Shred`s UK trips.

[shredder1]

So it is....apologies for that. Just found the link from Rail Advent describing its conversion from 66 221. Must try and keep up more whilst in Italy chasing D445s.

Italy, amazing country, two great depots in Milan, there was lots of old stuff on when I last visited. 66651 was actually double-headed today, but I cant read the number on the second loco?

 

[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Thursday 9th May 2024.

A rail strike day, don’t you just love em. The freight however was still operating. So, I had another drive around checking out bridges and location and slowly working my way up the Atherton line capturing the Wilton Efw, (Tees NY), to Knowsley FT. I initially drove to Moorside, the least used station on the Atherton line with a reduced service and very basic facilities these days.

The Wilton Efw, from Tees NY to Knowsley as 6M17 was surprisingly double-headed behind Red liveried class 66651 and EWS liveried class 66057, so that was a nice turn out. There was also a young Irish girl from Dublin on the platforms, waiting for an airport train, she appeared on the platforms just as the freight was about to pass through, so I had to shout to her to step back and I later explained about the rail strike and helped her get her suit cases back up the steps and pointed her to the bus stops.

I next drove down towards Pendleton, and checked out the Freightliner class 66596 which had just arrived at the Brindle Heath RTS and I was also checking out suitable bridges and photographic locations along the route, but my stool was too small, you need ladders for those bridges, and most of the line along this section is overbuilt and difficult to get near the track-bed now.

I then drove through Manchester to the climb towards the top of Miles Platting bank, accessed in a small housing estate nestled between the former Oldham Road station branch and the Calder Valley line. My step stool however collapsed, so I had to search out a few bricks to stand on to get me over fence height and I just managed a few photographs of the Brindle Heath RTS-Dean Lane, 6J34, climbing up the bank behind Freightliner class 66596. The weather was again glorious and I had a nice afternoon out despite the rail strike.

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[50002Superb]

I don't think there is such a loco as a red-liveried 66 651....whereas red-liveried 66 051 is a regular performer on the Knowsley-Wilton binliners. Probably a typo. Open to correction if I'm wrong.

Yep.

651 is alive and well and in DB red.

 

[D6130]

Yep.

651 is alive and well and in DB red.

Indeed it is....see post #1,320!

 

[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Friday 10th May 2024.

I was out again chasing freight, and back on the rails this time. Driving to Crumpsall Metrolink for a tram into Manchester Victoria. There seems to be a few trams with advertising liveries on at the moment, so I always try to photograph them, as they change them periodically.

From Manchester Victoria I was heading back on the Atherton line, this time to Walkden, (once known as Walkden High Level as the town also had a Walkden Low Level station at one time). Walkden station has some nice ornamental casting displays on the station steps, depicting the towns history in art form, of its industrial mining history.

I was again tracking the Wilton Efw, from Tees NY to Knowsley as 6M16 through Walkden, this time it was back to one loco behind Red liveried class 66651. I caught the next train back to Salford Central and waited for the Hope St Peakstone to Peak Forest Cemex, running as 6H56, behind GB Railfreight loco class 66750.

My next move was a train back to Salford Crescent to wait for 6J44, the Brindle Heath RTS to Dean Lane RTS, a good location to photograph it, it was on time and still behind Freightliner class 66596. The weather was again glorious, and I returned via Manchester Victoria and the Metrolink to Crumpsall, another good afternoon.

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[shredder1]

Manchester-Doncaster. Saturday 11th May 2024.

Summer appears to have come with a vengeance, it must have been the hottest day so far. I was up early and on a Transpennine class 185 from Manchester Piccadilly to Doncaster direct, on a Liverpool to Cleethorpes service, arriving at Doncaster for 08.30.

