Day Nine,
I had an exam this morning which meant I missed one hour of work experience, but Anthony kindly offered to pick me up after school, but he was at an incident so I would have to walk home and he would pick me up in half an hour, after some boring daytime TV we went to Healey Mills once more to get some pictures of the redundant stock, including a class 47, as Anthony was on M.O.M duties today we had to be near Leeds, so after this we headed over to the Office and watched videos, read magazines and talked until 7PM.
Just as we were heading home, there was single line working imposed on one of the Shipley lines, we had *just* missed out on the action!
After Anthony set the other M.O.M up with sheets and details we headed home.
What a brilliant 2 weeks this has been, if anyone younger than me is reading this and is interested in the railways, try get a placement! it took me a year to organise, but was worth all of it. I now have to face the prospect of going to school, I really hope I have the opportunity to work for Network Rail in the future.
Finally, thank you to Anthony, Lisa and Julie for everything, if it wasn't for these three people, I would of been stacking shelves in the co-op.
This has probably been one of the best 2 weeks in my life.
See you on the railway!
Monday, 21 May 2007
17/5/2007
Day Eight,
We spent most of the morning on duties I cannot tell you about due to legal reasons, but after waiting in the car while Anthony showed someone around the trackwork we dropped him back off at Leeds and proceeded to Neville Hill depot, there wasn't much going on except the passing of several trains, but I managed to get some photo's.
During this time a teacher from school rang to see how I was doing, and I got a glowing report.
We decided there wasn't much to see so we drove into Leeds Midland Road Freightliner depot where we saw some class 66's "up and personal" including one being washed down.
Then we drove up to Whitehall Junction where the view was amazing, I could see the whole of Leeds approach from the car. I got loads of pictures from there and we drove all the way up the Harrogate lines, amazing from the lineside, with Anthony pointing out various bits on the tracks and what they were for.
After a calm day, we went home.
We spent most of the morning on duties I cannot tell you about due to legal reasons, but after waiting in the car while Anthony showed someone around the trackwork we dropped him back off at Leeds and proceeded to Neville Hill depot, there wasn't much going on except the passing of several trains, but I managed to get some photo's.
During this time a teacher from school rang to see how I was doing, and I got a glowing report.
We decided there wasn't much to see so we drove into Leeds Midland Road Freightliner depot where we saw some class 66's "up and personal" including one being washed down.
Then we drove up to Whitehall Junction where the view was amazing, I could see the whole of Leeds approach from the car. I got loads of pictures from there and we drove all the way up the Harrogate lines, amazing from the lineside, with Anthony pointing out various bits on the tracks and what they were for.
After a calm day, we went home.
16/5/2007
Day Seven,
Today we planned to round off what I had seen in the past week or so, so we re-visited Elland signal box so I could get some photos before it gets knocked down later this year.
We then drove up to Ravensthorpe and walked trackside and watched various trains go past , we also had a look at the old Ravensthorpe panel, watching trains approaching us on the panel. After this it was over to Healey Mills where we watched a class 60 run around it's binliner train (also known as a shit train!)
The next stop was Horbury Junction which was extremely interesting as this was where the two lines for Healey Mills diverged into four for Wakefield. We watched the previous 60 run through with its binliner train, and after watching piles of freight run through we decided to take refuge in the signalbox as it was throwing it down.
We talked with the signaller for almost an hour and I watched as Anthony helped the signaller pull the levers off through the Junction.
Wakefield Kirkgate was where we went next, not much was visible as it was a tiny portacabin and there were overgrown bushes all around.
After some time at Wakefield we visited Oakenshaw North signal box, we didn't stay long as it isn't a very busy box at all.
After standing on the bridge watching several types of freight run underneath us we went over to Castleford, where I was allowed to operate the level crossing barrier under supervision of the signaller, and we watched as several trains ran through and reversed back at Castleford, after many thanks to the signaller we quickly went over to the station to inspect claims of drug users using the station, nothing was there so after another brilliant day we headed home.
