WCML Avanti diversions at Barthomley level crossing 4/9/22

[@ejs229]

Thank you all for the kind comments! Some interesting photos by others: Barthomley road 1983 www.flickr.com/photos/142767848@N08/30563351796/in/photolist-Mn4qQT-V8pTvt-MYL7T6-NyMaFj Barthomley crossing 1988 www.flickr.com/photos/56940751@N08/19578071734/in/photolist-vQ3JCW-zBcWSs-zLYXn4-2jBgr6B-nizyhb-2jc6kpU-foBXt2-73m6wi-foSgKs-yPbgjc-2jc6kKJ-RPFWVY-2jc6kgY-8YE2HT-n7sCv2-zGMLwc-FSsD7W-8YGTUj-VLpnW7-foSsAQ-zRtNgb-2n7r8yK-2jc6jKH-e54WZ5-7YbhgH-2jfgc6t-RyUfBR-zphWBE-2jtGh6Z-GnSNU5-2jtDsHi-G95pLY-ySskYy-2jc3BtR-2npSAqo-ngDSq1-2jc6jET-2jc7EiV-fpc3Qq-2mLHC3U-HtVFRb-foC7GR-Np8XZT-SBxQsa-2jc7Ey9-2jc6jxJ-zTLiyz-2jc6k1c-yK5xNS-2jc6jPL Virgin Pendolino www.flickr.com/photos/30268259@N03/8338973159/in/photolist-dGYQm7-dGTqci Oldest photo I can find of crossing itself, 2006 www.geograph.org.uk/photo/228958

[@trainlover123trainsrock]

Nice footage, and nice to see the 390s in good detail up close while in motion

[@griffany]

Nice trains from a New Level Crossing @ejs229

[@michaelcampin1464]

Now this video shows the reason why local lines should not be closed. Ideal to use due to a mainline closure. Hence the success of railways during WWII. So many alternative routes were available that freight, troops etc could still be moved after mainlines had been put out of action due to bomb damage

[@rafthejaf8789]

They won't be so useful in world war 3 though! 😅

[@michaelcampin1464]

@@rafthejaf8789 you are right but nothing except being a cockroach will help you to survive. But do you really want to.?

[@electrohalo8798]

@@rafthejaf8789 you doubt the British railway system, also WW3 ain’t happening

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

there only beeching and the government to blame for so many local lines and stations closing when they should have been left alone 😠

[@CoxallK]

Agreed pal. I love this video. Almost like it's not real. 10/10 fom me. 👍

[@Laurencepro99]

Theres just full on 11 car pendolinos going through such a small quiet place and i love it.

[@ejs229]

That's what I liked too, they're just so out of place

[@mjddev]

Salutations Laurence

[@Laurencepro99]

hi morgan jd

[@icarus_falling]

It strikes me as a 155 type crossing lol maybe a 156

[@antonyhobbs1144]

It's an 11 carriage train NOT An 11 car train (IT'S IN THE UK NOT THE USA)

[@philipwall6407]

There were hundreds of these branch lines when I was a child in the late 50's I thought they had all been removed by you know who. It was lovely to see this, brought back some happy childhood memories.

[@ejs229]

Great to hear this :)

[@ethankerr05]

i whish they'd bring back a lot of the old there was no need for them to go

[@1chish]

If by 'you know who' you mean a certain Lord Beeching then that isn't correct. He stopped or curtailed rail services but he didn't ever recommend lifting tracks or demolishing stations. That was done by politicians. Mostly Labour and especially Barbara Castle. Many people blame Beeching but in fact he saved BR and even put in place major systems used now like Intercity and Freightliner.

[@markknight1011]

Unusual to see electrified branch lines.

[@robdogwalker]

@@1chish that's true,if the tracks had been left,it would mean a lot of work to reinstate,but cheaper than laying new tracks (HS2 is a good exmple of expensive ). If I'm correct,some Heritage lines are looking to connect with current mainline stations where possible, to provide a "new"service.

[@OlafProt]

I could live in that house happily. I was wondering why you could see the trains from Alsager direction seemingly turning a corner in the distance but looking on google maps I see its just where it goes back to double track. Very interesting - thank you. These are the things I miss about England.

[@Neil070]

I bet it's called Gatekeepers Cottage!

[@LoneSheWolf09]

My son and I would be in our element watching trains go past if we lived there too

[@geordieal]

I would love to own that house! My mam used to live right beside the Newcastle to Carlisle line and I loved sitting there watching the trains pass by the end of her garden…amazing how quick you get used to them and barely hear them anymore!