There were quite a few cranks on the platforms and it was nice to catch up with a few friends. There was steady action through the day and nice to see a few of the class 91s are still operating. In addition, I saw my first Grand Central Voyager heading south. Parked in the works yard were Anglia livery class 47714 and Fragonset class 47703. Parked in front of the works was Colas Rail Freight class 70815, with Colas class 56113 parked behind her. Freight workings included, Northbound EWS liveried class 66024, LNER class 91106 and class 91124, Freightliner 66566, light engine GB Rail Freight 66720. Southbound was a top and tail engineering train GBRf 66707 and 66784, which returned northbound a few hours later. Freightliners 66607 and 66420 and Northbound Freightliner 66514. Double-Headed southbound EWS liveried 66024 and DB red livery 66009, light engine in DB Red livery class 66205 and finally Rail Operations Group, ROG class 37601 light engine.

I boarded a Transpennine class 185 from Doncaster at around 15.00 and returned directly to Manchester Piccadilly. On walking towards the ticket barriers, I heard a class 67 arriving into the platforms, and was pleasantly surprised to see the 16.14 WAG arriving behind class 67015, with black liveried rake and DVT 82201, which was a nice finish to the day.

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[Bob figgis]

Manchester-Doncaster. Saturday 11th May 2024.

Summer appears to have come with a vengeance, it must have been the hottest day so far. I was up early and on a Transpennine class 185 from Manchester Piccadilly to Doncaster direct, on a Liverpool to Cleethorpes service, arriving at Doncaster for 08.30.

There were quite a few cranks on the platforms and it was nice to catch up with a few friends. There was steady action through the day and nice to see a few of the class 91s are still operating. In addition, I saw my first Grand Central Voyager heading south. Parked in the works yard were Anglia livery class 47714 and an unknow class 47 with its Res livery being removed. Parked in front of the works was Colas Rail Freight class 70815, with an unknown Colas class 56 parked behind her. Freight workings included, Northbound EWS liveried class 66024, LNER class 91106 and class 91124, Freightliner 66566, light engine GB Rail Freight 66720. Southbound was a top and tail engineering train GBRf 66707 and 66784, which returned northbound a few hours later. Freightliners 66607 and 66420 and Northbound Freightliner 66514. Double-Headed southbound EWS liveried 66024 and DB red livery 66009, light engine in DB Red livery class 66205 and finally Rail Operations Group, ROG class 37601 light engine.

I boarded a Transpennine class 185 from Doncaster at around 15.00 and returned directly to Manchester Piccadilly. On walking towards the ticket barriers, I heard a class 67 arriving into the platforms, and was pleasantly surprised to see the 16.14 WAG arriving behind class 67015, with black liveried rake and DVT 82201, which was a nice finish to the day.

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It was 56113 on the servicing road at Doncaster. That is twice in the same amount of weeks I’ve seen you out, on both occasions, didnt have the chance to say hello though.

 

[D6130]

It was 56113 on the servicing road at Doncaster. That is twice in the same amount of weeks I’ve seen you out, on both occasions, didnt have the chance to say hello though.

One for the 'Seeing other forum members unexpectedly' thread!

 

[shredder1]

One for the 'Seeing other forum members unexpectedly' thread!

Im sure Ill catch up with him at some point,

 

[shredder1]

It was 56113 on the servicing road at Doncaster. That is twice in the same amount of weeks I’ve seen you out, on both occasions, didnt have the chance to say hello though.

Awe, 3rd time lucky mate,

 

[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Monday 13th May 2024.

Another few hours in my local region again, arriving into Manchester Victoria in time to catch the 6J56 Peak Forest Cemex to Hope Street Peakstone behind GBRf class 66750 passing at 11.47 noon, this was followed at 12.32 by 4M36 Drax Aes to Liverpool Biomass Tml. I then caught a Blackburn bound Northern Sprinter as far as Salford Crescent, to catch a Northern Sprinter bound for Southport as far as Atherton.

At Atherton I waited for the 6M16 Wilton Efw, (starting at Tees NY) to Knowsley Freight Terminal, it passed at 14.10, 9 early, behind red DB class 66651, which appears to be a regular for the time being. This is, or at least I should say was, Atherton`s second railway station, originally known as Atherton Central and built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1888, Atherton`s first station however was called Atherton Bag Lane, opened by the Bolton and Leigh Railway in 1831, but sadly closed in October 1963, I can still remember visiting the station just after closure, when walking the line from Bolton Great Moor Street station.

