Shred`s UK trips.

[shredder1]

Peterborough North station. (Day Two). Wednesday 9th October 2024.

My second day out while staying at Number One son`s in Peterborough. On the Tuesday I had to drive my son over to Banbury for a medical appointment, he’s fine.

I was just staying around Peterborough on my second day out, so decided on railway station, what used to be named Peterborough North, in the days when the East Station was still part of the network.

I first visited the famous Cubitt`s Iron Railway Bridget, the grade 2 listed structure in the Cathedral City of Peterborough. Later moving onto the station proper, sadly a lineside fire around Stevenage had closed the East Coast Main Line with people being advised not to travel, so the station wasn’t as busy as usual, but still I managed a few decent photographs, so not a wasted day.

Nene Viaduct - Wikipedia

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Whittlesea. Peterborough (Day Three). Thursday 10th October 2024.

A short 15 minutes’ drive from my son`s took me to Whittlesea, a good location for the freight workings on the Hereward Line, probably the busiest freight line in the UK at the moment.

If was a cold morning, and after the first few freights had passed, I drove back into the village and found The George Hotel, a Wetherspoons, a large breakfast was ordered and it barely touch the sides as I attacked it and washes it down with a few coffees, now revived, I made my way back to the railway station to continue my session. Freight was constant, including a class 69 on a Middleton Towers working, it was worth the effort going out and apart from the cold, an enjoyable morning.

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Manchester. Thursday 17th October 2024.

I was back in Manchester, and after an early session at the gym, I needed to pay a visit to the city centre for some shopping, but I also took a camera with me, in case I got chance to catch up with 4L67 working on the Trafford Park F.L. terminal to Felixstowe F.L. T. I did get change and caught a tram from Piccadilly Market Street to Deansgate and Castlefield, I ran across the bridge into Deansgate railway station and had about 3 minutes to wait before 4L67 passed through.

It passed through at 10.29 behind Freightliner class 90049 in Freightliner green livery and Freightliner class 90007 in Freightliner G and W (Orange) livery. I was quite please to finally phot a mixed livery pair, especially with the green one leading and I also photted them in bright sunshine.

I later caught a train to Manchester Piccadilly to catch up with some local passenger workings, but needed to return home to finish some work off, I was very pleased with the results though.

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Whittlesea and Stanground. Peterborough (Day Four). Friday 11th October 2024.

The sun was out again, so I decided to drive back over to Whittlesea chasing the freight, I took breakfast again the George Hotel, Wetherspoons. With my exploration hat on, I chose to drive over to March.

March sheds was a regular bash for me back in the 1970s and 1980s, the last time I visited the depot large numbers of Peaks were being stored after being withdrawn from service by BR, with many of them standing on the site of the former Whitemoor MPD , some of the loco pits were still there at the time and also parts of the shed walls, try as I could though, on this visit I could find nothing, the place has changed so much, a large PW depot has been built on the site along with a prison. At March station, this has now been reduced to two platforms only, with tracks presently being removed from the other two platforms on my visit.

My final drive was back to my son`s in Stanground and a few hours sat opposite the bridge over the River Nene. It had been a good day, although March is certainly a shadow of its former self these days, I’m just glad I took so many pictures of the place back in the days.

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Anglian Plus day rover ticket, Peterborough (Day Five). Saturday 12th October 2024.

A day out on the trains for a change, I fancied an Anglian Plus day rover ticket, as it had been a few years since I was last in the region, in fact the Class 90s were still on the Liverpool Street to Norwich services and the Flirt Stadler units just starting to make an appearance.

My intention was to drive over to Whittlesea and park the car up to catch the 06.00 train to Ely. The reality was a rail replacement bus to Ely. From Ely I boarded a Greater Anglian Flirt 4 car bi-mode EDMU 755/4 to Ipswich. On passing Stowmarket I noted 4 class 66s parked up in the sidings, at Ipswich the former stabling point at the side of the railway station is no longer in use, two class 90s however were parked in the sidings, at the end of platform 1, Freightliner 90043 still carrying green livery and class 90015 carrying the Orange Freightliner livery. I later caught one of the Greater Anglian Stadler Flirt 12 car sets class 745 to Norwich, a comfortable ride, but not a class 90.

On passing the depot at Crown Point a class 37 and a 08 shunter were parked around the back of the depot, but everything else was a Flirt of the varying subclasses, 755/3 3-car units and 755/4 4-car units, along with the 12-car class 745s. In the sidings at Norwich station was 2 East Midland class 158 Sprinters.

Engineer works was also taking place on the Ely to Norwich lines, so my next move was another Greater Anglian class 455/4 to Lowestoft, which now hosts a nice tourist information and railway gift and bookshop on the station, but I didn’t really have time to explore it properly, as my next train directly to Ipswich was due to depart.
Arriving back into Ipswich 3 class 66s were parked near the refuelling point north of the tunnel and also a class 08691, back on Ipswich station two more class 90`s had moved into the sidings, including orange Freightliner class 90044.