Today we planned to round off what I had seen in the past week or so, so we re-visited Elland signal box so I could get some photos before it gets knocked down later this year.
We then drove up to Ravensthorpe and walked trackside and watched various trains go past , we also had a look at the old Ravensthorpe panel, watching trains approaching us on the panel. After this it was over to Healey Mills where we watched a class 60 run around it's binliner train (also known as a shit train!)
The next stop was Horbury Junction which was extremely interesting as this was where the two lines for Healey Mills diverged into four for Wakefield. We watched the previous 60 run through with its binliner train, and after watching piles of freight run through we decided to take refuge in the signalbox as it was throwing it down.
We talked with the signaller for almost an hour and I watched as Anthony helped the signaller pull the levers off through the Junction.
Wakefield Kirkgate was where we went next, not much was visible as it was a tiny portacabin and there were overgrown bushes all around.
After some time at Wakefield we visited Oakenshaw North signal box, we didn't stay long as it isn't a very busy box at all.
After standing on the bridge watching several types of freight run underneath us we went over to Castleford, where I was allowed to operate the level crossing barrier under supervision of the signaller, and we watched as several trains ran through and reversed back at Castleford, after many thanks to the signaller we quickly went over to the station to inspect claims of drug users using the station, nothing was there so after another brilliant day we headed home.
15/5/2007
Day Six,
Today was interesting for me as we visited Huddersfield signal box first, a local station to me. We met an ex-Doncaster signaller and an experienced signaller training him. We looked around the signal box and had a good conversation with both signallers, I caught a photo of a freight thundering through towards Manchester. Now came the interesting bit! we drove over to Marsden and captured another picture of the freight we had seen pass through Huddersfield, and after this we decided to drive through Standedge tunnel, the longest canal tunnel in Britain, 3 mines and 57 yard *eek*
We started to drive through and it was so dark I could not see my hand infront of my face, the light behind got smaller and the light at the end of the tunnel got no bigger!, we stopped in the middle of the tunnel where there is a crossover between the up and down tunnels, and they used to say devil worshippers were there! it was really really dark, and there were no mobile signals and no radio waves to contact the outside world, we kept driving on which seemed like forever! it was getting really bumpy and jittery and just when I thought I wanted out, we were at the end! I was impressed with how I had overcome myself from automatically not going in, it was great to see daylight once again!
After that we had a drive around the Calder viewing Heaton Lodge and Bradley Junction, watching trains zoom past at high speeds.
After an action packed day I was exhausted, and we went home!
Today was interesting for me as we visited Huddersfield signal box first, a local station to me. We met an ex-Doncaster signaller and an experienced signaller training him. We looked around the signal box and had a good conversation with both signallers, I caught a photo of a freight thundering through towards Manchester. Now came the interesting bit! we drove over to Marsden and captured another picture of the freight we had seen pass through Huddersfield, and after this we decided to drive through Standedge tunnel, the longest canal tunnel in Britain, 3 mines and 57 yard *eek*
We started to drive through and it was so dark I could not see my hand infront of my face, the light behind got smaller and the light at the end of the tunnel got no bigger!, we stopped in the middle of the tunnel where there is a crossover between the up and down tunnels, and they used to say devil worshippers were there! it was really really dark, and there were no mobile signals and no radio waves to contact the outside world, we kept driving on which seemed like forever! it was getting really bumpy and jittery and just when I thought I wanted out, we were at the end! I was impressed with how I had overcome myself from automatically not going in, it was great to see daylight once again!
After that we had a drive around the Calder viewing Heaton Lodge and Bradley Junction, watching trains zoom past at high speeds.
After an action packed day I was exhausted, and we went home!
