First really nice day of the year

Brilliant weather today; warm, sunny, little wind. A real taste of summer and so different to what we've endured so far this year. The jet stream has at last moved north and high pressure dominates in place of the succession of Atlantic lows we have suffered for many months.

Ivan couldn't join us on manoeuvres today (funny handshakes or some such in Fleetwood on the distaff side, apparently) so Malc and I took the big bikes out for a change, he on his 650 Suzuki Freewind, me on my 1200 Moto Guzzi Griso. Peak Rail preserved railway at Rowsley, near Matlock, Derbyshire was our goal, and I led on the outward journey through Macclesfield, over the Cat & Fiddle, Harpur Hill, all blighted by slow Sunday drivers attracted out by the superb weather. The delightfully sweeping A5270 across to the A6 from Briarlow Bar was thankfully traffic free so we could enjoy it to the full. The Griso's big V twin engine with its Termignoni exhaust sounds amazing when you 'give it the beans', its howling bark echoing off passing walls; it even crackles and pops on the over-run like a Rolls Royce Merlin! It has oodles of character and is immensely powerful with enormous torque, which makes it a delight to ride; but you do have to be careful where you use all that power. A bit different to the little C90 where the throttle is always either fully open or closed!

If you click on any image below, you'll get an enlarged picture showing more detail:

Malc on the left with his Freewind this morning at his house, my Griso to the right

Lots of Sunday drivers notwithstanding, it was a great day for a ride. Here are the bikes at our destination; Peak Rail, Rowsley South

Industrial Hunslet 0-6-0 steam loco 'Lord Phil' at Rowesley South. This engine was apparently overhauled by Hunslets, but 'not too well' according to a railwayman I was talking too. It was subsequently completely overhauled in the Rowsley workshops and looks very smart.

Another view of the Hunslet

On the rear of the seven coach train is 'Penyghent', a 'Peak' class diesel locomotive. These engines used to be the mainstay of traction on the Midland main line before the Inter City 125s took over. Rowsley South is on the former main line from Manchester Central to London St Pancras referred to a couple of entries back in this blog (click here to go there), so 'Penyghent' is on home territory.

We crossed the tracks to the sheds for a look at the many diesel shunters stabled there, and I got a view of 'Lord Phil' from the other side

Looking north up the Derwent valley, with the 'Peak' on the rear of the train

A closer look at 'Penyghent' as the train leaves for Matlock at the other end of the line

Malc had programmed an interesting route home into his sat nav, a route which thankfully was more traffic free than this morning's; hardly surprising as at least one of these roads in the Gratton area was little more than a stony track with a stream running down it! The route left the A6 at Darley Dale and headed west to Winster, Gratton, and Long Rake past Arbour Low. Crossing the A515 Buxton - Ashbourne road and passing under the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway (now the Tissington Trail) near Parsley Hay just across the ridge from Pilsbury Castle on the Dove, brought us to Crowdicote. Crossing the Dove with lovely views to the north of the Dragon's back hills (Parkhouse and Chrome hills, once part of a coral reef!) we soon passed through Longnor, and on to cross the A53 Buxton - Leek road near The Roaches. From there our route home was the same as two weeks ago - Gradbach, Allgreave, Cleulow Cross, Bosley, and Chelford to the Bird in Hand at Knolls Green for a pint of their excellent beer, sitting outside with many others enjoying the last of the day's sunshine

Bird in Hand, Knolls Green

The 'Bird' was busy as well, also because of the super weather.

Just have to clean the bike now, after those 'lanes' in the Gratton area.

.

Churnet Valley Railmotor weekend

Turns in Consall signal box are scarce this season as the railway is running fewer multi-train days. However, I was rostered signalman today for the second day of the railway's Railmotor weekend. The lovely Great Western Railmotor that co-starred with West Country pacific 'Wadebridge' at last weekend's Winter Steam Gala was running up and down the valley, together with its 'modern' equivalent, our resident DMU. The best bit was that both units were running beyond Froghall to Oakamoor. The track south of Froghall is not suitable for heavy steam locomotives but is perfectly OK for lighter vehicles, and a few years ago I rode down to Oakamoor in the DMU but it was rainy day, the unit was full, and the steamed-up windows didn't offer much of a view.

So this morning Howard (Consall station master and signalman) offered to stand in for me in the 'box while I took a ride on the steam Railmotor, which will be leaving the CVR this week.