My final train of day was another Greater Anglian Stadler Flirt class 455/4 back to Ely for another rail replacement bus back to the car at Whittlesea and the short drive back to my son`s at Peterborough, it had been a good day.

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Wansford, Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, (Day Six). Sunday 13th October 2024.

My last weekend at my son`s in Peterborough, so I made my last visit to Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway. I was mainly driving over for the book shops; you can usually find the odd gem there.

The weather was glorious, so I took advantage of it. Parked in the yard was class 14 9529 in BR corporate blue livery. DSB (Danish State Railway), 0-6-0T Nr 656, operating on the line was the Nene Valley Railway`s resident Peak class 45041. Always a lovely railway to visit.

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East Lancs Railway 9F Farewell. Thursday and Friday 24th 25th October 2024.

I had missed the East Lancs Autumn steam gala as I was away at my son`s at the time, but fortunately one of the guest locomotives Standard freight class 9F 92134 presently a resident of North Yorkshire Moors Railway and spent it last years of service at Birkenhead MPD, as did many of the class in the latter days of steam.

On the Thursday I decided to take advantage of the weather and take some lineside photographs, as the East Lancs had been running the locomotive on the Wednesday to Friday. Starting off at Heywood I caught up with the 12.15 departure to Rawtenstall, I then drove up the M66 to Summerseat to catch her crossing viaduct, then driving to Ewood Bridge to catch her passing there, and finally Rawtenstall, just in time to catch her running around her train and departing back to Heywood for her final run of the day, she was operating from Heywood to Rawtenstall at 09.50, 12.15 and 15.45.

I was up at 04.00 for some reason on Friday, maybe I don’t sleep too well these days, but all the same I was in the gym for 06.00, home for breakfast and then a short drive up to Heywood for the 09.50 to Rawtenstall, I was riding and still had one of my free passes left for the year. 92134 is a beautiful conditioned locomotive and a real credit to all that have worked on her. I travelled all the way up to Rawtenstall behind her and then back down to Heywood, she performed very well. I finished my trip out with a few photographs of her departing through the suburbs of Heywood.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

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[Andy Pacer]

Anglian Plus day rover ticket, Peterborough (Day Five). Saturday 12th October 2024.

A day out on the trains for a change, I fancied an Anglian Plus day rover ticket, as it had been a few years since I was last in the region, in fact the Class 90s were still on the Liverpool Street to Norwich services and the Flirt Stadler units just starting to make an appearance.

My intention was to drive over to Whittlesea and park the car up to catch the 06.00 train to Ely. The reality was a rail replacement bus to Ely. From Ely I boarded a Greater Anglian Flirt 4 car bi-mode EDMU 755/4 to Ipswich. On passing Stowmarket I noted 4 class 66s parked up in the sidings, at Ipswich the former stabling point at the side of the railway station is no longer in use, two class 90s however were parked in the sidings, at the end of platform 1, Freightliner 90043 still carrying green livery and class 90015 carrying the Orange Freightliner livery. I later caught one of the Greater Anglian Stadler Flirt 12 car sets class 745 to Norwich, a comfortable ride, but not a class 90.

On passing the depot at Crown Point a class 37 and a 08 shunter were parked around the back of the depot, but everything else was a Flirt of the varying subclasses, 755/3 3-car units and 755/4 4-car units, along with the 12-car class 745s. In the sidings at Norwich station was 2 East Midland class 158 Sprinters.

Engineer works was also taking place on the Ely to Norwich lines, so my next move was another Greater Anglian class 455/4 to Lowestoft, which now hosts a nice tourist information and railway gift and bookshop on the station, but I didn’t really have time to explore it properly, as my next train directly to Ipswich was due to depart.
Arriving back into Ipswich 3 class 66s were parked near the refuelling point north of the tunnel and also a class 08691, back on Ipswich station two more class 90`s had moved into the sidings, including orange Freightliner class 90044.

My final train of day was another Greater Anglian Stadler Flirt class 455/4 back to Ely for another rail replacement bus back to the car at Whittlesea and the short drive back to my son`s at Peterborough, it had been a good day.

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I quite like the Anglia Plus ranger ticket and the validity from Ely is handy. I've rather exhausted the area myself but I still a nice one to do for a general runabout after a while.

 

[shredder1]

I quite like the Anglia Plus ranger ticket and the validity from Ely is handy. I've rather exhausted the area myself but I still a nice one to do for a general runabout after a while.

Yes Ive pretty much exhausted it myself, a great ticket though Andy.

 

[shredder1]

Manchester and Stockport. Saturday 26th October 2024.

