Today would see a trip to Perranporth, Truro and Bodmin. To do this a Ride Cornwall ticket was purchased. The ticket allowed us to travel anywhere in Cornwall on either bus or train.
We started from Plymouth on the bonus of two London Midland 153s to Truro. These two units are on hire from London Midland for the summer.
From Truro we headed to Perranporth. A walk over the sand dunes and lunch in The Green Parrot before we headed back to Truro. We spent about 2 hours here before making our way to Bodmin. It was here we visited the final Wetherspoons in Cornwall (until Camborne opens).
It was now the times of buses and trains didn't fit! So to save waiting at Bodmin parkway we headed to St Austell and caught our train back to Plymouth from there. The added bonus was it was the LM 153s again!
Good day trip out and the weather was great! Winners in red.
153333 2C43 (0921) PLY - TRU
43027 1A94 (1641) TRU - BOD
221124 1V58 (1936) BOD - SAU
153325 2P95 (2012) SAU - PLY
132 miles travelled.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
22nd May 2011 - London Trip Day 2
About 6 hours were available in London before our train home to Plymouth. We headed to Victoria for breakfast before heading to Kings Cross in the hope for those final few Hst power cars and final 91! No luck and we headed to Tottenham Hale. We were hoping to get a ride on the new Class 379s on the Stanstead Express services to London Liverpool Street. No luck! A 317 into Liverpool Street. A return journey provided a 379. Very nice trains and obviously very clean at the moment. A return to Liverpool Street provided another set of duff 317s. It was soon time to head back to Paddington however and we decided we would head there via Tottenham Hale - Kings Cross - Paddington. So as soon as we got back to liverpool street it was back onto the next Stanstead Express. Another set of 317s! Ah well! At least we got two of them!
Our train back to Plymouth got held up outside the Thatcham area by an overhanging tree. Held us up for about 25 minutes whilst the driver removed the offending branch but a good weekend was had. We crossed paths with the Northern Belle just outside Taunton and four 66s stabled at Fairwater provided me with a new one for sight. Moves made below with the winners in red.
5732 2J09 (0727) WAT - CLJ
377436 2C05 (0741) CLJ - VIC
14043 (UG) Victoria - Euston
11006 (UG) Kings Cross - Tottenham Hale
317710 1B35 (1038) TOM - LST
379018 + 379015 1B54 (1128) LST - TOM
317708 1 B45 (1146) TOM - LST
317891 1B60 (1210) LST - TOM
14070 (UG) Tottenham Hale - Kings Cross
5721 (UG) Kings Cross - Paddington
43071 1C85 (1357) PAD - PLY
Totalled mileage 272.
Our train back to Plymouth got held up outside the Thatcham area by an overhanging tree. Held us up for about 25 minutes whilst the driver removed the offending branch but a good weekend was had. We crossed paths with the Northern Belle just outside Taunton and four 66s stabled at Fairwater provided me with a new one for sight. Moves made below with the winners in red.
5732 2J09 (0727) WAT - CLJ
377436 2C05 (0741) CLJ - VIC
14043 (UG) Victoria - Euston
11006 (UG) Kings Cross - Tottenham Hale
317710 1B35 (1038) TOM - LST
379018 + 379015 1B54 (1128) LST - TOM
317708 1 B45 (1146) TOM - LST
317891 1B60 (1210) LST - TOM
14070 (UG) Tottenham Hale - Kings Cross
5721 (UG) Kings Cross - Paddington
43071 1C85 (1357) PAD - PLY
Totalled mileage 272.
21st May 2011 - London Trip Day 1
Today I went to London with my wife and parents. I was taking my Dad to trainspot (he has been off the scene for 15 odd years and lots has changes as I found out upon my return last year) whilst the girls went off on their own.
An early 0540 train off Plymouth ensured we were in London by 0921. On the way we spotted a winning 60096 and my final 166 for sight.
