South Pennine Day Ranger

[htafc]

Hello everyone,
I'm thinking of doing a South Pennines day ranger some time this month or next, as not done one before. Does anybody have any suggestions for good routes/stations to maximise interesting haulage/sightings? I'm not looking for ideas for West Yorkshire particularly as I know the area well, more the rest of the area covered by the ranger.
Here's a link to the ranger on GB railrover guide which includes a map of the area included: http://www.railrover.org/pages/south-pennines-day-ranger.html.
Thank you in advance!

 

[E27007]

A first class choice, all the routes are interesting for sightseeing, regret "haulage" will be mundane,
All routes are thoroughly recommended, you cannot go wrong!
Intend to travel:
Sheffield to Manchester via Chinley, the Hope Valley line
Leeds to Manchesater routes via Hebden Bridge, or Marsden.
Sheffield to Huddersfield via Penistone, a rural railway!
My recommendations:
Hebden Bridge, visit the friendly cafe on the platform, open M-F but closes about 1300 to 1400, senior railway enthisiasts sit outside the cafe to see class 60s and more on biomass freight, they are a fount of knowledge
Sowerby Bridge, go and see the impressive L&Y coal staithes just off the platform, there is a railway enthusiasts real ale pub in the L&Y goods office, enthusiasts meet there.
Marsden to alight and walk the canal towpath westwards to see Standege Tunnel.
Todmorden is a nice little town for a coffee in the town market hall

 

[Mcr Warrior]

With a 'South Pennines Day Ranger', you're also allowed to travel on the (once a week, Saturdays only) "Denton Flyer" between Stalybridge and Stockport, should you wish to do so and, of course, if the train is actually running.

 

[htafc]

Thank you both for your excellent suggestions. Will definitely take up some of them. No worries about 'mundane haulage', I'm sure I will find some new classes/units. I very much enjoyed visiting Hebden Bridge recently but did not know about the cafe - great tip. I've not been to Sowerby Bridge or Marsden and both sound interesting. Will certainly investigate Stanedge tunnel. Regrettably I'm not a coffee fan, but I'm sure Todmorden could still be a stop! MCR warrior, I've just googled the Denton flyer and it sounds highly curious... Will definitely consider doing the trip on a Saturday.
Again thank you both most kindly for your advice.

 

[Kite159]

Maybe time to feature one of the rare TPE 68 services between Manchester & Leeds, assuming they run.

 

[htafc]

Yes, still not been on one due to their scarcity on that route! Plus given that the ranger has no evening peak restriction (I think), going on either the tea-time northbound or southbound 68 would be an attractive proposition.

 

[Kite159]

Beware when using the ranger at Manchester Victoria if it doesn't work the gates, some of the poorly trained agency gateline staff think it's not valid there (using the "barriers rejected it, not valid" twisted logic)

 

[htafc]

I see, thank you.

 

[xotGD]

either the tea-time northbound or southbound 68

Even better- do both!

BTW, referring to them as north and south rather than east and west had me flummoxed for a moment!

If you hold fire until the December timetable change then you might be able to do 68s between Manchester and Sheffield too.

 

[htafc]

Even better- do both!

Yes, that's eminently possible.

BTW, referring to them as north and south rather than east and west had me flummoxed for a moment!

Sorry about that, I always do it! East and West bound is certainly more accurate between Manchester and Liverpool.

If you hold fire until the December timetable change then you might be able to do 68s between Manchester and Sheffield too.

Fair point.

 

[htafc]

Does anybody what the freight traffic is like round the Manchester and Sheffield areas?

 

[AndyHudds]

Thank you both for your excellent suggestions. Will definitely take up some of them. No worries about 'mundane haulage', I'm sure I will find some new classes/units. I very much enjoyed visiting Hebden Bridge recently but did not know about the cafe - great tip. I've not been to Sowerby Bridge or Marsden and both sound interesting. Will certainly investigate Stanedge tunnel. Regrettably I'm not a coffee fan, but I'm sure Todmorden could still be a stop! MCR warrior, I've just googled the Denton flyer and it sounds highly curious... Will definitely consider doing the trip on a Saturday.
Again thank you both most kindly for your advice.

If your not a coffee fan are you a Town fan? As your name might suggest? The cafe at Hebden Bridge is up to much in my opinion unless you want a bacon butty or a sausage roll, the menu is pretty limited.

 

[htafc]

If your not a coffee fan are you a Town fan? As your name might suggest? The cafe at Hebden Bridge is up to much in my opinion unless you want a bacon butty or a sausage roll, the menu is pretty limited.

I am indeed a proud Town fan. A shame about the cafe then; I'm also a vegetarian!

 

[AndyHudds]

I am indeed a proud Town fan. A shame about the cafe then; I'm also a vegetarian!

Me too, a Town fan that is, not a vegetarian. There is another regular Town fan here too. Enjoy the ranger.

 

[htafc]

There is another regular Town fan here too.

61653 I believe.
Myself I'm a relative newbie to regular posting on here.

Enjoy the ranger.

Cheers

 

[317 forever]

Beware when using the ranger at Manchester Victoria if it doesn't work the gates, some of the poorly trained agency gateline staff think it's not valid there (using the "barriers rejected it, not valid" twisted logic)

A way round this may be to print off a validity map and show it as proof that this ticket is indeed valid at Manchester Victoria.

 

[htafc]

A way round this may be to print off a validity map and show it as proof that this ticket is indeed valid at Manchester Victoria.

That's a good idea.

At the moment I'm thinking of going on Monday or Tuesday. Would anyone be interested in a trip report afterwards? If so I'll post it on this thread.

 

[Techniquest]

Always happy to read a trip report Have a great time!