Thursday 11 October 2012

Blog Under Construction

Hi Guys,

The blog is currently undergoing a overhaul, but new posts and pictures should be up soon!

Keep coming back for further updates

Thanks

Craig


Wednesday 14 March 2012


My little blog has now had over 10,000 views, makes me very happy to know that my ramblings have been shared with so many people. As ever I'll be taking part in lots of Railway Related activity over the next few months so pop back and see what I'm up to! Thanks for every visit!

Tuesday 13 March 2012

What have I been up to?

Having not posted much since November, I feel the need to catch up with myself and my Railway Adventures. Unfortunately, I havent had a great deal of time to myself to partake in any modelling or many visits to anywhere railway related....on a social level.

However on a career front I have now achieved one of my dreams to work on the Railways, for Arriva Cross Country. I began back in late November taking a two week induction course down in Birmingham. I've since shadowed staff from Leeds aswell as working my roster from my depot here in Newcastle. I must say it is a different world altogether and loads of fun! My role sees me join XC services anywhere from Glasgow - Doncaster/Sheffield to check all passengers travel documents looking for fraudulent tickets and/or railcards and of course passengers who decide they don't want to pay! I also look after football fans and of course my personal favourite the drunken revellers on a Friday/Saturday night. Although the details of my job are much and varied that is a short overview of my duties.

In regards to any visits to anywhere railway related I haven't been anywhere as of the turn of the year looking forward to the galas and exhibitions I enjoyed last year.  I'm also volunteering my time to be part of the NRM's RailFest 2012 with a great line up of Loco's etc it should be a wonderful experience for me and everyone visiting.

My modelling has not gone further than cleaning and repairing a couple of loco's, however I've still managed to keep up the purchasing of new rolling stock which I will upload a few pictures of very soon.

So until then.....

Exclusive!

Ok here's a first!

I've just returned from a late night jaunt to Newcastle Central Station to see for the first time ever a Class 390 Pendolino visit the North East. No. 390 055 entered the station at 23:45 and departed 6 minutes later to head south to Kings Cross after beginning its journey at Edinburgh Waverley on a trial run on the ECML.

One of the best looking Trains in the world and at last I've seen one at my home station! Without further ado, heres the pictures from just an hour ago...

Thunderbird Class 57 awaits what we've all come to see...
Class 390 Pendolino no. 390 055 stands for the first time in Newcastle
Central Station



Under the wires of the ECML on its first trial run




Me!


After 6 minutes inside of Central Station the Pendolino now ready
to head south to London Kings Cross
I've seen some wonderful sights past and present in this grand old station I'm proud to call my home, but I must admit this was a massive highlight. I was joined by a few other photographers but I can say I was there that night and one of the first to see what hopefully becomes a more regular visitor to the ECML.

Until next time....

Monday 13 February 2012

A catch up....where to start?

Ok so here are some posts I have been meaning to get around to sharing for almost 3 months! My life has recently been consumed by learning the ropes of my new role as RPI at CrossCountry Trains as well as the Christmas period which always sets me back (not just in £££ either!)
Not to hesitate any further here’s a quick look at the Newcastle & Districts Exhibition back in early November 2011.

Sunday 6th November

Just a quick hop down the road to Gateshead International Stadium on a quiet Sunday morning, me and my Grandad went to see Newcastle & District Model Railway Society’s Annual exhibition. I only managed to take a few snaps of my favourite layouts as the battery on my camera was low…that’ll teach me not to forget to check them before I leave! Although in all honesty not the greatest of Exhibitions, there was still enough to check out in the 90 minutes or so we were here. One of the most poignant moments of any Model Railway Exhibition also happened here, as via radio being played over the hall tannoy, we stood and paid our respects to those who have fallen fighting in the Great War and unfortunately still do to this day. Remembrance Sunday at a Exhibition was surreal….the whole hall fell silent, all layouts came to an abrupt halt as we stood, heads bowed in complete silence for two minutes.

Here are the pics I managed to capture before I was paying respects to my battery life……

















Until next time.....