From Atherton I caught the next Northern Sprinter service to Wigan Wallgate. I like Wigan, which is famous for three distinct things, George Orwell, Pies, and Uncle Joes Meat Balls. Needless to say, I visited Uncle Joes Meat Ball factory, as I’m a bit of a fan. I then walked into the town centre, and was surprised to find a gaping big hole in the middle of Wigan, roughly where Wigan Central railway station used to be located, but in more recent years the Galleries Shopping Centre, which was opened in 1991 by Princess Diana, but has now been flattened to make way for a new £135 million development for retail, leisure, commercial and residential in the heart of Wigan, it will certainly change the look of the place.

I returned from Wigan Wallgate to Salford Crescent, with a change for Salford Central, to catch up with the late afternoon freight workings, 6J44, Brindle Heath RTS to Dean Lane RTS had already run at 15.22 so near an hour early and before I arrived, I did however catch up with the 6H58 Hope Street Peakstone sidings to Peak Forest returning for the day, behind GBRf class 66750 passing at 16.43, and this signalled the end of another good afternoon out.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Wednesday 14th May 2024.

I’m getting to like my little escapes mid-week, and after another early session in the gym, I was again heading for Manchester Victoria via the car and tram. For a bit of variety, I took the lift to the top of the Arena car park, not as good a location since the wires went up, but you can still obtain a few reasonable photographs, and since I had arrived before 12.00 noon, I waited for the Drax Aes to Liverpool Biomass Tml, 4M36 and she passed through at 12.33 behind GBRf class 66723.

My next move was a train to Ince, to catch up with the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT 6M16, but it was actually running over 2 hours late. So, I walked into Ince town centre to search out Ince Tourist Information Centre, but they haven’t got around to building one yet, nor have they built a town centre, just half a dozen shops on the main road, including a chippy, but it was closed, I couldn’t even find a café for a coffee. I did however find a small Cooperative store, so just settle for a bag of Dorita’s and a Salsa dip, which I took back to Ince railway station, (so much for the early morning gym session), while I waited for 6M16.

As I walked down the hill to the main road, I went past a green area with a path going across it, this was once the Great Central railway line to Wigan Central and the location of Ince`s second station and loco sheds, (Lower Ince). The 6M16 passed through at 16.14, still behind red liveried class 66651, this was the latest I’ve seen it run.

I caught the next train into Wigan Wallgate and then a Leeds train back to Manchester Victoria. The weather was warm, but changeable with heavy showers at times, a nice trip out though considering.

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[shredder1]

Dale Lane Ground Frame for Knowsley Freight Terminal. Merseyside. Thursday 16th May 2024.

My obsession with 6M16 Binliner continues. I decided to drive over to Knowsley and see how close I could get to the freight terminal. I found the gates at Dale Lane ground frame. I managed to drive into the security gates at the terminal and could see some tracks through the steel fencing, but the site is largely inaccessible.

A birdcage footbridge does however cross the line, giving a view to the gates from the main line and also the freight terminal. The gates are opened prior to the train’s arrival. The line is singled between Rainford and Headbolt Lane and worked on a token system. I’ve sequenced my images from the train arriving and running into the spur, it then reverses into Knowsley Freight Terminal and runs around the train on a loop inside the terminal, it then pushes the train back into the spur next to the main line, and then she is ready for its journey back to Wilton Efw.

Today’s loco was red liveried DB class 66651, which is the regular locomotive on the 6M16 at the moment. It was again running late at 74 down. You can focus out the mesh on the birdcage footbridge, quite a few camera lens sized holes a had been cut into the mesh, but most of them had been repaired. It took me around an hour each way, probably longer on the way back as I hit the traffic from the M62 to join the 60 in rush hour, a nice afternoon out though all the same.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Friday 17th May 2024.

