So the first West Midland Ranger of the year! As per usual the cost to the area is ridiculous so I drove to Bristol Parkway and caught a train to Worcester. This was a reasonable £11.80 return and it meant a two hour drive instead of three and I really don't like the M5. It's so boring!
Anyway upon arriving at Worcester I had a 1 minute gap as my train had got later and later enroute. I made it and headed to Birmingham New Street on a winning 170 for sight and obviously haulage.
At New Street I looked at what was in. I jumped on a winning Pendo to International. It was then a winning Desiro to Coventry. I then decided I would head to Northampton. A new bit of track from Rugby. Just need Northampton back onto the WCML southbound now.
It was a dud 350 to Northampton but I saw a winning 92, 66, 70 and 08 for sight on the short trip. Lunch in Northampton saw me visit all three Wetherspoons for food and a few drinks.
Back onto the rails and I headed back towards Birmingham. I changed at International and headed to Smethwick Galton Bridge on a winning ATW 158. Now it was time for 172 bashing. I managed to spot my final 172 for sight and pick off another big chunk for haulage. I now only require 7 to complete for haulage (1 Chiltern and 6 London Midland).
It was then back to Worcester for the 1903 to Bristol. This wasn't straightforward. At Cheltenham we were all moved into the front carriage of the 150 due to a leaking battery with heavy fumes filling the back one.
At Gloucester we passed the junctions on the main line and reversed so that we would be facing the correct way to head to Bristol still. But upon arrival the train was cancelled only to be reinstated 15 minutes later with the first carriage still only in use.
So my arrival to Bristol was 30 down and I was home by 2300. Later than planned but not as tired as previous West Mid trips where there was 3 hour drives either end of the day.
My mileage for January looks like it'll be 3250. Not a bad start. Not as much as last January but about 550 more than my monthly target to achieve at least the same yearly total as last year.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Thursday, 19 January 2012
19th January 2012 - Last day of FOSW
So for the last day I'm heading to Cardiff again. Today would also see me pass my monthly target of 2625 miles if I want to get at least as many as 2011.
Main objective was get as many winning trains in for haulage as possible. This meant literally staying on platforms 6/7 (or 3/4 with a run) and being patient. Anything going to Queen Street or Newport was valid anything else I had to work out its return.
I got a sighting of my first winner quickly (150213). I worked out when it was due back and carried on waiting.
Whilst this was happening I managed to photograph Colas Rail 66846 and Arriva liveried 67001. Nothing else to report until 1301 and 150231 as expected returned. Up and down the hill and it was time for lunch. I also noted 150237 heading to Barry which was required.
When I returned I saw a XC unit in the platform from outside the station. I ran for it to see if it was required. It was 170637 and very much required. I did this to Newport and returned on a dud 150121. Then it was to meet 150237. This is when I got annoyed. Another unit came in instead. I thought if worked it out wrong. Then in came 237 and everyone got off and got on the new unit. 150237 then reversed and went to Canton. Not happy!
After some more waiting and then seeing 67002 in its new livery I saw another required unit. Again I worked out its return. Then 175009 rolled in heading to Manchester. This was needed so I ran to platform 2 and caught this to Newport.
It was then back to Cardiff and up and down the hill for 150230 which did do what was expected.
I decided I had enough now. So I started to head home. I decided I'd go via Swindon on the off chance 43056 was about. Also it meant providing everything connected I'd be on a train and moving from Cardiff to Plymouth with two changes and only 2 minutes in each change! It worked and ramped my mileage up. 43056 didn't show.
I did contemplate going further west after Plymouth and meet the sleeper back up. I decided against it because I had to be at work early in the morning.
A reasonable last day of my FOSW Next planned trip was a drive up north to do my first West Midland Ranger for the year. Don't know my exact mileage yet but can't be far off 3k now.
Main objective was get as many winning trains in for haulage as possible. This meant literally staying on platforms 6/7 (or 3/4 with a run) and being patient. Anything going to Queen Street or Newport was valid anything else I had to work out its return.