In London our first calling point was King's Cross. We got everything here before heading out to New Barnet and back. Whilst at New Barnet I got some photos of trains passing at speed and was quite pleased with them. Back at King's Cross I spotted a required 43 for sight so I am now down to 3.
We then headed over to St Pancras. From here to did a couple of trips to Stratford International and back. Two winning for sight and all winning for haulage. It was nearing lunchtime so off to Romford for lunch in the Wetherspoons. A quick drink in the 2nd one next-door before heading to Waterloo to unload at the Travelodge.
After this we headed to Wembley from Waterloo via Richmond and Willesden Junction. Wembley was disappointing as there was one 57 there and the number was hidden by wagons. There was apparently two 67s there (one I needed but we couldn't see them) we also missed a convoy of 10 class 66s leaving earlier!
So off to Euston from Harrow and Wealdstone. And a bonus when we arrived. Castle class steam engine steaming nicely ready to take The Great Western Midlander tour from Euston - Tysley. On the rear was Class 47 47773. Also whilst here my penultimate Pendolino (new non commissioned sets excluded). It was then back to Waterloo and the hotel to get ready to head to my sisters. The final two train journeys of the day were the Waterloo to Earlsfield return.
A good day with literally eveythin new for my dad and plenty of new bits for me. Winners in red.
43127 1A75 (0540) PLY - PAD
3356 (UG) Paddington - Baker Street
5527 (UG) Baker Street - Kings Cross
313044 2V16 (1011) KGX - NBA
313039 2Y26 (1047) NBA - KGX
395022 1F26 (1128) STP - SFA
395013 1J27 (1145) SFA - STP
395019 1F28 (1155) STP - SFA
321446 2K42 (1220) SRA - RMF
360105 2W91 (1328) RMF - LST
6734 (UG) Liverpool Street - Embankment
53552 (UG) Embankment - Waterloo
5849 2O41 (1503) WAT - RMD
378215 2N84 (1541) RMD - WIJ (HL)
378226 2O68 (1611) WIJ (LL) - HRW
350236 2T38 (1754) HRW - EUS
51552 (UG) Euston - Waterloo
5722 2K55 (1857) WAT - EAD
5912 2M74 (2301) EAD - WAT
Total of 335 miles travelled.
An early 0540 train off Plymouth ensured we were in London by 0921. On the way we spotted a winning 60096 and my final 166 for sight.
In London our first calling point was King's Cross. We got everything here before heading out to New Barnet and back. Whilst at New Barnet I got some photos of trains passing at speed and was quite pleased with them. Back at King's Cross I spotted a required 43 for sight so I am now down to 3.
We then headed over to St Pancras. From here to did a couple of trips to Stratford International and back. Two winning for sight and all winning for haulage. It was nearing lunchtime so off to Romford for lunch in the Wetherspoons. A quick drink in the 2nd one next-door before heading to Waterloo to unload at the Travelodge.
After this we headed to Wembley from Waterloo via Richmond and Willesden Junction. Wembley was disappointing as there was one 57 there and the number was hidden by wagons. There was apparently two 67s there (one I needed but we couldn't see them) we also missed a convoy of 10 class 66s leaving earlier!
So off to Euston from Harrow and Wealdstone. And a bonus when we arrived. Castle class steam engine steaming nicely ready to take The Great Western Midlander tour from Euston - Tysley. On the rear was Class 47 47773. Also whilst here my penultimate Pendolino (new non commissioned sets excluded). It was then back to Waterloo and the hotel to get ready to head to my sisters. The final two train journeys of the day were the Waterloo to Earlsfield return.
A good day with literally eveythin new for my dad and plenty of new bits for me. Winners in red.
