Is This The BEST Spot On The WCML? | Two Nights at Acton Bridge | Diggle Junction Special

Filmed over two evenings in early 2023, this episode shows how busy, and how varied, this now famous West Coast Mainline location can be.
Located in the county of Cheshire, 12 miles north of Crewe and 10 miles south of Warrington, all types of traffic run daily, from car transporters, to bin liners and the ubiquitous container traffic - Acton Bridge has it all! (Except coal, nowhere has coal anymore).
This month includes:
- Varamis Rail finally working the mail
- 4x Railadventure HST power cars deliver new Class 777 Merseyrail Units
- TPE Class 68 works an engineering trail
- Car transporters to and from Ford Dagenham
- And much more...
Thanks for watching!
Please leave a like, it helps a lot and don’t forget to subscribe for more rail videos.
Dedicated to Alan Gaskell.
Thanks to Ben & Joel for the loco icons, check out the 2023 Train Database here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
For enquiries, or if you would like to use any clips, email [e-mail]
Intro music by ‪@gordovox1559‬
Equipment:
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lammcou Gorilla-pod: www.amazon.co.uk/Flexible-Gor...
Monopod: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0052SJYZ...
RØDE Microphone: rode.com/en
Hitfilm Editing Software: fxhome.com/

[@ThePennineWanderer]

Acton bridge in my opinion is the best spot, they should rename it to action bridge haha

[@DiggleJunction]

Hahaa nice one!! 😂

[@HornbySaturday]

I had a thought on that too great comment 😂

[@MrBnsftrain]

7:32 I had no idea they converted a 321 to carry parcels until I saw this video I like that they still use open flatbeds to carry automobiles. 11:40 a Transpennine 68 on a freight train. Something I didn't expect to see for a few years 14:44 now that's some serious power you would see in America, not Britian

[@DiggleJunction]

- The 321’s are a pretty recent thing, Varamis haven’t had their operating license long and ran into a bunch of issues before they could get started, good that we’re getting more mail by rail! - Some of those flatbeds are really old now, seems strange when you think how much money they must be transporting! - I’ve never seen a TPE 68 on freight but I suppose they are still DRS locos, had to happen sometime lol.

[@stu2911]

Photo bombed twice! And it ain't Diggle without a Drax, great content again thanks.👍

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s becoming a law of the channel to include at least one in every vid haha. Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@reidanderson2646]

Just curious. Living in the Calder Valley the Drax is a regular visitor as it is on a fairly direct route to Drax. So what is it doing at Acton Bridge, seems way out geographically?

[@colingarwood9971]

Just brilliant. Can't say much more than that so thanks for sharing 👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot as always Colin, really appreciate the support you always give 👍🏻

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Never set foot on Acton Bridge but I use to pass through it loads of times as I lived in Oxford and my girlfriend in Liverpool.3 platforms and from a rail replacement bus going through it once I noted what would have been a ticket office at the top which is presumably either disused or pressed into service as something else.I never saw many folk get on/off there.Would have passed through it on the sleeper too to various Scottish places and Carlisle with 86,90 and 92 haulage and I think a 57 dragging a Sir Richard Branson train to Liverpool once due to a diversion which I think was via Manchester.

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah it’s still there but I’ve never seen the little ticket window open, think it’s just an entrance hallway nowadays to get on to the platforms. Like you said there’s not too much foot traffic there so I guess there was no need for it to be staffed. That’s brought me a bit of nostalgia remembering the thunderbirds dragging pendos in the virgin days.

[@CasperUK31]

Was there today and literally was talking about the station, it's been closed for years but what baffles me is that when built in its heyday there must have been about 5 houses within walking distance of the station...Who did they build it for? Its a lovely-looking station and an old abandoned WC on the platform too but it's unstaffed and left to rot now.

[@duncanrogers5762]

very good duncan

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Duncan 👍🏻

[@keefr22]

Great stuff!! I enjoy all your content, wherever it's from!!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, really appreciate that 👍🏻

[@r3playretro]

Some excellent variety there, mate. Rail Adventure and the 56 the main highlights. Just found your channel and going through your other vids. Top notch stuff. Subbed.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, really means a lot. Glad you’re enjoying em, much more to come soon!

