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Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner for December, 2020 in England!

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Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner for December, 2020 in England!
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, November 30, 2020 11:17 PM

 

DECEMBER, 2020 Edition

The Diner has been uprooted from the previous New Zealand location and made the 11,659 mile journey half-way round the world to the Wonderful Country of England. This month should be very interesting as we learn about the history and railroads of this fascinating land of many Railways.

Every month we respectfully remember the good

friends that are no longer with us.

 Flickr


Meanwhile, Have a place on the Team!

 David will be our native host but, of course, anyone may contribute.

 

 

 

 I'm sure we will be visiting surrounding areas of the UK and there will be much to see, much to eat and a great deal to drink, as well!

 

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 12:15 AM

Thanks again Ed for moving the Diner. I am looking forward to David's contribution as well as others, yourself included. FWIW, I love the old black and white industrial documentaries. The one you posted at the end of the November Diner was interesting, mostly because it seemed to jump all over the place in terms of subjects. I think the editor might have been adding something to his tea.Smile, Wink & Grin

I'll see what I can find myself.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 12:40 AM

Here is an old documentary about the huge station at York, filmed from the perspective of the Station Master.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by "JaBear" on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 12:45 AM
Thanks for carrying out the move Ed, I hope that the pneumatic brake system didn’t give you too many hassles!
 
Thanks to those who made the kind remarks about the Diners NZ visit, to have something new and hopefully interesting every night takes a bit of effort, but I’m sure David will be up to the task, and besides the catering might be far better!
 
York 1, While“She’ll be right” and or “No worries” can be used in a number of different situations, I regard them both to have positive connotations, so accordingly your use of the phrase is “Sweet as”
 
I found this video of the most famous train that has come out of the UK in the last 20 years.
 
 
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 2:24 AM

Good Morning —

     Waking up to tea and crumpets and a bit of orange marmelade Dinner

That should satisfy the belly, now something for the eyes (and spirit):

 Duncan Langtree by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

Steam engine Merchant Navy Class 35018 British India Line at Scout Green climbing towards the famous Shap Summit in the United Kingdom, on December 1, 2019.

      Taken just last year, to the day — Simply wonderful!

Regards, Ed

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 4:30 AM

Thanks Ed for setting things up.

Good morning all and welcome to England.  A cold December 1st greets us.  The kettle is on.  Breakfast on the go.

Britain's newest steam engine 60163  'Tornado'  at Leyburn Station on the Wensleydale Railway

A film of the 'Long Drag'  The Settle - Carlisle Line.     At the time it was threatened with closure. but a massive campaign was made and the route is saved.  Today it is a very busy line with freight trains using it instead of traveliing the West Coast Line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEUFKC-jjKw

Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

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Posted by herrinchoker on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 5:04 AM

Good job on moving the diner. 

Bear,

Thank you for all the films, and hosting last month.

On the tail end of a strong easterly gale, wind to 60, 2++ inches of rain from 1600 to 2400 hrs. Got the gen set ready to fire up yesterday AM, didn't have to fire it up, although most of the county is with out power--a first for us !!

Best to all--

herrinchoker

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 5:47 AM

NorthBrit
A film of the 'Long Drag'  The Settle - Carlisle Line.     At the time it was threatened with closure. but a massive campaign was made and the route is saved.  Today it is a very busy line with freight trains using it instead of traveliing the West Coast Line.

Hi David,

It is very heart warming to hear that 'The Long Drag' has actually survived. Are there any more recent documentaries about it that you are aware of?

I have to say that the long stone arch viaducts are absolutely amazing, especially when you take into consideration the methods and tools that were available at the time. Of course they weren't the first. The Romans seemed to be pretty adept at building viaducts too.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 7:55 AM

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

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Posted by York1 on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 9:16 AM

Good morning, everyone.  It's great to be in the UK.

Another day of not much to do except layout work.  It's too cold to work outside.

I have several neighbors who probably don't like me today.  The past several days the wind has had gusts up to 50 mph, with the result that the big oak trees lost most of their leaves.   The wind moved the leaves to others' yards.  Isn't that too bad?

York1 John       

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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 9:22 AM

Oy, if we're in England, ain't we in a cafe (pronounced like "calf"), not a diner?

Wink

Stix
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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 10:06 AM

wjstix

Oy, if we're in England, ain't we in a cafe (pronounced like "calf"), not a diner?

Wink

 

 

Not quite my friend.   Cafe is pronouunced 'caffy' or if one is  speaking 'posh'   'cafay'.Smile

 

Another photo of 'Tornado'  this time at Leeming Station

 

 

Dinner  Tonite it is Soy  & Honey Chicken, Green Beans and Rice.

Stay Safe.

 

David

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 11:02 AM

DECEMBER!

2020 is almost over, only one more month, then we can put this disaster of a year behind us forever.

