Delay on Updates

What great weather we've enjoyed over the past few weeks and although great for getting out and about in, it has meant that I have been lackadaisical when coming to post updates here! 

However, I have been very busy lately taking part in some new Railway Adventures that I will share with you all very soon including......

• Whitby Station and Black 5's
• 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' and 60009 'Sir Nigel Gresley' on Great Britain IV Tour
• NYMR 175th Anniversary Gala
• Duke of Gloucester fails to show at Tyne Yard
• Visit to NRM Shildon
• Visit to NRM York
• The 'Flying Scotsman's return...in Wartime Black!

 

Ever wondered?

Ever wondered what a Pendolino would look like had GNER ran them down the ECML, what Intercity would look like on more modern trains? Well I have, so what a nice surprise when I found the following website.

Its called Fictitious Liveries and if you haven't already guessed, depicts loco's in all sorts of different guises, just for sheer fun. It's well worth a look!

http://www.fictitiousliveries.co.uk/index.php?=

News

I caught some interesting developments on the local news this evening in regards to the Intercity Express Program that will see new trains replace the current HST fleet on the ECML and GWR.

The order has been placed with Hitachi for these great looking trains along with a purpose built facility to house the assembly of these Bi-mode Electro/Diesel trains in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Although it is good for the North East's Economy I still would have loved for them to be built on the Tyne Yard site nearer to my home.

These new Trains should begin service in 2016.

Hitachi Super Express

60163 Tornado leaves Tyne Yard

Here's a recent video of 60163 Tornado leaving Tyne Yard, filmed on my iPhone 4. Apologies for the slight movement during the film, it was done on a bloody freezing cold November during my lunch hour!

Its just one of my videos I have on my new YouTube channel where I'll be posting Railway related videos, why not check it out by clicking here or by clicking the video link on the right hand side.

Cheers

Craig

Newcastle to Liverpool...and Back

I've just returned from Liverpool this morning after an emergency visit to see my mum for a few days, who disastrously has managed to break her ankle very badly. I traveled down with my Nana who kept me company on the three hour journey there and back this morning changing both times at York. We took an EC 91+Mk4 set to York where we boarded one of the recently rolled out Trans Pennine Express Class 185 stock for the first time.

TPE Class 185

I found them to be pretty impressive in all, very clean and bright and....well still new! Much better than the Class 156 (Northern) we then changed onto at Manchester Piccadilly! However we managed to cut this out of our return, boarding another Class 185 direct from Liverpool to York and then another 91+Mk4 EC set into Newcastle Central.

I also managed to catch a glimpse of the new Alsthom Pendolino as we were leaving Liverpool Lime St. Bonus!

Although I didn't have time to get a shot of it myself, here's one from one of my favourite online railway magazines, Railway Herald. Check it out here - http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/magazine/


Alsthom Liveried Class 390 Pendolino

It is a nice addition to Virgin's Red and Silver mix and after a bit more digging around, I found that Hornby will be releasing a model version in the near future! Well....it would be rude not too!

Until next time....

Craig 

My favourite ‘spot’ for spotting!

One of my favourite places to photograph trains, passenger and freight, can be found in Lamesley, a small village setting which is overshadowed by a huge Railway Marshalling Area, Tyne Yard which I have lived near to for most of my 28 years. It is currently owned by DB Shenker, but was an EWS Yard during the time shortly following privatisation and a busy BR Yard previous to that. 
Once a bustling, busy, noisy Yard, it’s now a shadow of its former state, only seeing a few freight movements per day but it is visited by CrossCountry Trains Class 220/221 'Voyager' units whilst stabling overnight, and sees a fair bit of Charter Services stopping by on their steam hauled way via Newcastle for coal and water top-ups.
Not only that but as a bonus, the ECML runs right alongside its full length making it a decent place for a good photo opportunity.
Although it brings back many memories every time I stop of watching the trains go by with both my Grandad and Great-Grandad, I can’t help wonder just how many Loco’s, Freight Trains and Shunters hustled and bustled all day and all night! It must of been quite a place to see heyday!
There was recent talk about the site being shortlisted as the place to build the new Hitachi Super Express, however a new site was found further off into the Durham Countryside….shame, it could have seen the re-emergence of Tyne Yard as a busy bustling place once more! If I ever get to build a large model railway layout, I’d love to base it on this, my favourite spot.

		Tyne Yard VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

New Blog Title

Here is my logo for this Blog which was chosen by me to represent a Engine's name and shed plates. I cannot say it was created by me but a man I call the magician, my friend and colleague John Boundy. He works as a digital artist creating all sorts of fantastic imagery for use in card making, digital stamping and even tattoo ideas. It just so happens I work with him and he kindly created this especially for this blog!

You can see his other work at www.justinklined.com

New East Coast Livery

My favourite livery of any Privatised TOC was the wonderful Blue/Red combo with those large Gold lettering announcing that a GNER train set has just turned up!

However, gone are the days of GNER, the hugely popular owners of the ECML stock and we were left with, first, National Express’s largely unchanged white stripe technique and now Government owned East Coast Trains logos being added. Imaginative to say the least!

So it was a relief to see the choice for a total rethink (and repaint) was the strikingly bold Silver and Purple ensemble that I caught speeding along the stretch of line between Tyne Yard and Lamesley Junction.

Here are a few shots I found on a google search of the new livery which I think could be a good replacement for the iconic GNER colours.
 

Charity

My good deed for 2010 was finally achieved around 10th December after one of the things I had wanted to do all year was to donate to a charity!

After much deliberation I found one I really believe in....the 'Steam Our Scotsman' appeal by the National Railway Museum in York (I know, I know it's not a 'charity' as such!).

It's a request from the NRM for donations towards getting the most famous locomotive in the world, and my personal favourite No.4472, Class A3 'Flying Scotsman' back in steam and running mainline duties.

I cannot wait until this day happens!

Anyway, I donated in double figures to them and here is my lovely certificate for my kind act:

I'm now part of the 4472 club and am to recieve newsletters on the progress of the 'Flying Scotsman' restoration. My name will appear on the SOS Wall of Fame too, nice little touch.

If you'd like to donate or want to know more about the cause please visit http://www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/sos.aspx and give genorously!

Goodies Found!

Whilst telling to my work colleague and good friend Jak today about my new blog, she told me about her Husband, Chris who is currently adding scenery and buildings to his loft layout and is using a company called Scale Scenes. 

So whilst I'm on my lunch hour here, I've been over to their website which is fantastic for DIY Kits. Why not have a quick look by clicking on the link here Scale Scenes. I'm really interested in the Rail Depot and also the inspection pits for inside it, some great detail. I've always envisioned a depot scene on any future layout.