14/5/2007
Day Five,
Wow, the first week over, and what a first week it has been! these next few days were a little more relaxed before as we didn't have to do the Box Audits or any paperwork. Upon arrival at Leeds we saw a 67 idling in Leeds platform, just as I got out my camera, it had gone! so we headed over to Ferry Bridge to see the new NX panel, the signalman there let me take a few photos, and after a brief explanation, we decided to hit the road once again. We headed over to Knottingley which is very busy with freight, upon arrival a GBRf coal train came through with brand new GBRf HHA coal wagons. Just then, the same 67 from before rounded the corner and pulled into the sidings and I finally got a picture of it. After watching several freights run through Knottingley we headed over to Milford box, upon arrival, the barriers were down and we watched a Freightliner coal train swap drivers on the level crossing, such a simple task but brilliant to watch the 66 power away. After an extremely brief view of Milford we decided to get out of the way of all the LOM's who were coming to visit the box.
Around mid-day we headd over to Great Heck and visited the site of the great train crash, it was also a personal experience from me as my good friend James' dad died driving the Freightliner train that hit the GNER train, after getting a couple of photo's for him we got some lunch in a nearby village.
After this we headed over to Monk Fryston and visited the box there where we met another nice chap on duty, and discussed aspects of rail life, we then went track level and watched a EWS 66 couple up to wagons.
The final visit was Gascoigne Wood, a shadow of its former self. We captured some freight on the camera and headed home, a long day!
Wow, the first week over, and what a first week it has been! these next few days were a little more relaxed before as we didn't have to do the Box Audits or any paperwork. Upon arrival at Leeds we saw a 67 idling in Leeds platform, just as I got out my camera, it had gone! so we headed over to Ferry Bridge to see the new NX panel, the signalman there let me take a few photos, and after a brief explanation, we decided to hit the road once again. We headed over to Knottingley which is very busy with freight, upon arrival a GBRf coal train came through with brand new GBRf HHA coal wagons. Just then, the same 67 from before rounded the corner and pulled into the sidings and I finally got a picture of it. After watching several freights run through Knottingley we headed over to Milford box, upon arrival, the barriers were down and we watched a Freightliner coal train swap drivers on the level crossing, such a simple task but brilliant to watch the 66 power away. After an extremely brief view of Milford we decided to get out of the way of all the LOM's who were coming to visit the box.
Around mid-day we headd over to Great Heck and visited the site of the great train crash, it was also a personal experience from me as my good friend James' dad died driving the Freightliner train that hit the GNER train, after getting a couple of photo's for him we got some lunch in a nearby village.
After this we headed over to Monk Fryston and visited the box there where we met another nice chap on duty, and discussed aspects of rail life, we then went track level and watched a EWS 66 couple up to wagons.
The final visit was Gascoigne Wood, a shadow of its former self. We captured some freight on the camera and headed home, a long day!
11/5/2007
Day Four,
Today would prove extremely interesting in terms of freight operations around Leeds. We picked the car up from Leeds again, not being a 4x4 meant we could not do much trackside driving, but we drove over to Leeds Midland road where there were one or two Freightliner 66's stood ready for service, we saw where all the vandals had broke into the site and stolen all of the copper.
We stood on the bridge overlooking Stourton and Leeds Midland Road and watched various trains go past at high speed, and, yes you guessed it! the tamper we saw yesterday, now learning the Leeds - York section of line. Anthony then took me to the old Stourton box which can still be switched in if York IECC goes down, it was very smelly, dank and....empty! we watched some trains approach on the panel and then went outside and watched them pass, we then decided it was time for dinner.
We bought our dinner from the local Fish & Chip shop and parked up directly next to a Freightliner 66
We had previously seen this loco doing shunting movements at the container depot in Stourton, it was amazing to see a 66 up close. We then remembered that we still had to watch the signallers change over at Hebden Bridge, so pedal to the metal and we drive over to Hebden Bridge, where we meet a nice talkative chap on duty, about 15 minutes later his relief arrives on time on his bike, and, almost as if a curse, the tamper we have seen 3 times previously arrives at Hebden Bridge learning Manchester - Hebden Bridge, and we watched him turn around at Hebden Bridge.
After a brilliant day, we call it a day and head home.
