Showing posts with label trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trains. Show all posts

Friday, August 11, 2023

Mini Golf now open at Play2Day in Wisbech

There's a new Adventure Mini Golf course at Play2Day in Guyhirn, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.


There's a new Adventure Mini Golf course at Play2Day in Guyhirn, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

We heard about the plans for the new course back in 2021 and have seen photos of the new outdoor minigolf course on the Play2Day Facebook Page - and it's railway-themed!

It looks ace.

With an address of "The Old Station Yard" was the course going to be anything other than train-themed!

We often pass through Wisbech en route to see family and friends in East Anglia, and have driven past Play2Day before. We're looking forward to swinging by on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

You can find out more about the Adventure Golf / Mini Golf course on the Play2Day website and Facebook Page.

Checking out the info on the Play2Day centre they've also got a Lazer Tag! Another of my favourite sports.

Thursday, June 03, 2021

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

A visit to the Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale.


Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

We're big fans of miniature railways but until very recently never knew there was one at Springfield Park in Rochdale!

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Springfield Park Model Railway in Rochdale

Visit the Rochdale Society of Model & Experimental Engineers (RSMEE) website for more information and running times of the railway.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

The last train

I last travelled on a train a year ago today!


A train at Stockport railway station on the 11th March 2020

The journey was a short one - from Stockport to Manchester Piccadilly and back - as I was heading into town for the Marketing Show North at the Digital City Expo at Manchester Central. That was the last event I attended before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

I wonder where my next train journey will take take me and when it'll be?

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The Tyne & Wear Metro turns 40 today

The Tyne and Wear Metro light rail system is 40 years old today.


A Tyne & Wear Metro Metrocar in Newcastle upon Tyne

The The Tyne & Wear Metro system opened on this day in 1980. The network was opened in stages between 1980 and 1984 with the trains running on a mixture of old railway routes and new track to bespoke stations.

A Tyne & Wear Metro train crossing the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne
A Tyne & Wear Metro train crossing the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne

The first route to open was Haymarket to Tynemouth.


A Tyne & Wear Metro service heading into Newcastle from Byker
A Tyne & Wear Metro service heading into Newcastle from Byker

Street art on the Tyne & Wear Metro

We were in Newcastle and Gateshead for the World Transplant Games last year and while in the area went Space Invader hunting. Three of the mosaic tile pieces by the French street artist Invader can be found at Gateshead Interchange Tyne & Wear Metro station.

Invader street art at Gateshead Interchange
Space Invader NCL_21 downstairs in Gateshead Interchange metro station

Invader street art at Gateshead Interchange
A closer look at Invader NCL_21

Invader street art at Gateshead Interchange
NCL_19 is above ground at Gateshead Interchange

Invader street art at Gateshead Interchange
Invader NCL_20 is deep underground at Gateshead Interchange

Friday, June 26, 2020

Social distancing at a railway station in Finland

Many thanks to my friend and minigolf rival John Mittler for sending me this social distancing sign from Tikkurila railway station in Vantaa, Helsinki metropolitan area. He noticed it while making an essential journey into Tampere.

Social distancing sign from Tikkurila railway station in Vantaa, Helsinki. By John Mittler, June 2020
As John put it "Please socially distance yourself from the train, for your own safety."

He knows me well.

I enjoy seeing different and funny signs around the world, I'm a train nerd and I'm also documenting as many social distancing / Covid-19 signs & posters during the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Farewell Pacer Railbus 142005

The first of Northern's Pacer Railbuses retired from service today.


Pacer Railbus 142005 at St Annes-on-the-Sea railway station last August. It's the first Northern Pacer to be retired from service
Pacer Railbus 142005 at St Annes-on-the-Sea station last August. It's the first Northern Pacer to be retired from service

They've been a 'popular' train up north for a fair few years and we quite often see - and hear - them squealing along the many lines in Greater Manchester.



