RailAdvent | Mike Ashworth | Activity

Mike Ashworth and alexf are now connected

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:59:21 +0100

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Northern Diesel Multiple Unit’s, light Engine and a […]

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:49:36 +0100

Northern Diesel Multiple Unit’s, light Engine and a Freight train Huncoat East Lancashire

https://youtu.be/KgHWS61GSvM

Mike Ashworth posted an update: 6C52 Ashton In Makerfield to Horton In Ribblesdale […]

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:56:57 +0100

6C52 Ashton In Makerfield to Horton In Ribblesdale Quarry GBRF 66686 Crossing Whalley Viaduct

https://youtu.be/A3ugRDVxtuA

Mike Ashworth replied to the discussion Your Best April Fools Day Pranks in the forum Other Railway Adventures

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:13 +0100

Reply to Your Best April Fools Day Pranks

The truth is Michael that I have actually been under the Metrolink vehicles looking as how to mount equipment under the high (“BR’ standard) floor, at that visit batteries were discussed using the same technology as in the battery powered ex underground trains.

In one of the offices it showed proposed routes. One of which was the ELR, I did…

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:01:18 +0100

@johns yes including the Lancashire section, metro during the week and steam on the weekends

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

I have been informed by Manchester Metrolink that they are now testing a light rail vechicle fitted with batteries under the high floor on the connected but not wired East […]

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:10:16 +0100

@johns When ELR took over the line there was a clause that GMT now The Bee Network could lease the line.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

I have been informed by Manchester Metrolink that they are now testing a light rail vechicle fitted with batteries under the high floor on the connected but not wired East […]

Mike Ashworth posted an update: I have been informed by Manchester Metrolink that they […]

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:16:27 +0100

I have been informed by Manchester Metrolink that they are now testing a light rail vechicle fitted with batteries under the high floor on the connected but not wired East Lancashire Railway.

They where seen on Tuesday testing and will carry on testing on Wednesday morning.

They are early indications that the tests are going well.

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:46:14 +0100

@DavidFS you are just itching to taste and feel the steam.

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.

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:44:51 +0100

@DavidFS they should have reused the great central line route, using the woodhead route to Manchester, the track bed is still available and there is still space coming off the woodhead route and into Manchester.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

Mike Ashworth posted an update: 66303 Going To Be Named Preston North Endhttps://youtu.be/Te1Eh1bpn2U

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:04:09 +0100

66303 Going To Be Named Preston North End

https://youtu.be/Te1Eh1bpn2U

Mike Ashworth posted an update: I have heard today that Manchester Metrolink are to […]

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:34:40 +0100

I have heard today that Manchester Metrolink are to be testing battery technology out on there light rail vehicles ( they aren’t trams ). Having been underneath them and the high floor design that was forced to go with due to taking over old BR lines and platforms means there is plenty of room to install batteries under the floor. Also with the…

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:23:50 +0100

Scotsman looks sad, it longs to be outside stretching its wheels across our green and pleasant land.

In reply to - Michael Holden posted an update

Flying Scotsman at a very sunny National Railway Museum today

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:04:12 +0100

Have you got a steam craving going on David.

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.

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:49:19 +0100

@johns yes that’s possibly could be the case, unions can cause problems if handled poorly and GBR needs to play happy families to get them on board. A lot of problems with privatised train companies it that the profits leave the company instead of reinvesting. A unified National Railway system should reduce route duplication and put more more… Read more

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:06:12 +0100

@johns HS2 is a white elephant, as it’s now just a fast line to Birmingham. Currently you can go from Manchester to London in two hours and not much longer from Preston, especially if you catch the Lancastrian service. Tickets should be better when GBR is fully operational outside of the metropolitan areas. The multitude of tickets operates… Read more

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:48:12 +0100

@nostalgia years ago I got involved with the heating of butterfly houses, the secret was that you could stand a range of temperatures but you needed the correct plants for the different types. Do this and you had plenty of healthy butterflies. With shifts in the UK weather there has been a change in the distribution of birds and wildlife.… Read more

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

I took the back streets through the industrial estates in Blackburn this morning and noticed that I could see the tunnel mouth as all the surrounding vegetation had be […]

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:45:10 +0100

Anyone have any April Fools Day ideas?

