RailAdvent | David Spencer | Activity

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:37:47 +0100

@johns …and be completed into South & West Yorkshire’s major cities, with a direct link to the ECML close to Colton Jn. or following the long closed route through Ripon to serve the north east.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:32:56 +0100

@Mike_Ashworth Not half, Mike!

The Middleton Rly is just a mile from home.

In reply to - David Spencer posted an update Looking forward to the weekend when services recommence for summer season ’26.

All will suddenly be in full colour.

David Spencer posted an update: Looking forward to the weekend when services recommence […]

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:01:20 +0100

Looking forward to the weekend when services recommence for summer season ’26.

All will suddenly be in full colour.

David Spencer posted an update: 70007 et al#Feature

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:47:23 +0000

70007 et al

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 66419 with FlHH branding at Hunslet 66537 with new logo at Hunslet

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:45:19 +0000

66419 with FlHH branding at Hunslet

66537 with new logo at Hunslet

David Spencer posted an update: As the winner of the recent draw for a copy of the […]

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:18:08 +0000

As the winner of the recent draw for a copy of the book “Railfreight Yorkshire and North East England” I offer a very big thank you to Michael Holden and the team at Rail Advent. The book was already through my letterbox when I went to the front door this morning. I shall enjoy studying the photos in it more closely.

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:01:46 +0000

@Mike_Ashworth Thanks, Mike

In reply to - David Spencer posted an update

15 March 2026 #Feature

150268 on the 2L10 Sheffield to Leeds

158870+158906 on the 1Y20 1414 Nottingham to Leeds

195005+195018 on the 1Y25 1609 Leeds to Nottingham

David Spencer posted an update: 15 March 2026 #Feature150268 on the […]

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:57:57 +0000

15 March 2026 #Feature

150268 on the 2L10 Sheffield to Leeds

158870+158906 on the 1Y20 1414 Nottingham to Leeds

195005+195018 on the 1Y25 1609 Leeds to Nottingham

David Spencer posted an update: 0A33 1448 Healey Mills SCO Yard ro Leeds Balm Rd Loco […]

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:37:07 +0000

0A33 1448 Healey Mills SCO Yard ro Leeds Balm Rd Loco at Hunslet South Jn

185113+185117 at Hunslet South Jn on the 1P76 York to Manchester Airport

260301 185120+185128 at Stourton on the 1P77 1330 Manchester to York

185129 at Hunslet South Jn on the late running 1K23 1505 Leeds to Hull

195003+195023 at Hunslet South Jn on the 1Y23 Leeds…

David Spencer posted an update: 802206 on the 9E13 1252 Liverpool LS - Newcastle at Stourton

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:48:20 +0000

802206 on the 9E13 1252 Liverpool LS – Newcastle at Stourton

David Spencer posted an update: 66415 You are never alone

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:29:14 +0000

66415 You are never alone

David Spencer posted an update: 185140+185118 on the 1P29 Manchester Vic […]

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:27:02 +0000

185140+185118 on the 1P29 Manchester Vic to Scarborough

195010+195025 on the 1Y23 1509 Leeds to Nottingham

802219 on the 9M14 1402Newcastle to Liverpool LS

David Spencer posted an update: 70008 taking a break (without a KitKat!)#Feature

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:20:34 +0000

70008 taking a break (without a KitKat!)

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 12 February 2026#Feature

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:43:40 +0000

12 February 2026

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: There's a lack of preserved railway action during […]

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:40:18 +0000

There’s a lack of preserved railway action during the maintenance season, so here’s one from New Year’s Day in south Leeds. Taken at the GN curve (where the GNR Hunslet East to Beeston Jn line used to cross the Middleton Railway. It was also close to this point where the Middleton Express Tramway used to peel off into Middleton Woods.

David Spencer posted an update: 37219 + 66616 between duties

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:26:29 +0000

37219 + 66616 between duties

David Spencer posted an update: 150270 on the 12F07 Leeds to Knottingley195013 + 195018 […]

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:24:10 +0000

150270 on the 12F07 Leeds to Knottingley

195013 + 195018 on the 1Y23 Leeds to Nottingham

195025 + 195023 on the late running 1Y18 1319 Nottingham to Leeds

#Feature

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:31:06 +0000

I still don’t understand why there was no cavalcade like the Rail 150 event. I avoided the Derby event because railways are about movement, not static displays.

