Shred`s UK trips.

Greater Manchester. Friday 12th April 2024.

A day roaming around Greater Manchester looking for freight. After an early session at the gym, I was heading for Manchester Victoria to catch the 10.28 to Pemberton. I am still trying to get a photograph of the Knowsley bin train operating on the line between Wigan Wallgate and Knowsley. After checking on Realtime Trains it was still showing as I alighted at Pemberton, the Binliner was due passed at 10.35, but at 10.20 it was cancelled, that’s the second time I’ve been down for it and failed, Ill keep trying though.

I returned to Wigan Wallgate and walked across the road to the Northwestern station, a few freight were showing on Realtime Trains, but many of them didn’t run, it fact only two DRS workings appear around 15.00, these were a Northbound class 68007 and southbound class 66422. The posts for the wires are going up south of Wigan Wallgate, these will be for the electrification of the Westhoughton-Bolton lines and Hindley- Salford Crescent route, so get your photographs while you can. I walked back over to Wigan Wallgate station in time to catch a Northern 769 back to Manchester Oxford Road and caught up with a southbound Freightliner class 66502. I later caught a train into Manchester Piccadilly and then the Metrolink tram back to my car.

East Lancs Railway, Western Region Weekend. Saturday-Sunday 13th-14th April 2024.

Another great and innovated gala, courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway, with action throughout the weekend, and plenty of double-heading in various make-ups. It was nice to see both the Warship and Hymek double-headed with Pendennis Castle, from memory of the period though, it was usually the steam loco leading, a failed hydraulic.

Locomotives rostered were, former GWR 4079 “Pendennis Castle”, class 50 “Valiant”, class 14 D9531, Hymek D7076, Warship D832 “Onslaught” and Peak class 45108.

I visited the railway on both days, mainly trackside, on Saturday I covered mainly Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale, Ewood Bridge, Summerseat locations and Burrs Country Park and on the Sunday, Bury Bolton Street, Summerseat Viaduct, and Burrs Bank. Due to me not riding I bought a few new books and some paintings. A big well done to all involved on the East Lancs Railway for another amazing event.

Greater Manchester. Tuesday 16th April 2024.

I’m taking advantage of my time away from work and tapping into my free Manchester rail pass, (well its not actually free these days, we must pay £10 a year to use our bus pass on trams and trains).

I keep hitting the gym early most mornings and after a drive to the nearest Metrolink station, Crumpsall, I take the tram into Manchester. On this day I arrived into Manchester Victoria just after 09.30 boarding a Northern class 769 to Wigan Wallgate, via Bolton, while later a Northern Sprinter to Pemberton to try and catch up with the Knowsley-Wilton freight, but I got it wrong again, however, a lesson finally learned, as I did catch up with it later in the day. I next travelled to Hindley as the OHW poles are now starting to appear ready for the electrification of the Hindley to Bolton line, with lots of trees being removed along the line and platforms being extended. After taking photographs at both Hindley and Westhoughton, probably my last images prior to the wires going up.

I returned to Wigan Wallgate and walked across the road to Wigan North Western, southbound was DRS class 66422 with a stone train, Northbound was DRS class 68003 with the Tesco containers. Just after 14.15 the Wilton EFT-Knowsley FT binliner passed heading towards Wallgate station. Walking back over the road to Wigan Wallgate, I returned on a Northern Sprinter to Manchester Victoria and caught up with the Brindle Heath RTS to Dean Lane RTS Freightliner class 66504 to finish the day off nicely.

Greater Manchester. Wednesday 17th April 2024.

I was back on the platforms of Manchester Victoria, essentially for the Bulleid West Country Pacific 34046 “Braunton”, on the White Rose charter from Hereford to York, with Intercity liveried 47828 at the rear. A lovely looking loco and always nice to see a steam train in Victoria again. DRS class 66799 passed shortly afterwards with a stone train.

I caught a train out to Salford Crescent and later to Daisy Hill and then back to Atherton. From Atherton I caught a Blackburn -Headbolt Lane service directly to Rainford, where I finally caught up with the Wilton EFW-Knowsley FT binliner behind EWS liveried 66112. I decided I wanted to see where the line branched off to Knowsley FT, so caught the next train down to Headbolt Lane. An extension of the spare to Knowsley FT leaves the main line just north of Headbolt Lane, but the spare continues adjacent to the Headbolt Northern platform. The binliner must reverse and run round her train to access the site, with an overbridge over the entrance and main line, it would certainly be worth seeing the operation.

