2009 Railway Garden Competition XXIX

This just in from our man in the four foot...

Here is Hellifield down goods loop - a safe walking route?


Note the big yellow Colas lawnmower in the distance.

Tube Lines threatens gardens - shocker

The Eye has been inundated by furious emails from Railway Garden fans following a shock Tube Lines announcement.

According to a press release issued today:

Tube Lines has become the first railway company in the UK to eradicate Japanese Knotweed (fallopia japonica spp), thanks to a pioneering weed killer.

Fortunately Network Rail can be trusted to keep the Railway Garden Competition in business for quite a few years yet...

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXVIII

This just in from a Mr Fergie-Lee...

Pictured is Malton, in the delightful district of Ryedale in North Yorkshire (of Calendar Girls fame); a station with just one platform face, a signalbox that looks like it was built by King John and a café that serves the best vegetarian quiche this side of Didsbury.

However, it is a shame that passengers to such a fine market town have to contemplate this screen of crappy vegetation whilst waiting for their train to York or Scarborough.


While the station buildings have been sensitively modernised, only the coming of Autumn will damp down the usual collection of weeds in the six foot, while the screen of scrubby silver birch trees just serves to show that if it isn't covered by a franchise commitment, nobody gives a monkey's.

What would Helen Mirren say?

UPDATE: This from a Mr Rodgers...

I suspect that Helen Mirren would have very little to say!

Yes, Malton is in Ryedale (District Council) but this is not the same place as where 'Calendar Girls' was set which was filmed in and around Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales, a mere 60+ miles away albeit in Yorkshire.

Mind you at least your contributor has also been caught without his clothes on (so to speak).

2009 Railway Garden Competition - Balkan Chapter

This from Ben Jones of Model Rail magazine (which he assures Eye is piling on readers)...

Passing through Serbia on my way to Istanbul last week, I was extremely impressed by the countries efforts to win a Gold Medal in the European railway garden competition.


Belgrade’s main station is a particularly fine example of urban greenery, putting Network Rail’s efforts into perspective and setting them a challenging target for next year.


But, for sheer invention, the pile of scrap dumped alongside the new platforms at Athens Larissa station takes some beating. No prizes for spotting the ‘wild card’ item among the usual detritus.


Inspired by such sterling work from our European cousins, expect a raft of articles on how to grass over your Hornby track in Model Rail soon!

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXVII - ENTRY DISQUALIFIED

This just in from Dyspozytor...

I greatly applaud your initiative to encourage the development of green corridors along England's railways.

The propagation of your idea by means of a 'Railway Garden Competition' is stunning in its simplicity.

The fronds of buddleia that I see adorning the previously dull brick built bridges and viaducts whenever I visit the UK shows the extent to which the management of Network Rail are giving your 'bottom up' initiative their wholehearted support.

However, it is only fair to point out that Network Rail's efforts are still at the nursery garden stage compared to the achievements of my colleagues on Poland's railways.

I enclose a picture I took earlier today of a Prussian goods van at Kalisz station.


I trust that you will be able to use this picture to encourage Network Rail's gardeners to even greater efforts.

Alas foreign railways are not currently able to enter the Railway Garden Competition. Although Eye understand that this is to be addressed as part of the EU's Fourth European Railway Package...

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXVI

This from Shiny Shoes...

Derby and Crewe - always great rivals.


Hanging gardens no exception!

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXV

This just in from Chionanthus virginicus...

Last year Eye brought us pictures of a tree on a bridge at Ambergate, resolutely withstanding any lumberjacks who may be patrolling the MML.

As the 2009 season of mists & mellow fruitfulness draws nigh, I popped up to see how the "garden" is getting on.

As you can see, the tree has had a little light "trackside" pruning - nothing too severe.

A team of strolling strimmers & trimmers have carried out more vigorous work on the adjacent bridge (carrying the Matlock branch) revealing more of the structure, but growth on the mainline bridge is doing well, with several silver birch saplings establishing themselves in the parapet wall beyond.

Perhaps Network Rail are leaving them there so they can act as carbon neutral stanchions when the MML is electrified?

2009 Railway Garden Competition - ENTRY WITHDRAWN

Sad news for Chester's devotees of the Railway Garden.

Shiny Shoes reports that the Chester has been zapped with weedkiller.


Eye salutes Network Rail for addressing this part of Iain's arboreal empire.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXIV

Through the wonders of MMS the following communication reaches The Fact Compiler.

