Alternative Photographs (9)

For this final post of 2010, I am using six of the remaining pics that have been sent in under the current 'Alternative Photographs' theme. And of course I am taking the opportunity to wish all our contributors and viewers / readers, all around the world, a very happy and prosperous 2011.

 Pic number one is from John Smith. LMS 'Princess Coronation' class 'Pacific' No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, in  black livery,  is shown at St Helens Central Station, heading a charter on 21st August 2010.

The second shot, depicting a picturesque scene on the south coast, is from Dave Harris. Mendip Rail, Hanson liveried class 59, 59103 Village of Mells, is shown heading empty stone hoppers across the River Hamble at Swanick Marina. The working was Chichester - Merehead and the date, August 2009. Which boat is yours then Dave?

Jeff Nicholls has sent in the third pic, taken on the East Lancashire Railway at Ramsbottom. LMS 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No.5690, Leander, was photographed in superb low light, on 13th February 2004.

Pics four and five are from Colin Platt. GWR 2-6-2, small Prairie tank No.5542, is shown passing the Blue Anchor Signal Box on the West Somerset Railway, with appropriate chocolate and cream coaches behind. The pic is dated 2nd October 2010.

The fifth pic is of the preserved LNER 'A4' 4-6-2, No.60019 Bittern, designed by Nigel Gresley. The loco is pictured exiting Grosmont Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, heading BR carmine and cream coaches. This pic is dated 8th May 2010

The final shot is from Bevan Price. "OBB 999-105 is shown at SchafbergSpitz, Austria, on 30th September 1987. This is the summit of the Schafbergbahn Railway and 999-103 is just visible in the bakground". 

Alternative Photographs (8)

This is the eighth and penultimate post featuring alternative pics to those normally taken on 'our patch' in and around Winwick. Tomorrow (31st, New Year's Eve) will see the last in the sequence and in January we revert to our normal scenario. The change has been so successful that I will repeat it in a few months time.

Today's post (30th December 2010) comprises five pics from four previous contributors.




The first is from John Smith. The class 55, Deltic, 55022 Royal Scots Grey, is pictured heading a charter near Northwich on 10th October 2010.

Bill Harrison has sent  in another of his shots from the former East Germany (GDR). The second pic is titled 232 702-1 Gera, and was taken on 26th May 2000.

The third shot is from Jeff Nicholls. Another Polish locomotive is featured, this time deep in picturesque countryside. Pt 47 112, a 2-8-2 loco,  is speeding through Leszno on 1st June 2005.**

Colin Platt hasn't featured on our blog since July but here are a couple of his pics taken on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Pic number four is of SR 'S15' class, No.825, originally designed by Robert Urie. The class of 4-6-0s were initially seen on the London & South West Railway from 1920; No.825 was built in 1927 for the Southern Railway and withdrawn from BR service in 1964. She was one of the second batch of 'S15's modified by Richard Maunsell. The shot was taken on 27th September 2008.



The fifth and final pic features two locos at Grosmont coaling tower - Peppercorn 'A1' No.60163 Tornado and to the side, class T2/Q6, 0-8-0 No.63395. The pic is dated 11th May 2009.







** Jeff adds that this loco is bigger than a 'Duchess'. His party had been dropped off in the woods whilst the train backed up and then did a photo' runpast' with as much smoke and steam possible. 

Alternative Photographs (7)

I have studied the stats related to our blog and the top nine countries (after the UK) hosting viewers/readers of our blog are as follows - USA, Germany, Canada, France, Holland, Peru, Australia, Poland and India. Your photos really are seen all over the globe.Continuing the present theme (until Dec 31st only) of alternative photos, todays post (28th December 2010) comprises six pics from six different contributors.

Pic number one is from a new contributor Bill Harrison. Born in Warrington and always on the lookout for pics of Dallam, Bill now lives in Nottingham and works at Toton TMD. His shot depicts loco 212 738-1 at Zeulenroda in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The pic is dated 27th May 2000.

