Category: Trains
Infra_MANC
I came across this MEN article online, it’s one of those things not many people (my age!) would know about. It consists of several things actually, they were infrastructure plans for Manchester in the post-1950′s post-war era.
1. The Mancunian Way
2. The Picc-Vic Tunnel
3. The Guardian Underground Telephone Exchange
4. City heliport on top of Victoria Station
Only two of them were realised, the Mancunian ring road and the underground exchange!
Zen and the Art of Provincial Train Travel
In praise of the turn up and go nature of local train travel
Nothing epitomises local train travel better than the Sprinter unit. This example, 150274, is seen at Poulton-le-Fylde heading towards Blackpool North.
Unenlightened types barely familiar with the machinations of train travel tend to conjure up images of a prosperous past involving steam trains, or a comparatively JG Ballardian present tense. Away from the hyperbole surrounding HS2, packed commuter trains and inter-city services, there is a part of our railway seemingly distant from high speed and overcrowding. I refer to of course, the local services. Continue reading
Go Cheapway… To New Mills
“No frills, handy for the hills…”
A view from the Torrs Riverside Park. Photograph by Rachel D (Creative Commons Accreditation License).
Lyrical genius Nigel Blackwell immortalised the Derbyshire town in the Half Man Half Biscuit song ‘The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Is the Light of an Oncoming Train)’ with the above statement. For many people living in Greater Manchester, it is only a short distance away – and a bus ride from Stockport and Marple. By rail, you’ve got two stations from Manchester Piccadilly trains to choose from. Continue reading
Silence, Tea and Sky: The Not So Perfect Ten
From Morecambe Bay to the North Sea: ten ‘must visit’ tea shops in Lancashire and Yorkshire
Perfect Partners: a bacon and sausage oven bottom muffin and a tea: the ideal sustenance post ascent to Platform 1 of Stalybridge railway station. Photographed in 2009 from a bench at the nearby bus station. Ticket: my own creation from 2012.
Apart from being well to the left of the current Coalition Government, the creator of this blog shares another trait of Tony Benn.
Tea drinking.
A love of Britain’s favourite beverage which, alas, among younger persons, eschewed in favour of coffee. I like the odd cup of real coffee from overpriced outlets owned by former breweries, but there is nothing in the world which beats a strong mug of Yorkshire Tea. Or failing that, The Cooperative’s enduring 99 Tea brand (ideally in leaf form). Continue reading
Manchester Beyond Primark and the Arndale Centre
Parts of Manchester seldom visited by the tourist guides
Manchester: pioneering industrial city, unlikely holiday destination, home of most of Britain’s oldest trains in regular service and future home of the National Football Museum. For every person visiting Manchester for the first time, there is every chance that the Arndale or Trafford centres appear highly on the list. Likewise that of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, the Christmas Markets or the Manchester Museum in Chorlton-on-Medlock.
Manchester city centre may boast a massive Primark and a colossal Debenhams opposite. Big deal! You can nip to any of these stores in Stockport, Oldham, Bolton and Wigan. The city centre has other riches worth seeking out, such as the Northern Quarter, real pubs and some good local attractions a short distance from the centre.
With the city centre (and the conurbation’s) wide range of attractions, it is possible to spend a week’s holiday in Manchester and not be stuck for places to go to in the daytime or the nighttime. Continue reading
Sparks Effect to Reach Stalybridge Station
Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds electrification to form part of chancellor’s £30 billion investment package
The Shape of Things to Come in Stalybridge? Class 333015 resting at Leeds station prior to embarking for Skipton. Photograph by Alex Drennan (Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License)
Welcome news for Trans-Pennine rail passengers is set to arrive in the form of electrification work. As one of 40 investment packages for road and rail, the Trans-Pennine route between Guide Bridge and Leeds is set to be energised to 25kV a.c., allowing for faster and longer trains. Continue reading
The Whole 500 Yards: Burnley Regains Direct Manchester Trains
Todmorden Curve set to reopen to passenger traffic
Coming to a 500 yard curve near Todmorden in 2012: the usual Class 150/2s and Class 158s.
So, what would £8.8 million buy you these days? A half decent strike force for Burnley or Rochdale? A decent pad in Central London? A nine month contract for Carlos Tevez? 500 yards of permanent way? For the latter, this is especially true for Burnley and Rochdale residents denied a rail connection between the two towns since 1970. Continue reading
Zen and the Art of Waiting for Buses
Civilised Queuing and Dignified Departures
A busy shoulder-peak scene at Piccadilly Gardens: MAN single decker 22237 prepares for its departure to Ashton-under-Lyne on the 219 route.
We’re all guilty of it at some stage: barging in at the bus shelter, or traipsing towards the bus at speeds which Usain Bolt would be proud of. Even the genius behind this blog is guilty of such trifling Crimes Against Public Transport Etiquette, such as surging towards the nearest seat due to gross overcrowding on the North of England’s often inadequate rolling stock. Continue reading
Off the Beaten (Railway) Track: Exposed Railway Stations on Network Rail Metals: The Not So Perfect Ten
Where the next train is measured in weeks rather than minutes
WHERE A REGULAR SERVICE IS ONCE A WEEK: Denton railway boasts a weekly service in one direction on a Friday morning.
The area east of the M60 motorway is fortunate enough to have a frequent rail service to and from Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria stations. Most stations are a short bus ride or drive away with at least a hourly service to their name. Continue reading
The Collected Works of Ken Mortimer: A Not So Perfect Ten Special
A pictorial journey of the Stalybridge based industrial designer and transport artist’s creations
Though known to nobody else other than bus enthusiasts, Mancunians would be most familiar with his handiwork. Even to this day, examples of his work are seen in bus museums and rallies or in regular service. The creative genius behind SELNEC and GMPTE’s image was Ken Mortimer. In recent times he has started selling watercolour prints of 1950s and 1960s transport scenes. Some of which are available as postcards and greetings cards. Continue reading
