Shred`s UK trips.

[D6130]

No sooner had the train left Piccadilly, than I checked RTT and noticed that the Colas Ribble Rail had been cancelled,

I'm told by a friend here in Hebden Bridge that the empty bitumen tanks did eventually run in the afternoon.... although I didn't see them. I did however see and video 6E26 - the Eastbound Knowsley-Wilton loaded bin liner - passing through Hebden with ex-works DB Cargo 66 652 at the helm.

 

[shredder1]

I'm told by a friend here in Hebden Bridge that the empty bitumen tanks did eventually run in the afternoon.... although I didn't see them. I did however see and video 6E26 - the Eastbound Knowsley-Wilton loaded bin liner - passing through Hebden with ex-works DB Cargo 66 652 at the helm.

Thanks very much, yes I gather it ran later in the day

 

[shredder1]

6M43 Colas Ribble Rail, Preston. Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

I had been meaning to phot 6M43 Haverton Total Colas to Colas Ribble Rail bitumen tankers, for some time. I was hoping for the class 56s which have been operating on this working, but I was quite happy with a Freightliner class 70009, on loan to Colas,

I drove up to Preston on the M61 just before the rush hour took hold proper, arriving at my destination around 07.45, 6M43 arrived at the gates of Stand Road at 08.35. The lads from Colas Ribble Rail arrived in their vans, opened the gates and brought the barriers down so that 6M43 could cross the main road, where it moved into the exchange sidings, dropped its tankers, and ran around the sidings to connect to a full tanker train reading for the return journey.

Colas Ribble Rail`s sentinel diesel shunter was also waiting in the exchange sidings, it split the train in half and took the first half into the docks, returning light engine and collecting the second half of the train. I was fortunate in getting plenty of photographic opportunities, thanks to the Colas staff, I even got to enter the swing bridge tower.

Driving back to Strand Road to phot Freightliner class 70009 leaving the exchange sidings at 10.15, 10 minutes early. I then drove back to down the M61 and back home, it was well worth the journey, I hope I can repeat this trip for the class 56s before they finish.

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

I was back chasing local freights, concentrating on the former Midland/CLC line, the South Manchester line, via Northenden Junction, between Hazel Grove and Altrincham. I had been mainly checking out over bridges and any lineside locations I could find, the trouble is, the vegetation around railways is the worst I’ve ever seen it in my lifetime, I suppose the banned chemicals that they used to spray liberally and the growth of the environmental sector, is something we have to live with these days.

I located a foot bridge at the end of Hawthorne Close, Timperley, (Google Earth is your friend). A 30-minute drive took me to the location. The parapets on the footbridge were low sided, so no need for steps. I was in time for 3 eastbound freights, the first was 6E26 Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw behind red liveried DB class 66652. Next passed was 6Z34 Runcorn Folly Lane to Bindle Heath RTS behind Freightliner class 66585. Finally, was 4H61 Small Heath Lafarge GBRf to Hindlow GBRf. Behind GBRf class 66788.

I returned home around the M60 Motorway and fortunately missed most of the rush-hour traffic. The weather wasn’t too back, with some sunny spells, a great afternoon.

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[Jamesrob637]

That's petty. £3.60 for just 4 minutes. No wonder Northern Fail have a bad rep.

 

[shredder1]

That's petty. £3.60 for just 4 minutes. No wonder Northern Fail have a bad rep.

Yes I was a bit surprised I must say.

 

[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Thursday 4th July 2024.

Another mid-week session chasing freight and searching out locations on the South Manchester Line. Driving to Timperley this time, I had identified Butcher Lane overbridge, it was however a limited view due to tree growth around the line. I then drove down to Northenden Junction, this is overlooked from the overbridge on Longley Lane, which also overlooks the South Manchester Recycling Centre RRC.

The action today was again eastbound freight, the first one being 6J34 Runcorn Folly Lane to Brindle Heath RTS behind Freightliner class 66414, then 6E26 Knowsley FT to Wilton Ewf behind red liveried DB class 66652. The next working was 6E10 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax Aes, behind GBRf class 66307 and last was light engine OH35 Freightliner class 66585, Runcorn Folly Lane to Northenden RTS, which had to shunt onto the down line to collect its binliner payload from the South Manchester RRC recycling centre.

