Uploads from Richie B., with geodata

May God Rest Their Souls

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:47:00 -0800

Richie B. posted a photo:

Friday was my day off. As is usual on my rest days the weather was cr4p so rail photography was a no-no.
I had to nip out do do a few little jobs so took the camera along in case anything interesting cropped up.
Driving back home to Workington from Maryport I noticed in the distance a vessel leaving Workington Port in quite rough conditions and wondered if there was a photo opportunity there.
I drove around to the headland just north of the port and although swamped by spray I managed to get a few shots of the ship, by this time it had reached the breakwater and began to turn and I couldn't make out the name of the vessel.
Imagine my shock when I uploaded the pictures and zoomed in to identify it and discovered that it was none other than the MV Swanland, which had been lost in the Irish Sea on Sunday with many of its crew, making the shots that I managed to fire off possibly the last ever pictures of it.

Default Position

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:32:07 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

It's always worth nipping out for 6C46 as Derwent Junction is only 5 or 10 minutes from RB Towers, so when they don't run it's not the end of the world.
If I'm tight for time you'll almost always see a shot from this bridge as 4 different views are possible, depending on the time of day.
Examples of all 4 will be in my stream somewhere!

Smokeless Zone

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:49:18 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

Limited time, combined with overcast conditions further south, meant Hobson's choice location-wise for Thursday's CME.
Consequently no "classic" shots were obtained but a lazily bucolic scene was captured, nonetheless.

Cor! Stick 2 Chunkies On!

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:51:12 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

A somewhat under-stressed pair of DRS Class 37s idle the lightweight 6C42 Sellafield - Carlisle Yard caustic soda empties through Curthwaite on former Maryport & Carlisle Railway metals which now form part of the Cumbrian Coast Line.
No.37604 leads an unidentified sister.

Sun, Steam & Sandstone

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:12:10 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

BR Class 8 Pacific No.71000 “Duke of Gloucester” arrows out of Parson’s tunnel, east of Teignmouth, with the 1Z27 Bristol - Kingswear “Torbay Express” on Sunday July 18th.
The Duke is deputising for the remainder of the season for “Tornado” which is currently out of service.

Rain Set….

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:27:52 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

...is an anagram of Stanier!

Mist, low cloud and persistent rain; it must be a Bank Holiday in West Cumbria!

The first of the season’s “Lakelander” excursions to Ravenglass was scheduled today (1Z44).
Originating at Hull and steam hauled from Carnforth, passengers were afforded a pleasant journey up the Cumbrian Coast followed by either a trip to Whitehaven, a tour of Muncaster Castle or a ride to Eskdale on “L’al Ratty”.
The designated motive power for the train was Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No.48151 “Guage ‘O’ Guild”.
Here we see the ensemble north of Millom some 45 minutes down approaching the Haverigg Road.

Foreshore For Sure

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:55:08 -0800

Richie B. posted a photo:

Overcast up on high.

Time For Reflection

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:25:10 -0800

Richie B. posted a photo:

Derwentwater. 'Nuff said.

Ground Control..

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:18:17 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

..not to Major Tom in this case but to major dockworks. This ground frame controls the points set at the entrance to Workington Port. Judging by the
shiny rail surfaces it still sees a bit of traffic. This view is looking south toward Workington.

Up, Up & Away

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:53:00 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

One of a pair of Eurofighter Typhoon F2s which spent a good while performing various nippy manoeuvres above me during this afternoon.
The drop-tank equipped aircraft would appear to belong to No.3 Squadron flying out of RAF Coningsby, Lincs.

Shedding Leaves

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:56:16 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

An advantage of going out for the Chirk logs is that (in theory) the 6K05 Carlisle - Crewe Basford Hall engineers’ precedes it by only 35 minutes.
This train was bang on time and, as appears to be usual on a Monday, the allocated Class 66 was joined by a D.I.T sister.
No.66201 heads 66160 and a train of sleepers which didn’t all quite enter the frame!
I gave the logs about 35 minutes past their booked pass time but the sun finally disappeared for good so I jacked it.
Turns out I’d’ve only had to wait another 20 minutes but by then I was starving hungry and my legs were aching.
Maybe next time……

What Day Is It?

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:30:25 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

An ex. Workington Port intermodal train is seen on approach to Maryport en route to Carlisle Kingmoor in the hands of EWS liveried Class 66 No.66043.
This working is generally a Tuesday and Friday occurrence and I haven't previously been aware of it operating on a Monday.

Garn' Forth To Carnforth

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:48:21 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

The return working of "The Lakelander" crosses the river Esk at Eskmeals in the late afternoon gloom by way of the much photographed viaduct west of Newbiggin.
No.45181 was only three minutes into its journey at this point and was consequently bang on time!

It’s An Ill Wind……..

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:04:11 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

After taking an early afternoon shot of No.60163 on the outward leg of “The Cumbrian Coast Tornado” at Oughterside it was a quick lunch and then pilot the trusty Focus tout-de-suite in the direction of the Settle & Carlisle line, over the metals of which the train was to return south from Carlisle.
Arriving at Birkett Common with over an hour to spare I set up and took in the scenery. Just about every rail photographer worth his salt has taken a shot from here, there are few more photographed dry stone walls in the country!
I, however, had yet to do so and prepared to take the opportunity. Unfortunately during the next hour the light east-nor’-easterly breeze picked up into a stiff wind and this can be evidenced from the smoke obscuring the foremost carriages. Hey-ho.
Tornado is working hard here on the long drag to Ais Gill summit.

