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Then & Now

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Ash Bridge

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It would be really interesting (but probably impossible) to find out where the ECS was being carted off to.

Not only that but why was the class 85 parked up at Stockport when Longsight was only just up the road? Questions, questions!

I was thinking just the same thing and after consulting the www.2D53.co.uk website learned that the L character of the headcode denotes a special working within the division so at a guess perhaps no further than Crewe? regarding the 85 quite a lot of freight and parcels trains coming of the Guide Bridge line performed a Diesel to Electric traction change at Heaton Norris Junction, particularly so on weekday evenings not to mention the the York-Shrewsbury TPO at the station itself every evening so perhaps handier to layover here than Longsight? It would be good if someone could confirm though.
 
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RichmondCommu

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I was thinking just the same thing and after consulting the www.2D53.co.uk website learned that the L character of the headcode denotes a special working within the division so at a guess perhaps no further than Crewe? regarding the 85 quite a lot of freight and parcels trains coming of the Guide Bridge line performed a Diesel to Electric traction change at Heaton Norris Junction, particularly so on weekday evenings not to mention the the York-Shrewsbury TPO at the station itself every evening so perhaps handier to layover here than Longsight? It would be good if someone could confirm though.

Three loco changes on a relatively short run. I wonder how many similar workings can beat that?

I'm going with your suggestion for the ECS working, unless perhaps it was Stoke for a footex?
 

Ash Bridge

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Three loco changes on a relatively short run. I wonder how many similar workings can beat that?

I'm going with your suggestion for the ECS working, unless perhaps it was Stoke for a footex?

Indeed! And when you consider that it was also double headed between Leeds City & Stalybridge during that period, was it also 2 x 24/25s from Crewe down to Shrewsbury/Aberystwyth I wonder? Your mention of Stoke must be a good shout too.
 

RichmondCommu

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Indeed! And when you consider that it was also double headed between Leeds City & Stalybridge during that period, was it also 2 x 24/25s from Crewe down to Shrewsbury/Aberystwyth I wonder? Your mention of Stoke must be a good shout too.

Just been flicking through my photo's. On the 4.8.78 47061 was in charge of the 21.50 York to Shrewsbury mail train. Sadly I didn't take a picture of the electric loco that brought the train in. Judging by the first vehicle the train was well loaded.
 

Ash Bridge

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Just been flicking through my photo's. On the 4.8.78 47061 was in charge of the 21.50 York to Shrewsbury mail train. Sadly I didn't take a picture of the electric loco that brought the train in. Judging by the first vehicle the train was well loaded.

Ah, so by the late 70s class 47s had ousted the type 2s then, I wonder if it was when the end destination was cut back from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury that this occurred?
 

davetheguard

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Thanks Mr Cowley,
Yes, the gate in the original shot doesn't exist any longer, I absolutely agree with you about being behind that 37, especially stood at the bar counter of that Gresley buffet ordering a BR sausage roll and a beer at 1973 prices ;)

Paying 1973 prices would certainly be nice; presumably something like 40 - 50p a pint in those days? Having said that, what beer would have been on offer in said buffet car - probably tins of gassy, rather metalic-tasting Worthington E or Watney's Red Barrel?
 

Ash Bridge

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Time for another comparison, it's back to Exeter St Davids again with almost 40 years separating the two scenes.

In the first shot taken on the last day of September 1975 we see Class 52 1046 Western Marquis stood at platform 5 awaiting departure for London Paddington most unusually on a rake of mk2 aircon stock (subbing for a class 50?) this locomotive had just over a year remaining until withdrawal after a service life of just 14 years.

The second shot taken in June 2015 in roughly the same position depicts HST power car 43169 also at the head of a Paddington bound service, interesting to note the lack of enthusiasts in the latter shot compared to 1975.
 

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Cowley

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Ah the long awaited Western on aircons photo. ;)
I bet it was hot for those passengers that day? An interesting photo, I don't recall ever seeing a photo of a Western on those before, I see the bashers are chancing a ride in the first class vestibule. I wonder what had failed to cause the use of D1046 that day? Was it a Paddington bound train that should have had a 50?
The general layout of the station doesn't look very different to now which is a plus and it's nice to see the parcels van in platform 2 with its doors open being loaded. I wonder what destination was chalked on the side, Barnstaple maybe?
What a treat Mr Bridge thanks for posting it. :)
 

Ash Bridge

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Ah the long awaited Western on aircons photo. ;)
I bet it was hot for those passengers that day? An interesting photo, I don't recall ever seeing a photo of a Western on those before, I see the bashers are chancing a ride in the first class vestibule. I wonder what had failed to cause the use of D1046 that day? Was it a Paddington bound train that should have had a 50?
The general layout of the station doesn't look very different to now which is a plus and it's nice to see the parcels van in platform 2 with its doors open being loaded. I wonder what destination was chalked on the side, Barnstaple maybe?
What a treat Mr Bridge thanks for posting it. :)

Oh have I mentioned that one before then ;) funny thing was that the following Paddington bound service on platform 5 was a class 50 hauling a rake of earlier mk2a/b non aircon's, yes the station hasn't changed so much really in the intervening years bar the long gone semaphores and centre track between Platforms 2 & 3? the atmosphere is not quite the same these days though is it? although when that 57 drew in then departed with the 17:50 Penzance a few Saturdays ago when I was there it did for a short while bring back some of the old magic for me at least.
 

