To Hull and Back

Just back from a twelve hour shift at Hessle Road Junction - all part of 'fine tuning' the junction, as well as replacing a crossing on the diamond which had previously suffered a broken rail which, although repaired, was awaiting a replacement.

I'll tell you what, and I may seem a bit odd, but a shift like this really does beat being couped up in an office!

Railways around Rawcliffe

To break up the monotony of the motorway on my way home I often leave and use local roads. Progress may not be as quick, but it’s much more interesting! On my way home there are A and B roads which parallel the Motorways. There aren’t too many highlights for the railway enthusiast (though if you know where to look - if you're in the vicinity, try and work out where Airmyn station was - not as easy as you may think!) but there is one curiosity…


Rawcliffe is a rather pleasant village just near Goole and Howden on the old main road between Doncaster and Goole and thanks to the motorway isn’t too busy. It has a railway station on the line between Wakefield - Goole line (ELR – WAG1). As you approach the village you come to a slight incline up to a level crossing, nothing usual there at all, but if you look down there’s actually an under bridge with very little headroom. Every time I drive past it I wonder why there is such an arrangement – it does mean cars can continue their journey if the crossing is closed to road traffic. The line is very lightly used so the chances of getting stopped at the crossing are slim during the day – though I did have to stop a while back for a Fastline Tamper heading for Goole. I was puzzled why it would head this way though; route learning perhaps?


If you have time Rawcliffe Station is worth a look if only for the rather nice Station Master’s house, though it’s now in private hands, and the station is little more than a halt now.


It was a comment in a recent e-mail asking if I knew which station could be seen from the M62 where the M18 joins that made me think I should really go and take a couple of photos. By having a close look I noticed things I'd missed previously; like part of the old second line still in situ! Notice also how remaining line has been slewed across as it approaches the bridge. This is often to allow use of the best parts of the formation and to minimise expenditure - the Hull Docks Branch was similarly treated in the late eighties when that was reduced from twin to single line. The surroundings form a great example of the modern, no frills branchline. Worth a look if you have a few minutes to spare.

First TransPennine Express

Today was eventful. Well, the journey home was anyway!


Since starting in Manchester I’ve not had any real problems with the time keeping, everything has been within three or four minutes if it hasn’t been on time. Today was a little different however. We were due to come back on a Class 170, which is unusual as it’s normally rostered for a Class 185 when I travel back at 1542 – though I much prefer the one seventies. The unit arrived with little time to spare before the advertised departure time. It soon became obvious something was up due to the way so many First TransPennine Staff were on and around the train. It turned out the leading vehicle of the unit had no power; none at all, no engine and no electrics. The give away for this was them explaining they were attaching and ‘emergency headlight’ which is only needed when the vehicles own lights have failed.

We left about twenty minutes late and progress was slow – the trans-Pennine routes are not known for easy gradients, far from it! Even early on in the development of Multiple Units these routes required ‘power twins’ to ensure good progress. We reached Huddersfield about half an hour late. The crew were very helpful and gave constant updates on what was happening. Not long before Huddersfield we were informed that we would be terminating there which was just what I was expecting. It was explained clearly that we’d need to get the following Hull service. Following services were delayed thanks to our poorly 170. Our unit eventually limped off in the direction of Manchester…

FTP’s supervisor on Huddersfield station was excellent! He gave everyone updates every so often as to what was happening. It turned out he was a former driver. So we knew exactly what was happening all the time! Eventually the next service bound for Hull arrived with, surprisingly, our failed unit on the front! The defective coach was locked out of use as it had no air conditioning and was, I guess, like an oven inside! The train staff was very professional and courteous. Progress wasn’t quite as quick as usual as we still had one unpowered vehicle in the formation but we weren’t loosing too much time as a result.

What I really don’t like is how miserable and rude many passengers are – shouting and swearing at railway staff doesn’t make the trains run any quicker! I don’t know how they manage to keep their cool when dealing with the public. I’m just pleased I don’t really have to deal with the public at work! Although we were late, I was very late home, in the grand scheme of things I’m not sure one incident like this really matters. Yes we were late but we will all have got home, will all have gone to bed as the world keeps turning and we wake up and have a brand new day! As I’ve recalled on a previous entry "Don't cultivate your woe, cultivate your happiness!" It was a beautiful evening and the views from the train were superb – God’s Own County at its best!

In the end I was home about two and a half hours after I should have been but I was very impressed with how FTP’s staff behaved and dealt with the situation.

Steadfast

I have some Western Region Hydraulics going through the workshop at the moment; this one stands out a little, 846 Steadfast. What makes it a little different is that it had its front end 'tidied' following a works visit in mid-1970. The model will depict Steadfast just after this overhaul and will be finished in ex-works condition.


Despite its age, the Bachmann model is still a very pleasing and accurate shape - originally released by Mainline, the model has similar parentage to Hornby's previous model of the Class 56, which too has an accurate shape. There are a few things which do betray its age; the glazing isn’t up to modern standards, but still better than though. The biggest issue with it is that the central pillar between the windscreens is left unpainted. Filling this area with the appropriate colour transforms the model in an instant! The moulded-on windscreen wipers are a sign of the model’s age and annoying seem to sit in the middle of their stroke, interrupting the driver’s view.


