Jones the Steam's Great British Railway Journeys

[rab]

On 24/04/2024 at 19:31, southern42 said:

 Hello, I am pleased to be back with more pics of our journeys up and down the line.

 

Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala : Part 2

Thursday 18-20 April 2024

From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth

Companions: Tender and Southern42

 

Looking through the photos reminded me of this little song:

 

Red and yellow and pink and green
Purple and orange and blue

I can sing a rainbow...

(Arthur Hamilton)

 

So, let's get them sorted.

 

Red and Yellow

Arley

 

Bewdley

 

Bridgnorth

 

Arley

 

Eardington

 

Kidderminster

 

Bewdley

 

Bewdley

 

Arley

Pink

Highley

and Green

Museum/Cafe, Kidderminster

Purple and Orange and Blue

Kidderminster

 

West Midlands Railway Class 172, Kidderminster

 

Colas Rail, Kidderminster.  Hmmm. Has anyone got some weathering powder?

 

Arley

Well, can you sing a rainbow?

 

 

Back soon with just a few more pics from our journeys up and down the line.

Thanks for poop pooping in.

Regards,

Edwin

 

More hidden talent emerging, Jones.  Well done.

[southern42]

  Hello and welcome to some more of my journeys up and down the line.

 

On 26/04/2024 at 18:37, rab said:

More hidden talent emerging, Jones.  Well done.

You are most kind, sir.  Thank you.

I hope you enjoy the many hidden talents in this part, too, not of me but of the many others who make these journeys both possible and worthwhile.

 

Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala : Part 4

Thursday 18-20 April 2024

From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth

Companions: Tender and Southern42

 

This time, I am taking a look at the Severn Valley.

Towns such as Kidderminster with its larger than life railway buildings,

 

Bewdley with its roof tops

 

and The Great Western (centre),

 

and Bridgnorth up into the hillside.

 

[Who turned the lights out? The screen has gone dim? Power cut - the wind I expect - the Macbook plugged into the mains... PA.]

 

so...

I'm crossing the river,

I'm crossing the river (Crossing the river),

I'm crossing the river... To get to you.

Devlin / Nowels / Steinberg

 

The railway following the course of the River Severn between Bridgnorth and Bewdley.

Crossing the A458 crossing the river below.

 

Passing the ‘blue pipe’ bridge crossing the River Severn to carry water from Chelmarsh Reservoir to the Hampton Loade Treatment Works before being piped to the Midlands.

 

Crossing the River Severn at Arley (note the cameras I missed last time;)*

 

as it approaches the reservoirs at Trimpley between Highley and Bewdley,

 

 

meeting up with the river, again, at the other end.

Crossing the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal from Kidderminster

 

*While looking through the photos, again, I had a couple of surprises, the camera group, above, being one of them.

The other, also on the subject of animals and things, were these because whatever they are, they are so small in the distance I can hardly see them. They are (after I looked them up, you understand) the distinctive, black with white stripe Belted Galloway (of course, everyone knows that!).

On maximum zoom!

 

And the last one for Ivor, a bit larger but small, and beautiful, nonetheless. It is the wonderful No.72 Fenchurch** from the Bluebell Railway . I bet they could share some stories among themselves.

** Crossing the river, I get to you!

Bridgnorth

 

 

It was an excellent few days journeying up and down the line but I am sure there is much more to explore and get to.

 

Until next time,

Regards,

Edwin

 

 

Edited April 30 by southern42
PA edit.

[Hroth]

 

The SVR crosses the Staffs&Worcs canal on the Falling Sands viaduct. The canal bridge just below is Falling Sands bridge, Falling Sands lock is just around the bend*...

 

* Or may be behind the photographer, I don't have my copy of Nicholsen to hand!

 

[southern42]

On 30/04/2024 at 11:49, Hroth said:

 

The SVR crosses the Staffs&Worcs canal on the Falling Sands viaduct. The canal bridge just below is Falling Sands bridge, Falling Sands lock is just around the bend*...

 

* Or may be behind the photographer, I don't have my copy of Nicholsen to hand!

 

 

 Thanks, Hroth. I often wonder what type of construction is holding us up when crossing over the various bridges. I shall have to get an over-and-down periscope and have a look. 😂  The video, below, certainly shows the craftsmanship, imagination and determination used on the Falling Sands viaduct to enable the trains to run.

