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!
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