So after my FONE march has been a quiet month. I had no major plans in place and needed to save money. On March 1st I met Peter and we planned I do a Devon Ranger. It was more of a meet up and hope either of the few remaining trains we require turned up.
We got the Gen that a network rail train was heading west so we headed to Taunton to try photograph it there. This was a good move and was very pleased with my effort. Peter then saw one of his final hst power cars. It was heading east so we bought another ticket to Westbury.
It was a good day as we caught up over things we'd seen and done but it was obviously better for Peter.
The following week I was out again. Main objective to photograph the 47 and 56 that had been to Burngullow to pick up the last of the silver bullet wagons stored there. Unfortunately the train ran early as it did not stop at Hemerdon as planned due to the service that was supposed to overtake running late.
This was not good. I was ahead of it but not far enough. I couldn't get in place to photograph it and it thundered pass me on the sea wall. Both were required for sight (I didn't realise this until later that day) so wasn't a total loss. I wasn't happy though and headed home early.
Finally the 15th. Again I met up with Peter. This time we went for a photo of the unusual day later than normal running of the 6Z51. We got in position and waited. The weather was murky and misty so it was not great for photos. Especially when during my experimenting I left the camera in the wrong mode. It was a blurry mess! Second week in a row I wasn't happy.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
26th February 2012 - Going home!
So it was nearly over. We headed to York on the first train of the day and from here caught an East Coast service to Durham. Then a TPE to Newcastle. These were the only 3 winning trains of the day! We caught a dud HST to York (same set as our train up to the area and again a few days later!) and back to London on a non stop dud 91!
It was then back to the West Country on a dud FGW hst but I didn't expect anything else! It was only as far as Tiverton because we had to bus back to Plymouth. Shame as it is slower and I hate coaches.
But that was it! A great few days away! Loads of track, winning trains for haulage and sight! Had a good time with my dad and very good value or money! Bring on the next time! We managed 2500 odd miles too!
It was then back to the West Country on a dud FGW hst but I didn't expect anything else! It was only as far as Tiverton because we had to bus back to Plymouth. Shame as it is slower and I hate coaches.
But that was it! A great few days away! Loads of track, winning trains for haulage and sight! Had a good time with my dad and very good value or money! Bring on the next time! We managed 2500 odd miles too!
25th February 2012 North East Rover Day 4
It was Saturday. No restrictions so an early start. We caught the 0714 off Leeds to Selby. It was going to be a tight 2 minute connection onto Hull Trains service to Doncaster. As it turned out our train was early and went into the bay next to the platform we needed anyway!
I needed this train so that the junction from Selby onto the East Coast mainline was done. It was also the first time I had a proper run in a 180. I like them and look forward to them returning to the Great Western. I missed them last time and if they sort out the reliability problems with the work currently being done they will be great. Last and only 180 I went on was a few chains in Manchester on a Northern service.
We had a little time in Doncaster and some photos of freight were taken. The sun was out so they were easy to take. We then were planning to take an out and back to Swinton ready to get a train to York. It went wrong!
After a dud 142 to Swinton we were waiting for our train back. The CIS on the platform said the next train was to Scunthorpe which would stop at Doncaster. And was on time. Brilliant. Then in rolled 142029! Great! Kept seeing the old fgw hire ins so I guess it was inevitable I would end up on one at some point. So on we got. I didn't notice it was not our train until it went straight at the junction! Great! Dud and wrong train. A quick check on the NRE said that it was a late running Leeds train and the train we needed was 5 behind. Well thanks Northern (or whoever looks after the screens at these remote stations). Quite a few people as it turned out were now on the wrong train.
This meant it was impossible to get to York on the train in the plan. Which in turn meant missing out on a bit of track between York and Gilberdyke.
To get back on track we bailed at Wakefield Westgate. It was then back to Doncaster. Then I saw a move that would enable us to catch the train in the plan at Sheffield instead of Doncaster.
It was then the frustratingly slow TPE to Cleethorpes. Between Grimsby and Cleethorpes it takes the Micky! How slow for how short a distance?
From here we caught a winning 153 to Barton on Humber. And we came straight back. How boring was this line? So glad it's done and that does not need to be done ever again!
After an incredibly late lunch of fish and chips we started the Saturdays only, 2 hour, 71 mile journey on a pacer to Sheffield via Gainsborough! It's a nice enough journey but again, glad it's done!
