Chris Turnbull

I must be in the minority as I like Windows 11. I have personalised it to suiit my taste and method of working and the changes made so far don't bother me. Putting the Widget on the left-hand side I liked as it separated it from the central taskbar icons that I use most and the change to the search icon I also approve of. My File Explorer is still called File Explorer although it now has a slightly different arrangement, none of which bothers me. Normally, I find that digital technology does far more than I need. I recently bought a new car with all manner of whistles and bells. This time I sat down and read the manual and played around with the controls - I have the time now I am retired - and switched off a lot of the things I will never use. This is now the best car I have ever driven. It does everything I want but no more, and if I decide I do want to restore a particular feature I can easily do so. I did the same with my Windows 11 including buying the Dummies book from which I personalised my PC. I now feel the same about my computer. Chris Turnbull

Another batch of preserved / heritage railways today. 45428 at Whitby on 2nd October 2010. Perhaps not exactly a preserved railway but the loco is. On the North Yorkshire Moors Railway itself, here's 69023 and 63395 leaving Grosmont on the same day. The loco shed at Swanage on 12th September 2018 with 30053 (part) and 34072 257 Squadron. 4566 at Bridgnorth on 10th April 1976. Again, not a preserved railway but splendid preserved locos: the NRM at York on 25th February 2020. Finally, Sirapite entertains the crowds at Brockford on the Mid-Suffolk on 6th May 2018. Chris Turnbull

Three photos from Crewe and three from York today. See? No favouritism here. A class 158 in Alphaline livery, possibly 158863. Taken on 22nd February 2008. 350109 at Crewe on the same day. A unidentified Pendolino on the same day. On 20th August 1999 I was at York. This is HST 43067 passing Skelton Junction. On the same day this is an unidentified GNER HST. Finally, 56043 at Skelton Junction on 20th August 1999. Chris Turnbull

How to save money: don't eat in expensive restaurants. It all comes out the same the next day. Chris Turnbull

Thank you for confirming that weight can be a problem with these lenses. I have experience of the enormous telephoto lense and camera I inherited from my father. This was back in the early 1990s and, whilst it was a lovely camera (an Olympus - film, of course), it and the three lenses that I acquired weighed a ton, especially after half an hour of lugging them around stations and the like. I do not want to repeat this state of affairs as I am not getting any younger. Whilst I am slightly younger than you, I am still in my 70s and like to travel as lightly as possible these days. Chris Turnbull

Trains in the Colneis peninsula again. Before the Stadler 755s passengers to Felixstowe had to put up with the 153s. This is 153306 at the truncated remains of Felixstowe Town on 3rd May 2003. 153309 at Felixstowe Town on 3rd September 2005. The 153s have since been replaced with the far superior class 755s. This is 755421 at Woodbridge on 25th August 2022 with the 13.51 to Lowestoft. Back in Felixstowe, this is 70003 at the north end of the docks on 21st October 2017. Are these the ugliest locomotives ever? Departing from Felixstowe South on 23rd October 2017, this is 66729 passing the site of the erstwhile Felixstowe locomotive and carriage sheds. 66761 passes Trimley and is about to turn right towards Felixstowe North with 4L02 from Hams Hall on 28th May 2022. The line to the left continues to Town station and the south entrance to the docks. Chris Turnbull

Thank you so much for your detailed response. I didn't know I could retrieve the settings of my photos by going to the properties tab. That bit of information will be very useful. I now have a Canon EOS 550D which my son-in-law wanted to get rid of so I bought it off him. I also bought the Dummies book for that camera which I found invaluable. I take all my photos with the settings on manual which I've now got the hang of. This allows me to get the shutter speed and depth of field right. The ISO takes care of itself if set to auto. One thing I did think I might buy is another lens. I only have the 18 - 55mm lens that comes with the camera whereas you have an 18 - 200mm lens. I don't want to have to carry too much weight around with me so do you find it very useful? Is it worthwhile buying? Chris Turnbull

Yes, you are quite right about standard class only - and I have just been reading about LUMO in this month's Modern Railways. In my defence I would point out that I got the details from Rail Guide 2022 where the two end cars are given as a PDTS one end and a PDTF (845005) the other. Either this is a misprint or the "F" stands for something else, although what I don't know. Edit: It's a misprint. I have just looked in Rolling Stock Review 2022 - 2023 and the two end cars are both PDTS. Chris Turnbull

