Move the station, move the landmark, build relations, build a carpark...
Posted in Railways on Saturday 3rd March 2007 at 11:58pm
It's been a long day. For the first time in a long time I've been out on service trains rather than on organised railtours. I really enjoy the time I spend anonymously using the railway network - the opportunities to people-watch, the ever-changing scenery and most of all the chance to discover odd little corners of this country, which is in a sense what set me off on these journeys over a decade ago. Today I was accompanied by another local crank who had expressed an interest in a jaunt to the northwest. The events of last Friday didn't directly affect our plans, but there was a sense of quiet on the network - particularly in the Virgin services we used - presumably because people heading north of Lancaster were travelling by other means rather than mass desertion of the network due to safety concerns. My objective was Blackpool South. Not glamourous and not exciting - but it's needed doing for many years and today was to be the day.
Stumbled blearily onto the platform at Highbridge to catch the 06:33 as far as Weston. This meant an easy interchange with the 06:59 which today was going as far as Preston. Sought out a comfortable seat in the quiet coach and settled in for the journey northwards. Even having done the trip to Glasgow less than a month ago, I still enjoyed the ride. There is something special about the journey from here to the Midlands and the West Coast Mainline for me - perhaps it's to do with the transition from rural south west to industrial north west, and then into the strange and desolate Pennine landscape? Perhaps it's just because it was so inaccessible and distant when I first began tramping around the network? In either case, managed to snooze and chat through the journey to Birmingham, arriving via Camp Hill and passing 40145 on its' trip to mid-Wales as we crept into New Street. A photograph would have been impossible, but it was a pleasure to see the gleaming locomotive in the glorious sunshine which had developed as the morning wore on.
Running about 25 late now due to a driverless freight back at Bristol Parkway, we seemed to make better time north of Stafford and were soon passing Basford Hall Yard and the other remains of Crewe's railway history. The familiar run through Warrington, Wigan and to Preston has always enthralled me . Much of the line seems to march on high viaducts over the flood plain of the Mersey, with wide views of the industry which crowds around the estuary to the west. In particular, Fiddlers Ferry Power station dominates the scene. Arrived in Preston a little later than planned, where platform 5 seemed to be operating as the terminus for all Cross Country services.
Once my colleague had stopped salivating over seeing his first 185, immediately up to the ticket office and after a brief panic about change for the ticket machine, rebooked for Blackpool South. These services only run once each hour and I didn't intend to miss this opportunity to cover the track. Down to platform 1 in time to watch a Transpennine 185 depart for Blackpool North. Amazed to see how many people had flagged this for the much slower South service, but soon realised that this was the first train which arrives after opening time at the Pleasure Beach which also explained why we were some of the oldest people on the train. The rather tired looking Northern 156 coped admirably with the crowds though, and I didn't feel anywhere near as claustrophobic as I have on some of the local units in the south west at peak times. Most of the train bailed as predicted at Pleasure Beach, and things were much more comfortable for the last three quarters of a mile, except for those sitting near where an over-excited teenager had vomited profusely in the aisle. Welcome to Blackpool!
I've made no secret of my dislike for the north's premier family holiday spot. Despite needing this relatively simple-to-get piece of track, it's taken me ten years or so to come back and visit. My last visit, also in March as I recall, was damp and grey. I'd also managed to book myself into a Christian B&B - and when I went to the cinema to cheer myself up ended up watching the less than life-affirming Trainspotting! The place still looked and felt tired, tattered and vaguely menacing - even after the allowances I make having grown up partly in a seaside town. As we set out to walk to Blackpool North, things appeared to be pretty much unchanged here. After pausing for the 'Engineering Tram' to pass by, we set off on a half-remembered route northwards towards the Tower. Navigating around seaside towns is simplified greatly by their linear topography and the fact that many of them were built to late Victorian geometric patterns of town planning. Despite the angry motorists, got us to the town's busier station in time for a fast train to Preston. Here, my travelling companion discovered a 'feature' of the new style ticket machine popping up over the network: if the machine has no change available, it wisely won't accept notes, but should you tender coins in excess of the value it spits the whole lot back and forces you to start again! A few more hilarious moments as pockets were delved and coins shuffled to produce exactly the right fare back to Preston. We made the train with moments to spare, and were soon enjoying the comfort of a 185 on a fairly quick run back.
Spent a couple of hours trying to get some shots at a fairly quiet Preston station. The low but powerful sun made this fairly tricky, and the problems further up the line meant far fewer services were passing this way. Entertainment provided by a steady stream of units in a motley collection of liveries, then just time to grab a bite to eat before heading for our Voyager back to Birmingham. Everything ran smoothly until Wolverhampton, where we were unexpectedly diverted via Bescot, returning to the Stour Valley Line at Soho. No explanation was offered, but it made us just late enough to miss our booked connection. Made the trip upstairs to get our tickets endorsed by Virgin, then back for the 17:40 to Bristol. Predictably this arrived in Bristol just minutes after the train home, and we had an hour or so to wait. It was a pleasant enough evening for it, and I was happy enough watching goings on at Temple Meads. My colleague however became quite frustrated by the wait, and eventually wandered off leaving me to contentedly lounge with a coffee, before snagging a prime 'ex first class' seat on the unit when it arrived.