Today the first of Northern's Pacer Railbuses retired from service, as 142005 made its final journey from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge.


At the end of its run Northern stated that it had travelled 3 million miles in its 32 years of service!

The first Pacer Railbuses were introduced in 1984 and were designed as a short-term measure with a lifespan of twenty years. They've certainly been pushed beyond what they were originally intended for.

While I wouldn't necessarily want to travel on a Pacer Railbus on a long journey, nor would I much fancy using one for a daily rush-hour commute, there is something about them that makes them fun to travel on.

We saw Pacer Railbus 142005 a couple of times while on the Fylde coast last August
We saw Pacer Railbus 142005 a couple of times while on the Fylde coast last August

While modern trains may be sleeker and have more comfortable seating and air-con, there's a lot to be said for old diesel trains. Last week's large-scale power cuts showed that while new trains may be great when conditions are perfect, they were completely useless when the power went down.

Pacer Railbus 142005 connected to another old train - a Class 150 Sprinter
Pacer Railbus 142005 connected to another old train - a Class 150 Sprinter

When we arrived in Stockport in 2016 we noticed that, although there are a lot of train lines and connections aren't too bad, the rolling stock itself is very old. In fact as we moved north so did a load of ex-Thameslink Class 319s that we'd been commuting into London on since 2003!

Having lived most of my life down south I didn't realise quite how poor the train services can be up north in comparison. And that's saying something as a long-suffering commuter on the 'Bedpan line' from Luton to London.

Pacer Railbus 142005 arriving at St Annes-on-the-Sea station en route to Preston
Pacer Railbus 142005 arriving at St Annes-on-the-Sea station en route to Preston

Prior to a one-stop journey in April 2017 I had only ridden on one Pacer Railbus. That first Pacer train trip was only one-stop too, going from Paignton to Torquay on our South West Minigolfing Roadtrip in 2015.

Transport for Wales Pacer Railbuses at Barry Island railway station in May 2019
Transport for Wales are also withdrawing their Pacer Railbuses and have added public service announcements to the sides of the trains declaring it's "The start of a new journey"

On a recent trip to Carnforth we were lucky enough to see the first of the Pacer's replacements out on a test-run. While it was merely a brief encounter it was nice to see Class 195001 breeze through the station.


Related blog posts:
- Pacer Railbus
- Train Nerd
- Trains

Wednesday, February 06, 2019

Saltburn Miniature Railway

A visit to the Saltburn Miniature Railway.


Saltburn Miniature Railway
A train called Prince Charles at Cat Nab Station

Last September we had a wonderful day out in Salturn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire and after playing the Saltburn Minigolf course on the promenade we headed along the seafront for a ride on the Saltburn Miniature Railway.

We followed the brown tourist sign to the Saltburn Miniature Railway
We followed the brown tourist sign to the Saltburn Miniature Railway

Saltburn Miniature Railway
Always an encouraging sign 

Saltburn Miniature Railway
Cat Nab Station 

Saltburn Miniature Railway
A lovely looking bench  

Saltburn Miniature Railway
The engine that pulled our train 

Saltburn Miniature Railway
A view from the short journey 

Saltburn Miniature Railway
Forest Halt - the terminus station

Visit the Saltburn Miniature Railway website for more information, opening times and prices.

Related blog posts:
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- Miniature Railways

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Miniature Railway in Ipswich

Taking a look at the track layout at Ipswich Model Engineering Society.


We recently found out there's a Miniature Railway in Ipswich. Emily grew up in the town and we visit often, but never knew about it!


Last Sunday we popped along for a look. It was marvellous.

The station, bridge and signage at Ipswich Miniature Railway - wonderful

Hopefully we'll be able to coincide a future visit to the town with one of the Ipswich Model Engineering Society open days.

