RAILS and WINGS and OTHER THINGS: September 2023

21st SEPTEMBER 2023: 1Z41 THE DALESMAN (YORK TO CARLISLE) AT LEEDS RAILWAY STATION.

This was a journey that I wouldn't have made, had I known that the steam loco, which I had travelled to see, the steam loco 'British India Line', was not hauling the train until Hellingsby. A class 47, 47804 gently rolled alongside the platform to come to a halt a the position where I was standing. But the fact that a class 47 was paired with grand class 37 and that I exchanged greetings with the driver, made it a bit more palletable. I knew I had seen that driver in the past few months...it was at Doncaster. He was at the helm of class 56 314 Conwy Castle, hauling the '1Z80 Northern Belle', and sporting a rather impressive nameplate 'King Charles III, God Save The King'.

1Z41 'The Dalesman' arrives Leeds Rail Stn with 47804 at the head.

The Driver has walked down from the other end and the class 47 to enter the cab of 37685 Loch Arkaig.

Complete with snowplough!

It was good that we exchanged a few pleasantries and that he made a wave as he hauled out of Leeds!

Then it was off to Sheffield 30 minutes later. Having caught the London St. Pancras train. I arrived in Sheffield 30 minutes from Leeds. A quick look around, nothing much in so I rushed off to my appointment.

Once back at the station, again nothing much about but I took a few photos anyway.

Signals at platform's 5 end

Looking north from platform 5 at Sheffield Rail station. Note the shunting signals.

Northern Class 195002 parked-up at Sheffield.

Back at Doncaster Rail Station.

Old class 47 waiting for refurbishment.

Class 08669 Bob Machin sits alongside two class 47 locomotives in the West Sidings, awaiting refurbishment.

Northern class 150, 150205 arrives P8.

Class 08724 Shunter at work.

Northern 3-car Turbostar DMU class 170/4, 170473 (built 2004-2005), was my train from Sheffield, destination Scarborough.

GBRF 66774 hauls GBRF 69008 and GBRF 66794 past P8 at Doncaster Rail Station

Nature images

These are photos of a Wood Mouse at a bowl of food outside the backdoor. This mouse seemed un-phased by my and my wife's presence, even when we shone a light in its direction. 1st September 2023.

On the 3rd September 2023, the Wood Mouse was back, eating from the bowl. You can clearly see that it is brown in colour with large, rounded ears, long tail and white feet.

A Hedgehog prepares to depart after eating its fill from a bowl of food. 3rd September 2023.

RJC

END.

21st AUGUST 2023 - 5Z44 LIGHT ENGINE MOVEMENT (YORK NRM to ACTON LANE RECEPTION SIDINGS) 60103 FLYING SCOTSMAN PASSES THROGH DONCASTER RAIL STATION.

After its repair, 60103 Flying Scotsman with its Support Coach, passes through Doncaster Rail Station at 21:13hrs, from York NRM on its way to Acton Lane Reception Sidings. From there it would go to East Grinstead and on to the Bluebell Railway for a workout on the metals.

Tonight I went to Doncaster Rail Station to see the 60103 Flying Scotsman steam locomotive come to the platform and stop for a few minutes. Unfortunaly, due to circumstances this did not happen. The loco slowed in the station and blew its whistle in acknowledgement of the small group of us there to greet it.

As always, whether it stops or not, seeing 60103 Flying Scotsman is always a very welcome sight. Fortunately I did manage to get a descent video of the locomotive. As you can imagine, I was very pleased with myself!

Other images

This London Kings Cross bound Azuma glided past P1 at Doncaster Rail Station prior to the steam loco, 60103 Flying Scotsman passing through.

Platform 1, what does a green 'GO' and letter 'F' mean?

Platform 1, soon after it changes. What does a green 'GO' and letter 'E' mean?

East Midlands Railway 2-car class 170 517 at platform 5.

Northern 2-car Class 150 277 DMU at platform 4.

Trans Pennine Express DMU 185101 departs for Sheffield at P3B Doncaster Rail Station.

170454 at platform 3B.

Northern 3-car class 170 454 DMU at platform 3B.

Northern DMU 170454 pulls away from P3B towards Sheffield at Doncaster Rail Station. Note the signal indicating 'S' and the green 'GO' light, indication that the train crosses-over tracks at the point. The Red 'STOP' signal on the right indicates to any oncoming train on the 'UF-Line' to halt before the crossover point is reached..

This signal is directed at platform 3B? What does the green 'Go' & letter 'S' mean on a signal? Does 'S' mean 'Sheffield'? The train standing at platform 3B indicates 'Sheffield' on its headboard. Red is indicating traffic to be halted on the 'UF' line due to traffic about to crossover from platform 3B, 170454.

What does the green 'Go' & letter 'S' mean on a signal?...Sheffield.

Looking north along the platforms.

Whilst waiting for 60103 Flying Scotsman at Doncaster Rail station, I captured this GBRF class 66, 779, hauling freight through the station as night descended upon us.

Some nature images

Back in April, this tame Robin kept coming to the backdoor to be fed.

Large Blue Butterfly 29th May 2023.

Blackbird 4th January 2023.

Male Greenfinch on feeders.

A poorly-looking juvenile Goldfinch 16th June 2023.

The same Goldfinch in the early evening, on top of the sun-shade at the back door. Where it roosted for the night. By morning, it had gone.

We often get Owls on the roof of our house, we live on the edge of the countryside and close to a large wood. This night an Owl, probably Tawny flew down to the pond, got underneath the netting that covers it, to try and get a fish, but had the fright of its life as it tried and successfully get back into the sky. No sound on this CCTV.