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks a lot another really enjoyable video, keep em coming. Great day at Doncaster 13/4 best ever day there for me, I might start going every Thursday now.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers John, yeah what a place. What were your highlights? I’d go every week too if it was a bit closer!

[@dylancurtis7814]

Good to see you're still out looking getting some great shots, tempting me into going there or Crewe myself.

[@DiggleJunction]

It’s definitely worth a trip out mate. Crewe is a good shout, lots of freight goes around the avoiders but plenty of variety with loco services being there behind the station. Definitely started making it an interesting place again after years of nothing.

[@ConProductions]

Great catches and video

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks very much 👍🏻

[@briansmall8874]

Another great video I really enjoy them and look forward to every one

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Brian, comments like this make the hours of editing worthwhile. More to come from Diggle soon.

[@allrightdrive1537]

Cheers fella great vid as ever .👏👏👏👏

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍

[@johnmay2786]

What a great variety, a lot of flat tyres in that lot and it was good to get some tunes from some of the drivers!

[@DiggleJunction]

Probably the main reason I like Acton so much, the variety is great! Always love the Colas drivers especially, never afraid to give a good tune. Cheers John.

[@billobrien7303]

Another nice one Luke, thanks for doing it.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Bill, hopefully back to normal Diggle life for the next one!

[@EagleCreekRailRoad]

Great captures, thanks for sharing. Ben.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Ben, much appreciated mate 👍🏻

[@annamarietrindal1967]

Absolutely awesome video my friend. It was a pleasure to watch for this freight mad girl 😊

[@DiggleJunction]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it - thanks very much!

[@annamarietrindal1967]

@@DiggleJunction it was well worth it not just for the 4 class 43's which you just don't see these days, but for all the varied freight too 👍

[@rodwilkinson3304]

Very enjoyable, very well presented especially with the informative text left showing long enough to be able read all of it!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Rod, glad you enjoyed it! Good to know about the text too, it’s always a tough balance to have it up long enough to read but not in the way of the train as it passes. Cheers!

[@timriley7711]

Another great effort 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Tim, appreciate the comment 👍

[@user-tm4bi1nl4q]

Cheers fr the great variety of rollingstock!! (New Aussie subscriber!)

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, glad you’re enjoying it from down under 👍🏻

[@johncamp2567]

You don’t need a cute village and a tunnel for awesome train action!

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha very true! But hopefully back to the village for the next one 👍

[@UKRailProductions]

Wow! Great Video.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, really appreciate that! 👍🏻

[@andydavidson9440]

Nice variety whilst Diggle is closed. Should there be a competition for drivers and their tunes?😂 loved the Class 56!

[@DiggleJunction]

The 56 Colas drivers always give a good show! Diggle is back open again now so we should be back to Diggle Diaries soon 👍🏻

[@TheMisterB2u]

Those HST's hauling new stock,what a coup to capture on film,bet you wet your plants!

[@DiggleJunction]

I saw some pictures of them last year and been dying to see them ever since. First time I’d ever seen them run back to back and not top and tailed though, I’d say at least damp haha.

[@pn112upfast]

Great video mate👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Nice one pal, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Some good stuff!

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks again mate!

[@geordieceltic2]

Great video, thank you.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻 glad you enjoyed it.

[@ENC_Trainspotting]

Excellent video! 👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers as always mate 👍🙌

[@ENC_Trainspotting]

@@DiggleJunction No problem! Anytime!

[@davidfarrow44]

Great traction there and superb videoing

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot David 👍🏻

[@theovanstaden5766]

Great video @Diggle Junction(Luke)🙂👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻 I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned my name in a vid, I’ve got no idea how people know it haha. Not that I mind of course.

[@theovanstaden5766]

@@DiggleJunction lol yes i work in a law court here in south africa. I saw Your name mentioned by someone in the chat. Bit of Sherlock Holmes detective work lol😂🤣

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Great video! I subscribed

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Sean, much appreciated and great to have you 👍🏻

[@cerievans134]

excellent 👏👏👏

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Ceri 🙌

[@calebmumby5803]

amazing video buddy

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Caleb, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Superb video and some great action. Nice to see it from the lineside. One point of note, the 56 wasn't 56076 as that's long been scrapped!! You probably mean 56078. Keep up the great work and I'll keep an eye out for you,from the cab! 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate, you’re right someone else pointed that out too. I note down the numbers after the train passes and it looks like my eyes failed me on that one haha. Appreciate the support pal.

