, passing steam trains and rail tours, opening times for the preserved railways...er...and my birthday.  Ooooh!  I wonder when that is!  
 

And don't forget!   When you are finished with it,If you print the calendar and put it up on your railway wall or give it to another of my many fans, that is,   you can recycle it as modelling material for use on your March layout.  Just like I am going to do. 

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by southern42

[southern42]

Hello, all.  Time to answer a few posts.

 

Note to Mr Jones- If they wont let you have a layout dont take them on any more Railway Journeys!

 

Oh! What a clever idea...!  Hmmm...!

 

Thinks.  URGENT.  New companions required.  Must like sitting on trains for hours and hours, getting dirty, carrying me around all day, rail travel, exploring engine sheds and locomotives, taking photos, dining well..  All exciting stuff.  Send Job Application Form and  CV to: My Little Two up Two down with outside Ty Bach., M&LRTCL, Top Left Hand Corner of Wales or e-mail jones.steam@M&LRTC..trains

 

  Er...maybe, not!  Not this time, anyway.

 

Just found this entertaining thread. A wonderful concept, and I can show my family that I'm not alone in taking a travelling companion along, though in my case he's a 5 inch tall Dr Who. I look forward to more trips from this competitor to Mr Portillo!

 

Thanks, I appreciate that.  I am a great fan of Doctor Who.  Maybe we can team up for a great railway journey on the TARDIS (Train Adventure Routes Discovering Iconic Steam).   I'll keep my eye open for The Doctor on my travels. 5" tall, you say?  Which outfit?  Long knitted stripey scarf? Long brown coat over brown suit with blue stripes? Patchwork? Ready for an over? Snazzy vest, hat and brolly?  I'll bring my RC Talking K-9 with me:  Affirmative, Master!

 

I like Jones the Steam much more than 'flat Stanley',

 

I have been considering my travelling uniform and, looking at this easy going railway presenter, perhaps I should bring myself up to date a little.  I have been advised to wear my hi-viz orange waistcoat on my travels for safety reasons although I still have to give it some glo-in-the-dark go-faster safety stripes.  But, looking at my favourite TV railway role model, maybe I should take a leaf out of his Bradshaw's and try a "highlighter pink" or "fluorescent green" waistcoat?

 

 

 

I should, perhaps, ditch the tie neckerchief although it is flying loose - not too formal - and it does come in handy as a face mask if I get to drive a very smokey steam loco.  Useful, too, for wiping down locos as I climb up for those photo shoots.  Good Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company practice, that - clean up as you go, though I often leave that to my railway servants companions!

 

 

Edit typo.

Edited January 25, 2017 by southern42

[Ozexpatriate]

I have been considering my travelling uniform and, looking at this easy going railway presenter, perhaps I should bring myself up to date a little.  I have been advised to wear my hi-viz orange waistcoat on my travels for safety reasons although I still have to give it some glo-in-the-dark go-faster safety stripes.  But, looking at my favourite TV railway role model, maybe I should take a leaf out of his Bradshaw's and try a "highlighter pink" or "fluorescent green" waistcoat?

I imagine Mrs. Porty would offer an opinion on the sartorial appearance of the M&LRTC staff - if offered a glass of port or a new hat as inducement.

[southern42]

I imagine Mrs. Porty would offer an opinion on the sartorial appearance of the M&LRTC staff - if offered a glass of port or a new hat as inducement.

 

  I am sure Mrs Porty must be in need of another new hat after that incident with the fox hunters.  I think she has forgiven me for wearing her brand new one to save the fox so yes, I expect she will make some kind silly remark.

 

As for Mrs Griffiths, well, she already thinks that I am raving mad so I doubt she will give it any thought.

[joppyuk1]

My co

 

 

 

Thanks, I appreciate that.  I am a great fan of Doctor Who.  Maybe we can team up for a great railway journey on the TARDIS (Train Adventure Routes Discovering Iconic Steam).   I'll keep my eye open for The Doctor on my travels. 5" tall, you say?  Which outfit?  Long knitted stripey scarf? Long brown coat over brown suit with blue stripes? Patchwork? Ready for an over? Snazzy vest, hat and brolly?  I'll bring my RC Talking K-9 with me:  Affirmative, Master!

 

My companion is the one and only original Doctor. He goes by the name of Bill Who. 

[tender]

  Hello all.

Welcome to my fifth adventure on my
Great British Railway Journeys.

 
 

Journey 5: Friday 3 to Monday 6 February 2017

Accompanied by Tender and Southern42

Using Realtime Trains

 

 
Day 1: Top left hand corner of Wales to Stafford
Depart Bangor 1444 18L ("Signal failure" Penmaenmawr)
 on the:
1A48 1358 Holyhead to London Euston
Virgin Trains (West Coast) service departing on 3rd February 2017
Arrive Crewe 1629¼   35¼L
 
Our train

 
but here I am, patiently waiting for the train to move off

for 20 minutes!  At least we are out of the rain.
 
A few pics of me taken along the North Wales coast in the dimming light.
 

Some sheep!
 

Looking towards the Great Orme and West Shore (Llandudno - the flat bit in the midde!)  Too far away to see the miniature railway.
 

