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This is the 14th annual review since I started this blog and I remain acutely aware of how fortunate I have been in the friendships and experiences I've enjoyed.
OVERSEAS TRAVEL
A combination of work commitments and the limitations brought-on by ageing resulted in only one overseas trip during 2019, when I revisited my many friends in Myanmar (formerly called Burma). The pattern of the visit was generally similar to previous years but proved especially satisfying.
I set off on the 4th May and visited railway signalling installations in Yangon and Togyaunggalay (see section 'Myanma Railways' below) before taking the overnight coach to Mawlamyine in Mon State with Doctor Hla Tun. We made visits to various Drop In Centres in Mon State before travelling to the adjacent Kayin State to make distributions to a number of schools.
Presentations to schoolchildren in Kayin State, Burma 2019 (Photo: Aung Ko Latt)
We returned to Yangon for one night before flying to Nyaung Oo from where we made the short journey to Bagan so that the Doctor could carry out consultations at the Medical Clinic for three days.
Burma 2019: Distribution of free lunch to patients at Bagan Medical Clinic, Saturday 11th May 2019.
My friends then took me on a trip to Kayah State (staying in Loikaw) and Shan State (staying in Kalaw and Taung Gyi) before returning to Bagan Medical Clinic for a second weekend.
Visiting Taung Gwe Zedi, Loikaw (Burma 2019).
I made a distribution at Htee Pu school before the Doctor and I made travelled to Mandalay where I spent two nights at the Hilton Hotel (formerly Sedona) and visited friends. The Doctor arranged a fascinating visit to the railway signalling centre in Mandalay before we drove to Pyin Oo Lwin where the Doctor presented food donations at two orphanages.
Shwe Sin Minn orphanage, Mandalay, 2019: Doctor Hla Tun receives the donation certificate issued by the orphanage from the Head Nun.
On my last day, the Doctor and I said our 'good byes' at Mandalay International Airport before the Doctor flew back to Yangon. A little later, I caught the Qatar Airways flight to Doha and, finally, home.
The first of a series of posts describing my 2019 trip to Burma is here and each post in the series has links to the subsequent episode and my pictures. Alternately, you can display all the posts on the trip by clicking here (or selecting 'Burma-2019' in the 'List of Labels to select a blog topic' displayed near the top of each post on the right).
To find more about overseas visits I've made in previous years, see:-
Jan Ford's Travels (2001 onwards).
Jan Ford's Travels - The early trips (before 2001).
Jan Ford's Travels: Around the World in pictures
(alphabetic list of countries with links to pictures).
TRAVEL IN THE UK
During the year I made a number of trips (mainly by rail) to various destinations in the UK, some of which have blog posts:-
A Trip to Birmingham 3-Dec-2019
The West London Line 17-Nov-2019
Bath by Train 23-Sep-2019
East Croydon to London Bridge 23-Sep-2019
Bournemouth by Train 7-Sep-2019
Buxton by Rail 23-Jul-2019
Caldicot by Train 7-Jul-2019
Glasgow by Rail 23-Apr-2019
Whitehaven by Rail 6-Apr-2019
New Brighton by Rail 30-Mar-2019
Morecambe by Rail 26-Mar-2019
Llandudno by Train 28-Feb-2019
Blackpool by Train 17-Feb-2019
Whitehaven Harbour.
RAILWAYS AND PRESERVATION
During 2018, I continued to support the Old Locomotive Committee and remained a volunteer at The Battlefield Line and Peak Rail.
The Old Locomotive Committee
This year, a nasty respiratory infection kept me away from the the 34th Annual General Meeting, held at the Museum of Liverpool. However, I was present later in the year at the 2019 'Lionsmeet' event held on Saturday, 17th August at the Littledown Park track of the Bournemouth & District Society of Model Engineers. My report is here.
Lionsmeet 2019: Bankside station on a warm afternoon.
All my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee are here and there's more information on their website (and including information on becoming a member) here.
The Battlefield Line
This year was the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Shackerstone Railway Society which runs the Battlefield Line. I had a number of steam and Diesel Multiple Unit driving turns during the year, some of which are described in blog posts and include links to my photograph albums:-
Santa Specials at the Battlefield Line 2019.
Battlefield Line Bonfire and Firework display at Market Bosworth Station.
Shackerstone Railway Society 50th Anniversary Steam Gala.
