A test train for no. 70000 “Britannia” ran yesterday – I forgot about it! Another was scheduled for today, and I didn’t forget. I was on the platform at Oakengates station in plenty of time. Just as well – it passed through 12 minutes early. One presumes the test was successful…
Category: Railways…
…and trams, traction engines, buses, ships, boats, canals and other transport subjects
Kirkham Abbey
Saturday 20 October: we’re in Yorkshire, exploring after lunch. The ruinous remains of Kirkham Priory stand beside the river Derwent, between York and Malton, and are worth exploring. The York – Scarborough railway passes through the valley on the other side of the river, crossing the minor road by means of a level crossing. It’s controlled by a mechanical signal box, “Kirkham Abbey”: the crossing gates swing out across the road when a train is coming. Kirkham Abbey is a now-rare survivor of a once-common scene.
Photo note: today’s outing wasn’t expected to have photographic opportunities. I took the photos using the smartphone – not the best tool for the job, especially considering the railway is in deep shade, mid-afternoon in late October. We’ll have to revisit…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=473260&Y=465760&A=Y&Z=120
A day out – Glasgow
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, lots of pictures and an account of “a grand day out” by rail to Glasgow and back. Visit “Glasgow: a day out” for the full story.
A full day: Glasgow
Wednesday 26 Sept: Up at 6am! We’re catching the 9.09 Pendolino from Crewe; at Carlisle, we’ll join the 11.12 for Glasgow Central – via Dumfries and Kilmarnock (our choice – slow but scenic). We then have a whisker over 3 hours, into which we’ll squeeze
– St Enoch Square – for a look at the old Subway station
– the riverside walk to the Riverside Museum
– a subway ride to Buchanan Street, for a look at Queen Street station
– a walk back to Central station, and
– an expensive (£4.75!) pint…
before heading for home on the 16.40 to Euston. It’s not going to call at Crewe, so we’ll have to change at Lancaster – onto a train that decides to stop at Preston for almost an hour. We’ve no driver – signals problems away down south mean he’s late. So we’re on a later-than-planned train from Crewe back to the car, and at about 10.45pm, I’m home again. Did all of that happen in just one day?
That’s enough for now – a few photos below; more to follow.
A grey day at the gala
Grey, damp, and cold. At least the wind has dropped… The Severn Valley Railway’s gala is on this weekend, and there’s a visiting locomotive I’d really like to see. In recognition of the miserable conditions, I’ve processed the photos as monochrome – it seemed appropriate. Visit “A Grey Gala” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Not flying…
Flying Scotsman certainly could fly, metaphorically, in his youth. Today we’re visiting a couple of Scotsmen whose top speed is barely into double figures – definitely not flyers – at the Telford Steam Railway. One of them, built by Grant, Richie of Kilmarnock in 1894, is just visiting for his summer holidays, which are almost over – we’d better go and see him. Take a look at “Scotsmen, not flying” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – now!
Where’s Willy?
He’s on the Chasewater Railway, for their “late summer” gala. The weather wasn’t exactly summery, but it was an enjoyable day out. Visit “Chasewater – late summer” for more on Willy and his friends…
It’s cold up north!
Saturday 28 July – a visit to Threlkeld Quarry for their steam gala. The previous day had been very warm and sunny – today was cool, wet and windy, but at least we could see the steam. Visit “Threlkeld Gala” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for the full story and more pictures.
Best of three…
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – more photos and an account of Saturday’s visit to the Apedale Valley Railway, for their third (and last?) “Tracks to the Trenches” event. Visit “Apedale: best of three” – now!
TTTT – 303
No 303 is a very fine newly-restored WW1 Hunslet 4-6-0, making an appearance at the Moseley Railway Trust’s Apedale Valley Railway, on the occasion of their 2018 “Tracks to the Trenches” event. It wasn’t the only participant in the weekend’s fun and games, but it will have to do for now. A “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” page will appear in due course…
