Today would see the start of a marathon 5 days of travel. My first day was very indecisive. I had been leaning towards heading north towards Worcester and then getting an additional ticket to take me to Stourbridge. I had the gen that my final PPM was out. But the gen was several days old and whilst the same unit tends to work the branch all week it's never guaranteed.
The day started with a £3 ticket to Exeter. The rover becomes valid here to Salisbury. It's the long way round to Stourbridge but meant I would get there quicker, rather than waiting until 0925 off Plymouth.
At Salsbury I was still undecided. Do I head to Pompey and get units or head north which was a risk. At Salsbury I saw my final SWT 158. So my decision was made. I went to Southampton and bagged the 158 a couple of moves later.
Part of me still wanted the 139. So I looked and a move was still on! I needed to be off Southampton at 1310. So a few fill in moves until then were done.
And off I went to Stourbridge! At Bristol was the bonus sighting of A4 Pacific 'Bittern' disguised as 4492!! No time for a good photo though! Pity.
All was fine until shortly before Cheltenham. Trespassing on the line held us up for 20 mins. My connecting train was ahead of us (i was to overtake it whilst it was at Gloucester) and I didn't know if it was also held up. I got to Cheltenham and to my relief it had been. When that rolled in I was delighted to see my final FGW 153 for haulage!
Now onwards to Worcester! The train I was going to catch from Foregate Street was gone so I bailed at Shrub Hill and caught one from there! Same price and also meant I got to Stourbridge Junction at planned time. So all was good. All I needed to do now was wait a few minutes!
I could see it long before the number but once I could see it the audacious move from Southampton to Stourbridge was worth it! It was duly caught down the branch and dinner was had at one of the Wetherspoons whilst a swift drink in the other. Then back home! This wasn't straight forward. A line side fire between Tiverton and Exeter meant no trains passed. The train I was on from Cheltenham got cancelled at Bristol and I had to get on the one I front which had been delayed by over an hour. This took me as far as Taunton. We were almost put onto road transport and the announcement came that the line had reopened but I needed to move to the front part if the train as the rear was being taken off. Then it was straight back to Plymouth. Bit late but at least no buses!!!
Today had seen me do Plymouth - Exeter - Eastleigh - Bournemouth - Southampton - Bristol - Worcester - Stourbridge Town - Plymouth! I think this is the single largest area I have covered in a single day before but it was worth it!
Tomorrow I am back in the West Midlands as I stay over for a rail tour next day to Devon and Cornwall freight branches.
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