I didn’t have anything planned for the Saturday, I was in the gym for 08.00 then on an errand into Manchester, so I took the camera anyway. 12.00 saw me on the platforms at Manchester Piccadilly, photographing what was to be the failed Manchester to Cardiff, 12.30 WAG, behind TfW class 67029 which I caught up with later in the afternoon on 5V39 Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe carriage sidings through Stockport.

At 12.36 5Z77 a class 350 244 passed through platform 13 with a Wolverton carriage sidings to Ardwick TMD. Moving on to Stockport, 6E10 passed on a Liverpool biomass to Drax behind GBRf class 60 026 at 13.43, and at 14.01, 1W57 TfW WAG class 67020.

The weather was glorious with blue skies and bright sunshine, so Ideal for a bit of photography and worth the effort getting out for a few hours.

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Wansford, Nene Valley Railway. Tuesday 5th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s for a few weeks, staying at his new house in Peterborough, which happens to be located alongside the busiest freight line in the UK at present, the Hereward line, (Peterborough to Ely line).

I was driving down to my son`s and have to use the M62 and then A1M, probably the quickest route, but still taking me around 3 hours. I’m not a great fan of driving these days, but do need a car to get around down there. My one stop on the way down there is Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway, the café is usually open and I normally have a brew and potter around the yard. None of the bookshops were open, which probably saved me a few quid.

Tornado, the celebrated new build class A1 Pacific had been visiting the railway and was still locked away in one of the shed roads. One of the Sentinel diesel shunters “Barabel”, was moving around the yard and nearly had a mishap when traversing a set of points, but the issue was quickly identified and the loco soon resumed shunting duties again, she was moving Tornado`s support coach.

Sat outside the depot was Danish steam DSR loco built by Frichs, Nr 656 class F, a lovely 0-6-0 tank locos which still has a boiler ticket and can often be seen in service on the Nene Valley Railway, its always lovely to see in operation. I saw a sister engine in Aarhus Denmark last year also working on a preserved line, the Bryrup is a veteran train that runs on a stretch of the former Horsens–Silkeborg railway.
I also noted Polish steam loco PKP TKp T2D Slask 5485, a 0-8-0 tank locomotive, a magnificent engine which I would love to see running, she was just peeping out from inside the sheds.

After my visit, I was soon back in the car and resumed my journey, arriving at my son`s just in time for lunch, not a bad drive down really, keeping at a steady 60 mph and listening to some “Alice in Chains”, and “Black Stone Cherry”, to ease the boredom.

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The Hereward Line, Peterborough to Ely. (Day 1). Wednesday 6th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s house in Peterborough, taking advantage of the local rail network. I had a morning to myself and have been spending time along the Hereward line, the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

Having been in contact through Facebook and WNXX websites, with some of the local rail photographers, who had very kindly put me in touch with several very good photographic locations along the line. On this particular morning, I drove over to Whittlesey for breakfast in the George Hotel, a Wetherspoons, I went for a Vegan Breakfast, with a few coffees to warm me up, (I think I am becoming a regular there). It was a very dark, overcast, and misty cold morning, but giving the Fens an eerie feel about them.

After breakfast I drove deeper into the Fens to another suggested location, Beggars Bridge across the 20-foot drain, along the March Road. The lighting was very poor though, even shooting at 500 ISO, some of my images were still blurry. A solitary angler arrived and sat opposite on the drain, throwing out an handful of maggots, and did manage a few small roach for his efforts.

Freight that passes through while I was there were GBRf class 69003 eastbound, westbound Freightliner class 66524, DC Rail liveried class 60028 eastbound and GBRf class 66755 eastbound. The poor weather lasted for a few more days sadly, which was far from ideal for photography. I lasted until just after midday and then drove back to my son`s house.

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The Hereward Line, Peterborough to Ely. (Day 2). Thursday 7th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s house in Peterborough for a couple of weeks, taking advantage of the local rail network. He lives along the Hereward line, the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

Another day out on the Hereward line and the weather hadn’t really improved much, possibly a little brighter at times, but still largely dull and overcast with low light. Driving into the Fens, my first stop was the George Hotel for breakfast and another vegan one to help keep the old weight down.

After breakfast, and a few coffee`s I drove over to Beggars Bridge, which is probably one of the best photographic locations on the Hereward line. I later drove to the next level crossing east at Three Horse Shoes, number 1 crossing, Turves, another great location, with a level crossing skewed to the road thus giving a better angle of shot. The really good thing about these crossings is you can sit in the car at the side of the road, and just wait for the barrier to start ringing away for you to jump out he car and get your photographs.

I stayed out while around 14.00 before returning to my son`s at Stanground, a cold and dark day, but still its good to get out.