I checked out the next over bridge on Sharston Road, which would also make a good location for photographs. Again, I missed the rush hour on the M60 Motorway on my drive home, another good afternoon though with mixed weather from sunshine to rain at times.

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[shredder1]

DRS Carlisle Open Day. Saturday 6th July 2024.

It had been sometime since I had attended a DRS open day at Carlisle, probably 2019 I think, these days though its tickets only and I always miss out on these simply because I forget to book in advance, my weekend however was saved by a lovely guy on WNXX, who very kindly sent me no less than two tickets, thank you very much sir.

I phoned my mate “Onemanc” and told him we were on for the weekend, so he arranged family and friend’s tickets from his son, who works for Northern. So, it was a cheap day out for us, although we did make donations towards the charity.

Setting my alarm for 04.30, I had a healthy breakfast, thanks to my recently purchased air fryer and I was soon driving up to my nearest railway station at Mills Hill, where I met up with “Onemanc.” Since we were travelling by Northern only, we caught an early Northern class 158 to Leeds via Bradford Interchange and the Calder Valley line, at just after 06.00, changing at Leeds for another Northern class 158 Sprinter up the Settle and Carlisle line, arriving into Carlisle at around 10.00.

We made our way to the bus stop for the Stagecoach number 62, this appears to be the only bus out to the depot, which must rate as one of the poorest services in the UK. The bus was late, the female driver only allowed seated passengers aboard for what she said was health and safety issues, yet it stated 11 standing on the bus, these are single decked buses. She left a large queue behind at the bus stop, she just wasn’t interested. We waited a further 20 minutes for the next bus, another female driver, but she did pack lots of us on to the bus, but still had to leave some behind at the bus stop, but all credit to her.

After our visit to the open day, we returned to the bus stop for the Stagecoach number 62 back to the station, we were lucky in that we were near the front this time, the queue behind us though was growing quite long. We all waited for the bus, and waited and waited, some of the lads had to take taxis for fear of missing trains and after 40 minutes we gave up and decided to walk back. It took us just under 30 minutes, (memories of the 60s, when we use to walk out to both Kingmoor and later Upperby sheds). Just as we arrived back at Carlisle railway station, the Stagecoach number 62 bus turned up behind us, so a big well done to Stagecoach for causing your customers so much time and hassle, maybe you should consider another line of work?

The DRS open day was amazing, as they always are, they are so well organised and all credit to the lads who organised the event and all the DRS employees who gave up their free time to volunteer on the day. The atmosphere was electric and everyone was very friendly and courteous to try and not get in the way of other photographers. A good selection of locomotives were on display well positioned, classes 68`s, 88`s, 57`s and 66`s, sadly no class 37s now, but I believe many of them have been preserved. The weather was fantastic, with bright sunshine while we were there.

Nice to catch up with a few old friends and some new ones, plenty of stalls for modellers and book collectors, a very nice family event. My mate “Oncemanc” bought a class 50 replica name plate and managed to just miss slapping a few people on the back of the head as he boarded our train. We travelled back down the Settle and Carlise line to Leeds, and back along the Calder Valley via Bradford Interchange, but this time we had a quick change at Rochdale for the Mills Hill train, after dropping off “Onemanc,” I drove home and was back in the house just before 20.00, a great trip out. For the record “Onemanc” replica name plate was “Fearless”, a bit ironic really because he had to hide it from his misses once he got home.

Locomotives on display were, 57309, 66421, 66424, 66429 66431 68001, 68006, 68007, 68016, 68017, 68019, 68021, 68024, 68025, 68033, 68034,88005, 88008.

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[shredder1]

Clitheroe and the North Lancashire Loop Line. Monday 8th July 2024.

I had to drive up to Stonyhurst college above Clitheroe to collect a bookcase extension that I had purchased on Ebay, a 60-mile round trip, but it was cost effective. Stonyhurst college is architecturally stunning, and dates back to 1593, it is a private Jesuit Catholic boarding school, a great place to send your children, if you can afford the £42,500 annual fee, amongst its famous alumni, was Sir Authur Conan Doyle.

