The day dawned as a beautiful spring morning — cool, bright, with a clear blue sky and without a cloud. For Mark, however, the day began with an altogether less idyllic challenge: battling through a dysfunctional TfL system on his way to London Euston. By the time he eventually arrived, the delays and diversions had cost him more than his bargain-price ticket to the group’s intended rendezvous point at Crewe railway station.
Rob joined Mark’s train at Tamworth railway station and together they rolled into Crewe right on time. Waiting there was a sight guaranteed to lift the spirits of any railway enthusiast: LNER Peppercorn Class A2 60532 ‘Blue Peter’ standing in full steam, preparing to depart on a special charter to Cardiff.
Before long, all the ‘1Z10ers’ had found one another. The travelling party for the day consisted of Mark, Rob, Nigel, Gavin and Peter. Armed with Cheshire Day Ranger tickets, coffees and refreshments, the group did what they so often do on these rail adventures — set off with no particular plan at all and no idea where they were going!
After a few photographs around Crewe, they boarded an LNWR Class 350 service towards Runcorn. Arriving there, the famous Silver Jubilee Bridge over the Mersey looked resplendent in the sunshine. Unfortunately, years of tree growth had interfered with the station views, making a decent photographic composition difficult.
A short walk from the station brought the group beneath the Queensway Bridge approach road, where colourful murals painted onto the concrete supports provided unexpected artistic backdrops for railway photography. The harsh spring sunshine may not have offered ideal conditions, but everyone persevered regardless.
Time passed happily here as passenger units and freight workings rumbled over the Ethelfleda Bridge. Eventually, the group strolled back to the station and boarded an Avanti West Coast service into Liverpool.
Along the way, familiar landmarks sparked memories and tales of former days spent “shed bashing” and spotting in the area. Yet, as is so often the case, the railway landscape had changed immensely since those earlier years.
At the bright and airy Liverpool Lime Street station, the group spent time capturing images from different perspectives before hunger inevitably intervened and several members grabbed lunch from the station facilities.
Their next move was to take a Transport for Wales service to Chester via Runcorn and Helsby. On arrival at Chester, they were greeted by the sight of Class 37 No. 37419 in striking Swietelsky livery, stabled on a test train in the sidings near the station.
The group split up to explore, taking countless images around the bustling station environment. Travellers hurried in every direction and inevitably the cameras turned not only towards trains but also towards snippets of street life and candid people-watching moments.
After another coffee stop, the decision was made to head for Manchester Victoria station aboard a Class 195 operated by Northern Rail. The journey via Warrington Bank Quay and Newton-le-Willows prompted some less-than-flattering commentary on the modern rolling stock.
“It must be said the ride quality of these units is awful,” one member observed. “The rattles and noise is reminiscent of a first generation D.M.U such as a Metro Cammell or Derby unit.”
For those old enough to remember Manchester Victoria in its former glory — with its famously long platform, Miles Platting bankers and unmistakable steam-age atmosphere — the station’s modern incarnation proved deeply disappointing.
“At one time it had 17 platforms now reduced to 6,” the group reflected sadly. “It is now just a characterless concrete black hole.”
Nigel, meanwhile, remained preoccupied with a more technical mystery: why there appeared to be no visible insulators on the overhead 25kV catenary through the station.
After only a brief stay, a new plan emerged. The group would head back towards Helsby via Manchester Piccadilly station in the hope of photographing a Trafford Park to London Gateway Freightliner service along Manchester’s busy Castlefield rail corridor.
Piccadilly was absolutely rammed with passengers. Nigel and Mark elected to return to Manchester Oxford Road station, while Gavin, Rob and Peter remained behind at Piccadilly. The freight service arrived punctually, photographs were successfully taken and the group reunited amid the equally crowded platforms of Oxford Road.
Boarding their intended Transport for Wales service to Helsby proved another memorable experience. Seats were scarce, so the group found a compromise position where some could sit, others stand and everyone could continue talking — at least between the relentless on-train announcements delivered first in Welsh and then in English.
Amusingly, the interruptions seemed to strike Nigel and Mark at precisely the wrong moments – by the time the announcement had finished they had forgotten what they were going to say.
As the train rolled westward, fresh plans continued to emerge and by the time they reached Helsby, time was pressing on and faced with awkward connections and the need to return to Tamworth from Crewe, Rob reluctantly decided to call it a day and headed back with Peter for company.
The Carlisle Yard to Chirk Kronospan log train was due through Helsby around 18:30, so Gavin, Mark and Nigel remained behind to wait for it. Sure enough, it arrived almost exactly on time.
They then continued with one final adventure: a ride on the parliamentary service between Helsby railway station and Ellesmere Port railway station. The rare working returned towards Liverpool via Warrington and St Helens, though the trio stayed aboard only as far as Warrington Bank Quay before catching an Avanti service back to Crewe.
Their timing proved impeccable. Back at Crewe they witnessed both British Rail Class 40 D213 Andania and LNER Peppercorn Class A2 60532 Blue Peter arriving with The Welsh Marches Express from Cardiff.
Originally, plans had called for the 8:30pm train to Kidsgrove, but with freight traffic still expected and a spectacular sunset unfolding overhead, Gavin and Nigel abandoned those intentions in favour of the 9:30pm departure instead. It made for a far later finish than they had originally envisaged — but nobody seemed to mind because days like these are never solely about photography. Mark was staying overnight in Crewe before heading to Scotland the next morning.
As the travellers reflected at journey’s end, “Travelling on the rails — it’s not always about the photography but enjoying the camaraderie and company of fellow like-minded rail enthusiasts.”
Rob Walton
Nigel Capelle