Carlisle Bound

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:20:17 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

Peppercorn A1 new-build No.60163 "Tornado" heads the 1Z73 "Cumbrian Coast Tornado", running some 19 minutes behind schedule, past Oughterside Bridge heading for Carlisle Citadel and a return south over the Settle & Carlisle line.

E.W.S. Class 66/0 No.66 164 Carlisle 24-2-09

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:54:29 -0800

Richie B. posted a photo:

Heading a train of hopper wagons a Class 66 locomotive in the livery of English, Welsh & Scottish Railways awaits the green light at Carlisle Citadel station before proceeding to Carlisle Kingmoor freight yard.
Following privatisation of British Rail's freight operations in 1996, EWS acquired the majority of them. Many of the locomotives that EWS inherited were either worn out or of dubious reliability. EWS approached General Motors, whose Electro-Motive Division (EMD) offered their JT42CWR model. This loco used the same bodyshell as the EMD built Class 59; and this gave the advantage of having a locomotive of known clearances.
The engine and traction motors were different models from those in the Class 59, whilst the newer locos incorporated GM’s version of a steering bogie. This bogie allowed the use of a 6-axle locomotive in territory ordinarily restricted to 4-axle types and also exerted lower curving forces than a conventional 3-axle bogie reducing the risk of derailment.
An initial order for 250 units was placed and these were built at GM’s Canadian plant in London, Ontario and shipped to the UK via Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In April 2005, EMD was acquired from General Motors by Babcock & Brown, a group of private investors. This new EMD has been renamed Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. and the plant in London, Ontario is now called EMCC (Electro-Motive Canada Company).
The 66s quickly became unpopular with many rail enthusiasts, not only due to their ubiquity but also due to their displacement of several older types of (mostly) British built locomotives. However their excellent reliability record has helped rail freight to remain competitive and more than 500 are now running in the UK (the engine overhaul period is ten years).
The EWS fleet includes five locomotives capable of banking heavy trains over the Lickey Incline. On these five locomotives, the knuckle coupler has been modified to allow remote release from inside the cab, whilst the train is in motion.

Following the recent takeover of EWS by the Berlin based DB Schenker operation these locomotives will be outshopped in that company’s red & grey livery. Other UK based operators running Class 66 variants include DRS, Freightliner, Jarvis Fastline and First GB Railfreight, whilst other variants of the type operate throughout Europe & Scandinavia.

St. John's Church, Newton Arlosh

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:28:12 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

The church of St. John at Newton Arlosh was built in 1303 by the Monks of nearby Holm Cultram Abbey. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the church fell into a state of ruin, and stayed thus for some 250 years.
In 1843, thanks to the generosity of a Miss Sarah Losh (1785-1853) the Church was restored and the north side chamber added. The octagonal font, which was brought from the Abbey, is the oldest item in the Church.
The original building, of which the south wall and west tower remain, is regarded as a fine example of the fortified churches erected in the border area during the 14th Century. The walls are very thick, and the entrance door is only 31 inches wide, with access to the pele tower through a narrow doorway in the massive wall. Small windows were another safety measure. In times of attack by the Scottish Border Reivers the villagers would round up their animals, and take refuge inside.

Modernism

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:37:57 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

Although I've lived at Harrington for nearly two months, today was the first time that I've actually walked from my front door further than the distance to the car. Half a mile up the road I found this great looking residence, standing out from all those around it. Don't know anything about it, unfortunately.

50 008) Church Stretton 22-9-79

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:53:53 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

The "Crewe Invader" railtour pauses for a photo' stop at Church Stretton in September 1979. The train was hauled throughout by Class 50 No.50 008 "Thunderer", immaculately turned out by Laira MPD for the occasion.

Keekle Viaduct

nobody@flickr.com (Richie B.) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:22:22 -0700

Richie B. posted a photo:

In 1856 the newly formed Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway Company [WC&ER] opened. In January the following year, the line from Moor Row to Frizington via Crossfield was opened for goods traffic, and 6 months later for passenger traffic. It was in 1866 that another line through to Cleator Moor, known as the second Bowthorn line, from Moor Row to Birks Bridge Junction was built.
In the late 1860s the local Railway companies sought financial support from some of the larger National Companies, like The London and Northwest Railway Company, which had become active in Cumberland, and as this company was less sympathetic to the Local Pricing arrangements a protest meeting was called when they raised the fees for freight carriage. This meeting was supported by local mine owners and landowners and it was proposed to seek a bill through Parliament, and this came before the House Select Committee in March 1876, and was to be called The Cleator and Workington Junction Railway [C&WJR]
With the building of the railway, a need arose for a viaduct to span the river Keekle as part of the Cleator and Workington Junction, and work commenced on this imposing, seven arched viaduct in March of 1877, and was completed in 1878, however the bridge was not opened to Passenger traffic until the following year.
By March 1879 the contractors had a single line completed from Lonsdale Docks in Workington through to Cleator Moor, and the first truck of mineral passed over this line on Friday February 28th 1879. The line was formally opened on Tuesday July 1st 1879.
The viaduct at Keekle last saw regular passenger traffic in April 1931 and all freight traffic finished in July 1963.
The viaduct is in a very dilapidated condition, barriered off at each end for safety, and is now overgrown with grass and weeds. A proportion of the former trackbed is now part of the Coast to Coast cycle network.
Keekle Viaduct can be found at O.S Grid Ref. NY005163