Preserved railways seeming like the real thing.

[Arglwydd Golau]

I go to a preserved line perhaps a couple of times a year, so I can't be called a regular, but my example would be on the GCR, I turned up at Quorn about two years ago , noted the up and down train times but was then startled by an 8F clanking through with the windcutters in tow - I had totally forgotten that some goods trains were running, and as I wasn't expecting it it really did take me back to the 1960's.
I also agree about Bury Bolton Street, the most atmospheric preserved station I have been to.

 

[steamybrian]

On a quiet weekday last year (2016) I drove my car to Horsted Keynes to catch the first up train at 1017 to East Grinstead. Parked the car in the virtually empty car park walked into the excellent atmospheric 5 platform station. Although there were a few members of staff around I was only the passenger on the station. The train came in hauled by a Bullied Pacific with 5 coaches (mixture of BR and SR Bullieds) and I stepped aboard and nobody alighted. There were maybe a dozen passengers aboard so I was able to get a carriage to myself. Stopping at the remote Kingscote where nobody got off and nobody got on.! The journey brought back memories of a quiet country branch line in BR (or SR) days.
When we arrived at East Grinstead then the whole world seemed to on the platform be waiting for us. The atmosphere was now a busy heritage railway.

 

[AJM580]

Mid Norfolk Railway after dark on the winter gala - mk 2s and diesel loco (47) just like the old days in East Anglia

 

[meridian2]

Agree re. Bury Bolton Street, it has retained the unkempt look of a 1960s station. A couple of seminal moments, one was seeing a B1 in the late 70s running a night special on the GCR. I hadn't seen a steam train in the flesh for about 12 years, and it was like seeing an old girlfriend, the same look, smells and racing pulse as the years peeled away.

Another was seeing the Flying Scotsman at night by the A52 in the early 80s. Pure chance and the car kept pace with it for a few miles until it peeled away like a dream.

 

[yorksrob]

I've not been there yet but whenever I see photos of Bury Bolton St it really looks the part. Especially with a blue loco and blue and grey stock in it. I really must get up there soon (better say hello to cin88 too, I hear he hangs out there with a viz vest on)

There's a good bar there and at Rawtenstall

They do a good DMU day. I wouldn't mind going to one of those again.

 

[Ash Bridge]

There's a good bar there and at Rawtenstall

They do a good DMU day. I wouldn't mind going to one of those again.

I would definitely be up for that myself, never yet done a 1st gen DMU on a heritage line plus they have quite a varied resident fleet on the ELR don't they?

 

[yorksrob]

I would definitely be up for that myself, never yet done a 1st gen DMU on a heritage line plus they have quite a varied resident fleet on the ELR don't they?

They do. They have a lovely western region bubblecar and a trailer carriage, which is quite rare these days I should imagine.

I can't remember what the other DMU is, but it was excellently kept inside.

 

[Ash Bridge]

They do. They have a lovely western region bubblecar and a trailer carriage, which is quite rare these days I should imagine.

I can't remember what the other DMU is, but it was excellently kept inside.

That is rare, I never managed to see one of those trailer cars in their mainline days, I'm sure I've traveled on that 122 from Liskeard to Looe back in the early nineties though, think there is also a 104 & a 117 plus a 207 that are all currently stopped for attention. That DEMU must certainly look and sound very out of place in Lancs though!

 

[yorksrob]

That is rare, I never managed to see one of those trailer cars in their mainline days, I'm sure I've traveled on that 122 from Liskeard to Looe back in the early nineties though, think there is also a 104 & a 117 plus a 207 that are all currently stopped for attention. That DEMU must certainly look and sound very out of place in Lancs though!

Indeed. I did ask about the 207 when I was last there a couple of years ago and they confirmed it was stopped. Would love to travel on it again, particularly as I would have certainly travelled on it on the Marsh.

I think the bubblecar/trailer combo was used on the Windsor Central branch but am not sure where else !