On my drive back however, I called at Clitheroe town and more specifically, the railway station to see if anything had changed since I was last there, it hadn’t really. The original station building however are well preserved and now in private ownership as shops. I was also in time for a Rochdale working, two Northern Sprinter class 150s, arriving and deporting.

Driving home from Clitheroe I passed through Simonstone, where the North Lancashire loop line, (also known as the Great Harwood loop line), and station once stood. About 10 years ago I walked the entire line from Colne to Blackburn, it was a struggle back then, as quite a lot of the alignment was overgrown and on private land, with several cattle creeps being removed. Since then, the alignment has been turned into a Greenway, with two new walking bridges replacing the gaps where the cattle creeps used to be, (one still survives).

I walked from Simonstone to Read where I was met by palisade fencing across the track bed, apparently one farmer is standing in the way of the Greenway passing through his land, just a short gap, to cross Martholme viaduct and join up with the rest of the track bed alignment. I returned to my car, which I had parked at Simonstone, and drove around to the Viaduct, climbing up the steps to the western end of the track bed. When I did the walk 10 years ago, Martholme viaduct had palisade fencing across both ends, it was inaccessible, so I didn’t get chance to walk over it back then, now however it has been opened in one direction, so it was a pleasure to eventually walk across this magnificent 10 arch viaduct, which is the largest piece of engineering on the loop.

Returning to the car I then drove to Great Harwood, to see if the former railway station site had changed much. Some large superstores have taken up a lot of spare land in the town now, but the wide area where the track bed once ran through the town has been landscaped and paintings in memory of the town’s railway history, still adorn along a wall at the side of the former track bed. A rewarding drive out, the weather was glorious and the drive back down the M66 was relaxing, while listening to some Robin Trower.

Disused Stations: North Lancs Loop Line

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Tuesday 9th July 2024.

The weather had changed since yesterday, with rain at times. After a morning session at the gym, I decided to check out a few more bridges on the South Manchester Line. Looking at Google Maps, I found an overgrown bridge off Saville Road, Didsbury, but on driving there it was behind a railway palisade fence and locked gate. My next location was at Stockport Edgeley, a footbridge off Petersburgh Road. From there I photographed 6J34 the Runcorn Folly Lane to Brindle Heath RTS behind Freightliner One livery class 66587.

I then drove around to Stockholm Road bridge, you would however need steps there, as the parapets are a little on the high side. This is the last bridge before Stockport as the freight line joins here to the main lines. I finally I drove around the M60 Motorway, anti-clockwise to take me to Denton, and I was in time for 6E26, the Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw behind DB red livery class 66652. Before driving back along the M60 and home before the rush hour traffic appeared.

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[xotGD]

I've never come across the term "cattle creep" before. Every day is a school day!

 

[shredder1]

I've never come across the term "cattle creep" before. Every day is a school day!

I dont think they build them these days, they appear on old railway maps though, they also have sheep creeps, usually in stone walls though

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_creep

 

[shredder1]

Reddish South, Greater Manchester. Wednesday 10th July 2024.

Rain in the morning saw me in the gym for 07.30, followed by a Wetherspoons breakfast of ham and eggs and a few coffee`s to wash it down. I was then back on the M60 Motorway travelling clock-wise, and driving over to Reddish South chasing freight again. I was hoping the Freightliner, One (pink) liveried 6J34 the Runcorn Folly Lane to Brindle Heath RTS and I was in luck, as she was on the working again, class 66587.

The next freight to pass was 6E26, the Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw behind DB red livery class 66652, this was also on the working yesterday. We then had a change of direction for Freightliner class 70014, on the 6M25 working Hunslet Yard to Bashford Hall yard.

The next two working were both in different directions and top and tailing class 66s, these were 6H52 Dowlow Briggs Sidings to Ashburys S.S. With DB red liveried class 66156 and tailing class 66020, and in the opposite direction, 6H59 Ashburys S.S. to Dowlow Briggs Sidings in EWS livery class 66151 and tailed by class 66013. I really need an open section of track to phot the full train showing both locos at each end.

The final working I waited for was 6E10 Liverpool Biomass to Drax Aes behind GBRf class 66737, thus making it 8 different locos for the afternoon. I finally drove back along the M60 Motorway and again largely missing the rush hour traffic, a great session.

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[shredder1]

Manchester-Hellifield-Leeds circular. Saturday 13th July 2024.