From Headbolt Lane I caught a direct Sprinter service back to Manchester Victoria, and then the tram back to the car and the drive home. I must admit I’m enjoying these mid-week mini trips out.

Greater Manchester. Thursday 18th April 2024.

Another short trip out in my local region. I was essentially chasing the Wilton EFT-Knowsley FT binliner again, I seem to have an unnatural attraction to binliners at the moment. I was on the platforms of Manchester Victoria for 10.00, after a heavy leg workout at the gym. It was however a very cold day, with frost on the car in the morning.

From Manchester Victoria I caught a train to Salford Central and waited for the Cemex stone train from Peak Forest, but it didn’t run. I then caught the Headbolt Lane train to Daisy Hill as I had been timing the Wilton EFW-Knowsley FT binliner, and she was right on time behind EWS liveried class 66112 again. I returned to Manchester Victoria via Wigan Wallgate and then travelled back up to Salford Crescent for the Brindle Heath RTS (Flhh) – Dean Lane RTS (Flhh) behind Freightliner class 66504, before returning to Manchester Victoria and then home.

Greater Manchester. Friday 19th April 2024.

I was chasing freight trains around Greater Manchester again, starting off at Manchester Victoria and on the platforms for 10.00. The Cemex stone train from Peak Forest didn’t run again, but the Wilton EFW-Knowsley FT binliner was showing as activated from Knowsley, so I caught the Headbolt Lane train as far as Pemberton, but it was again cancelled, however I later caught up with it.

I caught the same train back to Wigan Wallgate and treated myself to a footlong subway, a Mexican. At the side of Wigan Wallgate is the Uncle Joes Mint Ball Factory, so being in Wigan, I decided to buy some, as I’ve not had an Uncle Joes Mint Ball for years, I went in four different shops trying to find some, and no one was selling them, so much for this Wigan delicacy.

I then made my way over to Wigan North Western. Three southbound movements were showing on RTT, all around the 14.00 period. The first one down was Freightliner class 66607, followed shortly afterwards by DRS class 68006 on the Tesco, and within a short period afterwards came light engine, Brush Type 4, class 47830, D1645 in two-tone BR green livery.

I then walked back over the road to Wigan Wallgate and RTT was showing the Wilton EFW-Knowsley FT binliner heading south, so I caught a train to Hindley, and captured the Binliner there behind EWS liveried class 66112. From Hindley I boarded a Northern class 769 to Deansgate, returning on the same train to Salford Crescent and waited for the Brindle Heath RTS (Flhh) – Dean Lane RTS (Flhh) behind Freightliner class 66504.

I later took a train back to Manchester Victoria and then the tram back to the car, it had been a very productive day.

East Lancs Railway, recent museum exhibits. Saturday 20th April 2024.

After a week chasing freight trains around Great Manchester, On Saturday I decided to have a few hours at the East Lancs Railway to see the recent additions to Bury Transport Museum, loaned from the National Collection.

The unique Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, 0-4-0 “Wren” Horwich Works narrow gauge locomotive, built by Beyer Peacock in 1887. Stanier 3-cylinder 4MT 2-6-4T locomotive in LMS 4200 livery, (BR 42500). Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T, works number 1223, “Vesta”, The locomotive spent its entire working life at the Hawarden Bridge (later renamed Shotton) steelworks in North Wales.

I had my usual wonder around the various bookstalls, and although trying not to spend any money, I still managed to spend £160, on books, paintings and a Bachmann 00 gauge locomotive, LMS 10000 in BR green livery, an irresistible model, I really should stay away from those places.

shredder1 said:

I caught the same train back to Wigan Wallgate and treated myself to a footlong subway, a Mexican. At the side of Wigan Wallgate is the Uncle Joes Mint Ball Factory, so being in Wigan, I decided to buy some, as I’ve not had an Uncle Joes Mint Ball for years, I went in four different shops trying to find some, and no one was selling them, so much for this Wigan delicacy.