[@johnpalmer4102]

It would be a bit noisy if you didn't love trains though!

[@TerryTheNewsGirl]

My Gran lived above St James's Park in Exeter. It was glorious!!

[@geordieal]

@@johnpalmer4102 funnily enough after a very short time your brain just kind of blocks them out, they just become a part of the background noise. Even the heavy nuclear waste trains that used to pass my mams house were just filtered out unless you were actually watching for them!

[@never152]

We lived next to styal line in Manchester and it didn't bother us after a while - even the freight train! We miss the trains now tbh.

[@t3mpomusic]

good luck selling it

[@cesarblumenau]

Excellent my friend. Greetings from Brazil.

[@DarthCoco]

To see just how 'local' of a line this is, it's genuinely satisfying, and to see all those various trains pass through. Many of those trains I would quite frankly not forsee passing on this line.

[@twinboo529]

Everyone here's complaining that England has almost no lines left, but when compared in Ireland, it is filled to the brim!

[@Neil070]

This is beautifully filmed, as enjoyable to watch the countryside and cottage as the trains. Thank you. I have a young relative who is completing his (very long and thorough) training as a train driver. I envy him.

[@ejs229]

Thank you, I hope he enjoys it!

[@Rich72James]

How long is the training out of interest?

[@josephinebennington7247]

It’s like seeing Avantis on the RHDR!

[@Stefan8u]

Great video, and thanks for showing off this little forgotton piece of track. I didn't think anything like this existed except on private heritage railways. Inspiring to look for more!

[@ejs229]

It's a hidden gem, very picturesque. Be sure to check out other people's videos of it, there's a few I've seen.

[@done-ahhh578]

I didn't know until now there was any single track sections in the UK that were also electrified. I thought all electrified sections were double track or more.

[@SirNigelGresley4498]

There's also the Redditch branch - but I am certainly surprised that a single track line capable of taking 390 diversions is electrified!

[@robbiemorrison7085]

There’s quite a few, I know the Epsom Downs line from Sutton is third rail single track. The abbey line from Watford Jct to St Albans abbey is, Lymington Town is third rail. The Hertford East line also.

[@robbiemorrison7085]

Also the Braintree branch, which has White Notley station which is the least used in Essex

[@v52gc]

Met line Chesham branch and pre-closure Epping-Ongar on the Central.

[@harviemilligan1887]

In Scotland we have at least the following single track electrified sections: Stirling to Alloa, Drem to North Berwick, Dalreoch to Balloch, Craigendoran to Helensburgh Central, Westerton to Bearsden, Hillfoot to Milngavie, Hamilton to Haughhead, Whifflet to Sunnyside Junction, Shieldmuir to Wishaw, Ardrossan to Largs, Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay, Lanark Junction to Lanark and Dumbreck to Paisley Canal. The Argyle Line (Rutherglen to Kelvinhaugh) looks single at the West end but is actually a burrowing junction with two single stretches, one each for the up and down lines, so I don't know if that counts.

[@dasy2k1]

This could actually prove quite useful! I'm working on the resignaling project along the Alsager line

[@stephenduncan3605]

Will this single track section finally get doubled?

[@TCOphox]

Man imagine a high speed train suddenly whizzing past your serene and tiny village lol. A juxtaposition indeed.

[@KingofGamingAndTrains456]

As a train enthusiast I would definitely want to live in that house near the tracks.

[@paultaylor9652]

Is it me, or does it appear that some Avanti's West Coast Trains are travelling quicker than others, great little place to capture them up close, 👍 from me.

[@Austin40424]

I stayed in an old station house in Christon Bank Northumberland on the ECML. Believe me it's noisy and begins to get on your nerves after a while. I'd go back though lol 😆 Excellent vid thanks.

[@mobiletransportvideo]

Presumably the house windows are insulated.

[@pauldevenish]

If it were my house, I wouldn't have given a damn 🤣

[@creativejamieplays7185]

Either way you will hear it from the vibrations

[@redgoon698]

I’d love it

[@ijmad]

You probably get used to it after a time. And presumably there are fewer trains on normal days, and fewer still at night.

[@southwesterntrainspotter1889]

Hi, how often and in what local area does this happen coz it looks really cool. Great vid btw

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

In the upcoming 2023 Crewe Remodelling program, which will see the west side of the station (p13 plus north & south bays returning to use) this section of the Crewe - Kidsgrove line is due to be re - doubled again, to increase capacity. All to do with the revamp for HS2.