Northern Rail had been operating a service from Rochdale to Ribblehead, once a week in the summer period, it covered the section of track between Clitheroe and Hellifield, not normally used for regular passenger services, also it has been used for diversions over the years, Id probably traveller along it sometime past. Since it has been many years since I had traversed the line, I decided to take the train as far as Hellifield.

So, with the alarm set for 06.30, I drove over to Crumpsall Metrolink station and took a tram into Manchester Victoria and later a train up to Rochdale. I was on 2N60 a Northern class 156 2-cars on the Rochdale to Ribblehead service, which was sat in the platform as I arrived. It was due to depart 07.53, but there was also a freight due, 4M34 a Drax Aes to Liverpool Biomass which passed through at 07.36 behind GBRf class 66737.

It was a pleasant ride from Rochdale to Hellifield and evidence of one or two former railway stations between Clitheroe and Hellifield could still be made out. Arriving on time, it was nice to spend an hour or so on Hellifield station, to see the museum and second-hand books for sale. I also took breakfast in the excellent station café, a couple of sausage and eggs on brown muffins and a coffee, yummy. Lots of railway memorabilia around the station, which has excellent and unusually designed canopies and is a grade 2 listed building.

My next move was a Northern Sprinter class 158 train down to Skipton, with a change for a Northern electric class 333 to Shipley and then another one on to Bradford Forster Square. I wanted to see what progress they were making with the new platform at the station, it appears that the groundwork is still on going. I was also interested in photographing the class 333s, as a few sets are now carrying a yellow door towards each end. I must say I’ve always been a fan of the class 333s, but I’m not sure how long they will now last, as the newer class 331s are also operating along the same routes. Of interest, the scrap yard near Shipley, which was always noted for a few industrial diesel shunters on site, has now been cleared out, with just one industrial shunter left standing in the yard, I suspect this wont be there too long now either, as the site is being redeveloped.

From Bradford Forster Square, I caught another class 333 up to Ilkley, I had a walk around the shops, called in Mountain Warehouse and bought an overpriced Gortex reproofing spray for my jackets, that was supposed to be on offer, (I should stick to buying such things on line). I next caught another class 333 back down to Leeds direct. From Leeds I boarded a Northern class 195 via Bradford Interchange and along the Calder Valley line back to Manchester Victoria for the tram and drive home. A great day out.

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[D6130]

I suspect this wont be there too long now either, as the site is being redeveloped.

It's being redeveloped as Northern's new EMU maintenance depot for Yorkshire to replace Neville Hill, which is being modified for the re-alignment of the running lines there for the TransPennine route upgrade.

 

[shredder1]

It's being redeveloped as Northern's new EMU maintenance depot for Yorkshire to replace Neville Hill, which is being modified for the re-alignment of the running lines there for the TransPennine route upgrade.

Really, wow, thanks for that, I had no idea.

 

[shredder1]

Manchester. Tuesday 16th July 2024.

I had a double back tooth extracted yesterday at the Manchester Dental Hospital and they had to stitch my gum afterwards, I didn’t feel a thing and I would say those people are amazing for students, they’ve done so much work on my teeth and it’s all free.

I’m back in work tomorrow, now just doing 3 days a week, it pays for my little trips to Europe, but I still get heavily taxed, despite being 73 and having certainly paid my dues over the years. So, I decided to have a trip around Manchester despite the wet weather, I thought I would go for a few atmospheric images, and see if I could find some high buildings to climb.
My first location was reached by a Metrolink tram to Deansgate, a favourite spot I have overlooking the Rochdale Canal and Deansgate Junction and the viaducts and bridges that cross the city. I was lucky in that the first freight I captured was 4L67 Trafford Park F.L. T. to Felixstowe F.L. T. behind double headed behind Freightliner orange liveried, class 90011 and 90044.

I then walked along the streets, as I intended to climb to the top of the car park between Oxford Road railway station and Manchester Piccadilly, another location I use occasionally, but the top two levels were locked for some reason and appeared to be out of use, so I returned to street level and continued to walk to Manchester Piccadilly station. I had been tracking 4M69 Felixstowe F.L. T. to Trafford Park F.L. T. and wanted to capture it on the Airport line, so I boarded a TfW class 197 105 to East Didsbury, just in time to meet the northbound 4M69, which was behind Freightliner in pink One livery class 66587.