Sometimes reviewers get the name of the establishment wrong. My bother-in-law and his wife run a great pub/hotel in Yorkshire. They have had really good reviews on Trip Advisor apart from one very poor one which they did not recognise at all. Their pub has a very similar name to similar establishment just down the road in the same town and they have come to the conclusion that the reviewer got the name wrong. Unfortunately there is very little they can do about it. Chris Turnbull

DSC_0902: Lumo operate class 803 units and looking at the number on the Pantograph Driving Trailer First (PDTF) this is set 803005. These Lumo things always belt through Peterborough and I have to use a shutter speed of 1/1000 to get anything near as good as your photo. Do you know what settings you used for your excellent shot? Chris Turnbull

A visit to London for today. 168035 at Marylebone on 13th February 2016. 319383 at London Bridge on 12th July 2008. 47747 Florence Nightingale at Kings Cross on 15th March 2003. 456018 at East Croydon on 17th April 2004. Gospel Oak also on 17th April 2004. 313103 and 59204 at Stratford on 7th May 2009. Chris Turnbull

After an exhausting day yesterday with my youngest grandson (3) all I could manage yesterday evening were a couple of G&Ts after which RMWeb didn't seem too important! So, another visit around East Anglia today. Starting at Soham on 19th October 2022, this is 66543 with 4E23 Felixstowe North to Leeds. On to Ely where, on a foggy 2nd November 2013, I photographed the northbound starters for platforms 2 (L) and 3 (R). Also at Ely but a few years earlier on 26th April 2008, this is 158662 in platform 3. Off to Norwich where, on 4th October 2014, we see 170206 with 156422 in the background. Down the main line to Ipswich with 170273 on 7th April 2012. And, on the same day, this is 360114 also at Ipswich. Chris Turnbull

I did walk between the two along the route of the original line but that was the next year. I am probably getting senile and have just forgotten! Grosmont on 16th August 1999 Chris Turnbull

A visit to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway today. On the train somewhere between Levisham and Goathland on 29th July 1998. On arrival at Goathland I must have climbed the adjacent hill to take this shot (although I can't remember doing so!). The next year on 16th August I paid another visit to that great railway. This is 62005 and, although my caption says Grosmont, I think the loco is leaving Goathland for the downhill trip to Grosmont. Confirmation anyone? On the same day this is 45428 at Pickering about to couple up to its train. On 3rd June 2005 I was there again. This is 12139 and S15 825 (BR 30825) outside the shed at Grosmont. Although not the NYMR itself, this is 156468 departing Grosmont for Whitby on the same day. Chris Turnbull

The last of my August 1967 black and white Carlisle Kingmoor photos today. 70031 Byron on the 24th. 44792 on the 25th. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley on the 27th. 70049 Solway Firth on the 27th. 70053 Moray Firth on the 27th. 92139 on the 27th. Chris Turnbull

Another trip around East Anglia today Ely on 12th June 2010 with 66569 and 158799. 170271 and 387113 at Cambridge on 29th June 2018. 170270 at Ipswich on 16th July 2018. 745006 south of Ipswich at Belstead on 19th August 2022. 66758 The Pavior head past the remains of Felixstowe Beach platform with 4M02 to Hams Hall on 10th June 2022. Lowestoft on 26th April 2008 with 156417 entering the station and 170204 waiting. Chris Turnbull

Another visit to London this evening. An early -1910? - map of the underground at Acton LT museum on 18th October 2008. The control room at Mount Pleasant on the Post Office Railway on 15th March 2003. Liverpool Street on 17th April 2004 with, from left to right, 360117, 315820 and 317660. Camden Road on 12th December 2009 with a class 378 entering the platform. The statue of Sir Jihn Betjeman at St Pancras on 15th Decmber 2007. Lewisham on 12th July 2008. Chris Turnbull

