Daniel Wright
@danielhwright.bsky.social
Escaped transport journalist and transport planner, sometime librarian and Community Rail support person; currently freelance transport writer of various things (inc @thebeautyoftransport.com) as well as working and living in fabulous Orkney.
I found some more yesterday, at Newcastle Central platform 3.
October 12, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I found some more yesterday, at Newcastle Central platform 3.
Well, you know I love a heritage artefact at a railway station, so thank you very much for this. Another station which has air bricks of the same pattern is Knaresborough, so I guess they must have been a North Eastern Railway standard fitting.
September 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Well, you know I love a heritage artefact at a railway station, so thank you very much for this. Another station which has air bricks of the same pattern is Knaresborough, so I guess they must have been a North Eastern Railway standard fitting.
#9-series - No.32, Class 465/9
Thirty-four Class 465s were given a /9 classification when they were refurbished, fitted with first class seating, and allocated to outer suburban routes rather than their previous inner suburban role.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Categor...
Thirty-four Class 465s were given a /9 classification when they were refurbished, fitted with first class seating, and allocated to outer suburban routes rather than their previous inner suburban role.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Categor...
August 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
#9-series - No.32, Class 465/9
Thirty-four Class 465s were given a /9 classification when they were refurbished, fitted with first class seating, and allocated to outer suburban routes rather than their previous inner suburban role.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Categor...
Thirty-four Class 465s were given a /9 classification when they were refurbished, fitted with first class seating, and allocated to outer suburban routes rather than their previous inner suburban role.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Categor...
#9-series - No.31, Class 455/9
The 20 class 455/9s had various technical differences from the rest of the fleet, including relocated heating equipment, some being fitted with thyristor control, and a couple of trailer cars having testbed plug doors.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
The 20 class 455/9s had various technical differences from the rest of the fleet, including relocated heating equipment, some being fitted with thyristor control, and a couple of trailer cars having testbed plug doors.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
August 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
#9-series - No.31, Class 455/9
The 20 class 455/9s had various technical differences from the rest of the fleet, including relocated heating equipment, some being fitted with thyristor control, and a couple of trailer cars having testbed plug doors.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
The 20 class 455/9s had various technical differences from the rest of the fleet, including relocated heating equipment, some being fitted with thyristor control, and a couple of trailer cars having testbed plug doors.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
A random thought occurs. Perhaps people (including me) might not be so down on the architecture (or lack thereof) at some recent British railway stations if we still called the small ones "... Halt". Maybe "Ashington Halt", "Thanet Parkway Halt" etc. would have tempered expectations?
May 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A random thought occurs. Perhaps people (including me) might not be so down on the architecture (or lack thereof) at some recent British railway stations if we still called the small ones "... Halt". Maybe "Ashington Halt", "Thanet Parkway Halt" etc. would have tempered expectations?
#9-series - No.30, Class 423/9
Converted by Connex in the late 1990s to work inner suburban services, 19 4-VEPs had their compartments removed (leaving behind very strange bench seating) and First Class seats declassified, becoming 4-VOPs.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:42...
Converted by Connex in the late 1990s to work inner suburban services, 19 4-VEPs had their compartments removed (leaving behind very strange bench seating) and First Class seats declassified, becoming 4-VOPs.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:42...
April 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
#9-series - No.30, Class 423/9
Converted by Connex in the late 1990s to work inner suburban services, 19 4-VEPs had their compartments removed (leaving behind very strange bench seating) and First Class seats declassified, becoming 4-VOPs.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:42...
Converted by Connex in the late 1990s to work inner suburban services, 19 4-VEPs had their compartments removed (leaving behind very strange bench seating) and First Class seats declassified, becoming 4-VOPs.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:42...
#9-series - No.29, Class 411/9
Reduced from four to three car sets in the 1990s, becoming 3-CEPs in the process, these Class 411s were given the /9 sub-class to distinguish them from the surviving four-car sets.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CE...
Reduced from four to three car sets in the 1990s, becoming 3-CEPs in the process, these Class 411s were given the /9 sub-class to distinguish them from the surviving four-car sets.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CE...
April 16, 2025 at 3:45 PM
#9-series - No.29, Class 411/9
Reduced from four to three car sets in the 1990s, becoming 3-CEPs in the process, these Class 411s were given the /9 sub-class to distinguish them from the surviving four-car sets.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CE...