I was back again chasing 6M16, the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT Binliner, and searching out new locations to phot it. I opted for the bridge on Pendlebury Road, the first bridge east of Swinton railway station. Red DB class 66651 was again doing the honours, passing Swinton at 14.04, 13 down.

I was essentially checking out the various bridges in the location, I later moved to the next bridge east at Park Street and then onto Bolton Road and the site of the former Pendlebury railway station, now just a parting of the lines and vegetation where the platform once stood.

I later went on to check out other bridges around the Salford area and also checked out the paths around the back of the Brindle Heath refuge point, some of which has been reclaimed from the railway, with a few tracks left in situ. The weather was glorious and a good afternoon was had.

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[50002Superb]

I think 651 is a DB loco?

 

[shredder1]

I think 651 is a DB loco?

Ah yes Your right, Ill change it, thank you..

 

[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Friday 17th May 2024.

I hadn’t been out on the Saturday, so Monday morning it was the gym and sauna at JD in Bury, and later I decided to catch up with 6M16, the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT Binliner, in a different location again. I arrived at Manchester Victoria for 11.30 and shortly afterwards 6J56 Peak Forest Cemex to Hope Street Peakstone Sidings passed through at 11.42 behind GBRf class 66750 which has been handling a regular working on this job.

I next caught a Northern Sprinter to Wigan Wallgate and took a few photographs from various car parks for a bit of variety. I then boarded a Northern Sprinter to Orrell, I think I said Pemberton was the limit of the Greater Manchester transport region, but it is Orrell, where I waited for 6M16, still behind Red DB liveried class 66651 which passed at 14.45 9 down.

I returned to Manchester Victoria in time to catch the returning 6H58, Hope Street Peakstone to Peak Forest Cemex, behind GBRf class 66750 pass at 17.00 19 down. Another good afternoon with decent weather again.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Tuesday 21st May 2024.

I wanted to revisit some of the locations which I did yesterday, only taking photographs from different angles. At Orrell, I noticed a bridge high up above the railway station, but didn’t have time to get up there before 6M16, the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT Binliner, passed, today however I made sure I was on an earlier train, so managed my image from the bridge.

I had caught a Sprinter from Manchester Victoria to Wigan Wallgate and spent an hour or so on the platforms of the North Western station, nothing exciting passed through however apart from a Colas track machine and a pair of Royal Mail class 325. I then walked back over to Wigan Wallgate station and caught another Northern Sprinter service to Orrell, making sure to get on top of the bridge south of the station and waited for the binliner. The Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT Binliner, 6M16, was still behind red DB liveried class 66651, which passed at 14.36 3 down.

I returned to Salford Central and walked around to the NCP multi-storey car park, which nicely overlooks the Ordsall curve and the lines from Bolton and the Atherton line. You can also see Hope Street Peakstone Sidings and at the time I arrived 16.00, 6H58 was waiting to join the main line, behind GBRf class 66767 to Peak Forest Cemex. At 16.30 on time was the Brindle Heath RTS to Dean Lane RTS 6J44, while the Peak Forest 6H58 pulled onto the main line at 16.41 4 down behind GBRf class 66767, a new loco on the working, and so ended another nice day out, the weather wasn’t too bad, sunny spells and hot most of the afternoon.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Wednesday 22nd May 2024.

A big change in the weather with lots of rain everywhere. I was in the gym for 08.00, followed by a breakfast in Wetherspoons and arriving into Manchester Victoria for around 11.00. I was a bit unsure on what to do because of the weather, so took a Transpennine Airport service class 185 around the Ordsall Curve and on to Manchester Piccadilly to see what was around. There was nothing unusually and I also noted a few freight workings had been cancelled, so I took a Blackpool Northern class 331 to Salford Crescent and then a Northern Sprinter to Pemberton, a location I wanted to photograph 6M16 the Wilton Efw -Knowsley FT binliner which was working its way down country.