 

I found this video @ https://www.fallingsandsviaduct.org.uk.

 

As to the Falling Sands Lock, we all know I come from a story. So let me introduce you to a link to David Godson's story of 2006, "FALLING SANDS LOCK Foley Park, Kidderminster", but maybe not for the feint hearted.

Having rooted around a bit: a Link to a map of the lock's location.

It shows that the Lock in the above photo is further round the bend to the south (top of picture) of the railway line. Interestingly, the map also shows some old railway sidings to the south (right of picture) of the railway line on the west side of the viaduct.

 

And if anyone wants more SVR videos, there are plenty @  https://www.youtube.com/@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial.

 

Hope this helps everyone.

Edwin

 

 

Edited May 1 by southern42
Repeated link and typo. PA

[Hroth]

Thanks for the link about the restoration work on the viaduct.  I first passed under it on the S&W in the early 70s, it was very much as the "before" pictures illustrated!

 

[southern42]

23 hours ago, Hroth said:

 

The SVR crosses the Staffs&Worcs canal on the Falling Sands viaduct. The canal bridge just below is Falling Sands bridge, Falling Sands lock is just around the bend*...

 

* Or may be behind the photographer, I don't have my copy of Nicholsen to hand!

 

 

Rummaging through the photos, again, I find the view from the Falling Sands Viaduct looking north towards Kidderminster. What I did not see, due to the trees, was how close to the canal the River Stour runs. 

 

Another surprise, the moon from the train. 19-04-24 19:07

 

Surprise as in it was the best photo of the moon on any of my acting PA's 'phone cameras  - ever. It looks like the moon!

maximum zoom

 

Another place...another journey...another post...

Back soon.

 

Thanks for poop pooping in.

Edwin

[southern42]

 Hello all. Welcome to the end of my time off, I shall be back on duty in the morning checking out Ivor for next week's WTT.

Today, a trip northbound, awakening at 5 o'clock for a 6 o'clock getaway. Of course, I am used to this sort of thing but I am not so sure about my companions.

 

East Lancashire Railway - Storm the Castle 

Saturday 20 April 2024

Bury to Rawtenstall

Companions: Tender and Southern42

 

We made good time in the car to Bury Station car park, in time to capture the first whiffs of steam beyond the end of the platforms.

 

8:31

 

8:32

 

 

 

 

8:34

 

Up and over the platform stairs, and I get to see her

8:36

 

8:37 

 

...for the first time since July 2018 in the engine shed at Didcot Railway Centre during her rebuild.

 

 

8:38 A brief chat revealed that the coal came from Kazakhstan: lovely coal that doesn't clinker, it just burns very quickly!

 

So exciting to see her in steam at last...and celebrating her 100th Anniversary.

9:45 Rawtenstall

 

Next instalment, the Journey.

In the meantime some links:

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/67/4079-pendennis-castle

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/502/going-loco-march-2022

 

Back soon.

Regards,

Edwin

[southern42]

 Hello all. Here, again, ready to take you on the journey up and down the line,
crossing the river, or should I say, crossing the road?

 

East Lancashire Railway - Storm the Castle : Part Two

Saturday 20 April 2024

Bury to Rawtenstall

Companions: Tender and Southern42

 

Blue Timetable: Steam and Diesel

We arrive intending to travel by steam from Bury all the way to Rawtenstall, have a walk in Whitaker Park and lunch in town, (stopover 2hr 47min) then return by steam. The wind is a bit chilly so, once on the train, we take another look at the Timetable via the website on the 'phone - not like the good old days, eh!

 

If ...

we go all the way to Rawtenstall by Steam

and catch the Steam train straight back to Ramsbottom, where Steam and Diesel meet,

walk over the bridge to the opposite platform,

get on the Diesel back to Rawtenstall, and just walk into town for lunch,

we can return by Steam all the way back to Bury 

for a final look round the Transport Museum and the Station Shop

without getting too cold.

 

This is how we did it:
Steam Depart 9.05* Bury

Steam Arrive  9.38 Rawtenstall

(Stopover 22min)

 

Steam Depart 10.00 Rawtenstall

Steam Depart  10.19 Ramsbottom

Diesel Depart 10.20 Ramsbottom

Diesel Arrive  10.35 Rawtenstall (Lunch)

(Stopover 1hr 45min)

 

Steam Depart 12.25 Rawtenstall

Steam Arrive  13.10 Bury

* Official times.

