Blog Catch Up!

I have not been very good at keeping the blog up to date over the last few weeks! This will be a quick run down of what I have done recently.


Last Day of the FOSW 7th June
For this day I headed to Cardiff and then bought a Valley Lines Rover. I explored some more of the lines I have yet to go on. This took me to Merthyr Tydfil via the City Line, up to Aberdare, down to Barry Island and then accross to Bridgend. I visited the Wetherspoons at the same time. I got a couple of winning units during this too.

Heading to Derby via London 10th June
I was due to visit Central Rivers for a PLEG charter on the 11th June and I had the 10th off work. I decided I would get to Derby (where I was staying with the in laws) via London as it is cheaper than going via XC and more comfortable! I took this opportunity to spend the day in London. I went up on the Night Riveria. I had a berth which was much better than sitting in the seat.

In London I headed to the GOBLIN line to try and complete my Class 172/0s for sight and haulage/ I managed the sight but my final one wasn't out for haulage. I then headed over to Liverpool Street to get more Class 379s in before heading to Waterloo to bash untis there. I saw my final Class 450 for sight.

Then I headed towards Croydon via the Tram from Beckenham Junction. A few trips were then had between Croydon and Victoria and London Bridge. My train to Derby was at 2012 which was completely new route for me upto Leicester.

A good day and I managed 49 winning trains during the course of the day for haulage.

Derbyshire Wayfarer and PLEG Charter 11th June
Before the PLEG Charter at Central Rivers Depot I headed to Sheffield and bashed a few trains between Sheffield and Chesterfield. The biggest win being my final XC Voyager to complete the Class 220 for haulage. The day got even better than i ever expected however.

The PLEG Charter was a tour of the Central Rivers depot on 221144 (disbanded Super Voyager leaving to driving cars) behind 57308 and 08943. The 08 was a winner the 57 wasn't. Now before 221144 was disbanded i never got it for haulage but for the tour they ran it through the depot under its on power (has a compressor installed inside the vestibule area to allow slow speed movement of the unit!). This was mega as this is obviously a rare unit and now i have a chance to get haulage on every Super Voyager. Cab ride was also acheived.

Also present at the depot was my final Super Voyager for sight, 221102. Excellent Day and over £3k raised for charity.

Devon Day Ranger 16th June
Back to the old Devon Ranger and all I needed in the area now is 8 FGW Power Cars. So this was what  I was after. No luck and I didn't even see any of the ones i need for haulage.

So that is my caught up. I have so far travelled 19,012 miles this year which I am very pleased with.