Great Western Coffee Shop

Two dozen places!    Just 24 days into Juna and I have already travelled widely. All my own pictures, from 1st June up until today.   Where were they taken?  Just one each please for the first 24 hours
1 Tweedbank - AMLAG
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_01.jpg)

2 Bristol Parkway - Trainer
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_02.jpg)

3 Newport - Merthyr Imp
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_03.jpg)

4 Shrewsbury - SandTEngineer
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_04.jpg)

5 Holyhead - Brooklea
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_05.jpg)

6 Mallow - PhilWakely
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_06.jpg)

7 Dromod - Chuffed
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_07.jpg)

8 Nenagh - grahame
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_08.jpg)

9 Limerick Junction - Chuffed
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_09.jpg)

10 Waterford - SandTEngineer
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_10.jpg)

11 Killiney - Bignosemac
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_11.jpg)

12 Rosslare Strand - grahame
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_12.jpg)

13 Fishguard - WSW Frome
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_13.jpg)

14 Landore (Swansea) - Hafren
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_14.jpg)

15 Swindon - TomL
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_15.jpg)

16 Melksham - Ellendune
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_16.jpg)

17 Edinburgh Waverly - Western Pathfinder
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_17.jpg)

18 Carlisle - Stuving
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_18.jpg)

19 Taunton - Bignosemac
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_19.jpg)

20 near Stow on the Borders Railway - AMLAG and Western Pathfinder
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_20.jpg)

21Inverness - Oxman
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_21.jpg)

22 Forth Bridge - Lympstone_commuter
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_22.jpg)

23 Euston - Plymouthonian
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_23.jpg)

24 Whitland - Hafren
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_24.jpg)

25 (Bonus question added on 25th) Forsinard - Philwakely
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_25.jpg)

26 (Bonus question added on 26th) Altnabraec - PhilWakely
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_26.jpg)

27 (Bonus question added on 27th) Perth - Adelante_CCT
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_27.jpg)

28 (Bonus question added on 28th) Coatbridge Central - grahame
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_28.jpg)

29 (Bonus question added on 29th) Coatbridge Sunnyside - grahame
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_29.jpg)

30 (Bonus question added on 30th) Glasgow High Street - Sixty3Closure
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_30.jpg)

Edits to fill in places and person who identified them as we went through the month.

16. Melksham?

1= Tweedbank

19.

Could it be...? Is it really...? Surely not...?

Taunton?

(Apologies to CfN. Although he'd probably have guessed another one as Taunton  :P ;) ;D)

3. Newport?

2 Bristol Parkway

15 Swindon

22. The Forth Bridge

All correct so far ... I have filled in answers given to date on the original quiz

9. Limerick Junction ?

11. Balbriggan

17 Waverley Station Edinburgh.

Limerick Junction is correct - and many thanks for making a start on the Irish ones. I've done a lot of work in Ireland over the years and know the country reasonably.  So I don't always remember how difficult some of these might be for members here.   11, alas, is not Balbriggan, and unless my ability to count is wrong I think it's also your second answer in the first 24 hours  ;D

23.  Euston

10. Waterford, Ireland

Now how on earth would a signalling and telegraph engineer know that one  ;D

There is only one platform at Waterford these days, and it's platform 5. Rather like the only useful hole on a golf course  is the 19th.

21 Penzance

Haven't been there for over 40 years.  Shame they have  taken the track away that used to pass under the box, as thats what gave it its character (a bit like Canterbury East box).

One track remains - but its against the platform face of the unused platform for Rosslare trains which is fenced off, so is hidden from view - loosing the character from pictures, as you say.


Sorry, no.

18. Carlisle

21. Inverness

Only if the Caley Sleeper is very lost!

Isn't it Canterbury West that has the over tracks signal box?

No.20.At or about Stow on the borders line Scotia.

Yes BNM.  Getting my East and West muddled up.  Should know better as I was responsible for the partial resignalling there back in the late 1990s.  It must have been all the frustration I suffered on XC yesterday (see separate thread).  I'll go and sit in the corner...

20. Somewhere on the Borders Rly.

5. Holyhead

24. Whitland?

All recent guesses correct ... and I will add an extra image from yesterday. 5 Irish, 2 Welsh, 1 Scots and 1 English remain now and it's open season.