The second pic is from Alan Sherratt and shows class 87, 87019 ACORP Association of Community Rail Parnerships, on a Manchester Piccadilly - Birmingham working of Virgin passenger stock. The photo was taken at Heaton Chapel on 7th June 2005.


Geoff Monks has sent in pic number three. Manchester Victoria is the location for 'Black 5' No.44873. The loco has headed a summer train from Liverpool Exchange; the pilot, 45203 is on the right. The pic is dated 22nd July 1967.

The next pic is from Alan Rigby. The preserved 'Streak' of Nigel Gresley, No.60019 Bittern is pictured at Stalybridge having previously headed a charter from London to Manchester Piccadilly. The loco and support coach are heading to York on 27th March 2010.




Dave Harris has contributed the fifth pic, taken at the famous Horse Cove at Dawlish. A HST set of First Great Western is shown skirting the sea wall in July 2006.

The final shot is from yours truly and features LMS 'Princess Coronation' class 4-6-2, No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland. She is heading the Railway Touring Company's 'North Wales Coast Express' from Liverpool to Holyhead, on 23rd August 2009. The location is between Rainhill and Lea Green.

Alternative Photographs (6)

Today's post (26th December 2010) once again comprises photographs taken outside 'our patch'.
First, is a pic from John Smith taken at Hartford, Cheshire, showing, for the first time on our blog, Freightliner class 70, 70007. The intermodal working was Garston - Crewe and the date, 9th November 2010.
The next shot really is a "picture from Hell", Hell, that is, in Norway. Bevan Price took the photograph on 18th June 1985 - the special train was headed by locomotive NS 411.

The third shot is from Bob McClellan and depicts a Swiss railway scene at Schynige Platte, site of the National Alpine Plants Garden above Interlaken. Locomotive 16 was photographed on 9th September 2003.
Jeff Nicholls had provided pic number four, another of his fine Polish steam shots. Ok22 31, a veteran 4-6-0, and Tr5 65, a veteran 2-8-0 are pictured in Wolsztyn roundhouse, on 2nd June 2005.

The final shot in this post was taken by Geoff Monks from the top level of Sackville Street car park in Manchester. The working was out of Trafford Park and the EWS (DBS), double-heading locomotives were class 92, 92013 Puccini, and class 66, 66207. The pic is dated 23rd August 2007.

Alternative Photographs (5)

First of all, may I take this opportunity to thank everyone, contributors, viewers etc., who have made this blog a success. This is post number 185 and the blog has had 14,400+ hits - all of this from a slow start in January 2010. I will also take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Rewarding New Year.

Alternative photographs (5), on 24th December 2010, continues the current theme (see previous posts). Five pics are used once again, from different contributors, due to the large influx of pics to the blog.

Pic number one is from Dave Harris. GBRf class 66, 66718 Gwyneth Dunwoody is shown at Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish, a favoured location for railway photographers and artists. The working is empty passenger stock, Plymouth Laira - Derby Litchurch Lane. The pic is dated 23rd July 2007.

Geoff Monks has supplied the second pic, another fine shot from Pakistan. Vulcan Foundry built SPS 4-4-0, 2998, is featured leaving Malakwal on a westbound train on 6th January 1988.

A LMS liveried ('Crimson Lake') class 8F, No.8624, is pictured next, from John Smith. The loco is banking a passenger consist with BR 'Standard' class '8P', No.71000 Duke of Gloucester at the head. The pic was taken on the Churnet Valley Railway, on 13th November 2010.

Another of Jeff Nicholls' fine shots highlighting Polish steam is shown in pic four. A 2-6-2 locomotive, OL 49 69, is the main subject, being turned at Wolsztyn Depot on 3rd October 2008.

Alan Rigby's shot of a BR 'Standard' 2-6-4 tank engine is featured last, but certainly not least. No.80098 of the East Lancashire Railway, just leaving Bolton Street, Bury, was photographed on 25th January 2009.

Alternative Photographs (4)

Five enthusiasts have sent in pics for today's post (22nd December 2010) on the current theme - photos taken in locations other than 'our patch'.

