BLOG STATISTICS

In this brief post, 31st January 2012, (where did 2011 go?) I am adding blog statistics which may be of interest to contributors.

To date, if this page is included, 344 pages have been posted comprising 1,259 photographs (more if you split the montages) from 34 contributors. As you can see from the counter, the blog has received over 45,000 hits since inception in January 2010.

The top nine countries for hits, in numerical order, after the UK,  are the following  - USA; Germany; Russia; France; Switzerland; Holland; Australia; Canada and Japan.

Discounting an early 'Help' post, the most popular post to date is 'Hogwarts Express' of 22nd May 2010, not surprising really considering the huge number of Google hits for Harry Potter related subjects. Second is 'Winwick Hospital Branch Line' of 28th April 2010 and the third most popular post is 'Northern Belle' of 28th May 2011.

I hope these stats make all contributors feel proud of their achievements, but there is room for more contributors. If you have an interest in our Winwick 'patch' (see blog pics for coverage), with pictures or information, please let me know at the email address at the top of the blog.

There is still time to send in your votes for '2011 Pic of the Year'. I am accepting votes from contributors and readers/viewers until 24.00 hrs today so please vote, if you haven't already done so. Details in the 2nd January post.

Four + Four

There are two sections in today's post, 29th January 2012, featuring shots from the Winwick area and UK alternatives. Eight pics are used from seven contributors covering four steam and five diesel locomotives.

WINWICK



First up is Bulleid ' West Country' class 4-6-2, No.34067 Tangmere, plus support coach. The pic is from John Smith who took the shot at Golborne junction on 26th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





Our second pic is from Geoff Monks. EWS (DBS) class 66, 66017, is shown on a gypsum working through Winwick on 12th January 2012. Note the gypsum mist above the wagons.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'



Ken Young has sent in pic number three. This is Ken's 100th pic on the blog and he follows John Smith, Jeff Nicholls, Geoff Monks and Alan Rigby in achieving this milestone. Congratulations Ken. The loco is GBRf class 66, 66711, heading a Network Rail engineers working at Bank Quay. The pic is dated 22nd November 2011.



Pic number four in this section is from Bob McClellan. Class 60, 60028 John Flamsteed,  is shown in close up at Winwick on 23rd August 2005. The working looks like empty logs wagons.








ALTERNATIVE UK PICS




A Geoff Monks shot is first in this section, pic number five. A Peckett 0-6-0ST, No.1859 Sir Gomer, built in 1932, is pictured hauling empty wagons towards the coal preparation plant on the NCB's Mountain Ash railway system in South Wales. Mountain Ash steam shed is visible above and beyond the last wagon; the pic is dated 16th March 1978.



Pic number six is from David Quayle, taken at the East Lancs Railway Gala of 21st/22nd January 2012. Pictured are Maunsell 'Lord Nelson' class 4-6-0 No.850 Lord Nelson (the prototype) and Stanier 'Black Five' 4-6-0, No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester. Both are standing at Bury on the 21st.

 ** This pic qualifies for 'Alternatives Pic of the Month Jan 2012'




EWS (DBS) class 66 66051, is up next, shot number seven. Barry Rigby's shot is dated 6th October 2011 and the featured coal working was heading for the TATA Steel Works at Scunthorpe. The location was the up slow line at Thirsk.





A class 40 diesel is shown in pic number eight, from Paul Holland. Owned by the 'Class 40 Preservation Society' the locomotive D212 / 40012, Aureol, is shown on the Midland Railway at Butterley in her 'Dark Brunswick Green' livery. The pic is dated 19th August 2010. Note the fitted nose end ladders.




Just a couple of days left to vote in our '2011 Best Pic' competition. Please do so if you havn't already. All contributors and readers/viewers qualify to vote - see 2nd January post for details.

Four Steam, Three Diesels

The pictures of the four steam trains featured in today's post, 26th January 2012, are from the Winwick area, UK Preserved Railways and South Africa. The three diesels are from the Winwick area and Norfolk.