[@thebonsaiprojectkernow]

Hey,new sub here. I'm not really a train geek but do love to see them,I find it so eerie to see empty rail wagons belting past I used to always stand and wave at the royal mail train early 2000's as it went through redruth,I love how they still transport new cars from dagenham by rail

[@DiggleJunction]

I love it when the big empty coal wagons used to go past rattling and crashing around, bet it was great seeing the mail rush past. Absolutely love seeing the cars still be transported by rail. Thanks for the sub mate, great to have you 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

I love it when the big empty coal wagons used to go past rattling and crashing around, bet it was great seeing the mail rush past. Absolutely love seeing the cars still be transported by rail. Thanks for the sub mate, great to have you 👍🏻

[@thebonsaiprojectkernow]

@@DiggleJunction I used to "play"on the tracks between redruth and camborne as a young teen,as an adult it gives me an anxiety attack just thinking about how close to the passing trains we used to sit.

[@derricklewis5397]

great vid pal

[@DiggleJunction]

Nice one mate, really appreciate that 👍🏻

[@tomsun6123]

Nice video. Not too many people do trainspotting at night; I appreciate you taking time for this. I also like how you provided information about each train. Could you by chance, walk me through that?

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Tom, I’m glad you enjoyed it. With regards to the information, I use realtimetrains.co.uk to keep track of the train before it arrives (so I know which way to point the camera), this also gives the train headcode (e.g. 6M25) as well as it’s starting time and route. To understand headcodes: - the first number indicates the type of train, for example a 1 would be an express passenger, 6 is a 60mph rated freight working. - the letter refers to the location of the train, different regions assigned different letters. - the last two number refer to the specific number of that train, so if it’s the first of the day it will be 00 or 01. Hope this helps 👍🏻

[@bobo327]

Hello, nice video 😊

[@DiggleJunction]

Thank you very much mate 👍🏻

[@neildeakin4454]

Loved it, especially the 56. Not far fro here based in Stockport.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate, the Colas 56 drivers always put on a show. It’s definitely worth a trip out, I usually drive through your neck of the woods to get over there.

[@joshuabetty1700]

East lancs railway Diesel Roster looking brilliant next sunday and all year

[@DiggleJunction]

Ooh I’ve not seen it, what will they have running?

[@joshuabetty1700]

@@DiggleJunction Next Sunday they have the Class 14 and 42 warship

[@EdwardGregg]

Those MerseyRail 777s are actually Tyne & Wear metro 555s

[@PCEngineer2007uk]

Looking forward to seeing (and using) the new class 555s that are now waiting to be rolled out here in the North East. 👍

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah me too, think I might have to make a trip up there soon and check em out.

[@PCEngineer2007uk]

@Diggle Junction I think it's July when the first one starts rolling around the system. A few track and platform changes just getting finished off.

[@CasperUK31]

@@PCEngineer2007uk Haha they said that about the 777's here on Merseyrail. 2 years later they started on the Kirkby line. Worth the wait though.

[@ABSpotter_24]

Great watch. Acton Bridge is always a good afternoon or evening. Love it there. Debating on buying a recorder in the next month or so. Which do you use to film with? Cheers.

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers mate, yeah definitely one of my favourite places! I use a regular ol’ iPhone 14 pro max. Most of my shots are using the 3x telephoto lens.

[@andrewchaston503]

Excellent entertainment. Thank you.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot Andrew, glad you enjoyed it!

[@rich_rich90]

08:27 Wonder if they're all Postman Pat vans on delivery?

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha I thought the exact same thing!!

[@Godlyonfn]

in day 2 the kid waving off of the bridge was me! 🤣🤣

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha brill! Glad to catch you on there mate. Good to meet you in passing 👍🏻

[@grannyjone]

There are stations on the WCML south of Crewe that get more freight but I like Acton Bridge for its quieter location. It probably gets more freight than any other station in the north west of england I think

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah I’d say you’re right, lots of variety too which I really like. Making a trip down to Nuneaton soon so hopefully will see plenty of action down there!

