Recent content by a_c_skinner

Thanks, I grew up at Trowell Junction, so I only know what Midland Railway ones look like. Did the FR have any more archtectural flourishes?

Been there a few days at least, big JCB, and I think (Mrs S likes me to watch the road when driving) a few open top wagons, which could be delivering or removing.

I've driven past this for years and wondered what it is. Just on the east side of the Carnforth to Bentham line, not far from the platforms, there is a tall thin building, in dressed stone, almost Gothic revival style with a big tall chimney. It looks like a mock Gothic signal box. Is it? If...

This might scupper my MP's plans for a shuttle but Network Rail have yellow trains and diggers just on the Carnforth side of the Silverdale level crossing. I doubt they've done it to shut Mr Farron up about something he doesn't understand (you should hear him on hospitals!) but well done for...

A few years ago I used to get excited by "announcements" like this. Skipton to Colne and Uckfield to Lewes got me, as did Great Rocks Dale to Matlock. Not now. And not this one. (Except Windermere, which must make sense.)

From what the locals are saying the RRBs seem to be OK. By which I mean the local Facebook groups are not awash with complaints.

Off topic, well tangential at best, the units cleared for Carlisle south on the coast are coming towards the end of their lives. What will happen to replace them? Are the gauging problems huge (The Maryport to Carlisle was built to a smaller loading gauge I think) or some modest alterations?

Then I owe the BBC an apology, as the 19:12 Barrow to Carlisle gets in at 21:45.

The BBC reporter on the spot is advising passengers to check if they should get a RRB or go via Carlisle. I suppose if you have a lot of time to spare...

And attempt that cleaning.

I alighted once at Gatwick with a similar problem and the other bits of the transaction (other half of the return plus credit card reciept) plus a sympathetic bloke carried the day. It was a while ago though.

I can't help but wonder how sound all our railway bridges are. This is the third occasion I can recall recently when a bridge suddenly closed. Plessy viaduct, Nuneham, now Workington, Nine Elms (sorry four). Plessy and Nine Elms might have been because of works and Nuneham was anticipated...

Don't worry, I think that uses a very old version of Windows. Like NT4. Truly.

I'm old enough to recall putting my fiancé on a train of early Mk2s hauled by a Peak. The Midland has always been down the pecking order.

Any circumstance in which HS1 is closed between Ashford and London. I assume the basic infrastructure at Ashford is maintained, if not that is disgraceful. As to the level of readiness, turn on the lights, computers etc and ready to operate. So say 24 hours notice for use. This is one of...