Replacing the escalators.

TfW unit 230007 is seen at Wrexham General and Wrexham Central on 12/04/2026.

Nothing typifies the lack of thinking that goes into our Railway services more than getting off one train full and standing, onto a shorter train, full and even more standing, but in between a train trundles through empty stock rather than strengthening either service. Leominster pictured.

While planning a Sunday itinerary to visit the stations on the Marches line, I could see a big gap between trains at Craven Arms. Filling this by continuing to Broome and walking back means I've definitely completed my steps for today!

After problems on the Ivanhoe line this morning, EMR picked up when I switched to the Derby-Crewe line. The main objective of the day was achieved by alighting at Peartree, and the rain held off for the walk from there to Derby. 170271 is seen leaving Peartree.

EMR unit 170530 approaches Tutbury & Hatton with a service to Crewe. The semaphore guards the level crossing between the staggered platforms for trains towards Derby.

I made a pleasant discovery at Kidsgrove - tucked between platforms 2 & 3 is a secluded garden area with benches. Given I was only here as I didn't fancy sitting in the Stoke on Trent wind tunnel for an extra half hour, this was most fortuitous. 170512 & 170273 are pictured.

Attenborough is a beautifully presented station, although like many EMR smaller stations it seems to be lacking in amenities. EMR themselves are performing to their usual standard, with cancellations and late-running thwarting my plans.

Hope it all goes well. 🤞

67020 approaches its stop at Nantwich with a TfW service to Cardiff Central on 10/04/2026.

67015 puts in a big effort pushing a TfW service for Manchester as it passes Prees 4 minutes behind time.

Nice!

The last of the new West Mids stations is Darlaston, which has a large car park adjacent and is clearly intended to be a Park & ride station. 66313 passes on a freight service from Small Heath to Tunstead, but I am concerned about the impending apocalyptic flood!

Willenhall opened about 2 weeks ago, and again seems well designed and executed. The colourful mural enhances the station and is a nod to the local locksmith industry.

Moseley Village is located in a cutting, and has a short tunnel at one end with an unusual entrance. It does have a spacious concourse area at street-level, situated above the tunnel.

The brilliantly named Pineapple Road station is another of the new ones. I like that all the new stations have been provided with proper platform canopies and plenty of seating. The old footbridge from the original Hazelwell station is also here but now used for utilities. 196002 & 005 are the units

WM Railway has done a good job with the new stations on the Camp Hill line. This is Kings Heath, complete with an original sign on the street-level concourse.

66059 emerges from the tunnel at Moseley Village on 10/04/2026.

My day started at Cheltenham Spa on an uninspiring Voyager 221130. I wonder if in the future we will reflect fondly on these undersized workhorses in the same way as the HSTs developed a following as time passed.

Back at Epping, I discovered the hitherto unknown (to me) Epping Signalling Museum, also with the former locomotive L11. This was a great and informative tour, and I would recommend it to anyone!

Some parting shots from North Weald, it seems a well run railway and hopefully they can open up a platform at Epping in due course.

20227 in its non-standard but nonetheless very smart London Underground livery is seen awaiting the right away at Ongar.

GWR 6989 Wightwick Hall is seen at North Weald and at Ongar. It is at the Epping & Ongar Railway for the next month or so. It will hit the small screen (or other streaming devices!) at the end of 2026 pulling the Hogwarts Express.

Not my usual mode of transport - I'm sure someone will know all about it, but to me it's "old bus"!

With just 2 weeks until the end of the ORR station usage reporting period (Apr 2025 - Mar 2026), I wonder whether one of these stations will be below Bordesley in the next stats to be West Midlands least used? Obviously over a full year they will far surpass many existing West Midlands stations.

Looking forward to the possibility of a Pineapple Road to Strawberry Hill journey in a couple of weeks or so!

Just no!

I took a walk down to Folkestone Harbour while passing through the area. Sadly I never got here when it was open, but they have done a great job of repurposing it as a focal point for visitors, with stalls and food outlets behind one of the platforms.

375704 has just arrived at Westenhanger with a service to Charing Cross. Interesting location, the constant drone of the adjacent motorway blights what would otherwise be a tranquil spot, but the chance to see Eurostars at full speed is unforgettable.

#Avanti and #Northern often get a bad press, but I've got to give them credit today, my entire day's itinerary has gone like clockwork (and an assist with 1st and last trains of the day by #Crosscountry as well). 158861 is pictured at Lancaster.