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railways

55 Comments

Train watching
Train watching
Photo: Keith
Views: 3,503
Item #: 29078
Exactly 50 years ago I took my niece (aged 2 or 3) to watch the trains near Whitley (Beggar's Lane?), here she is waving at the steam train (no carriages) that has just pulled away from its previous stationary spot next to all of us, including the train spotters in the background, as it headed past the signal box a short distance further up the line. The young man looking after my niece is Malcolm Unsworth (from Orrell) a fellow student at that time. Photo taken from movie film.

Comment by: Keith on 22nd February 2017 at 23:36

I believe the "Lane" I mentioned, should be Beggars' Walk.

Comment by: Garry on 23rd February 2017 at 00:49

Next year on the 11th August 2018 Steam train traction for British Railways came to a sad end. I can't believe it's almost 50 years since we said goodbye to a much loved engineering giant that graced our lives so much. If we didn't seen them we could hear them. The sound, sight and smell will stay with me for ever. I never did train spotting, but just loved to watch those living, breathing machines thunder up and down the tracks making Britain great. Today, the diesel and electric trains still do a great job, but don't seem to have that certain thrill that steam had.

Comment by: Bill on 23rd February 2017 at 09:03

Typical non sporty, sickly pale type children who are obviously stupid by being so close to a railway line. You would have thought the adults would have had a bit more common sense, sadly not.

Comment by: A.W. on 23rd February 2017 at 11:17

Bill, why are you making such negative nonsensical comments? In those days kids were interested in lots of things and didn't just sitting gawping at a mobile phone or screen all the time. What's this with the sporty? I was a kid at the time the photo was taken and didn't come into much contact with sport other than fishing or walking but I think kids were more robust and probably healthier than they are now.

Comment by: Ab on 23rd February 2017 at 11:31

Nothing wrong with being near a railway as long as you're sensible and not causing trouble or harm Having the freedom to do things like this, harmless and free, is going the way of the dinosaur; even public fields are becoming more no go areas because the local football club has decided to keep it for themselves. The powers that be don't want this, they want kids and grownups in doors all the time glued to the TV, X Box, in the pub watching SKY football all day long watching the bread & circuses. Kids are wrapped up in cotton wool and, if they're out at a sports club theyre under constant surveillance with CCTV cameras taking away their privacy with the usual excuse of safety, crime etc. You can't even look over a railway bridge these days because they've decided to build a wall so high you can't see over it, unless you happen to be a giant.

Comment by: Garry on 23rd February 2017 at 12:10

Bill there's no problem here, all the children are behind the barrier, one young lad has his foot on it. Not all children are stupid you know and credit these people with a bit more sense. We all got as close to the line as possible everywhere we went. The word is common sense.

Comment by: Mick on 23rd February 2017 at 12:56

Well Bill, what a sad, curmudgeonly comment on what was a wonderful era to grown up in! And yes, I was there!

Comment by: Keith on 23rd February 2017 at 17:11

A few moments earlier these boys had been enjoying a chat to the three members of the train crew, before it pulled away. The boys seemed sensible and well behaved.

Comment by: Jarvo on 23rd February 2017 at 19:15

Long ago and faraway: kids enjoying the magic of steam. And today? Indoor games on computers and glued to the internet. We're all to blame...But by God, I was there! And it was a different world where the small things were appreciated.

Comment by: Bill on 23rd February 2017 at 19:55

Would appear the sickly kids grew up and commented on this sad photo. Keith or is it Jarvis? again with assumptions on what they had been doing minutes before. Kids, railway tracks, yes very safe indeed, remember to let your grandchildren play on the tracks this coming weekend, they will be safe won't they? Thick Wiganers at their very best again.

Comment by: Garry on 23rd February 2017 at 20:17

Bill, have escaped from somewhere?

Comment by: Tony Maloy on 23rd February 2017 at 20:33

What a great ad for Rail safety. How on earth can you people say there is nothing wrong with that photo, the kids are far too near the lines no matter what you say, railways are dangerous places for children only fools would think different steam engines or not, no matter of the years involved either.

Comment by: Owd Watchman on 23rd February 2017 at 20:45

I can tell you a few tales of the drivers giving the spotters hell for hanging around the lines and getting too close to the engines. The air was blue with language from the angry drivers and rightly so the danger to them was great and it played on drivers minds if someone was hurt or worse.

Comment by: Pw on 24th February 2017 at 08:03

There is no doubt railway were and still are dangerous places.I do travel by train and it amazes me that people stand on platforms a few feet from trains thundering through stations at high speed.H&S?,just stand behind the yellow line and your OK?People are usually in another world using their mobile phones and oblivious to the danger to themselves and their children

Comment by: Ab on 24th February 2017 at 09:11

It's all about taking personal responsibility, not have some company or government dictate laws, laws which, if you've ever been bothered to notice are getting authoritarian and draconian by the day, not helped by the brainwashing fear of terrorism and crime. Even if spotters still stood behind a prison style fence (which these modern rail fences resemble) the rail company would still have a whinge and stop people by saying they're trying to thieve cables off the lines or they are terrorists or some other nonsense. These rail companies (which are just part of the same rail network) are obsessed with safety and security and annoying "if you see anything suspicious or anything that concerns you please report to a police officer straight away". Imagine that in the glorious steam days?. Traveling by train these days is a dull and depressing experience because you can't poke your head out the window, the ticket inspectors are mostly have an attitude problem, and the train drivers hide themselves away locked in the cabin with peep holes and turnstiles appearing at stations which, when you think about it, stops you from waving goodbye to your family member as they depart.

