‘Scene’ at Meadowhall on the Rails

Meadowhall on the outskirts of Sheffield is a major shopping complex serving the needs of  Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley.

Built at the side of the M1, it is very well provided with transport links boasting its own passenger interchange served by trams, trains and of course buses. The bus scene was dealt with in an earlier 'blog' dated 22nd. March 2015.

There are four platform faces. Two on the mainline which runs East to West linking Sheffield with Rotherham, Doncaster and beyond and two where the line North to Barnsley, Leeds and further North diverges from the mainline.

 

144011 and 153331

 

Both in Northern Rail (NR) colours

 

Are seen standing in platforms 1 and 2 with the Class 144 heading into Sheffield. 

 

Most of the services are run by  ‘NR’ but ‘First TransPennine’ (FTP) also call and ‘Cross Country‘ (CC) run through.

144018

 

Another Class 144 in ‘NR’ colours is seen leaving platform 3 and is about to turn onto the main line into Sheffield.

 

The Class 144’s date from 1986/7 and were built by a combination of ‘British Rail Engineering Ltd’ (BREL) in Derby and by Walter Alexander of Falkirk in Scotland who supplied the bodies.

 

They have been refurbished a number of times but seem set to continue for sometime yet.

158797

 

Again liveried for ‘NR’.

 

Another product of ‘BREL’ at Derby. Built between 1989 and 1992 seen approaching platform 1 heading into Sheffield.

 

Amongst the various DMU classes, these are my personal favourite’s being fast, warm and comfortable.

 

144011

Is seen running into platform 1. These 4 wheel units together with the similar Class 142’s have had some bad press over the years due to ‘rough riding’.

Whilst by the nature of their design, they are not as smooth as bogied stock. I have found that their performance varies according to the state of the track. On welded rail, they are acceptable whilst on jointed rail they are poor. That however is a reflection on the trackwork, not the unit.

 

142088

Running into platform 2 heading East. The 142’s were a development of the earlier Class 141. 

 

185 151

Of ‘FTP’ calls at platform 2 on its way to Doncaster and then Cleethorpes. Known as ‘Desiro’s, the units were built in Germany by Siemens.

They entered service in 2006/7.

 

142017

 

Another Class 142 resting at Platform 2 on its way East.

 

221008

 

Originally operated by ‘Virgin’ as the Virgin Voyager. It still retains the ‘Voyager name but the franchise moved to ‘CC’ trains some years ago.

 

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Another of the BREL/Alexander Class 144’s at Platform 2 again.

 

I sometimes feel that the so called North/South divide is for real when I see the wide range of elderly and sometimes unsuitable rolling stock that is foisted onto Northern passengers.

Particularly when I see the new shiny trains that Southern England enjoys in abundance.

 

Tram 122

 

The South Yorkshire ‘Stagecoach Supertram’ terminates at Meadowhall. The close proximity to the main railway line is shown in this view as tram 122 approaches the end of its journey.

The image shows clearly the ‘South West Trains’ inspired livery.

 

The overhead catenary shows up well.

 

Tram 116 which carries an overall advert for ‘East Midland Trains’ (EMT). 

 

‘EMT’, ‘Southwest Train’s and the’ Supertram’ operation are part of the ‘Stagecoach’ group.