Mike Ashworth posted an update: 2N14 Preston to Colne Northern DMU 156414 https://youtu.be/i0fLz02XJxY

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:42:53 +0100

2N14 Preston to Colne Northern DMU 156414

https://youtu.be/i0fLz02XJxY

Mike Ashworth posted an update: I took the back streets through the industrial estates […]

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:55:37 +0100

I took the back streets through the industrial estates in Blackburn this morning and noticed that I could see the tunnel mouth as all the surrounding vegetation had be removed.

This means that it’s far easier to see the track from Fort Street, which is where the Dasiyfield Junction is.

There is a tall fence 6’4”but you could hold your camera on…

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Heritage Scotrail Class 47 47765/D1643 In The Rain […]

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:42:05 +0100

Heritage Scotrail Class 47 47765/D1643 In The Rain At Rawtenstall East Lancashire Railway

https://youtu.be/sp29PZUO_Zk

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:48:02 +0100

@johns Leyland Station was cold and windy, on Saturday afternoon we had a brief snow shower with thunder.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Heritage Trains Electric Les Ross Cumbrian Mountain Express & Steam Tornado The Shap Mountaineer

https://youtu.be/Y_3uTEhwOiE

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:47:40 +0100

@johns Leyland Station was cold and windy, on Saturday afternoon we had a brief snow shower with thunder.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Heritage Trains Electric Les Ross Cumbrian Mountain Express & Steam Tornado The Shap Mountaineer

https://youtu.be/Y_3uTEhwOiE

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Heritage Trains Electric Les Ross Cumbrian Mountain […]

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:18:07 +0000

Heritage Trains Electric Les Ross Cumbrian Mountain Express & Steam Tornado The Shap Mountaineer

https://youtu.be/Y_3uTEhwOiE

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:44:33 +0000

@sxrelayThe use that I observed was for current and future projects, they told that it was far easier to use scale model railways to test out new formations as the use on the hand crane was easier than using a full sized crane and track components.

In reply to - Paul Hutchines posted an update 2 cranes packed away following track renewals at Spa rd, London bridge.

#feature

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:59:56 +0000

@rileythompson I actually meant in normal service

In reply to - Riley Thompson posted an update 86 259 “Les Ross/Peter pan” at York on 4/10/25 #feature

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:26:47 +0000

I use to go into the Network Rail office’s in Milton Keynes so deal with the Switch and Crossing department and they have in the middle of the office a large table with 00 gauge model railway track along with model coaches and on track plant. I asked them what they used it for and they replied that they used it for planning track work and…

In reply to - Paul Hutchines posted an update 2 cranes packed away following track renewals at Spa rd, London bridge.

#feature

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:17:55 +0000

From memory did the class 86 ever work the ECML

In reply to - Riley Thompson posted an update 86 259 “Les Ross/Peter pan” at York on 4/10/25 #feature

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:03:29 +0000

@rileythompson I had planned to go up to Hellifield but I had to be in Blackburn in the early afternoon so went to Blackburn station.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Light Steam Engines, Diesel Locomotive, and Diesel Multiple Units Blackburn Station 23/03/2026

https://youtu.be/Zhy56GLWRQY

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Light Steam Engines, Diesel Locomotive, and Diesel […]

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:51:58 +0000

Light Steam Engines, Diesel Locomotive, and Diesel Multiple Units Blackburn Station 23/03/2026

https://youtu.be/Zhy56GLWRQY

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Network Rail Class 153 Video Inspection DMU 153311 […]

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:51:38 +0000

Network Rail Class 153 Video Inspection DMU 153311 Passing Huncoat East Lancashire Line

https://youtu.be/tkgnUibJqMc

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:07:36 +0000

Looks like you got close up to the locomotives David

In reply to - David Spencer posted an update

66419 with FlHH branding at Hunslet

66537 with new logo at Hunslet

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 20:35:10 +0000

@johns One of my colleagues was on the taxi when it lost drive, the message I got off him was ‘call air sea rescue, the coast guard, the lifeboat’, I did ask him exactly where he was and they where just floating past media city. An ex-employee was working for the MSC so I gave him a ring and he arranged to have the taxi towed back.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted an update: Network Rail Class 153 Video Inspection DMU 153311 […]

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:09:13 +0000

Network Rail Class 153 Video Inspection DMU 153311 Passing Huncoat East Lancashire Line

https://youtu.be/tkgnUibJqMc

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:50:35 +0000

I have had a hunt around on RTT it appears to come out of the K&WVR on Saturday Morning going up to Settle Junction then Carnfourth and Barrow. After a couple of hours it departs back to Carnfourth and heads up the WCML picking up passengers and goes to Appleby. Have a look at UK rail tours and branch line society.