Today would prove extremely interesting in terms of freight operations around Leeds. We picked the car up from Leeds again, not being a 4x4 meant we could not do much trackside driving, but we drove over to Leeds Midland road where there were one or two Freightliner 66's stood ready for service, we saw where all the vandals had broke into the site and stolen all of the copper.
We stood on the bridge overlooking Stourton and Leeds Midland Road and watched various trains go past at high speed, and, yes you guessed it! the tamper we saw yesterday, now learning the Leeds - York section of line. Anthony then took me to the old Stourton box which can still be switched in if York IECC goes down, it was very smelly, dank and....empty! we watched some trains approach on the panel and then went outside and watched them pass, we then decided it was time for dinner.
We bought our dinner from the local Fish & Chip shop and parked up directly next to a Freightliner 66
We had previously seen this loco doing shunting movements at the container depot in Stourton, it was amazing to see a 66 up close. We then remembered that we still had to watch the signallers change over at Hebden Bridge, so pedal to the metal and we drive over to Hebden Bridge, where we meet a nice talkative chap on duty, about 15 minutes later his relief arrives on time on his bike, and, almost as if a curse, the tamper we have seen 3 times previously arrives at Hebden Bridge learning Manchester - Hebden Bridge, and we watched him turn around at Hebden Bridge.
After a brilliant day, we call it a day and head home.
10/5/2007
Day Three,
When Anthony arrived today we had to go to Leeds straight away as we would be covering LOM's (Location Operations Managers) duties today, which basically covers the correct running of signal boxes. We picked up Mark's car and the first box we were to visit was Mill Lane just outside Bradford Interchange. As we went over to Bradford Anthony pointed out the railway lines we were passing under or passing over, and we finally arrived at Mill Lane, we put the hi-vis on and had to raise our arms to an approaching 158 coming into Bradford, this is just to confirm to the driver we are aware he is there. Into the box we go and meet a nice chap in there, Anthony starts to do the checklist for the box and I take a seat and take photo's. It was here that the signaller had to deal with a tamper that was doing about 20mph from Halifax which made it had for the signaller as he was delaying express trains behind. The tamper trundled into Bradford and headed back to Halifax.
After we left the box we got some dinner from Sainsburys and ate it in the offices under Halifax signal box. We then went up to do the box audit where there was a nice man working the box, after an un-eventful audit we left Halifax for Leeds, before we dropped the car off Anthony showed me around Whitehall yard and we saw the tamper that had been route-learning earlier in the day.
We dropped the car off, and went home.
When Anthony arrived today we had to go to Leeds straight away as we would be covering LOM's (Location Operations Managers) duties today, which basically covers the correct running of signal boxes. We picked up Mark's car and the first box we were to visit was Mill Lane just outside Bradford Interchange. As we went over to Bradford Anthony pointed out the railway lines we were passing under or passing over, and we finally arrived at Mill Lane, we put the hi-vis on and had to raise our arms to an approaching 158 coming into Bradford, this is just to confirm to the driver we are aware he is there. Into the box we go and meet a nice chap in there, Anthony starts to do the checklist for the box and I take a seat and take photo's. It was here that the signaller had to deal with a tamper that was doing about 20mph from Halifax which made it had for the signaller as he was delaying express trains behind. The tamper trundled into Bradford and headed back to Halifax.
After we left the box we got some dinner from Sainsburys and ate it in the offices under Halifax signal box. We then went up to do the box audit where there was a nice man working the box, after an un-eventful audit we left Halifax for Leeds, before we dropped the car off Anthony showed me around Whitehall yard and we saw the tamper that had been route-learning earlier in the day.
We dropped the car off, and went home.
