Recent content by Killingworth

York - Market Weighton - Beverley - Hull was largely on flat land and had a lot of crossings but of all the closures it must have been one of the least justified, but it did close in 1965. I used Market Weighton station at least once before then and had probably changed there for a train towards...

But we are now in 2026, heading towards the 2030s. Whatever the riights and wrongs of the 1950-90s period that's gone, as has 2000-25. Nostalgia is only constructive if it channels past experience in conjunction with realistic examination of where we are going now, and how. The Elizabeth line...

It was sad to see the demise of branch line railways, something that was increasingly inevitable as the 20th Century progressed. In 1900 most freight moved by rail, except round the coasts. Like hundreds of stations Ripon's heydays will have been before WW1 but largely unappreciated until after...

It doesn't need more than 10 minutes looking at OS maps to see that the old track bed has been obstructed in several places, not least for road improvements, most notably to the east side of Ripon and going north by the recently constructed Butcher House Bridge A1(M) interchange.

I'm afraid that while we talk and wring our hands the lawless elements continue their feuds. The arson attack in Grangetown in which 2 died seems to have at least a loose connection with those who died on the A66. 2 have been arrested. About 1 am this morning a house in not so far away Steel...

About 1970-3 I had a couple of short secondments to an office in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, a different world from where I lived in Richmond. ICI dominated Teesside and heavy industry was on the up. New reservoirs were being built to supply the water. Jobs for young males were not hard to find...

Too true! Northern's Hope Valley stopper is timed to follow that into Sheffield. It was on time arriving at Dore but held for 15 minutes while the EMR unit sat almost alongside. Its service back to Picadilly then started 11 late from Sheffield arriving 8 down at Piccadilly. Northern's...

Rail users at Billericay were pleased to hear they were to get a westward shuttle service, until they heard it was only going to Shenfield, change there for all other destinations. I understand London bound commuters are greatly unimpressed. Looking at RTT I can see why...

Semantics. However there's a serious issue here. We all hope a train won't be involved in an incident within the tunnel. Looking at Totley Tunnel East on RTT for Saturday between 12.00 and 14.30 the existence of a fire may have been known by 13.00 when 2S80 1148 Piccadilly - Sheffield passed...

Nor walking the full length, possibly half way and back again after meeting a crew doing the same from the Totley end? It's curious that there should be so much smoke from electrical equipment. I understood all the signalling was replaced during the recent improvement work completed less than 3...

Apparently an electrical fire in the tunnel. Bolsover crews went in from the Grindleford end, SY from Totley. Access from the west is relatively easy with road down to Grindleford station immediately beside the portal. From the Totley end it's half a mile of an overgrowing deep cutting -...

Well it must have been all clear this evening to allow a long train full of wood pellets for Drax to go through, seemingly given priority over restricted passenger services.

Quite, and a 3.5 mile wet tunnel at that. The fear is that it may be a fire on a halted train half way through. That has happened before but quickly extinguished. Nevertheless those aboard were alarmed by the smoke. I've been aboard a train where the lights went out shortly after leaving...

I've created a new thread for the fire in Totley Tunnel; https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/report-of-fire-in-totley-tunnel.305953/ Smoke seems to be dispersing.

All trains stopped between Manchester and Sheffield since about 14.00. Fire crews in attendance at Totley end which is quite hard to access. From SY Fire & Rescue Facebook 1786809462 Rail replacement buses being organised. Inspection needed so no trains expected to run before 17.30 according...