However, when I checked Realtime Trains and noticed 6M16 had only got as far down as Milford Junction 32 down and the next entry was at Ferrybridge 149 down, so I had failed for the third time to capture an image of her at Pemberton. What I did was, decided to meet 6m16 on her way down and caught the 14.14 from Pemberton, the Headbolt Lane to Blackburn Northern Sprinter service direct to Rochdale, where I met the late running 6M15. She was behind the regular Red DB Liveried class 66651which passed at 15.42 144 down.

I had also timed the Drax returning to Yorkshire on 6E10 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax Aes passed at 16.11 3 down, behind GBRf class 66788. It had been a wet one and I took a soaking at Rochdale, later returning to Manchester Victoria for the tram and short drive home. Despite the weather though it had been a good afternoon.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Thursday 23rd May 2024.

No really change in the weather today, but less rain. I started the day off by taking a tram from Crumpsall to Manchester Piccadilly for around 11.30. An East Midland liveried Class 170 was sat in Platform 12, but nothing else unusual.

I then took a Blackpool Northern class 331 to Salford Crescent for a change of train to Wigan Wallgate. I had decided for the fourth time to try to get a photograph of 6M16 passing through Pemberton railway station. Catching the 14.16 Headbolt Lane train to Pemberton, I caught up nicely with 6M16, the Wilton Efw -Knowsley FT binliner still behind red liveried DB loco class 66651, passed at 14.56 6 up.

I returned from Pemberton on a Headbolt Lane to Blackburn Northern Sprinter to Salford Crescent at 15.06 and since I was there, waited for 5J44 Brindle Heath RTS to Dean Lane RTS behind Freightliner class 66533 pass at 16.16 5 early.

Catching the next rain to Salford Central I was also in time for 6H58 Hope Street Peakstone P sidings to Peak Forest Cemex behind GBRf class 66767 pass at 16.37. I later returned to Manchester Victoria and then the tram and car home, another good afternoon.

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[shredder1]

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Saturday 25th May 2024.

I decided to have a drive over to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on Saturday, as 45596 “Bahamas” was out along with the Riddles 2MT and both were in Brunswick green livery.

Locomotives rostered were, 45596 LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0, 6P/5F “Bahamas” in Brunswick green livery, Riddles BR Standard 2 2-6-0, 2MT, in Brunswick green livery and BR Class 37, 37075 in two tone grey livery. Ivatt LMS class 2 2MT 41241 was steamed up on standby on the sheds, still carrying its horrible red livery.

Leaving North Manchester just after 07.00, I was taking my Haworth shed photographs by 08.00. It was a beautiful sunny morning. I took breakfast in the Buffet Car café facing Haworth railway station and then drove down to Ingrow West where usually park up for the day. I had parked next to the museum, because they do have an excellent second-hand book and model shop inside. I was the first in the shop once the doors opened, and left around 45 minutes later with £90s worth of book and a painting to put in the car boot, (I really should stay away from these places).

Having a lineside pass, I walked down the line to Keighley, the class 37 was the first locomotive down the line, and next was the Riddles Standard 2MT, so I climbed up the bank to take some images as she left. The class 37 diesel was running down for the second time, but this time I boarded it and ran up to Haworth behind her, we passed the Riddles Standard 2 at Damens Junction returning to Keighley.

Alighting at Haworth and having a quick look around the station shop, I made my way to the loco shed, as the class 37 was stopped alongside and “Bahamas” was attaching to the front to double-head upto Oxenhope. Returning to Haworth railway station, I waited for the Jubilee returning, and boarded her for the journey back down to Keighley, to have the opportunity of photographing her running around her train. I then walked to the top of Keighley bank and photographed her leaving.

I next walked back to Ingrow West, collected the car, and drove around to Oakworth and walked up the track bed to the under bridges for a few photographs of both the Riddles class 2 and later the Jubilee on another return trip to Oxenhope. I walked back down the track bed to Oakworth railway station collected the car and treated myself to some fish and chips, before driving to Oxenhope.