[@ejs229]

That's brilliant to hear, if it goes ahead.

[@carlastaton4150]

As you'll know, the Blue Tunnel crosses Platform 13. Passengers walk along there to catch rail replacement services because the buses can't use the shiny new car park on the east side of the station. Seems there are disused underground water tanks that might collapse under the weight of heavy vehicles.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

@@carlastaton4150 That's going in the remodeling.

[@leenettywilson528]

Brilliant video this is mate I enjoyed it , i would love to live in that white house not because of the house because of the trains I wouldn't get tired of listening to them seeing them also the beautiful scenery, nice one stay blessed godbless you,

[@1chish]

One of the railway's many little quirks! Nice catch. Always makes me smile that here in the UK we get a couple of 'toots' on the air horns and yet have very few crossing accidents while in the USA there is continual blasting of very large triple air horns at every crossing and yet have the worst record on crossing accidents.

[@ejs229]

US trains are way bigger and scarier too, shouldn't that be a deterrent by itself??

[@1chish]

@@ejs229 Well yeah you'd think but apparently not so! And the really ironic thing is when an accident happens the media blame the train .... Brightline in Florida is always getting stick.

[@TheNapalmFTW]

There's a lot lot lot more at grade crossings in the US and freight trains go on for miles. The temptation to beat them is high

[@bfapple]

I came across this level crossing on a road trip to Wales. Have to say that I was very confused seeing modern-looking electrification at a user operated road crossing.

[@ithewonder]

It's like having a train go through your back garden lol. I bet that house has got some serious cracked plaster lol

[@1Modeus]

Beautiful British sceneries 😍

[@mattvezz]

That’s absolutely cracking

[@_trains]

Great video, nice quality to! Can't believe I didn't find you sooner.

[@ejs229]

Thank you 😃

[@outfromtheshadows]

What a lovely place to live, and you can train spot from the comfort of your own home!

[@neilbolger2679]

Nice vid of the diverts. Keep local lines open for enthusiasts to enjoy these machines

[@JintySteam1]

Its so bazar seeing Pendolino's travel down a single track branch line. The people at that cottage must have wondered what was going on, lol.

[@jeffreydavies9036]

A great video and an interesting location. Thanks for posting.

[@TheTrainiac377]

Imagine just seeing a 11 car high speed train role pass your house on your peaceful branch line, my ass would be full on confused

[@TerryTheNewsGirl]

Not sure I'd be that enamoured nowadays, but it would have been Heavenly during blue rail BR days. 37's and 50's and FGDMU's chugging past? Yes, please!!

[@Neil070]

@@TerryTheNewsGirl A lot of soot and dirt, though, in the old days, I had to clean up the family grave, the cemetery is alongside the Birmingham-Worcester stretch of the Main line. Back in the early 60's, I was terrified of the old steam trains hurtling past. I grew to love railways and rail travel as a teenager and adult

[@stephenduncan3605]

Where I live in Blackpool has trains in and out of North Station going past my back garden and some of them are Pendolinos!

[@sopheba]

Imagine having that at the back of your garden!

[@DerekHubbertipdn]

That length of track is partly under control of the MOD as it is the access track to the ammunition factory. It can be commandeered by the govt if needed in time of war.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Ayo class 70/66 hauling out an ammo train

[@volvos60bloke]

oooh war, us mail reader's love talk of war.

[@followthetrawler]

that is so cool - makes me want to visit

[@neilstrains]

Fantastic video thanks - what a brilliant crossing. Subscribed!

[@Bertie_Ahern]

Yep, I think most of us would dearly love to live in that house lol

[@japethstevens8473]

The only thing missing was a tourist steam engine, to complete the set. Surreal views from the bedroom windows!

[@ejs229]

I'll definitely try to capture steam if it ever goes through here again. There was a WCRC railtour going through here that day which I unfortunately missed!

[@Welwyn22]

Very interesting location, great video too!

[@liamtomlinson4901]

As a track man myself I can confirm that the rumors you’ve heard are true. There are talks about reducing the size of the infrastructure by eventually removing smaller lines and keeping main lines only meaning a lot of areas will be cut off. Like a few plans on the railway it probably won’t go ahead

[@koichishimamura5051]

I think the camerawork is pretty good!

[@andressanchez4517]

High speed train in someone's garden... Love it

[@garyley4270]

What an amazing video. Also the dog at 3.26,!

[@malcolmhall762]

The dog seems to be crossing on his own.