Reduced from four to three car sets in the 1990s, becoming 3-CEPs in the process, these Class 411s were given the /9 sub-class to distinguish them from the surviving four-car sets.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CE...
#9-series - No.28, Class 375/9
A disappointingly conventional /9 sub-class this time, the outer suburban version of Southeastern's (ordered by Connex South Eastern's) Electrostar trains, with 2+3 seating throughout standard class.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
A disappointingly conventional /9 sub-class this time, the outer suburban version of Southeastern's (ordered by Connex South Eastern's) Electrostar trains, with 2+3 seating throughout standard class.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
March 31, 2025 at 7:43 PM
#9-series - No.28, Class 375/9
A disappointingly conventional /9 sub-class this time, the outer suburban version of Southeastern's (ordered by Connex South Eastern's) Electrostar trains, with 2+3 seating throughout standard class.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
A disappointingly conventional /9 sub-class this time, the outer suburban version of Southeastern's (ordered by Connex South Eastern's) Electrostar trains, with 2+3 seating throughout standard class.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20...
#9-series - No.26, Class 373/9
It was always rather exciting to find spare Class 373 power car (37)3999 running in traffic. Here it is at St Pancras International in May 2015, on just such an occasion.
Photos: me
It was always rather exciting to find spare Class 373 power car (37)3999 running in traffic. Here it is at St Pancras International in May 2015, on just such an occasion.
Photos: me
March 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
#9-series - No.26, Class 373/9
It was always rather exciting to find spare Class 373 power car (37)3999 running in traffic. Here it is at St Pancras International in May 2015, on just such an occasion.
Photos: me
It was always rather exciting to find spare Class 373 power car (37)3999 running in traffic. Here it is at St Pancras International in May 2015, on just such an occasion.
Photos: me
#9-series - No.25, Class 321/9
Given a /9 sub-class because they were funded by WYPTE rather than BR, these three all-standard class units were bought for use on Doncaster-Leeds services. Very smart in their original livery but less and less so in various later liveries, as seen here.
Photo: me.
Given a /9 sub-class because they were funded by WYPTE rather than BR, these three all-standard class units were bought for use on Doncaster-Leeds services. Very smart in their original livery but less and less so in various later liveries, as seen here.
Photo: me.
March 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
#9-series - No.25, Class 321/9
Given a /9 sub-class because they were funded by WYPTE rather than BR, these three all-standard class units were bought for use on Doncaster-Leeds services. Very smart in their original livery but less and less so in various later liveries, as seen here.
Photo: me.
Given a /9 sub-class because they were funded by WYPTE rather than BR, these three all-standard class units were bought for use on Doncaster-Leeds services. Very smart in their original livery but less and less so in various later liveries, as seen here.
Photo: me.
Surely one of the most thrilling light rail moments available in the UK (definitely), mainland Europe (probably) if not the world (maybe): crossing the Tyne from tunnel to bridge to tunnel again on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Spectacular, and somehow inconceivable we could aspire to similar today.
March 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Surely one of the most thrilling light rail moments available in the UK (definitely), mainland Europe (probably) if not the world (maybe): crossing the Tyne from tunnel to bridge to tunnel again on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Spectacular, and somehow inconceivable we could aspire to similar today.
#9-series - No.22, Class 305/9
305935 was a mobile classroom for the East Coast Main Line electrification project. It was painted in Intercity colours, to startling effect. Seen here faded, and long after withdrawal, at Southall, with its later Class 302 driving car at one end.
Photos: me!
305935 was a mobile classroom for the East Coast Main Line electrification project. It was painted in Intercity colours, to startling effect. Seen here faded, and long after withdrawal, at Southall, with its later Class 302 driving car at one end.
Photos: me!
March 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
#9-series - No.22, Class 305/9
305935 was a mobile classroom for the East Coast Main Line electrification project. It was painted in Intercity colours, to startling effect. Seen here faded, and long after withdrawal, at Southall, with its later Class 302 driving car at one end.
Photos: me!
305935 was a mobile classroom for the East Coast Main Line electrification project. It was painted in Intercity colours, to startling effect. Seen here faded, and long after withdrawal, at Southall, with its later Class 302 driving car at one end.
Photos: me!
#9-series - No.20, Class 302/9
Assuming I haven't overlooked any DMUs or DEMUs, next up are the seven Class 302 conversions - four for Royal Mail and three for Sandite application, which saw these trains reduced to three-car length.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30...
