Guess the Station...

[DavidL]

Right - apologies first off for the quality of this image. It is as mentioned from my mobile phone and has been cropped a little to remove a few too obvious clues.

However, I'll be impressed if it lasts longer than one guess; it's probably going to be pretty easy if you're even remotely familiar with the depicted area. Clues if required - the photo is no longer than a month old, the units are typical, and no, they're not having a race.

For fun only - and a clue in itself - a bonus point will be awarded if you can tell me what time of day (say an error margin of 10 minutes) the photo was taken.

-David

 

[Track Basher]

I am thinking around Manchester but it does not look familiar. It looks very Salford Crescent but this is an island platform.

I don't think this is correct but Southport.

 

[4SRKT]

There's got to be something in that time clue. One of the trains must be on a service that only runs once a day or something. A 156 and 142 says North West to me, and the colour of the brick coupled with the generally run down and scruffy nature of everything backs this up. Both trains appear to be coming towards the station which suggests a junction behind them with two parallel single lines, or possibly a ladder junction that the 156 has come off and is waiting to use the crossover to get onto the right line.

Can't think of an infrequent enough service to fit the first bill (it isn't anywhere between Ellesmere Port and Helsby), or a junction location where two trains can approach the stations in parallel.

In short, I'm stumped.

 

[northernrail]

Is it on the Oldham loop

 

[142094]

Nope, that is St Helens Central

 

[4SRKT]

Nope, that is St Helens Central

What's the time clue then?

 

[142094]

Sorry to jump the gun but I'm off to make tea so here is my poser:

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What's the time clue then?

No idea, all I can think of is the same as you, that one of the trains runs only at a certain time (perhaps once per day). Maybe 2N70 17.27 Liverpool Lime Street - Preston

 

[Track Basher]

I have just had a thought but I will save it until my guess has been confirmed as wrong. Oh well someone else got to my idea first.

 

[142094]

Time of day I'm thinking is 17.51

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Looks Welsh and i recognise it I think but cannot put my finger on where it is

 

[northernrail]

Is the big wheel in the background a permenent thing (Clue) or is it a little fun fair

 

[142094]

The wheel is not in place today. No more clues as it gets easier after that!

 

[ainsworth74]

Hartlepool?

 

[Track Basher]

Cleethorpes

 

[Crossforth]

I first thought York but the number on the Signal doesn't seem to me to be York

And actually, forget that, there is no OHLE

 

[DavidL]

For mine: I realise it's moved on now, but congrats to 142094 for the location. Sorry if the time clue acted as a red herring - you were nearly there, 4SRKT and 142094.

142094, re: times - I think the only thing that threw you was you might have your directions mixed up. Just out of interest, what gave it away?

The photograph was taken facing towards Corporation St and the signal box (Wigan end), and it was indeed a reference to the fact that two trains were pointed towards Liverpool.

The 156 had just arrived from the Liverpool direction, swapped driving ends, and was waiting to come "right line" to form the 0856 St Helens Central - Liverpool Lime St - one of only two trains in the current weekday timetable (the other the 0556) a day that does it - if memory serves.
The 142 was arriving to make its 0846 St Helens Central call en route to Liverpool.

Sorry, no idea on the fresh poser, though!

-David

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Prestatyn?

 

[142094]

Hartlepool?

It is Hartlepool, thought the wheel might stump some people! The signal is CR which used to be controlled from Clarence Road, sadly no longer.

142094, re: times - I think the only thing that threw you was you might have your directions mixed up. Just out of interest, what gave it away?

The photograph was taken facing towards Corporation St and the signal box (Wigan end), and it was indeed a reference to the fact that two trains were pointed towards Liverpool.

The 156 had just arrived from the Liverpool direction, swapped driving ends, and was waiting to come "right line" to form the 0856 St Helens Central - Liverpool Lime St - one of only two trains in the current weekday timetable (the other the 0556) a day that does it - if memory serves.
The 142 was arriving to make its 0846 St Helens Central call en route to Liverpool.

I've only been through St Helens once on the train, and remember there had been a lot of new work there (fencing on the left of the pictures gave it away). Also knew it wasn't in the north east, so had to be NW. As for the times, since most trains are eitehr going to Wigan, Blackpool or Liverpool thought it must be something a bit different!

 

[ainsworth74]

Yes! That was a bit of a long shot but it looked really familiar, I assume it was taken during the shuttles for the tall ships?

Floors open, but if we could have something modernish that would be nice

 

[Track Basher]

Yes! That was a bit of a long shot but it looked really familiar, I assume it was taken during the shuttles for the tall ships?

Floors open, but if we could have something modernish that would be nice

As requested a nice modern one, for a change.

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Chepstow?

 

[Track Basher]

Not Chepstow. You are at least in the right country (just)

Station is on the left.

 

[paulravuslante]

I believe that is Pyle. Glad I checked in now!

I have no more photos though so open floor!

 

[Track Basher]

I believe that is Pyle. Glad I checked in now!

I have no more photos though so open floor!

That is indeed the correct answer.

I will go back to the old ones again.

 

[DavidL]

Possibly/probably about to make a fool of myself - it's not Blackpool North is it?

-David

 

[clagmonster]

Judging by the look of the pax, a summer Saturday train at destination. Pwhelli? (appologies for spelling)

 

[Track Basher]

Possibly/probably about to make a fool of myself - it's not Blackpool North is it?

-David

Once again you are correct.

 

[DavidL]

Thanks TB. I've lurked on this forum for about 2 years; you do realise it's this thread that's got me posting? It was the combination of the holiday-type passengers as pointed out by clag - and oddly that red-piped industrial unit that sparked something in my brain and brought back happy holiday memories. Have you recorded the year you took it? Great shot - most effective!

Anyway, my 2nd entry - demonstrating once again my love of the 156 and my inability to frame or light a shot correctly. The lighting was not a deliberate ploy for this quiz - it just came out that way - sorry! I've edited out the destination blind, but otherwise it's just cropped slightly.

No clues for this one to start with - I think it'll jump out if you've visited the place. Good luck!

 

[ainsworth74]

Whitby.

Open floor.

 

[DavidL]

Correct!