[@TheRealMartinDominik]

The front pic looked suggestive of the train having diverted into someone's garden

[@ejs229]

It's just the world's biggest model railway lol

[@MickNolan-ms5rw]

Love this location. Thumbs up and subscribed

[@Andy13april64]

Wonderful video. I would love to have a house near rail tracks.

[@daviddennison6578]

A train spotters paradise

[@georgyporgy8401]

I can live at this house for ever :)

[@marccheban194]

Beautifully done video!

[@send2gl]

I wonder if that house rents out rooms. Unusual to see high speed trains on a single track. Did I see Royal Scot on one train?

[@ejs229]

You did - 390044 "Royal Scot" set the fastest London - Glasgow record for a 390.

[@johnnycull]

Great shot's . the Large gate to the left is upsidedown ?.

[@TerryTheNewsGirl]

I would give anything to live in that house.

[@callumwhite2993]

Imagine living in that house 😅

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

You would think it would be called Oakhanger crossing as it’s nearer to Oakhanger than it is to Barthomley

[@lappilappland3708]

Important Fence...Very Protective....

[@ThatTransportGirl]

love train spotting especially this :)

[@GoldM4official]

3:23 props to the dog

[@WeeGraeme68]

I'm wondering what timeframe that is over. It seems like quite a few trains. It's also good to see that they just give enough of a toot on the horn to make their presence known rather than the enormously long blasts some of the US train videos show.

[@ejs229]

Hi, I filmed between 15:14 and 17:14 exactly, so 2 hours.

[@WeeGraeme68]

@@ejs229 Wow. That's quite a bit of traffic for a line like that.

[@scottyj8135]

Ok I see rail track I see trains 🤔 Very niiiccceeee

[@Nick-ux7zt]

I've been on one on this route, I didn't know it at the time because it was before I was a train spotter. Anyway we stopped at CRE and then STA but passed several (7 I suppose) stations between the two.

[@ejs229]

You would have gone through Alsager, Kidsgrove, Longport, Stoke, the disused stations at Wedgwood and Barlaston, and Stone.

[@TheLondonTransportDroid]

Very nice video

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Look how close the building is to the railway line

[@CommandoG331]

What a lovely little spot of railway. Good video 🔥

[@valtrus901]

Very nice. Would love to live in that house, settling into a nice niche, looking at the down-sloping road leading to the crossing. Would have my own personal train line. Btw, how many lines run through this crossing? It appears there are at least 3 different train designs, leading me to believe there are at least 3 different lines. Nevertheless, enjoyed the video and thanks much.

[@ejs229]

Thank you :). This is the line between Stoke and Crewe. The EMR trains were doing Crewe/Newark Castle, the LNWR ones were on Crewe/Birmingham, and the Avanti were unusually diverted, but running their normal routes.

[@valtrus901]

@@ejs229 Thank you for the clarification, tho' you ID'd the trains in the description, which I had not seen initially watching the video. Again, thank you for this video. Well done....

[@redgoon698]

Being a trainspotter, I’d love to live in that house

[@Bertie_Ahern]

A fabulous place to live

[@Rowan66109]

same

[@Lizpig]

Those are so cool

[@BarnacleBill77]

Great video.....is that an old station there on the other side or was it the level crossing operators house?

[@ejs229]

Hi, I think it must have been a crossing operators house at some point.

[@bengreatorex502]

Is this on the line from Stoke to Crewe? The Avanti trains don't normally pass this way, am I right? I had never heard of this before. Do they continue to London via Stoke?

[@ejs229]

Hi, this is Stoke - Crewe yes. I think these diversions have only happened 2-3 times this year, might be wrong. The 390s in this video were doing Glasgow/Manchester/Liverpool to London via Stoke, and vice versa.

[@petersyme7083]

It must have been planned that this line would be used as it wouldn’t have been electrified

[@johnson_street_IEMD]

Nice :-) 90035 came past here on its way back from Leicester

[@ejs229]

Thanks, when was that?

[@johnson_street_IEMD]

@@ejs229 7th October 2021 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHjSgWOZidVnpbs

[@MePeterNicholls]

The first time I had to use this crossing as a driver I was really nervous. You have to open both gates, drive across, and close both gates.

[@ejs229]

I know exactly what you mean, once the red light comes on you've only got about a minute before the train arrives. I believe they're going to close it off to vehicles at some point and covert it to Pedestrian/cyclist only.

[@dasy2k1]

@@ejs229 that's the long term plan as I understand it. But it's not happening with the upcoming resignaling even though the crossing itself is being recontrolled

[@trainrover]

why its decomissioning over any upgrade?