A strange day in the north, but track scratched and nice weather means I'm happy enough. Might think twice about travelling with certain others in future though, as I clearly cause them distress with my erratic ramblings and strange notions!
I'd completely forgotten this tour in the preparation for last weeks jaunt. A couple of weeks ago I checked my calendar and noted that in fact this was on the 17th February and not March as I'd for some reason been convinced. With a difficult transport situation presently down here this necessitated staying a couple of nights in Bristol which I wasn't looking forward to at all. Dragged myself up here late last evening and checked into the City Inn - a hotel I've walked past many times. Really quite a smart place, if a bit more expensive than I'd have liked. Slept fairly badly last night, having caught a cold from my nephew during the week, and found it a struggle to get to Temple Meads for the 06:26 departure this morning.
However, once under the roof at Temple Meads the unmistakable sound of Class 37s woke me up. 37425 and 37411, fresh out of warm storage at Margam were to head the train. Mercifully, the coffee stand was open and I got a much needed beverage before locating my seat. On walking to the back of the train noted 37422 also hanging around, having brought the stock in from Old Oak Common during the night. Settled in to the almost far too warm coach for our first leg - up to Birmingham New Street, picking up along the way, before heading out to Water Orton and via a bit of PSUL track I've yet to cover, via Whitacre and Kingsbury Junctions. I'm assured that this was in fact the original route of the Birmingham to Derby railway. After Kingsbury Junction we took the branch line towards the former Birch Coppice colliery, now a fairly huge containerised freight depot, where our front loco ran around, meaning the 37s were now operating top and tailed.
Next, we headed back towards Birmingham, but instead of calling into New Street again, pressed on southwards to Tyseley and then to Stratford-upon-Avon. A chance for an early lunch break here, whilst the stock shunted from platform 1 into platform 2, by virtue of a very strange track layout which prevents trains from arriving in platform 2! Back on board, and around the curve at Bearley Junction towards Hatton. Here our only real farce of the day occurred. Put simply, when this part of the Chiltern Line was resignalled it was assumed that only the usual maximum of four or eight car units would use the line. Our train was stranded on the Down Passenger Loop, trying to cross onto the Up Leamington but the signal allowing us access would not come off as our train measuring thirteen vehicles was still apparently occupying the curve from Hatton West Junction. A Stratford to London unit was also occupying the single line behind us, so a retreat would not help! Eventually, a helpful (and somewhat embarrassed I think!) Network Rail person cranked and clipped the points, and we were soon away.
Once underway again we made excellent time through Banbury towards Oxford, where we reversed and took the line to Bicester Town. I remember coming here soon after resuming my travels in 2004 very clearly, as it was one of the trips which rekindled my interest in covering track. That day I was hugely frustrated that we couldn't pass the level crossing gates and head further along the line. Today, I finally got the chance. With much hooting and the flash of a fair number of cameras, our train passed over the crossing and made it's way to Claydon. Another reversal, and onto the last stub of the old Great Central still in service to Quainton Road - now occupied by the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Struck by the clean, straight layout and simple but elegant engineering of the line and its various bridges. Arrived at Quainton Road with an hour or so to explore.
The centre is fairly busy with preservation activity, but is in an incredibly remote location. It feels like when the 'Metroland' effect crept along the branches of the Metropolitan Railway from London they stopped far south of here, despite some local housing being visible along the approach road. Aside from its demonstration line and miniature railway the centre has a neat little cafe, museum and a gift shop from which I purhcased a gift for my nephew before boarding the train for the trip back. Firstly into Aylesbury, from where there is talk of extending the suburban services north towards Quainton Road once again. Here we took the single line via Little Kimble to Princes Risborough. Again, many years since I've been this way - and indeed a long time since a loco-hauled passenger train has been along this route! A reversal at Princes Risborough took us to Banbury where our tail loco, 37411 ran around to double-head the train back to Bristol. Whilst we were waiting in the cold 47853 and 47839 sped through southwards on the return leg of another tour. A long and tiring trek back, with very slack timings meaning we ran early, despite being sent wrong line at Barnwood Junction to let a late running Voyager pass (rather like on the Western Heights tour back in September 2005). Despite arriving at Temple Meads a good while before time, the signaller doggedly held us outside until 22:33.
After last week, this was always going to feel like a low-key affair. In the end though, it was a fine tour covering some very unusual routes in style with a couple of celebrity locomotives. Time to start planning the next trip in earnest...
With a heavy heart checked out of my hotel and prepared for my train home. Time for breakfast and a chance to watch the city go by first though, in my old haunt on Renfield Street and via a walk around George Square. All too soon I was on board the 10:10 to Penzance, having for a change been allocated just the right seat on my reservation. A fair morning, with good views over the Clyde in both directions as we started out southwards.