We had a nice chat with one of the club members who told us about the history of the club and track layouts. Ipswich Model Engineering  



Ipswich Miniature Railway

Ipswich Miniature Railway

Ipswich Miniature Railway

Miniature Railway in Ipswich

Check out the Ipswich Model Engineering Society website and Facebook group for more info.

Miniature Railway in Ipswich
You can find the Miniature Railway tucked away down this path off Foxhall Road

Related blog posts:
- Miniature Railways
- Ipswich

Thursday, November 02, 2017

The smallest miniature railway?

This train ride at Pensarn Pleasure Beach in Abergele could be a contender for the title of smallest miniature railway!

Miniature railway at the Pensarn Pleasure Beach in Abergele
The train is half the length of the track!

Thursday, September 07, 2017

Pacer Face-Off at Manchester Piccadilly

What a sight for fans of Pacer Railbuses!

Pacer Railbus trains at Manchester Piccadilly
What a sight!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich

Last Friday we visited the wonderful Eaton Park in Norwich. After we'd played the superb Crazy Golf course we went for a look at the Miniature Railway. It looked like a brilliant layout.

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
Another miniature railway visited on our travels

Eaton Park's Miniature Railway comprises two tracks - an elevated track and a longer ground level track.

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
The elevated track on the Larch End loop above the line out of Parkside station

Subject to weather conditions the miniature trains operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday between 1 and 5pm (April to October).

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
 
Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
The ground level track cutting through a park pathway

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
A view of Parkside station, a signal box and a tunnel

Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
The turntable at Parkside station
 
Eaton Park Miniature Railway in Norwich
Larch End station on the elevated track line

Hopefully next time we visit Eaton Park we'll be there on a day the miniature railway is open.

Links:
- Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers
- Friends of Eaton Park

Related blog posts:
- Miniature Railways
- Norwich
- Eaton Park Crazy Golf in Norwich

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Disused railway stations - Felixstowe Beach in Suffolk

As a bit of a train nerd I recently joined the Disused Stations group on Facebook and last weekend found the perfect station location to take a photo of for the group while revisiting Felixstowe in Suffolk.

As we were driving over the level crossing on our way to the seafront we remembered there was an old platform to the left of us.

The disused Felixstowe Beach railway station
The disused Felixstowe Beach railway station on a sunny Sunday in May

Felixstowe Beach railway station taken closed to goods in 1966 and passengers in 1967. The station buildings were demolished in 2004.

Links:
- Disused Stations website
- Disused Stations Facebook Group

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Lots happening this Saturday

'Three days in one' taking place this Saturday!

According to the Dull Men's Club Calendar this Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day, National Train Day AND National Windmill Day
Saturday the 13th - anything but dull

So, this Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day, National Train Day AND National Windmill Day. Saturday 13th May will certainly be ticking a lot of my boxes!

'Driving' a little train at Falkirk High station
'Driving' a little train at Falkirk High station

The floral train at Boscombe Chine Mini Golf course
The floral train at Boscombe Chine Mini Golf course
  
The old Putting Course in Weston-super-Mare used to have a miniature railway running round the outside!
The old Putting Course in Weston-super-Mare used to have a miniature railway running round the outside!

At one of the stations at the now defunct course in Weston-super-Mare
At one of the stations at the now defunct course in Weston-super-Mare

On the wrong side of the tracks!
On the wrong side of the tracks!

The very BIG minigolf windmill at Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes
The very BIG minigolf windmill at Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

Playing the windmill hole at Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
Playing the windmill hole at Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
 
The old Windmill Theatre in Great Yarmouth is home to a very crazy minigolf course
The old Windmill Theatre in Great Yarmouth is home to a very crazy minigolf course

Emily playing the windmill hole at Hastings Crazy Golf
Emily playing the windmill hole at Hastings Crazy Golf. The course is hosting the 14th annual World Crazy Golf Championships this June

At the end of the Miniature Railway line at South Park in Cheadle Hulme
End of the line...

Related blog posts:
- National Miniature Golf Day
- Trains
- Windmills
- Miniature Railways