WINWICK

First up is Geoff Monks' pic of the DBS red liveried class 60, 60011, on a coal working, Liverpool Bulk Terminal (LBT) - Fiddlers Ferry Power Station (FFPS), after the Latchford run-round. The location was Slutchers Lane close to Bank Quay and the date, 14th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





The second shot is from Jeff Nicholls. Pictured is EWS (DBS) class 60, 60039, on a similar working to Geoff's above, but taken as the train passed Fiddlers Ferry Marina. This is a new location for the blog. The pic is dated 30th November 2011.





The third shot in this Winwick area section was taken this afternoon, 26th January 2012, at Winwick, by Alan Rigby. You can't get more current than that. Featured is the 'West Country' class 4-6-2 locomotive of Oliver Bulleid, No.34067 Tangmere, complete with support coach. The vertical format adds to the impact.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'




ALTERNATIVE UK PICS


Three more pics in this section, the first (number four, overall) from David Quayle. Taken at last weekend's East Lancs Railway Gala, David's pic shows the prototype 'Lord Nelson' class 4-6- 0 of Richard Maunsell, No.850 Lord Nelson, light engine, at Bury. The exact date of the pic is 21st January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Alternatives Pic of the Month Jan 2012'




The next shot, number five, is from Matthew Chambers. He travelled to the Mid Norfolk Railway on 5th March 2010 and was rewarded with this shot of Mainline liveried class 37, 37219, Shirley Ann Smith.




The third shot in this UK section has been sent in by Colin Platt. Featured is another of his North Yorkshire Moors' pics, this one of Stanier 'Black Five', No. 45428 Eric Treacy. DMU class 101 units are shown to the left. Colin's pic is dated 1st October 2011.




ALTERNATIVE WORLD PICS



A South African Railways class 15AR is up next, pic number seven, courtesy of Geoff Monks. The loco is shown leaving Schoombee, Cape Province, at sunrise working a west bound goods. The date was 8th July 1979.





There are only five days left to vote in our  'Pic of the Year 2011' competition. Please do so, if you havn't already. See the 2nd January post for the 'rules'. If you are viewing/reading this blog, you qualify to vote; you don't have to be a contributor.

Winwick, Derbyshire, South Africa and China

Today's post, 24th January 2012,  takes us out and about in the Winwick locality, in the UK and in the rest of the World.


WINWICK



In this section four pics are used from different contributors. First up is a pic from Bob McClellan. Two DRS class 20s are shown, 20315 and 20306,  heading a spent nuclear fuel flask through Winwick on 22nd July 2005.





Next is pic number two, from myself.  Freightliner class 66, 66619, is shown in close up as it powers beneath the gantry at Winwick with an engineers working. Note the heat haze - not much chance of that at the present. The date was 17th August 2010.






Jeff Nicholls has sent in pic number three showing a triple heading, EWS (DBS) combo of class 67, 67022, class 60, 60045 and class 66, 66218. The 60 and 66 locos were 'dead in tow'; all three were  probably heading to Toton. The pic is dated 18th January 2012.

 ** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





A change of emphasis next; a class 08 diesel shunter is featured in a pic from Matthew Chambers. The number and exact location (in Warrington) are not known but the pic is digitally dated 30th September 2011.






ALTERNATIVE UK PICS



Barry Rigby and Paul Holland have supplied the two pics in this section. First up, pic number five, is from Paul; DRS Class 37, 37229 Jonty Jarvis, is shown at Carnforth on 26th July 2008.








Barry's shot, number six,  was taken at Peak Forest on 13th October 2011. Pictured is EWS  (DBS) class 60, 60039, arriving at Great Rocks (limestone load?) from Hindlow.





ALTERNATIVE WORLD PICS



Geoff Monks has forwarded both pics for this section, one from South Africa and the other from China. Pic number seven shows South Africa Railways' class 25NC 4-8-4, No.3426, at Orange River, Cape Province on a northbound goods. The pic is dated 18th July 1986. The train was lit with the hire car headlights for Geoff's pic; note the stars in the sky.




Geoff's second shot was taken on 22nd February 1991 in China. Class SY 2-8-2 No.0428 is shown in action at the molten slag dump at the Anshan Steel Works.

Seven Pics; Three Sections

Today, 22nd January 2012, I am using four pics from four different photographers in section one, (Winwick area). Following these pics are two examples from two photographers in the 'Alternative UK Pics' section and a single pic in the 'Alternative World Pics' section.