Ok time to add some miles to the day! A trip back to Doncaster via a change at Meadowhall. Then a winning HST to Newcastle. We grabbed something I eat from the Sainsburys and then headed back to Leeds via Doncaster with a winning 91 and dud 321. Apart from the earlier hiccup a lot of awkward route done so a good day.
I needed this train so that the junction from Selby onto the East Coast mainline was done. It was also the first time I had a proper run in a 180. I like them and look forward to them returning to the Great Western. I missed them last time and if they sort out the reliability problems with the work currently being done they will be great. Last and only 180 I went on was a few chains in Manchester on a Northern service.
We had a little time in Doncaster and some photos of freight were taken. The sun was out so they were easy to take. We then were planning to take an out and back to Swinton ready to get a train to York. It went wrong!
After a dud 142 to Swinton we were waiting for our train back. The CIS on the platform said the next train was to Scunthorpe which would stop at Doncaster. And was on time. Brilliant. Then in rolled 142029! Great! Kept seeing the old fgw hire ins so I guess it was inevitable I would end up on one at some point. So on we got. I didn't notice it was not our train until it went straight at the junction! Great! Dud and wrong train. A quick check on the NRE said that it was a late running Leeds train and the train we needed was 5 behind. Well thanks Northern (or whoever looks after the screens at these remote stations). Quite a few people as it turned out were now on the wrong train.
This meant it was impossible to get to York on the train in the plan. Which in turn meant missing out on a bit of track between York and Gilberdyke.
To get back on track we bailed at Wakefield Westgate. It was then back to Doncaster. Then I saw a move that would enable us to catch the train in the plan at Sheffield instead of Doncaster.
It was then the frustratingly slow TPE to Cleethorpes. Between Grimsby and Cleethorpes it takes the Micky! How slow for how short a distance?
From here we caught a winning 153 to Barton on Humber. And we came straight back. How boring was this line? So glad it's done and that does not need to be done ever again!
After an incredibly late lunch of fish and chips we started the Saturdays only, 2 hour, 71 mile journey on a pacer to Sheffield via Gainsborough! It's a nice enough journey but again, glad it's done!
Ok time to add some miles to the day! A trip back to Doncaster via a change at Meadowhall. Then a winning HST to Newcastle. We grabbed something I eat from the Sainsburys and then headed back to Leeds via Doncaster with a winning 91 and dud 321. Apart from the earlier hiccup a lot of awkward route done so a good day.
24th February 2012 North East Rover Day 3
The first train of the day for us was the 0900 to Knottingley. The objective was to clear some route and junctions in the Wakefield area. After Knottingley we headed to Wakefield Kirkgate. Wow! What a sorry looking station. Let's hope the work starting later in the year does it some justice. Looked like it was once way more than it is now!
It was then back to Leeds. During this move from and back to Leeds I managed to spot three new 66s and a 70 at Midland Road. There is also one tiny bit of track left for me to do here but that will be done later in the year. It was then an out and back to New Pudsey before heading south to Sheffield with a change at Meadowhall to grab the extra unit.
Lunch from Uppercrust and then back to Meadowhall. Then it was a slow trip to York via Pontefract Baghill. On the way we saw 70019 and 020 on their way from York to Leeds Midland Road.
At York it was time to speed up! A winning 91 took us to Newcastle and then another took us south back to Darlington. Back onto a Nodding Donkey we headed to Saltburn.
With the branch complete it was back to Middlesbrough for dinner. After dinner back to Darlington on a big fish 142! Then we caught a late but another winning 91 to York. We bailed here to catch the train we intended to catch! It was the train that brought us up to Leeds a couple of days ago! We caught this to Doncaster before a winning 91 to Leeds. It was then decided we would head to Wakefield Westgate and catch the East Midland Trains HST back. Good move! Winning 322 (bizarrely though I'd seen it before as a kid in Scotland and hadn't seen any of the others until this week!) and then a winning power car!
Another good day and 438 miles clocked up.
It was then back to Leeds. During this move from and back to Leeds I managed to spot three new 66s and a 70 at Midland Road. There is also one tiny bit of track left for me to do here but that will be done later in the year. It was then an out and back to New Pudsey before heading south to Sheffield with a change at Meadowhall to grab the extra unit.
Lunch from Uppercrust and then back to Meadowhall. Then it was a slow trip to York via Pontefract Baghill. On the way we saw 70019 and 020 on their way from York to Leeds Midland Road.
