Topological
Established Member
Esher (seen here from a different angle):
Sadly the NSE branding and artwork are no more. Otherwise the scene is almost unchanged today.
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AI-generated (not entirely realistic) railway images
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Esher (seen here from a different angle):
Sadly the NSE branding and artwork are no more. Otherwise the scene is almost unchanged today.
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Isn't this the same place that, before the popularisation of treadmills and other gym torture equipment, they had a continually ascending staircase that people used for exercise?
Topological
Established Member
You have been
That staircase was visited by the designers for Birmingham Grand Central. I preferred the proposal to the one which was actually delivered. The real one maintains that sense of navigational impossibility, but lacks the finesse and grand vision of the concept:
I like that a lot!You have been
That staircase was visited by the designers for Birmingham Grand Central. I preferred the proposal to the one which was actually delivered. The real one maintains that sense of navigational impossibility, but lacks the finesse and grand vision of the concept:
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This is one to give nightmares to those who do not like Voyagers. Even the infinite-length units have no working toilet and the only access to such facilities involves walking through the train to the rear coach which is still in the previous station.
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Sun Chariot
Established Member
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Topological
Established Member
The concept is magnificent. There will still be a thread on here about needing more capacity on CrossCountry thoughI like that a lot!
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This is one to give nightmares to those who do not like Voyagers. Even the infinite-length units have no working toilet and the only access to such facilities involves walking through the train to the rear coach which is still in the previous station.
The Welsh Government, with the assistance of a time machine it has to be said, recognised the strategic benefits of the Pontypool Road to Neath route and invested heavily in retaining it. Crumlin Viaduct needed some significant work to bring it back up to standard and as part of the deal the Welsh Government insisted that it be painted in the country's national colours. Modern stock saw the line become successful. Gemini decided on the livery of this 150/2 and I've tried without success to change it to a correct one. I'm not sure whether it's a genuine livery or not (seriously) but it has to be said that the colours clash terribly with the viaduct scheme!
With the re-opening of the Ebbw Vale line it was seen as desirable to have platform-to-platform interchange between the two routes so a station was built on the viaduct with a lift down to low level. The low level station cannot be seen but the bus interchange associated with it is visible. Traditional buses in the form of a Bristol RE in an unknown livery, along with a glimpse of a bus in the Jones NBC blue livery are seen.
With the re-opening of the Ebbw Vale line it was seen as desirable to have platform-to-platform interchange between the two routes so a station was built on the viaduct with a lift down to low level. The low level station cannot be seen but the bus interchange associated with it is visible. Traditional buses in the form of a Bristol RE in an unknown livery, along with a glimpse of a bus in the Jones NBC blue livery are seen.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Having driven through Crumlin town several times in the past 18 months, I think this is a work of genius @BeeBus 
Platform on viaduct already on Docklands Light Railway (DLR), so it makes perfect sense to add one each side of a rebuilt Crumlin Viaduct.
Good to see Heads of the Valleys is now an enclave of Italy.
Platform on viaduct already on Docklands Light Railway (DLR), so it makes perfect sense to add one each side of a rebuilt Crumlin Viaduct.Good to see Heads of the Valleys is now an enclave of Italy.
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Ashley Hill
Established Member
Given some previous posts I tried to do a railway version of a Penrose Staircase but myself and Gemini failed miserably. So here is a picture of a 150 in Ashburton station as if it had never closed
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Superb image @Ashley Hill
The "precarious platforms" idea of Crumlin, led to Northern's opening of a new station - Knaresborough Viaduct - directly over the River Nidd; thereby "enhancing" the viewpoint used for decades by railway photographers.
Knaresborough's fearless cheerleaders attempt a precarious platform of their own.
The "precarious platforms" idea of Crumlin, led to Northern's opening of a new station - Knaresborough Viaduct - directly over the River Nidd; thereby "enhancing" the viewpoint used for decades by railway photographers.
Knaresborough's fearless cheerleaders attempt a precarious platform of their own.
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I have tried to imagine how Gemini gathers all the information it needs and I've come across this drawing of the company's work. Sorry for the deluge of posts - I expected this one to require several iterations but I was so happy with the first attempt I've stuck with it. Hopefully it will promote some ribaldry!
