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WAYYYYYYYY back in the late 1980s, we did a trip on along the Settle and Carlisle line but this only covered as far as Hellifield. Today I would clear off the rest and a few other bits.
Bold = Haulage, Red = Winner, All others are sightings.
Awake before the sun climbed out of its bed and out to Croydon where we picked up 9R02 East Croydon to St Pancras 700031 [13m 45ch]. 700/0 used to run on the Brighton line in the past but recently not so much.
We headed upstairs to a somewhat empy EMR platform area and boarded our train - 1D08 St Pancras International to Nottinghm 222021 (Winner and cleared for 20 miles) [128m 09ch].
We arrived in to Nottingham on the dot of 08:11, its booked time, which was good for me. The wife went off to do her thing elsewhere and I walked briskly over and caught 1Y08 Nottingham to Leeds train via Barnsley. 195022 (winner and cleared for 5 miles) [81m 55ch]. This was a new bit of line for me from Mansfield Jn to Clay Cross North Jn ✅. Then from Barnsley station Jn to Woodlesford via Wakefield Kirkgate, Normanton, Altofs Jn and Methley Jn and in to Leeds ✅. It's always nice to pass Leeds, Mildand Road depot but it is also saddening to see many locos being stored out of use.
A rather speedy walk from platforms 17B to the other side of the station and platform 1C and the 2H06 Leeds to Morecombe 158855 (Winner and cleared for 5 miles) [36m 21ch]. The train took me past Keighley and the heritage line which was having its diesel gala day to my destination - Hellifield. I'd heard there was a cafe on the station so I planned that would be where I would get an early lunch. I alighted and took a photo of the Unit before it left. That saw me clear the line ✅.
The stations is a lovely station and well worth a visit if you get the chance. The cafe is called SHED 24H AT HELLIFIELD STATION and having sampled their sausage, bacon and egg butty and mug of coffee I can recommend it. The cafe has lovely atmosphere and the walls are decorated in railwayania in many shapes and forms. Having devoured my food I spent time wandering around the station taking photos. THe museum has lots of interesting items in it and there is a bookshop too. Worth a look.
My train was 2Y60 Morecombe to Leeds 158793 (winner and cleared for 5 mile) [36m 21ch] due to leave Hellifield at 11:42 but it was running 12 minutes late. As I had eaten already I wasn't too fussed.
Next train was 2V32 Leeds to Ilkley 331106 (winner and cleared for 5 miles) [16m 17ch] which allowed me to clear the line from Guiseley to Ilkley ✅.
I took a few a photos around Ilkley before returning on the same unit.. It's not quite what I expected with the big M&S food store and other outlets.
2V35 Ilkley to Leeds 331106 (non winner) [16m 17ch]
Now it was time to head back out and clear another line.
Many moons ago, when I was roaming about the country photographing non league football, I managed to get to Harrogate from York. Now to was time to clear the rest of the line.
2C40 Leeds to York 170476 (winner and cleared for 5 miles) [18m 24ch] helped me clear Leeds to Harrogate ✅.
I returned from there on 2C91 York to Leeds 170460 (winner and cleared for 5 miles) [18m 24ch].
Now it was time to head back and collect the wife. Hqving grabbed a couple bottles of cold drink and bite to eat I headed back to platform 17B. 1Y27 Leeds to Nottingham 195019 (winner and cleared for 5 miles) [81m 55ch]. I got chatting to a fellow enthusiast and had an enjoyable trip (even when a lady that sat next to me with her friends was asking railways, maybe the alcolhol she'd consumed helped!!!!) It was a day of delays one way or another and my train arrived in to Nottingham 6 minutes late. The wife's train was 22 minutes late arriving in from Skegness.
The lateness of her train meant we would miss the 19:50 back to London as she was feeling rather exhausted. 170416 (her train) was only a 2 car AND had no air con on it. Madness!
We walked over slowly and caught 1B94 Nottingham to St Pancras International 222003 (Winner and cleared for 20 miles) [128m 09ch].
We arrived in a minute early, and headed down to the train towards Croydon. We caught 9P67 Luton to Dartford 700055 (winner) [3m 33ch] as far as London Bridge. We caught 9R61 Luton to Gatwick Airport 700152 (non winner).
Back in Croydon we caught 2J70 East Croydon to Streatham 377324, 377321 (non winners).