Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: York

You see here just one of the ten driving wheels of this impressive locomotive resting in the York Railway Museum. The Evening Star was the last steam locomotive ever built for British Railways. Its green paintwork and copper capped chimney mark it out as a special commemorative vehicle, all other goods engines built in this design were painted black. It was also the only one given a name rather than just a number. Designed to move heavy loads at fast speeds, these engines are some of the largest and most powerful locomotives ever built in Britain. See PiP BR Standard Class 9F, 2-10-0 Enjoy the day.

The days before Christmas brought us mist and fog here in England. Here is a sample taken on the outskirts of York. Brrrrrrrr.... Have a good weekend.

A different look at the York National Railway Museum here as we venture into a hall of mixed railway historic memorabilia. So many things to see here that it is almost overwhelming. The statue is the old Britannia and her supporters from Euston Station. Of course the more daring of visitors, in the know, could simply vanish into the world of Harry Potter via this same platform. "Euston opened in 1838 as the terminus for the London & Birmingham Railway. The arch was a grand architectural statement of the arrival of the railway in the capital. It was designed by Philip Hardwick and built from Yorkshire stone in Classical Greek Doric style with four columns. Robert Stephenson designed the station's train shed in the same year. The arch was demolished, despite considerable protest, in 1961." National Railway Museum website. Best full screen

As we explore the National railway museum in York we quickly come across this classic. It is a Furness Railway Class A2, 0-4-0. Built in 1846 this being the original No.3, nicknamed Coppernob because of the domed shape of its copper firebox, which was characteristic of Bury engines. It was used to handle traffic on the Furness Railway which ran from Kirby-in-Furness to Dalton-in Furness with no regular passenger services at this time. It was introduced in 1846 and withdrawn in 1898. Enjoy the day.

December brought us quite a few days of mist. We see here how some of the roads are in these conditions and so one has to be quite careful. Before you ask – no I am not in the car here - but I was just a few minutes later :) Essential full screen Enjoy the day.

Another look at York Railway station here. A far cry from what it would have looked like in here at the same time ninety years back with, no doubt, big crowds and lots of smoke, all mixed with the loud sounds of hissing steam , hoots and chatter. Now it seems almost silent. Have a good weekend and I wish you A Happy New Year

As the last of the shoppers leave our town centres we can start to think on the true meaning of this moment, our Christmas Eve. A time of peace for all in which to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. May your festive days bring you all you hope for, as I wish all my Ipernity friends: A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ~ Herb ~ (Taken some days back whilst in York)

Christmas is a busy time! Here in York its a day for festivity shopping and as can be seen in this area of the market, it is where flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables are purchased. A colourful spot here at the edge of the old area of York known as the Shambles. Enjoy the day

As we progress through the month of December I am reminded here of the typical weather we have at this time of year now. This capture was taken just outside the city of York but it could be anywhere in rural Britain. Mist and fog have for long time been a favourite subject for me but a subject too, sadly neglected of late. Enjoy this moody clump of trees formally surrounded by a fence, I presume to keep animals from damaging them. Enjoy the day.

Here we see part of the south edifice of the famous cathedral of York showing off it most beautiful architectural features in this late winter afternoon light. We had walked past earlier but this light was far more attractive. There are really too many superlatives to describe this all dominating homage to God and man, suffice to say that this building began in 1220 and took 250 years to complete. An earlier Anglo-Saxon church standing here was opened in 637AD. It is dedicated to St Peter.Best full screen. The Pip (adjacent photo) shows the choir just before Evening song. Enjoy the day.

A spectacular look at the choir in this lovely cathedral. It actually runs from west to east on our right hand side here. We arrived at the church too late for an internal visit but realised that we could attend the choir here for an hour. In the end it was full to capacity with the choristers' sat behind the candle lit places also to my right but not in view. Above me to my left was the majestic organ that together with the singers held everybody in thrall. I was amazed how good this phone photo came out as there was no flash and I noticed as I left that photography was in fact forbidden! Enjoy full screen

We are here in the York Railway museum, home to some of our most prestigious railway engines. This is the Mallard, officially the World’s fastest Steam Locomotive. This powerful, aerodynamic masterpiece rocketed to 126mph in 1938, a steam speed record that was never surpassed. It has been on display here since 1975 after retiring from service in 1963 It last completed a run in July 1988 from Doncaster to Scarborough and back. The need for speed Mallard is an A4 class locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. The A4s were built to power high-speed trains in the late 1930s, and their shape was honed in a wind tunnel to help them cut through the air as cleanly as possible—making speeds of 120mph and above possible. www.railwaymuseum.org.uk The Pip, (adjacent photo-best full screen too) shows the cab view of the Mallard. Best full screen. Enjoy the day.

A rather unusual view down this staircase seen in the most interesting ‘Bar Convent’ in the old city of York. To me this also reminded me of the old fairground rides. “The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, at Micklegate Bar, York, England, established in 1686, is the oldest surviving Catholic convent in the British Isles. The laws of England at this time prohibited the foundation of Catholic convents and as a result of this, the convent was both established and operated in secret.” Wikipedia Best full screen Have a good weekend.

A rare trip to the Yorkshire city of York gives me a chance to see a live grand railway station. Here we are looking down onto platform six with one of the LNER (London North East Railway) Azuma trains ready to depart to London’s Kings Cross station The station itself was built in 1870 replacing the older one and is operated by the LNER and is on the ECML (East Coast Main Line). York being approximately halfway between London and Edinburgh. The original wooden station built in 1839 was the largest railway station in the world possessing 13 platforms. Best full screen. Enjoy the day.

A surprise night visit to York gives us a chance to join this special walking tour. Our very professional wench host, Alice, takes us down the small lanes and corners to relate stories of ghost seen near that spot and other blood-curdling tales of days long past. York has a great deal of history from Roman, Viking and the dark-ages including our Civil war. Enjoy full screen and All the Very Best for Christmas.