 

[Cowley]

I always like a nice station pub (Don't say it)
I had a lovely ride on the West Somerset one night in the 90s in the front seats of the old Park Royal class 103 DMU that they sold to the embryonic Helston railway.
The guys on duty said that it was its last fare paying journey as it was knackered and they'd sold it. It was off season and a total chance that I went there that day. I remember thinking that if I stayed in Minehead longer I'd miss the steam back which was a bit disappointing but I grudgingly accepted that it would be a trip back on a DMU.
It was wonderful though as the rusty ageing rattling old girl climbed and wheezed it's way up towards Stogumber and the sky (which had been a dreary grey all day) turned entirely pink in a way that I'd never seen before (or since actually). There was hardly anyone on it and it felt like, well I don't know really. Maybe BR in the olden days? But then even they probably wouldn't have put something that decrepit out.
Blurred lines I suppose. A bit of the old railway showing through a crack in the glass...





(I hope some pedant doesn't tell me it was still running in 2010 now :roll

 

[yorksrob]

I always like a nice station pub (Don't say it)
I had a lovely ride on the West Somerset one night in the 90s in the front seats of the old Park Royal class 103 DMU that they sold to the embryonic Helston railway.
The guys on duty said that it was its last fare paying journey as it was knackered and they'd sold it. It was off season and a total chance that I went there that day. I remember thinking that if I stayed in Minehead longer I'd miss the steam back which was a bit disappointing but I grudgingly accepted that it would be a trip back on a DMU.
It was wonderful though as the rusty ageing rattling old girl climbed and wheezed it's way up towards Stogumber and the sky (which had been a dreary grey all day) turned entirely pink in a way that I'd never seen before (or since actually). There was hardly anyone on it and it felt like, well I don't know really. Maybe BR in the olden days? But then even they probably wouldn't have put something that decrepit out.
Blurred lines I suppose. A bit of the old railway showing through a crack in the glass...





(I hope some pedant doesn't tell me it was still running in 2010 now :roll

I've only done the Minehead branch once (on a HDL railtour ), but I should imagine its wonderful on a slow lightly loaded journey.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Indeed. I did ask about the 207 when I was last there a couple of years ago and they confirmed it was stopped. Would love to travel on it again, particularly as I would have certainly travelled on it on the Marsh.

I think the bubblecar/trailer combo was used on the Windsor Central branch but am not sure where else !

Unless Iam mistaken i don't think those trailers ever saw use anywhere but the London area did they? I've just done a little digging and found that 55001 actually worked the North Cornwall Line during the 1960s, I really need a trip on her now!

I always like a nice station pub (Don't say it)
I had a lovely ride on the West Somerset one night in the 90s in the front seats of the old Park Royal class 103 DMU that they sold to the embryonic Helston railway.
The guys on duty said that it was its last fare paying journey as it was knackered and they'd sold it. It was off season and a total chance that I went there that day. I remember thinking that if I stayed in Minehead longer I'd miss the steam back which was a bit disappointing but I grudgingly accepted that it would be a trip back on a DMU.
It was wonderful though as the rusty ageing rattling old girl climbed and wheezed it's way up towards Stogumber and the sky (which had been a dreary grey all day) turned entirely pink in a way that I'd never seen before (or since actually). There was hardly anyone on it and it felt like, well I don't know really. Maybe BR in the olden days? But then even they probably wouldn't have put something that decrepit out.
Blurred lines I suppose. A bit of the old railway showing through a crack in the glass...





(I hope some pedant doesn't tell me it was still running in 2010 now :roll

Another line I've always wanted to do, ah well one day maybe.

 

[Cowley]

I do love the West Somerset. It's big and feels uncrowded somehow. Well worth a visit chaps. Perhaps we should do a house exchange for a bit!?

I've got another one for this thread:
A few years ago I was down at Dawlish with a friend and our kids playing on the beach on a nice sunny day when we decided it was time to head home. I knew that the steam was due fairly soon and we decided to head towards the footbridge by Kennaway tunnel. There didn't seem to be any trainy types around and I said to my friend that maybe it hadn't run today (I hadn't heard it go down in the morning like usual). As soon as I said it the train thundered out of the tunnel under our feet with a toot on the whistle and made all of us jump out of our skin. The driver was obviously enjoying the moment and opened the regulator along the sea front as everyone stopped and stared and then waved.
I've seen the steam down there plenty of times but that was the moment that's stuck with me the most. It was the King on a whole rake of chocolate and cream mk1s and it was perfect.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I do love the West Somerset. It's big and feels uncrowded somehow. Well worth a visit chaps. Perhaps we should do a house exchange for a bit!?