43127 1A75 (0540) PLY - PAD
3356 (UG) Paddington - Baker Street
5527 (UG) Baker Street - Kings Cross
313044 2V16 (1011) KGX - NBA
313039 2Y26 (1047) NBA - KGX
395022 1F26 (1128) STP - SFA
395013 1J27 (1145) SFA - STP
395019 1F28 (1155) STP - SFA
321446 2K42 (1220) SRA - RMF
360105 2W91 (1328) RMF - LST
6734 (UG) Liverpool Street - Embankment
53552 (UG) Embankment - Waterloo
5849 2O41 (1503) WAT - RMD
378215 2N84 (1541) RMD - WIJ (HL)
378226 2O68 (1611) WIJ (LL) - HRW
350236 2T38 (1754) HRW - EUS
51552 (UG) Euston - Waterloo
5722 2K55 (1857) WAT - EAD
5912 2M74 (2301) EAD - WAT
Total of 335 miles travelled.
20th May 2011 - 'Northern Belle' VSOE
The VSOE 'Northern Belle' had come down during the day and I had the gen that one of the 67s (67002) hauling it was required for sight. So after work it was off to Truro (it's destination) for a photo. However after my train left St Austell I got news the locos had left Truro and were heading to St Blazey! Not good. Had I known minutes earlier I would have bailed at St Austell!
They passed me in a blur on a curve (curving the wrong way), so even though I was checking out the drop down window no chance of a photo. 67019 I clearly saw as it was leading but 67002 on the rear was gone!
So at Truro I saw the coaches but was unable to get a decent photo. Now my parents were en route to my house in Plymouth. My dad was going to be popping by Truro to see what I had come down for. As it wasn't there I let him know where they had gone. Instead of returning on the train I was picked up and we went via St Blazey to Plymouth. Again, no chance of a photo (bring back the old days of being able to look around!) but I could see 67002 on the fueling point. So I saw what I needed so not a total loss!
43182 1C86 (1841) PLY - TRU
53 miles travelled.
They passed me in a blur on a curve (curving the wrong way), so even though I was checking out the drop down window no chance of a photo. 67019 I clearly saw as it was leading but 67002 on the rear was gone!
So at Truro I saw the coaches but was unable to get a decent photo. Now my parents were en route to my house in Plymouth. My dad was going to be popping by Truro to see what I had come down for. As it wasn't there I let him know where they had gone. Instead of returning on the train I was picked up and we went via St Blazey to Plymouth. Again, no chance of a photo (bring back the old days of being able to look around!) but I could see 67002 on the fueling point. So I saw what I needed so not a total loss!
43182 1C86 (1841) PLY - TRU
53 miles travelled.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
17th May 2011 - Devon Day Ranger with a trip to Tiverton
Well my final Devon Ranger for the month would take me to Tiverton (the town not just Parkway) to see the Tivvy Bumper and to finish off the remaining Wetherspoons in Devon, I needed to visit. The trip to the Tiverton (used cheap advance ticket as ranger wouldn't be valid for another hour and half) would be with Peter so we could both see GWR 0-4-2T 1400 Class at the museum. A quick cup of tea at the Wetherspoons before it opened ensured that one has been done.
Once completed we headed back to the station. Peter left the train at Exeter and I continued in my hunt for my last Voyager and HST power cars for haulage. A few trips up and down the sea wall and no winners I decided for a bit of variety. I knew no winners would be produced but I headed to Crediton to visit the last Wetherspoon in Devon i needed.
It was then back to Exeter for a couple more trips before catching the Tavistock Tanks train. Being hauled by 66111 with the Highland stag (seems to be following me around since i saw it in Carlisle earlier in the year!). Then back home.
No winners but 304 miles taking my yearly total so far to 13,676.
43037 1A77 (0748) PLY - TVP
220009 1V47 (1214) TVP - NTA
43378 1S51 (1303) NTA - EXD
43024 1C79 (1333) EXD - NTA
43301 1S55 (1403) NTA - EXD
142030 2B78 (1427) EXD - CDI
142068 2F39 (1537) CDI - EXD
143621 2P93 (1608) EXD - NTA
43175 1A91 (1640) NTA - EXD
220023 1E67 (1723) EXD - TVP
220003 1V59 (1758) TVP - EXD
43189 1C87 (1821) EXD - PLY
I have to admit I am glad I won't be doing a Devon Ranger for a few weeks!
