Early Risers.

[BoD]

R-a-R

 

The Rookhope incline is a reet booger on a pushbike.

Passed the old derelict buildings near the top once when there was a mist down. Something quite eerie and haunting about them. Full of old memories and with a hundred tales to tell, mostly sad ones I would guess.

 

Have you had a cuppa in the old Parkhead station cafe?

[emt_911]

Night all

[BSW01]

Evening everyone. The day started out a little wet, and cold. Winter Hill had mist on the top and once again you couldn't see the mast. Windy when I got to my first job, outside Carnforth, a very lazy wind, but at least the sun was out. It was nice if you could stay in the sunshine and out of the wind, but bl##dy cold if you couldn't. Five sites to visit today, so the first task was to put the kettle and then do some work! Next stop was Slyne, just north of Lancaster, then onto Morecambe then back to Lancaster before head back south via Scotforth, before heading towards home. I'll be claiming a couple of hours overtime for today too! On the way home I noticed there were huge black clouds coming in over the Irish Sea and later in the evening it chucked it down.

 

I managed to book my 3rd swimming event last-night, it's very close to where we live and I don't need to book accommodation for this one. However, it took a several of attempts to make the payment, I kept getting an error message, I eventually got there. But I see from some of the recent posts last night and this morning, that there were some IT problems around yesterday, so maybe that had something to do with it.

 

A quiet night was planned for tonight, but we ALL know what happens when you plan something don't we! Today Sheila's iron died, she phoned me up saying that all the sockets in the kitchen were dead. I talked her through the procedure to reset the circuit breaker, then asked what she'd been doing when they went off, ironing she said. So after we'd had tea and a cuppa we went out to buy a replacement iron. Ho hum.

 

Pete (LE). That's a very good question, one I think Jock has in hand so I'll have to make some sort of similar plans myself.

 

Matt. Tea is definitely not a vice, just ask any gasman.

 

Donw. Sorry to hear about your uncle, creaking gates last longest is a saying that's often used here.

 

45156. You're right about Boddingtons, it's never been the same since they closed the brewery in Manchester, God knows where it's made, or what they put in it, but it absolute sh1te now!

 

Goodnight all

[NGT6 1315]

Evening all! Home now after a shift that went smoothly. Don, please accept my condolences to you and yours first of all.

 

 

I spent the first couple of hours on Turn 421, booked with…

 

 

 

…1346 "Thonberg" and 1330 "Wiederitzsch", seen here at the arrival point in Stötteritz…

 

 

 

…halfway through the loop as the boarding point was still occupied by the turn ahead of me. Due to the construction work at Landsberger Straße, we have a fairly generous turnaround of 19 minutes at Stötteritz during daytime, and seven at Landsberger Straße, owing to an additional turn having been booked on the line for relief.

 

 

 

 

While work is ongoing at Landsberger Straße, the arrival point has been temporarily relocated immediately ahead of the departure point. The construction site has been outfitted with a temporary signalling arrangement which I'll explain in a few moments!

 

 

 

 

 

Here, my formation was stood signed as Line 4E for Central Station for the depot return trip. At Central Station, it then re-signed as Line E to Sportforum, and there again as "Operative Service" ("Dienstfahrt" in German, which I hope my translation is a suitable match for) for the last few hundred metres to the depot entrance.

 

 

 

 

Phone snapshot at Angerbrücke with two Tatra sets adjacent, both signed for lines which existed prior to the grand network restructuring of 2001.

 

 

 

Service cars have already been re-labeled with the new logo, this here being one of our traffic director response cars.

 

 

As for Landsberger Straße, there are two separate but, in a sense, connected items to keep in mind:

 

 

First of all, the final stretch of route from Beyerleinstraße to the terminus is single-tracked and safeguarded by a Single Track Signalling suite, which I suppose could be an English interpretation of the German term, "Fahrsignalanlage", or "FSA."

 

The STS suites we use utilise either pan head detectors on the OHLE for a route request, or key lock switches – the latter being most common at those termini located at the ends of single-tracked sections. At Beyerleinstraße, pan head detectors are used for outbound services. The STS screen here shows "Stop" and "Acknowledgment of Route Request."

 

 

 

 

Later, the screen also showed the letter "F", which is an indication that the road and pedestrian traffic lights co-located with this STS unit have been turned off, as is normal here in the early mornings and in the evenings.