Operation of Steam/Diesel Multiple Unit Services at the Battlefield Line.
Jan and the Battlefield Line in 2019.
Fish and Chip Special.
Preparing 5542 (part 2).
5542 at the Battlefield Line in 2019.
'Pannier' 6430 at the Battlefield Line.
Last Train Monmouth-Chepstow Re-enactment.
Dinmore Manor' running tender first approaches Market Bosworth with a Down train, passing the 'Prairie'/DMU Shuttle in the Turnback Siding awaiting the road back to Shackerstone (50th Anniversary Gala at the Battlefield Line)
You can find all my posts about the Battlefield Line here.
Incidentally, you can find all my posts about Diesel Multiple Units here (or refer to the 'Index' here).
Peak Rail
During the year, I undertook a number of steam driving turns at Peak Rail and there are a few blog posts:-
Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019.
Peak Rail 2019.
Buxton by Rail (Includes notes on early Peak Rail history).
No. 72 at Matlock Town (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
You can find all my posts about Peak Rail here and there's a collection of general pictures showing activities at Peak Rail during 2019 here.
Myanma Railways
During my visit to Burma in 2019 I was able to spend some time studying the railway system, thanks to Doctor Hla Tun's good offices. On the day I arrived in Myanmar, we visited the new Railway Signalling Centre at Yangon Central Station and the power box at Togyaunggalay. There are brief descriptions in the blog posts shown below, but I hope to post more later:-
Visit to 'Mandalay Tower'.
Return to Burma.
You can find all my posts about Myanma Railways here (or refer to the 'Index' here).
Mandalay Tower: NX Signalling Console (Photo: Myanma Railways).
BREWOOD HALL
The Brewood Garden Party was held at Brewood Hall for the seventh time on Saturday, 13th July 2019. There's a report here, with a link to my pictures.
Brewood Garden Party 2019: The weather was warm but not too hot.
A building dating from 1640 listed Grade II has a recurrent need for maintenance and various work was carried out in 2019 but no reports have been added to this blog in 2019. However, there is a post about tree maintenance in 2018 which was finally published in 2019 here.
You can find all my posts about Brewood Hall here.
TY GWYN
Ty Gwyn is a small commercial woodland around 27 hectares in area near Corwen in Wales. Although maintenance work continues on the growing crop, I've no updated pictures at present.
To see all my posts on Ty Gwyn, click here.
'ROAD TO MANDALAY' SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION
For a number of years, I've supported the charitable initiatives operated under the above name in Burma. I'm also currently a trustee of the Belmond Myanmar Foundation in the U.K. which also provides support to this work. When I visit Burma, I try to see as much as possible of the projects in hand. Educational Support is provided to a wide range of schools and orphanages (including the Orphans & Vulnerable Children Project in Mon State) and Medical Treatment to all ages (centred on the wonderful Bagan Medical Clinic).
You can find all my posts on Educational Support here.
Distribution at Htee Pu, May 2019: The 'group shot'.
You can find all my posts on Medical Support here.
Burma 2019: Doctor Hla Tun at work in his consulting room at the Bagan Medical Clinic.
OTHER BLOG POSTS IN THE YEAR
This review covers trips and events during the year but doesn't include other types of post including:-
Technical articles;
Historical articles;
Work-related topics;
Recollections of past events;
PREVIOUS ANNUAL REVIEWS
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
In December 2019 Santa Specials at Peak Rail continued the well-established format of a top-and-tailed service between Rowsley and Matlock Town, stopping at Darley Dale for operational purposes.
Once again, 'Austerity' 0-6-0T saddle tank No. 72, facing south, was to be coupled at the south (Matlock) end of the train with diesel-electric stalwart 'Penyghent' marshalled at the north end. For the first time, an 8-coach train was in use. Previously, passenger trains were formed of up to 7-coaches (5 coaches plus kitchen/dining car and the beautiful restored LMS coach 7828 forming the 'Palatine Dining Set'). In 2019, an additional Brake Composite Corridor coach (code 'BCK' number 21268) was added which was air-braked but also 'through piped' for vacuum.
It's acceptable to include a coach without working brakes in a passenger train provided it is 'sandwiched' between vehicles with operative brakes so that, in the event of such a train becoming divided, both parts of the train will be automatically stopped. Of course, when the Guard informs the driver of the load, he should remind the driver of the unbraked vehicle. The 'Special Trains Notice' issued by the Operating Department covering the Santa Special Trains also gave special authorisation for 'Penyghent' to provide assistance to Up Trains in case of problematic railhead conditions.