[@MePeterNicholls]

@@trainrover cost no doubt. The uk is about to embark on austerity 2.0. Good bye cruel world.

[@carlastaton4150]

Yes, there are signs on the road asking if you've closed the gates!

[@Leonion6]

Poor people who live in that house. It's fun to watch a train pass by once/twice but not when you have to endure that noise many times a day every day.

[@noelgribble1004]

Bit quieter to how our American train driving cousins treat a crossing.

[@TheoDubs8692]

The thumbnail image is quite amusing it looks more like a toy pendolino on some quaint little 1950s countryside layout than real footage! The train frankly looks far too big for its surroundings 😆

[@don1estelle]

From the Description I notice this used to be a double track Railway probably could do with redoubling?

[@ejs229]

Apparently it's being redoubled next year? Certainly needs it

[@paulodonoghue7478]

Interesting to note only a few drivers blew the horn on approaching the crossing. A very busy day for the gate keeper.

[@icarus_falling]

Wow the OHLE is pretty minimal there isn't it. Hardly notice it.

[@justinobrien3593]

Good video 📹 👍

[@mirrleesuk]

Great video. Please keep them coming. Is this next to Mill Land Cottage? Cheers Tim

[@ejs229]

It's on mill lane yes 😊

[@epicdude999]

390121 sounded like it was saying hello😂

[@ejs229]

Maybe it was lol

[@railwaychristina3192]

Where is this? Fab film. Is that house a disused station? Radway Green?

[@ejs229]

It's very close to radway green, north of it.

[@onlycompetitions5083]

That fence doesn’t half wobble when the southbound trains pass it.

[@BF1GUN]

Is there a sign that tells the driver to sound the horn, or did they do it to acknowledge you being there?

[@ejs229]

There are white 'W' boards (for 'whistle') positioned close to most foot crossings in the UK, the driver is obligated to sound the horn. 👍

[@BF1GUN]

@@ejs229 Thank you for explaining. Great video.

[@ejs229]

@@BF1GUN thanks!

[@neilmilsom4847]

really cool

[@tonydavis5628]

Brilliant video

[@philipbrailey]

Nice camera work.

[@ejs229]

Thank you!

[@mikego18753]

Good vid. Thanks.

[@davidfalconer8913]

An excellent way to keep their hedge trimmed ..... ( ? ) ........... DAVE™ ................

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

I bet that Network Rail was wishing that the other road was still in place when this took place.

[@breeze1472]

Nice captures

[@thekeeper7885]

Imagine living in that house......Jesus the noise

[@jammiedodger7040]

It’s a bit of a weird line for class 390 to be going down

[@ejs229]

They usually only do it at night, once or twice a day. 390112 went through here at 00:12 this morning

[@ergotot45]

The "Knotty" should have been made double track when it was electrified.......a missed opportunity

[@ejs229]

I agree. It used to be double track until 1985, but was singled as it was only an hourly train back then, and the planners were a bit short sighted.

[@TheHobohobbit]

@@ejs229 Good old BR

[@worldcomicsreview354]

@@TheHobohobbit "Short sighted", it's what you find if you look up "Railways in the UK" in an encylopedia.

[@r.robbie7918]

A nice touch for the waiting pedestrians is this light yellow toilet against the gate (0:39)! Do you flush it with the bright yellow box?

[@ejs229]

You never know how long you could be waiting I guess 😂

[@r.robbie7918]

@@ejs229 Agreed. Couldn't help seeing the similarity and an odd joke from time to time never hurts. 🙂Great recordings btw!

[@g2macs]

Ok, from experience living above a main road, you get used to the noise of a passing train in that cottage, but the unexpected toot of the horn at all hours would turn my brain into either syrup or axe toting, train driver mass killer.

[@stephenduncan3605]

Is this the Crewe to Kids grove line? I know part of it is single track.

[@ejs229]

It is yes, all you need to know is in the description :)

[@jerrywinder7249]

Probably used to the odd freight traffic!!

[@ObsLevelCrossings]

Nice one!

[@ejs229]

Thank you :)

[@chrisgironde6669]

Great house to live in if you’re an Anorak

[@kenstevens5065]

Provided you are hard of hearing and cannot feel vibrations the ideal house to live in.

[@somax1259]

i assume the emr reigonal is a normal service?

[@ejs229]

Yeah, they were doing Crewe - Newark Castle. The Avanti were the only ones being diverted.