Cowley

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Oh have I mentioned that one before then ;) funny thing was that the following Paddington bound service on platform 5 was a class 50 hauling a rake of earlier mk2a/b non aircon's, yes the station hasn't changed so much really in the intervening years bar the long gone semaphores and centre track between Platforms 2 & 3? the atmosphere is not quite the same these days though is it? although when that 57 drew in then departed with the 17:50 Penzance a few Saturdays ago when I was there it did for a short while bring back some of the old magic for me at least.

1 and 3 ;).
Yes it's definitely a changed a lot motive power wise unfortunately. Did you see HSTs in Exeter by then or was that the year after?
At least you still get the odd surprise in Exeter though...
 

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Ash Bridge

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Sorry, I always get confused by the platform numbering at St Davids :oops:
Unless the prototype 252 unit had visited then this predated the introduction of the production series units which I think off the top of my head commenced service the following summer or spring (1976) on Paddington to Bristol services, it would be interesting to learn when the first one reached Exeter and beyond.
 

Harbornite

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Oh have I mentioned that one before then ;) funny thing was that the following Paddington bound service on platform 5 was a class 50 hauling a rake of earlier mk2a/b non aircon's, yes the station hasn't changed so much really in the intervening years bar the long gone semaphores and centre track between Platforms 2 & 3? the atmosphere is not quite the same these days though is it? although when that 57 drew in then departed with the 17:50 Penzance a few Saturdays ago when I was there it did for a short while bring back some of the old magic for me at least.

Another difference is that down GWR trains use Platform 4 rather than 1, meaning that SWR trains can access platforms 1 and 3 without having to wait.
 

Ash Bridge

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Another difference is that down GWR trains use Platform 4 rather than 1, meaning that SWR trains can access platforms 1 and 3 without having to wait.

Yes of course, when we travelled down from Paddington that day our class 52 hauled service arrived at platform 1, I presume this all changed at the time of the 1985 resignalling scheme?
 

Harbornite

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Yes of course, when we travelled down from Paddington that day our class 52 hauled service arrived at platform 1, I presume this all changed at the time of the 1985 resignalling scheme?

Indeed. It was a logical decision for sure.
 

Cowley

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I was at Ropley on the Mid Hants yesterday and I noticed a board which had a photo of the station taken from the same spot in February 1973 (3 months before I was even born!), the caption invited you to compare the changes, so I took a photo of the picture on the board (don't know who took the original), and took a photo from the same position - I even managed to get the Thumper in it...
Here you go. ;)

2017.
IMG_3976.JPG

1973.
IMG_3969.JPG
 

Ash Bridge

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This is one of those very rare occasions where I definitely prefer the now shot, shame that SR Exmouth Junction Concrete Works lamp standard hasn't survived though. Nice one Mr Cowley :smile:
 

Cowley

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Yes, I feel the same.
The topiary has gotten a bit out of hand in the 1973 shot, but if you look at photos from the heyday of the line it looks much like it does now.
 

Ash Bridge

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Yes, I feel the same.
The topiary has gotten a bit out of hand in the 1973 shot, but if you look at photos from the heyday of the line it looks much like it does now.

Not sure if it was the same down there on the southern region but up here by that time 'Pay Train' operation was well established on a good number of secondary and local routes where services were operated with dmu's, inevitably allowing the stations to become unstaffed halts. It therefore didn't take long for shacks like Reddish South which used to win awards for its rockery type garden and floral displays to fall into a state of neglect after the once proud staff were withdrawn.
 

Cowley

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IMG_4018.JPG For contrast here's a photo from Roger Hardinghams book of the station in its inter war heyday taken I think in the late 1920s - The box was removed in the early 30s when the loop was taken out.
 

Cowley

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Not sure if it was the same down there on the southern region but up here by that time 'Pay Train' operation was well established on a good number of secondary and local routes where services were operated with dmu's, inevitably allowing the stations to become unstaffed halts. It therefore didn't take long for shacks like Reddish South which used to win awards for its rockery type garden and floral displays to fall into a state of neglect after the once proud staff were withdrawn.