Comment by: Jarvo on 24th February 2017 at 09:32

Health and safety and the days of Hi Viz...'Orrible stuff with sharks making a good living out of it. In all my days of spotting (I was actually sporty as well - footy) I never came across any kids in any danger on railways. Even the shedmaster let us explore Springs Branch on Sunday mornings. Different times then and kids weren't spoilt. Bill probably did hang around with a chip on his sad shoulder, hating all those who had hobbies...If you weren't one of the brethren, don't comment...William...

Comment by: Stuart on 24th February 2017 at 14:30

Garry, you are right. Bill has escaped from somewhere. He has a huge chip on his shoulder because he was never invited. He sat at home waiting for the internet to be invented!!

Comment by: Maureen on 24th February 2017 at 14:49

Bill..I don't remember any children of that era looking sickly,every child I recall when I was growing up had rosy cheeks,simply because they were out in the fresh air..The railway lines ran. right at the back of our
house,and I being a tomboy at the time would climb up the embankment
with my Brother to get numbers and names of trains..nothing hazardous
ever happened to any of us..it's today's children that need to get out there and get some colour in their cheeks.we went pea..potato..and strawberry picking....I wouldn't have missed it all for the world.

Comment by: Veronica B on 24th February 2017 at 17:30

It was a different era in the fifties and can't be compared to today in any way. Children seemed to be more aware of danger then as we weren't wrapped up in cotton wool. It was a more innocent time hence the rambling we were allowed to do. As for being sickly - I don't understand that statement. We ate far more healthily and drank 'corporation pop' not sugary drinks. There was hardly any obesity that I recall - we were too busy running about. I feel sorry for kids today they have missed out on the freedom that we had.

Comment by: Bill on 25th February 2017 at 07:52

Different times and era is a silly excuse for this stupid hobby. I don't believe they were wrapped in cotton wool either more like their idle parents didn't care what their kids got up to and kicked them out so they could go sit in the club all day and night. Like I said sickly uncared for kids left to roam and hang around railway sidings, a hobby for the ones who couldn't or wouldn't play sport in case they got hurt by the normal kids.

Comment by: Jed on 25th February 2017 at 09:16

Bill, I don’t know whether you are old and male, those are assumptions, but what I do know from your postings are that you are bigoted and prejudiced - what a shame.

Comment by: OWDBILL on 25th February 2017 at 09:19

What a silly,stupid comment,Bill.My parents were not idle.They didn.t kick me out.They were not in a club whilst I was enjoying my hobby.I wasn't sickly.In fact I played football,rugby and cricket.I also took part in athletics and cross country with success at both local and area level.A lot of my spare time was spent trainspotting at both Standish Junction and nearby at Midgey Lane. It is a hobby I maintain to this day and still enjoy.I think you ought to get out more. OWDBILL>

Comment by: Veronica B on 25th February 2017 at 10:35

My dad worked from leaving the Army until retirement. Going to work sometimes 'half dead' in all weathers. I don't remember him having a day off - no benefits then!!! My mother's life revolved around the home and she cooked good wholesome food. Neither did they go to 'the club' as you say!
You are making general assumptions - perhaps that is the experience you remember Bill and that is sad.

Comment by: Al. C. on 25th February 2017 at 10:44

Bill, I don't know why you are going on about sport, I was a kid in the 60's, there was very little in the way of organised sport. True, some kids did play about with a football but in my memory they were not always the most interesting or motivated of youngsters, they seemed to be doing it because they lacked the initiative,drive or means to do something else. My childhood was spent running about, walking, and playing games like British Bulldogs and cowboys and indians. When we got a bit older we had long bike rides, went swimming or fishing. I know which childhood I prefered!

Comment by: Maureen on 25th February 2017 at 11:00

Bill,I feel for you ..you strike me as having a very unhappy childhood...
which has left you extremely bitter.

Comment by: Bill on 25th February 2017 at 12:23

Those are my opinions like them or not but please do continue to live in your sad and unsafe dreamworld of the long ago past you old folk need to wake up and do the normal people a big favour and hang up your anoraks.

Comment by: Maureen on 25th February 2017 at 13:36

Sorry Bill,I don't think you're one of the normal people..and I still feel sorry for you.

Comment by: Maureen on 25th February 2017 at 13:43

Sorry Bill,I don't think you're one of the normal people..and I still feel sorry for you.