The first pic is from John Smith. Featured is the famous Haydock Colliery locomotive Bellerophon or 'Owd Bell' as she was known She is a 0-6-0WT (Well Tank) locomotive built by Josiah Evans in 1868. Evans introduced the piston valve to British locomotive design which gave the locomotive an important place in railway history. John's pic was taken at the current home of 'Owd Bell', the Foxfield Railway, on 23rd November 2010.

The second pic, taken at Delph Halt on the West Lancashire Light Railway, is from Bevan Price. In the picture Montalban waits to return to Becconsall, while Utrillas waits in the loop for its next duty. The pic is dated 3rd October 2010.

I have 'stitched' together two pics from Alan Rigby, taken on a Long Marston Open Day on 8th June 2008. On the left, class 86, 86401 Northampton Town in Network SouthEast livery, is depicted with class 87, 87002 Royal Sovereign, in the background. Also shown, right, is class 73, 73201 in SouthWest Trains livery.

The fourth pic is from Bob McClellan, taken on 19th February 2006. Featured is unit 22, in deep snow at Murren, near Interlaken in Switzerland.

Geoff Monks has sent in the final pic in this post, taken at York Station, on 24th July 2007. The Gresley 'Streak' No.60009, Union of South Africa, is shown heading the 'Scarborough Spa Express' on the famous bend.

Alternative Photographs (3)

This is the third post (20th December 2010) where all guidelines have been forsaken and Winwick enthusiasts are showing alternative pics to those normally taken on 'our patch'.
Pic number one is from Bob McClellan. Featured is unit 143 entering Grindelwald (Switzerland) in real snow. Look at the back of the train to see the incline that it has just climbed. The pic was taken on 18th February 2006.
Pic two is from Jeff Nicholls. Two industrial workhorses are shown at Bickershaw Colliery on 13th February 1978. The 0-6-0 saddle tanks, spewing out more than a copious amount of exhaust, are Warrior and Bickershaw.

The third pic is another from foreign shores, this time by Bevan Price. "It was taken at Chartottenberg in Sweden in 1983 and features the following locos - NS 411 (left); BJ (ex-SJ) 106 and 76 (right). The train was LCGB special.

Alan Sherratt has sent in the fourth pic, showing a couple of 'tugs'. The two class 60s are at Northwich on fly ash deliveries to Oakley Sidings. EWS (DBS) class 60, 60020 is on a Healey Mills (via Warrington) working while EWS (DBS) 60021 languishes behind to depart later to the same destination. The pic is dated 20th May 2005.

The fifth and final pic in this post is from Andy Appleton. Featured is the Alstom vinyled Pendolino, 390 004, at Euston on 25th September 2010.

Alternative Photographs (2)

This post (18th December 2010) once again features photographs from outside 'our patch' as a special consideration, until the end of December.

The first one is from Geoff Monks. The famous LNER 'A4' of Sir Nigel Gresley, No.4468 Mallard, is pictured at Ais Gill on a southbound S&C working. The date was 27th August 1988.

The second pic is from John Smith. BR Standard class '8', No.71000 Duke of Gloucester is shown working hard on The Churnet Valley Railway (Leek, Staffordshire) on 9th November 2010.

Jeff Nicholls has supplied pic number three, another of his superb Polish 'Wolsztyn Experience' efforts. OL 49 23, a 2-6-2 locomotive, is shown being serviced at Wolsztyn Depot on 8th June 2006.

Pic four is from Alan Rigby. Freightliner class 66, 66623 Bill Bolsover, in Bardon Aggregates blue livery is seen on a Thorny Mill - Bardon Hill working of empty Bardon bogie hoppers. The date was 12th March 2008; the location, Ealing Broadway.

The final pic is from Dave Harris. GBRf class 66, 66732 GBRf the First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith MD, is depicted powering past Whitley Bridge with a loaded coal working approaching the branch to Drax Power Station. The pic is dated 2nd November 2010.