WINWICK AREA


First up is a shot from Geoff Monks. EWS (DBS) class 60, 60045 The Permanent Way Institution, is shown approaching Bank Quay from the north on a morning Liverpool Bulk Terminal - Fiddlers Ferry Power Station (FFPS) loaded coal working. The pic is dated 14th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'


The second pic has been sent in by Bevan Price. Pictured is class 66, 66434, in the new Malcolm livery, taken at Winwick on a Mossend - Daventry container working. This pic is dated 19th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'



Our third Winwick area shot is from Matthew Chambers. DBS red liveried class 92, 92016, is depicted at Bank Quay Station on 5th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'






Bob McClellan has provided shot number four, showing Fragonset black liveried class 47, 47355 / D3013 Avocet,  heading a 'Heart of Wales Explorer' railtour on 13th August 2005. Fragonset Railways was a spot hire railway company. The location was Winwick.







ALTERNATIVE UK PICS



Pic number five is from Alan Rigby. Pictured is Devon & Cornwall Railways' class 31, 31601 at Chorlton, south of Basford Hall, on 18th January 2012. The working was Arpley - Bescot.

** This pic qualifies for 'Alternatives Pic of the Month Jan 2012'

 

The second pic in this section, pic number five overall, shows Ex LMS Ivatt class 4, 2-6-0 No.43106, at Bridgenorth on the Severn Valley Railway. David Quayle took the photo on 22nd September 2009. The loco is affectionately known as 'Flying Pig'.



ALTERNATIVE WORLD PICS




The final pic in this post is the first in this section, from Jeff Nichols. Pictured is Peruvian diesel No. 482 parked in the main street in Aguas Calientes, the town that serves Macchu Picchu.  The pic is dated 5th August 2010.

Winwick and Beyond

Although a little late, my New Year's Resolution is to make the blog more interesting from now on. I aim to do this by combining the Winwick Area and Alternative Photographs posts into single posts and adding a third, World section. From now on, Winwick area pics will be the main section; alternative UK pics will be the  second section; alternative World pics will be the third section, when required. After two years of Along Winwick Lines I have changed the format for several reasons including - (1) photo locations in our area are almost exhausted; (2) trains through our patch are mostly predictable on a daily basis, leading to (3) submitted photographs are very similar at times.  We have over thirty contributors to our blog, so it is in safe hands. I hope the new format, starting today, 19th January 2012, will stimulate you all to send in railway pics from anywhere you like, without the previous segregation.

WINWICK AREA

The first two  pics have been sent in by Geoff Monks. Number one features a Virgin 'Super Voyager' class 221 unit taken in pictorial lighting at Winwick, ('Lake Winwick' in the foreground) on 13th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'

The second pic shows DBS red liveried class 60, 60011, on a Liverpool Bulk Terminal (LBT) - Fiddlers Ferry Power Station (FFPS) working on the same date, 13th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'

Jeff Nicholls has provided shot number three. Pictured is a weathered EWS (DBS) class 66, 66129, on a gypsum working near Arpley. The pic is dated 21st December 2011.

The fourth and final pic in this section is from Matthew Chambers. EWS (DBS) class 92, 92031 The Institute of Logistics and Transport is depicted heading for a bay at Bank Quay Station. This pic is dated 24th August 2010.

ALTERNATIVE UK PICS

The fifth pic (first in this section) is from John Smith. GBRf class 66, 66701 Whitemoor, is pictured on a FFPS - Newbiggin gypsum working on 16th February 2011. The power station provides a dominant backdrop at Daresbury.

Class 97, 97304 John Tiley, is the focus of the next shot, number six, taken by Bob McClellan. The working was a Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT), Holyhead - Crewe, and the location was Hargrave. The pic is dated 23rd November 2011 and another class 97, 97302, is on the tail. 

Pic number seven features no fewer than five locos, all in a line at Bewdley, on the Severn Valley Railway. In the line up are 46443, 7812 Earlestoke Manor, 828 (57566), 2857 and 6024 King Edward I. This pic is dated 23rd September 2011 and the contributor is David Quayle.





