Graeme Pickering

@pickgs

Railway Magazine Senior Correspondent. Ex-broadcast journalist and news editor. Husband. 'Dad' to a Greek cat. Aspiring novelist.

364 Following615 Followers862 Posts

Bluesky

Is this your profile?Claim it and pickgs.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 13d

Nearly a year late, but finally bought a couple of Greatest Gathering bits from the online shop. Still a few items available if you haven't already got yours. Love this limited edition electric locos poster which will go in the spare room (aka office) when I get a decent frame.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 25d

On this day four years ago pt 3. 17 Jul 22 and No. 156469 on 2N05 Sunderland-Carlisle at Kyle Road, Gateshead, just after this morning's brief but heavy downpour stopped. © Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 25d

Four years ago pt 2. Another shot taken on 17 Jul 22 after hastily repositioning the camera (and tripod) just in time to get the subject of my previously posted shot of Northern No. 156421 heading into the aforementioned tunnel. Decided it worked much better in monochrome. © Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 25d

Four years ago today pt 1. (17 Jul 22).Just a few minutes after a heavy shower, Northern Class 156, No. 156421 heads over Kyle Road bridge, Gateshead with the 10.57 Metrocentre-Newcastle service. It will go under the ECML before climbing to join it and crossing the Tyne. Ⓒ Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 27d

Another from 15th July 2021 from the Ellison Road bridge. 158844 approaches Dunston from the west. Although there are still pigeon crees alongside the Tyne Valley Line just before it joins the ECML, those pictured were demolished and the land cleared after an arson attack.📸:©️ Graeme Pickering

158844 curves through the cutting lined with green trees and dense shrubs and undergrowth with pigeon crees to the right side of the line (nearest the train) above track level. These were demolished after an arson attack.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· 27d

Five years ago today and 57002 heads west from Dunston on its way back to Carlisle having been a familiar sight that week on RHTT route learning/refresher light engine duties. Direct Rail Services no longer operates RHTTs. The 57 is now with LSL and named 'Winston Churchill'. 📸: ©️ Graeme Pickering

DRS blue liveried 57002 heads away from the camera after going under Ellison Road bridge, Dunston and taking the curve into the shrub and flower-lined cutting.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jul 6

Flowers adding a splash of colour to one of the grass verges at the end of our road.

Pink, blue and white flowers with purple centres growing tall and wild in a clump at the edge of a grass verge.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jul 3

I go from being really happy with what I've added to my novel to wondering whether it will ever work as a book/if I'll ever finish it. Very much the latter feeling today, but enjoyed stopping off at Maryport Harbour, where one of the pivotal chapters unfolds on this very pier.

Me - short dark hair with glasses, blue hooded coat and grey trousers pointing at a concrete pier stretching into the distance with a white lighthouse at the end and grey sea either side, grey blue hills in distance and white sky punctuated by grey clouds

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 27

Five years ago today, part 2. View from the footbridge. With the signal at clear, Northern Class 156 No. 156486 prepares to get underway from Prudhoe with 2N15 Whitby to Carlisle. ©️Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 27

Five years ago today, part 1. With green trees to the left and lots of plants and shrubs thriving to the right side of the line, Northern Class 158, No. 158795 approaches Stocksfield at 1554 with 2N14 Carlisle-Nunthorpe. ©️Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 23

3/ Another of 66719 at the platfrom end with the red and whote colours of the train trailing into the distance and station clock tower and overall roof in background. 📸: Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 23

2/ Inspiration Train and a TransPennine Express Class 185 alongside platforms 2 and 3 respectively. Clock tower and overrall roof of station in background on skyline.📸: Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 23

1/ A few pictures from Scarborough yesterday, the final day of the Railway 200 Inspiration Train's year-long tour, starting with a wide later afternoon shot of 66719 'Michael Portillo' with the train and the station as a backdrop.📸: Graeme Pickering

Taken from platform 1 looking at the canopy adjacent to the Old Parcels Office with the station clock tower in the middle of the backdrop and overall roof plus roof over what's now the car park behind the train.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 14

Mrs P spotted this coaster in a Penrith bookshop yesterday. I'm going to put it where I can see and use it every day. I'd virtually given up on the book until getting renewed inspiration last year. Finally happy (I think) with how I bring the two main characters together!

Black typewriter drawing with gold keys on square ceramic white coaster. Paper emerging from the typewriter says: I WILL WRITE MY BOOK

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 9

Here's the slightly brightened-up version, which I thought I'd shared the first time!🙄

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 9

One I could do with having another go at with more time and less changeable light. Northern 170457 crosses the magnificent viaduct over the River Nidd at Knaresborough as rowing boats pass under it and a hint of blue sky above with the 2C36 Leeds to York this afternoon.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· Jun 7

91119 'Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017' on its way from Doncaster to the 'All Change' open day which was held the following day in Crewe. Just managed to grab these as I head down the ramp at Dunston station on June 7, 2019. It was hauled by 67006 'Royal Sovereign'.

67006 from the ramp with 91119 - No. 1 end first being hauled though platform 2 at Dunston with trees and shrubs in full leaf on the embankment behind the line.

91119 in Intercity Swallow livery, side and front shot.