 

 

 

 

 

The present arrangement at Landsberger Straße requires two important signalling components to be kept in mind! First of all, there is the STS suite, which the signal screen suspended from the OHLE is part of. The route request key lock is off image to the right.

 

 

 

And there is this temporary signal interlocked with the temporary road traffic lights on the outbound lane, set to a fixed timing pattern. You may depart only if, one, you have a clear STS aspect, and, two, if the temp signal is unlit, as in this case.

 

 

 

Here, the temp signal shows "Stop", and changes to the combined aspect of "Stop" and "Await Clear" (the "dot" aspect, set in the lower of the two chambers in this case) immediately prior to turning dark to indicate "Clear."

 

 

 

 

And there is the temporary set of traffic lights that has been set ahead of the terminus.

 

 

 

 

Also take note of this automatic swing-away barrier, which is enabled by approaching trams.

 

 

 

 

And for my second half on Turn 414, I got 1124 "Marianne von Ziegler".

 

 

 

Night, everyone!

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I signed up for the Atlas Editions 'World of Stobart' to obtain some of the railway engineering models on offer. I've received some models but nothing since November but others have received their models on time. What is most gaulling however is those same models I am waiting for are appearing on e-bay at double the price or more. If it wasn't for the fact that I want those models I would have cancelled my subscription. I think it was here on ER's that someone gave the website that lists the e-mail addresses of company CEO's, can anyone direct me to that website please? Hopefully the CEO of Atlas Editions is on that list. Well thats my rant for tonight, goodnight all.

[Tony_S]

I didn't ever like Boddingtons. It was the draught beer on the cruise ships we went on. I though it was wiser to stick to stuff from bottles.

[Gwiwer]

 

 

Don, please accept my condolences to you and yours first of all.

 

 

Mine also.  

 

In respect of how to advise ones' own passing here my post is worded and in the brown envelope I referred to before along with full instructions, user name and password.  Plus instructions on how to PM Andy Y or any future admin of the site.

[petethemole]

Trip to High Wycombe accomplished and legal business dealt with, about taking over from someone else as trustee of some money left to Martyn. I basically had to prove I'm me.

 

Trains all behaved and I saw several class 68s. They look better in the flesh metal than they do in photos. Some beer was taken, in 'spoons at HW and the Hole in The Wall. Walked off the train at Airport Parkway and straight onto a bus home.

 

Nice to see Debs has popped in.

 

I may hit the sack soon. It doesn't deserve it really; it's not a bad sack. 'night all

 

Pete

[Barry O]

worn to a frazz so time for bed...

 

sleep well everyone,

 

Baz

[Jock67B]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I signed up for the Atlas Editions 'World of Stobart' to obtain some of the railway engineering models on offer. I've received some models but nothing since November but others have received their models on time. What is most gaulling however is those same models I am waiting for are appearing on e-bay at double the price or more. If it wasn't for the fact that I want those models I would have cancelled my subscription. I think it was here on ER's that someone gave the website that lists the e-mail addresses of company CEO's, can anyone direct me to that website please? Hopefully the CEO of Atlas Editions is on that list. Well thats my rant for tonight, goodnight all.

Phil,

''Twas me! Just type personal e-mail addresses of CEOs in UK into Google, and it should come up with a simple to follow set of boxes! (Make sure it isn't a subsidiary company).

Good luck,

Jock.

[PhilJ W]

Mine also.  

 

In respect of how to advise ones' own passing here my post is worded and in the brown envelope I referred to before along with full instructions, user name and password.  Plus instructions on how to PM Andy Y or any future admin of the site.

Thats exactly what I intend to do, plus a final message for my friends here on ER's.

[Happy Hippo]

 

45156. You're right about Boddingtons, it's never been the same since they closed the brewery in Manchester, God knows where it's made, or what they put in it, but it absolute sh1te now!

 

 

That's why I have the flake with mine, so it looks like it as well!

 

On a more serious note, I'm getting much more picky with what I drink, so in the warmer months it's cider,  

 

In the winter I tend to drink beer with a preference for the likes of Shropshire Gold or Doombar.

[laurenceb]

Condolences Don

Night all

[Two_sugars]

Ah! Well . . .Beers . . . . . .Broon brewed in "Bloody Yorkshire" . . . . Double Maxim brewed in "Flippin' Lancashire" (Howay!. . . .Not even the right side of the Pennines. . .

 

but Hobgoblin has become an acceptable substitute . . .With the occational bottle or two of Leffe Blonde for a change.