I caught the next train down to the Airport, and returned on it to Manchester Oxford Road for the 13.30 4L56 Trafford Park Euro Term to London Gateway Db Cargo, behind EWS liveried class 66116. I returned to Manchester Piccadilly on an East Midland Liverpool to Norwich class 158. The station roof is currently being repaired at Manchester Piccadilly, with two platforms being completed blocked off, however, the moving walkways are back in action, which is more than can be said about the Manchester Airport moving walkways, which have been out of action for a few years now, or maybe they just turn them off when I’m flying off somewhere.

There are plenty of Metrolink trams adorned with colourful advertising liveries at the moment, which is nice because I always enjoy photographing something a bit different. I returned from Manchester Piccadilly on a tram back to the car at Crumpsall, with no problems from the extracted tooth from yesterday.

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[shredder1]

The Mid-Cheshire Line. Saturday 20th July 2024.

I had been investigating Google Maps for photographic locations around the Mid-Cheshire Line, which runs along former CLC lines between Chester and Altrincham. I have also been following the photographs and videos from some of the lads on Facebook, who very kindly gave me specific locations.
I had just over a 30 minutes’ drive around the M60 Motorway clockwise, and then a short section of the M56 Motorway. I first checked out the bridge on Ashley Lane, a good location, but with difficult parking. I bypassed this location for the time being and headed for a bridge along Mobberley Lane, Ashley, with a view towards Ashley station to the north of the bridge, and a long clear section of track facing south, with Lower House Lane leading off below the bridge with some available parking.

The first freight up was 6J34 Runcorn Folly Lane to Brindle Heath RTS behind Freightliner class 66569 passed at 11.59. The next one northbound was 6H61 Small Heath Lafarge to Hindlow behind GBRf class 66765 at 12.37. Northbound again was 6E10 Liverpool Biomass to Drax Aes behind GBRf class 66751 passed at 13.02.

I next drove around to Ashley railway station to phot the Chester-Manchester DMU workings, before driving down to Mobberley railway station for my last freight of the day, which was another northbound 6E17 Liverpool Biomass to Drax Aes behind GBRf class 66767 passed at 15.17, so 4 good hits for the afternoon, it was warm, but without much sun, not a bad day though and nice to search out a few new locations.

Mid-Cheshire line - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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[shredder1]

Greater Manchester. Monday 22nd July 2024.

It had been a bad start to the day, I was up at 06.00 and drove down to the gym for an early session, it was only as I got undressed in the changing room, that I realised I had forgotten to put a pair of trackie bottoms in my bag, so I had to get dressed again, and head back home. A change of plan I thought, so I drove down to Crumpsall Metrolink station, but as I started to walk down the platform, I realised, I had left my phone in the house. So, I walked back to the car park and drove back home again, picked up my mobile and returned half an hour later for my tram.

I arrived on the platforms of Manchester Piccadilly for 09.00, I was half hoping that the pair of Freightliner class 90s might be around, but I could find nothing on Realtime Trains indicating this, so I just took pot luck. The first freight down was 4O21 Trafford Park to Southampton West Docks behind EWS liveried class 66199. I decided to ride down the Airport line for the next freight, and stationed myself at Heald Green, and was really pleased to capture 4L67 Freightliners with double headed class 90015 and 90011 and a bonus loco class 66951. I had to get back to North Manchester for an afternoon appointment, so left it there for the day, feeling very pleased with myself, it was worth the effort and hassle in the morning.

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[shredder1]

Manchester. Tuesday 23rd July 2024.

The weather was bright and sunny, so I drove down to Crumpsall Metrolink station and caught a tram into Manchester Piccadilly and then a train down to Mauldeth Road, as I have been looking for different locations around Manchester and the Airport line offers some good opportunities, albeit, too many trees adorn the trackside, but the line is largely straight and sees freight around every hour at present.