Yes I think that's exactly how it was although there was a chap called Gerald who lived in the station when the line closed and still lived there when I met him in the 1990s! Topiary wasn't his thing though ;)
 

Ash Bridge

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Yes I think that's exactly how it was although there was a chap called Gerald who lived in the station when the line closed and still lived there when I met him in the 1990s! Topiary wasn't his thing though ;)

Indeed...That seems quite obvious judging by the picture, more of a nature lover perhaps? :lol:
 

30907

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Not sure if it was the same down there on the southern region but up here by that time 'Pay Train' operation was well established on a good number of secondary and local routes where services were operated with dmu's, inevitably allowing the stations to become unstaffed halts. It therefore didn't take long for shacks like Reddish South which used to win awards for its rockery type garden and floral displays to fall into a state of neglect after the once proud staff were withdrawn.

True pa trains were rare on the SR IIRC, though I think they eventually came to Ashford-Hastings once gangwayed stock was introduced. But there were unstaffed halts on other routes (shown as HALT in the timetables until so many sdations were unstaffed that it became silly!).
 

Ash Bridge

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True pa trains were rare on the SR IIRC, though I think they eventually came to Ashford-Hastings once gangwayed stock was introduced. But there were unstaffed halts on other routes (shown as HALT in the timetables until so many sdations were unstaffed that it became silly!).

Thanks for that, do you remember if the PayTrain branding was actually used on Southern Region posters back in the day 30907 or was this more an LMR/ER thing?
 

Ash Bridge

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Time for the next one...For those of a certain age get your handkerchief ready because this could be rather depressing.
The first picture dated August 1973 is a view of Reddish ETD taken whilst the open day of that year is in full swing. I was positioned on the bridge that carried Station Road over the Fallowfield Loop Line, note that unusually there is no DC traction to be seen yet AC is represented by a then brand new 87001 accompanied by a class 25 and various steam traction one of which is 45596 Bahamas.

The second shot (courtesy of google) is the current scene taken from within 2-3 mtrs of where I stood fortysomething years previously and you really wouldn't know that the depot had ever existed, the bridge still survives but the loop line is also long gone although it's course survives as a path/cycle track, I have included a third shot from a slightly different position as it gives a better reference in that it shows the church spire visible in the middle right of the first picture, also the white concrete/mortar silo which is standing roughly where the rear of the two cinema/exhibition coaches behind the class 25 are stood.
 

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Cowley

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Good grief it’s changed so much! The railway’s been obliterated and replaced by yet another bland housing estate...
I went on the Woodhead line as a nipper and when you look at photos of what it was like back then it just seems such a shame that it’s disappeared.

To the left of 87001 is at least one other steam locomotive - can you remember what they were?
Also to the right of Bahamas in the photo are some red coaches. Are they old Stanier coaches perhaps on a breakdown train?
Very interesting photo. What a great record...
 

Ash Bridge

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I think the red coaches would be part of either the Longsight or Newton Heath Breakdown trains, perhaps in attendance to perform a rerailing demonstration or similar, not certain but perhaps former LNWR vehicles?
 

billh

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No DC traction at the open day? Perhaps they were all in traffic and couldn't be spared. A few of the EM1s ( 3 or 4?) were broken up at Reddish around that time, vacuum braked only machines that weren't considered suitable for conversion to multiple working/dual braking IIRC.Also about 1973, the OAGB line, Guide Bridge to Ashton Moss sidings was de-electrified, though it wasn't closed completely. Are there any pictures of an EM1 at Ashton Moss to compare with a recent picture of Sainsbury's? Is it significant that that supermarket also built a shop on the sidings at Denton?
 

delt1c

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only managed to visit Reddish once and what stuck in my memory was the grounded 76 hulk's waiting for scrapping and an imaculate 40.135 ex works, wasnt an open day just an organised visit
 

Ash Bridge

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No DC traction at the open day? Perhaps they were all in traffic and couldn't be spared. A few of the EM1s ( 3 or 4?) were broken up at Reddish around that time, vacuum braked only machines that weren't considered suitable for conversion to multiple working/dual braking IIRC.Also about 1973, the OAGB line, Guide Bridge to Ashton Moss sidings was de-electrified, though it wasn't closed completely. Are there any pictures of an EM1 at Ashton Moss to compare with a recent picture of Sainsbury's? Is it significant that that supermarket also built a shop on the sidings at Denton?

Sorry billh, what I meant was that none were visible on my shot, there were plenty in the yard on the other side of the depot and at the other end plus inside along with several 506 EMUs. Interesting what you say about the vacuum only 76s, when you say unsuitable was it down to their physical and mechanical condition or were there design differences to other class members?
only managed to visit Reddish once and what stuck in my memory was the grounded 76 hulk's waiting for scrapping and an imaculate 40.135 ex works, wasnt an open day just an organised visit

Yes, remember seeing them in that state when passing by on the industrial estate across the way in my Royal Mail van, they lay roughly in the area where Bahamas stands in the 1st picture, was this around the early 1980s? Regarding 40135, this was her at Bury 11 days ago (shouldn't let Mr Cowley see this)

I blame it on a weak bladder really!
 

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