At York it was time to speed up! A winning 91 took us to Newcastle and then another took us south back to Darlington. Back onto a Nodding Donkey we headed to Saltburn.
With the branch complete it was back to Middlesbrough for dinner. After dinner back to Darlington on a big fish 142! Then we caught a late but another winning 91 to York. We bailed here to catch the train we intended to catch! It was the train that brought us up to Leeds a couple of days ago! We caught this to Doncaster before a winning 91 to Leeds. It was then decided we would head to Wakefield Westgate and catch the East Midland Trains HST back. Good move! Winning 322 (bizarrely though I'd seen it before as a kid in Scotland and hadn't seen any of the others until this week!) and then a winning power car!
Another good day and 438 miles clocked up.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
23 February 2012 - North East Rover Day 2
For the second day the main plan was to complete the Bradford Foster Square & Ilkley lines and a circular trip to Carlisle.
We arrived at the station at about 0830. We'd already established the gates don't like our tickets already so we had to be waved through. We had a quick look round to see what was there. A 158 and 144 for myself and then it was off to find our first train. This was a big fish! My last 153 for sight was attached to a 158 heading to Carlisle. We caught it as far as Bingley The Carlisle leg would be a lot later. We then caught a 333 to Bradford Forster Square. My first 333 for haulage and I quite like them. We got to Bradford and annoyingly I noticed it would form the service to Ilkey. Another train was due to leave before it though so we caught that to Frizinghall before jumping back into the train to Ilkley. At least another winning unit would be caught. On the way to Ilkley I spotted 333001 at Shipley. One more required for sight now!
At Ilkley we had a little time. So we headed to the new Wetherspoons for a drink. Ilkley is a nice little place an no doubt will return again one day with my wife. She'd love it!
Back to the trains and we headed back to Leeds. Once we were back it meant all the curves and lines to and from Bradford and Ilkley were done.
The next train was to Selby. We needed to be back in Leeds for the 1249 to Carlisle and this would work out well. Also a trip to Selby was handy as we would be back later in the week where a tight connection was going to be made and knowing the footbridge location etc would be handy.
Two winning trains were caught to Selby and back. There was enough time to grab lunch and then onto the train. No table seats! My dad hadn't done Settle - Carlisle before so a table seat would have been better! Never mind!
En route a saw my final 333 for sight at Skipton! Brilliant! And loads of people got off and we moved to a table seat! We also weren't paying attention and missed a DB liveried 66 in a loop. Doh!
The journey was mostly as you'd expect from then on, except it got so foggy by the time we got to Ribblehead you couldn't see anything! It was a pity because the views are stunning. It cleared up as we got nearer to Carlisle and good job as I was able to spot 66850 heading south.
At Carlisle we had about an hour to kill. We photted the 86 and 87 by the station and then in rolled a DB liveried 66! It followed us all the way from Skipton.
It was soon time to head over to Newcastle. I'd not done this line, in fact I've not got off at Newcastle before. The line is nice enough but was starting to get dark.
At Newcastle we had just about enough time to see what the Thunderbird was. It was then onto Sunderland and what a weird station! I did not expect that at all! I don't know why, but I expected a grand station, not a long box underground! Mind you HSTs must sound great accelerating out of there! I did like the lights in the wall though and how they went on and off to give the impression of a shadow of a person behind the wall! Clever!
We had dinner in the nearest Wetherspoons before starting the trek home. It was dark but I could just make out the views. Need to do this line to Middlesbrough from Sunderland again in the daylight. Mind you it was probably the bumpiest train ride I have ever been on! How that Nodding Donkey continued to nod is beyond me! I thought it was going to be thrown off the track!
We didn't go all the way to Middlesbrough. We stopped at Thornaby and then it was the TPE to Leeds. The last bit of excitement was the diversion! On the way I noticed we started getting late. We went really slow and then we spotted the outlines of class 66s on our right hand side. I said to my dad we must have been diverted because I'm sure that was Midland Road. It was all confirmed when we arrived into Leeds in the wrong direction to normal. Bonus! The slow bit would have been the freight line that looped us round to Castleford. We got in 15 minutes late but I didn't care.
A great day and 388 slow miles completed.