Sun Chariot
Established Member
The strive for precarious platforms results in the reconstruction of the Stainmore Line and an almost-faithful copy of the mightly Belah Viaduct; this time with facilities for walkers and tourists to alight or join. The step-free option was abandoned on cost grounds.
Take a bow! Sublime!
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Topological
Established Member
The problem here is that you have uncovered how we end up with so many posts on this thread if we are not careful. There is just no end to the ways in which Gemini can illustrate the obscure. I am really enjoying seeing your efforts.
Precarious platforms does appeal. As someone who uses Pontypool Road (in its new bus stop guide) and can get there by driving past Neath, that line would be great. Can it connect into the 05:10 from Pontypool and New Inn to Manchester though? Or failing that start the Manchester train in Swansea and make the Cardiff to Pontypool the connection - I am constantly told people do not travel across Cardiff
This is how I imagine the voyager design process. Only these bots are better at counting and spell better than the real implementation team.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
A digital era William Heath Robinson...?
Excellent, you spotted the style! This next one is supposed to be in his style but is certainly less-obviously so, but I think it's a good topical subject. Gemini seems to be basing everything on Crumlin viaduct - this was supposed to be Preston station!A digital era William Heath Robinson...?
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Excellent @Topological although I am a bit biased in favour of the Voyager having been very much involved with the project, such that I have travelled on Voyagers in four countries - and I haven't travelled on one in Wales! Of course, it did help that we (the testing team) team had the train to ourselves. One trip was just me and the driver from Crofton to Darlington and back!The problem here is that you have uncovered how we end up with so many posts on this thread if we are not careful. There is just no end to the ways in which Gemini can illustrate the obscure. I am really enjoying seeing your efforts.
Precarious platforms does appeal. As someone who uses Pontypool Road (in its new bus stop guide) and can get there by driving past Neath, that line would be great. Can it connect into the 05:10 from Pontypool and New Inn to Manchester though? Or failing that start the Manchester train in Swansea and make the Cardiff to Pontypool the connection - I am constantly told people do not travel across Cardiff
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This is how I imagine the voyager design process. Only these bots are better at counting and spell better than the real implementation team.
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My problem was I thought you had written Ashbourne (which would have worked just as well as a concept) and I was struggling to understand the livery and signage until I read more carefully!
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Sun Chariot
Established Member
Topological
Established Member
Preston was a station I was at far too often. It may have been improved by having Crumlin viaduct passing through. It is sad to read the current thread about the station. The tale of the 222s/810s is a sad one too.
I actually really like the Voyagers. They have always been kind to me on my way in and out of Manchester. Tomorrow I will take one if the Cardiff-Birmingham I want to take is cancelled (as they too often are).
For this one I wanted to take aim at another much maligned but actually excellent train, the TfW 197.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Reduced spillage risk, no doubt! Nice portrayal of trains that were elegant to look at but possibly not so good to travel on, but this is not from personal experience! I'm not sure whether I saw these or not - there comes a time when you can't distinguish between the memory of seeing something and the memory of seeing a photograph of it!
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Thanks @BeeBus - yes, the inherently poor ride-quality was (as well as loss of its intended patronage) a factor in the demise of the Blue Pullman sets.
Over on "the other side", I've also added a pre-name D9021 at a viewing-angle that I have used for real - of a 60 (when new); I was sat in one of Toton's outside inspection-pits; and the 60 was, i promise, parked very safely!
- yes, the inherently poor ride-quality was (as well as loss of its intended patronage) a factor in the demise of the Blue Pullman sets.Over on "the other side", I've also added a pre-name D9021 at a viewing-angle that I have used for real - of a 60 (when new); I was sat in one of Toton's outside inspection-pits; and the 60 was, i promise, parked very safely!
I have spent quite some time trying to get Gemini to produce a good impression of a Class 124 Trans-Pennine unit in original condition. I've failed, in part I suspect because there are few images of them in original condition for it to work with. I know from past experience that pictures of the buffet cars are particularly scarce. Gemini has also insisted on applying the lining as a border to the windscreen and I've given up trying to persuade it to do it correctly. Nor will it remove the modern lamps - peculiarly, when looking at old photographs it seems as if they didn't carry any headlamps at all at first which I find strange. Hopefully you'll enjoy this image of a short-formed unit at Diggle in the snow.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
It's still a commendable 124. I have had the 123 and 124 on my "to try" list for months. I will try getting Gemini Pro to sift material at the fabulous source that is www.railcar.com
I did give it some additional photos to work from. The original photo on which the above was based was a black and white shot of one in blue and grey, but when I asked Gemini to work on it, it was determined to give it a Class 108 style of front which kind of spoilt the effect! I did try to get it to add the blue square coupling code but it insisted on giving it a cream border and on a later attempt made it a single one in the middle.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
A tale of two cities power stations.