The Riddles Standard 2MT was arriving into Oxenhope just after I arrived and taking my final photographs of her for the day, I did my usual walk around the museum then I drove back over the hill to North Manchester. For a none gala day, it was well worth the trip, I had mainly gone over to see “Bahamas”, but its always a very pleasant railway to visit and I am a member of course. Thanks for a great visit guys.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Steam & Heritage Diesel Journeys Through Brontë Country! From industrial Keighley to the wild landscapes of Brontë Country, this five-mile heritage railway brings Yorkshire’s past to life. Travel behind steam or diesel locomotives, relax, and enjoy the journey. Book ahead or on the day and save...

kwvr.co.uk

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Monday 27th May 2024.

Bank holiday Monday, and the weather was changeable, bright sunshine one minutes, and heavy rain another, needless to say I took a soaking at one point, I was again chasing freight. For a change the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT, had ran in the early hours from Tees NY as 6E26, departing at 01.17 and arriving into Knowsley at 06.08, it departed at 10.40 on its return journey and I caught up with it at Littleborough passed at 14.55.

I was driving again and decided to drive to Smithy Bridge first and catch a second Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT as 6M16 left Tees NY at 10.02, I caught up with it at Smithy Bridge behind red DB liveried class 66143 at 13.15. As I arrived at Smithy Bridge railway station, the road crossing barriers went down, as no less than two Drax workings went through, one in each direction, talk about sods law.

I drove up to Littleborough next for 6E26 returning northbound, the Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw behind red DB class 66177. I had also been told that the Drax was being hauled by GBRf class 66779 “Evening Star” in BR green livery with small yellow cab ends. She passed through Littleborough on the 6E10 at 16.14. The only problem was I was shooting into the sun, and it was creating a bad lighting and my images haven’t shown the colours off well.

I then drove over the Clegg Hall as I wanted to check one of the overbridges out for photographic possibilities, it was good and gives clear shots both east and west, so a location for the future. I finally drove back home to my villages, after a few hours out and about.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Tuesday 28th May 2024.

A very dull and overcast day, with light rain at times, not the ideal photographic weather, but it never keeps me in. I was up at 05.00, in the gym for 06.00 and out for 08.00, dropped the car off at the garage, MOT time, and then off for breakfast at Wetherspoons.

I was on the bus to my nearest tram stop, which is Bowker Vale, where I boarded a tram into Manchester Victoria and caught a non-stop train to Rochdale, changing for another Northern Sprinter back to Castleton, I was after the Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax Aes running as 6E09 and I was lucky again as it was behind celebrity class 66779 “Evening Star”, passed at 12.03. I managed a slightly better photograph of her today in that you can see the livery, but a nice sunny day would produce better results of course.

My next move was to board a train to Salford Crescent to catch up with 6M16, (only one running today), the Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT, behind red DB liveried class 66143, passed at 13.43. 2 up. On its tail was 6Z34, Folly Lane Runcorn to Brindle Heath RTS behind Freightliner class 66523 passed at 13.54.

I then caught a train over to Manchester Oxford Road for 4L18 Trafford Park Euro Tml to Felixstowe South behind GBRf class 66763 passed at 14.30. I noticed on RRT that a light engine moment was taking place, so I moved down to Deansgate, for DRS class 57308 passed at 13.54 on a Crewe Gresty Bridge to Trafford Park Euro Term.

Moving back to Manchester Oxford Road for 4O29 Trafford Park FL T to Southampton MCT behind Freightliner class 66504 passed at 15.24, after which I took a train into Manchester Piccadilly, tram to Piccadilly Gardens and a bus home. Despite it being an overcast day, I did see a lot of loco workings.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Wednesday 29th May 2024.

The day started off dull and cloudy, but some sunny spells did occur in the afternoon. My car was still in the garage having some work done, so I was on the bus again.

I followed the same routine as yesterday, 06.00 gym, breakfast in Wetherspoons, and a bus to Bowker Vale, and a tram into Manchester Victoria, a Northern Sprinter to Rochdale and a local service back to Moston this time, a new location.

I was waiting for the Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax Aes running as 6E09 and for the third day on the run it was behind celebrity class 66779 “Evening Star”, passed at 11.50
Still not in the sun though, although it did get brighter as the day went on.