If this format suits you better, please let me know. And don't forget to vote in the 'Best Pic 2011' competition, if you havn't already done so. It is important that you vote - see 2nd January 2012 post for details.

Eight locos from Three Classes

As the title suggests, in today's post 17th January 2012, I am using photographs (seven) depicting eight locomotives representing  three classes - classes 60, 66 and 70.


The first shot is from Bevan Price. DBS red liveried class 60, 60011 is shown passing Dallam Junction with a Liverpool Bulk Terminal (LBT) - Fiddlers Ferry Power Station (FFPS) coal working on 13th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





Our next pic, number two is of a gypsum working, taken by Jeff Nicholls. The date was 12th January 2012, the location was Winwick and the loco was EWS (DBS) class 66, 66017. Note the gypsum clouds swirling above the wagons.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'






Geoff Monks has sent in shot number three taken on 14th January 2012. Pictured is a rare sight of a DRS liveried class 66/4 on a coal working operated by Freightliner. The loco, 66416, is owned now by Freightliner, but not yet re-liveried. The location is between Latchford and Walton and the working was empty hoppers, FFPS - Scotland.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'




Barry Rigby has sent in our third shot of a class 66 loco, also pic number four,  taken at Winwick on 12th January 2012. The working was a Hunterston - FFPS loaded coal and the loco was Freightliner class 66, 66523.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





Two more class 66 locos are featured next, pic number five, from Bob McClellan. This pair has been seen before on our blog but not passing 'Lake Winwick' as in Bob's shot, taken on 6th January 2012. The pair are GBRf exotic liveried 66720 and Colas Rail liveried 66743. Look to a previous, recent post for the explanation of the fancy GBRf livery.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'



Shot numbers six and seven both show recently arrived class 70 locos. The first, pic number six, is from a new contributor, Andy Parkinson - welcome to our blog, Andy. Pictured is Freightliner 'HeavyHaul' class 70, 70015 waiting to head into Latchford Sidings working the FFPS - Ellesmere Port empty coal hoppers on 13th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'





The final shot, number seven, is from John Smith. Pictured is our first shot of newly delivered Freightliner 'HeavyHaul' class 70, 70016. The working was Ratcliffe - LBT, the date was 13th January 2012 and the location was Winwick.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'

May I remind everyone that we are more than halfway through the voting time for our 'Photograph of the Year, 2011' competition. The closing date is January 31st. I have many entries in at the present time but the voting is very close. Please vote - blog viewers / enthusiasts especially. If you are reading this reminder, you qualify to vote - please do so. 'Rules' are described in the 2nd January post.

One of the latest Class 70s

The latest batch of class 70s has arrived on our shores. In today's post, 14th December 2012, I am using three pics of 70015 taken in our area, all on heavy haul coal runs.


First up is a close up shot of Freightliner 'PowerHaul' class 70, 70015, on a coal run on the low level line under Warrington Bank Quay. The date was 5th January 2012 and the photographer was Matthew Chambers.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'



Bob McClellan has supplied our second shot of the same loco taken at Sankey Bridges on a working to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station (FFPS). Bob's pic is dated 10th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'



The same loco is the focus of the third pic, from Barry Rigby. Barry took his pic on the downhill line to Walton Old Junction, again on a coal working, Ellesmere Port - FFPS. This pic is dated 12th January 2012.

** This pic qualifies for 'Winwick Area Pic of the Month Jan 2012'




Changing the subject, John Smith has supplied our next shot, number four, taken at Winwick on18th November 2011. The two class 50s, 50044 Exeter and 50049 Defiance, passed through on a Kidderminster - Carnforth working. The two were to head a Preston - Edinburgh railtour, 'The Edinburgh Explorer II', on the following day. Both locos are owned by the 'Class 50 Alliance'.




Next is Jeff Nicholls' shot of the Pathfinder Tours 'Festive Jingle Jangle' railtour of 17th December 2011, pic number five. The train is headed by DBS red liveried class 60, 60011, and the location is a Mersey Bridge crossing.




The same railtour is the subject of Geoff Monks' shot, number six, taken at Winwick on the same date. 60011 worked the Crewe- Edge Hill - Crewe leg.