Whizzing past the caravan parks
 

and the lake at Rhyl.  The miniature railway buildings in the background.
 

Finally, the beached TSS Duke of Lancaster.
 
We then head inland to Chester
 
The train on the opposite platform is only going as far as Birkenhead.  It is then on the bus to Liverpool while the track on the underground section is replaced.

2R40 1601 Chester to Birkenhead Central
Merseyrail service departing on 3rd February 2017
 
But we carry on to Crewe passing the heritage stuff.

 
An atmospheric shot of the Her favourite train flying past on the Up Fast to London.

 
1M14 1340 Glasgow Central to London Euston
Virgin Trains (West Coast) service departing on 3rd February 2017
Pass Crewe 1643¼ 5L
 
Our train to Stafford

 
1L84 1604 Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street
London Midland service departing on 3rd February 2017
 

Depart 1650¼

Arrive Stafford 1710 RT

 

Half an hour late overall as we had to take a later train from Crewe.  Our friend had followed our journey on RTT and was on the platform to meet us off the train.

 

An overnight stop then onto the Stafford Show but more of that next time.

 

Night night.

 

[tender]

  Hello all.  Good to see you for the next installment.
 
Day 2: Part 1 Stafford
A few hours at the Stafford Show.
That's me in the rucksack at the Warley Show stand.  I wonder if I will get there this year.
 

 
We had only just arrived....
What's this?  A Wickham Trolley? Just the job for my layout!  Ha ha!
He got his money's worth with a book!  I know he's thinking about making another layout but does this mean He's serious?
 
Piggy bank empty, it was time to go round the layouts.  Only three photos, though, as They were too engrossed in the modelling which was of a very high standard and enjoying quite a few favourites.

 

Ellesmere by Phil Greaves (rhyd-y-clafdy of this parish).


He was interested in third rail.  She had her eyes fixed on the footbridge.

A couple of pics of Paul Wade's (Lyddrail of this parish) Tonbridge West Yard.

 

 

 

All good things come to an end and we had a train to catch so a bus ride to the station was in order.

 

Just in case you were wondering!

 

 

See you next time at the station.

Edited February 12, 2017 by tender

[nick_bastable]

fantastic please visit the KESR and the museum   

 

Nick

[tender]

  Hello, once again. 

Time to get moving.

 

Day 2: Part 2 Stafford to Nuneaton

 

Depart 15:55 RT          

1U36 1502 Crewe to London Euston

London Midland service departing on 4th February 2017

Arrive Nuneaton 1633½ RT

 

Our train arrives

350 370

 

 

 

A couple of  views of the Trent Valley

Before...

 

and after Rugeley Trent Valley (RGL) station

Flat, isn't it?

 

16:41 Sheltering out of the cold in the waiting room at Nuneaton

 

 

Day 2 Part 3 Nuneaton to March

 

Depart Nuneaton 1652½ RT

1L48 1622 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport

CrossCountry service departing on 4th February 2017

Arrive March 1834 RT

 

Do I look cold?

 

Now, this is better with something to sit against

 

Reserved seats for my companions

That raised a smile!

 

Nearly there...

 

Just had to get one of the train on the level crossing...

 

Next time...some more level crossing traffic and home via another route

 

[tender]

  Hello all.

Time to go shopping trainspotting,.  Well, one of us went shopping and it wasn't me!

 

Day 3: Part 1 March level crossing

 

669C 0858 Broxbourne Down Tamper Sdg to Rugby Depot Access Line

Runs on 6th February 2017

 

11:53  Colas DR 73919

 

 

 

 

 

 

1L06 0742 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich

East Midlands Trains service departing on 6th February 2017

 

11:55 East Midlands 150 810

 

 

 

And a little later, on our way home.

6H98 1220 Whitemoor Yard L.D.C Gbrf to Whitemoor Yard L.D.C Gbrf

Runs on 6th February 2017

Pass 13:18 RT

 

Not one

 

Not two

 

But three '66s - a triple-headed treat.

 

Hauling these

 

BRrf  66773 + 66729 “Derby County” + 66759 “Chippy” + JZA container flats carrying long welded rail + ventilation van

 

 

Join me next time for the homeward journey.

 

[tender]

  Hello all.
Welcome back for the home run.
 
 
Day 3: Part 2 Leaving March
 
Here's me on the down platform keeping out of the weather.

 

Our train to Birmingham New Street
1N55 1227 Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street
CrossCountry service departing on 6th February 2017
Depart 1336 3L

 

Here we are passing the junction where the Bramley Line curves round under the bridge towards the old marshalling yard and Wisbech.

 

And more bridges along the river Nene at Peterborough.

One end of Nene Viaduct on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) which runs from London to the North and Scotland

 

And the other end, while we cross over the river on the girder bridge on the line from Ely.

 

The Crescent Bridge and...

one of those Virgin trains again!

 

Oh, poop!  I can't see it's number!

 

Oooooh!  Woolly hat! Comfort!  Thanks, mate! [Actually, it's so you don't slip off...mate!]

 

Ah! Coffee's up!

 

See you later...