A fairly relaxing and uneventful journey compared to the trip up here last week, with a smooth connection at Bristol which saw me stepping out on home turf bang on time. Forgot I'd tidied the flat extensively before leaving, so felt like an intruder in someone else's home on walking in! Since I arrived early, decided to attend the local CAMRA meeting which for a rare change took place close by at the Royal Artillery just on the outskirts of Highbridge. Lots of the usual faces in attendance meant a fair bit of gossip. Didn't really attend the meeting so much as 'stand nearby' drinking, though it sounds like sensible decisions were made! Also had the chance to sample RCH's Santa Fe and the infamous blend with Double Header known as B5.
Staggered home, and need to sleep very soon! It's been a long day...
I'm not used to having much of a Sunday transport service, living in the sleepy South West. There were a few bits of track left uncovered over the past couple of days in Glasgow which I hoped to be able to pick up today despite a fair bit of engineering work affecting service - particularly early this morning.
Started out with another run out to Newton, in daylight this time. The object of this run was to cover the line from Cathcart North to East Junctions and position myself for a run over the remainder of the Hamilton Circle to Motherwell. Despite being a damp morning, there was a promise of sunshine lurking behind the clouds, and it was good to be out with an objective in mind. Arrived at Newton, realising just how bleak the surroundings of the station are. The unit crossed over to the wrong line prior to arrival rather than using the reversing siding beyond the station, and this meant a wet trudge down the deep subway to regain the platform for the Motherwell train. With the shelter being occupied by an amorous couple, wasn't sorry to see a warm and dry 334019 arrive.
Arrived at Motherwell, and realised what a substantial station it is, with a complicated building with lots of stairs to negotiate to get from one side to the other! Realised that my terminating unit would now form an onward train to Bellshill and then back to Glasgow. Noted that bailing here meant missing the crossovers back onto the mainline, but I had a plan to follow. Firstly, this meant retracing my steps to Newton and changing again to head back to Cathcart East, covering the dive-under to Cathcart North and thus completing my exploration of this little complex of lines. Realised the extent of the closure at Glasgow Central when we arrived back into the station, with only platforms 8 to 13 in obvious use. Predictably, we arrived on 11A which meant a long walk into the station.
On passing the end of Platform 12, noted a few Pathfinder staff boarding the unit there, and out of pure curiosity checked where it was headed. Amazed to find it was the 11:15 to Ardrossan Harbour which I'd assumed was going to be a bus like earlier trains via Paisley. Quickly boarded and settled in for the ride. A sudden burst of sunshine at Shields Junction made for a really pleasant run out to the coast, and a chance to cover the short branch from Holm Junction to lines end at the harbour. With a few minutes to spare, wandered into the Ferry Terminal for a coffee and took some photographs.
The train back to Central was fairly busy, and it was interesting to see First Group staff north of the border not selling discounted tickets where there were staffed stations - but then the PTE clearly invests in staffing and ticketing facilities, which makes this an easier proposition for the guards. On arrival back in Glasgow I had one last mission - to finally catch a train from the Low Level station. Again, I've always avoided this because of the escalator concerns, but I noted a lift from platform 12 down to the station, and with this and the judicious use of some convenient stairs, I got down into the dark tunnel in time for a train to Garscadden. I only needed to do the tiny stretch of track between Hyndland East and West Junctions which the tour had avoided yesterday. I should probably in fact have pressed onto Dalmuir to cover the whole line in both directions, but I was eager to get off the train and into the city!
I realise that much of what I've written about this trip has focused on the railways. This isn't of course the whole picture by any means. I've loved visiting Glasgow now for years, and despite the need to make early starts each evening has been spent visiting old haunts and in my favourite spots. There is always something new to discover here, and having not often stayed more than a night in recent years I wanted to get out west to see how things had changed. So, hopped on a bus outside the station using my Daytripper ticket and headed along Bath Street and Sauciehall Street towards Kelvin Hall and over the river. A right turn by the Western Infirmary and off at a stop somewhere in the maelstrom of traffic which is Byres Road - even on a Sunday. Fantastic to be back, and amazed how much was open today. Browsed the excellent Oxfam Bookshop, finding an aposite quote from John Clare which will eventually adorn the header of this site. Time for a coffee, though not from the interestingly converted 'tardis' on Great Western Road!
Strolled around Ruthven Lane and Ashton Lane too, remembering previous visits and some very good times had hereabouts. Spent quite a bit of time wandering in a fugue before catching a bus which took me a different route back to the city, via Great Western Road, Cowcaddens and Garnethill. Time for more coffee and a chance for the first time to watch the world go by, which is always a pleasant prospect here. After popping back to the hotel, out again and time to visit more old haunts, including the Horseshoe Bar before popping into The 13th Note for the last pint of my visit.
Back home tomorrow, and it's always a bit of a wrench leaving Glasgow. I've never quite managed to explain it to anyone. Still, I have 400 miles or so of rail travel to look forward too, and since the mileage has been a little lean this year so far, that's a bonus!
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