If you click on any of these pictures, they will expand to show the picture in larger format showing more detail:

View from the cab at the non-powered end of the Railcar, at Consall 

Raining again! But the Railmotor's windows remain clear. Note the driver's hand on the remote regulator, connected to the steam power bogie at the other end of the unit 

The Churnet Valley south of Froghall is undoubtedly even more attractive than further north, with the possible exception of Consall where the valley is at its narrowest and is exquisite (but I accept I may be biased in that judgment).  

The end of the line. Just beyond the coach in the distance is the northern portal of the closed Oakamoor tunnel, beyond which was the delightful station of that name. 

Heading north, the crew were driving from the powered end, so I sat in the driver's seat in the rear cab. Here we are at the Consall station stop, Les in his hi-viz on the crossing and Howard in the box. 

Standing room only! Thankfully for the railway's finances, the Railmotor was proving popular with our passengers. 

 On reaching Leekbrook Junction at the north end of the valley, we reversed south again and I traveled in the 'engine room' next to the power bogie. This comprises a vertical boiler mounted on a 4-wheel bogie with outside cylinders and valve gear.

We stopped at the Cheddleton water tower to take water 

Looking back to Cheddleton station from our water tower stop. The Beyer Peacock saddle tank was giving footplate experience rides for £5.

After my ride up and down the valley, I thanked Howard for standing in for me and resumed my duties as rostered signal man in Consall 'box for the day.

Here are some videos taken on the Railmotor: 

Southbound down the valley:
Click here

Heading back north:

Click here

Coming into Consall:
Click here

Leaving Consall, a wave from Howard!:
Click here

Coming into Cheddleton alongside the Beyer Peacock saddle tank:
Click here

Leekbrook tunnel:
Click here

Heading south again, in the 'engine room'  next to the vertical-boilered steam engine on the power bogie:
Click here
And another similar video here

.

.

A Streak at Crewe, and tilting in an APT....

Nice weather today, so Malc and I headed the little bikes south to Crewe Heritage Centre where they had a Model & Miniature Gala in progress.

 Two red C90s; Malc with his on left, mine on right, at Malc's house this morning ready to leave

Malc and the little bikes at Crewe 

Here's a loco we last met at the East Lancs Railway about a year ago (see here). Gresley K4 'The Great Marquis'.

87035 'Robert Burns' . These fine locos were the mainstay of West Coast Main Line expresses before the introduction of the Pendolinos, hauling or propelling (the loco was usually at the 'country' end of the train) rakes of supremely comfortable Mk3 coaches.

A Streak at Crewe! LNER A4 Pacific 'Bittern' which we last saw in the summer at NRM York in 'The Great Gathering' of all 6 extant A4s. 

 I think A4s look a lot better with their valances fitted over the driving wheels, as 'Bittern' has

In recognition of the 'Capital Streak' high speed runs this year by this locomotive, 'Bittern' carries this laurel leaved plaque, inspired more than a little by the world steam speed record plaque carried by A4 'Mallard', below

 Unique 8P BR Standard Pacific 'Duke of Gloucester' hasn't turned a wheel under power for 18 months while a wrangle over finance to pay for repairs is played out. Her name and number plates have been removed, presumably for security reasons.

Prototype Advance Passenger Train - if sensible finance had been available for development these tilting trains would be providing high speed services on the West Coast Main Line today, instead of  Italian Pendolinos. Take a look at ,this a report on our last visit here, with a rant about how APT was killed by lack of vision.

The APT designers could teach the Italians (and Virgin) a thing or two about train interiors. Compare this airy spacious ambiance to the claustrophobic, airliner-like, letter-box-windowed Pendolino. And these seats are far more comfortable than Virgin's. We enjoyed relaxing in them while the Heritage Centre staff activated the train's tilt mechanism. Nine degrees, apparently, compared to a Pendolino's 8 degrees.

One of several model railways on display 

On the way home we called in at the Victory Hall, Mobberley where a 'miniature beer festival' was in progress; 4 real ales on hand pump, 4 direct from the barrel. Here we are about to leave, having spent a pleasant hour or so chatting to John Oates, chairman of the Mid Cheshire Rail users Association, and owner of a vintage single deck bus. John and others can be seen in the cosy 'smoking shelter' behind the hall.

.

