Tag: blog

2022 on Rainham Rail Enthusiast

Well, here we go again, let us hope for a better year out on the railway. Signs are that as we go through this year, more may be achievable.

I am hoping to continue with my along the railway line series on my YouTube channel, as well as importing ones I have already done to this Blog at some point. This will be a time consuming job, but it would be nice to have both a print and video version of these station looks. So what’s in store for 2022?

ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE SERIES (YouTube series)

Regarding this series, the lines I am aiming to do are :

Medway Valley Line – looking at the stations which were not visited in the Least Used railway stations in Kent series.

Ashford to Ramsgate Line

Kent Downs Line (Maidstone East Line)

Stations of the Darent Valley CRP

Worth noting that I will still be using 2019 / 2020 ORR statistics for the passenger numbers. This is because they are the most recent accurate figures available. Because of the pandemic, later figures are very skewed, and so I will use these until the situation becomes (fairly) normal again.

Doing those would almost complete the lesser used stations in Kent, the rest I will probably ‘mop up’ in 2023.

TOP TEN LEAST USED STATIONS IN….. (YouTube Series)

Another instalment in my Top Ten Least Used Station series will take me up north, to Merseyside!! Looking forward to really getting out of Kent, and seeing some Northern Stock.

Worth noting that I will still be using 2019 / 2020 ORR statistics for the passenger numbers. This is because they are the most recent accurate figures available. Because of the pandemic, later figures are very skewed, and so I will use these until the situation becomes (fairly) normal again.

OTHER SPECIALS

The most obvious railway line to visit will be (if it opens!!) the core section of the Elizabeth Line, from Abbey Wood to Paddington. I would love to be on the first train, but nevertheless I will showcase all the stations on this central core of the line.

These are the main points of the year, other surprises may pop up, you never know!! I am also trying very hard to keep this Blog site up to date, and hopefully push the YouTube channel up to that magical 1000, so that I can monetize and help fund my trips out and about.

So may I wish all that read and follow me both here and on YouTube a very Happy new year!! And If you are new to the blog and channel, please enjoy my content, and a happy new year to you too.

Just leaves me with my tagline:

“If you can, get out there, get on the railway, and see where it takes you“

London Transport Museum Depot Open Day – September 2019

On sunday 29th September 2019, I visited the LTM Depot open day. The museum is in Acton, and can be reached on the Underground network via the Picadilly and District lines. The museum itself is a 5 minute walk across the road from the station.

The first thing to note as you approach the entrance was a small miniature railway which runs on event days such as this. Entrance to the site was very fluid, a quick check of my printed ticket and I was in.

You will see various large equipment from the underground network either side of you as you enter, and straight ahead there are rows of shelving stacked high to the roof with boxes. Stairs to the right of you take you up to a mezzanine level where on this day an interactive area was laid on for children. Great views can be had over the museum here, especially the tube stock.

Before you get to the actual tube trains, go up the stairs to your left. This will take you to an area which contains a fantastic amount of old signage, and various models used in planning. As seen in these photos, you can easily spend 15 minutes + up here.

Before you view the tube stock, have a look at the old equipment in front of them, old ticket machines and barriers, and signalling equipment.

The variety of tube stock here is amazing. Everything is well laid out, and you can even enter some of the old trains. The level of refurbishment is exceptional, and has quite a nostalgic feel.

To the extreme right of the tube stock is an area dedicated to buses. Again the level of care in refurbishing these is exceptional.

Outside there was an area to buy various food and drink, and a place to sit down. No food and drink is allowed in the museum for obvious reasons.

I came on a day which was all about the London Termini, and the lectures provided were excellent. I also went on an included tour of the small item store, which was fantastic and lasted around 20 minutes. You have to sign up for this on the day, but they were quite regular.

Overall I would recommend going to visit this museum during its open days, the amount of heritage equipment, stock and signage on display is astounding. They only open it on select dates, and more specific tours are held on Saturdays throughout the year. Follow the link below the video to see if anything interests you.

Below is a video which i shot on the day, which gives an overall view of the museum.

Here is the link to the depot website : https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit/museum-depot

Many thanks for reading, I’ll blog again soon.