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.