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Anglian Plus Day Rover Ticket. Saturday 8th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s house in Peterborough for a couple of weeks, taking advantage of the local rail network. He lives along the Hereward line, the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

Saturday had arrived and I had decided on an Anglian Plus day rover ticket, I use these a lot when I’m travelling in this region. Leaving my son`s at 06.00, I drove over to Whittlesea railway station and parked the car up, I was intending to catch the 06.58 to Ely, but it wasn’t up on board, I had booked a return from Whittlesea to Ely, but no train was available, however, this allowed me to catch the next train to Peterborough, which also happened to be at 06.58, with a ten minute change at Peterborough, no problem really and it was better than the rail replacement bus I had to suffer when I did same route last month.

At Ely, I decided to head to Ipswich to see what was around, Id just missed a two hourly service from Ely to Ipswich, fortunately a train to Cambridge was due, with a ten-minute change at Cambridge for Ipswich. At Ipswich Freightliner class 90s 90009, 90015, 90008 and 90003 parked off the end of platform 1.

I didn’t stay at Ipswich too long on that visit and instead caught the next train up to Lowestoft. I like Lowestoft railway station. I wanted to check out the old railway lines from Lowestoft to Yarmouth, which was part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway which ran into Yarmouth South Town. I stopped in at the tourist office come charity shop Lowestoft Railway station, who have a stock of second-hand railway books and other items, who are trying to reinstate the railway station roof. I can still remember the original roof and took quite a few photographs of it back in the 1980s before it was removed, so it will be nice to see it roofed again.

Taking breakfast come lunch in the Joseph Conrad, after which I proceeded to walk through the town, sadly it wasn’t the most inspiring town centre I have visited. I was heading for the bus station to catch a bus up to Great Yarmouth, which roughly follows the route of the old Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway line, with the bus following part of the track bed on a new road alignment built over the top.

The route passed through Hopston, Gorleston and through South Town into Yarmouth proper, where lighted. Although I’ve taken trains into Yarmouth Vauxhall many times over the years, this was the first time I had visited the town and I thought it looked quite impress with the River Yare running through its centre.

I later walked up to Yarmouth Vauxhall station and couldn’t believe my luck, no sooner had I arrived on the platforms than ROG class 37 601 arrived light engine, this was followed by a rail treatment train with classes 66719 and 66725, so a great catch. My next move was to catch a local train into Norwich and after some tea on the station I board an East Midland service to Ely with a change for another East Midland Sprinter back to Whittlesea to collect the car, it had been a long, but great day.

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The Hereward Line, Peterborough to Ely. (Day 3). Monday 11th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s house in Peterborough for a couple of weeks, taking advantage of the local rail network. He lives along the Hereward line, the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

My third day lineside on the Hereward line, the sun was out with blue skies for most of the day, this was the best day weatherwise for over a week, and I wanted to make the most out of it. I was out early and drove over to Turves for my first location Three Horse Shoes crossing number 1. An ideal location, I was parked in front of the level crossing on the verge, so I could just sit in the car and wait for the barriers to come down. Passing freight included Eastbound, GBRF body snatcher class 69004 red sided livery with full yellow ends very grimy GBRf class 66761, GBRf 66302, EWS liveried class 66170 and westbound GBRf class 66787.

Driving to my next location at Beggars Bridge over the Twenty Foot drain, passing freight included, GBRf class 66728 eastbound and Freightliner class 66616 and GBRf class 66713. I then drove to Ramsey Road level crossing, passing freight included, DB class 66079 eastbound, GBRf class 66712 westbound and Freightliner class 66543 eastbound. Final move was to drive back to my son`s at Stanground and take a few shots across the fields, from the front his house, passing freight included the returning, GBRF body snatcher class 69004 red sided livery with full yellow ends westbound, two engine convoy with GBRf class 66310 and GBRf Petroleum sector Railfreight triple grey liveried Class 66 66794 “Steve Hannam”. Two more class 66s passes but it was impossible to read the numbers because of the distance. The sunshine was very welcome and a great day was had.

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The Hereward Line, Peterborough to Ely. (Day 4). Tuesday 12th November 2024.

I was down at number One Son`s house in Peterborough for a couple of weeks, taking advantage of the local rail network. He lives along the Hereward line, the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

My last day out in the area, as I was driving back up to Manchester on the Thursday morning. The weather had changed slightly, but it was still good for photography with a few sunny spells at times, with good light for most of the day. My first stop was breakfast at the George in Whittlesey, a vegan breakfast with a scrambled egg as a side dish, I’m not a proper vegan, I guess.

I had chosen a new location, moving slightly further east to Three Horse Shoes crossing number 3, another skewed crossing in relation to the road, which gave ample views in each direction. The verges at side of the crossing were a bit unstable, but I managed to tuck the car in on some solid ground, and also drive off again. So, I was sat in the car in front of the crossing barriers, again a perfect place for photting when the red lights came on.

