The Rail Enthusiast thread

[Spartak]

Rode out to Bitton this afternoon, and the steam train Karel was running on the Avon Valley Railway.

 

[mistyoptic]

Just realised I forgot to post pics of our recent trip on the K&WVR

 

[wiggydiggy]

Transpennine Upgrade - New bridge over Calder/Hebble Navigation and River Calder

In between Dewsbury Station and the old Ravensthorpe Station (now demolished). This area is usually fenced off with a big security gate but it was open today so took advantage to get some up close photos.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Good to see the Hymek in use again. It was parked up at the maintenance yard last time I was there in October 2025. I think they had just finished painting her at that stage.
View attachment 809714

We are all really waiting for the return of D7029, the one that has not run since about 1988! 😆

 

[Spartak]

Bristol Parkway at lunchtime today ...

 

[simongt]

Whilst waiting to collect the GLW from Alnmouth railway station and various trqains arriving and leaving, something occurred to me. In the 200 years of railways in Britain, whilst there have been many changes, development, improvements etc., one thing hasn't changed; the signalling of the departure of a train with a handheld Acme Thunderer whistle - !
If it ain't broke - ?

 

[Spartak]

Class 66 on the West Drayton to Tytherington this evening passing thru' Stapleton Road.

 

[simongt]

Occurreed to me recently that despite the majority of countries that drive on the right, almost the world over most railways are set up for 'left hand drive' - !
And as the country that invented the railway system, it's all our fault - !

 

[Drago]

Its to keep the train drivers sword arm free!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Its to keep the train drivers sword arm free!

I think there is a joke about Bankers, or similar, in there somewhere.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Its to keep the train drivers sword arm free!

Very important, especially for the Underground.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

One for anyone adventurous to do these (the website is in Polish, I know. See the link in the post below to find out more):

https://www.intercity.pl/niespieszny/

I am seriously swithering about some of the runs, but the cost of flights (from Glasgow anyway) seems a bit bonkers, other than the cheapest ones, that seem to go via London and Italy and take forever as there are long lay - overs.

Disclaimer, I have only just started looking flights.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

And @Drago, if you are wondering what it is above, here's an article.

I do flinch at the first word of the main article though. 'Rail Enthusiasts' if you don't mind please!:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/jun/02/nostalgic-ride-communist-era-train-poland