Heaton Mersey memories, changes at Abney, and a 'new' cottage in Style village

Last Wednesday, 26th February 2014, Malc and I took the little bikes on a local foray. We rode up to Parrs Wood for a close look at the new Manchester Metro tram terminus there (East Didsbury) which we'd glimpsed from Ivan's car on the way home from Gorton Monastery last Friday.

Please click on any picture for a larger image (note: some pictures will not enlarge as the originals are small format).

East Didsbury Metrolink tram station. Hidden by the trees in the distance is the bridge where Parrs Wood Lane crossed the railway. On the other side of this bridge, on the site of Heaton Mersey Station, a housing estate has been built on the former track bed so East Didsbury is the end of the line now.

The Midland Railway main line from Manchester to Derby and on to London ran out of Manchester Central station. At Throstle's Nest Junction it left the CLC lines to route across the South Manchester area via Chorton, Didsbury, Heaton Mersey, Cheadle Heath and then on to the lovely scenery of the Peak District through Chapel-En-Le-Frith, Peak Forest, Miller's Dale, Monsall Dale, and Matlock, the route of the futuristic Midland Pullman, the luxury blue diesel Pullman train that ran in the 1960s.

Midland Pullman near Chapel-En-Le-Frith in the Peak District

The initial part of that route is now part of the Manchester Metrolink tram system, using the track bed of the former railway (which closed in the 1960s) and terminating at East Didsbury.

East Didsbury Metro station is located on the triangle of land between Kingsway and Parrs Wood Lane. The site is between the former railway stations of Didsbury and Heaton Mersey. The track bed beyond the Parrs Wood Lane over bridge is built on, so the railway beyond East Didsbury is lost. This is because the Manchester / Stockport boundary is here; Manchester planners were far-seeing enough to preserve the railway track bed. Stockport planners allowed it to be built on, a pretty visionless act considering the tiny amount of land the track bed yields to the developer.

Jubilee class 45629 'Straits Settlements' approaching the site of East Didsbury Metro station back when there was a real railway running though here. Sandhurst Road bridge is in the background (picture by Tom Lewis courtesy Manchester Loco Society).

 The railways of the area as they used to be. The site of East Didsbury Metro station is between Didsbury and Heaton Mersey stations on this map

Railways around Heaton Mersey today

Heaton Mersey station just before the line closed; it's now the site of houses and industrial units. Parrs Wood Lane bridge can be seen in the background. The odd looking footbridge carried a public right of way from Station Road (off the picture to the right) down to the River Mersey.

Heaton Mersey Station, showing Station Road before it was extended to the right when the industrial estate was built on the former track bed. The village boasted two bleach works; note the upper one to the top right of the map.

After Malcolm and I had had a good look around East Didsbury Metro Station, we rode across to the Heaton Mersey Industrial Estate to have a look at my former workplace, Battersea House. On the way we passed the site of Heaton Mersey Station (now built on) and the remains of the Vale Road rail over bridge. This bridge can be seen on the left side of the 1950s picture of the Bleach Works (below).Vale Road ran directly down from Heaton Mersey village to the works. Later, when the industrial estate was built, Station Road, which was parallel to Vale Road and ran directly down from the village to the station, was extended to the east to serve the industrial units. It joined Vale Road as the major road (so Vale Road effectively ran into it from the left) before turning right as Vale Road, under the bridge. Battersea House, as part of the industrial estate, was built on the corner of that road and the new Battersea Road, between the rail bridge (by then demolished) and the Bleach Works. The eastern brick abutment of this bridge still exists on Vale Road. From this it can be seen that this bridge was actually two parallel bridges, the northern one carrying the two tracks of the link from Heaton Mersey to the CLC Skelton Junction to Stockport Tiviot Dale line, and the southern one the two tracks of the Midland main line from Heaton Mersey to Cheadle Heath.

A 1950s aerial view of the Mersey Valley at Heaton Mersey showing the lower Bleach Works in rural surroundings. The weir in the river, and also the mill tail race, can be clearly seen showing that water power was once important here, but the magnificent chimney shows that steam was in use as well, probably at a later date. Note the rail bridge to the left of the picture, over Vale Road. The industrial estate now occupies the site of the works and the land to the left of it this side of Vale Road, up to and including the former railway line. Heaton Mersey Station was just off the picture, to the left, and Heaton Mersey Locomotive Depot just off the picture to the right.

