The Best Attractions In Mottram St. Andrew

Best Western Plus Stoke On Trent Moat House, United Kingdom

Sheffield-Woodhead-Manchester in 1965 FROM THE CAB

In 1965 when this journey was made, film was expensive. Using a hand-held, clockwork-powered 8mm film camera one generally needed to shoot short shots. This gives ‘pace’ but not nearly enough time to explain all the things viewers MAY like explained.
So why not have your cursor on the pause symbol and click it, then read my explanations – listed below in journey order.

Stations named in (brackets) were already closed at 1965 filming.

Co-Co = loco has 2 bogies (trucks) each of 3 powered axles. Class EM2, later 77.
Bo-Bo = loco has 2 bogies (trucks) each of 2 powered axles. Class EM1, later 76.
Some of the 1500 volt d.c. locos were sold to N. S. (Netherlands Railways) whose system used 1500 v dc (and still does).

Catch Points – In the days when most British freight trains had brakes on only the loco and on the Guard’s Brake Van (NOT similar to a caboose!) at the very end of the train, IF a coupling broke going up-grade, maybe the van brake didn’t stop the tail end running back. Then spring controlled catch points would derail the runaway, so preventing it colliding with the following train.

Most of this route is now part of the Trans-Pennine Trail for walkers and cyclists. West of Woodhead it’s also known as the Longdendale Trail.

Mottram Yard – Only part of this large yard which sorted west-bound wagonload traffic, is seen. Ceased shunting 1971, totally closed 1980.

CLC – Cheshire Lines Committee – Lines jointly owned (pre-1923) by Great Central, Great Northern, and Midland railway companies. 1923-47 by LNER & LMS. The system extended to Liverpool, Southport, Chester, etc at maximum.

Class 506 e.m.u. – 3-car electric multiple units built 1954 for Manchester – Glossop – Hadfield service. “Multiple” means 2 (or more) fixed formation units may be coupled, and controlled as one.

Gorton Locomotive Works of the Great Central Rly built many steam locos in its 93 productive years up to 1951. Unseen, opposite (on our left) the Works of Beyer, Peacock and Co built locos from 1854 to 1966. Many were exported almost world-wide.

Mechanical Coaling Plant of a type seen elsewhere on the network of the former LNER. It stored coal in bulk, to be gravity loaded into steam loco tenders/bunkers.

First Generation d.m.u. s – To replace steam trains, then seen by most travellers as old-fashioned, slow and dirty, British Railways invested strongly in Diesel Multiple Units, in many types of which you could sit at the front and watch the route ahead “over the driver’s shoulder.” I have already uploaded some rides in these, and have more to add later, when they are ready.

After passing Ardwick we see, first an A.C. e.m.u. heading towards Stockport, then 2 A.C. locos of different classes. D.C. and A.C. systems side-by-side was uncommon. A challenge for the Signal Engineer to immunise his equipment to false operation by either system. High Voltage A.C. electrification uses thinner, less costly, cables; and many fewer supply points. But it needed advances in technology to convert this on the locos/ e.m.u.s to a form suitable for their motors.

Walking Around Tiverton - March 2011

Walking around Tiverton on a sunny March day. Firstly heading into Alworths, then down to pay a parking fine and then through the Pannier Market towards Co-Op and back through Bampton Street and Fore Street.