More from various perserved / heritage lines today. Here we are on a lovely summer's day in August 1988 at Havenstreet on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Loughborough on the Great Central Railway on 28th March 1976 with Black 5 5231 undergoing restoration. Bo'ness on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway on 7th May 2006. Pontsticill on the Brecon Mountain Railway on 23rd May 2010. On the Bure Valley Railway on 21st February 2019. Chrddleton station building on the Churnett Valley Railway on1st May 2010. Chris Turnbull

My wife wanted to go to one of her favourite shops today (4th November) which is in Bishops Stortford. Of course, I just had to go to the station, didn't I? Bishops Stortford station from the Station Road overbridge. I just missed a train which was pulling out as I got to this spot. I wondered if I would be allowed on the station. There is often a jobsworth who makes life difficult but I am pleased to say that I didn't come across any at Bishops Stortford. Although I offered to buy a platform ticket they said they didn't do them and a very kind chap let me through the barriers with no trouble. There are three services from Bishops Stortford, Liverpool Street to Cambridge North, Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport and Stratford to Bishops Stortford. This is 720566 forming 2S47, the 11.47 to Stratford. These trains use platform 3. 720587 forms 2H25, the 10.53 from Cambridge North to Liverpool Street. Going in the other direction, 720554 forms 2H22, the 10.58 from Liverpool Street to Cambridge North. The low sun at this time of year made photography difficult. Nevertheless, if I chose my spot with care results weren't too bad. This is 720581 forming 2H27, the 11.13 Cambridge North to Liverpool Street. The third service is that to Stansted Airport and this is 745101 forming 1B58, the 11.55 Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport. Just prior to the arrival of this train, the platform had filled with elegant young women and smart young men in crisp uniforms. Whatever is going on, I thought. Then it dawned on me - they were cabin crew off to work. I can't say I found Bishops Stortford the most interesting of stations but it is certainly busy and the staff were very friendly, quite happy to have a chat. Well done them. Chris Turnbull

I've been busy today making an enormous curved crossover in Gauge One. I've made points before in 4mm and 7mm but 10mm is a whole new experience. Although its been great fun (mostly) there comes a time when its best to give it a rest and I've now reached that time. So, back at my PC, here's a trip around East Anglia. Ely on 7th March 2009 with a class 365 on what is probably a Kings Cross service and a class 170 on what is probably a Norwich service. 153322 at Ely on 19th July 2009. Derby Road, Ipswich on 25th July 2009. Back at Ipswich's main station, this is 66132 headed soutnwards on the same day. 158863 at Norwich on 28th July 2012. A general view of Norwich on 4th October 2014 with 170273 in the platform. Chris Turnbull

Both locos were on the books until 2010 (ish) so I would think they were in for repairs in 2006. Chris Turnbull

A busy couple of days during which time I have acquired another granddaughter. Now I've managed to get back on my pc I thought a few more shots from Scotland would be good. Fort William on 7th September 2017. The Caledonian Sleeper on the left , steam special to Malliag on the right. And this is Malliag on 6th September 2017 with 156450 forming the service train. The station throat at Kyle of Lochalsh on 5th September 2017 with not a train in sight. Springburn works on 6th May 2006. Glasgow Central on 20th May 2013. I had intended to post another photo of Central but, once again, RMWeb won't let me despite the total size being nowhere near 10MB. Chris Turnbull

It's been a while since we paid a visit to London so here's a return visit. Clapham Junction on 17th April 2004. East Croydon on the same day. 150128 at Gospel Oak again on 17th April 2004. 378017 at Camden Road on 12th December 2009. A couple now from Stratford. Here's 315848 on 25th February 2010. A few months later on 13th July, here's Adtranz 1992 stock unit 91179 with 92179 behind. Chris Turnbull

Another trip around East Anglia today. On 19th October 2022 66543 passes through Soham with 4E23 from Felixstowe North to Leeds. 158810 at Ely on 29th June 2018 37405 at Norwich on 24th March 2017 156412 at Lowestoft on 11th July 2015 Down the East Suffolk line to Beccles where 755416 enters from Ipswich on 22nd July 2022 The Port of Felixstowe, north end on 7th July 2022 where a diminuitive 08531 emphasises the size of these cranes. Chris Turnbull

Lovely in spring and summer but I bet it was bleak in winter! Chris Turnbull