Action was again good and I had great results. Freight passing, in the order they passed included eastbound GBRf class 66303, class 66736, EWS liveried DB class 66095, GBRf class 66787, Eastbound GBRf class 66728, Westbound GBRf class 66310, eastbound, GBRf 66768 and westbound 66713. I left around 15.00 after an excellent day and drove back to my sons in Peterborough, a great line for freight.

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Manchester Piccadilly and Altrincham. Thursday 21st November 2024.

It was an extremely cold morning as I hit the gym at 07.00, it was the coldest I have experienced it this winter. I had a spare afternoon, but also needed to go on an errand to Stockport to collect something. Driving to Crumpsall tram station, I caught a tram into Manchester Piccadilly and an Avanti Pendolino to Stockport and walked into the centre. My next move was to catch a bus to Altrincham, which was probably a mistake because it took too long. I then caught a Sprinter back to Manchester Piccadilly. I tried to time a few freights on RTT, but didn’t manage to catch up with any, two former Transpennine Nova sets with class 68 CATs attached on Longsight sheds and an ex West Midland liveried class 323 parked up at Stockport CS, still plenty of Sprinters operating around Manchester, nothing else of interest noted.

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Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Elf Explorer. Saturday 23rd November 2024.

Being the sensible type I decided to have a drive over to Yorkshire while a Red Warning for Storm Bert was in place. Not the greatest idea driving over to Yorkshire in a storm, or indeed driving over to Yorkshire anytime. I was a bit stuck for somewhere to go, with most local preserved railways involved in Christmas activities, Santa Specials and in the case of the Worth Valley rail, their Elf Explorer. While a few of the main lines were closed because of the storm, with several cancelled services, in fact many of the buses had also stopped running around the Worth Valley areas. However, my main purpose of driving over there was to check out the museum bookshop, I always find a few gems in there and on this visit, I handed £60 over for a bit more reading material.

I always find driving in bad weather an interesting and invigorating experience, I spent about 8 years of my life driving HGV class 1 vehicles and use to love driving in the snow. Its mainly a case of being aware of the environment, being prepared, should anything go wrong and driving safely. From North Manchester, I headed over Hollingworth Lake and the White House at the top of Blackstone Edge, then taking the road down Cragg Vale, and into Mytholmroyd, an area hit very badly by floods in 2015.

There was plenty of ice and snow as I crossed Walsden moor, having to bring my speed down to 20 to 30 mph, high gear and lightly touching the brakes to avoid skidding. On reaching Hebden Bridge, the roads were particularly bad, I tried to climb onto Midgley Moor, but the wheels only spun on the car as it failed to grip the road, so I turned around and found a café in the village and had breakfast, hoping the gritters would make an appearance.

While I was having breakfast it began to rain, which helped melt the snow in places, the gritters also began to appear on the roads, so after breakfast I attempted to climb out of Hebden Bridge again and this time, I was more successful. Arriving into Haworth for around 10.00. My first stop was the sheds, for my usual shots from the bridge. In the yard was Riddles 2-6-0 class 2, 78022 in steam, and also class 14 D9520.

I later drove down to Ingrow West for the bookshop in the museum and I also caught up with the first train of the day running down the line a two car Metropolitan Cammel DMU Class 101, consisting of Sc 51803 and M51189. After buying £60 worth of books, I drove down to Keighley and caught up with the class 101 again and waited for the Elf Explorer to arrive, it consisted of Black 5 44932 with class 37 075 pushing from the rear.

I did intend following it up the line and calling in at Oakworth and Oxenhope, but by 14.30 the light was beginning to go, I did intend staying for some images in the darkness, but the rain was coming in again while the snow and ice were beginning to melt and some flooding was occurring. So, I made my way back over Midgley Moor, as the floods gained momentum and the same was evident as I drove up Cragg Vale and onto the moors. Driving has a little faster on the return journey and I arrived back in North Manchester by around 15.30, an enjoyable trip out despite storm Bert.

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Manchester Piccadilly and Gatley. Thursday 28th November 2024.

Although generally cold with frost on the car in the mornings, the sun had been out most of the week, but I was unable to get out until this day. I was in the gym for 06.30, followed by a vegan breakfast in my local Wetherspoons, but I guess I’m not a real vegan because I also have a side dish of scrambled eggs with mine. Later driving down to Crumpsall Metrolink station I took a tram into Manchester Piccadilly and then a train down to Gatley to catch up with the northbound Tesco.

Arriving at Gatley on a Northern class 331, I waited for 4H43, Daventry DRS to Trafford Park Euro terminal behind DRS class 88006 which passed at 13.02, unfortunately the sun had moved across to the south, so I was essentially shooting into it. The next freight however was out of Trafford Park, with the sun behind me this time, and I managed a few nice images of 4L56 Trafford Park Euro terminal to London Gateway behind DB Maritime class 66005 which passed at 13.43.

I later returned to Manchester Piccadilly to see what was around the station, but there was nothing of note, so I returned to the Undercroft and caught a tram back to the car and drove home. Its always nice to get a few hours out though.