 

Dai Station will be so pleased I could work it out from the TT without his help although, we did check out the Ramsbottom connection with station staff on arrival at Rawtenstall! Yes, our train  arrives first, giving us time to cross the line to catch the Diesel.

 

By the time we settle down to look out of the window to see what is going on, we are crossing the River Irwell at Summerseat.

 

We quickly pass through a couple of tunnels...

 

before reaching Ramsbottom, spotting an old chimney stack on the other side of the fence...

 

and meeting our Teddy Bear at Ramsbottom Station on its way into the platform.

 

 

LUNCH is at Mr FitzPatrick's Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall, a short walk from Rawtenstall Station, off to the left of picture, passing this section of the river.

 

On our return to Rawtenstall, we head for the end of the platform to greet our train on its way down the line.

In the distance...a puff of smoke beyond the level crossing

 

and another chimney, a Listed Building part of Hardman Brothers (cotton) Mill, my school geography lessons coming to life!

 

Back onboard, I watch as the Castle runs round to the front of the train (left).

 

We cross the road just out of Rawtenstall Station...

 

pass the rocky landscape rising above us...

 

follow the river...

 

cross the river several more times as it meanders down the valley; this time, at Ewood Bridge near the sewage works...

 

here by the viaduct carrying a minor road...

 

and again at Summerseat...

 

and, in between, crossing the road at Ramsbottom.

Plenty of detail in this one for the...shhhhh!... 🤫 ...modeller! 🤣 

 

All too soon, we arrive back in Bury.

 

Ta Tar for now!

Thanks for poop pooping in.

 

Link:

Hardman's Mill: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/IOE01/06809/17

 

Back soon for a quick look round the Museum...an unexpected surprise waiting in the corner.

Until then.

Regards,

Edwin

 

 

Edited Monday at 18:57 by southern42

[southern42]

 Here we are at Bury for a visit to the Transport Museum

 

East Lancashire Railway - Storm the Castle

Part Three

Saturday 20 April 2024

Bury to Rawtenstall

Companions: Tender and Southern42

 

After leaving Bury Station, we cross the road to the Transport Museum with free entry to railway ticket holders. I do not have a train ticket but, as I frequently have to point out: as a railway driver, I have a free pass! Usually accepted with a wink and a huge grin when the penny drops as to who I am!

My first sighting is of something strangely familiar. I nose up and down, and come across something which looks to be in...WELSH?...In ENGLAND? I must have a closer look...

 

 

Indeed, it is in Welsh and my memory starts ticking over. I am getting excited. I have seen this before...in the top left hand corner of Wales, in the National Trust's Penrhyn Castle museum. Recently, I had heard they sold off some of their prized possessions. PA: Prized by some of us, anyway ;) So glad to see it has a good home. Link: 22 JAN 2024 Read all about it...

 

 

The Notice: part and parcel, not intending to go anywhere! As historic as the loco!

 

So, what does she look like?

Vesta: Roman goddess of the hearth.

 

BIG...compared with Ivor, this is! So big, we could only get a full view of her from across the Hall...

 

and from the platform, above. You may remember seeing pics of me on the buses (far left) the last time we came (October 2023).

 

Also inspected is 4P No.2500

 

and something else in my colour in the display case - remember A2 60532 Blue Peter in blue at Kidderminster? Well, here is 5" Gauge LMS 46246 City of Manchester, so good to see in a Greater Manchester museum.

 

While we are upstairs, I just have to have another nosey look around the office.

 

It looks a bit like Dai Station's office typewriter but, at least, his is fully operational.

A younger model, I expect!

I'll stick to driving!

 

On the way back to the station carpark, we pop into the Bury Station shop and...

I get the mug!

 

A great day out and back home in the top left hand corner of Wales by 5 o'clock.

 

Thanks for joining us.

Thanks to railway and museum staff and train crews.

Until next time...I am back on duty for awhile, now, keeping Ivor occupied and everyone happy.

 

Regards,

Edwin

 

Edited Tuesday at 11:40 by southern42