A bit of railway photography on the Ffestiniog

We've only had a couple of trips to Wales this year, and our usual pilgrimages to the Ffestiniog haven't featured much photography (as we're generally herding our little Nephew around- he's train mad, and lovely, but it's hard to snap pics whilst he's belting around shouting "hello!" at the engines).

Porthmadog Harbour, and an appearance by "Prince" and "Palmerston". Sadly this is the only pic I managed of "Prince" in the new-old green livery, which is something I'd wanted to photograph. Maybe next year.

"Linda" in the sidings.

Up to Tanybwlch, sans-children but with lots and lots of lovely hot drinks from the excellent station cafe. "James Spooner"...

...and "David Lloyd George".

Final shot, "James Spooner" in the sunshine.

 

Barmouth Bridge

Whilst over in Wales for a holiday and some project work, we nipped down to Barmouth (Middle Child had just passed one of her exams, so we treated her with a trip to Fudgeridoo, the excellent sweet shop on the main street).

Of course it wouldn't be a trip out without some railway photography...

Trying to make the most of the 158s' in nice weather and scenery- these stalwarts are due to be phased out soon, so it seemed worth the bother of photographing them.

Over the bridge.

A photo angle to try at some point... maybe next holiday.

 

York Railway Museum

Looking for somewhere to go for a sit and a brew whilst on our York sojourn, we headed for the Railway Museum. Not much to say on here, it's somewhat underwhelming at the moment whilst they do some rebuilding, and we were only in the place for about an hour, so a few pics follow.

 

At York Station

We're train photographers; it wouldn't be a visit to a railway city like York without a post on the station.

Gorgeous old station roof.

There's definitely something about the contrast between the historical architecture and the modern trains rumbling through.

 

York Walls

Mini midweek post- some shots taken around the City Walls in York.

Love some ferns.

 

A walk around York

At the start of August, we took a trip to York. Originally, we'd been supposed to be having just an overnight stop before getting on an excursion train, but the company running it couldn't get their train set to work. Rather than cancel our stay, we decided to have 24 hours in York.

What follows then is basically a selection of shots snapped around the city whilst we were out and about.

There's always lots of historic features to see, especially if you look up above head height.

Also for a historical city like this, little nooks and alleyways.

Room for a bit of 1960's and 1970's architecture in there too.

smoke-staining and wear on the brickwork.

Lovely old stained-glass dome at the bar at the station, whilst waiting for the train home.

 

Carlisle Citadel Station

Carlisle Citadel (the old name, which I -Ben- being a train nerd, insist on calling it by). My favourite station. I mean look at it, it's magnificent!  They've finally cleaned the roof recently, and it creates some nice shadows and patterns.

I worked here for a bit whilst at Uni, but spent a lot of time here over the years in general. It was where I caught the train home of course, but also the setting-off point for adventures to Scotland, Newcastle, the Cumbrian Coast. I have fond memories of just sitting here, soaking up the atmosphere whilst waiting for the trains.

We had an hour or so until the train, so decided to grab a brew in the cafe that I used to work in back in 2004.

Freightliner kindly obliged us with a couple of trains- class 90's, lovely old dinosaurs on the modern network. Not many A/C electrics around now. Sadly, I can remember when these were brand new and cutting edge.

The newer livery- I think I prefer this over the green and yellow.

The Workington bay.

Waiting for the train back to West Yorkshire, Newcastle train in the other bay.

Nice to pop back and visit, and always plenty to see as an enthusiast.