Going away shot. No. 2 end and side shot as the Class 67 goes under Ellison Road bridge beside the station ramp. Tail light is attached to 91119 below its own light clusters.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 28

2/ Signpost, sculptures and sunset. (More details in ALT).

Signpost at Stonygate Lane Bridge with gorse and trees/meadow backdrop. In red gold and black with three finger posts indicates National Cycle Network route 7 and distances to Annfield Plain and Stanley.

Made from old grey metal electrical components and therefore called The Old Transformers, two head and shoulders sculptures sit above the line just west of Stonygate Lane. The Ironmaster.

Orange sun looking westwards heading back towards Leadgate with silhouetted trees lining horizon, green field in middle distance and wire fence can just be made out beyond grass verge of path.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 28

1/ Where once the sounds of 9Fs and later Class 24s and 37s with iron ore trains bound for Consett were heard, there's stillness only punctuated by birdsong and wildlife. A few shots from Monday evening's walk from Leadgate towards Annfield Plain to the bridge over Stonyheap Lane.

Looking south from the railway alignment over the tops of trees and hazy distant hills towards Weardale.

One of the many baby rabbits enjoying the evening peace and quiet.

Looking back towards Leadgate with the setting sun behind hawthorn trees in flower in both sides of the tarmac path.

Close up of dandelion seed head on verge of railway path.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 28

Another 'mystery bridge' shot taken yesterday afternoon, but a bit easier! Which town and where in said town? I'll post the answer tomorrow morning.

Church spire with clock surrounded by green trees in front of bridge with circular warning sign of 2.1 metres/7 feet with green railings on deck and stone supports.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 27

Had a great evening walk along a disused railway line as far as this bridge on Monday. I'll post some more pics of the views and wildlife at some point but before I do, any guesses as to where this bridge is and the line (North East of England) in question?

Single span iron railway bridge with triangular 13 ft 3 inch warning sign and fades brown-grey panels with stone parapets over narrow tarmac road with steep grass verges either side and steep dip in road beyond with tree-lined verge and hill with green fields on it in distance.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 21

Happy seventh birthday to our little Greek mischief Ariel.

Greek calico cat Ariel poses on pink cover with polka dots in front of pink card with blue seven on it, tuna loin, biscuits, new bowl and multi coloured ball in background.

Had enough. Same view, but she's lying down, asleep.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 19

1/ When this Department for Transport published 'High Speed Rail' in March 2010, the report envisaged the London-Birmingham section of HS2 would open by the end of 2026. The latest time frame for Old Oak Common to Curzon St is 2036-2039, with Euston and the WCML link in 2040-2043.

Page 140 extract Paragraph 10.14 "Subject to public consultation, environmental impact assessment,
Parliamentary approval and decisions on funding, the Government’s
preliminary assessment is that it should be possible for a London to Birmingham line to open by the end of 2026, with the London to Manchester routes to follow in subsequent years, subject to the same
principal considerations."

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 16

A late afternoon video from Lord Walter's Viewpoint, just west of the village of Newcastleton, panning from west to east. Once upon a time in the distance to the east, you might just have caught sight of a wisp of exhaust from a steam loco hauling a train along the Waverley Route.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 14

In all the years I've travelled through and to and from Hexham, never noticed this bracket by the stairs of the footbridge on the westbound platform. Presuming it was for destinations of the next trains leaving from the opposite platform?

Red and cream lattice stair rails of footbridge, blue and cream canopy pillars at edge of canopy and blue curve ended bracket on left pillar

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 13

Pier extending into the distance to the right of the frame. Sand of beach in foreground. Sun reflecting in sand and sea water. Grey/blue clouds against light blue sky and setting sun in distance.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 9

Previous recent trips to Pelaw had ended in ☹️due to late or cancelled workings. Not on May 9th 2023. LNER Azuma No. 800202 on a Middlesbrough-Heaton ecs working passes 'looped' GB Railfreight 69002 with a Tyne Coal Terminal weedkilling working with 69005 at the rear. ©️ Graeme Pickering

A weed killing train led by GB Railfreight 69002 stands in a loop under a lamppost at Pelaw. To the right an LNER Azuma set heads in the opposite direction.

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 9

GB Railfreight 69002 and 69005 on 9th May 2023. Pictured that evening entering the loop at Pelaw with a Tyne Coal Terminal-Tyne Coal Terminal weed killing train to North Blyth and Morpeth and back via the Blyth & Tyne route. ©️ Graeme Pickering

Class 69s, Nos. 69002 and 69005 'top and tail' a weed killing train entering the goods loop at Pelaw with through heavy rail lines in the middle of the picture and Pelaw Metro station/Tyne & Wear Metro system just visible to the left. Picture: Graeme Pickering

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 8

Let's see if local members of a party led by grifters can become grafters and run the council without turning it into a car crash like colleagues on other authorities have done. The spotlight and scrutiny is surely getting too big to escape now for Reform following English gains.

Gateshead Council
Local election results 2026

PartySeats+/-
Reform38+38
Liberal Democrat13-5
Labour12-34
Green 3 + 3

Total turnout: 65,410 (45.5%)

Graeme Pickering@pickgs· May 7

To be honest, I'm more confused as to why someone who works in broadcast journalism would say they "exited a train impacted by disruption" rather than that they got off a delayed train.