Assuming I haven't overlooked any DMUs or DEMUs, next up are the seven Class 302 conversions - four for Royal Mail and three for Sandite application, which saw these trains reduced to three-car length.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30...
March 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
#9-series - No.20, Class 302/9
Assuming I haven't overlooked any DMUs or DEMUs, next up are the seven Class 302 conversions - four for Royal Mail and three for Sandite application, which saw these trains reduced to three-car length.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30...
Assuming I haven't overlooked any DMUs or DEMUs, next up are the seven Class 302 conversions - four for Royal Mail and three for Sandite application, which saw these trains reduced to three-car length.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30...
#9-series - No.19, Class 150/9
Whoops, missed one (it was bound to happen). These Class 150s were hybrid sets with Class 150/1 outer cars sandwiching a 150/2 centre car to make 3-car sets.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
Whoops, missed one (it was bound to happen). These Class 150s were hybrid sets with Class 150/1 outer cars sandwiching a 150/2 centre car to make 3-car sets.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
March 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
#9-series - No.19, Class 150/9
Whoops, missed one (it was bound to happen). These Class 150s were hybrid sets with Class 150/1 outer cars sandwiching a 150/2 centre car to make 3-car sets.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
Whoops, missed one (it was bound to happen). These Class 150s were hybrid sets with Class 150/1 outer cars sandwiching a 150/2 centre car to make 3-car sets.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
I stayed in a hotel last weekend and this happened. I for one welcome our new vacuum cleaning robot overlords.
March 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I stayed in a hotel last weekend and this happened. I for one welcome our new vacuum cleaning robot overlords.
Yes it was nice and flat and the ferry was as comfortable as ever. I love the idea of steaming across a moonlit sea while I sleep. Having arrived safely in Aberdeen the nice people at @lner.co.uk are shortly taking me south to Newcastle. #CRA25
March 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Yes it was nice and flat and the ferry was as comfortable as ever. I love the idea of steaming across a moonlit sea while I sleep. Having arrived safely in Aberdeen the nice people at @lner.co.uk are shortly taking me south to Newcastle. #CRA25
It is nearly 11pm and I’m waiting to get on board the Aberdeen ferry on my way to tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards in the far South (Newcastle Upon Tyne). I’m proud to say that this year I’m attending as a judge of three categories. See all you #CommunityRail-ers tomorrow! #CRA25
March 12, 2025 at 10:56 PM
It is nearly 11pm and I’m waiting to get on board the Aberdeen ferry on my way to tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards in the far South (Newcastle Upon Tyne). I’m proud to say that this year I’m attending as a judge of three categories. See all you #CommunityRail-ers tomorrow! #CRA25
#9-series - No.18, Class 158/9 (2nd use)
Although a (re)numbering range rather than a strict sub-class, various franchise operators used the 1589xx numbers for hybrid three-car sets.
Photo: me.
Although a (re)numbering range rather than a strict sub-class, various franchise operators used the 1589xx numbers for hybrid three-car sets.
Photo: me.
March 12, 2025 at 12:03 PM
#9-series - No.18, Class 158/9 (2nd use)
Although a (re)numbering range rather than a strict sub-class, various franchise operators used the 1589xx numbers for hybrid three-car sets.
Photo: me.
Although a (re)numbering range rather than a strict sub-class, various franchise operators used the 1589xx numbers for hybrid three-car sets.
Photo: me.
#9-series - No.17, Class 158/9 (1st use)
The WYPTE-owned Class 158s were given the /9 subclass to reflect their non-BR ownership. Spitefully, the DfT later forced their sell-off in return for central government investment in the Leeds Rail Growth Package.
Photo: my Dad.
The WYPTE-owned Class 158s were given the /9 subclass to reflect their non-BR ownership. Spitefully, the DfT later forced their sell-off in return for central government investment in the Leeds Rail Growth Package.
Photo: my Dad.
March 12, 2025 at 11:56 AM
#9-series - No.17, Class 158/9 (1st use)
The WYPTE-owned Class 158s were given the /9 subclass to reflect their non-BR ownership. Spitefully, the DfT later forced their sell-off in return for central government investment in the Leeds Rail Growth Package.
Photo: my Dad.
The WYPTE-owned Class 158s were given the /9 subclass to reflect their non-BR ownership. Spitefully, the DfT later forced their sell-off in return for central government investment in the Leeds Rail Growth Package.