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I'm pretty sure B&M sell them, but if not, the sweet shop just past Primark does. Both on Standishgate - just keep walking past the Subway. Talking of which, Hideout in the Arches (just under the WCML bridge and turn left, next door to Wigan Central) does great toasted sandwiches. The grilled cheese is my favourite.

NorthWestRover said:

I'm pretty sure B&M sell them, but if not, the sweet shop just past Primark does. Both on Standishgate - just keep walking past the Subway. Talking of which, Hideout in the Arches (just under the WCML bridge and turn left, next door to Wigan Central) does great toasted sandwiches. The grilled cheese is my favourite.

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Oh OK thank you very much, Ill check them out.

Greater Manchester. Tuesday 23rd April 2024.

The weather looked a bit brighter, than it had been, so I was back down at Manchester Victoria chasing freight. The day started off with a 07.00 gym session followed by breakfast at Wetherspoons. I was in Manchester just before 11.30 and caught a Blackburn train to Bolton, with a change for a train to Hindley.

I wanted to check out the grade 2 listed, Deep Pit footbridge at Hindley as it is due to be lifted and moved to cater for the OH electrification to Bolton. The masts and swivel arms were up each side of Deep Pit footbridge. I also timed my visit for the Wilton EFW to Knowsley FT binliner, this week behind EWS liveried class 66121.

I later walked back around to Hindley railway station and caught the next Northern class 769 Oxford Road service, with a change at Bolton for a train to Salford Central for two freight workings, first was the Brindle Health RTS -Deans Lane RTS behind Freightliner class 66951, this was followed a few minutes later with the Cemex-Peak Forest working, behind GBRf class 66776 to finished off a nice afternoon.

Crow Nest Junction. Greater Manchester. Thursday 25th April 2024.

I drove over to Crow Nest Junction, Hindley, a location I had not used before and one I had to find. After a little driving around Hindley, I found a unmetalled farm track away from the main road, with a plate steel girder overbridge and low parapet`s, looking down over Crow Nest Junction, perfect for photography, for the moment at least. However, in leu of the OHE, Wigan to Bolton lines, work will take place on this bridge, whatever they do, I suspect the low parapet`s are now on borrowed time and the view is presently mast free.

Another goal was to capture the Wilton EFW, (Tees NY) – Knowsley FT binliner, which passed at 14.05 behind DB red livered, class 66035. I took pictures of all the regular workings, which included Sprinters, 158s, 156s, 150s, 150/1s, and class 769s the bi-modal Flex trains. I have also included a picture taken by Dr J. W. F. Scrimgeour, (Signalbox.org) from 29th April 1956, to give some idea of how Crow Nest Junction, looked in its heydays.

Great Central Railway, Spring Diesel Gala. Saturday 27th April 2024.

I had an upcoming event on the Great Central Railway, the spring diesel gala. I was meeting up with a mate of mine from Nottingham, “Ash.” I just managed to get my free parking space at the back of Manchester Piccadilly to enable me an early start on the 05.05 Avanti Pendolino to Crewe and in time to catch up with the early morning Tesco, which changes drivers on the platform. A nice start to the day as I photted doubled -headed locos DRS class 68003 “Astute” and class 88010 “Aurora” in refrigerated rail livery

I left Crewe on a London Midland class 350 EMU, to Stoke where I had a chance meeting with another mate Nathan and his friend Ivan. We all travelled over to Derby on an East Midland DMU with a change for a Loughborough on an East Midland Meridian.

The three of us then followed the very muddy path around the back of the famous Brush locomotive factory to see the stored locomotives, which were mainly the class 92s. You can see a few from the rear of the works, but a drone does get far better coverage and ideally you need a pair of wellingtons also, to get around the back, although it may be better in the summer, but the vegetation might be a bit thicker by then.

I walked back around to the railway station and met up with “Ash,” we were mainly going lineside and Ash kindly offered to do the driving and even brought a few pairs of steps to see over the bridges. We did intend a look around the station, but platform tickets were £8 each, which is fair enough, these preserved railways are expensive to run and I really wanted to visit the bookshop, so we gave the platforms a miss until later.