[@tracypanavia4634]

66 after 66 after 66 after 66 after 66 and oh look, there's a 60😂(which look nicer imo) the 43s with buffer beams was a first for me and I loved the speedy Grid💪🏼

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha the modern way of spotting. At this point I get excited if it’s just a 66 with a different livery or something lol, just because it’s something different. Cheers Tracy, glad you enjoyed it always love a grid!

[@ChangesOneTim]

Impressive selection of freight traffic there. 👍Such a shame there's so little lecky haulage under the wires, intermodals especially given their origins and destinations.

[@DiggleJunction]

Very true, I don’t know why they aren’t utilised more. There’s usually more 90’s than I saw on these two nights to be fair.

[@arthurrytis6010]

Still nothing better than a class 87 with 7 on . Either Lime St or Preston. But preferably London.😊😊😊

[@DiggleJunction]

Miss the days of seeing them at Wigan North Western and Warrington Bank Quay, my old stomping grounds when I was a kid. Was good to see them all lined up at one of the terminals too with the 86’s.

[@tamesidetrainguy]

I have been to Acton bridge a few times, and always miss the car train

[@DiggleJunction]

I’ve been a few times and missed they too, seems like they’re hit and miss, lots of cancellations when they’re not needed. Especially over the past couple of years with the chip shortage for new cars, hopefully they start becoming a bit more regular again.

[@leemunn4590]

I saw the grey HST in Wolverhampton which was confusing because the HST doesn’t run through the West Midlands

[@DiggleJunction]

Weird one lol. What did you think of it? I wasn’t a massive fan until I saw it person and I really liked it.

[@user-bk6qo5mu2o]

another great video Luke looks like a great spot for trains looking forward to the return of more of diggle but stalybridge has been closed again this weekend keep up the fab content

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, yeah I’m really looking forward to a bit more filming around our way it’s been too long.

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

14:49 in this video... An insult to the iconic Class 43 ... These were NEVER designed to be used as freight trains. They were designed as high-speed passenger trains to run on non-electrified lines. When these first entered service in 1976 they were light-years ahead of their time. Better than being scrapped I supposed... At least they are still "Working"

[@DiggleJunction]

I completely agree, it’s sad to see them this way but if it keeps them off the scrap heap i’m happy. It does make me wonder how they’ll fair though long term, all the waiting around freight trains do can’t be good for them. They used to overheat badly when they were first run as DVT’s for 91 testing. Different engines I suppose though.

[@eddherring4972]

1:50 and some serious platform gap, I mean that’s a chasm.

[@DiggleJunction]

Only just noticed that! Blimey.

[@tonyc360]

Where do you get the head codes for the trains ?

[@DiggleJunction]

Hey Tony, you can find them searching for any station here: www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/

[@benGBRf]

Great video at a great location. I'm surprised I havent come across your channel and videos before. Well I will be now. Like and subscribe from me and I have clicked that bell so I don't miss any of your great footage 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks very much mate, that’s really appreciated 👍🏻 always glad to hear people come across the vids and enjoy them enough to sub. Much more to come. Cheers

[@johncavill1139]

may be a daft question but how do you know what route the trains are running

[@DiggleJunction]

I use a website called Realtimetrains and rail-record. They give you all the timings and information for even freight going through station (or Diggle junction in my case most of the time). P.S. no such thing as a daft question mate 👍🏻

[@spiritofcantaolisboa-p8871]

Might be the "Best" but not the busier or even popular as many others are for sure on the entire WCML. Although i would rather agree it is the busiest train spot in the whole Northwest section of the WCML out of Crewe Basford Hall Jn, this one that i class as already North/Midlands boundary hence not counting for my list. Acton Bridge in the 13 years i am living in UK has seen incresing traffic due to Cross Country biomass flows that when loaded for some reason only run via this area but via Manchester on empty runs althou very rarely loaded perhaps due to Miles Plating steep incline likewise DB refuse trains do the same twice a day on its way to Teeside. To mention Freightliner refuse trains that once loaded in Greater Manchester area to Scunthorpe landfill and soon after started operating to Runcorn are an extra as well. Remember BM limestone train return empty late night to Peak District when out of ICI, but now this one overnights at Arpley to make that move next morning and is indeed another extra to Acton Bridge, making it more interesting rahter popular , providing that peculiar mix of safety feeling out of urban crowds and criminal activity along to real Cheshire provincial nature. This two combined make this area a fantastic spot that i never explored out of the station itself. Thank you for sharing your fantastic captures and put Action Bridge on the map of remote and forgotten train spots in UK.