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Manchester to York. Saturday 30th November 2024.

An early start saw me setting the alarm for 04.30 to catch the first Metrolink tram into Manchester Piccadilly for the 06.58 Transpennine to York, but via Castleford, the new routing, and indeed the reason for an extra platform at Castleford. It was however delayed leaving Manchester and 35 minutes down by the time we left, it picked up some time between Castleford and York, but again lost it standing outside York station waiting for a platform, so we finished up 49 minutes down eventually. The fare was £24.60 with a railcard, which I thought was quite expensive these days for York, but after the repay delay they knocked £6.50 off the price. So much for the early start.

As my train arrived into York, a class 60 was stopped on a southbound freight in the platforms, but it had gone by the time I got to the platform. My first stop at York was Breakfast in the Punch Bowl, my Wetherspoons special, a vegan breakfast with two scrambled eggs as a side dish, but they charged me nearly twice as much as my local Wetherspoons here in North Manchester.

Returning to the platforms, the rail cleaner passed on the goods avoiding line, went under Holgate bridge, stopped, and returned through the platform I was stood on, so I managed a few shots of Colas liveried class 37s, 37175and 37116. There were no locos parked on the stabling point, but a Dogbox class 153 385 converted into an Inspection Train in a pleasing light blue livery. After an hour of so on the platforms, I took a walk around to the railway museum. Luckily there was not many people inside so I managed to get a few veg free shots.

I returned to York railway station for around 14.00 and caught the Manchester bound Transpennine class 185 service back as far as Castleford and in time for Cola class 70814 moving through the station east bound with tanks. My next move was a Sheffield bound class 195 as far as Wakefield Kirkgate, my plan being to catch another train into Huddersfield and then pick up another Manchester train, but nothing was going in that direction for some time, so I caught the next train to Leeds, via Midland Road, and then an Airport Transpennine class 185 back to Manchester Victoria, followed by a tram back to the car. A great day out.

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Manchester Piccadilly to Blackpool. Saturday 14th December 2024.

The weather had been poor for a few weeks and last Saturday I was booked to photograph an 18th Birthday party, so I decided I would go out somewhere this Saturday regardless. I didn’t particularly get up too early, and it was probably around 07.30 before I left the house. More or less last minute I decided to take a train to Blackpool and check out the new tram extension to North Station.

On arrival at Manchester Piccadilly station, I was in time to see an early WAG about to depart for Cardiff, TfW red liveried class 69017 and DVT 82230. Working on a Stoke service was a pair of Northern class 323`s, one still in West Midland livery. I also noted two more Northern class 323`s stabled on the former Blackpool North MPD yard also still in West Midland livery.

I caught a Northern class 331 from Manchester Piccadilly to Blackpool North. The morning did have some bright sunshine to start with, but the day soon became overcast and dull. The new tram extension is access opposite Blackpool North Railway station, a short tunnel actually goes underneath the Holiday Inn hotel. The tram stop consists of one island platform and all trams operating between Squires Gate and Fleetwood take the station line and then reverse out depending on the route direction they are taking. Its quite an efficient service and appears to work quite well. I’m not sure if heritage trams access the station line.

My first stop was breakfast at Wetherspoons the Layton Rakes, and like York a few weeks ago, a Vegetarian breakfast was nearly twice as much as my local Wetherspoons in North Manchester. After breakfast I made my way to the seafront and jumped a tram towards Squires Gate, the ticket collector however couldn’t do a chip and pin card on her machine, so I had to get off at the next stop and find a cash machine to get some change, however, the only cash machines along the sea front charge you £1.99 per transaction, so another rip off at Blackpool.

I caught the next tram towards Fleetwood this time and bought a day rover ticket for Blackpool Transport at a cost of £6.60, or £8.59 if you include the cash machines charge, because Blackpool Transport machines don’t take chip and pin cards. It’s still not bad value though as this also covers the buses.

I alighted at Fleetwood and had a walk around the town and then returned on another tram through to Squires Gate and back to Blackpool North railway station. Talking to one photographer I met at Fleetwood, he told me a heritage tram was due out, but was cancelled at the last minute.

From Blackpool North I caught the next available direct service, a Northern Class 331 back into Manchester Piccadilly, and then a Metrolink back to Crumpsall for the car, not a bad day really plus a bit of new tram track.

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East Lancs Railway, 92 Squadron. Saturday 21st December 2024.

A very wet day with the very briefest of sun at times. It was the Santa Special season, and we had visiting Light Pacific, unrebuilt Battle of Britain class 34081 “92 Squadron”, one of Oliver Bulleid’s 4-6-2s. I believe this is the first time this locomotive has visited the East Lancs Railway. The last time I saw her was on one of the southern preserved railways, Swanage I think, so it was nice to see her on East Lancashire metals, especial since we have our own in-house sister locomotive, Bulleid 34092 “City of Wells”, and both were operating on the two Santa Specials, so this was a real treat.