I was rostered driver on Sunday 22nd December 2019 with Phil M. as fireman and R. Newman as cleaner.
In 2019 been the United Kingdom had suffered a particularly wet November and December with flooding in many areas, including the Derwent Valley, through part of which Peak Rail runs. I knew that extreme river levels had caused some damage to railway bridge 35, just north of Matlock Riverside station and a 5 m.p.h. speed restriction had been imposed, together with weekly bridge inspections.
The 22nd of December was the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year so I was not surprised that it was still very dark when I arrived at Rowsley shed at about 06:45. On my journey from home to Rowsley, we'd passed through fairly heavy rain so I was relieved that it was dry at Rowsley. It rained a bit later in the day but it wasn't bad and the temperature wasn't too low. Phil and the cleaner had matters well in hand with the fire so I concentrated on oiling-round and daily exam.
The 0-6-0ST 'Austerities are powerful and reliable locomotives but I have been known on occasion to call them, rather unkindly, 'boring'. However, on this winter morning I was very appreciative of the relative simplicity of oiling an 'Austerity' as compared with Great Western 'light Prairie' 5542 and 'modified Hall' 6989 I'd been on recently at the Battlefield Line. But there's still a fair bit of 'squirming around' to get at the inside motion.
Once we were ready, we decided to go across to our 8-coach train nice and early to start carriage warming. Of course, we had an ulterior motive: on the platform we could enjoy the facilities of Rowsley Station Buffet so tea and a breakfast bap made us ready for the rest of the day.
The Special Timetable called four round trips to Matlock Town leaving Rowsley at 10:30, 12:05, 13:40 and 15:15 with our 8-coach train (plus the trailing load of 'Pehyghent'). 'Santa Specials' are often late departing from Rowsley, as late-arriving booked passengers are usually given a little leeway and it was about 10:45 when we set off.
The railhead was quite damp and there was plenty of drifting steam from the cylinder drain cocks condensing in front of us but, as I hoped, No. 72 moved away without a trace of slip. With no carrying wheels, the whole of the 48 ton weight of the locomotive is adhesive and the generous size of the cylinders (18 inches diameter with a 26 inch stroke) combined with relatively small wheels (4 foot 3 inches diameter) produces a tractive effort of 23,870 pounds (at 85% boiler pressure). The 'Austerity' was designed to shift freight trains well above 1,000 tons - it just isn't very quick about it - so assistance from 'Penyghent' was not required.
Phil was ably assisted by a 'Christmas Elf' (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We completed our first run to Matlock Town without incident, crossing Bridge 35 gently at 5 m.p.h. The damage to the bridge was not visible from above but I was told that uprooted trees carried downstream in the floods had struck the bridge piers and displaced some steel supporting brackets. Some tree branches were still deposited on the river bank normally well above water level, together with a number of large hay bales transferred by the floods from a field somewhere upstream.
Crossing Bridge 35: Two large hay bales, wrapped in black polythene, are visible on the river bank near the centre of the picture (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We stood in Matlock Town for a while whilst Santa proceeded through the train with his helpers, distributing presents then 'Penyghent' hauled the train back to Rowsley, with the 'Austerity' trailing behind as 'Tail-end Charlie'. Back at Rowsley, we took the opportunity of replenishing the saddle tank with water.
Phil at the 'Brown Tank Wagon' at Rowsley as we take water using a portable pump and fire hoses. Note the 'DOGFISH' hopper ballast wagons on the siding.(Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
In addition to passengers joining the train to meet Santa, the 12:05 boarded diners for Christmas lunch.
A winter Sun illuminates Rowsley as diners join the train for Christmas lunch (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As the train left Rowsley, we could seen that the top end of the large car park was now quite full.
By noon, the top end of the car park had filled-up (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
Our platform at Matlock Town was unusually quiet because, on Santa Specials, passengers only join or leave the train at Rowsley.
Matlock Town (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
Once again, 'Penyghent' hauled our long train back to Rowsley.
'Penyghent' shown entering the loop at Matlock Riverside as it returns our long train to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As we waited at Darley Dale to give Santa a chance to finish his present distribution, I took a couple of pictures.