Comment by: Veronica B on 25th February 2017 at 13:53

Well said Maureen, I don't think 'Billy no mates' is genuine after all!
I've never worn an anorak ether!, :-))

Comment by: Loz on 25th February 2017 at 14:02

Whitley Crossing / Rylands Sidings. The folks in the pic are actually trespassing, the fence on the extreme right is the boundary. However, it is likely that they've had permission to be where they are, or the train crew and signalman would have chased them off!

Comment by: Garry on 25th February 2017 at 18:06

Bill go and scrape the the moss off your wall, there's a good chap.

Comment by: baker on 25th February 2017 at 23:11

bill if anyone should grow up its you,what where you doing has a boy stamp collecting.probably playing the most dangerous game invented rugby

Comment by: Bill on 26th February 2017 at 09:19

Time you went back to school your grammar is appalling, Baker.As a youngster I was an athlete and I did play rugby league for the town team, not hanging around trains or the tracks like the sad pale faces on the photo. Garry that's just a silly reply but I didn't expect much to be honest.

Comment by: Owdbill on 26th February 2017 at 11:12

Bill, When you were playing Rugby League did you get a bang on your head? That would answer a few questions.OWDBILL

Comment by: Jarvo on 26th February 2017 at 13:35

I was dead right about Bill. He was a tough rugby league player. And I bet he had vinegar in his bottle.

Comment by: Bill on 26th February 2017 at 20:44

No Owdbill I made sure my head never got a bang I was far too good. Rugby is a very skilled game you see, you are always anticipating what your opponent is going to do before he does it. Don't really know why I'm explaining to silly old train spotters about a sport that would make them wet themselves should they ever dare to pull on a pair of boots. Not vinegar Jarvo just nerve and determination it's not footy so you shouldn't really comment on rugby, besides you were inadequate at all sports so commenting just makes you look silly.

Comment by: Howard P on 27th February 2017 at 04:03

Bill who ever you are, you're just an attention seeker!

Comment by: Bill on 27th February 2017 at 18:21

No Howard I'm a draughtsman engineer.

Comment by: Howard P on 28th February 2017 at 15:53

That explains everything, a pen-pusher.

Comment by: Bill on 1st March 2017 at 07:50

Go on Howard tell me how my job explains the reasons for my posts? Maybe you have no understanding of what a draughtsman engineer is or does. Someone with such a low intellect shouldn't really comment on such things.

Comment by: Howard P on 1st March 2017 at 09:41

Ok I should have said Pencil-Pusher. A pencil-pusher is sketching drawings with compasses protractors and triangles, My granddaughter loves drawing. Bill if you can take criticism, you shouldn't dish it out!!

Comment by: Bill on 1st March 2017 at 14:17

Bill I don't sketch or push pencils, the clue was in the draughtsman engineer bit. It would seem I was correct in my assumption of of your intelligence. How exactly do you sketch with compasses protractors and triangles?

Comment by: Howard P (engineer) on 1st March 2017 at 15:18

I am a garden Technician, a car engineer, a model railway engineer, a painter technician and so on we're all technician or engineers in some ways. It's just a word, a modern word that's all. Just like these train spotter engineers.

Comment by: Stu on 1st March 2017 at 15:22

I like playing draughts at Christmas, I love draught beer, but don't like draughts under the doors and windows.

Comment by: engineer inventer on 1st March 2017 at 15:25

Bill you're a anorak engineer and attention engineer.

Comment by: Jarvo on 2nd March 2017 at 05:35

...But NEVER a trainspotter. Thank God!

Comment by: Bill on 2nd March 2017 at 07:54

But none of you have qualifications for what you say you are. Jarvo you were the same at Triangle Valve a loner who found it hard to take in what you were being taught, this is the reason why you are where you are today. Never really caught up with the rest did you, train spotting sums you right up.

Comment by: Bill on 2nd March 2017 at 08:23

Howard those are very silly comments as well you know. But I have no doubt your degrees and other qualifications will prove me wrong.

Comment by: Garry on 2nd March 2017 at 09:23

Looks like Bill's had enough.
If we all stick together we win lol.

Comment by: Pw on 2nd March 2017 at 11:57

I have heard of Engineering draughtsmen but never heard of a draughtsmen engineer.What is it you do Bill?

Comment by: Bill on 2nd March 2017 at 19:15

Pw there is nothing I can say to that silly comment. If you have never heard of one then it's no use me explaining anything to someone so daft.

Comment by: Garry on 2nd March 2017 at 21:06

Bill are you one of the Flowerpot men? Goodbye Bill.

Comment by: Jarvo on 2nd March 2017 at 22:05

Bill, I did very well, thank you. But I do not recall a Bill in the drawing office at TVC. Who are you? A loner I never was, but I do remember that only odd balls and creeps made it into the clique of the DO, obviously you are one of them. Or are you the famous Bill who was a progress chaser? Surely not!

Comment by: Ben on 3rd March 2017 at 08:40

Bill- lets go back to sleep in our flowerpots before the gardner comes back after his dinner.

Comment by: SJB on 22nd March 2017 at 09:55

Bill - it was always the thick meatheads who were the sporty types at my school. Did you go to university? I hated sport, and got a 1st in Physics. What did you do apart from kick a ball?

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