Trivia> Trivia!!

[Strathclyder]

Continuing the 'Letters' theme...

Queen's Park (Glasgow) - the only Scottish station beginning with the letter Q.

Oban - the only Scottish station beginning with the letter O.

Yoker - the only Scottish station beginning with the letter Y.

Uddingston, Uphall & Upper Tyndrum - the only Scottish stations starting with the letter U.

Johnstone & Jordanhill - the only Scottish stations starting with the letter J.

 

[Mag_seven]

Queen's Park (Glasgow) - the only Scottish station beginning with the letter Q.

Glasgow Queen Street is commonly just called "Queen Street"
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I think New Cross platforms use letters not numbers.

Correct see post #22.

 

[dcsprior]

Johnstone & Jordanhill - the only Scottish stations starting with the letter J.

The last of these is also the subject of the 1,000,000th article to be created in the English language wikipedia, I believe there is a plaque to that effect at the station

 

[CheekyBandit]

Longest I have is Queenborough 76 (10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 50 bonus)

I make that 392. 20 (Q on double letter) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 (double letter) + 1 + 2 + 4 = 38. Using two triple word scores = 342. Then the 50 point bonus. I then hope my opponent doesn't challenge it

 

[Railsigns]

There are two platforms at Neilston station, one of which is only used for arrivals and the other used only for departures.

 

[krus_aragon]

The first water troughs (for express steam locomotives to scoop up water without stopping) were installed at Mochdre near Llandudno Junction in 1860. A hundred years later, some diesel locomotives were being built with water scoops, for the small boilers that supplied steam heat to existing rolling stock.

 

[6Gman]

The first water troughs (for express steam locomotives to scoop up water without stopping) were installed at Mochdre near Llandudno Junction in 1860. A hundred years later, some diesel locomotives were being built with water scoops, for the small boilers that supplied steam heat to existing rolling stock.

Photos of Class 40s with their tanks overflowing on troughs look mighty weird!

Mochdre means "town of pigs". I'm saying nowt!

Nearby is the Church of Llangwstennin - in the churchyard are the graves of two footplatemen killed on duty in Ditton? c.1910/1912?

The days when Llandudno Junction men signed Garston!

 

[507 001]

Class 321 units still use bells for communication - they might be the only units to do so in everyday service

Most BR era electrics still do.

I might be wrong (can't find any info) but I think Metrolink's Cornbrook station is unique in that it allows changes only and you cannot generally leave or enter there. Anyone confirm??

Nope. It was rebuilt a few years ago to allow access to street level.

In the National Rail three-letter codes for stations, every single LL_ code represents a station in Wales. (Perhaps unsurprising, given the number of Llan- places.) All but eight of the possible LL_ codes are used, and half of those have letters that don't typically feature in Welsh (LLK, LLQ, LLX and LLZ)

.

Probably because the letters K, Q, X and Z don't exist in the welsh alphabet....

Singer is the only station that I'm aware of in Britain (correct me if I'm wrong) that takes it's name from a sewing machine factory (It was built to serve the massive Singer factory in Clydebank. Long since closed, mostly demolished and replaced by a business park).

If it were to be receive a geographical name now, Kilbowie (the original station with that name has long since closed) or Clydebank North would be ideal.

I can think of another station named after a factory (albeit not a sewing machine factory!) which is Ashbury's in Manchester, named after the coach builder.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I can think of another station named after a factory (albeit not a sewing machine factory!) which is Ashbury's in Manchester, named after the coach builder.

See also IBM, and the former Ampress Works Halt on the Lymington line.

 

[NI 271]

Squeeze had "Up the Junction" about a girl from Clapham. Gomez had a hit with " Whipping Piccadilly".

Despite the music references appearing to have dried up, here's another. The first track on Elbow's album "Leaders Of The Free World" is (genuinely) an homage to the rat-infested, vomit-encrusted ramp leading up to Picc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOsSZWnKRVA

 

[Hophead]

Ok - another music reference then:

Malcolm Middleton (formerly of one half of Arab Strap) & "Loneliness Shines" contains the line:

My favourite place is Falkirk High Station

Full lyrics

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Several of the Rolling Stone's tracks are actually based on the sounds of Class 50s

Chris Rea - Deltics (seems he used to stand at Finsbury Park and watch them go by)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Several of the Rolling Stone's tracks are actually based on the sounds of Class 50s

Chris Rea - Deltics (seems he used to stand at Finsbury Park and watch them go by)

Isn't he from Middlesbrough? Surely Northallerton would've been more convenient?