View from Down platform at Darley Dale, looking north, as we return to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
View from Down platform at Darley Dale, looking south showing crossing gates and signal box, as we return to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
By the time we arrived back at Rowsley, the train was well-warmed and we were able to discontinue steam heating.
Disembarking happy passengers at Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We were able to invite Newman family members to view the footplate before they received a special greeting from Santa himself.
Newman family members chatting to Santa alongside our engine (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As it grew dusk, we made our fourth round trip to Matlock Town then, leaving the coaching stock in the platform at Rowsley, we moved light engine to the shed and disposal after a successful and enjoyable day.
Related posts on this website
The 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST locomotive.
Peak Rail 2019.
All my Peak Rail posts.
My photograph albums
Where necessary, clicking on an image above will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the albums listed:-
Peak Rail Santa Trains 2019.
No. 72 Austerity Tank.
'Penyghent'.
Restored coach 7828.
All my Peak Rail pictures.
In 2019, the Battlefield Line 'Santa Special' trains between Shackerstone and Shenton were, once again, of two types, run alternately - the 'Classic' train with vestibule stock and the 'First Deluxe' train with corridor compartment stock. On the 'Classic' train, Santa's Helpers take groups of passengers, in turn, to see Santa Claus in his Grotto (housed in a Full Brake, code 'BG'), where the children receive a Christmas present. On the 'First Deluxe' service, families or groups book a private compartment with a Christmas Hamper of food, drink and Christmas Crackers and are visited by Santa distributing presents.
Events of Sunday 1st December 2019
The season had started the previous day, when light Prairie 5542 had operated two 'Classic' services, leaving Shackerstone at noon and 2.00 p.m. On the Sunday, 5542 operated three 'Classic' services at ten o'clock, noon and 2.00 p.m. When I arrived at the locomotive shed a little before 6.00 a.m. it was still completely dark and with a heavy frost but, fortunately, dry. So I set about the familiar routine of oiling-round and examining 5542 whilst, following the usual checks on the boiler, Stephen W. who was firing commenced steam-raising.
Jan carrying out the 'daily exam' on 5542 (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019).
By nine o'clock, daylight had appeared and smoke was drifting above the shed roof
"By nine o'clock, daylight had appeared and smoke was drifting above the shed roof" (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
On such a cold morning, it was a priority to couple-onto our 5-coach train stabled in platform 2 and start steam heating the stock prior to the arrival of our passengers. By 9.30 a,m, we were 'hooked-on' and steam was starting to warm the train.
5542 steam heating the stock prior to the arrival of passengers (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019).
Santa Specials to Shenton are deliberately leisurely, to give time for our visitors to be conducted from the train to Santa's Grotto, housed in the 'BG' at the north end of the train. Usually, there's a brief stop at Market Bosworth and, depending upon how many children Santa has to see, there may be a stop on Shenton Bank, just before the end of the line, giving good views over the Leicestershire countryside on both sides of the line. At Shenton, the locomotive runs round its train ready for the return journey. Depending on the train loading, the return journey is often at reduced speed as far as Market Bosworth to give Santa time to see all the children. From there to Shackerstone, Line Speed is often authorised.
Arrival back at Shackerstone is usually into platform 2. Provided the signalman has authorised passing the Stop Board just prior to the platform ramp at the north end, the train is stopped with the engine blocking the foot crossing but with the leading coach just clear of the crossing. With a 5-coach train, it may not be possible to take water from the column at the south end of of platform 2 unless the train is stopped as described. Of course, until the locomotive has uncoupled and drawn clear, passengers have to wait on platform 2 before they can use the foot crossing to return to platform 1 and the exit to the car park since the footbridge is not currently used by passengers, although it is in use as part of a public footpath.
As we ran-round after the first trip to Shenton, I paused briefly in platform 1 and, noticing the bright sunshine, took a picture of our popular locomotive.
December sunshine provides an attractive view of 5542 (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
Our second and third trips proceeded without problems and we finished the day having helped to provide a lot of visitors with a good day out. As our last passengers made their way back to the car park, we still had disposal to carry out (filling the boiler with water, removing serious clinker, leaving a low fire to enable the boiler to cool slowly, closing all required cocks, looking for any mechanical problems and completing paperwork on the day). A scotch was set under the left driving wheel and the chimney cover put in place (to slow boiler cooling) then, with one last picture of 5542 in the afternoon gloom of the shed, we could lock the shed for the night.
Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019
Events of Sunday 15th December 2019
This time, I was on 'Wightwick Hall', booked to make just two runs with the 'First Class De Luxe', alternating with 5542 making three round trips with the 'Classic'. Mike S. was acting a fireman, giving instruction to one of our young trainees. It was my first turn on a 'modified Hall' although, some years ago, I had 'Dumbleton Hall', one of the earlier builds of this successful class, which we used at Birmingham Railway Museum for a while on footplate experience courses.
I oiled round the outside but 5542 was still occupying the pit since he was taking the first train. Once 5542 had moved off-shed and we'd sufficient pressure, we moved back onto the pit and Mike and I shared the oiling-round underneath. When that was complete, we drifted off-shed and onto our waiting train in platform 1 so that we could start steam heating the train before our passengers arrived (the morning was pretty cold).
6989 'Wightwick Hall' at Shackerstone on the 'First De Luxe' service (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
Although the 'modified Halls' were originally fitted with a flat-sided tender, they frequently became swopped with Churchward tenders with the flared top, which I think looks better. 6989 is paired with a riveted Churchward tender in lined B.R. green livery with the earlier British Railways "Lion astride a mangle wheel" totem. Coupled to B.R. 'Mark I' coaches in maroon (and with the leading vehicle bearing a carriage headboard marked "SANTA'S SPECIAL DELUXE TRAIN") it was very nostalgic.
6989 is currently paired with a Churchward-pattern tender and is shown carriage warming on the 'First De Luxe' service (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
The two-port slide-valve smokebox regulators used on larger Great Western locomotives are usually the best you can find but, at present, the one on 6989 is a bit curious and tends to be "all or nothing". The locomotive is also partway through a programme to replace the springs on the coupled axles and this, combined with the regulator behaviour, gives the engine a disconcerting tendency to 'lose its feet' and slip. Once on the road, however, 'Wightwick Hall' shows her Great Western lineage and is a willing performer. The restoration from scrapyard condition over a period of 40 years is a major achievement.
The view below shows the standardised layout of the driving controls on the right side of the cab.
6989 'Wightwick Hall': Driver's vacuum brake application valve with small ejector steam cock (above), large ejector steam cock (right) and blower valve (below right) (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
On the first run to Shenton, the steel steam heating pipe running under the first coach 'sprang a leak' and we had to cease heating. Once we'd run round at Shenton, we decided to resume heating, since we should be able to warm most of the train although steam would be escaping from what was now the rear of the train.
Arriving back at Shackerstone, we were asked if we could fetch the 'GUV' bogie vehicle from the DMU siding to a position just outside platform 1 so that "Santa's Helpers" could offload more presents to replenish Santa's Sack. This gave me the opportunity to a take the rather odd view of 6989 apparently 'boxed-in' between its train and the 'GUV'
6989 'Wightwick Hall' shunted the 'GUV' to just outside platform 1 to allow Santa's presents to be off-loaded (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
With the presents unloaded, we propelled the 'GUV' back to the DMU Siding and then rejoined our train. In the meantime, Simon P. had 'lagged' the failed steam heating pipe, allowing us to provide warmth to the train.
Passengers boarding the second First De Luxe service of the day (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
When 5542 arrived back after his second round trip, we were able to leave on our second trip to Shenton.
6989 'Wightwick Hall' at Shackerstone ready to leave with the second 'First De Luxe' service, showing driver's view ahead (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
By the time we'd completed our leisurely trip to Shenton and run round, it was already dusk. I've had tinsel-draped engines at Christmas many times, but 6989 was the first I've had with working fairy lights!
6989 at Shenton with LED fairy lights (Battlefield Line Santa Specials 2019)
By the time we arrived back at Shackerstone, it was dark. I didn't envy the crew on 5542 as they set off on their third and final trip to Shenton. We expected to have to shunt onto the other end of our train and propel it out of the way to the north end. But, in a welcome change of plan, we were told a diesel shunter would do that and we could go straight onto shed for disposal.
Related posts on other websites
The 6989 "Wightwick Hall" Restoration Group.
Related posts on this website
All my Battlefield Line posts.
My photograph albums
Where necessary, clicking on an image above will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the albums listed:-
Battlefield Line 'Santa' trains 2019.
6989 'Wightwick Hall'.