I got a sighting of my first winner quickly (150213). I worked out when it was due back and carried on waiting.
Whilst this was happening I managed to photograph Colas Rail 66846 and Arriva liveried 67001. Nothing else to report until 1301 and 150231 as expected returned. Up and down the hill and it was time for lunch. I also noted 150237 heading to Barry which was required.
When I returned I saw a XC unit in the platform from outside the station. I ran for it to see if it was required. It was 170637 and very much required. I did this to Newport and returned on a dud 150121. Then it was to meet 150237. This is when I got annoyed. Another unit came in instead. I thought if worked it out wrong. Then in came 237 and everyone got off and got on the new unit. 150237 then reversed and went to Canton. Not happy!
After some more waiting and then seeing 67002 in its new livery I saw another required unit. Again I worked out its return. Then 175009 rolled in heading to Manchester. This was needed so I ran to platform 2 and caught this to Newport.
It was then back to Cardiff and up and down the hill for 150230 which did do what was expected.
I decided I had enough now. So I started to head home. I decided I'd go via Swindon on the off chance 43056 was about. Also it meant providing everything connected I'd be on a train and moving from Cardiff to Plymouth with two changes and only 2 minutes in each change! It worked and ramped my mileage up. 43056 didn't show.
I did contemplate going further west after Plymouth and meet the sleeper back up. I decided against it because I had to be at work early in the morning.
A reasonable last day of my FOSW Next planned trip was a drive up north to do my first West Midland Ranger for the year. Don't know my exact mileage yet but can't be far off 3k now.
12th January 2012
My third day in a row with my FOSW and I headed to Cardiff. Apart from looking for my remaining units required for haulage in the area I was determined to complete the Valley Lines. So I got a Valley Ranger and jumped onto a winning 175 to Bridgend. Good start.
It then took ages to get back to Cardiff as the connections at Bridgend weren't great. When I finally got back I decided that I would head to Coryton and complete the track scratching. This was done on what was my final 143 required, which I had done last week! I then returned but got off at Birchgrove. It was then a longer than I expected walk to my penultimate Wetherspoons for Cardiff. A swift pint of something Welsh that I couldn't pronounce (but was very nice) and then back to the station.
I then looked at the location of the last Wetherspoons. Near Ninian Park. Luckily the train I was on would go straight through there. And with that all Wetherspoons in Cardiff were completed.
The rest of my time was unproductive. I got no more winning trains and hadn't even seen anything required. So I called it a day an started to make my way home. I did manage to spot 3 winning 66s during the course of the day however. A another Colas Rail one and two Freightliner ones.
So a mixed day. Good for spotting, track and pubs. Not so for haulage but I guess I did get one which is better than none!
It then took ages to get back to Cardiff as the connections at Bridgend weren't great. When I finally got back I decided that I would head to Coryton and complete the track scratching. This was done on what was my final 143 required, which I had done last week! I then returned but got off at Birchgrove. It was then a longer than I expected walk to my penultimate Wetherspoons for Cardiff. A swift pint of something Welsh that I couldn't pronounce (but was very nice) and then back to the station.
I then looked at the location of the last Wetherspoons. Near Ninian Park. Luckily the train I was on would go straight through there. And with that all Wetherspoons in Cardiff were completed.
The rest of my time was unproductive. I got no more winning trains and hadn't even seen anything required. So I called it a day an started to make my way home. I did manage to spot 3 winning 66s during the course of the day however. A another Colas Rail one and two Freightliner ones.