I then waited for 6M16, (two were running today, one had gone into Knowsley just after 06.00 this morning and was making its way back up country). The Wilton Efw to Knowsley FT, was behind red DB liveried class 66652, passed at 13.44.

My next move was a train back to Manchester Victoria, as I wanted to meet the returning 6E26 Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw Terminal. My idea was to get it passing through Smithy Bridge, but the train I caught went non-stop from Rochdale to Todmorden, so I caught up with 6E26 there, and she passed behind red DB liveried class 66177 at 15.12.

I returned to Manchester Victoria on a Northern Sprinter bound for Wigan, and once back in Manchester by great timing, my number 59 bus was waiting outside the station to take me back home, another good afternoon out.

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[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway Summer Diesel Gala, (Day 1). Thursday 27th June 2024.

Having missed most of June due to family health issues, I was back in Manchester, and in time for the East Lancs summer diesel gala. The weather was still pretty good, sunny spell, although we did have clouds at times, but the forecasted rain stayed away.

Locomotives Rostered

Class 14, D9531 Home Fleet
Class 24, D5054 Home Fleet
Class 25, D7629 Home Fleet
Class 33103 Home Fleet
Class 35, D7076, Home Fleet
Class 37 37109, Home Fleet
Class 40012 Home Fleet
Class 42 Warship D832, Home Fleet.
Class 45 Peak 45108, Home Fleet
Class 47765, Home Fleet
Class 50015 Home Fleet

Guest Locomotives

Class 20, 20066 – courtesy of HNRC.
Class 26, 26007 – courtesy of KOZZY-RAIL. Recently outshopped in ‘trainload coal’ livery, this popular locomotive returns to ELR as it appeared when working specially over the Settle-Carlisle line back in February 1990.
Class 37, 37425 – courtesy of HNRC. A popular locomotive with English Electric Enthusiasts.
Class 47, D1645 / 47830 – courtesy of Freightliner.
Class 70, 70014 – courtesy of Freightliner.

I was lineside, starting in Ramsbottom sidings and then the railway station and catching up with a few mates, Onemanc and Davros. Our next move was to drive to Heywood to catch up with two visiting arrivals at Green Lane crossing, the class 70 014 and class 47, 47830, which waited at the Heywood Ground Frame for a train from Heywood, which was attached. Class 37425, top and tailing with class 20066, with the class 37 attaching to the new arrivals.

Our last move of the day was to drive back to Burrs Country Park, for the station and bank photographs. I met up with Ian, founder of WNXX, one of the leading railway enthusiasts’ websites. The action was constant all day, with freight workings in between the passenger trains. A great first day, and a big thanks to the hard-working staff of the East Lancs Railway.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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[Jamesrob637]

I saw 70014 and 47830 at Stockport earlier yesterday on their way up.

 

[shredder1]

I saw 70014 and 47830 at Stockport earlier yesterday on their way up.

Yes I saw some pictures of them at Stockport.

 

[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway Summer Diesel Gala, (Day 2). Friday 28th June 2024.

A slight change in the weather again, mainly overcast, with just a few sunny spells, but no rain and still quite warm. I started off on the platforms of Bury Bolton Street, later driving up to Summerseat and concentrating on the section of track between Summerseat railway station and Springside Farm crossing, later driving up to Ramsbottom and finally driving back down the Motorway to Heywood.

Another great day and a big thank you to all the staff at the East Lancs Railway and all the people who do so much behind the scenes.

Locomotives Rostered

Class 14, D9531 Home Fleet
Class 24, D5054 Home Fleet
Class 25, D7629 Home Fleet
Class 33103 Home Fleet
Class 35, D7076, Home Fleet
Class 37 37109, Home Fleet
Class 40012 Home Fleet
Class 42 Warship D832, Home Fleet.
Class 45 Peak 45108, Home Fleet
Class 47765, Home Fleet
Class 50015 Home Fleet

Guest Locomotives

Class 20, 20066 – courtesy of HNRC.
Class 26, 26007 – courtesy of KOZZY-RAIL. Recently outshopped in ‘trainload coal’ livery, this popular locomotive returns to ELR as it appeared when working specially over the Settle-Carlisle line back in February 1990.
Class 37, 37425 – courtesy of HNRC. A popular locomotive with English Electric Enthusiasts.
Class 47, D1645 / 47830 – courtesy of Freightliner.
Class 70, 70014 – courtesy of Freightliner.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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East Lancs Railway Summer Diesel Gala, (Day 3). Saturday 29th June 2024.

