Apologies if this should be going in off topic, but I have a question about the upcoming JT WCML. How different is the line now compared to the 80s? Of course traction and station signage is different, but in terms of scenery, station structures and railway infrastructure, has much changed at all? Any photos to compare would be lovely to see if you all have any. Thanks in advance
Around the Preston way at least there’s a lot less sidings and there’s a few new housing estates to the north on the way out (around Broughton and Barton) but it’s still pretty similar today on the whole. Imagine a lot of the route will be very similar too but probably some changes round Carlisle.
A few things that spring to mind: No EPS speed boards. No TPWS transponders. OLE equipment significantly upgraded during West Coast Route Modernisation. In 1986 the OLE would be as per the 1974 installation.
Well, there's a McDonald's right next to Penrith station now that wasn't there in the 80s! Quite a few of the other buildings beside the line heading South from there are fairly modern, but I'm struggling to remember how it was back in the day - my dad would remember better. Where there's a big Morrison's supermarket now used to be a cattle auction market, I think.
Adjacent to the McD's there's now a multi-story, blocks the view of the castle quite nicely from the train! You're correct on the cattle market. Carlisle Currock, Upperby and Kingmoor yards are shadows of what they were in the 80's. Kingmoor and 14 MU have probably seen the biggest change, it's basically a few sidings now back then it was a huge yard. Kingmoor depots much the same as it was save for the lack of classes you used to get there (mainly 68's nowadays). In the 80's you could guarantee it was 40's, 25's, 26's, 27's, 31's, 37's, 47's.
Not from the area, so a more generic one, but the traffic, and in fact the actual road furniture on the sections of M6 along the line looks much different to what it would have done back then.