 

Goodnight everyone . . .Sleep well.

 

 

John

 

Ps . . Good to see Debs drop in.

Edited February 4, 2016 by Two_sugars

[Jock67B]

Morning all,

Not a very good night again last night, or day for that matter yesterday - possibly a cumulative effect from all the pain killers? Seeing the oncologist on Friday morning so hopefully things will get a bit better after that!

Couple of things to cheer me up however - I did remember that Joanna and I tied the knot on the 4th February, twenty seven years ago, and a nicely worded card awaits opening in the kitchen. No doubt with another alongside! Don't know why I put the event off for so long, although it could well have something to do with the disaster known as my first marriage. This one has been great to date! The next event was to note Deb's avatar appearing a couple of times in my ratings list this morning, topped later by a short but welcome post later in the day. Deb's, I hope this is a precursor to further visits, especially if they contain some of your much appreciated humour.

John(two-sugars), I think Sandy Denny had the most haunting of voices and 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes......' is particularly poignant when you consider how young she was when she went! I was lucky enough to see her both in the 'Fairport Convention' and as a solo performer.

Dick, that was a moving and thought provoking tale from WW1. It raises the question, in view of the medical knowledge of the day - how often did it happen? Joanna and I often visited 'Terlincthun Cemetery' just South of Boulogne and noted that a large number of the interred had been laid to rest a considerable time after the end of WW1. This is explained by its proximity to a massive field hospital, but to be taken from your family nine years later, presumably being slowly poisoned by the metal content of the shrapnel, is tough! Did mum ever discuss the event?

Dom, ref. L. Cohen and your 'Bird on the Wire' comment - I always thought 'shame about the singing talent!', but there can be little doubt about his qualities as a poet! Others of 'better voice' have produced some beautiful songs from his art!

Dave(Danemouth), as Neil(NHN) said, we are an open hearted bunch on ERs, and although arguing about religion would be frowned upon, it is refreshing that most participants would actively fight for the individual's right to hold the beliefs that most suit them. Your mention of a requiem mass raised an interesting point - one of the most played pieces of music in my collection (as well incidentally in my late atheist father's), is the Verdi 'Requiem Mass'. If by chance you aren't familiar with it (I don't know your musical tastes?) I'd recommend you to bring it up on YouTube as a start point. Truly as stirring a piece as any in my large collection!

AndyB, thanks for the link to the streamlined Duchesses - they'd gone by the time I joined the population, but I love the original and de-streamlined versions, even being lucky enough to get a couple of footplate rides thanks to my driver dad. Not the most beautiful Stanier design perhaps, but it simply exudes strength and power! For beauty it has to be between the 'Princess' or 'Jubilee' - might not get full agreement there?

Mike(SM), I clearly remember the animosity (caused by several historic disputes as well as the scrapping of the entire G&SWR fleet by the LMS at 'big four' time) that existed between the G&SWR and the Caledonian from my early days, but having Mike(Dent Station) as a digital friend, who worked in old Caley part of BR at a time when diesels had begun the big modernisation, softens that! Lots of the Hurlford drivers came to really like the old Caley 812 0-6-0 locos when they had to do turns on them.

Ian(Abel), so sorry to hear how ill you were after the epic at the dentist - was it a reaction to the anti-biotic? I have to say that the snow looks very attractive, from indoors!

Dave(TG), didn't find the targeting tattoos any problem at all, in fact mine have now been used four times so they don't wash off! The worst part was lying still on a very hard scanner with my now rather bony body! Hope it all goes well for 'Is'.

Flavio, we are keeping our fingers crossed here, that one of your options finally becomes a job that suits you very soon. If it hadn't been for this accursed illness, I would certainly have carried on until at least 70!

Dave(r-a-r), nice bit of history there, and superb weather to go with it. I loved tracing old routes, one in particular being the 'Redruth and Chacewater' whilst living in Cornwall in the seventies. Interesting little finds, like granite sleeper sets peeping through tar in front of garages in Redruth, that even the garage owners didn't know about for instance. Or where the line crossed the Falmouth/Truro road, a single level crossing gate still embedded as part of a garden fence. Fascinating hobby, and how lucky that Mrs 'r-a-r' doesn't mind doing her 'Miss Daisy' impression.

DonW, sorry I'm late on the news, but I'd like to add our commiserations to you and your family over the loss of your uncle - tough even when expected.

