A spiky bridge and a signal box

May 24, 2025 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

The spiky looking bridge in the first picture below provides an alternate route across the railway tracks in Lincoln when the level crossing barriers are closed. It crosses the same road where yesterday’s blog photograph was taken. The bridge was nicely backlit and I noticed some lovely silhouettes of pedestrians crossing. Unfortunately, when I got in a position to take the picture they’d all left or were walking at the far side of the bridge where they couldn’t really be seen. After waiting 15 minutes to see if the scene would replicate itself, I eventually left to find other pictures to take. I did take the shot of the signal box before I left the scene though (another picture of the signal box may make an appearance in a future post…).

Olympus OM-10, Zuiko Auto-S 35mm f/2.8 & Agfa APX 100 (@400). Rodinal 1+100 (+2ml) semi-stand 1 hour @ 20°

Taken on 1 March 2025

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Eastbound tracks

May 23, 2025 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

The main railway line through Lincoln crosses a number of busy roads, necessitating the use of level crossings. While level crossings are quite common in the countryside, and probably in some other towns and cities, there are relatively few of them in Sheffield (five according to this website), where I live – although, that being said, there is one only a mile from where I live.

Which makes the situation in Lincoln quite novel for me. Level crossings are the only real place where you have an opportunity to take photographs of railway lines while actually on the tracks (without trespassing) as long as the barriers are raised, and in Lincoln this makes for interesting compositions like the one in today’s picture.

Olympus OM-10, Zuiko Auto-S 35mm f/2.8 & Agfa APX 100 (@400). Rodinal 1+100 (+2ml) semi-stand 1 hour @ 20°

Taken on 1 March 2025

35mm · Film photography · Photography

The last days of Beighton Station

April 1, 2021 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

I detailed the events on the day the signal box at Beighton Station was demolished in this post here: The end of an era. At that point I’d not developed the roll of film that I shot when recording the event. So, today, here are the pictures from the weekend of the demolition, plus a photo made a week or so later showing how it now looks.

The last days of Beighton Station — On the day before the demolition took place, fencing was erected around the area and the road had been closed to all but foot traffic and bicycles.

The last days of Beighton Station-2 — There were a considerable number of contractors around, all in bright orange hi-vis clothing. Some from Network Rail, but also from a number of other companies involved in the work.

The last days of Beighton Station-4 — The following day, Sunday 15 March, the mesh fencing had been replaced by something more sturdy. As the work took several days to complete, these small cubicles were placed at either side of the tracks, presumably as shelter for overnight workers or security guards.

The last days of Beighton Station-5 — A truck delivers the large metal skip into which the remains of the signal box would be loaded.

The last days of Beighton Station-6 — Still intact, but only for a few seconds longer…

The last days of Beighton Station-7 — Spectators and workers gather to see the event unfold.

The last days of Beighton Station-8 — The demolition begins.

The last days of Beighton Station-9 — Some people moved down the side of the signal box to get a better view.

The last days of Beighton Station-10 — The roof has gone completely.

The last days of Beighton Station-12 — The claw does its work.

The last days of Beighton Station-13 — The upper section has almost gone now.

The last days of Beighton Station-14 — Still sheathed in plastic, the new warning signs await their work to begin.

The last days of Beighton Station-15 — The upper part of the signal box has now gone completely. Work continued to remove the brick lower section and remove the frame from the building, but I didn’t stay to photograph that.

The last days of Beighton Station-16 — And here’s how it looks now that work has been concluded. No signal box any more. There is apparently a radar-controlled system now in place to detect anyone on the crossing. The barriers cannot lower until it is clear.

Olympus OM-2N, G-Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.

Taken on 20 / 21 & 25 March 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Beighton Signalbox (while it’s still here)

December 6, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

This is the signal box at Beighton Station, not far from where I live. Although it’s named Beighton Station, no station has been present since the 1950s when passenger services ceased. There have been recent rumblings about building a new terminal suitable for tram-train services however.

The signal-box is currently scheduled for demolition in 2021, much to the displeasure of locals who see it as a landmark, and there are campaigns looking to try and save it.

More photos of the signal box can be found in my blog posts here, here, here, and here.

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC & Fujifilm Superia 100 (expired 2008).

Taken on 8 November 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Passing the signal box again

April 23, 2020April 24, 2020 fishyfisharcade11 Comments

When your movements are limited, as they are during the coronavirus lock-down, you find yourself passing the same places more often than you usually would.

While there are undoubtedly plenty of alternative routes I can take while out exercising, even giving the restricted radius I can stay within on foot, I’ve found myself passing the signal box and level crossing at Beighton Station a number of times in the past week or two. It was only a little over a month ago that I last posted a photograph of the same location in fact.

Perhaps this weekend, when I’ll hopefully have a little more time to spare, I might allow myself a longer walk and venture someplace different for a change.

Today marked the first time that I’ve loaded a roll of 120 film into my developing tank. Mt previous experience consists only of the tow 35mm rolls I’ve loaded and developed (and a few tests with a sacrificial 35mm roll). While both of those produced successful outcomes (today’s photos amongst them), loading the film onto the spirals was not straightforward, with both rolls requiring several attempts in the changing bag.

With that in mind, I was expecting the roll of 120 HP5+ to be a bit of a headache given its broader width and potential to flex more, but I needn’t have worried. It loaded easily and the whole task took me about 5 minutes from putting my hands in the bag. Of course I’ve yet to develop the film, so I maybe shouldn’t count my chickens just yet, but all being well, I’m pretty happy with how it went.

I’ve also changed the blog theme today. I think the new one has slightly larger images as standard, which is good. I’ll see how it goes though, and I might change it back if I decide I’m not keen.

Canon Sure Shot Telemax & Ilford Delta 400 – Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins

Taken on 12 April 2020