Jim’s “out and about with GBRf” thread

[big jim]

53 minutes ago, ess1uk said:

I wondered what had happened to that theme park, only went once 

Used to love going there, seem to remember at the time the log flume was the steepest or longest in the uk, when you look back at the site now you realise how small it actually is compared to the likes of Alton towers

 

as you come off the main road on the bike there is a still a sign saying ‘no through road to the American adventure’ 

 

here’s an article about where the rides are now 

 

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/nostalgia/beloved-rides-american-adventure-theme-7038022.amp

 

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by big jim

[Gremlin99]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

Used to love going there, seem to remember at the time the log flume was the steepest or longest in the uk, when you look back at the site now you realise how small it actually is compared to the likes of Alton towers

 

as you come off the main road on the bike there is a still a sign saying ‘no through road to the American adventure’ 

 

here’s an article about where the rides are now 

 

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/nostalgia/beloved-rides-american-adventure-theme-7038022.amp

 

 

“Tallest three drop log flume in UK” or similar I think! 
 

Iron Wolf (Twin looper) was my first ever upside down ‘coaster, closely followed by The Missile (an absolute brute of a ride) 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Gremlin99

[JonK]

On 12/08/2022 at 23:46, big jim said:

‘‘Twas a long day!

 

Actually shorter than most turns I normally do but some of it is just so slow such as between hellifield and Blackburn, 30mph all the way!

 

rode to kingmoor from the middle of Carlisle passing under the old Waverley route bridge 

it’s not actually a cycle path but a public footpath with lots of steps but it was a nice ) mile ride to try out a new bike 

 

my train 

 

Got cautioned at ais gil and asked to inspect the line after a train in opposite direction had hit some sheep and they weren’t sure if there were still some in the line, I found 5 dead sheep in moorcock tunnel so had to stop at Garsdale to let the signaller know, I could have done it on the phone but I saw it as a photo op!

 

ruswarp statue 

 

Before passing mick I got stopped at whalley 

 

as soon as my feet touched the platform the signal pulled off!

 

As I was covering 2 job today there was no break showing in the schedule so I asked to be stopped in crewe for a PNB as i was reaching my driving time limit and the next bit of trip would have taken me over it so I got off for a leg stretch, toilet break and a drink 

 

I was booked to take it to landor st but a buckled rail meant it couldn’t go over Sutton park so I went via bescot to Birmingham international where I got off 

 

a really enjoyable day, the s+c in glorious sunshine is lovely, got a trip back to Carlisle via the WCML one day next week too, possession in Birmingham tomorrow though 

 

 

A bit late to the party here but here's my shot of the train crossing Ais Gill viaduct after a rather taxing and unpleasant walk from the car with the pole in the afternoon heat - cheers for the friendly toot! 

 

The MOD need not worry about having lost 3x 20ft containers either, although I decided to spend a bit of time filling in the gap otherwise left by the empty flat!! 

 

[big jim]

Had you not mentioned the photoshopped boxes I’d have been non the wiser!

 

i can imagine the hike was a bit warm to where you were stood 

 

only 4 from today, Iport to landor st 

 

69001 and 69002 passing while we fuelled the 66

 

into Iport, 66708, first time I’ve worked it since it’s repaint 

 

 

and into landor st 

 

possible change of job Tuesday to conduct a train due to route knowledge 

 

 

[Ben B]

On 12/08/2022 at 23:46, big jim said:

‘‘Twas a long day!

 

Actually shorter than most turns I normally do but some of it is just so slow such as between hellifield and Blackburn, 30mph all the way!