So a mixed day. Good for spotting, track and pubs. Not so for haulage but I guess I did get one which is better than none!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
11th January 2012 FOSW
So after breakfast it was an ideal chance to get SWT units done. I was on trains shortly after 9am. I wouldn't normally be anywhere near this area at this time so time to make the most of it. Time was spent between 0900 and 1300 between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour (but mostly Southsea). I managed to get 18 winning units across SWT, Southern and FGW (newly formed 158960 was required for renumber). Very pleased with these effort. Low mileage obviously but they count. It was then off to Eastleigh. Been a long time since I have been here. I was hoping and sort of succeeded in getting some photos of the new liveried Network Rail 57s. I did get photos of two but one was from a distance (and the number was very hard to see with the angle) and the other unfortunately had a van in the way!! I saw a third but was very well hidden and have no idea of its number. The one I did 100% identify though (the one behind the van) was very much required for sight which was good!
I didn't want a late one today so I left Eastleigh at 1450. This still meant I didn't get home until 1843 as changes and waits at Romsey and Westbury were required! Still another good day but not many miles. Haven't totted them up yet (not even an estimate!). Tomorrow? Not sure yet where I'll be heading.
I didn't want a late one today so I left Eastleigh at 1450. This still meant I didn't get home until 1843 as changes and waits at Romsey and Westbury were required! Still another good day but not many miles. Haven't totted them up yet (not even an estimate!). Tomorrow? Not sure yet where I'll be heading.
10th January 2012 FOSW and Southern Day Save
Well today was the start of a 3 day break from work made possible with days owed after Christmas. So I would continue to use my FOSW. I also decided that I would add to my FOSW by getting a £12 Southern Daysave. To make the most of this I this booked into a Travelodge (love them £20 rooms) in Portsmouth.
I left Plymouth on the 0509 to Exeter. From here my FOSW is valid and took me to Southampton via Honiton. Slow and a change at Salisbury, but cheap.
The original plan was to get a Southern train to Brighton at 1033. But upon my arrival I saw another Southern 377 unit in the station. It was heading to London Victoria. Perfect! My ticket was obviously valid and that's where I was trying to get to anyway! I know where my planning went wrong. Asking to go to Victoria from Southampton kept taking me via SWT (and then tube) which is quicker but not what I wanted.
So now I also had the chance to scratch off new route. Barnham to Three Bridges was the route which was required. I changed trains at Gatwick. I was an hour ahead of my plan now it was a chance to pick off more units. I went into Victoria from here and then returned to Clapham Junction. From here I would catch up with my plan of heading North to Milton Keynes. This is the far North bit of the Southern network an although not new route the track was certainly new if you get picky. Also Milton Keynes station was new for alighting.
It was then back south to Clapham and on a train to Brighton! This was done with 3 minutes spare before my ticket technically becomes invalid!
Once in Brighton it was time for some dinner. As usual a new Wetherspoon was visited. It was then back to the station. From here a winning 171 DMU to Lewes was caught. Then back towards Haywards Heath before changing to go north to Three Bridges. My plan was now to catch a train to Bognor Regis to get that branch in. Due to the times a cheeky train to Redhill and back filled in time and as it turned out get enabled a couple more winners.
The journey to Bognor Regis was quite slow and it was now dark. Glad I got the Horsham line in earlier when it was light!!!
I had about 40 minutes in Bognor so a pint was had in the Spoons. Another one in the book!
It was then back to the station and a train to Barnham. Then a train to Portsmouth. Annoyingly my train didn't stop at Hilsea where my Travelodge was. So stayed on it until Portsmouth Harbour. It was then the same train which forms a service to Little Hampton and does stop at Hilsea!!!!
A 10 minute walk to the Travelodge and a well earnt kip!! 530 odd miles covered and 18 winning units in the book.
I left Plymouth on the 0509 to Exeter. From here my FOSW is valid and took me to Southampton via Honiton. Slow and a change at Salisbury, but cheap.
The original plan was to get a Southern train to Brighton at 1033. But upon my arrival I saw another Southern 377 unit in the station. It was heading to London Victoria. Perfect! My ticket was obviously valid and that's where I was trying to get to anyway! I know where my planning went wrong. Asking to go to Victoria from Southampton kept taking me via SWT (and then tube) which is quicker but not what I wanted.
