UK rail trip – 2022
Day 34 – 6th May, 2022
Today I’m off to Hull! I’ve never been to Hull before. With it being a little chilly and overcast, I wonder what it will have in store for me. I made the five minute walk to Adgate East station and caught a Hammersmith & City line train to King’s Cross St. Pancras and boarded my class 802/3 Hull Trains service to Hull!
The line to Hull diverges just north of Doncaster. Shortly before branching off from the East Coast Main Line, the now-familiar vibration of the train’s underfloor engines starting up could be felt. A seamless transition from electric to diesel power. The first station was Selby. After the train departed Selby, I realised which line I was on. The signal box for Selby is rather unique, as it’s built over the tracks. I was going to have to get off the train on the way back.
I exited the station and started walking down towards the river. When I was looking at Google Maps on the train, I saw something labelled RMS Hull. I thought this sounded quite interesting. A ship! It was only after I’d walked a couple of blocks, getting precise directions, when I realised it wasn’t a ship at all – it was a company responsible for port operations! So, I decided to turn around and walk back to the station. I decided I’d go back to Selby earlier than planned.
Climbing aboard a Northern Trains class 155, I took the 45 minute ride back to Selby. For part of the way, the railway follows the River Humber. Along the way, it passes under the Humber Bridge – a bridge Jeremy Clarkson likens to the Golden Gate Bridge, only bigger! Before long, the train was passing under the signal box again. I’d arrived back in Selby.
It was a very chilly afternoon. There had also been a bit of rain about. To get a better view of the signal box, I decided to cross over to the Hull-bound platform. Despite there being less obstructions, the lighting conditions were rather dreary.
The weather was too miserable to venture from the station. One day I’ll come back. As always, I chose not to return by the most direct route. It was my first time in this part of the country. I decided to catch a Transpennine Express service to Manchester Piccadilly, before making my way back to London Euston.
Just after leaving Selby, the train takes the line towards Leeds. Soon after, it crosses the East Coast Main Line. Since this train travels along the Huddersfield Line, I’ll get to see the canal paralelling the line between Leeds and Staylybridge. I began dreaming of narrowboats on the canal. One day, I’m going to spend a decent amount of time travelling the canals. Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up buying one as my home! Not much space for a model railway, though.
Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, I switched platforms for a service to London Euston. But it would be less than 24 hours before I’m back again. My one month BritRail Pass expires tomorrow and I’ll be spending a few days in Stockport with my friends Steve and Christine.
One of the other reasons why I always like returning to London via Manchester is to take a class 390 Pendolino. They are definitely my favourite British intercity train. Travelling at speeds of up to 200 km/h, tilting through curves. Definitely the way to travel. A two hour trip that’s over all too quickly!
After arriving at London Euston, I went back to the hostel and dropped off my stuff. I then walked down to Tower Bridge and watched the river traffic go by. This evening, the bridge was closed down due to maintenance works. However, one of the footpaths was left open to allow pedestrians and bikes to continue to cross.