We arrived at the station at about 0830. We'd already established the gates don't like our tickets already so we had to be waved through. We had a quick look round to see what was there. A 158 and 144 for myself and then it was off to find our first train. This was a big fish! My last 153 for sight was attached to a 158 heading to Carlisle. We caught it as far as Bingley The Carlisle leg would be a lot later. We then caught a 333 to Bradford Forster Square. My first 333 for haulage and I quite like them. We got to Bradford and annoyingly I noticed it would form the service to Ilkey. Another train was due to leave before it though so we caught that to Frizinghall before jumping back into the train to Ilkley. At least another winning unit would be caught. On the way to Ilkley I spotted 333001 at Shipley. One more required for sight now!
At Ilkley we had a little time. So we headed to the new Wetherspoons for a drink. Ilkley is a nice little place an no doubt will return again one day with my wife. She'd love it!
Back to the trains and we headed back to Leeds. Once we were back it meant all the curves and lines to and from Bradford and Ilkley were done.
The next train was to Selby. We needed to be back in Leeds for the 1249 to Carlisle and this would work out well. Also a trip to Selby was handy as we would be back later in the week where a tight connection was going to be made and knowing the footbridge location etc would be handy.
Two winning trains were caught to Selby and back. There was enough time to grab lunch and then onto the train. No table seats! My dad hadn't done Settle - Carlisle before so a table seat would have been better! Never mind!
En route a saw my final 333 for sight at Skipton! Brilliant! And loads of people got off and we moved to a table seat! We also weren't paying attention and missed a DB liveried 66 in a loop. Doh!
The journey was mostly as you'd expect from then on, except it got so foggy by the time we got to Ribblehead you couldn't see anything! It was a pity because the views are stunning. It cleared up as we got nearer to Carlisle and good job as I was able to spot 66850 heading south.
At Carlisle we had about an hour to kill. We photted the 86 and 87 by the station and then in rolled a DB liveried 66! It followed us all the way from Skipton.
It was soon time to head over to Newcastle. I'd not done this line, in fact I've not got off at Newcastle before. The line is nice enough but was starting to get dark.
At Newcastle we had just about enough time to see what the Thunderbird was. It was then onto Sunderland and what a weird station! I did not expect that at all! I don't know why, but I expected a grand station, not a long box underground! Mind you HSTs must sound great accelerating out of there! I did like the lights in the wall though and how they went on and off to give the impression of a shadow of a person behind the wall! Clever!
We had dinner in the nearest Wetherspoons before starting the trek home. It was dark but I could just make out the views. Need to do this line to Middlesbrough from Sunderland again in the daylight. Mind you it was probably the bumpiest train ride I have ever been on! How that Nodding Donkey continued to nod is beyond me! I thought it was going to be thrown off the track!
We didn't go all the way to Middlesbrough. We stopped at Thornaby and then it was the TPE to Leeds. The last bit of excitement was the diversion! On the way I noticed we started getting late. We went really slow and then we spotted the outlines of class 66s on our right hand side. I said to my dad we must have been diverted because I'm sure that was Midland Road. It was all confirmed when we arrived into Leeds in the wrong direction to normal. Bonus! The slow bit would have been the freight line that looped us round to Castleford. We got in 15 minutes late but I didn't care.
A great day and 388 slow miles completed.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
22 February 2012 - North East Rover
Planned at the back end of 2011, today would see the start of a Freedom of the north east with my dad. For me a chance to scratch off a lot of track, hopefully pick up a few of my last remaining units in the north for sight and for my dad get a whole load of new stuff (he's been out of the loop for 15 of years like I had been).
We left Plymouth on the 0553 to Paddington. At Newton a winner for sight in the form of 66745 stabled in the station ready for the log train later started the day well. We arrived into London on time an we had an hour and half before our train left Kings Cross. This was typical. If I'd booked an earlier train the Plymouth train would have been delayed!!!
We had a look round St Pancras, got a drink and saw couple of required Eurostars. We then headed over to Kings Cross. We waited for our train after a look round. Kings Cross is coming on well and will look fantastic when finished and no longer be in the shadow of St Pancras.
Our train was an HST to Doncaster. It left about 5 minutes late after receiving fitters attention! It was required for haulage so all was good. Passing Peterborough and another two 66s required for sight were spotted.
We arrived at Doncaster on time and had a little time before our next train. I'd been to Doncaster before but not enough time to do anything. The thunderbird was 67029 with its new DB branding. The only other thing of note was 170309 passing through that was a winner for sight.