 

rode to kingmoor from the middle of Carlisle passing under the old Waverley route bridge 

it’s not actually a cycle path but a public footpath with lots of steps but it was a nice ) mile ride to try out a new bike 

 

 

 

I'm glad to see the viaduct is still there; when I was at Uni in Carlisle, that was one of my regular walks when I needed to get a bit of head-space, or just to relax.  Out from Stanwix along the country lanes, over that viaduct, then back with a pause to photograph some WCML moves on the River Eden bridges near the power-station site, then back via the park.  It was considered an unofficial footpath at the time (no fences, and loads of fallen parapet stones so a bit dodgy up there), and there was plenty of talk about the future of the viaduct.  The path to be closed, or (this was very left-field) reopening as a railway if the Waverley Route was ever revived... the one that came closest was having a road-deck built on it (or outright demolition and replacement) as part of the Bypass scheme which was being mooted at the time.  It's nice to see it's still there and accessible!

[CovDriver]

When I lived in Carlisle in the mid 90's I used to go fishing underneath that viaduct and often walking around that area. Fantastic pictures as ever Jim. 

 

Cheers 

 

Colin 

[The Border Reiver]

10 hours ago, Ben B said:

 

I'm glad to see the viaduct is still there; when I was at Uni in Carlisle, that was one of my regular walks when I needed to get a bit of head-space, or just to relax.  Out from Stanwix along the country lanes, over that viaduct, then back with a pause to photograph some WCML moves on the River Eden bridges near the power-station site, then back via the park.  It was considered an unofficial footpath at the time (no fences, and loads of fallen parapet stones so a bit dodgy up there), and there was plenty of talk about the future of the viaduct.  The path to be closed, or (this was very left-field) reopening as a railway if the Waverley Route was ever revived... the one that came closest was having a road-deck built on it (or outright demolition and replacement) as part of the Bypass scheme which was being mooted at the time.  It's nice to see it's still there and accessible!

Canal shed was located at the south end of the viaduct at the top of the steps. Latest news on the viaduct:

 

Our Mission: "to re-open the viaduct as a footpath and eventually a cycle path"

 

http://www.carlislewaverleyviaducttrust.co.uk/

[big jim]

Some from last night, a complete change of job again, should have been Mountsorrel but ended up in north wales on the penyffordd cement

 

caught the train from crewe to shotton 

 

and in came my train

 

Stopped in wrexham for a bit 

 

And shrewsbury

 

And into landor st 

 

crewe to Carlisle today then a few days off at the caravan 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2022 by big jim

[big jim]

Just 3 from today, Crewe to Carlisle, left crewe 90 late and got to Carlisle only 15 late, apart from getting stopped at Lancaster for a unit struggling in the station we were on greens all the way from basford hall into the platform in Carlisle! 
 

 

 

and my train to wigton for a couple of days off at the caravan 

 

 

 

[Steadfast]

On 14/08/2022 at 21:19, big jim said:

From there I rode to toton via Bennerley viaduct, a nice 20 mile ride 

I've spent the last 7 weeks at Toton Jim, headed to Bennerley myself yesterday for an unwind after a day in the classroom. Lovely spot, one to go back to.

 

Jo

[big jim]

Not many from yesterday, caught a train from wigton back to crewe 

 

156 arriving into wigton

 

TPE unit in the centre road in Carlisle 

 

then later in the night I did a crewe to small heath, running around in Tyseley 

 

 

That’s all could’ve bothered with!

 

[BR traction instructor]

You missed the excitement in Silloth Jim…as a group of residents we had to confront a 70+ neighbour and warn him that any future recurrence of exposing himself would involve the Police.

 

BeRTIe

[big jim]

On 20/08/2022 at 08:55, BR traction instructor said:

You missed the excitement in Silloth Jim…as a group of residents we had to confront a 70+ neighbour and warn him that any future recurrence of exposing himself would involve the Police.

 

BeRTIe

Glad I didn’t hang around then! 
 

just a few from last night, rail drop at snow hill, couple of issues on site so no pics there

 

ready to leave bescot, very smoky loco

 

 

went via soho and Stourbridge to Kidderminster to change ends

 

then back through them again to the hawthorns and on to snow hill, eventually back to bescot this morning 

 

stockport to small heath tonight then 8 days off and away to the caravan

dodging naked old folk by the sound of it! 