Photo: my Dad.
#9-series - No.16, Class 156/9
Onto the DMUs, and a /9 I'd completely forgotten about. Nine Class 156s transferred from Greater Anglia to EMR in the late 2010s, and got this classification to denote different on-board information systems.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
Onto the DMUs, and a /9 I'd completely forgotten about. Nine Class 156s transferred from Greater Anglia to EMR in the late 2010s, and got this classification to denote different on-board information systems.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
March 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
#9-series - No.16, Class 156/9
Onto the DMUs, and a /9 I'd completely forgotten about. Nine Class 156s transferred from Greater Anglia to EMR in the late 2010s, and got this classification to denote different on-board information systems.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
Onto the DMUs, and a /9 I'd completely forgotten about. Nine Class 156s transferred from Greater Anglia to EMR in the late 2010s, and got this classification to denote different on-board information systems.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15...
#9-series - No.15, Class 98/9
Class 98 is used for preserved steam locos running on Network Rail tracks. The sub-class refers to the power classification, and there's only one Class 98/9, which is 98920, better known as Evening Star.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ev...
Class 98 is used for preserved steam locos running on Network Rail tracks. The sub-class refers to the power classification, and there's only one Class 98/9, which is 98920, better known as Evening Star.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ev...
March 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
#9-series - No.15, Class 98/9
Class 98 is used for preserved steam locos running on Network Rail tracks. The sub-class refers to the power classification, and there's only one Class 98/9, which is 98920, better known as Evening Star.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ev...
Class 98 is used for preserved steam locos running on Network Rail tracks. The sub-class refers to the power classification, and there's only one Class 98/9, which is 98920, better known as Evening Star.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ev...
#9-series - No.14, Class 97/9
Tyne and Wear Metro's stock has TOPS numbers for working across Network Rail-owned tracks on the Sunderland line. That includes its three shunters, numbered in the departmental Class 97 series. Here is 97901.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ty...
Tyne and Wear Metro's stock has TOPS numbers for working across Network Rail-owned tracks on the Sunderland line. That includes its three shunters, numbered in the departmental Class 97 series. Here is 97901.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ty...
March 6, 2025 at 10:40 AM
#9-series - No.14, Class 97/9
Tyne and Wear Metro's stock has TOPS numbers for working across Network Rail-owned tracks on the Sunderland line. That includes its three shunters, numbered in the departmental Class 97 series. Here is 97901.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ty...
Tyne and Wear Metro's stock has TOPS numbers for working across Network Rail-owned tracks on the Sunderland line. That includes its three shunters, numbered in the departmental Class 97 series. Here is 97901.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ty...
#9-series - No.13, Class 86/9
The 86/9 sub-class comprised two Class 86s, converted by Network Rail into mobile load-bank testers for checking the workings of the overhead power supply.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ne...
The 86/9 sub-class comprised two Class 86s, converted by Network Rail into mobile load-bank testers for checking the workings of the overhead power supply.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ne...
March 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
#9-series - No.13, Class 86/9
The 86/9 sub-class comprised two Class 86s, converted by Network Rail into mobile load-bank testers for checking the workings of the overhead power supply.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ne...
The 86/9 sub-class comprised two Class 86s, converted by Network Rail into mobile load-bank testers for checking the workings of the overhead power supply.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ne...
#9-series - No.12, Class 81/9
According to the AC Locomotive Group (who know whereof they speak) 81020 was renumbered 81901 in 1987 but didn't carry its new number: www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php/81...
I can't find a shareable 81020 so here's 81017 instead, via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:81...
According to the AC Locomotive Group (who know whereof they speak) 81020 was renumbered 81901 in 1987 but didn't carry its new number: www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php/81...
I can't find a shareable 81020 so here's 81017 instead, via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:81...
March 3, 2025 at 12:47 PM
#9-series - No.12, Class 81/9
According to the AC Locomotive Group (who know whereof they speak) 81020 was renumbered 81901 in 1987 but didn't carry its new number: www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php/81...
I can't find a shareable 81020 so here's 81017 instead, via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:81...
According to the AC Locomotive Group (who know whereof they speak) 81020 was renumbered 81901 in 1987 but didn't carry its new number: www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php/81...
I can't find a shareable 81020 so here's 81017 instead, via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:81...