I've got another one for this thread:
A few years ago I was down at Dawlish with a friend and our kids playing on the beach on a nice sunny day when we decided it was time to head home. I knew that the steam was due fairly soon and we decided to head towards the footbridge by Kennaway tunnel. There didn't seem to be any trainy types around and I said to my friend that maybe it hadn't run today (I hadn't heard it go down in the morning like usual). As soon as I said it the train thundered out of the tunnel under our feet with a toot on the whistle and made all of us jump out of our skin. The driver was obviously enjoying the moment and opened the regulator along the sea front as everyone stopped and stared and then waved.
I've seen the steam down there plenty of times but that was the moment that's stuck with me the most. It was the King on a whole rake of chocolate and cream mk1s and it was perfect.

The way you describe that I could just imagine how harmonious the complete train would have fitted into that unique Devonshire location.

 

[L&Y Robert]

I always think that Bury Bolton Street has a wonderfully authentic 1970's/80's BR feel (probably because it was BR until the 1980's). It's probably why its my favourite preserved railway station.

Yes, its the same as it was when I commuted through it to Manchester in the 60s. Several routes, noteably the steamer (standard tank) Accrington to Mc Vic. via Clifton Junction. Sometimes, and for a change, diesel Rawtenstall to Bury (terminated there after squeeling over the FACING crossover under the bridge (still there) and more squeeling into the down loop platform). Then get the electric to Mc. Vic. (that'd be the old L&Y steel bodied electrics - still providing the service even then). I remember that there was a "Formaldehide Works" on the side of the line just north of the Bolton St. bridge - as soon as that hove in sight time to start getting your stuff together and be ready to disembark! And coming home, sometimes (if in time) a non-stop Mc. and Salford to Accrington in the charge of a Black 5. There was always a nasty jolt to the fast-running non-stopper at the north end of the down platform at Bury- scary! I could go on a bit, but yes! - it's still the same!

 

[RichmondCommu]

I would definitely be up for that myself, never yet done a 1st gen DMU on a heritage line plus they have quite a varied resident fleet on the ELR don't they?

The Wirksworth branch is pretty good for DMU stock too.

 

[Ash Bridge]

The Wirksworth branch is pretty good for DMU stock too.

Thanks, thats one I always forget about yet would love to visit, even better I think it's also accessible from the mainline at Duffield?

 

[duffield]

Thanks, thats one I always forget about yet would love to visit, even better I think it's also accessible from the mainline at Duffield?

Through ticketing available, cross-platform connection timed to connect with the Matlock/Derby/Nottingham/Newark trains. Highly recommended (and no, I don't work for the EVR despite my user name, just live somewhat locally).

 

[Ash Bridge]

Through ticketing available, cross-platform connection timed to connect with the Matlock/Derby/Nottingham/Newark trains. Highly recommended (and no, I don't work for the EVR despite my user name, just live somewhat locally).

Many thanks for that

 

[GatwickDepress]

You couldn't really achieve that look with weathering powder. That's proper grime.
I bet she could still show a fair turn of speed though.
At the Mid Hants there were a few people that had been footplate crew in the late 60s at Nine Elms, I found their stories fascinating to listen to.
Look at all the dirt and general air of decay everywhere too.

Photographs or film from "back in the day" contrasting grimy steam with concrete tower blocks in the background remains my favourite juxtaposition of the railway world.

 

[Flying Phil]

Photographs or film from "back in the day" contrasting grimy steam with concrete tower blocks in the background remains my favourite juxtaposition of the railway world.

A bit like this? Nine Elms

 

[meridian2]

Photographs or film from "back in the day" contrasting grimy steam with concrete tower blocks in the background remains my favourite juxtaposition of the railway world.

I know what you mean. A Black 5 towing corporate blue stock against a backdrop of council flats, into a station with a sign dangling from one screw and a canopy missing most of its glazing. Even better a rainbow of displaced regional coaches on a semi-fast.

 

[broadgage]

IMHO, some of the most authentic experiences can be had on preserved lines at dusk, and when not busy.
I have the advantage of living near the West Somerset Railway, and the great majority of the traffic seems to be from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return.
The last train to Minehead is therefore often almost empty, but has to run to get the loco back to Minehead.
The absence of crowds, and the poor light deterring photography make it seem like 40 years or more ago.