I started my day by driving into Bury, we had recently lost one of our railway mates “Deane” and his wife had given me his book collection, to take what I wanted and give the rest to the East Lancs, so I’ve been donating bags of books to both the Bolton Street bookshop and the Standard 4 Coach, after dropping the books off I noticed the Squadron was on the platforms at Bolton Street, so I jumped back in the car and managed to drive up to Rawtenstall before she arrived, after obtaining a few shots of her arriving from around the crossing, (the station was locked up so I couldn’t get access to the platforms), I drove down to Ramsbottom and managed to get a few shots of both Bulleid’s side by side, which was quite a sight.

I then drove back down to Bolton Street station and waited for the Squadron to return and later I drove up to Irwell Vale to catch her again passing through the station, which was my last shots of the day, I took a bit of a soaking a few times, but it was worth going out for them. I think a big well done is in order, to the guys at the steam department for managing to get yet another Bulleid on East Lancs metals, great job guys.

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Nene Valley Railway, Wansford. Monday 23rd December 2024.

I was driving south to Peterborough, to spend Christmas and New Year at Number One Son`s house, listening to some Nili Brosh on Spotify on the drive down, and as always, I dropped in on the Nene Valley Railway at Wansworth. The Santa Specials were operating of course and it was nice to see that the railway was using ex LMS Jubilee Stanier 4-6-0 class 45596 “Leander”, in Brunswick green livery, top and tailed with Peak Class 45 45041 in BR corporate blue livery. Inside the depot was new build, Pacific, LNER Peppercorn Class A1 No. 60163 “Tornado” 4-6-2 in Brunswick green livery. After a short rest bite on the railway, I continued my drive to my son`s house and my home for the next few weeks.

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Greater Anglian Plus day rover ticket. Saturday 28th December 2024.

After a chilled-out Christmas at my son`s in Peterborough. I decided on a trip out. I opted to drive over to Whittersea railway station and catch an early morning train to Ely and then purchase an Anglian Plus day rover ticket. I was heading for Great Yarmouth as I wanted to check to see what was left, if anything, of Yarmouth Beach and Yarmouth South Town`s railway stations. Changing at Ely for a train to Norwich and breakfast in the Queen of Iceni, later returning to Norwich railway station for a train to Great Yarmouth.

It was a dark and miserable day overall, with drizzle at times, atmospheric sounds better. Leaving Great Yarmouth railway station, which was formally named Vauxhall, and nice to see a few paintings on the walls remembering Yarmouth`s other railway stations. I walked out to Yarmouth Beach, site of the former railway station. Much of the station site is now a car park and coach station, but a few memories have been arranged which includes two GNR canopy supports and three sections of track bed, plus a plaque on a wall, the former track bed into the station are now under roads and housing though.

Leaving Yarmouth Beach, I made my way into the town and located the site of the former Yarmouth South Town railway station, although much of it is under the new bypass, all I could find was the station hotel and a new building on the site of the Two Bears Hotel which once bordered the railway station, the actual stone bears have been saved and placed on the top of the new building. The river bridge that once carried the lines beyond Yarmouth Vauxhall railway station to enter the docks is now a pedestrian bridge, but some of the rails are still visible on the path.
I returned to Norwich and caught a direct service to Ipswich. I was pleasantly surprised to see class 90s again parked up on the old stabling point, in fact there was 5 in a line and another 2 parked off the end of platform 1, although I didn’t manage to get the numbers of two of them, off the end of platform 1 was Freightliner green liveried class 90045 and orange liveried class 90009. On the stabling point was class 90041, and 90044 in Freightliner orange livery, class 90040 in Freightliner red livery, plus two locos at the back which I couldn’t identify.

The light was beginning to go as I boarded a direct Greater Anglian service to Whittersea at 15.58, but sadly it failed at Bury St Edmunds, so we all detrained and waited 25 minutes for the next train, but then there was a points issue, we eventually got as far as Ely, we were however told that the train in front of us to Peterborough was waiting for us to take us on our journey, so I rushed down the platform like everyone else, only realising as we departed from Ely, that the train didn’t stop at Whittersea, so I alighted at March and had a 50 minute wait until the next train through to Whittersea, fortunately I found a chippy in March, which kept me going until my train arrived, by the time I arrived back in the car at Whittersea my trains were 2 hours late. Still, it was an enjoyable day and nice to see so many class 90`s at Ipswich.

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The Hereward Line, Fenlands. Friday 3rd January 2025.