All my Battlefield Line pictures.
On Thursday, 21st November 2019, I attended the Second UKRRIN Annual Conference which was held at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. There's a post about the event here
Getting there
I took the first bus from Brewood to Wolverhampton and walked to the railway station, where the new station building (now with black cladding visible) is taking shape. I reached platform 4 in time for the doors of the Cross-Country 'Voyager' to shut in front of me. Realising I wouldn't get across to bay platform 5 in time for the 'all stations' Birmingham service which would depart right behind the Cross-Country train I'd missed, instead I crossed to platform 2 to wait for the West Midlands Trains Crewe-Euston stopping service ten minutes later. That was running a few minutes late and it seemed obvious that it threatened to delay the approaching Down Liverpool (not running late) which was also due to use platform 2 (but in the opposite direction). To my puzzlement, the public address system continued to advise that my train would arrive at platform 2 but, finally, it announced the obvious platform change to the adjacent platform 3, freeing-up platform 2 for the Liverpool train.
At least I managed to squeeze into a seat on the crowded Euston stopping service (which wouldn't have been possible on the Cross-Country service since most of their sets run around with just 4-coaches, ensuring crush-loading for large sections of each journey). Despite the Euston stopping train only having one stop before Birmingham New Street (at Smethwick Galton Bridge), our journey was rather slow. I assumed that this was because we were following the 'all stations' which had left Wolverhampton immediately after the Cross-Country train. At Birmingham New Street, we were run into platform 1, which put paid to my hope of using the footbridge at the north end of the station to make a quick exit through the old Navigation Street Exit because the north end footbridge doesn't serve platform 1. So it was the usual route march to get into the street.
Then, an interesting ten-minute walk to my destination, initially following the route of the dual tram lines on the not-yet-ready extension of the West Midlands Metro from 'Grand Central' (actually New Street Station) to Centenary Square. This is Phase 1 of the 'Westside Extension' which will no doubt be as delayed as the first extension from Snow Hill to Grand Central which finally opened in 2016. Phase 2 of the extension will run along Broad Street to Hagley Road, Edgbaston. I have vivid memories, as a child, of the original Birmingham Corporation Tramways, built to a gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, which stopped running in 1953.
Birmingham Tram in Corporation Street (Photo Villafanuk [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)])
At Victoria Square, the unfinished tram route runs along what was Paradise Street, so I turned right to take the pedestrian route to Centenary Square, leaving Birmingham Town Hall on my left. This much-loved hall dates from 1834 and is listed Grade 1.
The Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham in January 2016 (Birmingham)
I couldn't seem much of the Council House (listed, Grade II*) because the whole of Victoria Square was occupied by the continental-looking wooden buildings of The Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham. This wan't due to open until 10 a.m. that day and an army of cleaners were dealing with the debris from the previous night's trading. My route then continued between two parallel rows of Heras fencing, screened by colourful sheets, dividing two building sites. From 1974 to 2013 this was the site of Birmingham Central Library. I was not a fan of the 'Brutalist' design, in the form of an 'inverted ziggurat' but I often used its excellent reference library.
Demolition of Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham in January 2016. The Chamberlain Fountain is on the left (Birmingham)
Undistinguished new office blocks have risen on either side of the pedestrian route but building work is still ongoing. A little further on (past the forbidding-looking Copthorne Hotel) I arrived at Centenary Square, named in 1989 in honour of Birmingham's 100-years as a city. It was intended that the dignified Hall of Memory, in Portland Stone and listed Grade I, would become the focus of a grand complex of civic centre buildings, but only Baskerville House was ever built, serving the city from 1936 until 1998 then lying unused until purchased by Targetfollow. Converted into office accommodation and with two extra floors added, it reopened in 2007.
And so I arrived at the Post-Modern Library of Birmingham, opened in 2013 at a cost of around 188 million pounds Sterling. Despite its appearance ("three large boxes with a hatbox on top decorated with wheels"), it's generally been well-received. I'd better defer judgement until I discover how well it works as a library. The 2013-vintage library building is 'joined at the hip' with the 1971-vintage building of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre by the shared foyer, in what I find an uneasy juxtaposition. Theatre and Library are not just physically linked: Unique Venues Birmingham is a joint initiative between Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Library of Birmingham promoting wider use of the facilities.