Get well soon all that ail, and stay healthy everyone else. The eyes are drooping again now so it's time to try som zzzzs

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night all! (And hopefully I'll be able to add our friend from New York back soon!).

[pH]

For beauty it has to be between the 'Princess' or 'Jubilee' - might not get full agreement there?

 

Absolutely no disagreement from here!

[emt_911]

Morning all. Another chilly and windy start to the day.

 

Although I slept really well last night I feel exhausted this morning and I'm already on my second coffee.

 

Have a good day everyone

[AndyID]

Absolutely no disagreement from here!

 

None from me either.

 

When I was seven or so I would spend hours watching shunting at Saucel goods on the Canal line in Paisley. Usually it was a Caley Jumbo, but one day this amazing green beauty called Invincible was doing the work. It was the first named engine I had ever seen.

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

First of all, condolencies to Don and Happy Anniversary to Jock.

 

We have another rather strange morning weather wise.  According to the radio, the temperatures are down around freezing in many parts of Hessen - but we have 4°C.

 

I was speaking to my neighbour yesterday afternoon, and she was reporting that Crocus are starting to bloom in her garden.  It is definitely too early for that!  I reckon that there must be a proper cold snap before Spring arrives.

 

Time for a coffee!

 

Have a good day everyone...

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

I might have to do some expensive shopping soon.  It seems that the little electronic box that converts my analogue TV into a digital one and allows me to record programmes is ailing. Twice in the past week or so it has frozen.  To unfreeze it entails turning it off and back on, which reinstalls everything but deletes pre-set recording instructions.  Another little foible it has developed is to lose the sound from live programmes after it has been bypassed so that I can watch a DVD.  Off and on cures that too but it seems to be suffering from built-in obsolescence.  A few months ago it received works attention after playing back recorded programmes minus sound.  After the hard drive had been wiped it seemed to function as it should but it is clearly trying to tell me something.   My TV is only the second that I have owned since 1985 and still has a cathode ray tube, how quaint.  It tends to have a colour cast which disappears after a while or after I thump the set.  I shall visit the dealership this morning after I have been to the bank.  Serves me right for watching too much TV I guess.

 

All this is but a minor irritation and a pale insignificance compared with the troubles of others.   Thank you for bearing with me while I rant.  To those with far more serious things on their minds I extend best wishes or condolences as best suit.

 

Chris

[NGT6 1315]

Morning all, and first of all, happy anniversary, Jock! Still sleepy but today's shift won't start until 1.45 pm, so there's still some time.

 

Have a good one, folks…

[Barry O]

Yep Happy Anniversary Jock and Joanna. And here's to the next one.

 

Youngest Herbert left early to catch the 7am Leeds to Edinburgh train as his new employers are having a meeting at their (Caley) brewery today and tomorrow. He didn't wake us up so he is a star!

 

Eldest Herbert is on with the last bits of his thesis alterations and will be handing it in shortly. Hopefully the changes will be acceptable. If not I am off to see the powers that be in Hull to ask why they asked for the changes in the first place.

 

Looked in on the beer thread. These craft beers don't seem to have a head to them. Proper beers should leave a "tide mark" down the side of the glass.....loops that's my early years watching my mum and dad serving Vaux beers in Blackhall Officials Club.

 

Hope your trip goes well Jock.

 

Keep on making with the positive ways everyone.

 

Baz

[45156]

I didn't ever like Boddingtons. It was the draught beer on the cruise ships we went on. I though it was wiser to stick to stuff from bottles.

When ir was brewed at Strangeways as a regional brew, it was an excellent beer when pulled off the hand pump.  It was very bitter and hoppy.

 

It was after the Boddington family sold the brand and brewery to Whitbread that things started to go national and wrong....

[laurenceb]

Happy anniversary Jock

Morning all

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a village that is still here as the gloom hurries away.   Lots of good posts but I will have to love you and leave you.   I have to go and give a two hour talk to a class of theology students on 'Baptist Worship'.  A bit out of my comfort zone but as the guy who asked me is one of my operators on Green Ayre I need to repay many favours.  The interesting thing is that it is at a Catholic establishment (Leeds Trinity) and only two of the students have any active interest in religion.  Apparently the others are doing the course as an easy option.  As Chris (Their tutor and Uni Chaplain) is a model railway friend with a wicked sense of humour, there may even be a bit of subtle teasing going on.

 

Regards to all, hopefully chance for a catch up later.

 

Jamie