[@DiggleJunction]

Thanks a lot mate, interesting read to see how things are changing. I hadn’t left the station either until thinking one day “I wonder if you can get to those bridges” and found their potential. The line side shots from the field are just a bonus. Like you said there’s probably busier places on the WCML but Acton’s variety and lots of different locations rather than just being in a platform is a definite contender.

[@HornbySaturday]

It's Crewe best place for me

[@DiggleJunction]

I love the variety at Crewe and with LS there there’s chance for something special. It’s a pity so much freight uses the avoiders these days.

[@HornbySaturday]

What does LS mean

[@normanbridge8924]

i wander how much the total value of the car train was worth probably £10-15 million pounds fella

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah must have been, no idea what the going rate for a new unit is nowadays though lol. Probably 10 mill each the way things are going!

[@normanbridge8924]

@@DiggleJunction i meant the value of the cargo it was pulling all those brand new cars/vans

[@robertmiller6255]

The class 56 is 56078 and not 56076 as noted on your caption

[@DiggleJunction]

Cheers Robert, must have been me misreading it at the time.

[@ChineseTrainGuy]

321334 starting a new life?

[@DiggleJunction]

The old Dutch liveried beauty is to live on delivering parcels for a living!

[@spiritofcantaolisboa-p8871]

Such a shame you did not get the nuclear magnox flasks to Crewe that use to run aroun that night time but as required basis. Not really a fun of lineside spotting specially on quadruple track layout where is very easy to miss movements crossing each other same or different directions thata are less common in Action Bridge compared to South of Crewe. I prefere stand on bridges despite the horrible cage effect caused by OLE gantries on both superior and lateral views. WCML is such a problem for those looking for long views from bridges in order to not miss a movement specially after wating for a specific one, but...modern electrification is the future.

[@DiggleJunction]

I do worry about that a lot tbh, I usually have traksy/realtimetrains open on an iPad if it looks like there might be a crossover I’ll run to the bridge for safety.

[@ramonwilliams5721]

It must be my age, when I try and video a train, I never catch the numbers, ( ex steam fireman/driver)🚂🚂🚂

[@DiggleJunction]

I struggle sometimes too mate, thank God for realtimetrains and railcam!

[@Ron_TTE]

777s?

[@DiggleJunction]

Yep 777’s, the new Merseyrail units.

[@markonplane8350]

hello

[@DiggleJunction]

Hi Mate, thanks for checking out the vids 👍🏻

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

Who was Alan Gaskell?

[@DiggleJunction]

He was my late Grandad mate. Sadly passed away recently, he got me into trains from being a small kid and we used to go on many a trip out. Sadly never got to see me start the channel so it’s dedicated to him. Thanks for asking 👍🏻

[@DiggleJunction]

He was my late Grandad mate. Sadly passed away recently, he got me into trains from being a small kid and we used to go on many a trip out. Sadly never got to see me start the channel so it’s dedicated to him. Thanks for asking 👍🏻

[@paulsheward3325]

It can't be 9000 hp they're not multimedia at nose end , unless there's two drivers!

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah you’re right thinking about it, are the ex-DVT buffer power cars the same?

[@bfapple]

Correct, none of the Class 43s have multiple working facility at the nose ends. So one driver is only capable of motoring two locos.

[@bhuvaneshserene-blake9540]

9000hp, that's nine bugatti's. Andrew Tate will be weeping in his sleep.

[@DiggleJunction]

Haha he’d be loving that!

[@spud74]

1:40 Those things run from the Incinerator by me at Weston. No idea what the carry like

[@DiggleJunction]

They’re the binliners so that would make a lot of sense. You’ll smell them on a hot summers day 🤢

[@justinobrien3593]

Nice set of class 43 power cars but I can't understand why they need all that power its like having two deltics pulling a few dmu/emu's and a few freight waggons! madness! and A waste of fuel i liked the colas grid steaming it good video 🥰🤩😍

[@DiggleJunction]

Yeah it’s a weird one, I can only think they have to run the power cars together for some reason. You’d think one on each end would be fine and instead of mk3’s between its random wagons and units lol. Colas grids are always one of my highlights too, cheers for the comment mate.