In reply to - John Stirzaker posted an update

#feature

I wasn’t sure what I expected from the ‘Inspiration Train’, now standing at Bolton Street Station in Bury. Inspired? Maybe — but to do what?

All I can say is that, for […]

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:58:48 +0000

My best guess is a phone, unless you used a compact camera with a 1/2.3″ sensor.

In reply to - Riley Thompson posted an update Was this taken on a camera or phone?

I’ll reveal the answer in 7 days

David Spencer posted an update: 150226 #Feature

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:39:20 +0000

150226

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 37425 Concrete Bob forming the 0Z38 1124 Barrow Hill […]

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:04:08 +0000

37425 Concrete Bob forming the 0Z38 1124 Barrow Hill Colaas Rail to Leeds Balm Rd Loco

#Feature

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:46:24 +0000

Nicely edited my friend. No long waits for the trains to appear.

In reply to - Tristan303 Youtube posted an update in the group Mainline Diesel / Electric

https://youtu.be/BnFKl82EYBc

Today, we are out filming the diversions on avanti west coast around the Settle & Carlisle area. It is […]

David Spencer posted an update: 195014+195013 passing Stourton FlT on the 1Y18 Nottingham […]

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:26:15 +0000

195014+195013 passing Stourton FlT on the 1Y18 Nottingham to Leeds

Line-up at Freightliner Leeds VMF from Pepper Rd. bridge

150201 at Hunslet South Jn on the 1Y17 1517 Leeds to Knottingley

David Spencer posted an update: The first train of the new year on the Middleton Railway

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:19:27 +0000

The first train of the new year on the Middleton Railway

David Spencer posted an update: There's steam today on the Middleton Railway in […]

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:05:32 +0000

There’s steam today on the Middleton Railway in Leeds between midday and 3pm.

David Spencer posted an update: Happy New Year, everybody.I hope that you all have […]

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:22:35 +0000

Happy New Year, everybody.

I hope that you all have the health and resources to enjoy our fantastic hobby.

37175 at Hunslet 31.12.25 – #Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 150201 on the 2F17 1517 Leeds to Knottingley66510 […]

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:23:58 +0000

150201 on the 2F17 1517 Leeds to Knottingley

66510 departing on the 0Z73 1526 Leeds Balm Rd Loco to Doncaster Up Decoy

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: I had to nip down the road into Hunslet this morning […]

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:56:36 +0000

I had to nip down the road into Hunslet this morning and couldn’t resist a couple of photos from Midland Road

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: Hawthorn-Leslie 3860 was on duty 21.12.25 for […]

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:38:57 +0000

Hawthorn-Leslie 3860 was on duty 21.12.25 for this auspicious duty. I saw the 14.45 heading out, then took our friends’ severely autistic son to see Santa on the 15.30. This is how to do Christmas on a preserved railway at a reasonable price (£13 for adults).

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:59:55 +0000

@Fraggle Thanks, Matt. Have a good one yourself.

I’m due on the 15.30 next Sunday with a severely autistic family friend.

All the best for ’26.

In reply to - David Spencer posted an update

14 Dec saw Hawthorn-Leslie 3860 (Swanscombe No.6) on Santa Special duty

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: A short visit to this historic station. The buddleia and […]

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:55:44 +0000

A short visit to this historic station. The buddleia and a Network Rail fence between platforms 1 & 2 have made photography much more difficult on this station but I got the following shots:

66724 at Wakefield Kirkgate on the 6E99 0625 Leyland Sidings GBRF to Rylstone Tilcon (GBRF)

158901 at Wakefield Kirkgate on the 2A04 0840 Knottingley…

David Spencer posted an update: Hunslet Yard in the gathering gloom of a December […]

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:54:27 +0000

Hunslet Yard in the gathering gloom of a December afternoon. #Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 14 Dec saw Hawthorn-Leslie 3860 (Swanscombe No.6) on […]

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:51:55 +0000

14 Dec saw Hawthorn-Leslie 3860 (Swanscombe No.6) on Santa Special duty

#Feature

David Spencer replied to the discussion New livery for Great British Railways in the forum Mainline Diesel / Electric

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:07:41 +0000

Reply to New livery for Great British Railways

I’ll pass judgement when it gets dirty.