Internally the model is a world away from the mainline original; gone is the pancake motor to be replaced by a central motor driving all axles and picking up power from all wheels. It’s not DCC ready but chipping isn’t really an issue. Some may complain about the lack of lighting; sadly, many modellers don’t really understand lighting. Only in recent times have trains displayed particularly bright lights. During daylight hours it was unusual for trains to have their lights on. Thus, the lack of lighting here shouldn’t be considered to be a problem at all. It could be added if you wanted, but unless you run your Warship in the dark, it’s not needed!

On this example I’ve replaced the buffers as they were slightly damaged; Dave Alexander’s castings were used as replacements. Otherwise much is left as it comes. I’ve removed the upper lamp brackets and the headboard clips before respraying the ends in yellow – Humbrol Trainer Yellow, which is actually ‘Warning Panel Yellow’ from their old Railway Range.

Once lettered the model will be gloss varnished – this is ex works, so gloss will be quite acceptable. Much has been written about gloss paint being wrong for models but for this application, matt paint or varnish would look quite wrong and lifeless. My model of 37 219, which heads the blog at the moment, is finished in a filthy condition but was finished in a gloss top coat as my photo of the prototype showed the sheen still showing through from beneath the dirt. A matt finish to the paint on this one too, would have drained life out of the model. Steadfast will even have its tyres polished as per the photo. Dirt will be limited to minor exhaust staining, greased buffer heads and a tiny hint of road dirt. The finished result should prove to be quite a contrast with some of the Hydraulics it will be running alongside!

'Dingledodies'

I've just got back from Sheffield City Hall - I went to see Russell Howard who is currently touring the country on his sell out Dingledodies tour. He was excellent! I very much enjoyed his support act too, Mark Olver. I have seen both acts live previously, both at Hull University's comedy club during my time at the university.

This isn't the most obvious thing for me to post here but live comedy is something I truly love. Seeing comedians perform on television is good, but there is something special when you see it live; you have much more of a connection with the performer as they feed of your reaction.

If you get a chance to see Dingledodies it's well worth it - you'll leave feeling a bit better about the world. As he says "Don't cultivate your woe, cultivate your happiness,"

Catcott Burtle

Following Chris Navard's shameless self promotion(!) I bought the July edition of Hornby Magazine purely for the article on Catcott Burtle. It is a masterpiece; no two ways about it. The layout demonstrates just how Chris is able to judge colours and texture which make for an incredible realistic result.


Although you can look at the layout on the net, the magazine is well worth getting as the article goes into the background and thought behind the layout in a way which isn't always easy to do so in a blog. The article closes with thoughts of a much larger project which, I have to say I'd love to see, as I have said already!


I was pleasently surprised by the rest of the magazine; I don't wish to sound snobbish but the magazine isn't really aimed at people like me. By this I mean that it seems to be aimed mainly at those who still starting within the hobby who want to take their hobby to the next level and start to make things for themselves. In this the magazine seems to be doing rather well from what I have seen. The articles aren't patronising but informative and easy to read. Well worth keeping an eye on.

Peco Plans

Coming back from the office to Piccadilly Station I popped into the Ian Allan Bookshop which is just by the station - I hadn't done on my previous visits in this stint at Manchester as in the lead up to pay day it's often essentials only! I intended to get a magazine to read on the train but this caught my eye.


It has been recommended previously but I've not been able to get or even view a copy until now. I've see Paul A Lunn's plans in the Railway Modeller many times and have seen how innovative he is with his plans. This book is full of his work, continuing his good work from RM. Some of the plans are not what you would really expect in a Setrack plan book! A wonderful meandering version of the Line which runs through Bleneau Ffestiniog fills a large room and gives a real sense of trains actually going somewhere! Schemes like this could easily be built (with obvious adjustments for track geometry) using finer track and as such this book can provide inspiration for all modellers.

There are of course plenty of plans for smaller layouts and these are equally inspirational. The designs could provide someone with a wonderful basis for their first 'serious' (for want of a better term!) layout which would provide a good looking and 'fun to operate' layout which would be easily achievable. And some the author seems to be able to make continuous runs in a small space rather convincing.

This book really has impressed me and at just £2.75 is cheaper than most magazines and not only excellent value but should appeal to those well beyond its target audience. Highly recommended!

Manchester

I've calmed down now!

The people I'll be working with are very nice and the work should prove interesting. P-Way is where I want to work ultimately but my time in OHLE should prove interesting and very useful. Hopefully will be able to get out and about and learn as much as I can.

While waiting for my train this afternoon, I looked across at the pair of Class 142 units sitting at the buffers in Piccadilly. It reminded me of a site I remember from my visits to Manchester in the nineties.


Where they sit now used to be a regular haunt for stabled Class 101 units as they reached the end of their careers. At one time enthusiasts paid the one-oh-ones very little attention but as they aged and became endangered enthusiasts warmed to them and ultimately mourned their passing. There was something quite pleasing about them ticking over here, helping to line the station's roof with that faint blue smoke.


Some things have changed, Manchester Piccadilly is now a light and airy place. The two 'Pacers' sitting in the same place gently ticking over nicely showed how the railway changes but in some ways, things are the same.