The first freight down was 4O21 Trafford Park to Southampton Western Dock behind EWS liveried class 66199, passed at 09.37. I returned to Manchester Piccadilly for the next freight which was 4L67 Trafford Park to Southampton Western Dock behind Freightliner class 66414. I had to return to North Manchester as I had an optician’s appointment booked in Middleton, and I also had an hour to spare for the gym. I had been informed that the double-headed class 90s were travelling north with 4M63 Felixstowe to Trafford Park which was due back into Manchester after 18.00, so I drove back to the Metrolink station and took a tram to Shudehill, alighting for an hour because I had noticed quite a few trams carrying new advertising vinyl’s and it being a sunny afternoon I stopped off to phot a few of them before catching another tram to Piccadilly railway station.

On arrival on the platforms I was greeted by the sight of WAG, TfW class 67025, on 1V50, due to depart at 16.30, but it failed on a traction equipment MD fault and returned to Crewe. Another bonus, but sadly I was on the wrong platforms, was two light engine class 37s, one in HN rail livery class 37607 And the other one was in Cola Rail Freight livery class 37116, I could not actually find these on RRT.

It was then time to position myself along the Airport line to meet 4M63 coming up country, I opted for West Didsbury, but sadly I was shooting across the sun, it moves across the Airport line as the day progresses, but managed to produce a few passable shots of the class 90s as they made their way to Trafford Park, the locos were orange Freightliners class 90007 and 90013. I felt it well was worth the effort returning in the day.

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[shredder1]

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, class 14s at 60. Saturday 27th July 2024.

I was up at 04.00, before the alarm went off. The weather forecast was good. I was driving down to Wirksworth for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway`s Paxman class 14 gala celebrating a 60-year life. Built for the 1955 British Railways Modernisation Plan, for use on pick up freight trains, but the work had gone while they were still building the class and thus it wasn’t long before British Rail made them surplus to requirements.

I saw my first class 14s at Newport Ebbw Junction sheds, South Wales, the next time I saw them was on a line stood beside Albert Dock, Hull, in fact they were in the same location I had seen Black 5s only a few years earlier and those were broken up by Drapers. Fortunately, the NCB at Ashington bought many them and British Steel at Corby also bought some, thus extending their lives, which is why we see so many preserved examples exist today.

Leaving the house at around 05.00, I called in at Peak Forest to see what was around, there were 5 class 66s in the yard. I arrived into Wirksworth for around 07.00 after calling in at the Co-op for some breakfast.
The event ran over 4 days, a great effort from the EVR and on the Saturday of my visit, I’ve never seen the car park so full, with every possible gap filled, plus visitors from a special. The special was the Diamond Jubilee Express top and tailed with Peak class 45118 in corporate blue and class 47 D1924 in two tone green. The special was operating from Bristol Temple Meads to York, dropping off at Duffield and Chesterfield, and returning later in the evening. It was nice to see a Peak on the Midland Main Line again.

I was mainly lineside at various locations, Wirksworth, Duffield, Shotton and Idridgehay. The bookshop at Wirksworth is always worth a visit and I manged to spend £50 on books. I caught up with several friends, including some who I travel on the Czech Republic Grumpy tours with. The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway did a great job with the event and all credit to those involved. I drove back north at around 16.00, stopping for a fish and chip tea at Buxton and I again called in at Peak Forest, 3 class 66s at Dovestones Quarry, one arriving for loading. I arrived back in North Manchester for around 18.00, so it had been a full and very enjoyable day.

Locomotives operating

Class 14 D9537 "Eric"
Class 14 D9523 based at the Wensleydale Railway
Class 14 D9551 based at the Severn Valley Railway
Class 14 D9504 based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway
Class 14 D9553 based at the Caledonian Railway
Class 14 D9529 based at the Nene Valley Railway
Static display: Class 14 D9525
Also operating on a late run was class 47 D1842 in two tone green livery with 3 class 14s attached to the rear.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Derbyshire's Longest Heritage Railway

www.e-v-r.com

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[shredder1]

Acton Bridge, Cheshire. Wednesday 31st July 2024.

Another glorious day, and after doing some jobs in the house over the week, I was itching to get out again. My mate “Onemanc,” suggested a drive down to Acton Bridge and he had arranged to pick me up at 07.00. In no time at all we were soon crossing the fields south of Acton Bridge railway station. The fields against the track side had become quite overgrown since our last visit, fortunately we were tooled up, with a chainsaw and a scythe and started hacking at the vegetation to remove a few clearings to allow views for photography.

