A couple of weeks ago Harry of
Norfolk Scene asked me if I wanted to join him observing and photographing the first day of the Summer services to Great Yarmouth, which involve a full Mainline set being pulled by a Class 47 loco. I have wanted to do this for years so was pleased to accept the invitation. What I didn't know is Harry knew of a lineside path that gave us excellent views far away from the multitude of enthisiasts who had gathered together at Yarmouth Station. The sun came out to warm us up - really warm us up and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Got some pics I really like and next aim is to spend a few hours at Berney Arms one Saturday during the Summer getting some picturesque shots while supping a decent pint!
 |
| The duty loco today was 47501, and here she is with the first drag of the day - not the best pic but....... |
 |
| If at first you don;t succeed - some hours later with the second drag a much better effort |
 |
| The star of the show switches tracks at Yarmouth to get to the front of the set for the return journey. |
 |
| Other highlights included a double Class 153. 153322 leads 153335 heading into Yarmouth |
 |
| Operating the other fast Norwich services was 170270 |
|
|
For the record Mr Anonymous First Eastern Counties have done nothing to annoy me today, therefore by your reckoning today is the first day in the blog's history I haven't "slagged them off". Put it in your diary!
Not a train spotter but that second picture... no words to describe it!!
ReplyDeleteDon't see at all a problem with you keep "complaining", I wouldn't call it complaining at all so hey-ho! Just keep up the good work.
Not the only one who had a prosperous day... http://norwichbusesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/photo-special-norwich-sightings.html
Thanks, Kieran and hope we can bump into each other during the Summer.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see, depends on my holiday dates etc.
DeleteIgnore Mr Anonymous, clearly too far up somewhere their head shouldn't be worrying about getting information from companies rather than doing their own work, getting their own pictures and reporting truthfully, not sucking up to companies and trying to impress them.
I feel like president of america right now!
Hail To The Chief...........
DeleteI didn't say you had slagged them off everyday did I. And Kieran, I don't worry about getting information from companies, they email me when anything changes. I'm not one of those people that bombard them with tweets and texts etc etc and piss them off.
DeleteAnonymous11 July 2014 18:23
DeleteYou slag them off every single day, and then get annoyed when Clive gets something out before you. This is why :L
So yes, you did.
Steve, it's your blog. Write what you like, just don't be surprised if the companies you "slag off" don't invite you to meet their management etc.
ReplyDeleteIn response to what "Anonymous" has said, there are definitely local enthusiasts who do bombard companies with Tweets and Emails, but sadly as you've decided to remain hidden behind the cloak of anonymity, no-one knows whether you're one of those people.
Thanks, Sam, but to be honest I don't think I've ever "slagged off" anyone. To "slag off" is to criticise in an abusive or insulting manner. I believe my criticisms of all have been well worded, articulate, constructive, and most of all accurate. I praise where I see fit, and criticise where I see fit. Questioning commercial decisions is all part of freedom of speech, and believe me had I had a blog in the 1980's, when McDonalds abandoned their plain quarterpounder, forcing me to pay for cheese I didn't want you'd have never heard the end of it!
ReplyDeleteI'd be delighted to talk to any member of management from First, Anglian, GA or any company. It would be great if they could write guest articles for the blog, but I will not ever shirk from expressing my views, or how I see things just because management or Mr Anonymous might not like it. It's my blog, my views, and my right to express them. It's also anyone's right to respond, including management if they feel I'm being unfair.
Every business wants (and, more importantly, needs) feedback from customers. Without it, they don't have a business. The idea that "they" know-it-all and hand down wisdom on tablets of stone went out with the Middle Ages (well, actually it was dying well before then as both the Church and the Monarchy found to their cost). My only regret is that modern criticism is so mild compared to what our predecessors gave! We should have our fun, we're entitled to it! Vive le blogs.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is, Smurf, that it seems in blogworld I am a lone voice standing up for the humble passenger. If there was only one other blogger not afraid to constructively criticise or point out flaws in the system then things might be different. However Rome wan't built in a day - Ipswich certainly wasn't as it isn't finished yet - and I will carry on doing what I think is right.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't disagree with you more there, Steve. I'll warrant that 99.8% of the passengers (and 99.8% of the would-be passengers too) agree with you. (And probably 99.8% of the staff too). Without criticism (whether fair or unfair) we never learn. And if we never learn, we're dead. Companies too. Everyone who has brought about worthwhile change has felt the way you do at some point. And they are the only people who have made our world a better place. Carry on.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! (I'm not one for one word responses usually, but there wasn't much I could add to this other than my agreement).
DeleteNo, no you misunderstand! I didn't mean I was a lone voice in having criticisms - far from it as you say. But no other blogs do what I do and voice those criticisms. Just one more would make all the difference :) Thanks for that comment though.
ReplyDeleteSo how does this work? Is there a loco attached to each end at Norwich? If not, how does the locomotive switch from one end of the train to the other at Yarmouth?
ReplyDelete--- Charlie
Hi Charlie. The usual short set does indeed have a loco each end. However these saturday drags are different. The platform is long enough at Yarmouth for the train to pull up short, then as you will see from the third picture the loco is detached, swaps lines and goes around the train, reversing back up to reattatch itself. A bit of a process, but that's what steamers did all the time.
Delete