At 1251 we left for Goole on the 2C26, a winning 158. On the way another winning 66 was spotted at Hatfield and Stainforth. We changed at Goole for the train behind. It gave us 25 minutes to wait so we popped to the Wetherspoons for a quick drink. It was then on to Hull. I'd been on this route before but didn't go into Hull. Instead looped back on the freight loops.
Another winning 170 was spotted at Brough and when we arrived at Hull my final TPE 170 was seen. Brilliant! All 3 required spotted within a couple of hours! Just need to ride them now! Lol!
Next up was a trip to Scarborough on a dud 158. Not before a quick drink in the Wetherspoons though! Another drink in Scarborough before on to a 185 (winner for sight and haulage) to Leeds, where we were staying.
It was dark by the time we got to York but its not long to Leeds. We got to Leeds and found our travelodge. We would be here for the next four nights and it was a bargain at £108 for the both of us!!!!
We planned to head out again after some dinner. So we went to the Wetherspoons at the station. We wanted to complete a section of track between Leeds and Bradford Interchange and then to Huddersfield. I know it was dark but it's still done! We had some time before that move so a cheeky trip to Burely Park and back grabbed 4 winning units. Two 150s, a 153 and a 155. The 155 was also my final one required for sight!
As it turned out the 155 split from the 153 and formed the 2W91 to Huddersfield via Bradford Interchange! Ah well, it was track scratching.
So the final move was back to Leeds. The first train back was a 10 minute wait but running an hour late. It was dud for me so I suggested we wait for the one behind (the train we were planning to catch!). It was also dud! Great! could have been in the hotel 5 minutes earlier!
Anyway a good first day with plenty of winners for sight and haulage. A total of 597 miles travelled with tomorrow being the first complete full day in the area!
We left Plymouth on the 0553 to Paddington. At Newton a winner for sight in the form of 66745 stabled in the station ready for the log train later started the day well. We arrived into London on time an we had an hour and half before our train left Kings Cross. This was typical. If I'd booked an earlier train the Plymouth train would have been delayed!!!
We had a look round St Pancras, got a drink and saw couple of required Eurostars. We then headed over to Kings Cross. We waited for our train after a look round. Kings Cross is coming on well and will look fantastic when finished and no longer be in the shadow of St Pancras.
Our train was an HST to Doncaster. It left about 5 minutes late after receiving fitters attention! It was required for haulage so all was good. Passing Peterborough and another two 66s required for sight were spotted.
We arrived at Doncaster on time and had a little time before our next train. I'd been to Doncaster before but not enough time to do anything. The thunderbird was 67029 with its new DB branding. The only other thing of note was 170309 passing through that was a winner for sight.
At 1251 we left for Goole on the 2C26, a winning 158. On the way another winning 66 was spotted at Hatfield and Stainforth. We changed at Goole for the train behind. It gave us 25 minutes to wait so we popped to the Wetherspoons for a quick drink. It was then on to Hull. I'd been on this route before but didn't go into Hull. Instead looped back on the freight loops.
Another winning 170 was spotted at Brough and when we arrived at Hull my final TPE 170 was seen. Brilliant! All 3 required spotted within a couple of hours! Just need to ride them now! Lol!
Next up was a trip to Scarborough on a dud 158. Not before a quick drink in the Wetherspoons though! Another drink in Scarborough before on to a 185 (winner for sight and haulage) to Leeds, where we were staying.
It was dark by the time we got to York but its not long to Leeds. We got to Leeds and found our travelodge. We would be here for the next four nights and it was a bargain at £108 for the both of us!!!!
We planned to head out again after some dinner. So we went to the Wetherspoons at the station. We wanted to complete a section of track between Leeds and Bradford Interchange and then to Huddersfield. I know it was dark but it's still done! We had some time before that move so a cheeky trip to Burely Park and back grabbed 4 winning units. Two 150s, a 153 and a 155. The 155 was also my final one required for sight!
As it turned out the 155 split from the 153 and formed the 2W91 to Huddersfield via Bradford Interchange! Ah well, it was track scratching.
So the final move was back to Leeds. The first train back was a 10 minute wait but running an hour late. It was dud for me so I suggested we wait for the one behind (the train we were planning to catch!). It was also dud! Great! could have been in the hotel 5 minutes earlier!
Anyway a good first day with plenty of winners for sight and haulage. A total of 597 miles travelled with tomorrow being the first complete full day in the area!
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