After about an hour a police helicopter appeared in the sky, and stopped overhead, it seemed they were looking at us, so we waved at them and they left shortly afterwards. I can only presume we had been reported for trespassing, but we stayed on the field side of the fence, so once they realised what we were doing, they simply flew away.

The action was constant all morning, and we stayed until 14.00, as we both needed to get back early. We both missed a decent shot of the day, as double-headed Freightliner class 90s, passed northbound, behind class 90049 and 90047. Other freight that passed was EWS liveried class 66011, GBRf class 66767 and 66308, DB Cargo red livery class 66097 and 66014, Freightliner class 66540, DRS class 68004, 68005 and class 88004. New EMU on driver training for the West Midlands was class 730 024 which passed a few times, also GPO EMUs class 325 014 and 325 015. We later moved up to Acton Bridge railway station.

On leaving the fields for the station we noticed a “bull in field” sign facing away from us, we didn’t see any bulls though. We left Acton Bridge just after 14.00 and were back in North Manchester before 15.00, and with a new improved tan, it had been a hot one.

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[D6130]

On leaving the fields for the station we noticed a “bull in field” sign facing away from us, we didn’t see any bulls though. We left Acton Bridge just after 14.00 and were back in North Manchester before 15.00, and with a new improved tan, it had been a hot one.

If you were on a public footpath it's illegal for a farmer to leave a bull in that field on its own. However many farmers use such signs to discourage walkers. Glad to hear that you had a good day despite that though.

 

[Andy Pacer]

After about an hour a police helicopter appeared in the sky, and stopped overhead, it seemed they were looking at us, so we waved at them and they left shortly afterwards. I can only presume we had been reported for trespassing, but we stayed on the field side of the fence, so once they realised what we were doing, they simply flew away.

Quite an extravagant and expensive way to deal with trespassers!

 

[shredder1]

If you were on a public footpath it's illegal for a farmer to leave a bull in that field on its own. However many farmers use such signs to discourage walkers. Glad to hear that you had a good day despite that though.

Thank you, yes its part of a public path, I expect it was put there for discouragement, the location does see a number of enthusiasts, in fact some rubbish had been left at the side of the fence, so we removed it as we left.

 

[shredder1]

Quite an extravagant and expensive way to deal with trespassers!

Yes we thought that, so maybe they were looking for something or someone else, they did seem to spend a lot of time over us though.

 

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The Mid-Cheshire Line. Friday 2nd August 2024.

We are being spoiled by this glorious weather and I took full advantage of an early start driving down to Plumley, to access an occupational bridge I had been told about and I identified the location on Google Maps.

Leaving the house at around 07.00, after driving around the M60 Motorway, I arrived at Plumley railway station for just after 07.30, in time to phot the 08.09 southbound 6G99 Tunstead sidings to Banbury Reservoir Tarmac behind GBRf 66722. I tried to drive around to the occupational bridge between Plumley railway station and Plumley West Signal Box. After returning to Plumley railway station I tried again and eventually drove down a dirt track which took me to Plumley West Signal Box where I could park the car and walk across the fields to the occupational bridge, (a 10-minute walk).

The bridge offers good views in both directions and the first freight up was 4H89, Hams Hall to Hindlow behind GBRf class 66798 passed at 09.07. This was followed by another northbound was 6E09 Liverpool Biomass to Drax Aes, behind GBRf class 66767 passed at 09.34. A southbound freight was next the 6F33 Bredbury RTS to Runcorn Folly Lane behind Freightliner class 66564 passed at 10.44. This was followed by another southbound 6G92 Tunstead to Small Health Lafarge GBRf behind class 66728. The 6Z34 was the next northbound, Runcorn Folly Lane to Brindle Heath behind Freightliner class 66564.

I then drove back around to Plumley railway station for my last one of the day which was 6E26 Knowsley FT to Wilton Efw behind DB Cargo class 66652 passed 13.02. I finally drove back to north Manchester arriving home at 13.00. It was a good morning.

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Manchester and the Mid-Cheshire Line. Monday 5th August 2024.