 

[RichmondCommu]

Blur's second album Modern Life Is Rubbish has a picture of an A4 (Mallard) on the front cover.

The Beta Band have a picture of a class 50 on the sleeve of one of their albums but as our record collection is in no kind of order what so ever it can't be located at the moment!

Steve Lamacq of Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music is a keen model railway enthusiast.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Isn't he from Middlesbrough? Surely Northallerton would've been more convenient?

Seems he spent time in London before writing the song

 

[RichmondCommu]

Isn't he from Middlesbrough? Surely Northallerton would've been more convenient?

Not if you're based in London as many musicians are!
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Photos of Class 40s with their tanks overflowing on troughs look mighty weird!

Even more weird is the picture of a class 44 'Peak' having its water tank replenished at Northampton!

 

[Railsigns]

The Beta Band have a picture of a class 50 on the sleeve of one of their albums but as our record collection is in no kind of order what so ever it can't be located at the moment!

I have that one. It's called "The Three E.P.'s".

 

[RichmondCommu]

I have that one. It's called "The Three E.P.'s".

Yes, well done I've been searching through our CD racks and you beat me to it!

Did you ever see them live? They were off their collective rocker but brilliant all the same

 

[Railsigns]

Yes, well done I've been searching through our CD racks and you beat me to it!

Did you ever see them live? They were off their collective rocker but brilliant all the same

No, sadly not.

I also like the fact that above the Class 50 is a picture of El Capitan Butte in Utah, which I have photographed from the same angle.

 

[RichmondCommu]

No, sadly not.

I also like the fact that above the Class 50 is a picture of El Capitan Butte in Utah, which I have photographed from the same angle.

Which brings me on to another if not very different band; Utah Saints! Sadly there is no railway connection that I'm aware of with the Utah Saints.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Which brings me on to another if not very different band; Utah Saints! Sadly there is no railway connection that I'm aware of with the Utah Saints.

They produced an as yet unreleased song called "Train"

 

[Railsigns]

The last track on the Hood album "Outside Closer" is called "End of One Train Working". The sleeve has a picture of a lineside notice board with those words on it.

 

[RichmondCommu]

They produced an as yet unreleased song called "Train"

Thanks for that! Assuming that the song has recently been produced I wonder if they might be planning another album? I hope so!
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I also forgot to mention that on Blur's first album one of the tracks starts with a tube train entering a station. As I'm currently listening to British Sea Power I'll have to look on another day!

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Daisy Hicks's video for "Girl on a train" involves her dressed in tight leather clothing rolling around a rake of Mk III pulled by 55009 with 1Z55 as the headcode. From time to time, other trains are spotted such as a London Midland unit and a Penderlino! If someone can tell me how to post a YT video here, I'll upload the video

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Not if you're based in London as many musicians are!

I'd assumed it would have been from his pre-fame days. Pleasantly surprised he's an enthusiast of sorts, always had him down as a petrol-head*.

*=Yes, I know the two aren't mutually exclusive!

 

[Poolie]

Garsdale has the highest working railway toilets in England (possibly in Britain, but can't remember).

....and Sunderland with a population of 275,000 doesn't have any station toilets !!!!

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I'd assumed it would have been from his pre-fame days. Pleasantly surprised he's an enthusiast of sorts, always had him down as a petrol-head*.

*=Yes, I know the two aren't mutually exclusive!

I've heard that a lot of the musicians from the 70s/80s are massive railway fans. I read in an old issue of Traction that most weekends when not recording or on tour, a lot of them used to sneak up to Pete Waterman's house and play on his model railway set!

Also, Bruce Dickinson is not only a blooming good singer with Iron Maiden, he is also a qualified fireman

 

[RichmondCommu]

Not our kind of music whatsoever (my wife and I that is) but Rod Stewart is also a keen model railway enthusiast, in particular Lionel model railways which is an American brand.

 

[Hornet]

Rudy by Supertramp has the Paddington Station announcer announcing the departure of the 19:45 to Bristol Temple Meads on the track.

 

[AM9]

How about Workington North, built in the shortest time (six days) and (maybe) with the shortest time in operation (314 days)?