I was joined again today by “Onemanc” and our first port of call was Irwell Vale. We had spitting rain in the morning, but this eased off as the day progressed, however the light was poor, although we did get a few brief sunny spells. From Irwell Vale I drove up to Rawtenstall, later dropping back to Ramsbottom sidings, and then driving down to Summerseat between the station and Brooksbottom Tunnel, our final location for the day was in the Burrs Country Park section.

Another great day and indeed a fantastic 3-day gala, a big thank you to all the staff at the East Lancs Railway and all the people who do so much behind the scenes, thank you so much people.

Locomotives Rostered

Class 14, D9531 Home Fleet
Class 24, D5054 Home Fleet
Class 25, D7629 Home Fleet
Class 33103 Home Fleet
Class 35, D7076, Home Fleet
Class 37 37109, Home Fleet
Class 40012 Home Fleet
Class 42 Warship D832, Home Fleet.
Class 45 Peak 45108, Home Fleet
Class 47765, Home Fleet
Class 50015 Home Fleet

Guest Locomotives

Class 20, 20066 – courtesy of HNRC.
Class 26, 26007 – courtesy of KOZZY-RAIL. Recently outshopped in ‘trainload coal’ livery, this popular locomotive returns to ELR as it appeared when working specially over the Settle-Carlisle line back in February 1990.
Class 37, 37425 – courtesy of HNRC. A popular locomotive with English Electric Enthusiasts.
Class 47, D1645 / 47830 – courtesy of Freightliner.
Class 70, 70014 – courtesy of Freightliner.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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Greater Manchester. Monday 1st July 2024.

Monday morning and I had been told that two class 56s were operating on the Lindsey Oils, Colas Ribble Rail Preston. With the alarm set for 05,00, I was soon driving down to Crumpsall Metrolink station for the first tram out to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, but due to engineering works the tram terminated at Piccadilly Gardens, so I had to walk the rest of the way.

On arrival at Manchester Piccadilly railway station, I was in time to phot the 4H60 Bashford Hall to Trafford Park terminal behind Freightliner class 66551, followed a few minutes behind by 0H72 Arpley Sidings to Trafford Park Euro Terminal behind class 66192 in DB red livery.

I can`t use my GM pass until after 09.30, so bought a single to Preston from the machine for £4.45 with a Railcard, for a Northern class 331 at 07.02. No sooner had the train left Piccadilly, than I checked RTT and noticed that the Colas Ribble Rail had been cancelled, so I aborted my journey at Bolton and had an Egg Benedict at the Spinning Mule, Wetherspoons.

Walking back to Bolton railway station I caught the next train to Manchester Victoria, arriving just before 10.00, I was however checked on the ticket barrier as apparently Id caught a train from Bolton which left at 09.26, while my GM pass didn’t officially start until 09.30, so I had to pay £3.60 for the 4 minutes I was too early.

I took a tram back to Crumpsall and drove the car up to Clegg Lane Road overbridge, facing Clegg Hall, a great location that gives good views of the Calder Valley line in both directions, but it is a little difficult to drive too, via pitted dirt roads and cobble stones.

The first eastbound service was an engineering train 6G90 behind GBRf class 66783 in Biffa livery, the Flying Dustman. The next westbound was 4M36 GBRf behind class 66307, Drax Aes to Liverpool Biomass. My final one for the day was another westbound 6M16 Tees N.Y. to Knowsley F.T. behind DB Maritime liveried class 66005. The day was overcast in the morning turning to light rain by early afternoon. A good session though all the same.

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