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
9/5/2007
Day Two,
Started at 9:00AM today, we planned to go to York IECC so went across the motorway to Leeds station, we first went to look at the Network Rail yard at whitehall, and watched some tampers move around. We went upto the offices and I spoke with the M.O.M on duty, Jamie. Jamie asked what we had been doing and asked if I was a spotter to which I said no! he seemed very nice and Anthony got me some videos to watch at home. Anthony then went to collect the LOM's car keys and we went off to York IECC, after a long wait at the gate outside the IECC, a signaller came out and let us in. My first impressions were that it was a big, office situation. As we went around and watched the signallers do their thing, I noticed it's alot more laid back than I expect, and everyone is good friends with eachother. I was seated with the supervisor for Leeds signalling, and he talked me through isolation and reminders, even showing me what it looked like on empty lines, he talked me through the telephone, and everything a signaller needs. We then moved on to 'the emergency' boards which are a track diagram of York/Leeds and train describers are magnets, this is only to be used when power has been lost.
We then left the IECC centre and went through to 'Control' the hub of all northern rail operations, I saw representatives from each TOC (GNER, Northern, TPExpress) and it was busting at the seams with activity, this is the location where incidents are reported and relevant staff sent out to address the situation, I was introduced to a controller who travelled 100 miles each day to get to work, simply because he loved his job! after a quick look round it was clear the people and managers were extremely busy with youths stealing copper wire from the trackside.
Again, we went across the motorway to a yard named Healey Mills, and is a EWS sign on point, which holds numerous old loco's and wagons, we went across to the yard, and looked at the old loco's and I got into the cab of a class 56 EWS and a class 37, also EWS. After seeing this we quickly photographed the two EWS 66's stood at the maintenance centre, then we visited Healey Mills PSB and had a look at what they did, I took pictures of the PSB and we quickly went to see the Healey Mills LOM and got some documents for Leeds.
Back over to Leeds we dropped the documents off, found out what we would be doing tomorrow, Anthony picked up some DVD's and also showed me the old Leeds signalling training centre, signallers would practise on a model railway!
After long queues on the motorway, I finally arrived home.
Started at 9:00AM today, we planned to go to York IECC so went across the motorway to Leeds station, we first went to look at the Network Rail yard at whitehall, and watched some tampers move around. We went upto the offices and I spoke with the M.O.M on duty, Jamie. Jamie asked what we had been doing and asked if I was a spotter to which I said no! he seemed very nice and Anthony got me some videos to watch at home. Anthony then went to collect the LOM's car keys and we went off to York IECC, after a long wait at the gate outside the IECC, a signaller came out and let us in. My first impressions were that it was a big, office situation. As we went around and watched the signallers do their thing, I noticed it's alot more laid back than I expect, and everyone is good friends with eachother. I was seated with the supervisor for Leeds signalling, and he talked me through isolation and reminders, even showing me what it looked like on empty lines, he talked me through the telephone, and everything a signaller needs. We then moved on to 'the emergency' boards which are a track diagram of York/Leeds and train describers are magnets, this is only to be used when power has been lost.
We then left the IECC centre and went through to 'Control' the hub of all northern rail operations, I saw representatives from each TOC (GNER, Northern, TPExpress) and it was busting at the seams with activity, this is the location where incidents are reported and relevant staff sent out to address the situation, I was introduced to a controller who travelled 100 miles each day to get to work, simply because he loved his job! after a quick look round it was clear the people and managers were extremely busy with youths stealing copper wire from the trackside.
Again, we went across the motorway to a yard named Healey Mills, and is a EWS sign on point, which holds numerous old loco's and wagons, we went across to the yard, and looked at the old loco's and I got into the cab of a class 56 EWS and a class 37, also EWS. After seeing this we quickly photographed the two EWS 66's stood at the maintenance centre, then we visited Healey Mills PSB and had a look at what they did, I took pictures of the PSB and we quickly went to see the Healey Mills LOM and got some documents for Leeds.
Back over to Leeds we dropped the documents off, found out what we would be doing tomorrow, Anthony picked up some DVD's and also showed me the old Leeds signalling training centre, signallers would practise on a model railway!
After long queues on the motorway, I finally arrived home.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
8/5/2007
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THIS BLOG WAS NOT PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF NETWORK RAIL, ANY COMMENTS OR EVENTS IN THIS BLOG ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NETWORK RAIL
Day One,
I got in the car and was asked where I would like to go first, of course I chose my local box, Elland!