Centenary Square, with L: Birmingham Repertory Theatre, R: Library of Birmingham (Birmingham, November 2019)
I readily admit I'm so old-fashioned, I even find the Repertory Theatre's 1971-design a bit modern but remember, when I was young I went to a few performances at the original theatre in Station Street. There's a useful history on the Music Hall and Theatre History site here. The original building is now owned and managed by the Birmingham Ormiston Academy, "established in 2011 as an academy for 14 to 19 year olds specialising in creative, digital and performing arts".
The 'Old Rep' (Photo:Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]).
I spent an interesting day at the UKRRIN Conference, then made my way home.
The Symphony Hall, opened in 1991 as part of the The International Convention Centre complex, presented a rather forlorn appearance, as the elevation facing Centenary Square was being rebuilt as part of a 12 million pounds Sterling project called 'Making an Entrance', developing a separate public foyer area to host free musical events.
Building work in progress at the Symphony Hall on the 'Making an Entrance' project (Birmingham, November 2019)
But there were other attractions in Centenary Square for Christmas 2019, run by Ice Skate Birmingham. The main feature, as the name suggests, was a large, covered ice rink near the Ice Lounge offering refreshments.
Ice Skate Birmingham's covered rink (Birmingham, November 2019)
There was also the 'Big Wheel' - a 40-metre Ferris Wheel, complemented by the 'City Flyer' - a 55-metre tower where riders in cable-suspended seats are lifted to the top of the tower whilst spinning in a horizontal plane.
Centenary Square showing the 40-metre 'Big Wheel' and the 55-metre 'City Flyer' (Birmingham, November 2019)
As I approached Victoria Square, I noticed how 'naked' the round aerial galleries at the top of Birmingham's 499-foot tall BT Tower appeared. What was then called 'The Post Office Tower' opened in 1966 with various microwave dishes, surmounted by a group of massive 'hoghorn' antenna forming part of the UK's strategic network of 960-channel microwave links. These presumably disappeared with the march of optical fibre cable networks, which may also account for the removal of other dishes (in 2012, according to Wikipedia). The remaining dishes are generally smaller.
BT Tower, Birmingham, looking rather 'naked' with many of the microwave antenna now removed (Birmingham, November 2019)
By the time I reached the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square, it was quite busy. A large number of stalls offered German Beer, Gluwein and hot food from attractive wooden structures, brightly lit. There were craft stalls all along New Street.
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham (Birmingham, November 2019)
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham (Birmingham, November 2019)
And so I arrived back at New Street Station, where the Navigation Street entrance lay before me. Then I discovered it's been designated for exit only, so I still had to go the long way round. I hustled to platform 7 in the hope of catching the waiting 16:00 Cross Country service going forward to Manchester via Wolverhampton. I was unsurprised to see standing passengers crammed in the vestibules right to the open doors of the four-coach 'Voyager'. There were quite a few disconsolate-looking passengers on the platform. I didn't bother to investigate whether they'd given up on boarding this train or were waiting for a later service with different calling points but launched mayself at an open door and just managed to insert myself as the door closed behind me. We were non-stop to Wolverhampton so at least the uncomfortable, standing journey was brief.
Related articles on other websites
West Midlands Metro (Wikipedia).
Birmingham Corporation Tramways (Wikipedia).
Birmingham Town Hall (Wikipedia).
Council House, Birmingham (Wikipedia).
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham.
(Wikipedia).
Hall of Memory, Birmingham (Wikipedia).
Baskerville House (Wikipedia).
(Wikipedia).
Birmingham Repertory Theatre (Wikipedia).
Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
The International Convention Centre.
Ice Skate Birmingham.
BT Tower (Birmingham) (Wikipedia).
Related posts on this website
UKRRIN Annual Conference, 21st November 2019
My Pictures
Birmingham.
UKRRIN Conference 2019.
On Thursday, 21st November 2019, I attended the Second UKRRIN Annual Conference which was held at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. The formidable abbreviation 'UKRRIN' stands for the United Kingdom Rail Research and Innovation Network and their work, in improving collaboration between the rail industry and academia, is described here. It promotes four 'Centres of Excellence' supporting railway innovation in the U.K., targeting Digital Systems, Rolling Stock, Infrastructure and Testing.
UKRRIN works closely with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, a company limited by guarantee set up in 2003 following the collapse of Railtrack in 2002 and the subsequent separation of Railtrack's original remit into intrastructure management (Network Rail) and Safety and Standards (RSSB).
