Chris Milner 🦊
@chris_railway
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Contributing Editor of The Railway Magazine. Leicester City fan🦊 All views my own!
Leicestershire
Joined January 2013
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Another example of Britain’s bonkers rail fare structure - same train, but £72 cheaper to travel 15 miles further. 🤔
Luckily I can use either station, others won’t be so fortunate. Simpler fares were promised five years ago, but another lie.
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There’s been a lot of misinformation, suggesting a lack of rail passengers.
This is London Euston at 1120 this morning.
Make your own mind up.
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On this day, April 8, 2004, the last Peak-hauled train left St Pancras ahead to its transformation to the Eurostar terminal. Loco was 45112.
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On this day in 2012, this TGV Parcels set visited St Pancras International as part of a move to encourage high speed parcels traffic between the Paris and London. It never materialised, and if it had, likely Brexit would have killed it off.
So many missed opportunities...
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Flashback extra: 20 years ago today, the final Travelling Post Office services (TPO) where mail was sorted on the move ended. Here are some shots of the final trains taken at Rugby on the penultimate day (blue 90) and York on the final day.
It was the end of an era.
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Throwback Thursday: On this day in 2005, after the launch of the Class 185 DMU at Siemens Wildenrath, unit 185103 ran from the test track, over the connecting branch and onto the DB network to Rheydt station.
Seen here next to a DB Class 425 EMU.
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This is a ticket vending machine.
In many cases, it'll replace ticket office staff.
Look closely, it is a CARD only machine. There's no assistance for the disabled, so discriminatory
Consultation for ticket office closures closes TOMORROW, July 26
Send in your objection NOW!
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Here’s the new East Midlands Railway livery on 222104.
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Flashback Friday: St Pancras station, Sept 18, 1984, where 'Peak' No. 45125 waits at platform 6 as newspapers hot off the Fleet St press, are loaded for delivery to distributors in Leicester and Nottingham.
Today, that section of the station is used by Eurostar services.
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@formerCEOciob
This is the M40 under construction in the Cherwell Valley.
And the difference?
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Flashback Friday: Here's one you may not remember...when Class 14 D9504 was used in connection with the construction of the HS1 link into St Pancras.
This is Stratford International, just over 17 years ago April 20, 2006. The link opened November 14, 2007.
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Flashback Friday: 30 years ago, Class 90 and 91s were being built side-by-side at BREL Crewe. The first Class 91 working was passenger service on March 3, 1989 when 91001 worked 1P26 17.36 London Kings Cross to Peterborough train. The class has served the East Coast well.
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Throwback Thursday: Looking back to the time when 16-carriage Eurostar sets worked for GNER from King's Cross to Leeds. This set is arriving at Newark Northgate on December 29, 2012.
The next train after this was D9000 on a railtour!
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Oh my, this is absolutely superb. Video at Nuneaton by Sarah Milner.
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50+ years ago, individual safety was obviously not seen by BR a priority in the same way it is now - hence HSE at Work Act. Hard to believe such working practices in this pic were permitted. Taken 24/7/64 near Kenton (WCML). Can supply an unwatermarked version for lectures, etc
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Mural at Neville Hill showing the BR/EMT/EMR liveries.
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Flashback Friday: The unmistakeable sight of HS4000 'Kestrel' running south through Chesterfield on a light engine test run on March 5, 1969. (A Ferndale Media image)
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Something a bit different…. If visiting Lisbon, tram route 28 is a favourite and always packed, but a night trip can be equally interesting. This is through part of Alfama district.
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No
@bbcnews
. This is a road traffic accident involving a train. The majority of similar incidents are caused by motorists not following correct procedures at occupation crossings.
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Flashback Friday: Who remembers Project Rio? HSTs from Man Pic to St Pancras during the WCML upgrade.
One such set passing New Mills South Jct on December 17, 2003.
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Now the euphoria of the last of the HSTs on the ECML has passed, time to focus the next few months on these beasts....they'll be gone in no time too. 😕
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Flashback Friday: The unique 89001 arrives at Shipley from Skipton and heading towards Bradford passing a Class 308 unit.
The Class 89 is undergoing restoration and will return to the main line as part of an five-year agreement with the LSL Group.
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Still plenty of money for expensive road schemes…. While rail is screwed to the bone.