In reply to - Sam Harrison posted an update in the group Mainline Diesel / Electric

Saw this on RTT. Does anyone know what is could be?

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:26:48 +0000

@johns Thanks that explains it, I was told by a very junior member of the MSC it was the locks. This was when we had to go rescue a river taxi after it lost power due to problems with a flexible coupling.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:52:06 +0000

@johns I heard that maintenance was very important for the Ship Canal as it locks continuously controlled the high of the river Irwell and by association the flooding risk in Manchester, as when fully operational the canal can flow ten times the normal flow rate.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:44:50 +0000

@johns I thought the canal was in full working order for freight traffic. How come the Daniel Adamson is trapped on the weaver.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:38:19 +0000

@johns Do you still run cruises down the Ship Canal?

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:18:09 +0000

@Malc just because they are old they can still get places early.

In reply to - Craig Wellum posted an update 37409 hauling 5029 Nunney Castle and 34046 Braunton north at Balshaw Lane today en route from Crewe to the K&WVR to appear at the steam gala. The train was running 39 minutes early […]

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:17:06 +0000

Nice collection of locomotives

In reply to - Ian Lane posted an update 37 409 Loch Awe with 5029 Nunney Castle and 34046 Braunton on the 5Z29 Crewe to The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for their upcoming gala. Here passing Hest Bank level crossing 17/3/26

#feature

Mike Ashworth posted an update: 57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire […]

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:16:08 +0000

57314 Conwy Castle & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Carnfourth to York

https://youtu.be/rlJV-KsWuyk

Mike Ashworth posted an update: The Settle to Carlisle nearly has 1 million passengers […]

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:07:48 +0000

The Settle to Carlisle nearly has 1 million passengers but there would be far more passengers using the line if Northern would extend all trains from Clitheroe to Hellifield (it would be quicker to walk the 11 miles, than take the train).

They did a study a couple of years that was done in such a way that they knew the results before starting…

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 18:17:16 +0000

Nice pictures David we are sending the Lancashire Fusilier your way on Tuesday afternoon, so it maybe worth pointing your camera that way.

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

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:28:33 +0000

@TaylPSteam Thanks Philip, it looks like it heading our way on Tuesday afternoon going via Preston then Blackburn heading for York.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

The Buxton Spa Express 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Climbs Out Of Accrington 14/03/2026

https://youtu.be/W1sqoFXjD9I

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:13:48 +0000

I see you was up early this morning

In reply to - John Driscoll posted an update

Mike Ashworth posted an update: The Buxton Spa Express 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier […]

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:56:48 +0000

The Buxton Spa Express 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier Climbs Out Of Accrington 14/03/2026

https://youtu.be/W1sqoFXjD9I

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 10:29:22 +0000

Just going to catch it through Accrington

In reply to - Craig Wellum posted an update

45407 heads north through Chorley Station 7 minutes late this morning on RTC’s Buxton Spa Express.

The train started with a diesel drag from Preston to Manchester with 45407 on the […]

Mike Ashworth posted an update: #feature BR 60007 Sir Nigel Greasley at speed […]

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:55:28 +0000

#feature BR 60007 Sir Nigel Greasley at speed through Leyland Station WCML. still from yesterday’s Cumbrian Mountain Express.

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:49:16 +0000

@johns There is a finite number of certificated Steam Engines that are available.

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Cumbrian Mountain Express BR 60007 Sir Nigel Greasley WCML Leyland

https://youtu.be/Cny_SpBz0j4

Mike Ashworth posted a new activity comment

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:13:05 +0000

@johns I have just been looking at the routing of the Manchester to Buxton excursion on Saturday and it seems to be taking a very roundabout journey starting from Preston looping around Manchester then back up the WCML, then turning right onto the east Lancashire line and then the Copypit line and back into Manchester looping around the… Read more

In reply to - Mike Ashworth posted an update

Cumbrian Mountain Express BR 60007 Sir Nigel Greasley WCML Leyland

https://youtu.be/Cny_SpBz0j4