Since UKRRIN's goal is to improve collaboration between the rail industry and academia, it's relevant that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with a budget of seven billion pounds Sterling, "works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish". It operates through a series of Councils, including Research England which "creates and sustains the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system in English universities". Another area of UK Research and Innovation's work is carried out through Innovate UK. At the time of writing, UKRI are creating a single website to bring together the existing research council, Innovate UK and Research England websites. An example of this collaboration is the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), headed by Clive Roberts and hosted at Birmingham University where a new building for the Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems is nearing completion. BCRRE works closely with The Rail Alliance, based at Quinton Rail Technology Centre, Long Marston (there's a post in this blog about Long Marston here).
I travelled to the venue by public transport, walking from Birmingham New Street station to Centenary Square where the Birmingham Repertory Theatre is located.
Centenary Square, with L: Birmingham Repertory Theatre, R: Library of Birmingham (Birmingham, November 2019)
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is housed in a 1971 building. The 1991 theatre extension was demolished to make way for the Library of Birmingham and both buildings are linked by a shared new foyer area. Unique Venues Birmingham is a joint initiative between Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Library of Birmingham promoting wider use of the facilities.
Registration in the foyer was efficient and a welcoming hot drink was provided in the curved theatre lobby area by Unique Venues Birmingham. I believe around 250 delegates were registered for the event.
The lobby area, and a similar area on the Mezzanine floor above, also served as exhibition space for a number of universities and companies.
View of the Lobby area (UKRRIN Annual Conference, 21st November 2019)
The conference proceedings were held in the Studio Theatre, a conventional theatre space seating 300 in a tiered auditorium.
The Chairman for the morning session welcomes delegates (UKRRIN Annual Conference, 21st November 2019)
In the first session, there were addresses by Simon Iwnicki from the Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock at University of Huddersfield, Richard Murray from Teledyne e2v, Clive Roberts from BCRRE, Luisa Moisio from RSSB and Andy Doherty from Network Rail.
A 30-minute refreshment break provided opportunities to study the varied technologies being demonstrated in the exhibition areas in the lobby and mezzanine areas before delegates divided into four 'Breakout Sessions' covering:-
Reliable Assets.
Data-Enabled Railway
Optimised Train Operations.
Low Emission Railway.
One of these was held in the Studio Theatre, the others were in three smaller Suites on the mezzanine level above the shared foyer area. Each one-hour breakout session featured presentations from five different speakers on current initiatives, followed by question and answer sessions moderated by a chairman.
View from Mezzanine Level of the adjacent Library of Birmingham lobby (UKRRIN Annual Conference, 21st November 2019)
A very adequate buffet-style lunch was served both on the lobby level and mezzanine level. On the mezzanine level, it was possible to sit looking out over Centenary Square but there was also plenty of interest in the exhibition stands.
Back in the Studio Theatre, Clive Roberts from BCRRE introduced the afternoon sessions. The first session, titled 'A global perspective: what are we doing to improve UK Rail export performance?', was moderated by Noel Travers of Unipart Rail. There were addresses by David McGorman of Unipart Rail, Julian Stow from University of Huddersfield and Kevin Fry from Balfour Beatty, followed by a question and answer session.
Next, there was an address by the winner of the Young Innovator Award, Mohamed Samra, followed by presentations to the winner and two runners-up.
Clive Roberts and Luisa Moisio presenting an award (UKRRIN Annual Conference, 21st November 2019)
A short refreshment break preceded the final session of the day - a debate titled 'Nurturing Young Talent and encouraging diversity in rail: are we doing enough?'.
I left before the networking drinks reception which closed an absorbing and worthwhile event.
During the day, Clive Roberts announced that RSSB and University of Birmingham will host the 13th World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) in Birmingham from 6th to 10th June 2022. The website for this event is here.
Relevant websites
UKRRIN (United Kingdom Rail Research and Innovation Network).
RSSB(Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited).
UK Research and Innovation.
Research England.
Innovate UK.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre (Wikipedia).
Library of Birmingham (Wikipedia).
Unique Venues Birmingham.
World Congress on Railway Research 2022.
Related posts on this website
Rail Research UK Association Annual Conference 2017.
Rail Industry Information Day, 2018.
Quinton Rail Technology Centre.
My Pictures
UKRRIN Conference 2019.