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Flashback Friday: One of the prototypes for BR's 2nd generation of DMUs built by Met-Camm at Matlock in 1986. Fitted with a 'hot-shift Twin Disc transmission', they were jerky and didn't find favour. BR withdrew them in 1989.
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Anyone else noticed how poor train presentation is with some operators?
Deep grime outside and lack of cleanliness on panel’s inside?
This is my experience today. And it’s not confined to train example shown.
Just wondering if this is widespread or the washer is broken?
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Flashback Friday: 'Give my regards to Broad Street'.
Class 501 EMUs wait at Broad Street in August 1981 with workings to Richmond. Opened 1865, closed June 1986. The station was demolished by the end of 1986. The area has been redeveloped and is unrecognisable today.
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Flashback Friday: On this day in 2005, the Class 73 hauled Gatwick Express service ceased, and the trains replaced by futuristic looking Class 460 units. This is 73208 approaching Clapham Jct. (with pic this time...)
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Flashback Friday: First one for 2019 shows the launch of the 1938 Tube stock on the Isle of Wight on 13/7/89 - almost 30 years ago. Still the oldest trains in regular daily service... Looked smart then?
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Flashback Friday: Hertfordshire Railtours organised an ‘InterCity’ day on May 21, 1989, featured loco hauled travel between Leicester and St Pancras using a variety of traction.
Here 20145 and 20228 get away from Wellingborough with 1T14, 1555 St Pancras-Leicester.
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Great wave from the driver of 1D48, in a patch of sun at Kilby Bridge this afternoon. The power car looks amazing
@weareEMR
👍
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Flashback Friday: Something different...EM2 No. 27003 'Diana' posed on some Dutch tank wagons at Onnen yard during the 'Dark Side of the Moon' rail tour, Sept 28, 1996. The loco was repainted specially for the tour, numbers and crests sent to Werkgroep 1501 from the UK.
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On this day, 12 months ago, it was the final day of HSTs on the ECML. Enjoy the departure of the last 125 to Harrogate.
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Something different for a Monday morning - Two pairs of 4-Cep units at Dover Marine (aka Western Docks). Taken c 1992. Station closed by BR in September 1994 because of the decline of boat trains and opening of the Channel Tunnel. The building survives as a cruise terminal.
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Can this be called progress? A 1980s pic of a Bham-Norwich train, 6 carriages, 4 for pax and loads of space for cycles and stuff. On today's much busier railway it will be a 3-car 170 - if you are lucky... Pictured at
#Nuneaton
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Flashback Friday: 'Rock on Tommy?' EM2 No. 1503 (was BR No. E27004 Juno) stands at Hook van Holland with a boat train for Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The loco was scrapped in October 1986.
HS services ceased services in April 2017 and the line became part of Rotterdam Metro.
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Volume Up!
5Q70 this morning at East Midlands Parkway
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Another highlight of this evening, driver of 1D26 get a spotter to take his photo.
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Flashback Friday: As I expect to be passing through Waterloo tomorrow morning, time to reflect on the mid-80s at that great terminus when 50s worked to Exeter St Davids, and 33s worked to Salisbury to Yeovil Junction. 50019 and 33053 being the locos.
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Flashback Friday: Hard to believe this was once the layout at Rugby, c2000.
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Flashback Friday: With scheduled XC haulage due to cease tomorrow, a look back at the early Privatisation days when Virgin ran the network. Freshly painted set with power car 43063 leading arrives at Leamington Spa in March 1997.
Gone with regret and prematurely IMHO.
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Flashback Friday: Minus its name of 'Penyghent', Peak No. 44008 works along the Erewash Valley near Westhouses with a coal train. This loco survives in preservation at Peak Rail
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Story goes bus (new unregistered) broke down, recovered with a rear end tow, something caused it to topple. Luckily no one on footpath or on bench outside pub. Happened bang outside Hinckley fire station. Video by Sarah Milner.
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Flashback Friday: Isle of Wight 3-Tis leads a 4-Vec set away from Ryde Esplanade with a train to Ventnor. c 1966/67.
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On this day in 1983, 50041 was derailed outside Paddington while hauling the sleeper from Penzance, sliding for 100 yards most carriages derailing. There were just 3 injured. This pic by Mick Roberts is prior to its removal to Doncaster and repairs. Cause was excessive speed.