25
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_25.jpg)

11. Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland

7. Michael's pile of rust at Dromod ?! Cavan and Leitrim railway.

On the one hand an absolute treasure trove of all things mechanical,or as Michael described it to me 'a pile of rust' with the characteristic Irish twinkle in his eye. You can only admire the enthusiasm that he and the small team of volunteers bring to their work,mostly funded from their own pockets and visitor donations I suspect.
 The UK H&S  executive would go into meltdown and conclude they were all as mad as a box of frogs.....or leprechauns. Definitely worth a couple of hours of your time if you are in the vicinity.

I was aware that Dromod was the former terminus of the Cavan and Leitrrim railway and on my round trip from Dublin to Sligo chose to drop back 1 train there - 2 hours.  I actually planned to take a ride back up to Carrick during the 2 hours to have a look at two smaller stations, but got carried away speaking with Michael, being shown around and learning so much about what he and his small team of colleagues are doing there.     

The picture I have published for this quiz is a very unfair one in that they have a lot of lovely stuff that has been restored and a lot underway and awaiting work - probably far too much but it seems there is little interest from elsewhere in preserving this stuff.  Whether that last statement is generally accepted as being true or because they set themselves standards and goals no-one else can reach I am just guessing.

I will start a separate thread on Dromod  rather than clutter up here.

25. Forsinard.

Our two-year old has identified no 6 as "Tom train!".

I'm not sure that was the answer you were looking for though.  ;D

4. Park Junction, Newport

I'm afraid not ...


And, correct, that's not quite the answer I was seeking!

...mmm.  Must be English Bridge Junction, Shrewsbury then.....

Looks like I'll be on a train every day this month

26
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_26.jpg)


Yes, it is

26. Altnabraec ?

Grahame, as you will see from my post on your Diary of a Transport Campaigner board, I have a slight advantage when it comes to photos on the Far North line, as I have similar pictures taken just last week  ;D

14. Landore - from the avoiding line

Both correct. I'm confirming / posting that from Wick - so let's see where I have been this evening. 

Remaining pictures not yet identified beyond "ThomasTown".

6
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_06.jpg)

8
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_08.jpg)

12
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_12.jpg)

13
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_13.jpg)

8. Malahide ?

No .. and perhaps No. 8 is the most obscure of the remaining pictures.

After Forsinard up that hill, anyone would want a Altnabraec...

No idea where number 6 is, I'm afraid, but I am fascinated that somebody went to all the effort of putting that footbridge there in _that_ orientation!

Sorry, but had to google this. Is no 6 Mallow (aka 'Change at Mallow')?
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/three-words-to-chill-my-heart-change-at-mallow-825044.html (https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/three-words-to-chill-my-heart-change-at-mallow-825044.html)

Surely the two model trains in No 8 are called Tunnock 1 and Tunnock 2 !

Yes, it is Mallow.  And, yet, I changed trains there for Tralee.   Indeed yet another footbridge that's not in normal use ... Ireland seems to be riddled with them, though not at 90 degrees!

I'm adding each day to the end of the month

27
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_27.jpg)

I think I'll give somebody else a chance with this one as I recognise the crew training diagram  ;D  But as a sub-question, why is this running as a Class 2 service rather than a Class 5?

Perth

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G25928/2018/06/27/advanced

With a GWR .... oh yes, so it is  ;D

Now remaining ... and with an addition for today

8
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_08.jpg)

12
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_12.jpg)

13
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_13.jpg)

28 (Bonus question added on 28th)
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_28.jpg)

Clue time, I suspect ... we had a thread about Irish lines under threat at the end of 2016 - it's at http://twcrp.info/t17794 - and I took the opportunity earlier this month of travelling on all four; two of the three pictures that have stuck are from those lines, with the third having an Irish connection.    Too early for clues on the bonus from 28th.

No28. Stranraer ?.

As it happens, not;  alas that's not on my schedule this trip.    Now if there were still a direct line from Stranraer to Carlisle, I could route homewards that way, but I think the case for a second line into Stranaer must be several leagues behind the case for a reopening of Carlisle to Tweedbank.

I always thought 13 was a ferry terminal, so I'll guess one - Holyhead?

Sorry - it's not Holyhead (I think we had an earlier Holyhead picture and I think I've managed to avoid repeats).

Well, there's only so many options here, and the pictures do seem to be in order (which I had supposed then doubted), so let's say 13: Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven.