My first trip out of 2025, and a nice change in the weather with bright sunshine and blue skies for a change. I drove over to Whittersea and had breakfast in the George Hotel and then drove down to Three Horseshoes crossing number 1 and later dropped back to Three Horseshoes crossing number 2. The action, as usual, was constant all day with a good variety of freight, which included EWS livery 66198, Freightliner 66537, 66547 and convoy 66420 and 66414, DC Rail 60028, and DB Maritime 66148 and 6605. I drove back to number one son`s as the shadows started to fall, a great day and a good start to the year.

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Greater Anglian Plus day rover ticket. Saturday 4th January 2025.

I was off again into East Anglia on a day rover ticket, driving to Whittersea, to catch the 07.20 train directly into Cambridge. A lot of engineering work was taking place over the weekend, with the line beyond Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich and Ipswich to Norwich on the main line, closed.

I boarded a Stadler Flirt class 755 from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds, where we had to transfer to a rail replacement bus to take us into Ipswich. Three class 90s were parked off the end of platform one, classes 90016, 90009 and 90014 in Orange Freightliner livery, we also had a few freight movements through the station which included classes 66 Freightliner class 66545 and 66570, and GBRf class 66733. I then walked around to the depot and locomotives visible from the road were Freightliner, classes 66589, 66569, 66957, 66520 and green liveried Freightliner class 90045.

With the main line to Norwich closed because of engineering work, I caught another Stadler Flirt class 755 to Lowestoft and out to Norwich, from Norwich I took an East Midland Sprinter to Ely and then a Flirt class 755 back to Whittersea. A great day out, but on arriving back at the car, it wouldn’t start, so I had to phone my son to come out and give me a jump start, the battery was fading, so I had a new battery fitted on the car at Halfords the next morning.

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The Hereward Line, Fenlands. Wednesday 8th January 2025.

Another trip out in 2025, sadly the weather was still overcast, dark and dull, but it was dry. My first stop was the George Hotel in Whittersea for breakfast, later driving out to some locations along the Hereward Line, probably the busiest freight line in the UK at present.

Finding a new location at Australia Farm Crossing, east of Turves and only around a 40-minute drive from my son`s, it was ideal. My son works as a solicitor, mainly from home these days, so I usually try to keep out of his way while he is working, which is equally a good reason for me to explore various rail locations.
I started by driving to my new location, Australia Farm Crossing, which gives excellent views across the fields, enabling me to photograph the full length of freight trains, not ideal light for this type of work, but I did manage to get a few reasonable images.

I later moved west to the next crossing, Three Horseshoes number 3, a location I’ve used before and since it was a cold day, this allowed me to sit in the car with the engine running, and just jump out as the crossing barriers came down. I stayed while around 14.00, later driving back to the George Hotel for an early tea, before driving back to my son’s house in Stanground, Peterborough, an enjoyable few hours.

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Hereward Line, Fenlands. Thursday 9th January 2025.

Another glorious day with blue skies and lots of sunshine. I drove over to Whittlesea for breakfast in the George Hotel and then located to several trackside locations. The first one was Australia Farm Crossing, locomotives passed included DB class 66017, Freightliner class 66545, and GBRf classes 69005 in green livery, 69004 in red livery, 66738, 66733, 66789, and 66303 and later moving back to Beggars Bridge for GBRf class 66707, and then moving to Three Horseshoes number 3 crossing for DB class 66137, GBRf class 66725 and EWS liveried class 66040, driving back to Beggars Bridge again for Freightliner class 66531 and GBRf class 66732. The weather made such a difference and I drove back to my son`s for around 16.00 having had a great day lineside.

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Hereward Line, Fenlands. Friday 10th January 2025.

Making the most of the January sunny weather, I was soon driving back over on the March Road to Beggars Bridge again, freight passing was GBRf classes 66707, 66738, 66733 and a surprise turn out of class 37901 “Mirrlees Pioneer”. I next drove down to Three Horseshoes Crossing number 3, for GBRf class 66747 and 66725, DB class 66085 and 66207 and GBRf class 60021. I then drove back to Beggars Bridge for Freightliners classes 66585, 66568, 66587, GBRf 66753, 66723 and GBRf class 69004 in red livery, so another excellent day out in the sun.

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Peterborough and Grantham. Saturday 13th January 2025.

I woke up to a very cold Saturday morning and did intend spending the day on Peterborough railway station, but the weather put me off. Its funny really as I rarely feel the cold, but on this day, I actually bought a pair of gloves in the town centre. I started off by spending a few hours on the station, and later decided to buy a return to Grantham. It had been a few years since I visited the railway station, which on my last visit still retailed the former steam sheds buildings, sadly all those have been swept away now, although the station still retains its original buildings and canopies.

I decided to walk into the town, once the home of Isaac Newton and Margaret Thatcher, the latter who has a large statute in the town centre. I found the town generally run down, sadly like many UK towns these days. After a walk around the town, I returned to Grantham railway station and caught a LNER class 91 back to Peterborough, before driving back to my son`s house. It was my last day out in the region before driving back to Manchester.

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