ash39
Established Member
- Joined
- 8 Feb 2012
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- 1,524
Not an epic day trip as such, but I had a few hours spare today and with the weather being so great I decided to get a rover and go enjoy the views. A cheap afternoon, £6.50 for the rover and £4.50 for a coffee and a sandwich from Costa.
I drove to Garforth, which I usually do if I'm heading to Leeds as it's the only intermediate station served by TPE. I'd like to get on the train at York but it makes no sense at all financially, it's extortionate to park, park and ride service stops at about 8pm (why?) and even if you can get dropped off at the station, it's over £12 return to Leeds. The future of railways could and should be based around park and ride stations on major lines/junctions, it'd solve this problem straight away if there was such a station at, say, Colton junction.
Got to Garforth around 3pm, was faced with the choice of a Huddersfield stopper at 1505 or TPE at 1512. Normally I'd wait for the non-stop and better unit but I wasn't in a hurry. 144019 rolled in and I had second thoughts, but it was pretty empty so I jumped on. I hate these things but luckily it was the last one I'd have to endure!
Jumped off at Leeds and went to buy a rover as the guard could only accept cash. I saw 91118 in ex GNER blue, slightly incidental as I've been at Leeds station three times in the past week and each time seen a blue 91 - 113, 121 and now 118. Not bad to say only five are left! I decided I had to have a ride on it even though it wasn't leaving for 20 minutes, so I checked out WH Smiths to pass a bit of time first.
I took up a spot in the vestibule of TSOE 12222, right next to the loco. You can just about make out the blunt end of the 91 through the small window at the rear end, and even though there's no droplight windows on mk4s (pity), you can clearly hear the trademark emphatic sound of the blowers firing up as it starts up.
It's only a short ride to Wakefield Westgate, hence not bothering with a seat. I didn't know, but there's some rebuilding work going on at the station. I'm not sure what the plans are but Wakefield is one of my favourite small cities, not least for the laid back attitude of the planners who seem to allow all kinds of funky architecture to spring up! The car park adjacent to the station being a prime example. So it'll be interesting to see how that develops. Here's 91118 leaving after I jumped off;
IMG_3553 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I grabbed my coffee and walked over to Platform 2. Was planning on catching an XC service back to Leeds, but 150140 was about to leave for Huddersfield. Didn't seem like a bad plan so I got on. Glad I did as it was probably my best part of the trip, lovely views and sunshine and droplights open, very enjoyable.
After arriving at Huddersfield, 144019 was in the bay next to the 150. I forgot that had been heading to Huddersfield. This was to be the start of a strange trend of everything 'following' me around after I'd been on it! I know it's just diagramming but I was only out for 4 hours so it's quite coincidental.
Just the one shot here, 150110 basking in the sunshine;
IMG_3555 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I wasn't sure what I was going to do next, but a double-170 arrived from Manchester to Hull so I jumped on back to Leeds, sitting in the rear unit 170304. I really rate Turbostars, the way they manage to feel like Intercity trains despite having a 2/3rd door arrangement is something I've always found impressive and they're quick and comfortable. I'd take one over a 185, although they are also very nice when not overcrowded.
They also look superb in TPE livery, I couldn't get into position quick enough to get a decent shot but here they are continuing onto Hull, a few minutes down hence the hasty departure.
IMG_3557 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
All the EC services were terminating at Newark today, presumably some kind of engineering work going on. I wasn't interested enough to try and find out, but it made for a semi-interesting shot of the departure board next to 91101;
IMG_3566 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I wanted to go up the Wharfedale line next. I think the Class 333's are the best units Northern have at their disposal. Again like the Turbostars, even with the 2+3 seating and 2/3rd doors, they manage to feel pretty upmarket. If they had carpets and armrests you could easily spend a couple of hours on one but as the longest journey you can make on one is only around forty minutes, you can understand why they don't.
I planned to stay on to Ilkley, but realising I'd be on the same unit (333004) on the way back, and I wouldn't have time to go anywhere else, I got off at Burley-in-Wharfedale where I knew there was a Bradford train due (for those not familiar with the Airdale/Wharfedale lines, they sort of run in a triangle based around Shipley)
Burley station has a lovely curve leaning into it with nice rich leafy scenery. It set the scene for my favourite shot of the day of 333008 arriving to take me to Bradford;
IMG_3568 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I realised this train was going to form a Leeds service when it got to Bradford, so I decided to stay on it. Strangely, we were delayed a few minutes and the guard announced that we were waiting assistance as he had just been threatened and was not prepared to leave with the culprit still on board. Presumably he was removed as we left a few moments later. Not a nice thing to hear though and I hope it was all rectified OK.
Here it is again at Bradford before the incident with the guard;
IMG_3571 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
Back at Leeds, I went to platform 9D to wait for the Blackpool-York stopper which would get me back to my car in Garforth. Remember what I said about things following me? 91118 was sat on platform 8 (as it only had to go to Newark, so it'd completed a round trip in the time I'd been in Huddersfield/Bradford.) 150140 was sat next to a pacer on platform 11 awaiting its next duty, and as if by magic, just as I'd realised what had happened, 170304 rolled back in from Hull!
IMG_3573 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
As I waited for my train for a couple of minutes, I looked back into the station and was surprised just how quiet it was for a Saturday evening. Thought there'd be people heading into Leeds for meals, nights out? Maybe I just caught a quiet spell, but emptiness makes quite a atmospheric photo with the low evening sun glowing in. I think a train would ruin this shot!