Once completed we headed back to the station. Peter left the train at Exeter and I continued in my hunt for my last Voyager and HST power cars for haulage. A few trips up and down the sea wall and no winners I decided for a bit of variety. I knew no winners would be produced but I headed to Crediton to visit the last Wetherspoon in Devon i needed.
It was then back to Exeter for a couple more trips before catching the Tavistock Tanks train. Being hauled by 66111 with the Highland stag (seems to be following me around since i saw it in Carlisle earlier in the year!). Then back home.
No winners but 304 miles taking my yearly total so far to 13,676.
43037 1A77 (0748) PLY - TVP
220009 1V47 (1214) TVP - NTA
43378 1S51 (1303) NTA - EXD
43024 1C79 (1333) EXD - NTA
43301 1S55 (1403) NTA - EXD
142030 2B78 (1427) EXD - CDI
142068 2F39 (1537) CDI - EXD
143621 2P93 (1608) EXD - NTA
43175 1A91 (1640) NTA - EXD
220023 1E67 (1723) EXD - TVP
220003 1V59 (1758) TVP - EXD
43189 1C87 (1821) EXD - PLY
I have to admit I am glad I won't be doing a Devon Ranger for a few weeks!
Saturday, 14 May 2011
12th May 2011 - Devon Day Ranger
Another Deveon Day Ranger! I was meeting Peter for this so sanity would be maintained! I started before the Devon Day Ranger was valid with an advance. I'm glad I did this as I got a winner out of it. I was waiting for the Devon Express and a Super Voyager heading to Paignton came in that was my last XC one for haulage. I decided to wait until its return (incase the Devon Express was a winner). I then got a message from Peter saying he would meet me at Totnes (he didn't realise I was already out). I let him know what I was doing and we did our usual moves to get the up Devon Express and it meant I got my winning Super Voyager. After that a series of moves for get HST power cars was made. It wasn't a good day for Peter (he only needs 9 power cars), but shortly after he left to get home an HST power car we both needed rolled into Exeter. A ride behind was made to Newton Abbot before I headed back towards Exmouth. There was one 153 on one of the the diagrams (hoping it was the one i needed!). I met this at Digby and it was not a winner. During this I saw an unusual train consisting of 153369 and half of 150221 pass Newton Abbot. I then saw it at Exeter Depot with its numbers being covered. Upon my return from Digby it had a new number, 153399. Some photos of this were taken (luckily before it went out of view). Apparently the other half caught fire and they made a two car unit back up with some modifictions to the 153. Numbering it as a 153 means it wouldn't be diagrammed for a service beyond Portsmouth where a 153 isn't cleared.
A good day. Winners in red.
43175 1A77 (0748) PLY - EXD
43128 1C73 (0932) EXD - TQY
221131 1M41 (1012) TQY - DWL
158956 2C67 (1050) DWL - TRR
43134 1A82 (1116) TRR - NTA
43158 1C76 (1143) NTA - TOT
220032 1M49 (1215) TOT - NTA
43189 1C77 (1230) NTA - PLY
43384 1S55 (1323) PLY - NTA
220013 1M93 (1418) NTA - DWL
43127 1A87 (1446) DWL - EXD
43024 1C84 (1518) EXD - NTA
43366 1E63 (1603) NTA - EXD
43070 1C85 (1621) EXD - NTA
143603 2F47 (1713) NTA - DIG
153380 2T26 (1812) DIG - EXD
221130 1V60 (1848) EXD - PLY
348 miles travelled. Year so far 13371.
A good day. Winners in red.