I was heading down the Mid-Cheshire Line again, but this time by train, so I made my way down to Manchester Piccadilly. On arrival I was just in time to see the approaching and quick turn around of the WAG behind TfW class 67017 with the 1W11 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff which left at 08.30. I then boarded the 09.10 to Chester and alighted at Greenbank, which is north of the junction for the West Coast Main Line and where most freight joins the Mid-Cheshire Line. On passing Longsight depot I noted an ex Transpenning Rake stabled behind CAT class 68029, stripped of its Transpennine livery and in its original dark blue. The first down freight on arrival at Greenbank was 6F33 Bredbury RTS binliner to Runcorn Folly Lane behind Freightliner class 66604.

Retuning up the line to Northwich for Freightliner class 66951 6Z34 Runcorn Folly Lane binliner to Brindle Heath RTS. I also just missed a front phot of 6E26 which was running a few minutes early behind DB Cargo class 66652 Knowsley FT to Wilton Aes. In addition, I missed two freights on the avoiding platform at Northwich, both a northbound and southbound working. Part of the original station building at Northwich which collapsed in May 2021, has been tastefully rebuilt and they have done a great job in trying to keep it original, even putting the CLC plate back onto the building.

From Northwich I moved back up the line to Knutsford for 6E10 Liverpool Tml to Drax Aes behind GBRf class 66308, this was followed by the returning Runcorn Folly Lane to Bredbury on 6S34 behind Freightliner 66604. My next move was a train back up the line to Altrincham for 4H61 Small Heath Caledonian Yard to Hindlow behind GBRf class 66756 late passed at 15.02. My last freight of the day, I caught a Metrolink tram from Altrincham directly back to Crumpsall where I had left the car, it had been a productive run out.

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Manchester. Wednesday 7th August 2024.

I was back on one of my early sessions at the gym for 06.30, and then home for breakfast and a drive down to Crumpsall Metrolink station for a tram to Manchester Piccadilly. Work is presently being done on the Metrolink lines between Market Street and Shudehill, all trams are presently being diverted via Exchange Square, so all my journeys into Manchester Piccadilly require a change at St Peters Square. Sadly, I just missed 4L67 Trafford Park F.L. T to Felixstowe F.L. T. which I saw in the distance behind two class 90s, one in Freightliner Orange livery and the other in original Green, which passed through Manchester Piccadilly at 10.32.

On arrival at Manchester Piccadilly I caught a Northern service down to Heald Green and saw a West Midland liveried class 323 emu working on a Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street service. I boarded it on its returning journey from the Airport as far as Burnage where I waited for 4M69 Felixstowe to Trafford Park F.L. T. behind Freightliner class 66539.
Returning to Manchester Piccadilly, I was in time for the WAG TfW behind class 67017. My plan then was to get down to Oxford Road for 4L18 Trafford Park Euro Term to Felixstowe South, while waiting for a train to take me down to Manchester Oxford Road, 4L18 came early behind DB Cargo class 66154. It had been a good trip out, thanks for reading.

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Peterborough and the Nene Valley. (Day One) Thursday 8th August 2024.

I was going to see Number One Son, at his new house in Peterborough and have a long weekend down there. Leaving North Manchester at around 10.00 I made the journey across the Pennines on the M62 Motorway and straight down the A1, it normally takes me around 3 hours. I stopped off at Wansford for the Nene Valley Railway and was pleasantly surprised to find Peak class 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” running.

After a look around the yard at Wansford I drove across to Overton and then on to Peterborough East the end of the preserved railway line, which sits adjacent to Railworld.
The collection of Danish locomotives and railcars is amazing, under restoration at Railworld is Danish DSB F class Pacific steam locomotive 996, at Wansford is Swedish B Class 101A on static display, operating however is DSB Danish tank locomotive 656, along with Y class railcars.

On display at Overton was an S1 Switcher, ALCO locomotive ex Port Talbot steel works number 801. One of the original Birmingham Airport Maglev’s is preserved in Railworld, this is Britain’s only ever passenger carrying vehicle without wheels, while the massive RTV 31 (Research Test Vehicle), the Hovertrain Project sits elevated over Railworld on its original track.

After an enjoyable few hour`s around the Nene Valley Railway, I eventually made my way to Number One Son`s house for tea, it was nice to catch up again.

Nene Valley Railway Ltd

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