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Delivery of
@AvantiWestCoast
Class 805 no 805001 to Melton Mowbray for testing, passing Oakham ‘wrong line’ due to the bridge strut last weekend.
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Back on the mainline, D9000 Royal Scots Grey, working
@steamdreams
1Z46 from King's Cross to York, where 60007 Sir Nigel Greeley took over to Edinburgh.
Train just come out of Claypole Loop and approaching Balderton LC, this morning.
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Massive 👍to
@lner
,
@DavidHorne
@KateLNER1
@richardsalkeld
@RailwayMagazine
and everyone involved for the fantastic spirit and class PR of this farewell tour. Just brilliant. The crew seemed happy when the HST passed Frinkley Lane...!!
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Flashback Friday: As a TOC name, 'One' still rates as the most bizarre.
Here is 90003 at Liverpool Street station, London, launch day for the franchise - April 1, 2004 (kid you not!).
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Flashback Friday: What could have been.....
Regional Eurostar set No. 3301/2 passes Tamworth LL in April 1996 on a test run from Manchester International depot.
Plans for regional trains from north of London were killed off by the rapid growth of budget airlines.
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Flashback Friday: Or should that be Fifty on Friday?
50027 passing Teignmouth on July 15, 1989, with the ecs from Laira to form the 0811 Exeter St Davids to Waterloo.
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Today news is delivered instantly to our devices and TVs. 30 years ago newspapers were printed in Fleet Street and moved to major cities by train - read a fascinating account of the story of Newspaper Trains:
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On this day, 80 years ago today, A4 No. 4468 Mallard reached a speed of 126mph between Little Bytham and Essendine – a record speed for steam that still stands. Hero of that moment was driver Joe Duddington. Pic taken at King’s Cross in Spring 1938 before the record run.
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Flashback Friday: Recalling February 12, 1983, when Midland Compound No. 1000 double-headed a Cumbrian Mountain Express with Jubilee No. 5690 Leander, seen crossing Air Gill Viaduct.
A Happy Christmas to all my followers; thank you for following, more pics in 2024.
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Flashback Friday: A Class 123 DMU passing Chinley with a Sheffield-Manchester working on July 25, 1980. It's changed a bit now..... A Tracks North Photo.
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Just like old times......LSL running two diagrams between Man Pics and Euston for Avanti until Tuesday next week.
@InterCity86101
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Flashback Friday: This delightful scene at Betws-y-Coed, Conwy Valley line, has a Royal Mail Morris Minor van waiting for the mail to be unloaded, and was taken in July 1977. The DMUs are heading to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
A Kodachrome slide from the Ferndale Media collection.
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Flashback Friday: A case of Peak Practice as Peak runs through Luxulyan on Sept 2, 1972 with the 1205 Newquay-Nottingham.
Can anyone identify which loco this was? Anyone else see it?
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After a frustrating day yesterday trying to snap non-standard liveried
@GBRailfreight
locos on 4M29 and 4L04, managed a better job today - and even a steam age connection between 66779 and Oakham box.
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Flashback Friday: Manchester Victoria station, some 40 years ago, with 40104 having a crew change before heading to Llandudno. Note the mail bags in the 'Brute' trollies, a common sight at the time.
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Bit of action of de Winton 0-4-0VBT 'Chaloner' on the Welsh Highland Railway,
@festrail
just yards from the workshop the loco emerged from in 1877.
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@RosCoward
@UKChange
You’ve no idea as to why vegetation is managed.
Here’s a reason. Driver hospitalised
Can I add, that passengers don’t want green tunnels either.
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Scanning and passing pages today, and here's one scan from 2002. Who remember's Virgin's Class 47s in their coats of many colours? This was a special press line-up on Toton depot after the last loco-hauled run.
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Flashback Friday: A picture from the best seat on a first generation DMU on the Forth Bridge in the mid-60s. Well, probably the best seat unless driver had the blinds down. Really miss views like this. A Tracks North Collection photo.
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@KatiePennick
@PassAssistance
Katie's experience is, sadly, nothing new. Assistance is poor and pot luck as
@RailwayMagazine
reported in the Feb 2020 issue. I've emailed Katie with some contacts and news of the appt of Caroline Eglinton (
@C_Eglinton
) as the new disability and access ambassador for rail. 🤞
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Flashback Friday: Taken 21 years ago in 1993, 37516 hauls a short rake of hoppers (limestone?) past Southbank station on Teesside. The backdrop of the steelworks has now been demolished.