2021 cannot get here soon enough. This is going to be a real celebration of a new year.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 11:35 AM

NorthBrit
Britain's newest steam engine 60163 'Tornado' at Leyburn Station on the Wensleydale Railway

Ah YES!!!!  I own a few of the bolts, nuts, and washers on her....  Mader several donations back when she was being built!

Here is Tornado back on May 15, 2017 when she got up to 100 mph for a few seconds.

  

enjoy!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 11:53 AM

howmus

Here is Tornado back on May 15, 2017 when she got up to 100 mph for a few seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y0Yqxg6ooY  enjoy!

73

 

 
 
Ah the section of track at Northallerton.   A good length of track to speed up.
 
Many years ago I boarded a Leeds to Newcastle train.  A Class 45 diesel at the head. After a short while we began to slow down.  Apparently  a carriage had a cracked wheel and we 'limped' into York.
 
The offending carriage  was taken out of the train and off we went.   I had done the trip several times and I thought we would be really late into Newcastle.  But no.   We 'flew up the line'.  We must have been at the engines limits.
Three minutes early into Newcastle.
 
David

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Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 12:08 PM

Toby does have a ligament tear.  The waiting time for elective dog surgery, thanks to covid is 4-6 weeks and neither we nor the vet are keen on surgery because of his bowel disease and the drugs he takes.

Talked to a friend near Cleveland last night and she was execting 1' of snow today.  It's also snowing in WV, but won't make it across the mountain to me, where it's 42 degrees, sunny and windy.

Wanted to salvage some OSB for the layout from the construction dumpster near me, but the pieces wouldn't fit into the highlander.  It has a roof rack, but that is cosmetic.  There is nothing to protect the top of the roof.

 

Henry

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 1:18 PM

Jet Lag ! ...... Are any of you suffering from jet lag after the trip from NZ to England ? I am. Zzzzz. LOL 

Ed .... Thanks for moving the Diner. That was good of you. 

I see there are pictures and videos for me to catch up on. 

Everybody ..... Have a good rest of the day. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 2:15 PM

BigDaddy
Talked to a friend near Cleveland last night and she was execting 1' of snow today. 

Yep! Sure enough. I just came in from plowing and there's at least a foot and more expected. Yhis is the heaviest, wettest hard packing snow I've seen in a long tome. Still too nasty to even go out to try for a photo.

I'll have to go out and refill the bird feeders, though. They lost their food supply when the snow covered everything up. The feeders are their only source.

Newcastle :

 GNER, Newcastle, England, 2000 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

 

Here's a sharp looking place I wouldn't mind calling HOME!

 Nick King by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr

"West Country Class" Pacific 34027 "Taw Valley" departs Hampton Loade for Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Heritage Railway in Worcestershire, England, on July 7, 2019.

[Update:] I did poke my head out the front door long enough to take a snap:

 Looking_West by Edmund, on Flickr

I also trudged to the bird feeders. Boy, did I have some happy birds! A bluebird watched me from a branch not six-feet away. Then the woodpeckers came out for the suet. Bright red cardinals against the snow-packed tree branches. Quite lovely. Too nasty to even take the camera out Sigh

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 2:19 PM

we got three flakes or so here in KY 

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Posted by up831 on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 9:41 PM

Hi Everybody,

Nice to be in the UK this month.  I've only been to London once, but my memories of it were very fond.  This was in 1969, 50 years ago.  Time does fly.

Met some nice young people there, saw Carnaby St, almost got hit by an XKE, played cricket with some youths waiting for a concert at Royal Albert Hall.  They had a stick and a tennis ball. A road work sign served as the wicket.  I was in a suit because I had to fly to the US later that evening.  Memorable experience.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 1:20 AM

WW by Bear, on Flickr

ParadiseParadise

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 1:24 AM

It is 47 degrees outside right now. I never remember a cold snap this early in December.

It is supposed to be 42 tomorrow morning, but since this is Florida, we will get up to 72 tomorrow afternoon, then back into the 80s on Thursday.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 4:22 AM

Good morning all.  Toast and tea is out and on the table.

After a warm night the temperature has dropped to near freezing?

Today we shall visit the North East of England.

Here in Anwick, the home of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Gardens and the scenes of many Harry Potter  films (of which I have not seen, or read the books.)  We find that the old railway station is now the well known (here) bookshop, Barter Books.   Sit and read a book, exchange your book,  even buy books.

Over in the Industrial Estate we find The Aln Valley Railway. A Heritage Railway.  Their aim is to eventually reach the East Coast Main Line  at Alnmouth.

Here are some photographs.

 

Richboro was built in 1917

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngeBAinvn_I

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 5:00 AM

Still in the North East of England,  further up the coast;  rare silent film of the short lived North Sunderland Railway.   The small port of Seahouses did not grow as anticipated.  The rolling stock was always antiquated and the new owners (The North East Railway)  saw no reason to improve matters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sunderland_Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlBM6aUbqLk

 

The next film is trains to Consett Steel Works.