Alternative Photographs

Two days ago I asked for photographs taken at locations outside 'our patch' as a break from the normal pics and info associated with our blog. The changes are for the Christmas period only and will last until the end of December; then we will return to our usual fayre.
The response has been fantastic, as if you have been let off the leash. For today's post (16th December 2010) I am using a pic taken in Poland, another from Pakistan and a couple from the UK, and there will be much more of the same in future December posts.

Pic number 1 is from Jeff Nicholls. Each year Jeff visits Poland and takes part "in the 'Wolsztyn Experience' - a fantastic experience of driving and firing steam for about 500 miles". Depicted is OL 49 69, a 2-6-2 locomotive being coaled at Wolsztyn depot, on 3rd October 2008.

The second pic is from Geoff Monks and features ex Vulcan Foundry SGS 0-6-0 2470, in Pakistan, "on a 'special' from Malakwal on the final severe climb into Dandot". The pic is dated 7th January 1988. The batch of locos (one of several), 2367 - 2483, was built between 1911 and 1921.

John Smith has sent in pic number three, taken at Acton Bridge on 31st August 2010. 'Black 5' No.44871 is pictured with support coach, on an Aberystwyth to East Lancs Railway working with Deltic 55022, Royal Scots Grey, in the background.

As an ex GWR enthusiast, I must add Alan Rigby's shot of King 24 heading the 'Torbay Express', on 6th June 2010, as pic number four. The giant 4-6-0 'Super Castle' No.6024 King Edward I was photographed at Cockwood Harbour on a charter from Paignton to Bristol Temple Meads.

Comparison

Following on from previous posts Bob McClellan has another pic from 2005 in today's post (14th December 2010) and Jeff Nicholls has also sent in one from the same year. Ken Young has also sent in a pic (a copy), also of 2005 vintage.

Jeff's shot shows a busy Arpley Yard in 2005; we can compare it mentally to the way that we see it in 2010, i.e. far less busy now. Class 37s, 37710 (in Load Haul livery) and 37712 (EWS livery) are easily identified in the shot. How many other locomotives can you spot? The pic is dated 12th July 2005.

Bob's pic shows a consist of four locomotives travelling light engine through through Winwick on 13th September 2005. The locomotives are BR liveried (small logo) class 40, 40145, class 47, 47402, class 45, 45135 and class 33, D6536. Bob thinks that the locos were returning to Bury following an Open Day at Crewe.

The third pic in this post is a copy pic from Ken Young. It shows EWS class 60, 60500 heading what look like blue HKA wagons through Bank Quay, on 12th October 2005.

Alternative Photographs

This is a special posted message (14th December 2010) to the Winwick enthusiasts who have contributed in any way to the blog to date.

I will relax the 'rule' about pics only taken on 'our patch' for the Christmas period only. From now until the end of December I will post any pics of yours taken anywhere in the UK, or even the world. Some of you have told me that you have some 'cracking' alternative shots, so let's see them. However, I may have to restrict the numbers if, as I expect, we get a good response.

Remember, its just until the end of December, and then we revert to 'our patch' only. I will add another 'normal' post today and then, for the next one, (16th) I will begin adding alternatives. Get cracking and send them in; don't forget to add some details about your pics.

Three From 2004/05

This post (12th December 2010) features three pics from 2004/2005, from three different contributors.

The first pic is from Andy Appleton, taken on 25th January 2005 at Bank Quay. Virgin liveried class 57, 57308 Thunderbirds TIN TIN, is shown light engine.

Bob McClellan has sent in pic number two, depicting a class 52 from the old BR Western Region. D1015 Western Champion is the only mainline registered, heritage, diesel hydraulic locomotive in the UK; it is owned by the Diesel Traction Group but is currently being overhauled. Bob's pic was taken at Red Bank when the loco was heading a southbound return charter on 3rd September 2005.

The third pic, a copy photo, is from Ken Young and shows EWS liveried class 67, 67005, Queen's Messenger, (before its purple paint job) south of Bank Quay, heading a parcels train. The exact date is not known but the year was 2004.