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Flashback Friday: Last knockings of the Manchester-Bury Class 504 electrics at a shabby looking Manchester Victoria on July 20, 1991, prior to conversion to the Metrolink.
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Flashback Friday: Taken 16 years ago today, this is 56078 climbing up a gradient during the construction of the LGV-Est in 2005. Note the terrain hugging line. The loco is now operated by
@ColasRailUK
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This is a manually operated crossing on the ECML where moments earlier an Azuma passed at 100+mph. Railways can be both fascinating and bizarre.
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Flashback Friday: Earth fault!! 56070 at Saffron Lane, Leicester, Spring 1982, derailed through vandalism. The area was a hot spot for such activities. 📷 Chris Milner
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OK, this lockdown, although necessary, can get tedious at times. Here's some levity..... (Working on the May issue of
@RailwayMagazine
so a grateful thanks to those taking pictures during their exercise sessions).
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Today’s 125 Group debut rail tour, 1Z43 Ilkeston to St Pancras via Sheffield and Derby, passing Barrow upon Soar.
@RailwayMagazine
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Flashback Friday: A look back at non-standard Class 47 liveries. No 47522 ‘Doncaster Enterprise’ in apple green, and ‘97561 Midland Counties Railway 150’ in Midland railway red. Both taken at a Coalville open day. Memories, eh
@boots99uk
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After a break, Flashback Friday returns, kicking off with this pic of a Silverlink Class 313 between Silvertown and North Woolwich on 7/12/2006, two days before the line closed for conversion of sections to the DLR.
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Today I had a socially distanced face-to-face meeting with several railway colleagues, a first for nearly five months. What an utter pleasure it was after lockdown, and a boost for our mental health. People who think everyone can work from home/zoom call are completely clueless.
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First class 69s to Penzance yesterday on
@PathfinderTours
Mazey Day special.
Memorable day out and the food was top drawer. Thanks to PF staff, stewards, chef, catering crew, rail staff and Riviera Trains.
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End of an era on GWR as last timetabled HST departs Didcot.
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Forgot to post this earlier…6Q77 Wembley to Walton Old Jct with three new Stadler 777 EMUs for Merseyrail, running 67 late past DIRFt near Rugby. Light was dire, but compensated by phone. (New, edited version)
@RailwayMagazine
@railexpress
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So we build brand new trains with no consideration for large, awkward luggage, unlike the HSTs they replaced.Told to use ‘local’ trains! You couldn’t make it up. Imagine the Swiss not designing trains to carry ski equipment? 🤔Talk about driving away pax..
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Remember this? 30 years ago, Class 31 Nos 31202 and 31226 ran away at Cricklewood on Oct 28, 1988, and ended up on the North Circular Road. From the
@RailwayMagazine
archive.
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In view of todays announcement regarding TransPennine, the DfT is to order an additional fleet of units, based on this one showing an example of how the on-train catering crew will serve customers at their seats.
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Flashback Friday: Something a little out of the ordinary - Y7 0-4-0T No. 68088 working on a special photo charter on the swing bridge at Boston Docks, past the octagonal signal box and GNR somersault signal. November 2000.
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Flashback Friday: 31219 approaches Farringdon in March 1977 with ecs for Moorgate. The alignment of the tracks are used by Thameslink trains.
Note the connection from LUL to the BR lines.
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Flashback Friday: Summer Saturday's to Skegness. 47283 passing a GNR somersault signal at Havenhouse, Aug 11, 1984, with the 07.10 from Sheffield.
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With a few posting mystery pics, here's mine for today. Taken in 1987 with BR permission, but do you know where it is?
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20 years on from the XC network under Virgin with the new 220/221/ Voyagers, interesting to note some of the destinations no longer served.
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Volume up, a bit of thrash. Mid-Norfolk to Long Marston, perfectly timed morning exercise. Video by Sarah Milner
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A moment to reflect... on this day, May 10, 2002, seven people died and 76 were injured when the 1245 King's Cross-Kings Lynn, formed of unit 365526, was derailed at 97mph on points approaching Potters Bar station. Cause was poor maintenance. RIP.
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As is often the case when looking at back issues for the
@RailwayMagazine
archive pages, interesting snippets surface. Here’s one.
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