David Spencer posted an update: Hunslet 2387 "Brookes No.1 was on duty for the […]

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:29:28 +0000

Hunslet 2387 “Brookes No.1 was on duty for the first weekend of the Middleton Railway’s Santa Specials. It was dark and the rain was starting to set in, but these are good conditions for moody steam shots with the right gear.

HC D1371 “MDHB 45” was also on standby.

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:55:48 +0000

Lots of power there for 3 coaches!

In reply to - Earl Chilton posted an update

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:52:12 +0000

I agree with Mike that the images are excellent, especially for a small format sensor, but confess that I, too am not a fan of wide angle lenses for Railway work due to the distortion.

In reply to - Craig Wellum posted an update

A view taken at the ELR at Bury on Wednesday this week of the Christman lunch dining train.

Took the images with my new Iphone 17 pro max phone. Very impressive camera and […]

David Spencer posted an update: 2L07 1417 Leeds to Sheffield comprising […]

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:44:33 +0000

2L07 1417 Leeds to Sheffield comprising 150268+156797

150215 on the 2F06 1430 Knottingley to Leeds

195005+195017 on the 1Y32 1310 Nottingham to Leeds

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:16:53 +0000

It’s quite a fair size compared with the tug at Freightliner Leeds VMF and is also bigger than Hunslet Eng Co Ltd’s loco 1786 Courage (aka “Sweet Pea”) on the Middleton Railway.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

My wife and I had a day out in Manchester on Monday going around the Christmas Markets, on the way there at Newton Heath we spotted a little yellow shunter, which my way said […]

David Spencer posted an update: 37405 at Hunslet 27.11.25#Feature

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:11:28 +0000

37405 at Hunslet 27.11.25

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 70008 at Hunslet 20.11.25#Feature

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 17:07:23 +0000

70008 at Hunslet 20.11.25

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: 150218 + 150271 at Stourton on the 1Y41 Leeds […]

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:39:14 +0000

150218 + 150271 at Stourton on the 1Y41 Leeds to Nottingham

185125 + 185139 at Stourton on the 1K23 Leeds to Hull

185137 + 185 123 at Stourton on the 1Z77 1252 Liverpool LS to Redcar Central

150204 at Hunslet South Jn on the 2F07 1517 Leeds to Knottingley

802203 at Hunslet South Jn on the 9Z14 1324 Manchester Airport to Newcastle (x2)

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: The last few from the summer operating season at […]

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:35:14 +0000

The last few from the summer operating season at the Middleton Railway with No.6 on duty. 26.10.25 was cold, damp and a bit drizzly.

#Feature

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:20:11 +0100

@Mike_Ashworth Railway Mag used one of my photos on Flickr.com earlier this year and credited me with the photo. However, I was neither approached beforehand or thanked afterwards in any way for its use. I don’t mind, as it was of the Middleton Railway taken at a spot which can no longer be used due to trees having sprung up blocking the view.

In reply to - Calum Sellers to Michael Holden, Mike Ashworth, Alex Mck and Graham Cross I wouldn’t usually talk on this, but the amount of comments I got on my last post warranted a ‘fuller’ explanation.
As I stated, I […]

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:08:02 +0100

@Mike_Ashworth A dry frosty day, please!

In reply to - David Spencer posted an update

On a wet and miserable afternoon, Hunslet 2387 Brookes No.1 built 1943 was on duty on the Middleton Railway.

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: D9000 Royal Scots Grey in the yard at Hunslet#Feature

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:03:44 +0100

D9000 Royal Scots Grey in the yard at Hunslet

#Feature

David Spencer posted an update: On a wet and miserable afternoon, Hunslet 2387 Brookes […]

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 19:21:41 +0100

On a wet and miserable afternoon, Hunslet 2387 Brookes No.1 built 1943 was on duty on the Middleton Railway.

#Feature

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:48:48 +0100

Superb shot, Tony.

In reply to - Tony Astbury posted an update Class 66 passing through Crewe

David Spencer posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:25:37 +0100

I have similar feelings, but from a different perspective. I’ve not been to the ELR or the NYMR this year, both of which are only an hour or so from home and I’ve not missed them. The same locos in the same spots can cause a loss of interest. I make a point of visiting the Middleton Rly. every weekend during the operating season, but am a…

David Spencer posted an update: 70815 in the yard, taken from Midland Road. # Feature

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:52:31 +0100

70815 in the yard, taken from Midland Road. # Feature