Eggborough and Ferrybridge coal-fired power stations were only five miles apart, as the crow flies.
Step back in time.
- An imagined second line to the old LMS station at Blaenau Ffestiniog, diverges at the Conwy Valley railway line's 2-mile Ffestiniog Tunnel. The class 120 cab, when repaired, lost its destination blind holder.
- Trans Pennine, the class 123. A former buffet set - reduced to 3 cars - adds to the pollution.
Dedicated to our beautiful boys. One who fell into his forever-sleep two years ago tomorrow. The other who came to us by pure chance, was painfully-thin and abused; and now, twenty months later, a lustrous-furred loyal loving lithe lively lunatic.
Eggborough and Ferrybridge coal-fired power stations were only five miles apart, as the crow flies.
Step back in time.
- An imagined second line to the old LMS station at Blaenau Ffestiniog, diverges at the Conwy Valley railway line's 2-mile Ffestiniog Tunnel. The class 120 cab, when repaired, lost its destination blind holder.
- Trans Pennine, the class 123. A former buffet set - reduced to 3 cars - adds to the pollution.
Dedicated to our beautiful boys. One who fell into his forever-sleep two years ago tomorrow. The other who came to us by pure chance, was painfully-thin and abused; and now, twenty months later, a lustrous-furred loyal loving lithe lively lunatic.
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Very poignant and bit more personal than we normally see on forums like this.
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Sun Chariot
Established Member
The end is near. I visited Swindon Works in 1985, the year its impending closure was anmounced. Lines of 40s, 25s and a few 46s still on death-row. Warship D818 Glory was still with us, back then.
These imagined views of rhe Works in its mid-1980s and the mid-1970s.
These imagined views of rhe Works in its mid-1980s and the mid-1970s.
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Ashley Hill
Established Member
An unusual rat/peak combo in the first picture.
I visited Swindon during the school holidays in 1982. I saw 40151 being dragged to its death with squealing protests from its wheelsets. That image has stuck with me all these years.
I visited Swindon during the school holidays in 1982. I saw 40151 being dragged to its death with squealing protests from its wheelsets. That image has stuck with me all these years.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
I like to call it a "Prat".
Flame-cut sorted. You did well getting Swindon in 1982. I'm guessing the class 46s and 24s there, as well as that evocative description of 40 151's protests?
I did Wolverton Works in 1985, it was not far from my home. A stark contrast to the deterioration at Swindon, same year.
I did Crewe Works in spring 1986: its scrap lines had plenty of 40s, a few 47s, Colwich 86s, 81 001, 84 008 and split-box 45 053.
MC Metals in (wet) summer 1990 yielded the 'Mexican Bean' class 104, Gresley and Stanier carriages (departmental stock by then), the surprising sight of class 33s amongst the lines of 20s and 26s.
Here's Wolverton when BR Refurbished livery was still being rolled-out. With virtual faded colour-film.
As a curious mid-teen, riding the then embryonic Docklands Light Railway in the mid-1980s, to using it when I lived on the Royal Docks 2005-2012, I've always admired the efficiency and the reliability of this "new-build" operation. I wonder if - per mile - it's the UK's most photographed railway network?
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After the successful Mancunian demonstration run of DLR car 11 between Debdale Park and Reddish the vehicle design was adopted for Metrolink. Even with the later rebranding they retained the red and blue colours to keep faith with the two principal football clubs in the area - which I think were Oldham Athletic and Ashton United. What was surprising was the continued use of driverless control on the street sections, but the people of Manchester are quick learners and soon learnt to keep out of their way! I'm struggling to recognise the specific location in this picture I've found and I suspect the St. Peter's Square sign on the left is misleading. 1023 is a single unit working to Eccles whereas 1012 is at the rear of a double (or, it seems, a 1.75 unit) working from Altrincham to Piccadilly.