So now I also had the chance to scratch off new route. Barnham to Three Bridges was the route which was required. I changed trains at Gatwick. I was an hour ahead of my plan now it was a chance to pick off more units. I went into Victoria from here and then returned to Clapham Junction. From here I would catch up with my plan of heading North to Milton Keynes. This is the far North bit of the Southern network an although not new route the track was certainly new if you get picky. Also Milton Keynes station was new for alighting.
It was then back south to Clapham and on a train to Brighton! This was done with 3 minutes spare before my ticket technically becomes invalid!
Once in Brighton it was time for some dinner. As usual a new Wetherspoon was visited. It was then back to the station. From here a winning 171 DMU to Lewes was caught. Then back towards Haywards Heath before changing to go north to Three Bridges. My plan was now to catch a train to Bognor Regis to get that branch in. Due to the times a cheeky train to Redhill and back filled in time and as it turned out get enabled a couple more winners.
The journey to Bognor Regis was quite slow and it was now dark. Glad I got the Horsham line in earlier when it was light!!!
I had about 40 minutes in Bognor so a pint was had in the Spoons. Another one in the book!
It was then back to the station and a train to Barnham. Then a train to Portsmouth. Annoyingly my train didn't stop at Hilsea where my Travelodge was. So stayed on it until Portsmouth Harbour. It was then the same train which forms a service to Little Hampton and does stop at Hilsea!!!!
A 10 minute walk to the Travelodge and a well earnt kip!! 530 odd miles covered and 18 winning units in the book.
Monday, 9 January 2012
7th January 2012 - Plymouth - Exmouth
This wasn't planned but I wasn't going to complain. My wife wanted to go for a walk and we ended up going to Exmouth. We did a circular wall to Lympstone village along the river an then headed inland and swung back round to Exmouth. Very enjoyable as it was dry. We called into the Holly Arms for a drink and was very enjoyable. The trains were all dud (even the green 150 which I had seen earlier across the Exe and I was hopping was either 101, 102 or 122) but it didn't cost me anything a my rover was valid and it was another 120 odd miles on the clock!
5th January 2012 - First FOSW of the year
So I decided to get a FOSW because I knew I had 3 days off next week and would get value for money from it. I may not get 8 days but at least 5.
Today would see me go to Cardiff. Relatively straightforward getting there. The train left Plymouth 7 minutes late but got to Bristol Parkway on time for for my inwards connection to Cardiff. The only thing of note so far was seeing 70013 at Bristol Temple Meads. Risking it I jumped off the Voyager, grabbed a photo and then jumped back on the train. I say risking it because there was a shorter than normal wait due to the time being made up.
Once in Cardiff my plan was to go for local units and should any of the Arriva 175s or XC 170s required be heading to Newport get them. Most of the local stuff I needed was going the wrong way so I started to work out their return. Then along came a winning XC unit. My return from Newport saw the same pattern. So after two winning 170s I decided I'd stay longer than planned at got a Valley Lines Explorer. I would scratch off the Rhymney line and if I see required units have no restriction.
This worked a treat. A winner to Queen Street followed by one to Caerphilly. I decided here was a good time to get a pint in the new Spoons. Back to the station and further North. Brilliant! In rolled my final 143 for haulage! I knew it was about but had totally lost track of its whereabouts! It only went as far as Bargoed but no matter! I waited for another train to Rhymney!
So all that's left in the valleys now is a short trip to Coryton. After Rhymnry I headed to Penarth for dinner in another Wetherspoons.
It was then homeward bound. Next planned outing was to Southampton on Tuesday.
Today would see me go to Cardiff. Relatively straightforward getting there. The train left Plymouth 7 minutes late but got to Bristol Parkway on time for for my inwards connection to Cardiff. The only thing of note so far was seeing 70013 at Bristol Temple Meads. Risking it I jumped off the Voyager, grabbed a photo and then jumped back on the train. I say risking it because there was a shorter than normal wait due to the time being made up.
