The "Where was it" thread

[blackfive460]

Can you identify the location?
The poster of the correct answer can provide the next picture which can be from any era but lets say it should be at least 10 years ago.
There are extra points if you can get a picture of the same spot as it is now.

Ok, this should be an easy one to get a 'now' photo of...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'd say that's the west end of Manchester Victoria?



( If I'm right please be aware it'll be tonight before I can post up the next picture ).

 

[blackfive460]

I'd say that's the west end of Manchester Victoria?

( If I'm right please be aware it'll be tonight before I can post up the next picture ).

No need to rush home, its not either end of Manchester Vic!

 

[Ivo]

Kinda looks like Temple Meads to me, or failing that possibly York.

 

[flymo]

Hmm...Something screams at me West Coast Main Line.

May I suggest Preston?

 

[blackfive460]

Hmm...Something screams at me West Coast Main Line.

May I suggest Preston?

You could and you would be right.
The loco was coming into Preston on the East Lancs side; from the direct route that no longer exists from the Blackburn line at Bamber Bridge.

Right then, over to you...

 

[flymo]

Holy Mother of Pearl!!..

I had no idea that would be right. I thought it might be in the ballpark but crikey that was honestly a shot in the dark. I'm off to play the lottery tomorrow.. 14 22 25 29 34 48

As I said before my picture stash is somewhat limited but please, anyone who may wish to do so, please carry on. These photos are simply awesome.

 

[Wyvern]

anyone who may wish to do so, please carry on. These photos are simply awesome.

OK - but will anyone recognise this place the way it is today.

 

[Ivo]

Not a clue why, but I'm thinking St Helens (Junction to be specific). If that is right, never mind the Lottery - I'm playing Euromillions!

 

[Wyvern]

Not a clue why, but I'm thinking St Helens (Junction to be specific). If that is right, never mind the Lottery - I'm playing Euromillions!

Sorry. Not this time. About a hundred miles roughly south east.

Taken in 1958.

 

[blackfive460]

Sorry. Not this time. About a hundred miles roughly south east.

Taken in 1958.

My first thought was somewhere on the Midland main line. The box in the background, the motive power and train are right so, and this is an educated guess based largely on your 100 miles SE clue as I don't know the area well enough; somewhere between Kettering and Wellingborough?

 

[Wyvern]

On the right lines (pun) but further north. Just south of an important junction. Photo taken before 1964. Doesnt look anything like that now.

 

[blackfive460]

On the right lines (pun) but further north. Just south of an important junction. Photo taken before 1964. Doesnt look anything like that now.

Doesn't look right for Glendon or Syston, therefore...
The lack of cooling towers put the idea of Ratcliffe on Soar just south of Trent Jcs. right out of my mind but, of course at that time, there were no cooling towers. The power station wasn't built until the 60s.
Good one; but only if I'm right!

 

[Wyvern]

Well done. Its Ratcliffe on Soar, the power station was built on the right of the photo, and it is now East Midlands Parkway.

Postscript: Sorry. I was supposed to post a "way it is now" picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fileast_Midlands_Parkway_Railway_Station.JPG

 

[blackfive460]

Right then, here's the next one.
Taken in the summer of 1967, this place has changed rather more than somewhat in the intervening years but I can tell you that I passed through here last Wednesday behind a steam loco heading in the other direction. The train I was on last Wednesday was heading for a destination not all that far from where the train hauled by 44694 was going.
Oh for a time machine!

 

[Mvann]

Wild guest. Mexborough.

 

[blackfive460]

Wild guest. Mexborough.

Nope.
But only 15 miles away as the crow flies...

 

[MCR247]

Why make this thread? Why not post it in the existing thread of EXACTLY the same title?

 

[flymo]

Which EXACTLY the same thread?

The other one I think you are referring to is "Where is it" not "Where was it".

Slight but significant difference.

 

[142094]

Nope.
But only 15 miles away as the crow flies...

Not Rotherham Masborough is it?

 

[blackfive460]

Not Rotherham Masborough is it?

Nope.
Mexborough was nearer. Masborough is 18.5 miles away (as the crow flies).
I didn't think it would be that hard given the clue that I passed through that station on a steam hauled train on Wednesday last.
A quick check to see what was running last Wednesday should narrow it down considerably!

 

[Mvann]

I don't know the area, hence the guess.

 

[MCR247]

Which EXACTLY the same thread?

The other one I think you are referring to is "Where is it" not "Where was it".

Slight but significant difference.

Sorry about that, my mistake

 

[flymo]

No problems.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'll suggest Wakefield but I'm not sure whether Westgate or Kirkgate.

OK I'll plump for Wakefield Westgate.

 

[blackfive460]

I'll suggest Wakefield but I'm not sure whether Westgate or Kirkgate.

OK I'll plump for Wakefield Westgate.

Nope, but getting nearer.
Westgate is just 3.5 miles away.

 

[flymo]

How about Normanton?

 

[blackfive460]

How about Normanton?

Correct, I knew we'd get there eventually!
The train in the picture was the 08.20 Bradford Exchange to Bridlington which ran Summer Saturdays only and was one of the two steam hauled 08.20 parallel departures, the other went to Skegness, that always turned into a race as far as Mill Lane Jc.
After getting off at Normanton we would have a short wait for the relief Glasgow which reversed at Leeds and got one of Holbeck's Jubilees.
Happy days!
Right, over to you for the next one.

 

[flymo]

Correct, I knew we'd get there eventually!

Right, over to you for the next one.

Woohoo. Thanks but there has to be more photos out there from days gone by than I have. Anyone else who wants too please carry on.