Battersea House on the industrial estate, formerly the premises of software house Systems Programming Ltd (SPL). I joined SPL from Digital Equipment (DEC) in 1982 (having joined DEC from Burroughs) in a change of career from hardware support to project management, and it was a great place to work. Back then the bleach works was still in place, as was the further of the two railway bridges (below). In the late 1980s SPL moved from here to Haw Bank House, Cheadle.

Rail bridges over the Mersey at Heaton Mersey. The further one is the CLC line from Skelton Junction to Stockport Tiviot Dale, the nearer the Midland main line between Heaton Mersey station and Cheadle Heath station. The bleach works chimney can be seen in the background.



Haw Bank House on Cheadle High Street, opposite the George & Dragon. SPL (later Systems Designers Ltd when they took over SPL) was based here in the late 1980s after moving from Heaton Mersey, before moving again to nearby Abney Court and Abney Hall. There used to be a branch of Wienholts (click here for more info), the Adlerley Edge baker, just across the road next to the George & Dragon; very handy at lunchtime!

We then rode on to the site of Cheadle CLC Railway Station, now 'The Station Tavern', before entering Abney Park to have a look at The Court and The Hall. 

Former Cheadle CLC station, now 'The Station Tavern' on a freight-only singled rail line. Cheadle's other station, which closed in the early 1900s because of competition from the tram service, was in the village behind Haw Bank House, on the former London and North Western railway line. That line is also singled  today, but carries passenger as well as freight traffic. 

Abney Hall, Cheadle, where I had an office for many years. SPL had been taken over by Systems Designers, then SD took over Scicon (the IT arm of BP) to become SD Scicon. SD Scicon was taken over by giant US IT Services company EDS (Electronic Data Systems) so I finished my career an EDS employee. Since I retired in 2008, EDS has become part of Hewlett Packard. 

Rear view of Abney Hall. The Hall was formerly the home of Sir James Watts, Manchester textile magnate. In 1959 it became Cheadle Town Hall before later being converted for office use.

Abney Hall interior, designed by A.W.N. Pugin who also had a hand in the design of Gorton Monastery, which we visited a week ago.

Abney Hall is presently unoccupied since EDS moved out of both Abney Hall and Abney Court on being taken over by Hewlett Packard just after I retired in 2008. My employer before SPL was DEC, and they were also taken over by HP having first succumbed to Compaq (who'd have thought it!). In the strange unpredictable way of the IT world, the Cheadle-based EDS staff were relocated by HP to an ex-DEC building at Birchwood, near Warrington. If I had still been an EDS employee at that time I'd have ended up based in a building I left 26 years before!

But the big surprise was Abney Court.... it was gone! This imposing, modern building has been demolished by owners Bruntwood Estates, and a new building is under construction on the site within the former walled garden of Abney Hall. The new Abney Court is to be a care home! 

In the walled garden of Abney Hall SD Scicon commissioned this building to be constructed, Abney Court. I remember a muddy site visit here during the build in the late 1980s, and later I had an office in Abney Court in the early 1990s before moving across the drive to Abney Hall. I was amazed to discover that this young, high quality building has been demolished!

Rear view of the Abney Court I remember, showing the wall of the former walled garden within which 'The Court' was built. 

Artists impression of the new Abney Court, a care home. It doesn't seem to sit so well within the former walled garden as did the Abney Court I saw being built in the late 1980s. Note the wall and its ventilation tower at the south western corner, built to provide heat from the Hall to the hollow garden walls. There is a tunnel under the drive between this tower and Abney Hall cellar to allow warm air from a long-gone furnace in the Hall to reach the tower. The site today is blighted by the non-stop roar of traffic on the adjacent M60 motorway. Perhaps that won't be much of a problem for those future Abney Court care home residents who are hard of hearing!

Friday 28th February 2014

Last year Channel Four screened a period drama called 'The Mill', based on real life events and people at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, where I am a National Trust volunteer. A new series of the drama is currently being filmed at the Mill, and part of the plot takes place in adjacent Styal Village, built by Samuel Gregg to house his mill workers. The film company have built a replica cottage in the village, and very real it looks - except from the back. I went there this morning and took these pictures.

The replica cottage looks just just like the surrounding genuine ones in Styal Village

A notice on the barriers around the set give some information about the cottage

A side view, showing genuine village cottages in the background

The rear view gives the game away - the 'cottage' is merely a prop built out of wood by the film company

.