So we take a drive up to Elland, and Anthony knew I knew a lot about signal boxes, so we park up, open the gate and go knock on the door. The signalman for that day had a trainee with him, we had come just at the end of the morning peak, and we let him signal two trains through before we spoke. Anthony ran me through the block bells and the general procedure for accepting and giving a train. Anthony then spoke to the signallers for half an hour while I took a look around the lever operated box. We then decided it was time to leave, where next? the next signal box on the route! Greetland Junction (or Greetland no.1) we met a nice signaller who told me all about the old shunting movements by class 37's into the Oil Reception sidings, certainly nothing that would be performed today! He also told me about 'box lads' boys who wanted to get into the railway and would voluntarily help out at busy signal boxes.
We leave Greetland Junction and go to Anthony's house and have a cup of tea, and have a look through his old railway pictures, from when he worked at Milner Royd. We then leave to go take a look at Milner Royd as it is now, we meet the signaller on duty who soon booked off as we arrived, to be replaced by a jolly chap who asked me all about what I had done. Then it was down to business! not ten minutes had passed when the Location Operations Manager (LOM) arrived and the said signaller had to take an exam which he should do every three months, Anthony offered to control the box for 2 hours until 3PM, to which the LOM thanked him and off they went! We had things running smoothly through the junction. Anthony showed me what he was doing as he offered the train to Hebden Bridge, and accepted trains from Halifax, amazing watching it all work. He then introduced me to TRUST which reports train location, expected time and headcode number, we were due a freight in 10 minutes, which conflicted with a passenger service coming from Halifax. Anthony gave the freight (66108) priority, and after a little toot ( a thank you for a clear run) from the EWS driver we were back under way. I stood out on the staircase and almost every train driver waved at me, and I waved back. No sooner had I thought we started it was 3PM, and my day was over!
I returned home and made myself some dinner, an excellent action packed day!
Day One,
I got in the car and was asked where I would like to go first, of course I chose my local box, Elland!
So we take a drive up to Elland, and Anthony knew I knew a lot about signal boxes, so we park up, open the gate and go knock on the door. The signalman for that day had a trainee with him, we had come just at the end of the morning peak, and we let him signal two trains through before we spoke. Anthony ran me through the block bells and the general procedure for accepting and giving a train. Anthony then spoke to the signallers for half an hour while I took a look around the lever operated box. We then decided it was time to leave, where next? the next signal box on the route! Greetland Junction (or Greetland no.1) we met a nice signaller who told me all about the old shunting movements by class 37's into the Oil Reception sidings, certainly nothing that would be performed today! He also told me about 'box lads' boys who wanted to get into the railway and would voluntarily help out at busy signal boxes.
We leave Greetland Junction and go to Anthony's house and have a cup of tea, and have a look through his old railway pictures, from when he worked at Milner Royd. We then leave to go take a look at Milner Royd as it is now, we meet the signaller on duty who soon booked off as we arrived, to be replaced by a jolly chap who asked me all about what I had done. Then it was down to business! not ten minutes had passed when the Location Operations Manager (LOM) arrived and the said signaller had to take an exam which he should do every three months, Anthony offered to control the box for 2 hours until 3PM, to which the LOM thanked him and off they went! We had things running smoothly through the junction. Anthony showed me what he was doing as he offered the train to Hebden Bridge, and accepted trains from Halifax, amazing watching it all work. He then introduced me to TRUST which reports train location, expected time and headcode number, we were due a freight in 10 minutes, which conflicted with a passenger service coming from Halifax. Anthony gave the freight (66108) priority, and after a little toot ( a thank you for a clear run) from the EWS driver we were back under way. I stood out on the staircase and almost every train driver waved at me, and I waved back. No sooner had I thought we started it was 3PM, and my day was over!
I returned home and made myself some dinner, an excellent action packed day!
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