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.
No comments:
Post a Comment