43175 1A77 (0748) PLY - EXD
43128 1C73 (0932) EXD - TQY
221131 1M41 (1012) TQY - DWL
158956 2C67 (1050) DWL - TRR
43134 1A82 (1116) TRR - NTA
43158 1C76 (1143) NTA - TOT
220032 1M49 (1215) TOT - NTA
43189 1C77 (1230) NTA - PLY
43384 1S55 (1323) PLY - NTA
220013 1M93 (1418) NTA - DWL
43127 1A87 (1446) DWL - EXD
43024 1C84 (1518) EXD - NTA
43366 1E63 (1603) NTA - EXD
43070 1C85 (1621) EXD - NTA
143603 2F47 (1713) NTA - DIG
153380 2T26 (1812) DIG - EXD
221130 1V60 (1848) EXD - PLY
348 miles travelled. Year so far 13371.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
4th May 2011 - Thames Day Ranger
I was very indecisive about what to do today. I knew that Peter wasn't out so doing a Devon Day ranger wasn't very appealing, as there is a limit to the slow Devon banks after a while. The weather didn't look that great and the last two Devon trips have produced no winning trains for haulage. My first option was a cheeky trip to London via Salisbury (using network rail card) and then I remembered I wanted to look at a Thames Branches Day Ranger. Admittedly I would get to Reading (where it was valid from) well into the day but I thought I'd would give it a go anyway! A reasonable £40 for all relevant tickets for what would be a full day out!
I headed off of Plymouth on 0925 1S39 XC service to Aberdeen. I changed at Exeter St David's for the SWT service to London Waterloo and changed at Basingstoke for Reading!
From Reading I caught the next HST to London Paddington. From here I set off to do the branches in order towards Reading. First off was Greenford. Yes this is within the zones of a London Travelcard, but it would be very low on the agenda if I had one of them. I made my way there via FGW and Heathrow Connect services. I then headed back to Ealing Broadway to make my way to Windsor and Eton. Again a combination of FGW and heathrow connect services got me there. I had half an hour here until I had trains to connect me to Henley-on-Thames (I skipped Marlow until next time). So off to the two Wetherspoons (The King and Castle & The Windlesora) for 2 quick pints!!! It was then off to Henley-on-Thames. I planned 30 odd minutes here which would allow me to connect to all trains back to Plymouth. In those 30 minutes a visit to the Whetherspoons (The Catherine Wheel) was achieved. It was here I had a message informing Peter had uploaded new photos. I knew he'd been away in Brighton and London but my question of whether he was doing a Thames Ranger was never answered. The photos did answer it! A quick flick to my messages said he'd been to the same 3 Whetherspoons I had just done! I knew he'd been to 3 but didn't take in which ones! Lol! So we had practically done the same thing! I know he went off to do a lot more (with what i assume was his head start to the day as I have yet to see his blog) based on his pictures.
Anyway I have strayed! I headed back to Twyford and it went a bit wrong. I got off and train was coming in. I couldn't see any displays saying where anything was going so I asked a member of staff. She told me it was going to Reading. Good! Until it went back up the branch!!! This meant I would miss the last train. The only way home now was FGW via Taunton. My ticket wasnt valid but a quick phone call meant it was. Well done FGW!
I ended up home earlier as well, well by 13 minutes! Winners in red.
220026 (0925) 1S39 PLY - EXD
159016 (1026) 1L40 EXD - BSK
165123 (1307) 2J34 BSK - RDG
43002 (1332) 1L54 RDG - PAD
165137 (1427) 2N44 PAD - EAL
360202 (1441) 2T48 EAL - WEA
166215 (1457) 2G38 WEA - GFD
166215 (1516) 2G39 GFD - EAL
165104 (1535) 2N48 EAL - STL
360204 (1549) 2T52 STL - HAY
166205 (1602) 2R49 HAY - SLO
165126 (1621) 2W65 SLO - WNC
165126 (1710) 2S70 WNC - SLO
165133 (1718) 2R53 SLO - BNM
165221 (1725) 2R53 BNM - TAP
166217 (1736) 2R54TAP - MAI
166216 (1747) 1H48 MAI - HOT
165122 (1846) 2H51 HOT - TWY
166218 (1858) 1H52 TWY - HOT
165135 (1916) 2H53 HOT - TWY
165116 (1937) 2R69 TWY - RDG
43094 (2012) 1C96 RDG - PLY
A total of 484 miles travelled. A good day if a little rushed!