Oh dear ... skirting all around the right answer ...

13 = Fishguard Harbour station waiting area. I always feel this area has such a cold, hard and unwelcoming feel. It has an atmosphere to match which does wonders at 01.00 etc. when waiting for the train.

 8. Carrick-on-Suir ?

Nope - on an even more desperate line!

I do have some pictures of Carrick-on-Suir ... with people using the train too!

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/cos_201806_01.jpg)

Really interesting to note the passengers picked up at stations from Limerick Junction into Waterford were predominantly young ladies, and that (all over there was a very high motor and baby ridership.  On the run into Waterford, I suspect it's because the only real day return flow catered for is a shopping flow into Waterford, and mums left without a car while dad is at work find it useful.

Yes, it is Fishguard Harbour.   Cold it might feel - but it is a wonder of positive vibes compared to the bus transfer systems in use on and off the ferries for foot passengers at both Holyhead and Dublin Port.

Massive tragedy in the lack of co-ordination of train and boat times these days to make a Severnside to Dublin journey via Fishguard / Rosslare practical in a day, and a further tragedy on how hard it is to book sail rail tickets via that route.  One feels that various operators and infrastructure owners along the way would not shed too many tears if the Fishguard to Rosslare service went purely for cars and other vehicles, with vestigial passenger without car traffic via Holyhead and Dublin. 

Bonus picture added for 29th

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_29.jpg)

Last day of the month ... quiz concluding.   I have added a final picture for today and here are the ones remaining.

8
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_08.jpg)

12
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_12.jpg)

28
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_28.jpg)

29
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_29.jpg)

30
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_30.jpg)

No huge clues - for a couple of hours on the final three; all part of the main Great Britain network, though not in GWR land.  The two that have stuck are both Irish ...one taken at what I believe is the largest town in an Irish county with a service reminiscent of Melksham when we started.   The other just a few miles from where I caught my ferry home.

30 - Haymarket?

'fraid not.   Right Country.

High Street?

And for 28  Winchester?

Yes (I assume you know which High Street?


No - nowhere near!

And we're down to two little used Irish Stations and two other pictures from different stations in the same town that I was in towards the end of this week.

Looks like Glasgow to me based on hazy memories of staggering back from student parties and trying to get to Queen Street and then Stirling.

Indeed - that's Glasgow High Street.   I'd already given you the credit in the original post - but there may be some readers who think of other High Streets (there's one at Kensington, for example) and we have one here in Melksham - though no separate station to the other one in town.

Which are ....

(Drum role, trumpets sound) now that we're in July

Nenagh
On the Limerick to Ballybrophy line; two trains a day take this line which is the most heavily subsidised passenger route per passenger in Ireland. The best part of two hours with (from memory) five intermediate stops - including Roscrea (which I associate with the film Phimomena with some horror) and Roscrea which is the largest town in North Tipperary.

Rosslare Strand
The penultimate stop on the Dublin to Rosslare Europort line; I stayed at Rosslare Strand in a B&B many years back - a pleasant little place with long sandy beaches a few miles from the port.   The line from Dublin's Connely street starts out with some 4 trains an hour as far as Bray, but then peters out to an hourly service to Greystones and just 5 s day (on the busiest day!) carrying on south.  South of Gorey, the line has been looked at for closure ... it's a classic case of Big City to hardly-used destination terminus - and no matter where it were to be cut back to, if that were south of Greystones it would leave the vestige under threat.   There's an amazing section of street running reminiscent of Weymouth just to the south of Wexford station. IET to Weymouth Harbour, anyone - the trains in use on the Irish line are modern and fast!    With proper connections and organisation there could be a significant tourist trade of foot passengers on the Fishguard - Rosslare route, but at present it seems to be unpromoted and difficult (I stayed in Rosslare Europort for the night).

Coatbridge Central
Coatbridge Sunnyside
Central Station is on the "main" Motherwell to Stirling (via Cumbernauld) line that used to take West Coast expresses from London bound for Perth and beyond.   I travelled that way in my youth on the "Clansman" Euston to Inverness service; in those days just about the only service there at a station that was a closure candidate.   These days, the original station building at road level on the west side is offices / specialist shop, and the entrance is on the east side - an extrance hidden away behind the viaduct and up a drive, with the "BR" double arrow hidden from view if you 're standing at the old building.   Pletform level is bus shelters; the subway (no lift) which I pictured is in need of TLC.   Services are much better though - hourly electric trains from Cumbenauld run via Motherwell and Hmailton to Glasow Central Low Level and on to Dalmuir and / or other destinations in the west of the City.  They're slow, infrequent and indirect compared to the service from Sunnyside, but they are not unused.