Iron Ore & Coal to Consett.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeOnudmiqzU

 

Enjoy!

 

Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.

David

 

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8:07 AM

Good morning, everyone.  Cold. Cold.

Cabinet man coming today.  He finished building the cabinet doors and will install those today.  

David, that little Sunderland line was interesting.  It went to those houses, but what was its purpose?  Did it connect to a mainline and this was an extension?

My father was stationed in England before D-Day.  He didn't ever talk about England, but he did say that they took trips to Scotland.  He said it was the most beautiful place.  I'm sorry to say that he did not talk much about his experiences there, and I never really asked him about it.  Now, I wish I had.

Have a good Wednesday.

York1 John       

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8:45 AM

Hi York 1

The North Sunderland Railway was built by the NSR Company.  The North Eastern Railway were not interested in the line at all.  The line was from Chathill on the main line  to Seahouses.  The NSR had their own locomotive, named Bamburgh.

In 1902 the North Eastern Railway took ove running the railway with the NSR paying NER for use of their locomotives.

By 1939 the NSR owed the LNER (the NER were now part of the London North Eastern Railway)  £4,500   rising to £14,941 in 1948 when the railways were Nationalised.   Closure was inevitable and happened in 1951.   The line had been open 53 years.

 

Very few soldiers talked of their experiences during WW2.  I doubt your father would have said very much had you asked.  Most children  never asked.  It was an unwritten law.  I am now just finding out about one of my uncles who was in the 'Forgotten 14th Army'  in Burma.  I know a little about my father  during WW2.  His involvement at El Alamein to Tunisia; then into Italy all the way to Venice.  Being referred as a 'D-Day Dodger'. 

Reference to a "D-Day Dodger" was bitingly sarcastic, given the steady stream of Allied service personnel who were being killed or wounded in combat on the Italian front. A "dodger" is someone who avoids something; the soldiers in Italy felt that their sacrifices were being ignored after the invasion of Normandy, and a "D-Day Dodger" was a reference to someone who was supposedly avoiding real combat by serving in Italy, whereas the reality was anything but.

Even now Burma and the Italian Campaign are hardly mentioned.

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8:48 AM

Good morning 

Ed ..... I heard in the news about there being a lot of snow in NE Ohio, and your photo proves it. 

Bear ....... LOL at your Bear Toon. 

David NorthBrit ..... Thanks for posting pictures and videos. It is always impressive to see steam locomitives in action, and it is good to see videos of them. 

I have very good memories of visiting the British Railway Museum in York, England in 2002. While there, I had a convesation with a museum employee. In particular, I was interested in seeing the replica of Penydarren. He said the replica engine was being rebuilt in preparation for the 200th anniversary of the first run of the real Penydarren in 1803.  It was invented by RIchard trevithick. 

When I told the man I was employed by Canadian National (GTW), he became very accomodating. He took me to the work shop where work was being done on the Penydarren replica. The replica, itself, was several decades old and certainly beloged in this museum. 

Below is are pictures I took of the work being done to the Penydarren replica. 

 

The following photo I found on the internet shows the replic of Penydarren after being assembled. 

 

 

It is good the Diner is in England this month where the steam locomotive was invented over 200 years ago. 

 

I have more photos of the museum in York which I can show in the days ahead. 

 

Everybody: ....... Have a good day. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8:54 AM

Garry.    Interesting photos indeed.   I look forward to seeing your photographs of NRM York.    I have a collection from 'Locomotion' (a sister Museum to the NRM.)

David

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 9:14 AM

Good morning

Thanks for Relocating the diner and pics this month Ed.  And your contributions being that you are over there David.  Interesting and fun to see the different designs of railroad equipment.  Enjoyed the other photos here as well.

 

 

TF

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Posted by howmus on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 9:48 AM

Mornin' everyone!

After the Current limitations of the ^!&@$ is over and done with, I hope to hop on a Big Old Jet Airliner (hey that sounds like it could be good song....) and visit my son and his partner over in West Berkshire, UK.  Want to see the old homestead in person.

'tis somewhere between 400 and 6oo years old made of mud bricks.

Appears to be a very nice pad!  Does have a modern kitchen though....

We got a little over an inch of sn*w last night here in the Finger Lakes so I am preheating the Tesla to see how quickly it will clear the windows nd then recharge the battery plugged into my 16 amp. charger at the house.  Have not driven it in winter yet....  Will soon find out how it does.  I already know I will lose considerable range when the temp is very low as the car doesn't use wasted energy from burning fossil fuels to heat it....

Have a hearing test this afternoon.  I think I am hearing a lot more of the highs that have been missing for the last few decades now....  Hopeing they can make adjustments on the spot to help me understand conversations better (particularly in noisy places).  We shall see.  May be I have just lost more of my hearing.... Who knows?

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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