IMG_3572 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
My train arrived, another double. 158858 and 150271. I picked the 158. 6 different classes of train and 6 stations in 4 hours. An enjoyable afternoon!
I drove to Garforth, which I usually do if I'm heading to Leeds as it's the only intermediate station served by TPE. I'd like to get on the train at York but it makes no sense at all financially, it's extortionate to park, park and ride service stops at about 8pm (why?) and even if you can get dropped off at the station, it's over £12 return to Leeds. The future of railways could and should be based around park and ride stations on major lines/junctions, it'd solve this problem straight away if there was such a station at, say, Colton junction.
Got to Garforth around 3pm, was faced with the choice of a Huddersfield stopper at 1505 or TPE at 1512. Normally I'd wait for the non-stop and better unit but I wasn't in a hurry. 144019 rolled in and I had second thoughts, but it was pretty empty so I jumped on. I hate these things but luckily it was the last one I'd have to endure!
Jumped off at Leeds and went to buy a rover as the guard could only accept cash. I saw 91118 in ex GNER blue, slightly incidental as I've been at Leeds station three times in the past week and each time seen a blue 91 - 113, 121 and now 118. Not bad to say only five are left! I decided I had to have a ride on it even though it wasn't leaving for 20 minutes, so I checked out WH Smiths to pass a bit of time first.
I took up a spot in the vestibule of TSOE 12222, right next to the loco. You can just about make out the blunt end of the 91 through the small window at the rear end, and even though there's no droplight windows on mk4s (pity), you can clearly hear the trademark emphatic sound of the blowers firing up as it starts up.
It's only a short ride to Wakefield Westgate, hence not bothering with a seat. I didn't know, but there's some rebuilding work going on at the station. I'm not sure what the plans are but Wakefield is one of my favourite small cities, not least for the laid back attitude of the planners who seem to allow all kinds of funky architecture to spring up! The car park adjacent to the station being a prime example. So it'll be interesting to see how that develops. Here's 91118 leaving after I jumped off;
IMG_3553 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I grabbed my coffee and walked over to Platform 2. Was planning on catching an XC service back to Leeds, but 150140 was about to leave for Huddersfield. Didn't seem like a bad plan so I got on. Glad I did as it was probably my best part of the trip, lovely views and sunshine and droplights open, very enjoyable.
After arriving at Huddersfield, 144019 was in the bay next to the 150. I forgot that had been heading to Huddersfield. This was to be the start of a strange trend of everything 'following' me around after I'd been on it! I know it's just diagramming but I was only out for 4 hours so it's quite coincidental.
Just the one shot here, 150110 basking in the sunshine;
IMG_3555 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I wasn't sure what I was going to do next, but a double-170 arrived from Manchester to Hull so I jumped on back to Leeds, sitting in the rear unit 170304. I really rate Turbostars, the way they manage to feel like Intercity trains despite having a 2/3rd door arrangement is something I've always found impressive and they're quick and comfortable. I'd take one over a 185, although they are also very nice when not overcrowded.
They also look superb in TPE livery, I couldn't get into position quick enough to get a decent shot but here they are continuing onto Hull, a few minutes down hence the hasty departure.
IMG_3557 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
All the EC services were terminating at Newark today, presumably some kind of engineering work going on. I wasn't interested enough to try and find out, but it made for a semi-interesting shot of the departure board next to 91101;
IMG_3566 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I wanted to go up the Wharfedale line next. I think the Class 333's are the best units Northern have at their disposal. Again like the Turbostars, even with the 2+3 seating and 2/3rd doors, they manage to feel pretty upmarket. If they had carpets and armrests you could easily spend a couple of hours on one but as the longest journey you can make on one is only around forty minutes, you can understand why they don't.
I planned to stay on to Ilkley, but realising I'd be on the same unit (333004) on the way back, and I wouldn't have time to go anywhere else, I got off at Burley-in-Wharfedale where I knew there was a Bradford train due (for those not familiar with the Airdale/Wharfedale lines, they sort of run in a triangle based around Shipley)
Burley station has a lovely curve leaning into it with nice rich leafy scenery. It set the scene for my favourite shot of the day of 333008 arriving to take me to Bradford;
IMG_3568 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
I realised this train was going to form a Leeds service when it got to Bradford, so I decided to stay on it. Strangely, we were delayed a few minutes and the guard announced that we were waiting assistance as he had just been threatened and was not prepared to leave with the culprit still on board. Presumably he was removed as we left a few moments later. Not a nice thing to hear though and I hope it was all rectified OK.
Here it is again at Bradford before the incident with the guard;
IMG_3571 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
Back at Leeds, I went to platform 9D to wait for the Blackpool-York stopper which would get me back to my car in Garforth. Remember what I said about things following me? 91118 was sat on platform 8 (as it only had to go to Newark, so it'd completed a round trip in the time I'd been in Huddersfield/Bradford.) 150140 was sat next to a pacer on platform 11 awaiting its next duty, and as if by magic, just as I'd realised what had happened, 170304 rolled back in from Hull!
IMG_3573 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
As I waited for my train for a couple of minutes, I looked back into the station and was surprised just how quiet it was for a Saturday evening. Thought there'd be people heading into Leeds for meals, nights out? Maybe I just caught a quiet spell, but emptiness makes quite a atmospheric photo with the low evening sun glowing in. I think a train would ruin this shot!
IMG_3572 by Flash_3939, on Flickr
My train arrived, another double. 158858 and 150271. I picked the 158. 6 different classes of train and 6 stations in 4 hours. An enjoyable afternoon!