Sunnyside Station is on the main line east from Glasgow Queen Street Low Level - cut back to Airdie under Beeching, extended back to Drumgelloch and now all the way back to Edinburgh. Plentiful trains, to the extend that alternate trains have different stopping patterns and that makes good sense - but everything stops at Coatbridge Sunnyside and indeed it was a very pleasant spot on a sunny Friday morning.  I didn't have much time to stop though - on my way to work in Coatbridge that day.

---

Hope you've enjoyed the quiz / seeing some pictures of places that perhaps you've not been to.  Time to put the plug on this thread (feedback comments still welcome) ... from Coatbridge again:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/q1806_31.jpg)

I will be writing up further in my diary board at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?board=53.0 - you need to sign in to read that - new users can register {{here}} (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?action=register)

Really enjoyable quiz. Thank you for all the work you put into it.

There is a small industrial museum within walking distance of the station funnily enough called "Sunnyside Museum". Mainly big industrial machinery used in past industries around the Coatbridge area, also contains a small community of workers cottages all showing various aspects of life in the late 1800's / early 1900's. Has a section of tramway worked by a tram for which a small fare is payable. Also home to a preserved original "Glasgow Blue Train" although it didn't look to me as if much work had been done on it since its withdrawal. Trains pass by the museum on the Helensburgh - Glasgow Queen Street (Low Level) - Bathgate - Edinburgh(Waverley) route. Last time I travelled the line was turfted off the Helensburgh train at Bathgate due to a points failure at Coatbridge and faced the prospect of a bus (rail ticket accepted) to Airdrie thence further buses to Glasgow when I saw a driver frantically waving and walking onto the platform he informed pax that the points had been repaired and he was relieving the driver of the next service from Edinburgh (Bathgate has a fairly large EMU depot alongside the station which is a new build following the re-introduction of through services between Glasgow and Edinburgh) and it would be the first train through following the incident so it was a mad dash for everyone to transfer to the Glasgow bound platform from the Edinburgh bound platform / waiting room where pax were being advised of their options by the booking office staff member.

For "west" read "east" (must have forgotten to turn the map back the right way up after a southbound journey).

Indeed.   Thanks for that; will go back and correct / edit the original for archive accuracy.  And I have also corrected an "east" to a "west referring to Dalmuir in the previous paragraph. 

As you suggest, I was heading south from Wick and had my map the wrong way round.

FYI For travels from Rosslare on the morning ferry - I have stayed in Wexford overnight several times and caught the 08.00 bus which connects well with the ferry. This bus did/does originate in Waterford although naturally with an earlier start!

The bus is now 07:55 and reaches Rosslare at 08:20.   The Stena ferry to Fishguard now leaves at 08:00, so if  you're on the bus you're likely to see it sailing out of the harbour as you come over the brow of the hill.

You could connect at Rosslare into the 08:45 boat to Pembroke Dock (Irish Ferries) ... due there at 12:46.   You would be unlikely to be able to rush across to Pembroke Dock station for the 13:09, so would catch the 15:09 which gets to Swansea at 17:22. Sail Rail tickets are not offered on this route.  It's about a 1 mile walk from Pembroke Dock Ferry landing to Pembroke Dock Station.

It's almost as if these things are designed not to connect these days!

It's called the Market Economy everything must compete to give the customer maximum choice. However, having competing forms of transport doesn't work and actually restricts customer choice operators choose the optimum time for their services without considering the possibility of connections with other modes.

Probably a sweeping observation on market led transport in most of the country. However, I can't help comparing it with  TFL which has total control over most of London's public transport, apart from mainline rail, from fares timetables routes etc. Although they are even getting in on what was  considered mainline to Reading with Crossrail, and  have a big say in Thameslink

Are they looking to recreate NSE?

There is a Radio 4 broadcast on this topic tonight Monday 2nd at 20:00 will try and record.

For those of us not on the iron road, may you please translate the above!  ??? ;)

Class 5 empty stock working, no passengers on board, train crew only.

Class 2 local or stopping passenger service.