I headed off of Plymouth on 0925 1S39 XC service to Aberdeen. I changed at Exeter St David's for the SWT service to London Waterloo and changed at Basingstoke for Reading!
From Reading I caught the next HST to London Paddington. From here I set off to do the branches in order towards Reading. First off was Greenford. Yes this is within the zones of a London Travelcard, but it would be very low on the agenda if I had one of them. I made my way there via FGW and Heathrow Connect services. I then headed back to Ealing Broadway to make my way to Windsor and Eton. Again a combination of FGW and heathrow connect services got me there. I had half an hour here until I had trains to connect me to Henley-on-Thames (I skipped Marlow until next time). So off to the two Wetherspoons (The King and Castle & The Windlesora) for 2 quick pints!!! It was then off to Henley-on-Thames. I planned 30 odd minutes here which would allow me to connect to all trains back to Plymouth. In those 30 minutes a visit to the Whetherspoons (The Catherine Wheel) was achieved. It was here I had a message informing Peter had uploaded new photos. I knew he'd been away in Brighton and London but my question of whether he was doing a Thames Ranger was never answered. The photos did answer it! A quick flick to my messages said he'd been to the same 3 Whetherspoons I had just done! I knew he'd been to 3 but didn't take in which ones! Lol! So we had practically done the same thing! I know he went off to do a lot more (with what i assume was his head start to the day as I have yet to see his blog) based on his pictures.
Anyway I have strayed! I headed back to Twyford and it went a bit wrong. I got off and train was coming in. I couldn't see any displays saying where anything was going so I asked a member of staff. She told me it was going to Reading. Good! Until it went back up the branch!!! This meant I would miss the last train. The only way home now was FGW via Taunton. My ticket wasnt valid but a quick phone call meant it was. Well done FGW!
I ended up home earlier as well, well by 13 minutes! Winners in red.
220026 (0925) 1S39 PLY - EXD
159016 (1026) 1L40 EXD - BSK
165123 (1307) 2J34 BSK - RDG
43002 (1332) 1L54 RDG - PAD
165137 (1427) 2N44 PAD - EAL
360202 (1441) 2T48 EAL - WEA
166215 (1457) 2G38 WEA - GFD
166215 (1516) 2G39 GFD - EAL
165104 (1535) 2N48 EAL - STL
360204 (1549) 2T52 STL - HAY
166205 (1602) 2R49 HAY - SLO
165126 (1621) 2W65 SLO - WNC
165126 (1710) 2S70 WNC - SLO
165133 (1718) 2R53 SLO - BNM
165221 (1725) 2R53 BNM - TAP
166217 (1736) 2R54TAP - MAI
166216 (1747) 1H48 MAI - HOT
165122 (1846) 2H51 HOT - TWY
166218 (1858) 1H52 TWY - HOT
165135 (1916) 2H53 HOT - TWY
165116 (1937) 2R69 TWY - RDG
43094 (2012) 1C96 RDG - PLY
A total of 484 miles travelled. A good day if a little rushed!
Monday, 2 May 2011
2nd May 2011 - Off the mark for May!
Today saw me head to Falmouth with my wife for the day and a quick visit to my parents in Perranwell. As expected, nothing new was ridden.
150243 (0920) 2T08 PLY - TRU
150121 (1050) 2F74 TRU - FMT
150121 (1523) 2T82 FMT - PRW
153382 (1920) 2P89 PRW - TRU
150243 (1955) 2P95 TRU - PLY
A total of 130 miles to kick start May off!
150243 (0920) 2T08 PLY - TRU
150121 (1050) 2F74 TRU - FMT
150121 (1523) 2T82 FMT - PRW
153382 (1920) 2P89 PRW - TRU
150243 (1955) 2P95 TRU - PLY
A total of 130 miles to kick start May off!
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