We drove to Tesco`s to stock up on some breakfast bits and a coffee. Before driving round to the overbridge to the overbridge on Beeches Road The next location was Lodge End Road, (new housing now takes over both sides of the tracked now), and then onto Kinchley Lane, (lots of tree felling and vegetation removal has taken place here, opening to even greater photographic opportunities). We later stopped on the dam-head of Swithland Reservoir, for a few photographs across the water to the viaducts. Later driving down to Quorn and Woodhouse railway station, and finally back to Loughborough Central, were I spent some money on books. The weatherman had forecast a 70% chance of rain, thank goodness he got it wrong as usual; we had some sun in the mornings, but only a few droplets of rain towards the end of the day.

We left the railway as the light began to fade and headed for the obligatory Georges chip shop, next to the Tesco Express, where we met up again with Nathan and Ivan. Ash later dropped me off at the railway station, and I caught an East Midlands Meridian direct to Sheffield, thus taking the Hope Valley line back to Manchester, I had however missed the fact that it was a rail replacement bus to Manchester Piccadilly, direct, and I was surprised the driver took the Woodhead route. It didn’t take too long though and I was soon back at the car and driving home, in the house for 22.00. It had been a long day, but a great one, thanks to Ash and his running around in the car, nice to catch up with a few friends and a big shout out to all the lads and ladies at the Great Central Railway for another fantastic event, well done guys.

Locomotives Rostered

Class 31 31108 British Rail Class 31 diesel locomotive
Also known as the Brush Type 2 and previously as Class 30, were built by Brush Traction from 1957 to 1962 – appearing courtesy of the A1A Group

Deltic 55013
Black Watch is a diesel locomotive currently owned by the DPS. Black Watch has featured at numerous heritage railways through the 40 years of DPS ownership as well as running on the main line since 2012 – appearing courtesy of DPS

Class 37 37714
Built by English Electric in 1961. Converted to 37/7 in 1998. Repainted to BR Railfreight Grey (Metals Sector) livery.

Class 37 D6700
Built by English Electric in 1960. Converted to 37/3. Repainted to BR Green with Yellow Panels. On loan from NRM in York

BR Class 45 D123
“Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry” Built at Crewe in 1961. Withdrawn 1987. Arrived at the GCR in 1998

Class 50 50017
“Royal Oak” Built by English Electric in 1968. Withdrawn in 1991. Arrived at the GCR in in February 2019

British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinter
153371 and 153308 British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinter single-coach railcars c

BR Derby Lightweight Railcar
'Iris' Appearing with thanks to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

I was there too, apologies had I known you were there I would have come and said Hi….i also did the muddy path at Brush but thankfully I had worn my Timberland boots so was ok.

The gala was very good and it’s nice to see purely heritage locos as most of these now give star billing to locos from GBRF, Rail Adventure, etc.

I also thought the “drive a shunter for a tenner” at Loughborough was a great little addition to the festivities.

50002Superb said:

I was there too, apologies had I known you were there I would have come and said Hi….i also did the muddy path at Brush but thankfully I had worn my Timberland boots so was ok.

The gala was very good and it’s nice to see purely heritage locos as most of these now give star billing to locos from GBRF, Rail Adventure, etc.

I also thought the “drive a shunter for a tenner” at Loughborough was a great little addition to the festivities.

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Would have been nice to catch up, maybe next time, yes a very good gala, I do like the GC, especially it being a former main line double tracked.

Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Monday 29th April 2024.

Another day in my home region chasing freight. After the gym and breakfast, I was on a Metrolink tram heading down to Altrincham. A first alighting at Navigation Road, a shared station with Metrolink and the Network Rail line, later moving down to the footbridge over the line between Navigation Road and Altrincham.

The action was from 4 Eastbound freights. DB red livery 66099, Freightliner class 66547, GBRf on the Drax behind class 60021 and GBRf class 66776. I later returned by Metrolink to Crumpsall to collect the car, a nice productive few hours.

Dean Lane, Greater Manchester. Wednesday 1st May 2024.

A short session chasing the Brindle Heath Rail Transfer Station, (RTS) to Dean Lane RTS binliner. The service operates daily for this short trip across Manchester via Manchester Victoria carrying a load of 1600 ton and ran as 6J45.

The line through Dean Lane is another line which runs side by side with Metrolink, in fact it is the last section of the Oldham loop line to see loco hauled traffic. Today I recorded the binliner behind Freightliner class 66547, arriving at 16.44. After running her load into Dean Lane RTS, the locomotive uncouples and runs around her train returning to Brindle Heath at 18.36. A nice little drive out.