Once in Cardiff my plan was to go for local units and should any of the Arriva 175s or XC 170s required be heading to Newport get them. Most of the local stuff I needed was going the wrong way so I started to work out their return. Then along came a winning XC unit. My return from Newport saw the same pattern. So after two winning 170s I decided I'd stay longer than planned at got a Valley Lines Explorer. I would scratch off the Rhymney line and if I see required units have no restriction.
This worked a treat. A winner to Queen Street followed by one to Caerphilly. I decided here was a good time to get a pint in the new Spoons. Back to the station and further North. Brilliant! In rolled my final 143 for haulage! I knew it was about but had totally lost track of its whereabouts! It only went as far as Bargoed but no matter! I waited for another train to Rhymney!
So all that's left in the valleys now is a short trip to Coryton. After Rhymnry I headed to Penarth for dinner in another Wetherspoons.
It was then homeward bound. Next planned outing was to Southampton on Tuesday.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
3rd January 2012 - Daytrip to London
First major outing of the year was a trip to London. Originally I was going to do a West Midland Day ranger with Peter but it was suggested we go to London with Dave with a friends and family ticket. I also met Tony for the first time (excellent photographer by the way!).
So I bought a ticket to Exeter where I met Dave on the train. Peter was unable to make it. Once in London me and Dave headed to Liverpool Street. The plan was to 379s to Tottenham Hale. We did the first two trains together as we both needed sets that were running. After that we split as we after different units. I spent about 3 hours here and managed to complete the 379s for sight and now only need two for haulage.
It was then time for lunch at The Masque Haunt at Old Street. I had planned to do Moorgate to Old Street on FCC but signalling problems meant I had to go via the Northern line. Not a problem, just wasted time!
After lunch I headed to Canonbury. From here I was looking for some of my last 378s. I spent an hour or so here and knocked off 6 more including 378255 and 256. 378256 didn't even have maps in it yet! It got cold waiting around for required units so I headed to West Hampstead. From here I would do some I the Thameslink line. I hadn't done many FCC units so would be productive and warmer!
I spent all my remaining time between St Pancras and Elephant & Castle bagging units. I took time out to go to The Rockingham Arms. Glad all I did there was get a drink. It is safe to say it's not one of Wetherspoons highlights!!
I met with Dave and Tony at Paddington at 2000 and we headed home. A good day and a chunky 500+ miles on the clock.
So I bought a ticket to Exeter where I met Dave on the train. Peter was unable to make it. Once in London me and Dave headed to Liverpool Street. The plan was to 379s to Tottenham Hale. We did the first two trains together as we both needed sets that were running. After that we split as we after different units. I spent about 3 hours here and managed to complete the 379s for sight and now only need two for haulage.
It was then time for lunch at The Masque Haunt at Old Street. I had planned to do Moorgate to Old Street on FCC but signalling problems meant I had to go via the Northern line. Not a problem, just wasted time!
After lunch I headed to Canonbury. From here I was looking for some of my last 378s. I spent an hour or so here and knocked off 6 more including 378255 and 256. 378256 didn't even have maps in it yet! It got cold waiting around for required units so I headed to West Hampstead. From here I would do some I the Thameslink line. I hadn't done many FCC units so would be productive and warmer!
I spent all my remaining time between St Pancras and Elephant & Castle bagging units. I took time out to go to The Rockingham Arms. Glad all I did there was get a drink. It is safe to say it's not one of Wetherspoons highlights!!
I met with Dave and Tony at Paddington at 2000 and we headed home. A good day and a chunky 500+ miles on the clock.
1st January 2012 - New Years Day
Well Happy New Year! I've not been feeling great but I had friends down and kinda kept going for them! We decided to head to Cornwall as they wanted to see where I grew up. Was also nice to see my parents as I didn't see them over Christmas. So a simple day return to Perranwell has got me started with 115 miles.
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