It reads...

Captain Deltic's contribution to the 2009 Railway Garden Competition:


Eye imagines Iain Coucher saying "Pah! Amateurs".

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXIII

Eye is delighted to present the Hanging Gardens of Derby...



With a bowler tip to the Wicked Weaver...

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXII

This just in from JASB the Ninja...

I thought you'd like to see a couple more entries for the Railway Gardening Competition, both seen on a jolly family outing to Vectis on Bank Holiday Monday.

Here's the start of our trip at Hook. My son said that this was "lacking in colour", so it may not be a winning entry.

He also pointed out that the vegetation is beginning to obscure the bases for the new signals (which were installed about 18 months ago as part of the Basingstoke resignalling phase II or III ... but that's another story).

Here's what we found at the other end.


Now this really is a Railway Garden.

It was installed on the disused Up platform at Shanklin some years ago (probably during Island Rail's short-lived period of UDI).

I think a machete is advised now if you want to admire its charms.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXVII

This just in from Peter...

I thought you would like this, but I can’t compete with Wrexham...

Welcome to Norwood Junction.




Taken on Friday at great risk from the platform ‘Stasi’ as I was standing between the yellow and white lines!

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXVI

This just in from 'Willie' Rushton...

Further to your earlier request for updated pictures of Hawarden Bridge I travelled the Bidston to Wrexham line yesterday but did not alight there.

However I did take this photo of the northern end of platform 4 at Wrexham General station.


Could this be a contender?

Indeed it could!

The Fact Compiler is amazed anyone can actually sign this route, unless it's by touch.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXV

This just in from Tim...

Pictured is Hawarden Bridge taken a couple of weeks ago.


Do I win a prize?

Alas no Tim - but Network Rail are certainly in the running if Hawarden still looks this piss-poor today.

Can any readers supply more recent pictures?

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XX - Revisited

This just in from Dr Gloucester...

I found myself at Salford Crescent again this evening.

There may be an avid follower of the Eye in Network Rail at Manchester, looks like the abundant growth near the Relay Room has had a dose of Roundup (TM) since it was entered in the Railway Garden Competition.


Is this down to coincidence, or embarrassment, I wonder?

Over at the platform end, it's the same story, nowhere for those pesky Pacers to hide now.


To avoid distressing those of a sensitive nature, no Pacers were photographed during the compilation of this submission.

So, NR, if you're still watching, how about tackling this lot, viewed from midway along the Up Platform face.


Then maybe you'd like to deal with this, just round the corner at Ordsall Lane Junction. Yes, that's a signal in there.


The Fact Compiler compliments Network Rail on getting to grips with the vegetation at Salford Crescent and hopes it is able to continue the good work...

Railway Garden XXIV

This worthy entry from Topsham


Why is the Down line of the passing loop so favoured?

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXII

This just in from Rich...

For your viewing pleasure today, may I present Llandudno Junction.

The forest shown also doubles up as a small yard, complete with the strategically placed string of DBS owned wagons.

This is truly splendid Rich.

Thank you.

Notice how the foliage lovingly caresses the point mechanism.

No doubt, come leaf mulch time, this will serve to lubricate and protect the workings.

Perhaps Network Rail could learn from DB Schenker's low cost approach to switch and crossing maintenance.

UPDATE: A pedant writes...

Isn't it a rake of wagons in this country?

You're not a Septic are you?

Keep up the good work.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XXI

This just in from a Mr Powell...

I have an entry to the Railway Garden Competition...

Lincoln.


The pictures show the old platform 8, no longer used, which has been left to succumb to weeds.


I apologise for the 144 which makes an appearance!

Nice (apart from the Pacer) and only months after Network Rail spent a fortune on titivating Lincoln and its approaches.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XX

This just in from a Dr Gloucester...

I thought you might enjoy these two shots taken at Salford Crescent yesterday.

The first shows luxuriant growth bursting through the security fence, adjacent to Windsor Link Relay Room, the roof of which can be made out on the left.


In the second view from the north end of the platform, a Rochdale-bound Pacer attempts to hide behind a nice collection of purple-flowered weeds.



On balance Eye considers anything that hides a Pacer from the view of intending passengers a blessing in disguise.

2009 Railway Garden Competition #XIX

This just in from Sussex Driver...

I know that railway gardens are close to your heart, so here in Sussex we've decided to go one step further and help maintain them.


Cue our very own railway garden shed at Horsham Branch Sidings!