[BR traction instructor]

…his curtains were closed straight after the altercation and haven’t reopened yet. 

 

Awful weather here just now.

 

BeRTIe

Edited August 22, 2022 by BR traction instructor

[kev]

First picture looks like you cleared the ghost out of the loco 🤣

Edited August 22, 2022 by kev
Spelling

[big jim]

Final night in this week, stockpot to small heath via Stoke

 

biomass train passing through while I waited for my train 

 

 

couple of video stills 

 

my train, 66799

 

Run round in Tyseley 

 

and into small heath, split to clear the crossing and away home 

 

might do a crewe to Carlisle on Friday, see how I feel nearer the time 

 

 

[corneliuslundie]

Interesting to see the biomass train, but was it really necessary to produce all those vinyls? Environmentally friendly? And at whose eventual cost?

Admittedly the previous graffiti was probably not so pretty but . . .

Jonathan

[Gordon A]

Advertising and keeps people in work.

[Hibelroad]

I did see a biomass train passing through Northwich a couple of weeks ago. Several wagons were in the old swoosh livery which was was very faded and shabby so I suppose it’s time to smartened the train up a bit with new vinyls. 

[big jim]

Sneaky little rest day work in last night (same tonight), Carlisle to crewe and pass back 

 

nice to have Carlisle station almost to myself at 02:00

 

 

 

 

 

my train south 

 

And into basford hall after an almost non stop run again

 

Class 68 waiting the road 

 

 

Walking back to the station 

 

197 on test 

 

Got a refurbished Pendolino back to Carlisle, quite nice inside 

 

The tables have lots of USB charge points, plugs and even wireless charging pads on the tops, handy to charge my iPhone while I use my cable for the iPad

 

passing lowgill 

 

That was that for the day, same again tonight, managed to get the northbound intermodal on Tuesday so it gets me an extra night at the caravan 

 

[big jim]

Same again last night

 

sleeper train 

 

 

Northern units

 

TPE unit 

 

RAF 156

 

Into a foggy crewe 

 

 

 

Managed to change jobs on Tuesday so I can get an extra night at the caravan 

[big jim]

Back to work today, crewe to Carlisle again 

 

No pics until Tebay where we were looped for a couple of passenger trains to pass 

 

 

and into Carlisle

 

a few freights went through as I waited for my train home 

 

 

 

Hams hall to Mountsorrel tomorrow 

 

 

[big jim]

Only a few from this morning, hams hall to Mountsorrel, used the trafford park train as a taxi to nuneaton to save fuel and my car being in the wrong place at the end of the job!

 

into Mountsorrel 

 

Caught the train home from barrow on soar, you get an idea of how fast the ‘fasts’ are when you try to get a pic of a unit passing by at 110 mph 

 

Train to Leicester 

 

my train to supposedly Nottingham but I managed a quick jump across the bridge at beeston and caught the crewe train from there so got home an hour early 

 

In the afternoon I had a bike ride over to Chester to see Pete watermans making tracks layout 

 

 

 

Impressive double headed super D with loads of wagons 

 

 

After that I had a trip out to llandudno, I was only going to go to shotton and back to crewe but just carried on, just in the train home now

 

 

rugby to birch coppice tomorrow 

 

 

 

[corneliuslundie]

Went to see the Pete Waterman layout last week with a group from our local model railway club. Only realised after talking to him for about ten minutes who he was! Nice modelling, and I liked the hedges a lot more than on a lot of layouts.

There was a 27 wagon freight on the down Northampton. The driver stopped it just after the loco entered the visible part of the layout. Pete's immediate comment was that he now would not be able to get enough of a run to get up the slope to the bridge - and he was right.

Jonathan

[The Lurker]

The Pete Waterman layout is not one I had come across - but as soon as I saw Jim's pictures I recognised where it was, having commuted that route in the early 90s for a couple of years.